The most recent news coming out this week before Wonder Con begins, is that Jeff Parker will end the current Thunderbolts title, but it will continue on with issue 175, but under a new name, but familiar title. Again!? Sorry to say, but this isn't something new, books have been doing this for years. Remember the Defenders by Kurt Busiek and Erik Larson? The book ended with issue 10, but then relaunched under a six issue mini retitled: "The Order". Yet, it was a continuing of the same story line that started in Defenders. Most recently, the current Heroes for Hire ended and was relaunched under a new mini entitled: "Villains for Hire". Once again, while the title was changed, it was basically the continuing of the left over story lines from the first book, just in a darker turn, but still, it was the same story. While some fans might find this interesting, it just seems to be a cheap ploy to get more sales on a book that is losing out on readers and sales figures, and almost always the book ends up cancelled.
I don't want to get into another Spider-Girl rant, but that's what happened with Anya's series, the push to make her Spider-Girl, even giving her the book title and identity, but it was still the current stories that had played with the character since day one. It was just an idea to get more readers with a familar title. How about the Spider-man rebook in the late 90s. New books, but same stories, same writer, same artist and with a new one thrown in. How was that a reboot? There is spinning off titles and then there is just a cheap ploy to boost sales. I'll take Hulk for example when it launched almost 5 years ago, it stared pretty much the Red Hulk and then continued on to feature the Red Hulk minus Bruce Bannner and it became it's own title after ending the long 2 year story line. It's not much different with new Avengers, Avengers and now Avengers Assemble. Granted they are 3 different teams, but they have pretty much the same tone, writer and story lines. Where is reallly the difference between the three? Not much and it shows more greed then good story telling. If Avengers and New Avengers were one book and Avengers Assemble was just a mini to get the movie audience in, then that's fine. The books serve their purpose, but in the end the all mighty dollar is dominating these changes.
If you want good books, then look at how you are selling them. The idea to get Nova into better sales was to kill off the main one after several years and replace him with a younger one to get more readers because we know that's worked so well for TV shows that try this approach. The trick is to find the readers and promoted the series and have great creative teams, not cheap ploys, but what do I know? I'm just some mid 30s comic book reader who isn't really that relevent any more. I've grown up, gotten married, received three degrees, have a child and I'm a teacher. I guess I don't know what I'm talking about.
With the new year in full swing, I thought it was time to bring up a new mythology vs comiclogy with using the new Scarlet Spider series as a great use. For those who haven't read the issue yet, the first new villain of Kaine's rogues gallery is an assassin named Salamander who has fire based powers. Now, when people think Salamander, they think of the lizard, well that is true, but just why is a guy with no shirt on with a the fire wheel tattooed on his chest going around controlling fire like no tomorrow. You see originally, a myth of salamanders that they can live in fire and are elemental animal of fire. So they are important for the existence of the world. Regarding the firemen of "Fahrenheit 451", this means that society can only survive with the work of these people. Without them this society would not be able to remain. Besides the salamander is a sign for decay, maturing and transformation. Linked to the novel these processes have certain meanings: Decay is a kind of destruction. The firemen, which the way Salamander describes himself in those brief pages, he might be a former fireman who wields the mystical aspect of the creature. Many of these qualities are rooted in verifiable traits of the natural creature but often exaggerated to a significant degree, as was common in ancient works on natural history and philosophy. A large body of legend, mythology, and symbolism has developed around this creature over the centuries.
So, if anything, Chris Yost has done his research with this new villain and is pretty much on track with how the creature has been depicted in legend and how it might appear for someone using the name and aspect of the legendary creature. As for the true origins of this new villain, we'll have to stay tune to the new Scarlet Spider series. Pick it up today.
