TORONTO 06: CUP OF...CEBULSKI?

[MattBrady]

<a href="http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Omega/OFlight.htm" target="_blank"><img src="http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Omega/OmgFt_t.jpg" border="0" align="right"></a><i>by Vaneta Rogers</i>

In the absence of Joe Quesada, the "Cup of Joe" panel that is so familiar at comic book conventions became the "Cup of Cebulski" at Toronto's Comic Book Expo this weekend.

The first thing Cebulski did was announce to those people in the room who missed the earlier panel where the news of a new ongoing <b>Omega Flight</b> series in 2007 was shared, which was greeted with a lot of cheering. After the announcement, he started the panel by asking for questions from the audience.

- He was asked whether or not the Omega Flight team has been decided upon, and will there be a native Canadian on the team? "Yes, the characters have been decided upon," Cebulski said. "I can pretty much guarantee that yes, one of them will be Canadian."

- One fan wanted to know if the drawing that has been circulated of the members of the Mighty Avengers indicates the team will be pro-registration, because it seems to include members who are, but Cebulski indicated that the team may not be whom you expect. "The Mighty Avengers line-up -- is that set? You never know," he said.

- Cebulski said that Marvel is planning for <b>Astonishing X-Men</b> to continue after Joss Whedon and John Cassaday finish their run, which he believes will go through Issue #24 but will have some sort of one-shot or annual as well.

- The successor to Mark Bagley on <b>Ultimate Spider-Man</b> is not Mark Brooks, Cebulski said, but the next artist has been chosen. No, it's not John Romita Jr. either, but Romita does already have his next project lined up for after <b>Eternals</b>, he said.

- When will <b>Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine</b> ship? Cebulski said he has no idea. He emphasized to the crowd that the delay of the series is not the fault of artist Leinil Francis Yu, who he confirmed will be the regular penciler on <b>New Avengers</b>. One fan asked if that meant the delay was the fault of writer Damon Lindelof. "I didn't say that," Cebulski laughed. "There's this little TV show called <i>Lost</i>. Maybe it's that's fault. The script is on the island somewhere."

- Cebulski addressed one fan's concern about Marvel's Max imprint. "If you're a fan of Max, I think you're going to be happy with where the line is going," he said, citing the <B>Zombie</b> miniseries that is coming up next month and announcing that next year, there will be more mainstream Marvel characters appearing in Max comics. "Three characters that naturally fit into the Max imprint," he said.

- Bryan Singer's <b>Ultimate X-Men</b> is still in the works, Cebulski said. "I've seen a script," he said, but indicated that Marvel wants to get multiple scripts before they attach an artist to it. Robert Kirkman's become the regular writer of the title now, Cebulski confirmed.

- One fan asked what is going to happen with Thor. "I can't talk about Thor," Cebulski said. The fan responded jokingly, "so you're saying he's going to be penciling <b>Ultimate Spider-Man</b>?" "Exactly," Cebulski laughed.

- One fan wanted to know about the future of Cloak and Dagger. "It wouldn't surprise me if
somewhere in the next year Cloak & Dagger end up either getting their own miniseries or appearing regularly in a current series," he said.

- Cebulski said there will be a second hardcover of <b>Runaways</b> released. "I'm not sure about the dates, times or the price, but it's coming," Cebulski said.

- Dan Slott, who is catching up on <b>She-Hulk</b> scripts now that <b>The Thing</b> has wrapped up, will be doing something besides <b>She-Hulk</b> next year, he said. "I can't speak to what it is because it's a post-<b>Civil War</b> thing."

- Is <b>Silver Surfer: Requiem</b> still coming from J. Michael Straczynski and painter Esad Ribic? "Hopefully in 2007," Cebulski said, adding that he had seen some of the art by Ribic, but Marvel is making sure they have enough of the series finished before soliciting it.

[EmeraldGuy32]

- Cebulski addressed one fan's concern about Marvel's Max imprint. "If you're a fan of Max, I think you're going to be happy with where the line is going," he said, citing the Zombie miniseries that is coming up next month and announcing that next year, there will be more mainstream Marvel characters appearing in Max comics. "Three characters that naturally fit into the Max imprint," he said.This makes me very happy. Also a post-CW Slott project? sweetness. Great recap Vaneta.

[nietoperz]

Is that the Omega Flight line up? Cap?? :eek:

[ineptitude]

I'm hoping that's Beta Ray Bill on the right. I guess it doesn't really look like him, and he's not Canadian, but how cool would it be for him to be in a team book?

[jayvee]

That's U.S. Agent, I'm betting.

[nietoperz]

It kind of looks like a cross between Thor and Optimus Prime! The new Box, perhaps?

[Reliant]

Damn you, Marvel, I can't keep adding titles to my pull list like this!
:D

Even in shadow, that new lineup looks sweet!

