ULTIMATE IRON MAN!

Welcome back to Avengers: Assemble week on the ComicGuru blog! Today's featured hero is CEO of Stark ind. Mr Tony Stark, a.k.a Iron Man! And the beautiful item we have from Iron Man today is the ultimate universe Iron Man.

A beautifully designed and perfectly posed bust of the Ultimate creation is a perfect addition to anybody's collection. Perfectly sculpted and coloured beautifully in a matte finish, this limited run item has only one left in our stocks and is down in price to only £89.99, and is sure to go up in value as soon as they're sold out… which they already are!

To see this wonderful item in our online store, click here

AVENGERS ASSEMBLE - Pre-Screening Review

We at the Comic Guru had a fantastic trip to the cinema on Thursday 19th 2012, for a pre-screening of AVENGERS ASSEMBLE. And here's our official review...

If this film proves one thing, it’s that Joss Whedon is a god among film makers.

From the moment the news of this film leaked I’ve been looking forward to its release; and with the release of each solo film (The Incredible Hulk, Iron Man 1 & 2, Thor and Captain America) the excitement and anticipation continued to grow. But in the back of my mind there was a little voice of worry; after all it was such a huge concept and to get all these characters and elements together was a mammoth task, one that would either fail or succeed. There really was no middle ground as far as I was concerned. And then the news that sent my anticipation into high orbit came out; Joss Whedon would not only be directing the film, but writing it, too! Recipe for success!

I was not disappointed.

I have always been a fan of Whedon’s work, and always been a fan of The Avengers, especially the early issues (I’ll confess I’ve lost track with most of the recent stuff, and my knowledge of current comic continuity is severely lacking), but the good thing about this film is that you don’t need a mass amount of knowledge to understand what’s going on. All the ground work was laid in the preceding films, of course, but does that mean you’ll have needed to see them to follow this film? I’d say ‘no’.  The team is assembled in such a way that you learn all you need to know when you need to know it. Whedon’s script is as intelligent as one has come to expect; the action, pathos, humour, drama and character development is woven so neatly together that there is not a single moment of superfluous material. Everything written is essential to the climax of the film. There are a few moments of quiet, but these moments are full of wonderful character interaction and wit, and they also afford the viewer a chance to get their breath back before the next bout of pure adrenalin infused action.

Many people have been concerned about Mark Ruffalo taking on the rule of Bruce Banner, some even expecting the Hulk to be sidelined by the other characters. Well, those fears are laid to rest. The Hulk is a key element of the plot, and is a character that drives some of the funniest moments in the film. I wish I could tell you what they are (I really do!), but to do so would spoil a lot of the film. Needless to say, those scenes will have you roaring in laughter (actually, that’s the only issue with this film I have – there are moments in the script of comedy gold, and Whedon most certainly knew that. Moments where the entire theatre was consumed in a tsunami of laughter. Alas, the laughter drowns out the following few lines of dialogue – I hope those lines were flotsam, and not essential to the plot, since no one heard them). Raffalo plays Banner with a nice touch of charm, and mountains of humour. I was a big fan of Edward Norton’s performance in The Incredible Hulk (although, of course, it goes without saying that Bill Bixby still maintains the crown as the definitive Banner), but Raffalo exceeds Norton’s performance in spades. In fact, one of my concerns was that with such a huge cast of characters and quality actors (actual movie stars!), not everyone would get a chance to shine. I shouldn’t have worried (I must have forgot Whedon’s skill with ensemble shows). All characters are given moments to shine. Not only good character moments, but each one is essential to the story. No character is left out – even the minor SHIELD characters get some great moments (watch out for the dude who, once Nick Fury leaves the bridge of the SHIELD boat (and that needs to be seen to be believed), turns back to playing some random space invaders game – you know, as all office workers do once the boss turns his back).

I really want to talk about the climax of the film, but it’s tough to review a film that’s not out on general release yet. Let me just say – AWESOME! In the most literal sense of the word. Throughout the film we have some real tension between the leads (I don’t want to call them the Avengers, since they’re not at that point), where they are forced and manipulated into scenarios where they have to work together and put aside their personal conflicts, but by the time we get to the final showdown, they really come together as a team. And thus the Avengers are born; kicking serious ass, and repelling an alien invasion on a massive scale. And doing so with a wonderful line in humour.

Avengers Assemble redefines the superhero film genre. Mark my words; this will be the benchmark by which all future superhero films will be measured.

Oh, and a final word. Do NOT get up out of your seat until the end credits finish. Do so at your peril. J

 Avengers Assemble Pre-Release Review © Andy Frankham-Allen & The Comic Guru 2012. All rights reserved. Parts of this review may be used for promotional purposes, but please credit the source.