It's been a while since there was talk of any debate between Anya Corazon and May Parker, both who have shared the name: "Spider-Girl" one in the MC2 Universe and one in the normal 616-Universe. Since the ending of May's last title and Anya being pushed from the name "Araña" to Spider-Girl and getting her own title when she has already had 2 failed series, left a lot of fans of both characters upset. For May it was taking her title of Spider-Girl and giving it to Anya when she already had a name and for fans of Anya, trying to pawn another name off a character who already has an established name and history. What's the difference between the two:
May
May "Mayday" Parker is the child of Peter and Mary Jane Parker in a alternate future In the MC2 continuity. When she was little she was kidnapped from her parents. They were reunited with their baby daughter by Kaine, who found the child living with Alison Mongraine, the con artist who had kidnapped the baby on instruction from the Green Goblin. After they were reunited, Peter lost a leg during the horrific final conflict with the Green Goblin. After the battle Peter was offered a bionic replacement from Mr. Fantastic and, considering it a wake-up call, decided to retire and focus on being a husband and father (the battle is glimpsed in Spider Girl #7, and fully explained in Spider Girl #49). For years, they chose to keep their past from Mayday and hoped that she wouldn't develop powers of her own. May Parker, Daughter of Spider-Man
Despite her parents' hopes, May began developing versions of her father's Spider-powers when she was 15. At the same time, Normie Osborn (Green Goblin's grandson) set out to restore the family name (as he saw it). Mayday donned Ben Reilly's Spider-Man costume to stop him and soon took to crime fighting, at first hindered, then helped, by her worried parents.
Anya
Born in Brooklyn, New York, Anya was a normal girl until one night when she went out to a bridge to fight a boy from school. But when she arrived, a fight broke out between a group named the "Sisterhood of The Wasps", and a group called " The Spider Society". Whilst attempting to help a mysterious man named Miguel (from the Spider Society), Anya was stabbed by a member of the Sisterhood of Wasps. Due to a spell which Miguel had cast, the Sisterhood of the Wasps were transported away because they had used a weapon on sacred grounds, but the wound was still severe. Miguel (the sorcerer of the Spider Society) transferred some of his power to her, saving her life, transforming her into the Hunter of the Spider Society, for whom he had been looking.
Anya Corazon As Araña
Anya received a spider-shaped tattoo from the energy transfer, and life seemingly returned to normal. However, the Spider Society soon approached her asking for help in fighting crime, as she was their new Hunter, despite that several members were annoyed with Miguel's choice of who to make the Hunter. After one or two fights against the Sisterhood of the Wasp, Anya was taken out to the desert to unlock her true potential. After a few hours she was attacked by wolves, and had a vision of her mother. Anya then discovered that she could summon a blue exoskeleton around herself, which gave her added endurance and strength. After being picked back up by Migueld and the rest of the Spider Society, Anya was asked to choose a name for herself. Anya decided on Araña, which means spider, as it was her mother's name. Miguel and Araña would team up many times for the Spider Society, for example, preventing the Sisterhood of Wasps from summoning their chosen warrior.
Araña recently learned that Hunters (of The Spider Society) don't have an exoskeleton like she has. In yet another battle against the Sisterhood of The Wasps, the Wasps were once again trying to summon their Hunter. The Sisterhood was unsuccessful, but Miguel did not survive the battle despite Spider-Man's help. Araña transferred her power to Nina Smith, another Spider Society member, after the death of Miguel. Although she isn't a Hunter anymore, she still has many of her superhuman abilities.
Both come from different backgrounds, both have different histories and both character are unique, so where does the problem come from? During the Kravinoff family hunt for Spider-Man and spider affiliated individuals, Anya is attacked by Ana, Vladimir and Alyosha. Spider-Man, Arachne and Kaine come to her aid, but after a run in with Alyosha she gets sprayed with a type of sleeping powder and taken to the Kravinoff mansion. While in the dungeon Anya, Madame Web and Arachne are attacked by Vladimir. Just before she's about to be killed, the recently reborn Kraven stops his feral son. She and the other captors are taken as hostages by Sasha only to be saved by Spider-Man, who chases after Sasha, with Araña following after him. While Madame Web bleeds out in Julia's arms - not before passing on her powers - Spider-man fights Kraven, Anya takes on Ana and Sasha, beats Sasha and goes after Ana to stop her from interfering with the
Kraven-Spidey Battle, when Spider-man is about to kill Kraven. Arachne with Madame Web's powers intervenes and helps Spidey make the right call by showing him what would happen if he didn't. After Spider-man lets Kraven live, he and his family disappear. Later Spidey Julia and Anya are seen talking over Kaine's tomb as Julia takes on new responsibilities and gives her costume to Anya. Peter calls her Spider-Girl but she refuses the name and decides to stick with Araña. After Julia leaves Araña and Spider-man set off swinging. The Spectacular Spider-Girl title concludes with Mayday sacrificing herself to save April's life. However, in the far future, a future incarnation of April uses Doctor Doom's time machine to return to the present and convince her past self to act responsibly, she does and saves Mayday's life at the cost of her own and at the cost of the future that came to be. Mayday is later united with Wes, who reveals that he does indeed know Mayday's true identity and they kiss, beginning a relationship. In several interviews at Comic Book Resources following the publication of "One More Day," Joe Quesada mentioned that the Spider-Girl title would be the ideal place for disgruntled readers to follow the development of an aged, married Peter and M.J. as they raise a family. Quesada's comments were followed by a feature article on Spider-Girl with an interview with Tom Defalco, who acknowledged that Quesada was a fan of the character and the title. Moreover, during the 'Brand New Day/One More Day' story arc, Peter and Mary Jane have visions of a very young girl with red hair, who after the deal is made with Mephisto, is revealed to be the daughter they would never have now that the deal is done. Despite this Quesada has stated that he feels the MC2 universe is the natural progression of the characters.
