Psylocke by Esad Ribic

Esad Ribic

Secret Wars #2 Spoilers & Art

Spoilers: Dr. Doom rules over Battleworld while its many territories are governed by local Barons under Doom's law. The nation Higher Avalon is ruled by Baron James Braddock from the House Braddock, consisted of Brian, Meggan and Betsy. Both Baron James Braddock of Higher Avalon and Baron Sinister of Bar Sinister are brought before Dr. Doom. The House Braddock accuses Baron Sinister of discord and allying himself with Baron Hyperion of Utopolis in opposition to Higher Avalon. Sinister chooses to settle the dispute in the arena, but against Brian Braddock instead of James. Sinister almost kills Brian, whose life is spared by Dr. Doom himself. Doom tells him that Higher Avalon sits below the Kingdom of Manhattan, whose Silent Chambers is used by heretics to cast Doom from his throne, and demands to know where it is located. Brian says he knows nothing about it, but James intervenes and admits his acknowledgment of the place. Dr. Doom makes Brian the new Baron of Higher Avalon and sentences James Braddock to the Shield, the last line of defense against the hordes to the south of Battleworld. Zombie armies, Ultron robots primed only for death, and the Annihilation Wave.

X-Force News From Twitter

Rick Remender just revealed a new Uncanny X-Force cover via Twitter. The art by Esad Ribic features the return of the Final Horsemen from X-Force's first arc. I suspect it's the cover for issue #14, which will be penciled by Jerome Opeña and hit the stores in August.

Remender also told his followers that he and his editors are already working on stories for X-Force second year. It looks like X-Force editor, Jody LeHeup, got approval for bringing in a character they wanted for the role of main villain in Year 2. Remender also talked about locking down a tremendous crossover, but it's not clear if said crossover is planned for X-Force or Venom. In time, X-Force Year 1 will wrap up with issue #18, the conclusion for The Dark Angel Saga.

Meanwhile, Mark Brooks also teased his followers by posting two new panels from The Dark Angel Saga. One with Wolverine, and another one with what looks like MODOK.

    

Uncanny X-Force #7 Art

        

Uncanny X-Force #7 Preview

Uncanny X-Force #7
Written by: Rick Remender
Cover & Pencils by: Esad Ribic
Thor Goes Hollywood Variant by: Mike Del Mundo

The Story: “Deathlok Nation” Part 3. The hordes of the Deathlok Nation continue to flood into our world, intent on killing Fantomex and protecting the super soldier production facility known as The World…but why? With The World now infected by the Deathlok virus, and X-Force locked in heated battle with the most powerful warriors in the Marvel Universe, humanity’s hopes rest in the hands of one man, but who is Weapon Infinity?!

In Stores: April 13, 2011

    
        

Uncanny X-Force #12 Cover Revealed

Uncanny X-Force #7 Advance Preview

        
    

Uncanny X-Force #6 Art

        

Uncanny X-Force #6 Preview

Uncanny X-Force #6
Cover by: Esad Ribic
Writer: Rick Remender
Pencils: Esad Ribic

The Story: “Deathlok Nation,” Part 2. Buried deep, sequestered under a million years of unnatural evolution, Father, architect of The World, has a solution to the relentless and fruitless super human conflict that has left the Earth teetering on the brink of destruction. The Deathlok virus will spread, acclimate and control them all. In order to protect Earth's heroes from the Deathlok virus, X-Force must kill The World's Father, and his perfect future with him. But should they? How many people would a hero allow to die to ensure worldwide utopia?

In Stores: March 23, 2011

            

X-Position: Rick Remender

CBR: We have Rick Remender, the writer of Marvel Comics' "Uncanny X-Force," here to answer some queries and many others in today’s X-Position. Let’s jump right in…

        
Uncanny X-Force #7 Preview

While Wolverine has established himself as X-Force's leader, his ideals don't seem to be in line with the others. In "Uncanny X-Force" #5, he was quick to brush off what Fantomex did to the kid Apocalypse. That didn't sit well with Angel, Psylocke and even Deadpool. How can Wolverine keep the team together if his teammates question the lines he's willing to cross?