[aceatkins]

Didn't C.B. Cebulski resign from Marvel editorial within the last year? I notice that every article that mentions him at this con never refers to him by his position. Is he actually at Marvel or just being used as their mouthpiece? I find this very odd.

I sincerely hope that is not Jessica Drew in that Omega Flight image. If it is, you can kiss that character resurgance goodbye right now.

[nietoperz]

IIRC, Cebulski no longer works for Marvel, but fills in at panels when Joe Q is unavailable...

[Godfather]

I'm hoping that's Beta Ray Bill on the right. I guess it doesn't really look like him, and he's not Canadian, but how cool would it be for him to be in a team book?

I don't see who else it could be. His head is shaped kinda funny. :)

[CaptainTemerity]

- When will <b>Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine</b> ship? Cebulski said he has no idea. He emphasized to the crowd that the delay of the series is not the fault of artist Leinil Francis Yu, who he confirmed will be the regular penciler on <b>New Avengers</b>. One fan asked if that meant the delay was the fault of writer Damon Lindelof. "I didn't say that," Cebulski laughed. "There's this little TV show called <i>Lost</i>. Maybe it's that's fault. The script is on the island somewhere."



- Brian Singer's <b>Ultimate X-Men</b> is still in the works, Cebulski said. "I've seen a script," he said, but indicated that Marvel wants to get multiple scripts before they attach an artist to it. Robert Kirkman's become the regular writer of the title now, Cebulski confirmed.




Thank you for making a necessary change in policy, Marvel. Hope this sticks. And, meanwhile, Kirkman's doing great on the title, so waiting won't be an issue.

[Jack Burton]

That's Bill alright! Look at the eyes. Damn if Bill is in this I HAVE to read it.:)

[dleif]

http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Omega/OmgFt_t.jpg

Dont know who the mage is but it looks like Spider-Woman II (what is the name she is going by now?), Guardian, USAgent/ Cap, and Beta-Ray Bill (YESSSSSSSSS!!!!)

[Batman1983]

by Vaneta Rogers
"I can't speak to what it is because it's a post-Civil War Thing."


corrected for hopefullness... :)

[Kavalier]

I'm guessing the "Mage" (far left) is Talisman.

EDIT: Whoah! Look for more, but all of a sudden, some characters on the Marvel website are listed as members of Omega Flight:

http://marvel.com/universe/Box_%28Roger_Bochs%29

[nietoperz]

Roger Bochs was a member of the original Omega Flight, though.

[lombardo]

who i think the people in darkness are around the alpha vet, left to right

Storm (waist down, it's so her), Spider-Woman (IRON Spider Woman?, Captain America (i wanna say USAgent but unless Cap croaks, i can't see him having the round shield), and Beta Ray Bill (first thing i noticed)

[lombardo]

anyone else thing Spider-Woman looks like Iron Spider-Woman?!

[Punchy]

http://www.newsarama.com/marvelnew/Omega/OmgFt_t.jpg

Dont know who the mage is but it looks like Spider-Woman II (what is the name she is going by now?), Guardian, USAgent/ Cap, and Beta-Ray Bill (YESSSSSSSSS!!!!)

Julia Carpenter is currently going by Arachne.

[BS197]

A Canadian superteam with one Canadian on it? Fuc<cac>king stupid. No interest in anything Marvel does with the exception of the Marvel Zombies. Which is pretty sweet.

[Kavalier]

Roger Bochs was a member of the original Omega Flight, though.

Oh, I didn't know there was another Omega Flight.

The Spider-Woman reminds me of the one introduced in Secret Wars who was in Freedom Force for a while.

Is she the same as "Iron" Spider-Woman.

Is she this person?

http://marvel.com/universe/Spider-Woman_%28Mattie_Franklin%29

[FireLight]

Not Storm. Didja notice the Aurora coming from her hands?

[Rollo_Tomasi]

That sure does look like Storm on the far left. Also, anybody else think the person on the far right looks like what Thing would look like if he was wearing Thor's costume?

[JohnLynch]

That sure does look like Storm on the far left. Also, anybody else think the person on the far right looks like what Thing would look like if he was wearing Thor's costume?That can't be Storm. Wasn't the point to her marriage with Black Panther to allow her to be moved over to the Black Panther ongoing? Or was it just yet another needlessly overhyped "event" that will now be ignored as much as possible?

I do have to admit, an Alpha Flight team with Storm and Thing would be... interesting to say the least. Although why would he be wearing Thor's costume? :confused:

[nietoperz]

Also, anybody else think the person on the far right looks like what Thing would look like if he was wearing Thor's costume?

Why would he do that?

[BRease]

Is this official?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega_Flight

[Jed Saxon]

Is this official?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Omega_Flight

It's Wikipedia. Guess!