It was a simple talk and getting rid of one title, that was believed to not be selling for what it should be, to bring back a character, who has more everyday connection with Spider-man and the talk about keeping Peter and Mary Jane unmarried and apart to keep Spider-man looking young. It's easier to have a teenager that has no true connection with Peter to have the name "Spider-Girl" and still have her be the junior Spider-man of the Marvel Universe. Hence, everything was taken way out of context and now the controversy over why May should have her own title and Anya should just be shipped to the Avengers of made a regular supporting cast member of Spider-man to make everyone happy. It's sad that such a twist of words and view of one character has made this such a heated debate among must readers. The truth is, the fans and where the money is being put in, should decide what character really should have more lime light than the other.
Having Young Allies title around, giving Anya a team of her own and her relationship with Nomad, Rikki Barnes was a stroke of good writing and genius, As the characters are from different worlds but have had the legacy of known characters thrust on them and they have handled it very well, despite losing friends and family as a result. Making them more of modern day super heroes and not copies of established ones. It's sad that this will probably go on for some time now, even if May gets her own title back and the editorial offices change again like they do frequently in the business but who knows? May Parker was the first true Spider-Girl and Anya Corazon was a brand new character that was given a pretty well established history and friendship and mission around the regular Marvel Universe. The truth is, there should be room for both.
Since I've gotten such a huge positive respondse to my Spider-Girl movie casting. I thought I would have some fun and find the actors that would be needed to fill in the roles of May's Rogues Gallery if the need ever arised:
Lady Octopus/Laurie Innes
The fromer ER cast member is the perfect choice to play the inheritor to Dr. Octopus's legacy. Innes is a very talented actor and director and she has the look and approach to be Lady Ock.
Funny Face/Jesse Metcalfe
Formerly from Desperate House Wives. Jesse has a very good sense of comedic timing and has the presence to carry one of May's top foes on the big screen.
Crazy 8/Penn Bagdley
Straight from Gossip Girl, Penn played Jesse's younger brother in John Tucker must die. Penn could easily play the kooky dressed villain to perfection.
Dr Jade/Alyssa Milano
The former Charmed star is the right role and has the sexy look and talent needed to bring Lady Octpus's side kick to life.
Mr. Abnormal/Josuah Jackson
Right out of Fringe, Josh knows the feel for the weird and could play the stretchable villain very well. Plus, can't you see him in the sunglasses?
Killerwatt/Luke Grimes
Right from Brothers and Sisters, Luke's emo look and gruffness could fill the roll perfectly for May's electrical villain. He already has the coat.
Mr. Nobody/Jackie Earle Haley
From Watchman, Jackie is the perfect actor to play the teleporting/intangible hitman for the mob. He never even has to show his face.
Claw/Justin Long
The master jewel thief is great for Justine Long. He has the pretty boy appeal and we know he can play a very menacing villain as shown in Live Free or Die Hard.
Bitter Frost/Spencer Grammer
Kesley Grammer's daughter and current star of Greek. Spencer has the innocent girl appeal and bitter dorm room queen bee attitude to play Bitter Frost.
Reverb/Gus Hoffman
Gus was pretty much acting like the king of downtown on Lincoln Heights. Playing the sonic villain Reverb would be a perfect fit.
