Marvel Vs Capcom 3 - X-23 Costumes!!!

Woohoo! The clothes she wore on the cover of Marjorie Liu's first issue of the ongoing comic!

So far, it's looking like these 4 will be her palette choices for the game. Some very great choices here. Can't wait to get this game when it hits shelves in a little over two weeks!

Be sure to check out more at the official Marvel Vs Capcom 3 website!

They also have her character page up. It includes more screen shots, videos, and some of her moves. Heck, it even has a few shots of cosplayers!

She also makes an appearance in the Episode 3 trailer.



Here are episodes 1 and 2 together if you missed them.



Remember, if you don't like the tiny box, just click the fullscreen button.
Probably best if you did anyway to enjoy the full glory that Capcom is bringing us.

Spotlight - Other Marvel Titles Worth Checking Out

While typically this blog only focuses on X-23 with any other comic not affiliated considered outside our purview. I did want to take the time to point out two very interesting, even piquant comics released recently that are worth checking out.

First up, Avengers Academy Issue 8.
This issue is a very powerful issue that raises many valid points about what being a hero is, and what life can do to people. A brief write up here can definitely not do it justice. This issue is one that speaks very powerfully on topics that are hard for many to vocalize. I highly recommend it. It's one of those issues many might call an after school special, but what it speaks is true. It delves into issues of abuse, rape, and the rammifications of it. It goes so far as to cover psychological trauma imposed by duty to one's country and what it means to be a hero, even what true strength is. The only thing this issue felt like it was lacking, with as powerful of a message as it carried, was a page or two listing places for anyone afflicted with similiar somewhere to reach out to and get help themselves.

Next up, Wolverine and Jubilee Issue 1.
This comic picks up where Mutants vs Vampires left off. This issue also receives high praise from me for how well it's handled, and how it talks about addiction and circumstance. It raises many questions about whether or not this could far later reflect on the X-23 ongoing as Wolverine has become Jubilee's caretaker. It furthers the adopted daughter link with Jubilee that could instill jealousy within Logan's blood relatives so to speak. Something only lightly touched on in the X-23 oneshot.

Both of these comics are well worth checking out if you have the available funds.

Also, gotta love that big green teddy bear known as the Hulk.
I know it's quite selfish to say this, but I got a huge kick out of him yelling about snow making him mad in issue 621 of Incredible Hulk. Well it wasn't this Snow personally, but it was still a funny 'sound bite' if you will. =D

X-23 v3 Issue 5 - Review

I went midly spoiler free here. So if you wanted to know how Sinister is connected to Laura, you're just going to have to buy the issue yourself.

This is it, the issue that finally reveals what many, and I do mean MANY have been worried about. Just what does Mr. Sinister have to do with Dr. Sarah Kinney and the Facility?

I must say, I was pleasantly surprised by this issue. It's setting up the arcs to come with Daken, and maintaining some decent continuity while addressing even more interesting points about child abuse and the depravity of Sinister's actions during his lifetime. Overall, pretty interesting. Nowhere near as bad as many articles would have led you to believe it would be. In fact, it feels perfectly in tune with something Sinister would have done, and doesn't hinder the already told origins of Laura Kinney. It does raise some questions, but they seem like questions that'll be answered in the upcoming issue, as well as the upcoming Daken crossover. The art is continually fantastic in this, contrasting light and dark rather well, and even conveying a softer appearance when dealing with the children. The usage of Gambit feels perfect and in continuity here, expressing his disdain for Sinister and why. The only thing to be forewarned about, is that this is yet another issue with one of those darn cliffhangers... Yet again, it's one of those cliffhangers that makes you go 'dammit, now I have to wait until the next issue.'

5 Claws out of 6



Borderline perfection, with only a few questionable spots. Spots that seem planned intentionally that way. Short of perfection only because of the cliffhanger... Yes, that's me being pissy about how it ended and having to wait a month to read the next.

*Update* There was the notion of 'these' clones retaining memories from each other. While that bugged me in such things like Smallville since it goes against the very foundation of the science itself, here I can let it slide as it makes sense for Sinister to have instilled that in the Alice series of clones to test it for personal usage. I just hope, nay I pray this doesn't lead to Laura all of a sudden getting Logan's memories. For now, it's acceptable within the confines of how Sinister was used.

The Wolverine Anime

Wolverine has made his premiere in Japan. This summer be sure to check out G4TV as they air it and IronMan. Well, if you can see past the mullet at least.

X-23 v3 Issue 4 - Review (Soft Spoilers)

Released December 29, 2010

This issue was released last month, and in the thick of everything going on lately, I just didn't really have the time to review it. This by no means reflects the issue itself. Here, we had several snow storms, tornadoes, and more, so it was a well-warranted no time excuse.

Anyway, on to the review!

