Comics Selection

Today, superheroes are everywhere, thanks in no small part to film adaptations.

If you’re a fan, or just want to go back to the source, here’s a selection of the best comics of the moment, including “Avengers – The World of Avengers” (Marvel Now – Panini Comics – volume 1).

A new team is now at the helm of this comic-book, a cornerstone of the Marvel universe * : Jonathan Hickman, Jerome Opena and Adam Kubert (Wolverine).

The first volume introduces us to a team with growing ambitions. From now on, depending on the threat, Tony Stark and Steve Rogers won’t hesitate to recruit superheroes who aren’t used to being part of the team. For his first script, Jonathan Hickman has brought together Spider-Man and Wolverine alongside Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Black Widow and Hawkeye, in a scenario that is both mystical and cosmic. The Avengers will encounter aliens believed to be the creators of many planets, including Earth. This action-packed adventure promises a memorable finale (the first volume only includes the first 6 episodes). Opena’s and Kubert’s illustrations are well suited to the story’s ambition. Finally, one wonders how Daredevil, a devout Christian, would have reacted to these creators of worlds…

*DC’s equivalent is the JLA (which includes Superman and Batman). For the record, the two teams met just once in 2003, in a legendary crossover by Kurt Busiek and George Pérez.

Meanwhile, “Iron Man-Croire” will delight Tony Stark fans (Marvel Now – Panini Comics). The new creative duo Kieron Gillen-Greg Land offer a classic but compelling tale: Tony wants to neutralize “Extremis”, an invention capable of creating superhumans, which can be dangerous if it falls into the wrong hands. Action, espionage and seduction are the order of the day, with the only downside being a few gory panels for the faint of heart.

Meanwhile, Sam and Twitch return for The John Doe Affair (Delcourt). Todd McFarlane is at the helm of this story, written a few years ago, and Alex Maleev (Daredevil) and Paul Lee brilliantly handle the artwork. On the program: a sadistic killer who films his executions and sends the VHS to Sam. A fascinating investigation, which doesn’t, however, deliver all the expected answers.

Finally, Flash Gordon takes on Ming on Planet Mongo (Soleil l’Age d’Or) in the ^3rdvolume of his complete Sunday plates. A luxurious edition that pays tribute to the talent of the legendary Alex Raymond.

On the DVD side, don’t miss :

– Amazing Spider-man: The Fate of a Hero (Sony Pictures Entertainment), starring Electro and, above all, Gwen Stacy!

– David Ayer’s “Sabotage” (Metropolitan), starring Schwarzy as a supercop charged with tracking down drug lords but also accused with his team of stealing a colossal haul.

An ultra-violent film, not always mastered, but one that will nevertheless delight fans of pure, unadulterated action.

On the movie front, “Expandables 3” is perhaps the greatest action movie of all time. Sly has assembled an even more exceptional cast than before, chosen a convincing young director and written an original screenplay. What more could you ask for?

Alain Haimovici