Canis/Hugh Lauri
Dr. House himself, considering Hugh's take on the handicapped doctor and his own natural gruff look. A little make up and some cutting people open would be right up his alley as Canis.
Silverback/Ray Wise
He played the Devil on Reaper. Being the current crime boss of New York with years in the game. Can't you just see Ray wearing the bowling shirt and killing off his flunkies with his 280 score?
Black Tarantula/Rick Gonzalez
While he would have to pump up a bit, Rick has always been playing the misunderstoon hero or villain for the last few years. He would fit the role well.
Raptor/Emily Vancamp
The former Everwood star would be the right fit for Normie Osborn's future wife. As the high sailing Bird of Prey.
Dragon King/John Goodman
While CGI would be the name of the game when coming to bringing the Dragon King to life. John Goodman would be the perfect actor to provide the voice to the sinister foe.
Misery/Sarah Lancaster
From Chuck, Sarah has the looks and acting chops to play the inheritor to Mysterio in Misery. Just darken her hair some more and add in the face tattoos and you are set.
Spyral/Eric Dane
The Grey's Anatomy star is the right choice to play Spyral. Instead of being an old man who use to fight with the Fantastic Five. Eric would bring a more serious and more youthful take on the character.
Dragon Fist/John Cho
Right from Flash Forward, John's played the role of Sula perfectly in Star Trek. Dragon Fist is the perfect fit.
Earthshaker/Glen Jacobs
Professional wrestler Glen Jaconbs hits the villain just right. He be more of a throw away villain though.
Quickwire/Neil Patrick Harris
He's the show stopper and that's all Quickwire likes to do when bouncing around the place. Old Doogie Howser fits the bill.
Angel Face/Marcia Cross
Funny Face and Crazy 8's mother is the right roll for Ms. Bree Vanda Camp from Desperate Housewives. Before she was Donna Reed wannabee she was pulling off her wig and showing her scars on Melrose Place.
Chesbro/Ian Gomez
He makes us laugh and being the Black Tarantula's little man slave is the right roll for Ian. Just give him the glasses and gun.
Handsome Richie/Ashton Kutcher
Considering how much Kutcher likes to make fun of his looks in various rolls, Playing mobster Richie Valentine is great for Ashton.
Fury/Anne Hawthaway
If you have seen Anne act, you know she is perfect for the role of Fury the Goblin Queen. Just give her some blonde hair, the glider, costume and weapons and there is no stopping her.
Hobgoblin/Nathan Fillion
The star of Castle and Firefly is so right to play the role of Roderick Kingsley its scary. The dark humor and his steal the show pressence would be perfect.
La Fantome/Kristen Bell
Veronica Mars herself, Bell's great smile, witty attitude and charm would bring the role of Spencer Smythe's neice to life.
Deadshot/Brittany Snow
The talented young actress could play the invisible killer to the T. With her one liners and stand her ground acting.
Fancy Dan/John Stamos
The former Enforcer role goes to old Uncle Jesse. Stamos is one of those actors who never ages and his greek background would make Fancy Dan a pretty brutal character in a movie.
Cotton Mouth/Tony Todd
It's Candyman! Come on, can't you see Tony Todd beating people and biting off their arms? I can.
Deadly Delilah/Stanna Katic
The other star of Castle, Stanna would be a great choice for the Deadly Delilah with her street wise credit and great woman in charge attitude and comedic timing.
Nucleus/Rachel G Fox
Right from Glee and several other projects, Rachel would play the part of May's former classmate that goes mutant terrorist perfectly. From shy girl to all out badgirl.
Wildcard/Hugo Weaving
It's Hugo Weaving! He played V, Wildcard is the evil V in Spider-Girl's World. Where can you go wrong?
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If we got a small chance of having a Spider-Girl Movie. Who would be who? Well, here's my make shift cast:
May Parker/Spider-Girl/Miranda Cosgrove
From Icarly, Miranda is actually a pretty talented actress and giving her the role of May Parker might be a break out role for her. She is the right age, height, build and even looks like May a bit.
Peter Parker/Spider-man/Tim Daly
The former Wings star and current co-star of Private Practice, Tim Daly has both the voice, presence and drive to be an aged Spider-man who has since retired. Add in that natural father attitude he has from Private Practice but willing to kick some butt and you got your role filled.