[varo]

it's talisman, shamans daughter from the original series.

[King_Mungi]

The person with the northern lights is Talisman, Shaman's daughter

Also there was two villian teams named Omega Flight before this team. Which was responsible for James Hudson's apparent "death" in Alpha Flight #12

[implikian]

"When will Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine ship? Cebulski said he has no idea. He emphasized to the crowd that the delay of the series is not the fault of artist Leinil Francis Yu, who he confirmed will be the regular penciler on New Avengers. One fan asked if that meant the delay was the fault of writer Damon Lindelof. "I didn't say that," Cebulski laughed. "There's this little TV show called Lost. Maybe it's that's fault. The script is on the island somewhere."

Good grief...! Enough, already...!!!
It must be r-e-a-l-l-y depressing to be the editor of a title "written" by a television ("celebrity") writer...
Having to stomach lines like: "Script...? What script are you talking about, man...?
Don't you know that: a) I am preparing for the new season of..., b) I am in the middle of..., c) I am putting the finishing touches in the final episode script of...?!?!?!
And being grateful/docile at the same time...
Because, you know, the person on the other end of the line is "doing the industry a favor" by attaching his name on one of them comic book thingies...
Mind you, we are talking here about one of the most detail-rich scripted comic books in recent memory... Yesireee!!! So, go ahead, give the man more time... I am sure the end result will be worth it...
Can you say DON'T BUY THE ISSUES, WAIT FOR THE TRADE...?

cheers...

[Scarlet Mage]

I am stunned but delighted that only one person so far has taken issue with their being only Guardian (who we don't even know if it's a Canadian in the suit) and Talisman (probably) as Canadians on the team. If nobody has a problem with Excalibur being a British team with only two Britishers as members, it shouldn't be a surprise that Omega Flight would be the same. At the very least I'm glad some of the cool Alpha Flight concepts will get back into play even if the characters won't. Most of them were pretty well ruined by attempts to fix them through the years.

Oh, and USAgent could have Steve Rogers' shield he used as The Captain, right?

And Marvel has a problem with the concept with promoting divorce or widowhood for Spider-Man but is cool with orphaning a child by killing both Guardian AND Vindicator? Sounds hypocritical...

[tridon]

I have to say, I'm not too keen on a Canadian team having only one Canadian but that cover pretty much kicks all types of ass. I may have to definitely take a peek at this when it hits.

[King_Mungi]

And Marvel has a problem with the concept with promoting divorce or widowhood for Spider-Man but is cool with orphaning a child by killing both Guardian AND Vindicator? Sounds hypocritical...

Puck II and Major Mapleleaf were married and had a daughter as well

[KyleCowstar]

Sweet!!!!!! Now THAT is an interesting team. Mighty Avengers can suck it. Omega Flight looks awesome!

[Pennyworth]

A few weeks back in a Civil War interview Joe Q or Tom B. made some comment about the return of USAgent. I'll bet that the US Government for a time suits John Walker up in Cap outfit forcing Steve Rogers to become one of his two alternate identities - The Captain or Nomad. I'll bet it's character in Omega Flight.

I'd like for the Nomad identity to return as it would fit with Rogers not having a place to call home after the registration fallout. Of course, once he becomes Cap again, the Nomad identity could go to....

hawkeye?

[RAB]

I'm guessing the "Mage" (far left) is Talisman.

EDIT: Whoah! Look for more, but all of a sudden, some characters on the Marvel website are listed as members of Omega Flight:

http://marvel.com/universe/Box_%28Roger_Bochs%29


I'm betting its Snowbird.

[Stormbreaker]

Finally! We find out which book my beloved Beta Ray Bill will be on! Though the guy looks way too bulky to be Bill. And I'm not a huge fan of Kollins, but I'll deal. I also think the other members make this book one I can't miss.

[Comiccub]

To everyone who is guessing that the character on the left is Storm or Snowbird sorry to tell you that you guys are wrong. That is without a doubt Talisman. How do I know this?....well she is wearing the talisman on her head as well as wearing Shaman's old coat.

I have to say that as a long time fan of Alpha Flight I am really underwhelmed by this line up. Will I be getting the series...yes, but the only reason is because i have a lot of faith in the writer. I hope my first impression of this book is wrong.

P.S. This is actually the fourth version of this team.

[shadow-ray]

I called Spider-woman (Jessica Drew) with Iron spider suit yesterday

[Spartan]

Puck II and Major Mapleleaf were married and had a daughter as well

Seriously?? I hope Bendis kills off Scott Lobdell next. He actually deserves it.

[Spartan]

I called Spider-woman (Jessica Drew) with Iron spider suit yesterday

Do you honestly think that Bendis would let his favorite character slip out of his Avengers title so somone else can write her? There's more then one Spider-woman, you know.