The END of Deadpool Max 2!?

With the end of it's fabulous run, tonight we review the glorious Deadpool Max. Volume 2. The series that has just now ended and completely in stock is quite possibly Deadpool (& company)'s most insane, explicit, not-safe-for-work (NSFW, for us internet types) series ever! The sequel to the equally mental Deadpool Max.

The series follows Wade Wilson and his cohort of many years, Bob, as he discovers a government conspiracy and attempts to stop it. Having set out to do this, they are in turn accused of killing 250,000 people… so now 7,000,000,000 (our Earth's population now) want THEM dead. Having become world's most wanted terrorists 1 & 2 they aim to stay alive and clear their good… err… their names. But with the world after you, and you look like Deadpool… where can you hide!? Blind Al (who isn't blind) and Weasel even make appearances! The whole gang in this 6 issue + Christmas Special run!

We currently have all issues of Deadpool Max 2 in stock, all at cover price and 20% off for members. So if you want to pick up the entire run of the insanity of Deadpool Max 2, well… just like Hydra Bob, overweight on a scooter (issue 3), it's right there!

Links!

The Series: Deadpool Max 2, the entire run!

Our Website: TheComicGuru

Twitter: @TheComicGuru

YouTube: ComicGuruTV

Facebook: ComicGuru

Captain America: The first Avenger review

In the run up to the much anticipated Avengers film, Marvel Studios have finally released the last origin story of the tale ahead of its release next summer. Captain America: The first Avenger grants us a look into the beginnings of Earth’s most noble hero while maintaining the recent Marvel pattern of giving us a film that is not only well paced and action packed, but also true to the original text.

Set in the middle of the Second World War, Captain America follows the path of a young recruit by the name of Steven Rogers (Chris Evans) whose frail physique means he is forced to watch on the sidelines as the rest of his generation heads off to fight the Fuehrer. But after being given the chance to volunteer for a secret project by Dr Abraham Erskine (Stanley Tucci), Rogers is injected with a serum which increases every physical attribute to superhuman levels. Under the command of Colonel Phillips (Tommy Lee Jones), the newly crowned Captain America is pitted against Nazi Johann Schimdt (Hugo Weaving), a high ranking Nazi officer with a few hidden surprises of his own.

One thing that will become apparent is that this is a much simpler concept than some of the other Marvel titles of recent years. There is no damnation of the military-industrial complex here, nor will you find any grand journeys of self discovery and humility. At its heart, Captain America is decidedly old school, a throwback to the simplicity of old westerns where you could cheer the good guy and boo the baddie. Given its 1940s setting this style works well, giving us an uncomplicated, noble hero to see us through. Visually the film owes more to the like of Band of Brothers and Inglorious Basterds than it does Thor or Iron man, with Joe Johnson and his team having done a great job of recreating the look and feel of both the period and the conflict.

As Captain America, Evans always had a tough job on his hands. If played wrongly the character could have come across as boring or self righteous, but he manages to tread the line and bring us a Cap who is both noble and naive, a man who wants to do the right thing no matter what it costs him personally. Jones snaps and snarls his way through the film as Colonel Phillips, while Weaving brings a healthy dose of megalomania to the murderous Schmidt. Balancing out all the testosterone is relative unknown Hayley Atwell as English intelligence officer and love interest Peggy Carter, who along with good supporting turns from the likes of Tucci and Dominic Cooper does a nice job of keeping the whole thing ticking over.

All this said CA isn’t without its flaws. A slightly ponderous middle third means there are some who could feel a little bored, while the lack of certain characters will no down have some fanboys reaching for their keyboards with rage. In addition the final climactic battle felt a little stale after the build up, and seemed to be little more than a set up for the Avengers film. But overall this is a super hero film of the rarest breed, one that isn’t about hidden commentaries or the internal conflicts of the protagonist but instead focuses on the classic battle of good vs. evil, wrapped in a sugary coating of comic goodness.

And for that, I salute them.

Ryan

Comic Guru's Top 25 Featured Comic - Hulk

The Abomination is dead. His corpse was found in a small Russian city called Dimitri. Doc Samson, She-Hulk, SHIELD Director (Tony Stark), Commander Maria Hill, and Thunderbolt Ross investigate the crime scene.

Doc Samson believes that a new Hulk is responsible. And that he used a Hulk-killing weapon to end the Abomination's days.

Suddenly the Winter Guard (AKA the Soviet Soldiers, a Soviet group formed by the Red Guardian (male version), Ursa Major, Crimson Dynamo and Darkstar) arrive and strongly invite the Americans to leave Russian soil at once.