Mary Jane Watson Parker/Kim Raver
Formerly of Lipstick Jungle and now current Grey's Anatomy co-star. Kim brings the spice that is needed for an older Mary Jane but also the down to Earth mother side of Mary Jane. You know she could pick a fight or make a great dinner.
Courtney Whitmore/Molly C Quinn
Alexis from Castle, Molly has a very girl next door look and can even come across shy if you saw her in Walk Hard. Being May's old friend and science club buddy would work very well.
Davida Kirby/Geffri Maya
Maya from Private Practice, Geffri has the look and can play both the friend and have the attitude of Davida Kirby. Star Midtown High basketball player.
Moose Maxfield/Jesse Plemons
The former Friday Night Lights' star is the perfect choice to play Morice Maxfield. Football star, boyfriend to Courtney and troubled guy with his father's health issues.
Brad Miller/Graham Phillips
The son from The Good Wife. Graham is just the right actor to pull off Brad. Kind of that nice kid who is also a small type of athlete but underneath carries dark secrets like his mutant prejudge.
JJ/Devon Bostick
Currently playing Roderick in the film adaption of Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Bostick if he grows out his hair and cleans up a bit would be the right actor to play Jack Jameson who will eventually becomes the Buzz.
Wes Westin/Miles Heizer
Miles Heizer from Parenthood fits this role perfectly. The nice kid next door who has artistic side to himself.
Jimmy Yama/Samuel Patrick Chu
One of the hardest roles to cast, the part finally went to Samuel Patrick Chu from both Night at the Muesum and Diary of a Wimpy Kid. Sam has the right look and background to bring Jimmy the cousin of J2 to the big screen.
Christopher Jarkoer/Christopher Mintz-Plasse
The former star of Superbad and Year One would be the perfect role for Chris Jarkover. He even has the glasses already and the hair cut.
Simone Desantos/Selena Gomez
From Wizards of Waverly Place, Emily can play the attractive blonde with the attitude to go with and the spoiled rich girl who wishes they were May Parker.
Felicity Hardy/Jenny Humphrey
Jenny Humphrey from Gossip Girl is my pick to play the daughter of the Black Cat and Flash Thompson. Jenny's down to girl approach, plus a little bit of her attitude makes her the perfect choice to play the Scarlet Spider and May's super hero buddy.
Gene Thompson/Stephen Lundsford
Another Private Practice actor and formerly of Zoey 101, Steve has the look and can play the attitude ridden jock and brother of Felicty Hardy.
Heather Noble/Viven Cardone
The former star of Everwood and All Roads Lead Home is a great choice to play May's former rival and Jimmy Yama's girlfriend. I can see Viven pulling up a bit of a stuck up girl attitude before showing that she's just a plain teen like everyone else.
Phil Urich/Matt Long
The former Jack and Bobby star who played the young Danny Ketch in the Ghost Rider movie and from The Deep End. Is the right age, look and presence to play the former Green Goblin, Phil Urich.
Kristy Watson/Bethany Joy Galeotti
From One Tree Hill comes Mary Jane's fun loving neice all grown up. Joy could bring the bubbly attitude to Kristy's role but also the dramatic emotional ties she has with Normie Osborn and the Parker Family.
Flash Thompson/Peter Krause
Fromerly of Six Feet Under, Dirty Sexy Money and Parenthood. Krause brings a very natural aged BMC to the role of the older Flash Thompson.
Felica Hardy/Monica Potter
The former film star and current TV star has both the sexy and the attitude to play the former Black Cat and mother to Felicty and Gene.
Richie Robertsoin/Sam Jones III
The former co-star of Smallville and ER the last few seasons. Sam is the right age to play Richie since he has been shown to be a few years older than JJ. Add in his techno know how and having some great one-liners and his reaction to Spider-Girl being in town since after when Spider-man disappeared. His grandfather was killed by Dr. Octopus.
Normie Osborn/Green Goblin VI/Milo Ventimgilia
Peter Patrelli from Heroes is my choice to play the darken lost grandson of Norman Osborn. Milo has shown to pull the bad boy but yet the same charm an Osborn has. He has the look and isn't a stranger to super powers and being dark.
