Or - “I’d Rather Be With Someone For The Wrong Reasons Than Alone For The Right.”

Loners, as a concept, is troublesome. I’ve harped on it before, but having a superhero comic on the premise of NOT BEING a superhero kind of defeats the entire purpose, forcing the writers to jump through all sorts of hoops to give us a good story. Since comic books are, essentially, all second act with no finale (the better to make Batman last for 70 years) the creators of this title has bitten off a pretty big chunk that may not swallow easy. Previous issues have been all over the board, and this one is par for the course, but as we wind up to a close, am I more pleased with the title?

(more…)

Time for the second half of Marvel sneak peeks arriving in stores this week. Today we bring you NOVA 6, PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL 11, SPIDER-MAN FAIRY TALES 4, THE LONERS 5, THOR 3, ULTIMATE POWER 7, ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN 113, ULTIMATE X-MEN 86, X-FACTOR 23, and X-MEN: EMPEROR VULCAN 1.

(more…)

Or - “If Somebody Doesn’t Believe In Me, I Can’t Believe In Them.”

I’ve been all over the map in my responses to the various issues of the Loners, and with this issue, I’m starting to understand why… There’s much more than six issues worth of story in these characters, and the writer is desperately trying to shove in as much as possible, and give each of them their own moment in the sun. The problem I’m finding is that we’re not dealing with a TEAM, we’re dealing with a disparate group of individuals who don’t really have anything in common other than a varying level of commitment to NOT using their superpowers. Since, at heart, it’s basically a superhero comic, they’re all going to have varying levels of disappointment…

(more…)

The Loners have sold out once again at Diamond Comics. The series by writer C.B. Cebulski and artist Karl Moline takes a look at heroes who are anything but. Spinning out of the Runaways, The Loners follows five young heroes who want to get rid of their powers altogether and just be normal.

Marvel has announced issue #3 has sold out at Diamond prompting C.B. Cebulski to exclaim, “A three-peat?!? Wow! I guess Marvel has a new ‘little book that could’ on its hands. As I’ve been a Marvel zombie pretty much since birth, being allowed to write a comic with some of my favorite Marvel B-listers was a dream come true. But nothing could have prepared me for the fan and retailer response of this level!“

Issue #3 may still be available at your local store, but in the meantime, here’s a sneak peek at issue #4 that arrives July 5, 2007 for $2.99.

(more…)

Or -”Do You Realize It’s SNOWING In My Room?”

I’ve reiterated over and over what bothers me about the Loners: If it’s a superhero comic, and the premise is that the characters are trying to avoid being superheroes (and treating their costumes careers as an addiction) then either they’re going to fail, making them seem weak, or they’re going to succeed, and it won’t be much of a superhero book. This issue takes that inherent contradiction, adds some silly pathos, and at least one emotional outburst worthy of “The Bold & The Beautiful,” and the results are… less than satisfying.

(more…)

Or - “You Realize If We Played By The Rules, Right Now We’d Be In Gym?”

People in the Marvel Universe lay a lot of blame at the feet of Peter Parker, calling him a menace, a criminal, accusing him of things that he couldn’t POSSIBLY have done unless he could be in three places at once, acting so differently that he might as well have been written by three different people. *uncomfortable silence* Uh… yeah. But in any case, among the things that absolutely, unequivocally ARE the fault of Peter Parker are the plights of the kids called the Loners. Think about it: Mattie Franklin and Johnny Gallo both took on one of Pete’s identities to continue his heroism. Chris Powell (much like Rich Ryder and poor Robbie Baldwin before him) was hyped as “the next Peter Parker.” Turbo was a New Warrior, a group created of three different “next Peter Parkers,” TV Spider-Friend Firestar, Namorita and Punisher on a skateboard Night Thrasher to continue the good fight. Even Julie Power and her siblings (though further from the concept) were still obviously influenced by the most successful of the teen heroes. Heck, even seventeenth-stringers like Hornet and Rocket Racer (seen above) probably wouldn’t be on the streets without Peter’s bad influence. Spider-Man: encouraging juvenile delinquency and teen fist-fighting since 1962. Jameson was RIGHT!

(more…)

Marvel Comics has let us know Loners #2 has sold out at Diamond. The limited series is a spin-off from the Runaways series featuring a teen hero support group.  A Marvel spokesperson told us the company has no plans to go back to print on this issue at this time, but suggests you ask your retailer if they have any issues left.

Hey, don’t be afraid to ask, there is a good chance he has a stack behind the counter he is coveting for himself.

To get you fired up over the upcoming issue #3, Marvel has sent Major Spoilers a four page sneak peek.

(more…)

Or - “Does Barry Manilow Know That You Raid His Wardrobe?”

The Marvel Universe. A place of myth and legend (so long as you’re a geek like us.) It’s greatest strength is the myriad of characters, interacting, changing (within reason), growing (as long as it doesn’t affect revenue) and bouncing off one another. Every Marvel character has a following, and if you don’t believe me, google and see how many people are happy to see Armadillo turn his act around. Unfortunately, the greatest weakness of the Marvel Universe is the same thing: It’s myriad of characters blah blah blah fishcakes. It’s strange how only a few years can take the wind out of a popular characters sails… So, what happens when you’re one of the superheroes who gets caught in the undertow?

(more…)

Marvel has announced Loners #1 has sold out at Diamond. The company says it has not plans to go back to print at this time. Loners #2 will be available May 2 for $2.99 and until then here are a few cover shots to tied you over.

(more…)

We all have our addictions, heck I have a whole room devoted to this crazy hobby. What if you had an addiction to being a superhero? That is the premise behind Loners #1.

Originally appearing in the pages of Brian K. Vaughan’s Runaways, Darkhawk, Turbo, Ricochet, Green Goblin, and Lightspeed are all grown up and trying to stay out of spandex. But quitting is easier said than done.

Marvel sent us a whopping seven page preview for you to check out.

(more…)