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What is Batman's most famous trait? His black bat costume? His crime-fighting? Or is it his dead parents?

The tragic birth of Batman in Crime Alley, or eight-year-old Bruce Wayne seeing his parents gunned down, has been retold again and again. These days, the story is a ripe target for parody or mockery: "Shouldn't Bruce Wayne just be in therapy!" they (the writers of "Harley Quinn") say, as I point them to Grant Morrison.

But the reason the Wayne murders are constantly featured and referred back to in Batman stories is because it's an innately dramatic and tragic tale, one dripping with pathos, and the cornerstone of Batman's character. Written right, Batman's inability to move past his parents' murder reveals not just his obsessiveness, but his compassion; he can't bring back his parents, so he fights to make sure no...

In comic books, every bad guy has his turn playing for the good team, from Magneto to Vegeta to Megatron.

In some cases, it even sticks, and a villain permanently becomes a hero. Mainstays of the Avengers started as villains: Black Widow and Hawkeye were partners-in-crime, while Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver served in their father Magneto's Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. All of them chose the path of redemption and truly became worthy of being among Earth's Mightiest Heroes.

The new "West Coast Avengers" features Iron Man building an Avengers team in that redemptive spirit. Alongside his teammates War Machine, Firestar, and Spider-Woman, Tony Stark has put together a West Coast Avengers team to reform villains. The first one is the Avengers' most infamous villain ever, the homicidal android Ultron. Created by the Avenger Hank Pym/Ant-Man, Ultron is not a cold, unfeeling artificial intelligence. He's a sadistic and misanthropic tin shell of rage.

Quick LinksStar-Lord May Be Mentoring the Young Avengers in Avengers: DoomsdayWho Is Expected To Be In the Young Avengers?Is This the Right Role for Star-Lord?

A new fan theory making the rounds ahead of Avengers: Doomsday suggests that Peter Quill -- aka The Legendary Star-Lord -- will be making his return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in one very unexpected way. While it's a no-brainer to bring back such a popular character for the next big Avengers team-up, very few could have guessed it would be as a mentor to the Young Avengers. While very little is actually known about the plot of Avengers: Doomsday so far, it's speculated that the sequel to 2019's Avengers: Endgame will feature the McU's largest cast of heroes to date -- which would make sense, given the numerous debuts the franchise has seen since that film hit theaters.

Despite unbalanced reactions from MCU...

Spoilers for "Captain America: Brave New World" follow.

Marvel Studios does not set out to court controversy, which makes "Captain America: Brave New World" such a puzzling film. Similar to previous TV series "Falcon & The Winter Soldier," the movie has a framework that seems inevitably political: Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), a Black man, has chosen to be Captain America, but finds himself at odds with his country and President Thaddeus Ross (Harrison Ford).

Then, the movie preemptively retreats from any message, saying we should trust our politicians, no matter how flawed they are, to follow their better angels in the end — an absurd theme for 2025. Compare how '70s "Captain America" comic writer Steve Englehart made then-President Richard Nixon into a super-villain at the height of the Watergate scandal. That took real conviction, the kind you'll never find in a four-quadrant blockbuster.

The biggest unforced error in "Brave New World...

Captain America first debuted in Jack Kirby and Joe Simon's "Captain America Comics" #1. Hitting newsstands at the tail end of 1940, the comic's cover page showed its flag-draped hero punching out Adolf Hitler.

Since then, most of Captain America's enduring enemies have been fictional Nazis, from the Red Skull to Baron Zemo. But not all fascists come from Germany. The U.S. has spent the last decade getting that rude awakening over and over, and stubbornly refusing to listen, but it's one that Captain America heard much earlier, and heeded, back in 1974. Yes, Captain America was coated in the grey morals of the real world long before the movies.

The "Secret Empire" storyline ("Captain America" #169-175), written by Steve Englehart and drawn by Sal Buscema, features the titular conspiracy out to discredit Captain America and seize control of the American government. The Secret Empire wear purple and black hooded cloaks,...

Warning: contains spoilers for Green Lantern: Fractured Spectrum #1!

If you are judging Guy Gardner by his looks, then sorry–you are actually missing out on one of DC’s best Green Lanterns. Although Gardner has been part of the DC Universe for decades, mainstream audiences met him in the trailer for James Gunn’s forthcoming Superman film. Fans laughed at his somewhat ridiculous appearance, but Gardner’s actions in Green Lantern: Fractured Spectrum #1 should silence his many haters.

Green Lantern: Fractured Spectrum #1 is written by Jeremy Adams and drawn by V. Ken Marion. The Sorrow Lantern, a newly created aberration of the Emotional Spectrum, has stolen the Book of Oa for unknown reasons. The Green Lanterns despair over the situation, but Guy Gardner swoops in for the win, revealing that, over the course of years, he had been copying the Book of Oa. Gardner even went as far as to do this under Thaaros’ nose.

Quick Links Who Is DC's Original Doctor Phosphorus? What Is Doctor Phosphorus' Origin in Creature Commandos?

