During this afternoon's Cup O' Joe panel at San Francisco's WonderCon, Marvel announced a number of compelling projects.
Chief among them? Warren Ellis' return to the larger Marvel U, specifically with Secret Avengers. We knew Nick Spencer's tenure on the book was only a temporary tour of duty, but now we know who'll be running the platoon for issue #16 and beyond. Ellis joins the book in August, and it looks like each issue is a one-and-done deal, ideal for new readers, light weeks, and impulse purchases.
And the first artist he'll be working with? Jamie McKelvie, who'll be lending his considerable talents to Secret Avengers #16. It's just for a single issue, but in those pages we are treated not only to McKelvie's take on Beast, Steve Rogers, Black Widow, and Moon Knight, but also on a plummeting automobile! How's about a looky-loo?
"Beginning in Secret Avengers #16, superstar Warren Ellis takes the reins of the special ops team Steve Rogers assembled for a series of hypercompressed single-issue adventures, each a balls-out action film in 22 pages, as they covertly confront and eliminate those threats to life and liberty growing in the shadowy corners of the world, far from the eyes of men."
This next one is a little spoilery for Fear Itself, but what are you gonna do? Hulk vs. Dracula is a three part slobberknocker pitting the newly Worthied Hulk against the vampire hordes of the Marvel U. This one is written by blood sportsman Victor Gischler and an iFanboy artist -to-watch Ryan Stegman. Issue #1 hits this September.
Here's a really striking cover from, if I'm not mistaken, Gabriele Dell'Otto:
"Hulk is now one of the villainous Worthy so it’s time for him to smash his way through the Marvel Universe, but only one hero can stand in his way and it’s…Dracula?!
This is where Death of Dracula, Tomb of Dracula Presents: Throne of Blood and X-Men have all been leading, as Dracula and the mysterious Raizo (Throne of Blood) must put aside their millennia old feud to stop the Hulk from annihilating the entire vampire race! Because if they can’t stop Hulk, no one can! Acclaimed creators Victor Gischler and Ryan Stegman bring you one of the most important battles in FEAR ITSELF…and no one walks away unscathed."
Fans of the critically acclaimed Magneto: Testament will be pleased to learn that Greg Pak is returning to familiar themes and environs for a new five-part limited series centered on the Red Skull. The origin story boasts a tremendous art team, with Secret Warriors artist Mirko Colak on interiors and David Aja providing some stunning covers.
"Witness the chilling creation of Marvel’s greatest monster, and liberty’s greatest enemy. As Berlin descends into chaos and ruin, sinister forces are on the rise…and the men who will form the Nazi Party ascend to power. Against this tragic backdrop of history, a boy comes of age…Johann Schmidt. Orphan, thug, urchin – Johann has nothing…and how far he would go for power will change the world…"
The summer's looking gorgeous alright.
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*spit take*
Whoa! This hearsay of Ellis and McKelvie taking over Secret Avengers shocks me! Looks like I’m back on board with the title with #16!
Does this mean that we can only expect two or three issues of Secret avengers a year?
I gotta say, they all look fun. Great creators, cool characters…gotta love that.
I’ll definitely be buying that McKelvie issue of Secret Avengers… the rest will depend on the artists.
McKelvie’s Beast is a bit off putting if I can say.
Can’t believe I’m saying this but I miss the Pink Panther Beast after seeing this.
Warren Ellis on Secret Avengers? Yes. Yes, I would like that very much.
Pretty excited about all of this, though I’m looking forward to that Red Skull mini the most. Those are some stunning covers and Greg Pak can write a great story. Glad to see him writing a story completely out of the Hulk mythos too…though, he is writing the Silver Surfer mini too.
@TNC Pink Panther Beast is my favourite beast!
Pink Panther Beast > Cat Beast > Human Beast > Wolverine-haired Beast
Those David Aja Red Skull covers are completely Bad Ass. It will be a crime to slap Marvel’s standard oversized barcode/price box over it.
I don’t know if my Stegman love can overcome my complete disinterest in Gischler, Marvel’s vampire stuff and Fear Itself… *sad*
not sure about the Hulk/Dracula thing. those Red Skull covers look awesome. and Ellis writing Avengers is going to be weird.
I am excited Ellis is working himself back into writing comics. His sabattical had me sorely missing him.
The Worthy Hulk thing wasn’t really a spoiler though…in recent issues there have been pictures of Hulk and Juggernaught as The Worthy along with a third that kind of looks like a cross between Onslaught and Penance…
Still hoping they fix Dracula’s look though. His old look is way better than this new look.
@Zarathos81 True, but they hadn’t outright said it yet.
I like Worthy Hulk’s Tron doo-rag.
@gobo The PP Beast does have its charm. But it still freaks me out when I look at it.
Oh I am ALL up on that red skull mini.
Great. Astonishing X-Men was terrible under Ellis. Hopefully this will fair better.
I dropped this book after issue 4 or 5, but I’m looking forward to seeing what kind of tales Ellis can spin. While I like McKelvie, I’m not entirely sold on having him as the artist. I prefer a grittier noir style art.
hells yea mckelvie on SA IM DOWN
David Aja did some kick ass Daredevil art in Daredevil B&W that came out a few months back I love his style.
McKelvie on so much action will be interesting. Maybe there will be a lot more dreamy shots of Valkerie and Black Widow staring at the reader though…!
Dammit I was looking forward to dropping secret avengers!
I wish Deodato would be back with Ellis. Their run on Thunderbolts was unconventional bt billiant.
i like the idea of a wolf-snout beast. I hate cat-face beast.
Pro: McKelvie, Con: Ellis. No idea what the hell to do about Secret Avengers, now.
Meanwhile, The Hulk and Dracula are two of the worst characters in Marvel comics; hopefully one kills the other.