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Marvel's Heroic Age: "Heroes Will Be Heroes Again"

Looks like the Marvel Universe will be having a brightest day as well...


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Ever since it was announced that the Heroic Age was coming to Marvel this May, we've been left wondering what it was all about.  The first promo showed the shadowed figures of what appeared to be Iron Man, Thor and Captain America.  With all the "dark" versions of our heroes running around, we couldn't help but be suspicious.  Today Marvel has released information about the "new era of heroism" in the Marvel Universe.  Beginning with May's release of Avengers #1, the Heroic Age will bring the universe out of the darkness and bring a "renewed sense of hope and optimism."  This will lead to the formation of new teams and brand new characters.  Marvel says that titles branded with the Heroic Age banner will offer the perfect jumping on point for new and old readers. 

“Our heroes have experienced some of their greatest trials and tribulations recently, but now there’s going to be a renewed hope among their ranks,” said Joe Quesada, Chief Creative Officer & Editor-in-Chief Marvel Entertainment LLC. “As our heroes emerge from the darkness, the Marvel Universe is going to be a more optimistic place than we’ve seen in a quite awhile. But that doesn’t mean we’re making things easy for our characters!”  

David Gabriel, Senior Vice-President of Sales and Circulation said they've been working on the details of the Heroic Age for about a year now, emphasizing that "the Marvel Universe Starts Here." 
 
Joe Quesada also said a few more words about the Heroic Age to USA Today this morning as well.

"Heroes will be heroes again. They've gone through hell and they're back to being good guys — a throwback to the early days of the Marvel Universe, with more of a swashbuckling feel."     

The obvious comparisons to DC's upcoming Brightest Day will most likely get made.  I'm sure other critics will also claim this is due to Disney buying Marvel and wanting a more cheerful universe.  Quesada did address this by saying that the return of the "good guys" has been in the works for two years and was finalized eight months ago, before Disney's purchase. 

"There is no sanitizing of the Marvel books at all," he says, promising stories will remain "edgy" and contemporary. "Our philosophy here is to just keep telling good stories."    

Are you happy that we're moving out of the dark times?  Can comics still be good if they're not filled with all the doom and gloom we've had lately?

89 Comments

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Chane

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Edited By Chane

I wonder how all this heroic age stuff affects the X-Men

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Argentino_18

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Edited By Argentino_18

If that means we dont have to see the sentry pyscothic rants again I okay with it...

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Tom_1994

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Edited By Tom_1994

Does the above image imply that Bucky Barnes cap is here to stay? 
 
I'm glad that good times are ahead, hopefully everything will go back to 'normal' and we wont have all these massive cross-overs. 
Fingers crossed!!

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Xion

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Edited By Xion
@tom_1994: Yeah i noticed that too about Cap that its Bucky
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gmanfromheck

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Edited By gmanfromheck
@Chane: Maybe things will start looking up for them. But I do like the idea of the X-Men being in their own little corner of the Marvel U.  Maybe this will mean we won't get huge crossover after crossover.
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Chaos Burn

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Edited By Chaos Burn

Yay, I come under the 'new reader' kinda group, as I only follow the characters through this site... maybe i will begin to buy the comics and follow story lines myself 
frabjous day

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FoxxFireArt

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Edited By FoxxFireArt

Well. the return of the good guys was the obvious outcome. It was going to happen eventually. Also, I don't believe in Blackest Night the Black Lanterns took over for the same kind of extent as Osborn and his ilk did. There felt to be more in common with Necrosha.
 
I'm just happy that this doesn't seem to be winding up to be just another event.
 
Has anyone else found it interesting that it's Beast up there to represent mutants?

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Nev-man

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Edited By Nev-man

I'm loving that Bucky is going to be Cap fro at least a little while longer, and is that a Simian-Beast I see? I notice four fingers and can't make out whiskers!

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Zoom

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Edited By Zoom

I doubt it will.

The X-Men have been in their own corner of doom and gloom for years before the rest of the marvel universe spiraled out of control.

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timrothsays

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Edited By timrothsays

>>Avengers #1
 
Oh, right. Only one $%#@ Avengers-title with (i bet) ;%№" Bendis

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rudorudo

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Edited By rudorudo

Emmm anyone else realize that Hawkeye's left arm has a metallic look to it.......could Bucky be the new Hawkeye and that's actually Steve in the Captain Puerto Rico costume

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Bandito

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Edited By Bandito

Why does Hank Pym look like a gorilla?

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They Killed Cap!

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Edited By They Killed Cap!
@tom_1994:

Yeah that was my question. What happens to Steve Rogers Cap? 
 