The following contains spoilers for Creature Commandos Season 1, now streaming on Max. It also contains a mention of sexual assault.

Now that James Gunn's Dcu is here, fans can expect changes to different characters, whether hero or villain. While loyalists await Superman, alterations have already started with Creature Commandos. For example, Gunn has made some significant changes to both Eric Frankenstein and the Bride.

With Creature Commandos Season 1 now complete, it can be safely confirmed Gunn made another significant change to a member of Task Force M: Doctor Phosphorus, aka Alexander Sartorius. Interestingly, Gunn's changes add nuance and sympathy to Sartorius in a very morbid, tragic arc about mourning and despair.

Who Is DC's Original Doctor Phosphorus? Alexander Sartorius Got Nuclear Powers in an Accident

Image via DC Comics

Related 'Put It Out There!

Marvel Comics is home to some of the most iconic supervillains in comic book history – but for a long time, one of the publisher's most legendary figureheads, Editor-in-Chief Jim Shooter, didn't want them to be called that. For a time during Shooter's tenure with the company, the term "supervillain" was practically outlawed entirely.

On Reddit, user @rocketinspace shared an except from Back Issue #56, a comic book magazine originally released in May 2012, which contained an interview with former West Coast Avengers writer Steve Englehart, in which the author touched on a particular quirk of Jim Shooter, who served as Marvel's Editor-in-Chief from 1978 to 1987; among the many rules Shooter instituted, he didn't allow the word "supervillain" to be used by the creators working under him.

Random Fun Fact: Jim Shooter didn't like writers using the word supervillain in their stories, is this the weirdest editorial rule? [Back Issue #56]byu/rocketinspace incomicbooks Marvel's Former...

The Marvel Universe is a grand culmination of heroes, villains, and anti-heroes from all walks of life with iconic teams like the Avengers and the X-Men who mirror real-world complexities and human experiences. As Marvel’s cosmos constantly expands, so do its characters and stories, going beyond the solar system and to other dimensions.

From Africa to Europe, Marvel has been growing its multinational teams and heroes to better illustrate the diverse global landscape. Superheroes come from a myriad of different places, all over the world, and fans may not know even the most popular of heroes originate from other countries. This eclectic assortment of Marvel’s international characters showcases to readers that stories of heroism and excitement know no bounds.

China - Zheng Shang-Chi Special Marvel Edition #15 (1973) By Steve Englehart and Jim Starlin

Zheng Shang-Chi is an elite master martial artist who was raised to be an assassin...

Quick Links Guy Gardner's DC Comic History Guy Gardner's Role in 'Superman' and the Future of the Dcu

After much anticipation, the trailer for Superman has finally arrived. The trailer is filled with incredible imagery and a powerful new rendition of John Williams's classic Superman theme music. One particular image has caught people's attention, and it isn't Superman, Lois Lane, or even the adorable Krypto. No, it is Nathan Fillion in a terrible bowl cut shooting out a green light from his finger, letting the audience know this is a Green Lantern but not the one most people are familiar with.

Fillion is playing Guy Gardner, a prominent Green Lantern comic series member but not widely known by a general audience. Aside from a brief cameo in Young Justice and a few episodes on the short-lived Green Lantern series, Guy Gardner certainly has not gotten the attention...

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The first trailer for James Gunn's "Superman" is here, but more heroes than David Corenswet's Man of Steel appear. After all, this movie is launching the new silver screen DC Universe. We'd known from previous casting news which heroes would be appearing in "Superman," and the trailer showed some of them in costume. Among them is Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, one of the many heroes named Green Lantern.

Fillion is a friend of director James Gunn who often appears in his movies. No surprise the actor has a supporting part in "Superman," but Fillion as a Green Lantern is a casting choice that has a lot of history.

In the early 2000s, Nathan Fillion was a popular choice to play Hal Jordan in a "Green Lantern" film; with people even making fanmade trailers with Fillion in the role.

No one in the DC Universe has a better or more famous collection of villains than Batman. And while he may be known for more grounded, street-level bad guys like Two-Face or the Riddler, a lot of the Caped Crusader’s foes do, in fact, have superpowers.

For all the chaos villains like the Joker can cause, the Dark Knight is equally flummoxed thanks to the special abilities of some truly powerful, if not underrated foes. From mad scientists to undead monstrosities, read on to discover some of the strongest villains in Batman’s rogues’ gallery that have superpowers.

Killer Croc is More Than an Unfortunate Mutant Created by: Gerry Conway, Don Newton, and Gene Colan

Skulking around in Gotham’s sewers is Waylon Jones aka, the mutated man-eater Killer Croc. Jones was born with a rare skin condition that worsened over time. Originally giving him a scaly, crocodile-like appearance,...

1989s Batman, directed by Tim Burton, was a landmark film for a number of reasons, and its legacy is such that the film continues to spawn comic book sequels that continue the story of Michael Keatons Dark Knight to this very day. Yet there was an earlier comic book sequel that has been nearly forgotten these days, but which saw several Bat-characters make their debut in the world of Batman 89.