[shadow-ray]

You never know.
It all depends on who's on New Avengers. I'm sticking by by pick

[KingStalin]

I think this book is going to be amazing and after seeing the line up of mighty avengers, this book is much more interesting. Beta Ray Bill on a team book is amzing, and Guardian is one of my favorites of all time. I'd prefer the name alpha but after all the failed attempts to relaunch that book maybe a new name is better. Also I hope that's USAgent as John Walker is such a cool asshole and I am just hopefull he joins any team. Also while that does look like Julia Carpenter, it could be Arana. But I hope not.

Also hoorah for monthly Kollins work again!

[purplerocket]

Best shouts by this thread:

Talisman, Julia Carpenter (Arachne), Guardian (James Hudson?), US Agent, Beta Ray Bill merged with the Box robot (wierd but could be).

US Agent= Puck on stilts.

[Tom Daylight]

I am stunned but delighted that only one person so far has taken issue with their being only Guardian (who we don't even know if it's a Canadian in the suit) and Talisman (probably) as Canadians on the team. If nobody has a problem with Excalibur being a British team with only two Britishers as members, it shouldn't be a surprise that Omega Flight would be the same.


It's annoying but hardly surprising; these are books published by a New York-based publisher and written and drawn by American creators.

[King_Mungi]

Seriously?? I hope Bendis kills off Scott Lobdell next. He actually deserves it.

Yep shown in the last issue of vol.3, which many thought it was a a vision from the future but the handbooks confirmed it.

[Gordon McAlpin]

Cebulski said that Marvel is planning for Astonishing X-Men to continue after Joss Whedon and John Cassaday finish their run, which he believes will go through Issue #24 but will have some sort of one-shot or annual as well.

Why? If it ain't Joss Whedon and John Cassaday, it ain't Astonishing.

[J.M.De la Torre]

Best shouts by this thread:

Talisman, Julia Carpenter (Arachne), Guardian (James Hudson?), US Agent, Beta Ray Bill merged with the Box robot (wierd but could be).

US Agent= Puck on stilts.

Astonished to find so many people took Talisman for Storm.

The line-up is:
Talisman, Julia Carpenter, Guardian, The Captain (Steve Rogers at odds with government), and Box with either the real Thor or someone else as pilot (Box is piloted by phasing with a human).
USAgent would be the kind to follow orders without questions, and maybe, taking the role of Captain America again (in the Invaders mini, he was wearing a copy of his uniform and asking to be called Captain America instead of USAgent), so he could make it to the Pro-registration Avengers Team.

[BanMan]

Is she the same as "Iron" Spider-Woman.

Is she this person?

http://marvel.com/universe/Spider-Woman_%28Mattie_Franklin%29

Wow until I looked at the Marvel link, I had NO IDEA just how much that costume and the Iron Spider costume have in common.

If you're talking about Julia Carpenter, I think then, no they're not the same Spider-Woman. Carpenter was number 2 and Franklin was number 4.

[BanMan]

Puck II and Major Mapleleaf were married and had a daughter as well

When did THAT happen?

[King_Mungi]

When did THAT happen?

Alpha Flight #12 (Vol.3) it showed them married and with a child, which we believed to be set into the future. However, the handbooks state it's current and they currently are married and already have a daughter

[Mr. B]

Oh, and USAgent could have Steve Rogers' shield he used as The Captain, right?

And Marvel has a problem with the concept with promoting divorce or widowhood for Spider-Man but is cool with orphaning a child by killing both Guardian AND Vindicator? Sounds hypocritical...

The shield Rogers had as The Captain had no star on it. Why would they change it to look like the American flag so he can join Canada's team (while removing the flag from the costume.)

And, while you might disagree with the move, orphaning a child is not hypocritical. Quesada isn't taking a moral stance on not divorcing or widowing Spider-man. They're not doing it because it may affect Peter's "youthful" image that made the character famous. They don't have this obstacle with Guardian and Vindicator.

[Dalarsco]

If Talisman really is the only Canadian then maybe that is Clint as Gaurdian? Which is cool. We send you some of our coolest comics, you send us some of your coolest super-heroes. Really, having the team being mostly expat Americans is something I'm fine with. Canada is a nation of immigrants, and American draft dodgers have always found a home here.

[Spartan]

If Talisman really is the only Canadian then maybe that is Clint as Gaurdian? Which is cool. We send you some of our coolest comics, you send us some of your coolest super-heroes. Really, having the team being mostly expat Americans is something I'm fine with. Canada is a nation of immigrants, and American draft dodgers have always found a home here.

:mad: Why does Hawkeye have to be EVERYONE? This is starting to get annoying. He's just HAWKEYE. Not Daredevil, or Ronin, or Guardian, or the Ghost of Christmas Past. You'll see him soon enough in New Avengers, there's no reason for him to adopt a CANADIAN icon personality. If the mystery character isn't holding a freakin' bow and arrow, it's a pretty safe assumption that it's not Clint Barton.