Doc Samson refuses and throws the first punch of the fight between the two groups. Ross stops the fight when a small kid, perhaps the only survivor from Dimitri, appears saying "Kpachasi... Kpachasi...": which means "Red" in Russian.

Perplexed by their findings, Samson and Ross decide to visit the number one authority on Hulk beings: Bruce Banner. If a Hulk did kill the Abomination, that Hulk could not be Banner because he's locked up in a cell that's miles below the surface in the new Gamma Base located in Death Valley, Nevada. So then, who is the new Hulk?

Meanwhile, in the snowy mountains of Alaska, we see Rick Jones with bare chest and torn pants, next to a pipeline, watching a large fire that some men are trying to put out, saying to himself "What have I gotten myself into?"

EMPIRE MAGAZINE'S REVIEW OF THOR

The Comic Guru is currently beavering away on his own review of Marvel's recent hit, Thor, which will grace the pages of this blog shortly.

In the meantime, we thought we'd bring you Empire's take on the film....

“If, like John Cleese in the classic Monty Python sketch, you’re an avid consumer of fermented curd (albeit of the cinematic variety), only to find that there are no cheesy comestibles to be had, you may be in for a similar disappointment with Kenneth Branagh’s Thor, the latest in Marvel’s self-financed superhero flicks. At first glance, all the ingredients for a cheddar convention to rival the likes of Flash Gordon are there — ginormous sets, larger-than-life characters (one of whom has a blond barnet any page-three stunna would kill for) with ridiculous names and powers to match. But Thor is too knowing to stock up on the movie mozzarella. What it is, though, is tremendous fun, and further proof that Marvel Studios knows how to handle its back catalogue.



He’s a tricky one, the Odinson. Unlike Iron Man, Hulk or Captain America, he’s a god. An actual god, with awe-inspiring powers and a rich back story. There’s a lot to get through, and this is the sort of material that has to be handled with the utmost care, lest it go in any number of directions: pompous, cheesy or, most damaging of all, unintentionally hilarious. Things could go from bad to Norse. 

Thor plunges you straight in, following a pre-credits stint in New Mexico, to a dense 30-minute sequence in Asgard where we meet all the major players — Thor, his dark-haired brother Loki (Tom Hiddleston), their father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) — and the notion that these extraordinarily powerful beings have been at war with a race of Frost Giants. And not only is it done with a straight face, but the sweep of the material, with vast tracking shots through stunning Asgardian landscapes, is by far the biggest thing Marvel has attempted; this is fantasy on a cosmic scale. 

It’s bewildering at times, condensing nearly 50 years of comic history with a speed that can mean characters are paid scant lip service. You suspect there’s a lot of material on the cutting-room floor — Rene Russo, as Thor’s mother Frigga (stop sniggering), might want to have a word with her agent, while the core relationship, between Thor and Loki, doesn’t really get going for a while. 

When it does, though, as Loki manipulates the esurient Thor into defying his father’s orders, kicking Frost Giant butt and ultimately getting the heave-ho from Asgard, it’s powerful stuff.

After Marvel set Branagh to direct — another leftfield choice to go with Jon Favreau, Joe Johnston, Joss Whedon and Shane Black — you sensed that their model was the Bond films, with tech gurus (in this case, the mighty Vic Armstrong) ensuring the bells and whistles were up to scratch, while the directors bring their own skill-sets to bear. And when it comes to making Shakespearean material — and the relationship between Thor, Loki and Odin positively reeks of the Bard — work on the big screen, Branagh has no equal. 

So as father and sons square off against each other, it’s heady stuff, the three H’s attacking the material, and each other with fury and intensity straight from the West End stage. In one scene, Hiddleston’s Loki, a complex and surprisingly layered villain, confronts Odin about his true origins. It’s intimate and affecting, yet as thundering and loud as you’d imagine gods would be.

Then, once you’re up to speed, the film yanks Thor off to the modern day and tackles the thorny issue of his near-omnipotence by separating him, and his powers, from his enchanted hammer, Mjolnir.

There’s a neat tonal shift, as human beings meet Thor (and, later, in the film’s funniest moment, the Warriors Three and Sif) and find everything he does or says ridiculous. Here, Hemsworth — the Australian actor who impressed so much with his one-scene cameo in Star Trek as Kirk’s doomed dad — comes into his own, adding new layers of humility and humour to his blustering God Of Thunder. At one point, Thor fights off hospital orderlies with an outraged, “You DARE attack the son of Odin?!?”. The fish out of water stuff works like a charm. Hemsworth emerges from this a true star, adept at action, good with comedy, swell at the romantic stuff with Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster (there’s a romantic streak a mile wide here) and cut like Kate Middleton’s engagement rock. 