The comic book sequel in question was actually a comic strip, running from November 6th, 1989 to August 3rd, 1991. Intended to capitalize off the massive success of the Batman movie, the syndicated strip was the first time Batman appeared in the newspaper comic section since the early seventies.

With a dream team of artist Marshall Rogers and uncredited writer Max Allan Collins in place, the strip loosely follows the events of the film, albeit with some changes. Batman wears his classic blue-and-gray costume from the comics,...

Portrayed by Chris Pratt, Star-Lord has become a well-known name and massive icon within the MCU as the leader and founder of The Guardians of the Galaxy, and though his character is memorable, his appearance in the MCU made significant changes from his original comic counterpart. Peter Quills origin such as his grandiose lineage and iconic design were altered to suit the MCU.

Director James Gunns Guardians of the Galaxy (2014) breathed new life into both the MCU and comic book world by revitalizing a moderately niche team, making superheroes like Star-Lord and Groot household names. Star-Lord has had several different iterations from his initial debut in Marvel Preview #4 (1976) by Steve Englehart and Steve Gan, and, while still iconic, Peter Quill from the comics has lived a vastly different story from whats seen in the MCU.

Peter Quill Left Earth Much Later in Life

One of the most important moments of...

While Star-Lord is best known for his portrayal in the MCU, the character has a significantly longer history in the comics. As much as the MCUs Star-Lord dingey red duster and the rarely used mask look fun on screen, the comics have introduced significantly more interesting costumes over the years. For a man who loves his vintage music, Peter Quill knows how to keep his fashion fresh.

Throughout his long tenure as a pirate turned galactic protector, Star-Lord has adopted many looks, each adapting to reflect his place within the galaxy. While he was originally a self-entitled cocky jerk, and still is to a degree, hes long since stepped up and embraced with open arms the variety of life and culture the galaxy has to offer. While his tenure in the MCU may soon be over, his reign, and his many many costumes, in the comics are far from being over.

Despite his demise in Avengers: Endgame, Thanos could return and wreak havoc on the Multiverse again if the opportunity arises. Josh Brolin, who portrayed the terrifying supervillain, suggests he could portray Thanos in Avengers: Secret Wars, though the character "has to fit" the story being told.

Speaking with Collider at New York Comic Con, Brolin addressed the possibility of Thanos appearing in Secret Wars, the anticipated Phase Six closer and Multiverse-collapsing event. However, Brolin thinks the right narrative needs to be introduced for a Thanos comeback to make sense. "Im not kidding Theres a thing with playing Thanos. Its like, Oh, theyre gonna bring Thanos back. Its like Sicario ; it has to be right. Its like Ryan Reynolds and I talking about Taylor Swift and we should be talking about Deadpool 4. But we go back and forth. Again, its what in his mind fits, what in my mind fits. Thanos...

In the history of superhero films, Avengers: Infinity War stands out as one of the most significant and acclaimed movies. Many fans even argue that it surpasses Endgame, though it’s nearly impossible to view these two films as separate due to their interconnected narratives.

Despite the six years that have passed since its release, discussions about Infinity War, its impact, and its role in shaping the future of the MCU continue to thrive. So, it’s no surprise that we’re still covering this iconic film—it remains highly relevant!

In this report, we’ll delve into a deleted scene from the movie that recently surfaced on social media. This raw footage features Thanos using the Soul Stone against the heroes. While fans find the scene intriguing, there’s a consensus that it’s probably for the best that it didn’t make the final cut!

The battle between...

As far as the history of superhero films is concerned, Avengers: Infinity War is, without a doubt, one of the best and most important movies. Many claim it was even better than Endgame, but it is very difficult, almost impossible, to view these two movies as separate entities, seeing how connected they are.

And while it’s been six years since the movie’s premiere, the fans are still talking about the movie, its influence, and how it influenced the further evolution of the MCU, which is why our reporting on that movie shouldn’t come as a surprise. It is still very much relevant!

In this report, we are going to discuss a deleted scene from the movie, whose raw version surfaced on social media. The scene shows Thanos using the Soul Stone against the heroes, and while the fans are in agreement that the scene is very interesting,...

Quick Links Billy Maximoff Is One of the Most Powerful Magic Users in the Comics The MCU Has Only Teased Billy Maximoff's Powers How Billy Maximoff's Powers Are Key to the MCU Multiverse Saga

Even before Agatha All Along debuted, fans were speculating about Joe Locke seemingly being cast as Billy Kaplan/Wiccan from Marvel Comics. While the initial episodes tried to keep his identity a mystery, the latest batch of episodes has confirmed that the mysterious teen is, in fact, the Young Avenger Wiccan. Born Billy Kaplan, the young boy's body has seemingly been taken over by the soul of Wanda Maximoff and Vision's son, Billy Maximoff, from WandaVision, following a car crash that seemingly killed the original host.

Being the son of the Scarlet Witch, one of the most powerful characters in Marvel Comics and the MCU, many have wondered just how powerful Wiccan is. While fans...