J. Jonah Jameson/J.K Simmons
I don't see why you should take away a good thing. JK masterfully plaed Jameson in the Spider-man movies and having him go from there to his current status as the aging newspaper man is perfect.
Marla Jameson/Debra Mooney
Formerly of Everwood, Debra is perfect to play the older Marla Jameson. Bringing the the spice and charm of JJ's grandmother.
Billy Walters/Peter Gallagher
The former star of The OC, David Galleger brings a very professional feel to the aging Billy Walters who went from freelance reporter to being the Publisher and EIC of the Daily Bugle in later years.
Captain Ruiz/ Michael Michele
The former ER star is perfect to play the role of Captain Ruiz formerly of Code Blue and now Captain of the Midtown Police Department.
Ms. Moore/Lauren Graham
The former Gilmore Girls star is the perfect choice to take on the role of the Daily Bugle reporter in charge of following Spider-Girl's debute in New York City.
Franklin "Foggy" Nelson/Jon Favreau
Like JK Simons there is no point ruining a good thing. Having Favreau return as Foggy Nelson from the Daredevil movie is a great choice. Favreau would play an important role without eating up too much screen time.
Liz Allen Osborn Nelson/Sherry Stringfield
Having Stringfield from ER fame play the aging Liz Allen is my perfect choice. She was so great playing a doctor. She can play the former head of Oscorp who's death turns Normie on the final path of becoming the Green Goblin.
Film Plot
Basically going with the original origin story. The film would start with a news report about the return of the Green Goblin who has taken hostiges at Oscorp including Liz Allen Osborn Nelson and Norman Osborn II. Spider-man swings in to save the day but after a fierce battle. The ending result leads the goblin dead and Spider-man losing his leg in the process. As part of protectiong Peter Parker's identity, Liz and Phil Urich destroy all evidence of who Spider-man really was. Leading those to belive that Spider-man either died with the Green Goblin or retired after a brutal battle. With only Mary Jane, Phil, Liz and Normie knowing the truth. The death of the Green Goblin being Normie's grandfather traumatizes him into hating Spider-man and spends most of his life in and out of rehab for the next 15 years. Meanwhile, Peter recovering from the lost of his leg decides to retire from being Spider-man and leaves us with a view of baby May Parker. We get the opening credits that show various Daily Bugle headlines explaining what happens over the course of the next 15 years. J. Jonah Jameson becoming mayor and Joe Robertson becoming Publisher. Only to be killed by Dr. Octopus and Billy Walters being made new EIC and Publisher of the DB. We see Ruiz be promoted to Captain for Midtown police. Phil Urich and Peter Parker rising in the crime lab in Midtown. Normie Osborn various problems with the police and other stuff. Leading up to modern day. Where at the Midtown Basketball conference championships, May Parker's powers kick in at the height of the game. We are introduced to the various cast members and so forth. However, things take a horrible turn when Liz Nelson's cancer problems take a turn for the worse and Normie is sent over the edge and starts hunting down the people he feels responsible for his family falling apart. Leading to May to take on the role of Spider-Girl to stop Normie Osborn who is now the Green Goblin.
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Starting in a few weeks, Anya Corazon better known as the Marvel 616 Spider-Girl is getting her own tie in to the Spider-man event: Spider Island. The series is being written by previous series writer, Paul Tobin and it's very ironic as Anya's main series just ended after 8 issues this past week where she succeed in bringing her father's killers to justice but also gained back her spider powers and even organic webbing thanks to the experiments of the Jackal. Now, while it's pretty basic why Anya is going to be involved with the event and everything, it seems that Marvel is giving old Anya a lot more chances than they ever gave May Parker. Now, granted May had three series relaunches, was saved from cancellation a number of times but it seems that while the readers were there for May and wanted her series to continue. The fan following for Anya seems to be pretty basic. Ever since her original series: Heart of the Spider came to an end, there didn't seem to be an opportunity missed to keep Anya around as the 616 Spider-Girl. Being cased in Ms. Marvel, being involved in the Civil War, her becoming a member of the Young Allies and killing off Mattie Franklin to put Anya in front as the inheritor to both Spider-man and the Spider-woman legacy. It seems that there is more fingers in the pie to keep Anya around than May "May Day" Parker because she is supposed to be "our Spider-Girl" and not the MC2 one. There is nothing wrong with the character of Anya, in fact she is one of the most diverse and original super heroins to show up in a comic book near you in the last 10 years outside of Stargirl and Ikon but keep in mind, she keeps getting shot after shot of being in a Marvel Comic than other characters seem to be unless you are Hercules. The problem is, while Hercules has had his fair share of relaunches and stories, the books still sell marginally well while Anya's sales have never been truly stellar and in fact May Parker's titles and related titles have out sold all of Anya's series in the last 14 years except for Wild Thing. It seems that while readers call for May, Marvel answers with Anya and at this point in time, it seems that it's time to listen to the fans again and give May another decent year run and take a big chance like DC Comics is doing with their new 52 issue run.