[King_Mungi]

:mad: Why does Hawkeye have to be EVERYONE? This is starting to get annoying. He's just HAWKEYE. Not Daredevil, or Ronin, or Guardian, or the Ghost of Christmas Past. .

Don't forget people thought he was the Swordsman from Thunderbolts as well

[Spartan]

Don't forget people thought he was the Swordsman from Thunderbolts as well

Bendis keeps hinting that Tony Stark and/or Steve Rogers might not even be Iron Man or Captain America anymore after CW, other people will be in the suits. I bet Hawkeye is both, AT THE SAME TIME! He'll fight himself on two different teams, just because he has nothing better to do! And he can do it too, he was Olympic athlete after all. Therefore, that means he can do ANYTHING in the world. Maybe until Professor Xavier gets his mutant powers back, Hawkeye will sub in for him with his Olympic mental powers. :rolleyes:

[King_Mungi]

It's simple sceience really, he's TOAA aka Wolverine he can be anywhere and everywhere at the same time.

[Scratchy]

Great news! I'm no fan of USAgent but having Guardian and Talisman on the team is a good start. Mr. Oeming has said that other former Alpha Flight members will be in the book soon enough, so Alpha Flight fans will be quite happy.

Beta Ray Bill, Arachne, and USAgent seem to be the other three characters. Can't be truly sure of anyone, but from the image that's likely.

And the talk of Guardian not being mac Hudson is quite funny. Sure, an Alaskan mail carrier who got destroyed in the sun is Guardian, sure, prety funny.

I trolled many, many boards and the amount of people excited about Omega Flight is very surprising. Still, that shows how huge the fan base is for Alpha Flight, even if Joe Quesada is not a fan in the slightest.

[King_Mungi]

And the talk of Guardian not being mac Hudson is quite funny. Sure, an Alaskan mail carrier who got destroyed in the sun is Guardian, sure, prety funny.
.

Micheal didn't get tossed into the sun, only the energy which partially he still controls.

[Spartan]

I trolled many, many boards and the amount of people excited about Omega Flight is very surprising. Still, that shows how huge the fan base is for Alpha Flight, even if Joe Quesada is not a fan in the slightest.

Did Quesada actually state that he was not a fan? If so, can you link it? All I've seen him say on the subject is how excited everyone will be for the new Alpha Flight that won't be called Alpha Flight.

If you read that interview with Oeming from SilverBulletComics (or something like that), he points out that Alpha Flight has a LOT of baggage to deal with. The team itself has had four incarnations, and many of the characters (notably Sasquatch and Northstar) have undergone tremendous characters changes/shifts over hte years. I agree with Oeming that it's best to just start with a clean state, eliminate the baggage 'Ultimates style.' If Omega Flight proves to be a popular enough seller, you can bet that Alpha Flight will retun at some point.

[King_Mungi]

If Omega Flight proves to be a popular enough seller, you can bet that Alpha Flight will retun at some point.

How about the second ark?

Oeming: "The second arc is another 5-6 issues and will heavily involve the past/classic characters and lots of Metaphysical stuff."

[Spartan]

How about the second ark?

Oeming: "The second arc is another 5-6 issues and will heavily involve the past/classic characters and lots of Metaphysical stuff."

I think that is intended to read as flashbacks. But, hey, if they bring back the original team, I'm all for it!

[GeekBob]

Wow.

So... Iron Man is going to "win" the Civil War, and Omega Flight is a Canadian superteam primarily comprised largely of expatriate American heroes? If so, I'm in. Ballsy.

Dollars to donuts that's Steve Rogers with the shield, though notice they HAVE obscured the colors of the costume (but you can see that whatever it is it has a lighter-colored "seam" down the legs and across the shoulders.

While it might be a little on the nose to have U.S. Agent go pro-reg and be the replacement Cap again, I could see it happening AND it'd be very much in character.

Don't think the big fella is Beta Ray Bill, though. Looks to me more like one of the bigger guys scooped up Stormbreaker or Mjolnir and got themselves a "Thor form" for the trouble. Ben Grimm? The Hulk??

Girl in the spider getup is fairly small... Arana?

And also, if they ARE ex-pat Americans disillusioned-with or against the registration... where's Spider-Man? Hm...

Regardless, I'm still betting that someone major on the anti-reg side is going to buy it by the end, and Ronnie Raymond will take up their mantle. "Frontline" is working waaay too hard to turn him into a cool, noble guy for it not to be building to something.

[Scratchy]

I'd say Arachne, Talisman, Mac the Guardian, USAgent (Millar said Cap wasn't going to Canada and so far Millar hasn't lied one bit about AF), and Beta Ray Bill. But we don't see a hammer. It could be someone in a Box robot, with the robot adapted to look like a Thorbot. Did Beta Ray Bill wear gloves like that?