Welcome to the latest instalment of our Dissected feature here on Nerdly, where one of our comic gurus, Ian Wells, delves into comics history and looks back at Comics Interview, the long-running journal of interviews and criticism from David Anthony Kraft (Dak).

Hembeck Out! Shooter In!

Dak’s Up Front column leads directly into the Spotlight article. Originally Fred Hembeck had been slated to talk about his project ‘Fred Hembeck Destroys The Marvel Universe.’ He has however been replaced with a look at Marvel’s Secret Wars. Dak goes as far as to call this Ci’s most up-to-the-minute interview. Mike Zeck’s cover of the issue would back this claim up. Zeck is an artist of high standards, and I am myself sampling as I track down for the issues of Master of Kung Fu. The cover to this feels rushed and the fact inks and colours are credited...

The Thing is a Marvel Comics hero who boasts physical strength and durability, acting as the Fantastic Fours muscle. However, the Marvel Universe has no shortage of characters who are physically strong, not to mention powerful in ways that go well beyond physical strength. In other words, Ben Grimm has never really measured up. That is, until he unlocked his maximum power level, which finally turned the Thing into Marvels strongest hero.

In Fantastic Four #310 by Steve Englehart and Keith Pollard, the Thing is captured by a villain named Fasaud, who has seemingly found a way to kill Grimm once and for all. When the Thing investigates Fasauds schemes to launch a satellite space station that would allow him to attack any location on Earth in mere seconds, the Thing is captured and chained beneath the rocket booster. When the rocket blasts off, the Thing will be vaporized. However, he manages to escape,...

Fantastic Four's the Thing and the Hulk have been rivals for decades in Marvel Comics lore, even if their rivalry has pretty much always been more akin to a friendly whos stronger contest. Throughout that time, most fans have widely accepted that the Hulk is easily way stronger than the Thing - and, for the most part, theyre right. However, that shouldnt suggest that the Thing has never defeated the Hulk in a fight, as Ben Grimm has actually pulled the victory on a number of separate occasions. One of the most recent victories the Thing won over the Hulk stands as the truest testament to the Things Hulk-level strength, even in his base form.

In Fantastic Four #13 by Dan Slott and Sean Izaakse, the Thing is trying to enjoy his honeymoon with Alicia Masters when the Hulk comes out of nowhere and tries to kill him. The Hulk...

Warning: contains spoilers for Avengers Assemble #1!

Marvel is setting the stage for one MCU star to be the next leader of the Avengers. For Shang-Chi, his journey from cult hero to MCU icon has been a long one, but now it has culminated with a spot alongside Earths Mightiest Heroes. In Avengers Assemble #1, Shang-Chi joins Captain Americas new Avengers Emergency Response Squad, and quickly makes a case to be the teams leader.

Avengers Assemble #1 was written by Steve Orlando and drawn by Cory Smith. Shang-Chi arrives at the Avengers Mansion, joined by Photon and the Wasp. No sooner than they arrive, trouble rears its head. Sin, the daughter of the Red Skull, has returned, and Captain America needs Avengers on the ground. As the four head into battle, Shang-Chi yells the trademark Avengers Assemble! Yet Shang-Chi proves his worthiness when he uses his powers to neutralize Sins emotional powers, which had overpowered his teammates.

This post contains spoilers for the first two episodes of "Agatha All Along."

"Agatha All Along" is off to a fantastic start. In its first two episodes, the new Marvel series delivered a pitch-perfect prestige crime drama riff, a sapphic showdown of "Killing Eve" proportions, and a whole lot of seasonally appropriate witchy mischief. It also introduced an onslaught of new characters, from the coven Agatha (Kathryn Hahn) forms to travel the Witches Road to the mysterious teenager accompanying them.

The most mysterious new characters are a group known as the Salem's Seven, who Aubrey Plaza's character Rio warns Agatha will come for her at sundown. When the group does arrive, they're portrayed as black-clad wraiths or other dark entities. They're freaky and fast-moving, dressed a bit like Satanic nuns, and the only hint of their identities we're given is via a quick close up of the shadowy,...

The McU's Spider-Man 4 officially has its director, and there are some great reasons why Destin Daniel Cretton is perfect for the job. Marvel Studios' concluded its first Spider-Man trilogy with Sony Pictures in 2021. Now, it looks as though the next era for Tom Holland's Webslinger finally has its director, and it's a very exciting choice.

It was recently reported that Destin Daniel Cretton signed on to direct Spider-Man 4. Having already directed Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, Cretton is already expected to direct Marvel Studios' Shang-Chi sequel as well as the upcoming Wonder Man series on Disney+ starring Yahya Abdul-Mateen II. Now, it looks as though Cretton will be adding Spider-Man 4 to his MCU repertoire, and there are some very exciting reasons why he's a very exciting director following Jon Watts who directed the first three Spider-Man films in the MCU.

Destin Daniel Cretton...