This issue has Laura hitting the road, and right off the bat we're given a scene where another's perceptions of her traveling is thrust upon her. It's an interesting notion as others seem to always be casting decisions of what they think they see onto Laura. What makes this interesting though is later that same perception issue crops up from Laura herself in using the available details to cast judgement on another girl. The entire issue is a great reminder that things are never what they seem. It also continues another trend that I'm starting to really dig. That of X-23 being the killer of anyone who harms children. Whether they be pedophiles, users, abusers, or pimps. A notion that harkens back to her roots as well. All in all, these 22 pages show some interesting potential, and leave off on a cliffhanger that makes you wonder just what the hell Miss Sinister is talking about. As any good cliffhanger should, it leaves you wondering just where this may go, or if Miss Sinister is just twisting facts to her own advantage as any villian normally would.

The issue feels short, ending just as it really gets going, but that's not a complaint aimed at Marjorie Liu for bringing this great issue forward, more aimed at the comics industry in general as of late. The art carries the issue quite well, and is the same as the other 3 released so far. Overall, the main feeling I got from the issue was how much it felt like a TV show pitch issue. It evokes a feeling borderline similiar to Hard Candy or Dexter but as a series that continually makes you think about the nature of the character, and just how much anyone who uses others to their whims is a pimp of sorts. Albeit this isn't a new notion, but it does harken back to the very essence of the issue about perceptions.

5 Claws out of 6



The reason? There's nothing wrong with the issue, and it does its job as entertainment, even creating moments where you can do nothing more than cheer. It didn't get a perfect score, as the issue is over just as you really get hooked, nor does it really present anything new. It does however use what's not new in quite a fun fashion. The comic itself has clear moments of shock and awe alongside some depressing moments that make it feel rather gritty, even disturbing, but this is a character where you should have come to expect this from. Now, off to buy issue 5 to review that one too, and see where this cliffhanger goes.

Paper Cuts Update

I just thought I'd clarify a few things real quick.

Tabitha isn't an artist. (She's a spoiled brat, but that's another matter entirely...) She's the writer of Paper Cuts. Callie will be the normal artist. Me? Well I've only done one released strip, the one with the Snowflake. Well, technicly two if you count the stall strip. They handle the rest. Paper Cuts is going to be The Misadventures of Callie and Tabby. The reason it has the name Paper Cuts will be explained in one of the future strips as well as why they are under that clover symbol with three objects in it. This is why they aren't under my Deviant Art account. They aren't always mine to do that with.

This first one is part of a 3 month gag Tabitha wanted to do. She's also yelling at me for messing up her genius about drawing comics is hard, and having the strip look like it wasn't drawn very well. (Like I said, spoiled brat...)

Since her two are done, Callie said she's handling the art on the next one. I guess they finally reached a compromise on things. (I say two, because Tabitha also did the November preview strip. Callie called her out on it.)

They just wanted to make sure I told everyone this, as before I was leaving their names as only the characters for their own protection. Callie also said she's refusing to make gumbo ever again since I referenced it. (Yay! Err, crap, forgot she reads here.)

And no, in real life, I don't treat them with the amount of disdain I aimed at that strip. Tabby asked for that deliberately and willingly so she can take open pot shots at me in later on strips. Which I agreed to. Keep in mind I get to read her scripts for the strip months in advance, and if I didn't want it on this blog, I wouldn't upload it. No, I'm not related to them or 'involved' with either of them, and yes they are sisters in real life as well as in the strip. Someday, if they give me the okay, I'll upload a comparison shot of their final designs to their real life counterparts.

X-23 v3 Issue 5 Released Today!

The newest issue of X-23 hits newsstands today. Be sure to pick your copy up.


I've yet to pick mine up, but today has been a rather blah day. So I may wait until tomorrow for that. Reviews for both issue 4 and 5 will follow. I might even do the review for 4 tonight since I'd rather do the review before reading the next issue. As it is, I've been avoiding reading the preview for that very reason.

Girls on Film: A Cinematical Feature

Cinematical has been running a regular feature called Girls on Film. A segment that I quite enjoy reading every Monday when it goes up. It brings up many valid points about the industry and current standards as well as the many pitfalls some of it represents.

Today's especially has caught my attention though to mention here. Today it brought up the point about perceptions, and the lack of female gender roles in films and how it affects the maturation of youth. While this article tends to focus on children, I think the points it makes also proves true well into the teens. A person's youth may be the formative years for taste and heroes, but it can be those teenage years that really helps make them strive to attain individual goals. The segment also goes in depth to talk about the mentalities that plague Hollywood, and how these stereotypes are hindering young girls from becoming the talented independant women they could be. You can check it out over at Moviefone(new owners of Cinematical, just easier to refer to the original name as opposed to the new). Trying to reiterate her point here would be a great disservice to the authorial intent, and should just be read as intended.

X-Men: To Serve and Protect Issue 2

Recently, another issue of X-Men: To Serve and Protect was released. Issue 2 specificly is what I speak of. It featured a short story of X-23 teaming up with Ghost Rider. It was quite a decent read. I apologize for this late update, but if you can find this issue, it's well worth picking up.

X-Men: First Class

While it doesn't have X-23 in it(which it absolutely shouldn't anyway!), this Motion Picture directed by Mathew Vaughn seems to be shaping up well.

I may be in the minority here, but I'm digging the costumes, and pictures released so far. The entire film seems to be perfectly capturing the Fox Universe of X-Men's origin. Yes, I said FOX universe. This isn't 616 Marvel X-Men. It's maintaining continuity to the X-Men movies from Fox.