One Canadian character is a minimum term, not maximum....

But Mr. Kolins did say a couple of characters were redesigns, I'm guessing Talisman and Bill. But it could be a person as Box, 'cept he's wearing boots. If we saw a hammer, though...

Ah, speculating when you know Omega Flight is happening is great! And we only have to wait til, like, March at the latest to get the book.

We could get a huge surprise and find out the team is Talisman, Mac Guardian, Snowbird, Box, and a new character. Maybe the shield, helmets (Thor and USAgent), spider were all added by Kolins to throw us off, or someone else to throw us off.

After all, the team makeup seem sto fit what Millar and others have been saying, even RichV's mistake that Cap is on the team, when it's Walker.

Time will tell....

[bossofbam]

- When will Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine ship? Cebulski said he has no idea. He emphasized to the crowd that the delay of the series is not the fault of artist Leinil Francis Yu, who he confirmed will be the regular penciler on New Avengers. One fan asked if that meant the delay was the fault of writer Damon Lindelof. "I didn't say that," Cebulski laughed. "There's this little TV show called Lost. Maybe it's that's fault. The script is on the island somewhere."

As an editor, instead of laughing, shouldn;t he be pissed and ready to address the situation. It seems like they are happy to just let him hand it in whatever. I will be annoyed if Damon Lindelof writes another book for Marvel that isn;t finished before hand.

[Kevin Street]

Is this where I'm supposed to get all pissy and angry that my favorite Marvel characters are still gone? Well, screw that.

I'm not buying this, or thinking about it at all after hitting "Submit Reply." If Marvel wants to play games with Alpha Flight fans, they'll do it without my participation.

[innocentboy]

yes, yes ... yes and yes!!!
comic books are wicked!!!!!

[1603]

Regardless, I'm still betting that someone major on the anti-reg side is going to buy it by the end, and Ronnie Raymond will take up their mantle. "Frontline" is working waaay too hard to turn him into a cool, noble guy for it not to be building to something.

WHO? :confused: :D

[JLAJRC]

I pretty much agree with everyone's guesses for the team, except one.

I don't think that's Storm and I never heard of Talisman. But would Marvel actually have the balls to kill Dr. Strange in his upcoming mini and replace him with Night Nurse? If you look at the lightening they both look like S's for Stephen Strange. Could Stephen be doing the Martin Stein/Firestorm thing and he's inside her head as an invisible mentor?

[Spartan]

Dollars to donuts that's Steve Rogers with the shield, though notice they HAVE obscured the colors of the costume (but you can see that whatever it is it has a lighter-colored "seam" down the legs and across the shoulders.

If it is Steve (and I think so), he's probably not wearing his traditional costume. Why would he wear the colors of a country that disowned him while he fights in another? It's probably a new one, like the time he left America during Vietnam.

Don't think the big fella is Beta Ray Bill, though. Looks to me more like one of the bigger guys scooped up Stormbreaker or Mjolnir and got themselves a "Thor form" for the trouble. Ben Grimm? The Hulk??

A lot of the Beta Ray speculation comes from Bendis (I think it was him, or maybe it was Quesada) stating that Oeming WILL be writing Beta Ray Bill in the near future. That, coupled with the outline of the face and general costume leads one to speculate Bill's appearence on the team. Of course, it could be just as well that Oeming is writing a Beta Ray mini soon.

Girl in the spider getup is fairly small... Arana?

Very much doubt it. Ms. Marvel is taking Arana under her wing in her ongoing, and with Carol being a registered superhero trainer....well, let's just say that Arana has a 90% chance of being a registered hero by this point.

[grendel824]

It's painfully obvious that it's Beta Ray Bill - looks nothing like Box and making it some amalgam would just be stupid. It's been directly stated that Oeming WILL be writing Beta Ray Bill but that there would NOT be a Beta Ray Bill series or miniseries. How much more circumstantial evidence does anybody need? If you still have any doubt, I pray you never serve on a jury...

[BradE]

I'm hoping that's Beta Ray Bill on the right. I guess it doesn't really look like him, and he's not Canadian, but how cool would it be for him to be in a team book?

Because Thor, Hercules, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Wolverine, The Vision, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, etc were all Americans to be members of the Avengers...

[Spartan]

Because Thor, Hercules, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Wolverine, The Vision, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, etc were all Americans to be members of the Avengers...

Good point. Where exactly did the Vision come from anyways?

[zeraze1]

Good point. Where exactly did the Vision come from anyways?