 
I think I like this idea, then again I liked other ideas that ended up getting screwed up.
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Scottyb

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Edited By Scottyb
@rudorudo said:

" Emmm anyone else realize that Hawkeye's left arm has a metallic look to it.......could Bucky be the new Hawkeye and that's actually Steve in the Captain Puerto Rico costume "

doubtful about hawkeye 
 
 http://www.myfreewallpapers.net/comics/wallpapers/house-of-m-hawkeye.jpg
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Muuted

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Edited By Muuted
@rudorudo:
I realized that too....maybe, but I do like Bucky as Cap
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afierce

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Edited By afierce

This sounds promising to me! I would be happy to see things return to a time where there aren't massive crossovers and doom stories. Not that I don't enjoy that, it would just be a nice shift, and then maybe in a few years, shift back again. I hope this turns out as good as it sounds in my head!

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THEBlaqueBasterd

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Edited By THEBlaqueBasterd

Is it me..or did he ACTUALLY say .... "swashbuckling..." ?

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THEBlaqueBasterd

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Edited By THEBlaqueBasterd
@rudorudo: RFLMFAO @ "Capn Puerto Rico Costume.." oh wow either one of THE most racist or THE funniest things ive read on here in a while.. in answer to your query Hawkeye will still be Hawkeye (or go BACK to bein Hawkeye) the metallic arm you refer to is a customised archers armguard.. so Cap WILL be Buck & not short term either.....
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Harlekin

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Edited By Harlekin

Beast looks like Beast again.
 
That would be a cool Avengers Team.

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jedd

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Edited By jedd

i hope scarlet witch returns. is this image the upcoming avengers or is it ment to represent the heroic age in general
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AngelFrost

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Edited By AngelFrost
ooo,Black Widow<3
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EdwardWindsor

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Edited By EdwardWindsor

spidey is still gonna be an avenger by th looks of it sweet , dont see logan thou good xforce and xmen is enough for me lol

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Emperor Gonzo Noir

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Well look at that Gorilla-Man has a gun

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EdwardWindsor

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Edited By EdwardWindsor
@Emperor Gonzo Noir said:
" Well look at that Gorilla-Man has a gun "
a gattling/mini gun no less as well lol
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Illyana Rasputin

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Edited By Illyana Rasputin

Recently in an X-Men post the request was made for five heart-breaking moments and five triumphant moments. Honestly, every one of us had a difficult time finding positive, triumphant moments, but there was no shortage of sorrow. I hope this whole "swashbuckling" endeavor doesn't move into cheese territory.

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speedlgt

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Edited By speedlgt

I think it would be very very intresting to see Bucky become hawkeye and steve don buckys uniform.  in some sense it makes sense clint is ronnin it seems to fit him now more than ever bucky has shown that his one of 3 men on the planet that can throw caps shield and that could be translated into him becoming a great marksmen like clint. 
 
on another note I dont like bucky having to use other heros names and gimmicks he could be his own man. being cap is different cause its what hes was ment for all along. 
 
I would also think it would be cool to see bucky or steve or clint take the guise of iron patriot i mean thats a kick ass suit and name shame no one would use it
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PrinceIMC

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Edited By PrinceIMC
@Bandito said:
" Why does Hank Pym look like a gorilla? "
Huh? Hank Pym isn't in this picture.
 
This does look pretty good though. Glad to see that it looks like Bucky is staying as Cap for a while. Also glad to see that Beast seems to be making the transformation back to what he should look like. I also like new teams and new heroes and a more optimistic universe so long as they don't forget the people that are already there.
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Scoobypuff

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Edited By Scoobypuff

 
@rudorudo:  hawkeye arm looked like that before,it's not a new costume. as for the team,it looks cool. like the new iron man. now for steve,i think maybe he might lead this group as a general,and bucky would be feild leader.

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gmanfromheck

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Edited By gmanfromheck

I forget the technical term but archers use an arm covering to protect their arm or something.

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lb70145

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Edited By lb70145
@They Killed Cap!: It's still kinda iffy about what will happen to Steve Rogers. Many are saying he is going to be the head of SHIELD. However I think its obvious what Steve will be doing. Steve will be the head of the Avengers Academy, now that would be awesome.
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EdwardWindsor

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Edited By EdwardWindsor
@G-Man:  they do indead there just wrist guards thou to stop the arrow damaging bow arm there just called wrist guards far as i know i did archery at uni lol
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Queen's Halo

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Edited By Queen's Halo

Oh. Beast is going to be an Avenger again. That's why he left the X-Men. Am I right? ? ?

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jedd

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Edited By jedd

wait a minute??? is the thing going to be an avenger!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! this looks great but i hope bendis dosn't write this. he's great but i want change. I think dan  slott should be given the power!!!
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PrinceIMC

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Edited By PrinceIMC

I don't think this is the Avengers team just representatives of the new Heroic Age.

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pimpnerd88

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Edited By pimpnerd88

This won't be the Avengers lineup will it? Probably just a representation of multiple teams. I really don't want to have Beast on an Avengers team, although in his defense, it was Busiek and Perez who ruined him for me.