After the massive global success of Avengers: Endgame, many fans were excited about the future of superhero movies. However, with the new decade, the superhero genre was greeted with many obstacles. A major problem was Covid-19's effect on filming and Box Office returns, which took many years to resolve, as well as the superhero movie fatigue that began with the various releases of the McU's Phase Four. With both Marvel and the Dceu releasing numerous projects at the beginning of the decade, the hype around superhero movies began to waver.

However, there are some superhero movies that have managed to work in this new era. Both Marvel and DC have managed to produce projects that got people to go to the cinema and kept the superhero genre standing. With over twenty high-budget superhero movies being released since 2020, ten films stood out as examples of great entries in the superhero genre.

Titan is actually the Hulk villain, Gremlin, who's posing as the Hulk's sidekick on the superhero team of Avengers sidekicks, the Assembly. Spider-Woman teams up with the 'sidekicks' of Moon Knight, Thor, and Captain Marvel to fight Gremlin. Gremlin, son of Gargoyle, upgrades his genius mind with Titan armor, posing a major threat to A-list heroes.

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Spider-Woman #10! A team of Marvel Comics sidekicks has recently been revealed as secret agents of Hydra, brainwashed super-powered children who formed the superhero team, the Assembly - and one of the members is Hulks sidekick, Titan. However, Titan isnt just an unwitting member of Hydra like the rest of the Assembly, he was the one who did the brainwashing, and was monitoring the rest of them under the guise of being the teams resident Hulk. And now, fans know exactly who this undercover villain really is.

In Spider-Woman #10 by Steve Foxe and Ig Guara,...

“Welcome to the circus,” Bruce Banner told Simu Liu’s Shaun, aka Shang-Chi, at the end of Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings. At the time, the comment seemed to bring the Master of Kung fu into the larger Marvel Cinematic Universe. Since then, however, the MCU has turned out to be an even bigger circus than Shaun or audiences expected… and not everyone is getting to share the spotlight.

According to the entertainment website Inverse, who is drawing from anonymous and unconfirmed sources, the role of Shang-Chi in the upcoming Avengers movies has been as in flux as the films themselves. As per the site, Shang-Chi was originally intended to be a main character in the fifth Avengers movie, which at the time was titled Avengers: The Kang Dynasty. During this period, The Kang Dynasty was to be directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, who also helmed Shang-Chi...

Agatha All Along takes the MCU down a dark road with new faces and one returning character fans may not recognize, Billy Maximoff. Technically, Billy never existed in the MCU, but his return as an older character raises questions about how he came back. Thankfully, Billy's comic book roots may have given fans a simple but perfect answer for how he was able to come back to the MCU.

The Marvel Cinematic Universe, ever since the conclusion of The Infinity Saga, hasn't been afraid to branch off into different mediums and explore new ideas. From breaking the fourth wall in She-Hulk: Attorney at Law to exploring past franchises in Spider-Man: No Way Home and Deadpool & Wolverine, the sky seems to be the limit. When the Agatha All Along series was initially teased, it was understood, at the very least, that the show would highlight the fun and chaotic...

Its been 60 years since the debut of The Avengers, and to mark the occasion Marvel is bringing fans the most comprehensive guide to the franchise ever assembled. Each decade is broken up into five sections, focusing on key creators, characters, stories and more. Behind-the-scenes stories come from the Avengers' greatest creators. Marvel's Avengers: The First 60 Years is out now from Marvel and Titan Comics.

Its been 60 years since the debut of The Avengers, and to mark the occasion Marvel is bringing fans the most comprehensive guide to the franchise ever assembled. Going through every decade of Avengers comics, the book will give both story synopses and behind-the-scenes info on all the different comics eras of Earth's Mightiest Heroes, from their first team-up in the '60s all the way to their current series.

As of July 2, Marvel and Titan Comics have just released Marvel's Avengers: The First 60 Years, a guidebook...

The big reveal at the end of WandaVision wasn’t just a shock to TV watchers. Of course, Kathryn Hahn’s character Agatha stole the screen from stars Elizabeth Olsen and Paul Bettany because, well, she’s Kathryn Hahn. But not even Marvel Zombies expected that it was Agatha all along.

That’s partially because the Agatha Harkness of Marvel Comics has little to do with the spitfire played by Hahn. The comics Agatha is an elderly woman who splits her time training Wanda and serving as nanny for the Fantastic Four, not a trickster villain.

The willingness to change up canon that WandaVision creator Jac Schaeffer showed makes the first look at Agatha All Along something of a surprise. As presented by Empire, the image shows Agatha with her own coven, consisting of some witches drawn from deep Marvel lore. Joining her is Broadway legend Patti LuPone as Lilia Calderu,...

Next month, Titan will publish a celebration of Earth's Mightiest Heroes with Marvel's Avengers: The First 60 Years.

The deluxe book explores the comic book history of the Marvel's premiere superhero team, looking in-depth at their greatest battles, deadliest enemies, and their unlikeliest allies. Lavishly illustrated with stunning art, this tribute to the much-loved comic book also includes profiles of the talented creators behind the team’s ongoing adventures.