He was built by his father Ultron in the USA. So, I guess Vision is a native born American.

zeraze

[JohnLynch]

Because Thor, Hercules, Captain Marvel, Black Panther, Wolverine, The Vision, Scarlet Witch, Quicksilver, etc were all Americans to be members of the Avengers...Nice try, but no dice. Avengers isn't "America's Mightiest Heroes" but "Earth's Mightiest Heroes." The fact their headquarters resides within America is mere circumstance.

On the other hand Alpha Flight has always been Canada's premiere superhero team. To have Canadians in the minority is just silly. It would be like having the X-Men, with only 1 mutant on the team. Or an Australian television award show, with only 1 Australian show receiving an award.

[motteditor]

- One fan wanted to know about the future of Cloak and Dagger. "It wouldn't surprise me if somewhere in the next year Cloak & Dagger end up either getting their own miniseries or appearing regularly in a current series," he said.

That could be cool. I'd be interested in that. If Excelsior does really get a title, I'd think C&D might fit in well with appearances in that.

Why does Hawkeye have to be EVERYONE? This is starting to get annoying. He's just HAWKEYE. Not Daredevil, or Ronin, or Guardian, or the Ghost of Christmas Past. You'll see him soon enough in New Avengers, there's no reason for him to adopt a CANADIAN icon personality. If the mystery character isn't holding a freakin' bow and arrow, it's a pretty safe assumption that it's not Clint Barton.

LOL. Well said. Except for that part about seeing him soon in NA, since Clint Barton isn't suicidal, homicidal or a complete and utter moron too stupid to take off his burning quiver.

Ronnie Raymond will take up their mantle. "Frontline" is working waaay too hard to turn him into a cool, noble guy for it not to be building to something.

Isn't Ronnie Raymond DC's Firestorm? Are you talking about Robbie Baldwin? If so, he better not just pick up someone else's ID. (And I don't think he will; that's way more of a DC thing.)

I'm interested in OF -- especially if it is Julia Carpenter and USAgent -- but I really wish Heather and Puck were involved. The rest of the Alphans I can deal without, but those two were key for me.

[zeraze1]

That can't be Storm. Wasn't the point to her marriage with Black Panther to allow her to be moved over to the Black Panther ongoing? Or was it just yet another needlessly overhyped "event" that will now be ignored as much as possible?


In Black Panther #19 (on sale now), Storm and her new husband Black Panther are having a relaxing honeymoon on an island getaway courtesy of Namor:

http://www.popcultureshock.com/index.php?p=40161

Of course, the cover of Issue #19 indicates that Dr. Doom (yes, that Dr. Doom) is going to try to screw things up for the happy newlyweds. This leads to a great exchange between Storm and Doom.

zeraze

[zeraze1]

Astonished to find so many people took Talisman for Storm.

Storm's more popular so the mistake is understandable.

On that note, it would be fun to see Black Panther and Storm meet the new Omega Flight during a state visit to Canada. The royal couple is currently on a world tour of various countries including Latveria, Attilan (Issue #20), Atlantis (Issue #21), and America (Issue #22), in the near future. So, why wouldn't Black Panther and Storm stop by Canada?

zeraze

[GeekBob]

"Isn't Ronnie Raymond DC's Firestorm?"

Doh! Stupid speed-posting before work...

Yes, I meant Robbie Baldwin ;)

[blackacid]

Is Omega Flight gonna be a mini/ 'cause if it ain't, it will be. How many issues does Alpha
Flight EVER last due to lack of interest?

Gauranteed I'm not buyin' this CRAP on acount of the fact Scott Kolins is just as bad as
Rob Liefield. Horrible art-work.

[motteditor]

"Isn't Ronnie Raymond DC's Firestorm?"
Doh! Stupid speed-posting before work...
Yes, I meant Robbie Baldwin ;)

Hey, I was just happy I knew who Ronnie Raymond was.

How many issues does Alpha Flight EVER last due to lack of interest?

133 when they did it the first time. That's more than a hell of a lot of other books, different market conditions or not. Can't blame the characters for a book not selling when they're not in it and it's treated like a joke (a la v.3).

[King_Mungi]

Is Omega Flight gonna be a mini/ 'cause if it ain't, it will be. How many issues does Alpha
Flight EVER last due to lack of interest?

Gauranteed I'm not buyin' this CRAP on acount of the fact Scott Kolins is just as bad as
Rob Liefield. Horrible art-work.

First volume lasted for 10 years, vol.2 for 2 years.

[djshalope]

not to be a killjoy, but i thought i'd point this out: wouldn't john walker aka usagent be a prime candidate for anti-registration??? from his wikipedia entry:

"Walker was more brutal than his predecessor, due to his reactionary points of view. Walker's former partners, now calling themselves Left-Winger and Right-Winger, revealed Walker's identity to the press because they were jealous of his new success. His parents were killed by The Watchdogs, a militia group under the control of the Red Skull. This incident drove Walker ever closer to a mental breakdown, that in a state of rage killed many of the Watchdogs. Walker eventually caught up to Left-Winger and Right-Winger, leaving them to die in an explosion. They barely survived because of the condition of their bodies' physiology, leaving them terribly burned and in critical condition."

look at a few key parts. not only is he "reactionary" aka clinging to past beliefs, but he was also subjected to anguish by revealing his identity. sounds to me like a guy who would not be supporting a mass move towards revealing identities, even if only to the gov't.