Rick Remender: Let’s not overstate what happened. The team went to assassinate one of the worst monsters in the Marvel Universe, and ended up face to face with a young boy. If you don’t have a problem with that particular scenario, you’re no longer hero -- you’re a villain. The ethical questions that it brings are obviously something that I wanted these characters to be haunted by. How these characters deal with what Fantomex did -- how Apocalypse was dealt with -- is how you get into the gooey core of the characters. So, while you saw Wolverine in the room agreeing that they should not kill the boy, it is up to the reader to decide why he has suddenly changed his song now that they’re done, back at base, having done it anyway. Isn’t it nice to not have me spell every single thing out? The answer is there, but I try not to cram it down your throat (Axel taught me that).

Perhaps it is simply that the milk is spilt and Wolverine is mired in a rationalization. Based on the conversation, what do you think?

For the record, the team sees eye to eye. Nobody on the team has any question about whether or not they will kill a scumbag super-villain or somebody who’s going to put innocent lives in harm’s way. When killing said villain is the only way to stop them, that’s what this team is for. We don’t take killing lightly, we don’t treat it as if it’s trivial, we don’t relish in it as a thing that makes us "edgy," and we will very definitely be dealing with the ramifications of what happens to the people who do it and the hits will always have a twist they didn’t see coming.

Will Psylocke's time as a member of the Exiles be mentioned (or will the existence of the team even be acknowledged) when the Uncanny X-Force team travels to the world of Age of Apocalypse?

Rick Remender: Yes.

Given that Wolverine and Psylocke exist in the Age of Apocalypse, is there any chance the Uncanny X-Force members will meet their AoA counterparts during the upcoming story?

Rick Remender: What a huge part of the story that might be, right? If I were to say yes or no, it would spoil your enjoyment of what will be a nice, surprising reveal in the story. Or maybe by not telling you, I’ve already told you. I will say there are many surprising events to look forward to while we journey to the Age of Apocalypse.

Do you plan to explain how Sabretooth from the Age of Apocalypse escaped from the wall he was trapped in during the latest Exiles book? Also, will you address the relationship he had with our 616-Psylocke in "New Exiles?"

Rick Remender: I am going to make sure that Elizabeth’s relationship with AoA Sabretooth is acknowledged and plays an important role in the story -- wouldn’t want to overlook such a big piece of history.

The Shadow King and Psylocke have a rivalry dating back to the Psi-War. Can we expect some kind of rematch between them?

Rick Remender: Yes, you can, and this fight is a direct result of the Psi-War. Somebody wants some revenge.

Will you delve into what Psylocke is exactly? Is she an Otherworld-ly character, is she a construct of Jamie Braddock, or something else entirely?

Rick Remender: Betsy is a fledgling Omega telepath who could one day become the most powerful telepath in the Marvel Universe. That’s my take on her; I imagine there will be those who see it other ways. I have plans to take us to Other World and explore her past, how it links to her future, and her powers origins.

Uncanny X-Force #6 Advance Preview

            

Art by: Esad Ribic
On Sale: March 23, 2011

Uncanny X-Force #5 Art

        

Uncanny X-Force #5 Preview

Uncanny X-Force #5

Cover by: Esad Ribic
Writer: Rick Remender
Pencils: Esad Ribic

The Story: “Deathlok Nation,” Part 1. There are innumerable and varying potential futures awaiting mankind. Between them exists only one constant: The rise of the Deathloks! Seeded in our present they grow, a time virus spreading across all possibilities, infiltrating the fate of mankind. One thing stands in their way; a man who shouldn't exist. They come in waves, an army of time displaced Deathlok troopers made from Earth's greatest warriors; Captain America, Spider-Man, Elektra, Cyclops, Venom, The Thing, Bullseye--all soldiers in the army of Deathlok. All operating under one directive: Fantomex must die! The hottest book on the stands just gets hotter as fan favorite writer Rick Remender (Punisher, Fear Agent) is joined by superstar artist Esad Ribic (Wolverine, Loki)!

In Stores: February 16, 2011

        

More Uncanny/New X-Force!

CBR: Marvel is pleased to unveil the top-secret lineup of the all-new, all-deadly Uncanny X-Force, making their debut in X-Men Second Coming #2! In the jaw dropping finale of the critically acclaimed Second Coming, sacrifices have been made and now, the savior of mutantkind will rise! After the devastation from Bastion’s forces, the X-Men must band together and rebuild, but one group has other plans. When a secret society resurrects the feared villain Apocalypse, Wolverine’s brand new black-ops team is the only strong enough to take him down – by any means necessary. Be the first to get in on the non-stop, explosive action this October as red hot creators Rick Remender and Jerome Opeña bring you the all-new ongoing series, Uncanny X-Force!