This means, no Scott Summers as he was recruited post vietnam, and no Jean Grey as she was recruited in what seems like the 80s. This film is going to take place from 1942-1962 and seems to fit perfectly alongside that.

Now here's hoping the recent damage control that Vaughn has been playing, as well as Singer isn't a sign of things to come. I hope they continue to just make the best picture they can, and ignore the screams of rabid fanboys who you can never please anyway.

A note to filmmakers, don't bow to the whims of fans who don't understand what you're making since they've yet to see it anyway. Just make what you envision, and see where it lands. It's not like there's any comic precedent for this universe, so just keep it in synch with the others and you're all good for any story you've got planned. So keep up the good work, and keep on working. Don't worry about the rabid fanbase who probably never intended to pay to see it anyway. Mind you, this doesn't apply to Superman. Superman is a whole host of different arguments that makes me glad I'm only focusing on Marvel here.

Besides, it's got Kevin Bacon. How could it go wrong?

Personally, I'm still holding out hope that after this, they decide to do an X-23 feature. A feature that could perfectly tie into X4 in forward thinking stories. Though from the sounds of things about XFC, we may be getting a sequel to it at some point too. Much like how there's room for Wolverine movies before he joins the X-Men; First Class seems to be the setup, with the full on caught up connection in a later on feature or features.

Paper Cuts 0.33

Umm, Tabby apparently also forgot to draw in her own face among other problems with her sketch of Callie... (Did she really have to call her a poopy head? Yeah, umm, yeah. Nothing to see here, keep moving along. I'm going to get an ear full for this one as is, but a deal's a deal...)

X-23 v3 Issue 5 - Preview

CBR has an exclusive preview for v3 issue 5 up.


You can check it out here.

If you're interested in checking out what other Marvel Comics previews they have that are due for release on January 26th, you can see them here.

Reminder: X-23 v3 Issue 5 Pushed Back!

If you were planning to grab your copy of issue 5 today, you may want to hold off. It has been pushed back to next week and will be released on the 26th of January. There had been no preview this week, or announcements with the weekly comics, so I had already anticipated this, but wanted to wait until I could verify through my local comic shop.

Also, as you've probably noticed, I've yet to review issue 4. I did not skip it, but due to the nature of the cliffhanger, I wanted to wait until I had the next issue in hand before reviewing it.

So next Wednesday you'll be seeing a treat of 2 reviews in one day.

If you're curious how issue 4 is... It's one of the more fun issues as of late, playing with the concept of perceptions and feeling almost like a tv show pitch issue. Definitely one to pick up though the cliffhanger is pretty annoying, but that comes with the territory of any well-done cliffhanger.


As for other reminders outside of X-23, Paper Cuts is due to make its premiere this month on the 23rd. Well, at least it will if the cast would cooperate. Right now it seems they're trying to stage a coup to avoid having the birthday that reads 1 2 3, calling it a lame day to premiere.

Marvel Solicits For April 2011

Thanks to CBR, the Marvel April 2011 solicits are viewable with covers.
Be sure to check it out for all the titles you may be interested in around then.


DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE #8
Written by MARJORIE LIU & DANIEL WAY
Penciled by MARCO CHECHETTO
Cover by GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI
PART 2 OF COLLISION, THE DAKEN/X-23 CROSSOVER!
Picking up where X-23 #8 left off, Daken and X-23 now join forces to hunt down Malcolm Colcord, the man responsible for countless reincarnations of the Weapon X Project…including one right here in Madripoor! But what is Daken’s motivation? Does he want to stop Colcord from finally re-creating Wolverine, Daken’s father, or does he simply want a piece of the action? Madripoor is, after all, his city now…
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99


X-23 #9
Written by MARJORIE LIU
Penciled by RYAN STEGMAN
Cover by KALMAN ANDRASOFSZKY
Thor Goes Hollywood Variant by TBA
PART 3 OF COLLISION, THE DAKEN/X-23 CROSSOVER!
X-23 may be working with Daken to bring down Malcom Colcord -- but that doesn't mean she trusts him. Daken is up to no good, but investigating him may require X-23 to embrace a dark side that no one wants to see.
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99





For X-23 fans though, we get to look forward to part 2 and 3 of the X-23 Daken crossover. Sounds like it could be promising, and even wrap up a few loose threads from before. Here's hoping it's fun too.

December 2010 Sales Rank!

December 2010

X-23 v3 #04
Cover Price: $2.99
This issue was ranked 60 out of 300 according to ICv2 which is based on Diamond U.S. to comic specialty stores. The issue has sold an estimated 29,703 copies to them.

New Years Hiccup!

Sorry for the lack of updates, or even acknowledgement of New Years. 2010 went down screaming in my holiday neck of the woods. Like a freak weather incident with 6 tornadoes, so things might be a bit slow here for awhile. Soon though massive sweeping updates will be forthcoming. Right now this blog is still in that information gathering, organizational, and verification period stuff. Please bear with me as I continue to fix and correct areas too.

Updates will be forthcoming when time allows.
Everyone's okay thankfully btw.