In fact, you’re instantly intrigued by the prospect of seeing Hemsworth on screen with Robert Downey Jr. (and Chris Evans) in next year’s The Avengers. Marvel copped flak for turning Iron Man 2 into essentially an extended trailer for its big gamble, and has clearly learned a lesson. Yes, SHIELD is involved. Yes, Jeremy Renner shows up for one spectacularly pointless scene as the ace archer, Hawkeye. But Thor, ultimately, stands on its own two feet. We’ll toast that with a glass of mead and a feast fit for a king. Hold the cheese.

Verdict
Turn off the snark-o-meter, and this is a return to form for Marvel, introducing a new hero we’ll be happy to see again in, oh, about a year or so.”

4 Stars (out of 5)

Reviewer: Chris Hewitt
©2011 Empire Magazine.

Comic Guru's Top 25 Featured Comic - Fear Itself

In this time of global anxiety, of economic turmoil and mass hysteria, Sin, the new Red Skull, has made an awesome discovery...a shameful secret that will rock the foundations of the Marvel Universe! A revelation that will divide father and son, turn friend against friend, and herald the rise of Fear personified. HE IS RETURNING... and the world has nothing to fear but FEAR ITSELF. Matt Fraction and Stuart Immonen bring fans the biggest Marvel since CIVIL WAR!

Comic Guru's Top 25 Featured Comic - The Secret Avengers

THE HEROIC AGE IS HERE! Who are the Secret Avengers? Are they a covert team of heroes working the darkest corners of the globe to stop disaster? Are they part-spy, part-superhero? Are they XXXXXXX’s newest idea to save the world...or are they all of the above? A new era begins as Marvel's hottest team takes a 21st century twist!
Black Widow, Valkyrie, and Steve Rogers recover an artifact assumed to be the Serpent Crown from a Roxxon executive in Dubai. Another group is pursuing the artifact. The artifact is not the Serpent Crown, but Beast notes that the tentacles on it are uncoiling at an undetectable rate, “as if between moments”.

Ant-Man and Moon Knight infiltrate Roxxon Headquarters for intelligence on the artifact. Beast analyzes the Roxxon data, noting that the corporation had bought mineral rights to Mars and that their mining operation was terminated around the time rumors began that they had a Serpent Crown. Beast also notes that all employees from the digging operation vanished from Roxxon’s records. Steve Rogers dispatches Nova to check on the situation in Mars.

Rogers gathers the team to inform them they will be traveling to Mars and that the mission is now a rescue mission because Rogers lost contact with Nova. Flashback to Nova on Mars being pursued by Humvees whose weaponry the Worldmind determines is “pre-celestial” in origin. Nova seeks cover in a mountainside containing an artificially formed cavern housing what appears to be the Serpent Crown. Nova sees the Crown and approaches it. The Worldmind implores Nova to stop as he casts aside his helmet. Back at the roving headquarters, Sharon Carter is knocked out by a member of the other group in pursuit of the artifact, who appear to be lead by Nick Fury and are associated with a group called the Shadow Council.

Comic Guru's Top 25 Featured Comic - Iron Man

IRON MAN! You know you love him!

Tony Stark, billionaire industrialist and director of S.H.I.E.L.D. faces the most overwhelming challenge of his life. Ezekiel Stane, the son of Tonys late business rival and archenemy Obadiah, has set his sights, his genius and his considerable fortune on the task of destroying Tony Stark and has alter ego Iron Man.

What's worse, he's got Iron Man tech, and he's every bit Iron Man's equal and opposite except younger, faster, smarter and immeasurably more evil. Rising star writer Matt Fraction (IMMORTAL IRON FIST) and superstar artist Salvador Larroca (UNCANNY X-MEN) join forces to repulsor-ray your comic books to a cinder!

Comic Guru's Top 25 Featured Comic - Fantastic Four

Volume 3 was launched at the start of a new age for Marvel Comics. Scott Lobdel and Alan Davis came together to create the first three issues of this series which took place straight after the Fantastic Four return to the regular Marvel Universe after their return from the ersatz Earth created to save their life by Franklin Richards their son.

Onslaught created an impact that shattered the cosy world of the Marvel Universe forcing creators and readers alike to embrace change and drama on a scale heretofore unseen.

Character development followed that would shake the foundations of the team and has lead to J Michael Straczynski (award winning writer of Babylon 5, Jeremiah and Amazing Spiderman) developing some of the most interesting changes to characters and situations within the FF's history.