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With all the talk of "relaunch" with DC Comics and the Ultimate Universe for Marvel comics, it seems to be a time for rebirth for comic books, even Batman Beyond. A separate possible future universe where Bruce Wayne has long retired from crime fighting and has Terry McGuiness playing the role of the Dark Knight is even getting a second chance with a couple minis as well. So, why can't Spider-Girl and the MC2 Universe get this same treatment. Yes, we've been down this road before but if you look at all this talk about starting fresh and evolving stories to the next level for current and future readers, than why is the MC2 getting left in the dirt?
We get that there seems to be some unwritten rule that Anya Corozon needs to be the only Spider-Girl swinging at Marvel but than why is DC Comics pushing for more diverse and expanded universes? Why is the Ultimate universe constantly being restarted and given fresh new teams with a concept that many believe has outlived it's purpose? Those are some tough questions and you can even ask yourself those same questions about the Cosmic Marvel Universe as we've been given several mini series and event stories after canceling both Nova and Guardians of the Galaxy. Two books that not only had a huge following, loyal readers, very good sales and were pretty damn good books too. While we are told that the Cosmic MU is going to be back in 2012, it seems that too much focus was put into getting the Ultimate Universe back on it's feet after kind of trickling down to the entire "Death of Spider-man" story arc, which was in truth a very damn good story but it seemed that was truly marking the end for the Ultimate Marvel Universe. Yet here we are with a "new' Spider-man, the return of the X-men, Ultimates and various characters with only Brian Michael Bendis remaining on Spider-man to get things kicked off with new creative teams with the other books.
Then why is it so taboo that May "Mayday" Parker and her Universe can't get a similar treatment when the truth is, sales were pretty good for her books, even going as far as selling out and various characters showing up in other books like Captain America Corps and Avengers. In our honest opinion there is plenty of room for the MC2 Universe, in fact it's very warranted especially in light of the DCnU and even with all the work being put out at Image Comics. If anything, it's time for MC2 to get it's relaunch again. What's the best plan for this.
Spider-Girl
Much like with Ultimate Spider-man, keep Tom DeFalco as writer but get a new artist (no offense to Ron Frenz or Pat Ollife) but the formula for the new Ultimate Spider-man is the writer who has created and Shepard the character and then having a fresh taken given visually. So, take Tom to bring Mayday back with a new artist who has always wanted to work on a book like Spider-Girl, give it a clean and fresh look on the character and go from there. Continue story sub-plots that were still present in Spider-Girl before the ending of the series but then take it to the next level and introduce new characters and story concepts. Have May move to her junior year in high school and put her cast into days of looking towards college, being upper classmen and everything that comes with being a super hero and a teenager.
A-next
Since the Avengers movie is due next year and there is so much push on the various Avengers' properties and the popularity of Captain America. Relaunch the next generation of Earth's Mightiest Heroes with American Dream in her own series as well. The Avengers still face the threats of their predecessors including their own Revengers that was created by the daughter of Giant-man and Wasp, the Red Queen a.k.a Hope Pym but instead of simply attacking the Avengers. She wants her team to replace them and do the job better like Wonder Man's Revengers over in the current series. For American Dream, what does the role of Captain America mean in her time especially in the aftermath of Captain America Corps as she saw that her role matters but what does it mean to the US, the Avengers and more. It would be a great way to explore Shannon's role more.
