Disney Buying Marvel: Robert Kirkman Was Right

Was this man right? Is Robert Kirkman the prophet of the comic book universe? He came out in favor of creator owned comics and after what recently happened, he is probably right.

Walt Disney on Monday unveiled a surprise $4bn bid for Marvel Entertainment, ending a deal-making drought in the media sector and paving the way for Iron Man, Spider-Man and Captain America to be united with Mickey Mouse and Hannah Montana.

What does this mean for the Marvel U? I remember two issues ago Deadpool blew his brains out because he was BORED! What's he going to do now? Put on an episode of The Suite Life of Zack & Cody? What about the Punisher? Is he just going to be allowed to yell at people and tell them they are going down the wrong path? Will the X-Men wear promise rings? Is Spider-Man going to be making cameos in the Jonas Brothers? All good questions and statements raised by folks after the breaking news. All valid.

Here is what I want to know; what about the price? Comics have steadily gone up in price from 10 cents to now 4.99 and 5.99 with some books in the Marvel Universe, while the creator owned Image Comics has kept their books new, original and at 2.99.

I fear nothing but the worst in regards to this purchase. This is as bad as the end of a Russell T Davies episode of Doctor Who.

Robert Kirkman, if you are reading this. You were right. All the naysayers owe you a HUGE apology.

What do you think? Leave your comments below!

Iron Man: RIP?

Marvel Comics has revealed the wrap around cover for Invincible Iron Man #20, which is the start of the rather eagerly anticipated Stark: DISASSEMBLED storyline.

The cover is designed to mirror a shot from Civil War: The Confession by Brian Bendis and Alex Maleev, the cover depicts a fallen (perhaps dead?) Tony Stark with Thor grieving by Stark's side.

Invincible Iron Man #20 is written by Matt Fraction with art by Salvador Larroca. In addition to the Patrick Zircher wraparound cover, there will also be a cover by Salvador Larroca and a 70th Anniversary Variant Cover by Marko Djurdjevic. Invincible Iron Man #20 is scheduled to arrive in comic book stores in November of 2009.

Take a good look at the cover and stay tuned to Vinyl & VILLAINS for updates. Is Tony Stark going to take out Norman Osborn before he goes? Is Marvel just playing games with our emotions? Does Jesus really hate zombies and Lincoln hate werewolves? Sound off in our comment section to tell us what you think!

First Avenger: Captain America News

During San Diego Comic Con, Marvel's President of Production, Kevin Feige spoke about a lot of things. One of them was the upcoming film, The First Avenger: Captain America. The last movie to come out following Iron Man 2 and Thor before The Avengers film hits theaters in 2012.

There are no casting decisions being made because screenwriters Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely are only about "half way done" with the script and director Joe Johnston doesn't join production until October. However Feige did have a few things to talk about in regards to Cap's origin story.

Setting it in World War II — the Marvel version of World War II — I think is gonna open it up in another big way ... What's funny is it will actually end up being, I think, our most diverse and our most international film, in terms of the content of the movies itself. It takes place overseas much more than any of our other films do. In terms of the cast, there's a group that Steve [Rogers] works with that will have an opportunity for many more international actors than any of our other films.

He also had a few words in regards to some villains that might appear.

We are gonna explore those aspects of World War II that made Cap special: the Super Soldier program, Red Skull, Hydra, all of those things that exist in the Marvel version of it. As you know if you read the comic books, the origin of Captain America is really the origin of the Marvel universe ... it's about that time in history when the idea of the superhero began to emerge.

Could This Be Thor's Daddy??

>

This is Brian Blessed. He may not look like anyhting to you, but I remember him as Black Adder's father in the original Black Adder series. I also remember him from his pivitol role in the 1980 classic, Flash Gordon, where he played Prince Vultan of the Hawkmen.

Why is any of this relevant? Well there is a rumor going around that there are talks for Mr Blessed to play the God of Thunder's Dad, Odin. If this is true, he is the PERFECT choice for the role. He is loud, and full of life (and a mouth full of teeth). You can't help but feel good after watching something that has been in. I give you proof in the form of a YouTube video.

and if that's not enough, here he is doing snooker commentary:

So I give you, Brian Blessed. Do YOU think he is Odin?