[motteditor]

I think Walker's an interesting case. He really could go both ways. In addition to the things mentioned above, he *has* been burned by the government. I think he's still identifies with the trappings of power more closely than Cap (who's more about the American ideal) but he's come a far way from his jackbooted thug-esque history.

A skilled writer should be able to make you accept him going either way (assuming we actually see Agent at all in Civil War and he's not just kind of plunked into this book).

[Jeremy Williams]

Not Storm. Didja notice the Aurora coming from her hands?

Hey you have a pretty good attention span! I figured it was Talisman(wich I never liked since she was just a female version of Shaman) but it would be interesting if it`s Aurora that takes the pouch and add mysticism to her own powers.

But there`s no way they`re that clever. lol

[Jeremy Williams]

Is Omega Flight gonna be a mini/ 'cause if it ain't, it will be. How many issues does Alpha
Flight EVER last due to lack of interest?

Gauranteed I'm not buyin' this CRAP on acount of the fact Scott Kolins is just as bad as
Rob Liefield. Horrible art-work.

Hello Troll, I`ve never talked to one such as you.

[Jeremy Williams]

Why? If it ain't Joss Whedon and John Cassaday, it ain't Astonishing.

Contrary to popular belief Joss Whedon and John Cassaday are not the only great creators working in comics.

[samnoir]

If it's not Talisman, I'm going to guess Nelvanna of the Northern Lights is making a come-back.

[J.M.De la Torre]

It's painfully obvious that it's Beta Ray Bill - looks nothing like Box and making it some amalgam would just be stupid. It's been directly stated that Oeming WILL be writing Beta Ray Bill but that there would NOT be a Beta Ray Bill series or miniseries. How much more circumstantial evidence does anybody need? If you still have any doubt, I pray you never serve on a jury...

Actually he lloks a LOT like a redesigned Box. Notice the silver fist and forearm. And the bulkier shape. Beta Ray Bill never looked so beefy and his skin was always orange. Plus the lights from the discs in the Thor suit really remind me of a truck lights.

[Jacob Gilbert]

Hmmm. US Agent. Beta Ray Bill. The Spider-Woman in that pic could be Julia Carpenter instead of Jessica Drew. Meh. Whatever. :rolleyes:

[Wellness]

Anyone else think that possibly due to Beta Ray Bill's new status quo, that he may now be Canadian?

[Spartan]

Anyone else think that possibly due to Beta Ray Bill's new status quo, that he may now be Canadian?

New status quo?

[juststoney]

New status quo?

At the end of the Beta Ray Bill mini, STORMBREAKER (written by Oeming), BRB ended up in a human form.

I'm hoping this is Beta Ray Box.

[jexxel453]

Contrary to popular belief Joss Whedon and John Cassaday are not the only great creators working in comics.

Yup and I doubt any of them will be put on Astonishing. Marvel will just live off the cred that Whendon and Cassaday built up on this title. Thats how they usually do it. But I agree with the statement, whats the point of continuing Astonishing without them. They created the tilte and its feel to it. It's just like Millar and Hitch on Ultimates. After they leave so do I because I know everything I loved about the title will leave with Millar.

Also I thought Steve McNives was going to do the art for Singer's run. Wizard anounced it months ago. I really wish Singer would hurry up because Ultimate X-Men has degenerated into crap under the current creative team.

[Spartan]

Also I thought Steve McNives was going to do the art for Singer's run. Wizard anounced it months ago. I really wish Singer would hurry up because Ultimate X-Men has degenerated into crap under the current creative team.

And it was Andy Kubert before that. You can't have top artists wait around forever while Singer makes love to the Donner 'Superman' films all day long. I doubt McNiven will be doing it anymore, we'll see who's available a year from now when Singer gets around to his committments.

[Mundungus]

So Vindicator, USAgent, Beta Ray Bill, Arachne, and some mystery women.

That's my guess. Cool line up.

[Predabot1]

- Is <b>Silver Surfer: Requiem</b> still coming from J. Michael Straczynski and painter Esad Ribic? "Hopefully in 2007," Cebulski said, adding that he had seen some of the art by Ribic, but Marvel is making sure they have enough of the series finished before soliciting it. Thank... GOD. Well done Marvel! :)

And awesome that we'll be seeing more of Beta Ray B, but too bad that he might not make the Mighty Avengers Line-up... :(