X-people
Everything seems to be also focused on the X-men these days in both the 616 and Ultimate Universe, time for Jubilee's team of mutants deal with the true life of the MC2 universe as a mutant. Why is there world more tame and similar to the early days of the original X-men than it is in the regular and Ultimate universes. What does the government true think of mutants? Why is Professor X's dream still going or has it just become a faded memory? Those are the top questions and while they are add it, Wild Thing gets her own series too, and much like American Dream, what is the life of the average teenager who is also Wolverine's daughter truly like? It was barely touched on in her own series over a decade ago. Times have changed, time to look into it.
Tales of the MC2 Universe
There are so many great characters and in a realistic sense, you can't have a book for each character like the Buzz, Fantastic Five, Dark Devil and more but if you create a monthly series that houses two stories for two different characters and do 3 or 4 part arcs, you have something there. In fact it would work in seeing if there are big enough sales for the characters to have their own ongoing series. Rotating creative teams to give a more diverse take to the characters but respect their histories and you have great stories to come.
It seems relatively simple for the MC2 to get it's own relaunch but at the same time, it's easier said than done. Let's hope there is a future for the MC2 Universe as we see there is more and more interest in the various characters for the shared Marvel Multiverse.
After 6 years and a lot of hard work, Spider-Girl's World, one of my longest running webpages will be folding it's info and images into Comicvine. The site has been plagued with problems from web hosts to recreations a little too often due to other problems. I no longer have the time to manage the site and it's once again been locked into submission. I'm folding May Parker and everything else I have from the site into Comicvine over the next few weeks. It's been great and I'm sorry to see it all go.
In the aftermath of Fear Itself a new god of thunder emerges, Taranus but who is he? Originally In Celtic mythology Taranis was the god of thunder worshipped essentially in Gaul, the British Isles, but also in the Rhineland and Danube regions amongst others, and mentioned, along with Esus and Toutatis as part of a sacred triad, by the Roman poet Lucan in his epic poem Pharsalia as a Celtic deity to whom human sacrificial offerings were made . He was associated, as was the cyclops Brontes("thunder") in Greek mythology, with the wheel. Many representations of a bearded god with a thunderbolt in one hand and a wheel in the other have been recovered from Gaul, where this deity apparently came to be syncretised with Jupiter.
The name as recorded by Lucan is unattested epigraphically, but variants of the name occur in inscriptions, including the forms Tanarus, Taranucno-, Taranuo-, and Taraino-. The name is continued in Irish as Tuireann. His name is likely connected with that of the Germanic god of thunder, Norse Thor, Tiermes of the Nordic Sami people, so this version is most likely the Celtic version now the "new" protector of Earth. We'll know in two months.
It's hard to believe in the last few years how so many fan websites have folded due to various wiki pages. I myself was a regular fan page creator since 1996. In fact, I'm one of the few people out there who still has a regular fan page still around Spider-Girl's World. Back in my hey day almost everyone I knew had a fan pages of some sort from the Great Lake Avengers to the Legion of Super Heroes. Now while some pages such as Spider-man Crawl Space and fan blogs like The Aquaman Shrinehave evolved into their own entities, it seems that places like Comicvine and other related pages are the norm. One can't argue that the fan webpage still holds dear in this current digital age. The Superman Homepage continues to be a great fan page offering reviews, images, profiles and more and seems to stay up to date where everything can be presented and published with a few clips or taps of a finger. It's a very bittersweet situation as the wiki pages have brought communities together to share their insight and expertise on various subjects in the comic book universe but at the same time. The fan who wants to talk about everything Rocket Raccoon or Batman the Long Halloween, seem to lose their visitors and audience because there is a bigger and better website out there that provides the same information and expanse to the rest of the web. I myself have found that while Spider-Girl's World is my baby and will continue as long as I draw breathe and the ability to update even the slightest information on Spider-Girl, it does have me feel a bit out dated and trying to channel those thoughts into my various blogs and other resource outlets but that can work too. Let's face it, we get stuck in our usual routines and we have to look for new and inventive ways to bring our love for comics and various characters in that large digital divide that seems to shrink more and more with us comic book readers and entertainment researchers. If it wasn't for places like Comicvine or other wiki pages we wouldn't be able to catch up with the latest on our favorite characters or story lines or get up to date on what has been happening while we've been at school, raising a family or paying the bills. I'm sure in a few years wiki pages will be so the norm there will a new growing of another type of digital media that provides the needed information, podcasts and other stuff we've come to love and hate about them. As they say, change can be a good thing but we love to hold on to the simple things in life.
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