The volume also charts six decades of adventurous, romantic data, with personal stories and conflict-laden relationships that have intrigued Marvel fans from the beginning.

Today, we're delighted to share an exclusive excerpt from the book that focuses on the debut of Marvel Comics' Celestial Madonna. This was a huge moment for the team and one which revolved around MCU icons like Iron Man, Captain America, Scarlet Witch, and Mantis.

The preview below also reveals new insights into Swordsman's clash with The Avengers and the Cat's debut,...

Avengers meets Disney magic in delightful crossover variant covers for Amazing Spider-Man comics. Mickey Mouse becomes Captain America, Minnie Mouse as Iron Man, and Goofy as Thor. Nico Picone's recreation mirrors Avengers #151 cover with Disney characters in classic hero garb.

Disney steps into the realm of the Avengers with a fantastic recreation of a classic comic cover, transforming Mickey Mouse into Captain America, Minnie Mouse into Iron Man, and the beloved Goofy into Thor! This delightful crossover is part of Marvel's celebration of the 60-year anniversary of the Avengers and X-Men, with these Disney-inspired What If….? variant covers set to adorn select issues of upcoming Amazing Spider-Man releases.

On September 11, 2024, fans will have the chance to grab their own copy of Nico Picone’s variant cover for Amazing Spider-Man #53, featuring Goofy, Mickey, and Minnie Mouse. This variant cover is a Disney-inspired recreation of the Thor, Captain America, and...

Three years have passed since Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings made its theatrical worldwide debut. Although there's been little to no updates on a sequel, lead actor Simu Liu says the film is still in the works.

The encouraging update on the Shang-Chi sequel comes from the social media website Threads, an alternative to X/Twitter from Instagram. A user who goes by Victoria Avalor said, "I feel like Marvel has abandoned the Shang-Chi fan base. There has been no effort by the studio to get the sequel filming or even include the character in other Marvel films. Frustrating as hell." In response, Liu said "I proooomiss it’s happening."

Related Simu Liu Discusses Shang-Chi's Potential Appearance in Avengers 5 Simu Liu addresses his future as Shang-Chi and the possibility of returning in Avengers 5.

Directed by Destin Daniel Cretton, Shang-Chi and the Legend of...

The new Moon Knight's shocking identity is revealed in Vengeance of the Moon Knight #4: the Shroud. The Shroud, with a unique gimmick similar to Batman and Daredevil, has taken over Moon Knight's identity. The Shroud's motivations for becoming the new Moon Knight remain unknown, leading to confrontation with the Midnight Mission.

Warning: contains spoilers for Vengeance of the Moon Knight #4!

A new Moon Knight has been stalking the streets of the Marvel Universe, and now his shocking identity stands revealed. Marc Spector was killed recently, and the Midnight Mission swore to carry on his work. Their efforts were soon derailed by a new, even more violent Moon Knight. His identity has remained a mystery–until now. Vengeance of the Moon Knight #4 pulls off the mask to reveal the new Fist.

Vengeance of the Moon Knight #4, by Jed MacKay and Alessandro Cappuccio, follows the members of the Midnight Mission as...

When Thanos died, his energy mingled with that of Death, creating the Rot. The Rot is neither alive nor dead, and even Eternity was powerless agains it. Now, Avengers heroes admit that they have to protect Thanos, since his death could bring back his apocalyptic offspring.

Warning: Spoilers for Thanos #4When it comes to the greatest threats of the Marvel Universe, the Avengers have faced few entities more dangerous than the Mad Titan known as Thanos. Having threatened the cosmos on countless occasions, the deformed Eternal/Deviant hybrid has repeatedly put teams like the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy to the test. But there is one being that Earth's Mightiest Heroes fear even more - Thanos’ own forgotten child the Rot.

Thanos #4 by Christopher Cantwell, Luca Pizzari, Germán Peralta, Ruth Redmond, and Cory Petit finds the villain facing off against the one-time love of his life, Death herself.

In Thanos #4, the Mad Titan battles Death herself, risking destruction of the cosmos. If Thanos lost, then his essence would merge with Death's, potentially re-creating a vastly powerful villain: Rot. Marvel Comics reminds fans that Thanos merging with Death to create Rot is something that could happen in the MCU, teasing his comic-accurate comeback.

Warning: Contains Spoilers for Thanos #4! Thanos was famously defeated by the Avengers in the MCU upon the completion of the decade-long Infinity Saga, though that shouldn’t suggest he’s gone forever. Obviously, there are other versions of Thanos who exist in the wider multiverse (as fans have seen in What If? and Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness), but that’s not how the Mad Titan can return, as there’s another - much more chilling - way Thanos can make an MCU comeback (and it’s totally comic-accurate).

In Thanos #4 by Christopher Cantwell,...

Marvel killed off Wonder Man after DC complained he caused issues with Wonder Woman's brand. However, when DC debuted Power Girl, Stan Lee sought revenge. Lee reintroduced Wonder Man to mess with DC, considering Power Girl's debut hypocritical because of Marvel's Power Man, aka Luke Cage. Marvel got the last laugh, as What If...? #34 teasingly asked "What if Wonder Man were a woman?", introducing its own Wonder Woman in all but name.