Sci Fi Fantasy and adventure has never been more intriguing. Read this book, it's good. And Civil War has already started crumbling the walls of the FF's world. Could it see their family shattered forever? It begins with Sue's death.... How many more sacrifices will have to be made?

Comic Guru's Top 25 Featured Comic - Deadpool

The Merc with a Mouth is back, even deadlier and more deranged than before! The planet has been invaded by Skrulls, everythings gone topsy-turvy but, in Deadpool's world, that just means it's Monday!

Crazy times call for crazy men, but c'mon, this guy's insane! Like it or not, Deadpool may be the only person on the planet who can save us - but who's to say he wants to?

Be here for the explosive debut of the new ongoing series by writer Daniel Way (WOLVERINE: ORIGINS, GHOST RIDER, BULLSEYE: GREATEST HITS) and fan-favorite artist Paco Medina (NEW WARRIORS, NEW X-MEN)! Deadpool: His madness is his method! You won't want to miss it!

Comic Guru's Top 25 Featured Comic - Ultimate Comics Spiderman

Almost ten years ago, Ultimate Spider-Man launched the Ultimate line, a reinvention of the Marvel Universe that defied the odds and every expectation. Today, it happens again: This new chapter in the life of the teenaged webslinger picks up in the aftermath of Ultimatum and completely redefines the status quo of Spider-Man for the next generation! With a new supporting cast, new villians and maybe even a new Spider-Man, this new chapter will keep you guessing month after month. Join Eisner Award-winning writer BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS in introducing new ongoing artist DAVID LAFUENTE (ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL, PATSY WALKER: HELLCAT)!

You have never seen a Spider-Man like this before! Be there!

It's six months after the Ultimatum wave hit and Peter Parker is working again, but not as a web designer. Peter is a cashier at Burger Frog, facing old ladies who think are being given "lip" to the boss who orders him to wear a hat. Mary Jane is a reporter a for the school's student newscast in midtownhigh.com. New York is being nice to Spider-Man even when he does nothing and Gwen is kissing Peter.

One night as Spider-Man Peter finds a store where some thugs force themselves into a store where a hooded man had already done the "super hero thing" . Some cops give the glory to Spider-Man and the hooded figure watches over.

Back at home Peter finds Gwen waiting for him in the attic. She welcomes him with a kiss and before that goes any further Peter sneaks in so his Aunt May won't find them being "naughty". Aunt May tells Peter that Kitty called for him and jealously Gwen tells him that "she is probably calling to tell him she's still in love with him". Shortly after Johnny Storm arrives to ask for a place to stay the night and then collapses over him.

The Kingpin is back in town and when entering his office he get's thrown out of his office by a new villain, Mysterio.

Comics Continuum Report: Wondercon

Comic Guru's Top 25 Featured Comic - Classic Marvel Figurine Collection

Classic Marvel Figurine Collection by Eaglemoss Publications

This beautiful collection has been running for some time now and The Comic Guru actually ships it all over the world.

Each issue of the magazine (which features a single Marvel Comics Character and their history) comes with a beautifully sculpted figurine as a free gift.

Thor Movie YouTube Round Up

In case you haven't seen the Thor movie clips, here's a convenient round up for you!

Comic Guru's Top 25 Featured Comic - The Amazing Spiderman

After the tragic death of Ben Riley, the resurrection of Aunt May and the return of the Green Goblin, Spiderman's world was rocked by John Byrne, Howard Mackie, John Romita Junior and the inestimable J Michael Straczynski.

Launched with a new number one issue to mark the start of a grand new era, Spiderman slowly began to bestride the comics world like the colossus he is. Redefining his origin for a new generation, Straczynski has revitalised Spiderman turning him into a Top Ten Sales Juggernaut by putting good solid plotting and genuine character development in place of gimmicry and hyperbole.

With Brand New Day beginning a newly creative storytelling experience back to the title, that in itself is being wiped away as Peter and Mary Jane strip away damage caused by Mephisto. This could be the year that true love conquers all in Amazing Spiderman.

Read it, it's great.

New Shop! New Blog Posts!

After something of a hiatus here on this blog, I've finally gotten round to getting things going again!

Not only that, but Comic Guru is now back in the heart of Cardiff! We've got a spanking new shop opposite the bus station which is about four times bigger than the original shop in Wyndham Arcade, plus it has a members only room for standing order customers.

We're really excited about the new premises and have a number of cool events lined up for 2011 - watch this space!

Look out for more posts from the Comic Guru here on this blog – witterings about all things sci-fi, Doctor Who, comics, films, fantasy and anything else in between!