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goldenkey

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Edited By goldenkey
@tom_1994 said:
"Does the above image imply that Bucky Barnes cap is here to stay?  I'm glad that good times are ahead, hopefully everything will go back to 'normal' and we wont have all these massive cross-overs. Fingers crossed!! "

I was wondering the same thing.  Oh and Marvel and DC are making to much money not to do these cross -overs.
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-Eclipse-

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Edited By -Eclipse-
@PrinceIMC said:
" I don't think this is the Avengers team just representatives of the new Heroic Age. "
This. 
 
For one: Why would the Avengers need two monkeys? (Gorilla-Man and Beast) And why would the Thing (sporting the F4 symbol on his pants) join the Avengers? No, I agree, this is probably just a cool image to represent 'the Heroic Age'
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Icon

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Edited By Icon

 Are you happy that we're moving out of the dark times?  Can comics still be good if they're not filled with all the doom and gloom we've had lately?


I am, and I do think this is going to be good. Bring on the "swashbuckling" I say. Also, please let Beast be in the new Avengers line-up. That would be sweet.   
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ARMIV

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Edited By ARMIV

Hooray for optimistic times ahead!

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brc2000

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Edited By brc2000

Hopefully this means that Barton is going back with his Hawkeye identity. Though I did enjoy some of the darker aspects recently it will be good to see some classic hero vs. villain action instead of the heroes hiding from the government or whatever.

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gmanfromheck

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Edited By gmanfromheck

As cool as this line-up would be, I think it's more of a representation of the actual "heroes" in the Marvel U.  I would think they'd keep the line-up under wraps.  That used to be the big thing, who would be in the next line-up?

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drawme

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Edited By drawme

Finally I will get to buy Avengers. Perfect jumping on point for me.

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GreenGriffin

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Edited By GreenGriffin

Steven Rogers rocking Buck's suit. Nice.
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Nova`Prime`

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Edited By Nova`Prime`

That actually would be an awesome Avengers line up. But I would be happier to see certain characters stick with the teams they are known for. Granted the only one out of place is Gorilla Man, considering Beast and Thing were Avengers once upon a time. I also like Spidey better as a loner, maybe an occasional team up but not a permanent member. And Bucky staying Cap would be aces in my book, let Cap retire and teach the next generation of heroes.

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HaloKing343

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Edited By HaloKing343

Good idea. Starting with Avengers Dissasembled, it seemed like Marvel kept finding a way to wreck the Marvel Universe and then have that horrible wreckage make a domino effect and wreck something else until finally, the villans took control. It's been from Dissasembled to House of M to Civil War to Secret Invasion to Dark Reign to Seige and finally, Marvel has stopped oober wrecking the Marvel Universe. It was an interesting decade, to say the least, but I guess that after ten years of wrecking everything, it's cool to have it revert back to normal.

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Queen's Halo

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Edited By Queen's Halo

Wait a minute! Are you telling me (I didn't notice Black Widow was there. I only saw Beast) there's only one woman on the team. F***** this!!!! But still I almost like the lineup.

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sora_thekey

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Edited By sora_thekey
@Queen's Halo said:
"Wait a minute! Are you telling me (I didn't notice Black Widow was there. I only saw Beast) there's only one woman on the team. F***** this!!!! But still I almost like the lineup. "

That's what i thought! One Woman only is not good at all!
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Ikkybooger

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Edited By Ikkybooger
@Queen's Halo said:

" Oh. Beast is going to be an Avenger again. That's why he left the X-Men. Am I right? ? ? "

I thought that he left the X-Men cause he was doing some soul-searching and then joined S.W.O.R.D. in the process. I might be wrong cause I'm not following the S.W.O.R.D. series, just saw him on the cover of the first issue.  

 
@Nev-man

 said: 

"Is that a Simian-Beast I see? I notice four fingers and can't make out whiskers! "

Yeah, I thought the same thing. Doesn't look like the current beast. People have been making it sound like his design has reverted to what it once was, but that makes no sense to me. Why would his mutation regress?  Could this be Dark Beast? Or is that just a stupid thought?   
 
As far as this "Heroic Age" stuff goes, I'm interested/excited. I always seeing a hero get their deserved gratitude and that will be a nice change for "Dark Reign" and its ilk. I just think this seems soon. I mean, didn't "Siege" just start?
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crimsonspider89

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Edited By crimsonspider89

That is not the team. They have the Holy Trinity of the Avengers(Thor, Cap, Iron Man) as well as a rep from X-Men and FF and Gorilla whatever represents his team and I think Black Widow is going to lead the new Thunderbolts. I think Hawkeye is going ot be the main leader of the Avengers with the big three doing there solo things to begin with.

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Obsurity

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Edited By Obsurity

Perhaps if Steve is in Bucky's costume it my be because of the 2 Americas arch in Captain America. People may associate Steve's costume with the Crazy Cap. I doubt that though because whatever future Steve saw Bucky needed to be Cap

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