DC has few heroes more iconic than Wonder Woman, and yet thanks to a decades-old squabble, a hero of that name also technically exists within the Marvel Universe. Hardcore comic fans know that many famous superheroes have major lawsuits in their past (few more than DC's Captain Marvel/Shazam), but Marvel's attitude to Wonder Woman is definitely the funniest example.

In 1964, Simon Williams' Wonder Man hit shelves, debuting in Stan Lee and Don Heck's The Avengers #9. However,...

A new version of Ultron, named Mark Twelve, has joined the Avengers and has proven to be a powerful addition who can rival anyone else on the team. Mark Twelve's true identity as Ultron has been a mystery until now, as he has been appearing as "Victor Shade" throughout Avengers Inc. Mark Twelve is actually based on Ultron-12's code and has taken on a new, more human form. The Avengers are excited about this new member.

Warning! Spoilers for Avengers Inc. #5 ahead!A new version of Ultron has joined Earth’s Mightiest heroes, and he’s a powerhouse who can rival anyone else in the Avengers. This new Ultron has already taken Asgardians and his own villainous predecessor to task, so who knows what his limits are? The newly christened "Mark Twelve" is only the latest in a long line of Pym extended family characters who’ve joined the team,...

Actor Simu Liu is a passionate fan of superhero movies who hopes for a Shang-Chi sequel. Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings received strong reviews from critics and fans alike, making it one of the standout films in Phase 4 of the MCU. Despite the success of the first film, there are still concerns about superhero fatigue, but Shang-Chi seems to be an exception.

Shang-Chi himself is a superhero fan. Actor Simu Liu first portrayed the Marvel character in 2021’s Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings, but despite strong reviews from critics and reactions from the fans, a sequel still hasn’t been made. And Simu wants to stoke the fire for his love of the genre and make the long-awaited follow-up. Liu wrote in a post on Threads:

“I have and always will be an unabashed fan of superhero movies as a genre. There’s a variance for sure,...

Although it's heavily based on many of Marvel Comics' best stories and events, the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) isn't an exact one-to-one adaptation of the source material. This is to be expected, especially when the franchise in question is based on decades-old comics. As a result, Marvel changed many of the comics' romances for the big screen.

Some of the McU's romances were so well-received and loved by fans that they completely buried their original versions in the comics. What's more, fans realized that their favorite pairings were drastic improvements over the originals after the fact. As far as Marvel fans were concerned, these MCU romances were the only ones that mattered.

MCU Spoilers ahead!

Related 10 Marvel Television Superheroes Who Still Aren't MCU Canon The Defenders Saga is officially part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but these TV superheroes still haven't been recognized as canon. Jennifer Walters Started Something Special...

Warning: Spoilers for DC’s ‘Twas The ‘Mite Before Christmas

DC Comics' first openly gay hero, Extraño, makes a comeback in a holiday anthology, reemphasizing his place in the Dcu. Extraño's appearance in the anthology resembles Marvel's Doctor Strange, signaling a potential relaunch and redemption for the character. DC Comics recognizes the importance of Extraño as a Lgbtqia+ hero and is actively working to give him the attention he deserves.

These days, DC Comics has more than a few Lgbtqia+ heroes — like Dreamer, Apollo, Batwoman, Nubia, and more — reminding readers just what positive representation looks like. But DC's first openly gay hero, Extraño, is reemphasizing his place in the Dcu – and sporting a Doctor Strange-inspired outfit while he does it.

The short story “It’s A Bunkerful Life” by Josh Trujillo, Andrew Drilon, and Lucas Gattoni — featured in DC’s ‘Twas The ‘Mite Before Christmas holiday anthology — reunites Extraño with fellow queer hero,...

Mantis has revealed her new costume is an alien symbiote named Dress. Dress can tap into Mantis' variants across the multiverse, granting her new armor and weaponry. Guardians of the Galaxy #9 is available now from Marvel Comics!

Warning: Spoilers Ahead for Guardians of the Galaxy #9!The Guardians of the Galaxy's Mantis has just revealed a clever new take on Venom in the form of a new costume. Venom and his massive family of symbiotes have been the center of some of Marvel's most popular stories ever since Spider-Man first came into contact with the creature in 1984's Secret Wars event. There have been countless iterations of the symbiote that have found their way around the universe, granting hosts exceptional abilities throughout the years. However, a new Guardians of the Galaxy costume has given the symbiote a fresh new spin.

In Guardians of the Galaxy #9 by Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing and Kev Walker,...

Shang-Chi surprises readers and crime bosses alike by joining Marvel's "Gang War," showcasing his morally-gray attitude and willingness to fight. Shang-Chi's criminal ties and struggle between good and evil have recently been explored, highlighting his complex origin story and internal conflict. Shang-Chi's heel turn could be a strategic move to gain information for his friends, suggesting a larger plan and adding an intriguing twist to the event.

Warning: Spoilers for The Amazing Spider-Man: Gang War First Strike #1!Marvel's "Gang War" is exploding onto the page this month across multiple series, and the biggest surprise is that Shang-Chi is right in the middle, not to keep everyone in line, but to make sure he gets his own piece of the city. In The Amazing Spider-Man: Gang War First Strike #1, readers see the powder keg New York City's crime families find themselves in: Tombstone is out of commission, Madame Masque is dead,...

Moon Knight's cult status has grown recently, thanks to his Disney+ series and internet memes that depict him in a more insane light. A popular Moon Knight meme shows him exclaiming "Random b******t go!!!" while throwing out various weapons, and this meme has now influenced the comics themselves. In Moon Knight: City of the Dead #3, Moon Knight and the Scarlet Scarab unleash a barrage of unconventional weapons from their imaginations to defeat their enemies. Moon Knight's memes have become a reality.

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Moon Knight: City of the Dead #3!Though he's never been a flagship character, Moon Knight has seen his cult status grow in recent years, in no small part thanks to the debut of his own live action Disney+ series and another, less traditional avenue: internet memes. The often-edited panels depicting Moon Knight in an inexplicably more insane light have expanded the character's cultural reach...

The Nightman from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia shares eerie parallels with the Marvel character, Night Man, including night vision and martial arts expertise. Marvel currently has no plans to bring back Night Man into its canon, but his popularity in the Ultraverse suggests it could happen in the future. It's fascinating to see the connection between the obscure hero, Night Man, and the comedic creation from It's Always Sunny, adding depth to the character while paying homage to a forgotten hero.

One of It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia's most infamous creations, the Nightman, has technically been part of official Marvel canon for years. The Nightman is a supposedly-fictional character created by Charlie, the funniest member of the It's Always Sunny gang, who comes into his room at night to imbue him with manliness. However, the way Charlie writes about him makes it clear that he's processing serious childhood trauma.

Marvel has unveiled a bold new design for the Galactus-level entity The In-Betweener. One of the most powerful beings in the Marvel Universe, the In-Betweener and many other cosmic beings are set for a drastic overhaul in the forthcoming G.O.D.S series from writer Jonathan Hickman and artist Valerio Schiti. The In-Betweener’s new appearance honors the spirit of the character, while giving them an exciting new look.

Marvel unveiled Schiti’s new design for the In-Betweener on its website. The In-Betweener's new look keeps their dual nature intact. Schiti’s design imparts an aura of menace and oddly enough, sensuality to the character; instead of wearing their usual robes, the In-Betweener is naked, with a dark cloak strategically covering up their private parts. One of the In-Betweener’s eyes is glowing dark red, and in the background, fans can see Jim Starlin’s original design for the character for reference.

Marvel Studios may retcon Mantis to make her more comic accurate after Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, giving her a chance to develop a stronger connection to her original character. Mantis' portrayal in the MCU drew criticism from her co-creator, Steve Englehart, who felt that the character was significantly different from the original comic version. While Mantis' alien origins and some superhuman abilities in the MCU make it challenging to fully align with her comic counterpart, her solo journey opens up opportunities to integrate comic storylines and develop her character further.

After the events of Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3, Marvel Studios can fix the Guardian of the Galaxy that disappointed her own creator. Pom Klementieff joined the MCU in 2017's Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2, introduced as Ego the Living Planet's aide prior to joining the Guardians of the Galaxy team. Since her debut, Mantis...

The Juggernaut is one of the most iconic villains in X-Men history, though in more recent years, he’s actually started to turn his life around a bit from the nearly unbeatable supervillain to a totally unstoppable antihero.

Cain Marko aka the Juggernaut first gained his abilities after finding the Crimson Gem of Cyttorak in an ancient temple in Korea. After agreeing to be the demon-god’s avatar on Earth, Marko became the Juggernaut, and was tasked with spreading as much chaos and destruction across the planet as possible. Over time, however, the Juggernaut started to realize that he could use his unparalleled strength and durability to actually help people, eventually leading the Juggernaut down the path of redemption. Here are the top 10 most important moments in Juggernaut’s life that paved the way for this journey.

Juggernaut’s Debut Appearance

Every journey has to start somewhere, and in the Juggernaut’s case,...

The Joker has basically become as iconic as Batman himself in modern culture. These days, we're seeing just as much of The Clown Prince of Crime as we are of the Dark Knight, with "Joker 2" recently wrapping production and a fresh approach to the character from Barry Keoghan, who showed up in a scene from Matt Reeves' "The Batman" and could likely return in "The Batman: Part II."

Since Jack Nicholson's Jack Napier transformed into the iconic Batman villain in Tim Burton's "Batman" back in 1989, there have been several cinematic versions of The Joker, helping propel the character further into the public consciousness and raising his profile as an enduring pop culture figure. Of course, The Joker's history stretches much further back than the late-'80s. The infamous rogue has been a mainstay in the comics for more than 80 years, where he's been the focus of countless...