Psylocke #3
Kill Matsu'o, Chapter 3
Psylocke finds Matsu'o, who tells her all he did was so she would kill him and put him out of his misery.
Friday, January 14, 2011
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Marvel's Next Big Thing: "5 Ronin"
CBR: Marvel's Next Big Thing actually involves five things—or five people, rather. Wolverine, Psyclocke, the Punisher, Deadpool and the Hulk star in the upcoming five-issue, weekly miniseries "5 Ronin." The title re-imagines the quintet of heroes as masterless samurais in feudal Japan out for revenge. Writer Peter Milligan pens all five issues, while a rotating cast of artists pencil each installment, including Tomm Coker, Dalibor Talajic, Laurence Campbell, Goran Parlov and Leandro Fernandez.
Milligan and Marvel Editor Sebastian Girner spoke with reporters today in a conference call moderated by James Viscardi about the upcoming miniseries, which launches in March and runs throughout the month. CBR is there with LIVE coverage to help bring some guidance to "5 Ronin."
Things started off with discussion on how the idea came about. "The egg of this idea was born in Sebastian's great interest and passion in all things Japanese," said Milligan. "Sebastian and I made an omelet out of that egg."
Girner said that the samurai armor reminded him of superhero uniforms and he started putting things together on paper. "I tried to image which characters would," and took it from there, he said.
Talk then turned to the specific characters. "The characters changed a little," admitted Milligan. The writer said he was a big fan of the "Seven Samurai" film and concept. "The characters all represent an aspect of this Japanese society," he said. He said that it was interesting to see how these characters molded and became a part of the Japanese landscape as the brainstorming went on. Milligan said that Wolverine made the most sense, as did the Punisher, for the atmosphere and culture.
Girner said that it makes sense to a lot of people why Wolverine would be a vital character in the tale, and that other characters proved a little more different to make work. "We got further and further away from the historical roots to making the characters inhabiting the story of the world that they're in."
Psylocke is a character that might make you raise an eyebrow, Milligan said, but also argued that "Psylocke is the character that fits in most beautifully" with the story.
In regards to the story itself, Milligan went into a little bit of detail. Each chapter focuses on one of the characters, but the stories are intricately linked through a common catalyst. "All these characters have to rediscover as the story continues" that there's a reason they're all connected and drawn together, explained Milligan. They each have problems that stem from the same source.
The decision to have multiple artists said works brilliantly for the nature of the story, said Milligan. The writer said that each installment has a certain tone and atmosphere specific to that character and their story that it almost necessitates a different artist than the other story. Girner talked about the various artists involved and his previous work with them, including on "Daredevil: Noir," "Punisher MAX" and "Deadpool."
"Tomm worked a long time on page one and it's the opening page of this series and it's so detailed," said Milligan. The writer said he owes the artist a beer for how beautiful the image came out—an image based on an actual Japanese battle.
Question then opened up to the press. Milligan revealed that the story begins in 1600 in feudal Japan and follows a few years after that. "When we pick up, one age is coming to and end and the other is painfully about to be born," explained Milligan. Girner said that the story follows from 100 years of civil war and is an important era in Japanese history and culture. "A lot of great stories take place in the Eto Era," said Girner. Milligan pointed out that "Seven Samurai" takes place during this time.
In regards to the Hulk and how he fits in the story, Milligan said that he was the most interesting and counter-intuiative character. "He's not this rampaging Green Monster" revealed the writer. "He's a monk." The writer said the internal battle between Hulk and Banner actually represents what a monk is about—finding that balance within yourself.
Samurais themselves have become a legendary icon in popular culture, similar to the cowboy. In regards to the comparison of the two and how both have become romanticized, Milligan said that "the cowboy as we know him is an entire fabrication. The samurai obviously existed with their own code and conduct." The writer said that he took a good look at that code and their lives and reality of the samurai when researching for the story.
"The characters are meant to be recognizable," confirmed Milligan. The writer said that the characters are still "100 percent the characters we read" in regular Marvel books every month. When coming up with the story, they wanted to make sure to keep the core of the characters the same, despite the change of the setting. Girner added that each story plays with things that we know about each character. This went into not only the design of their outfits, but also keeping that inner turmoil and the heart of the character that went into their original creation at Marvel.
Milligan said that there aren't really other analogues of Marvel characters in the story. "The one character we haven't talked about was the villain of the piece," but that is not an analogue but based on a historical figure—a rather evil and wicked one, he said. Milligan said he turned want to turn into a gag of who you could fit into feudal Japan. The story is about these five characters and their problems specifically.
Newsarama: Milligan says that, of the main characters, Psylocke is the one that some "raise an eyebrow at" due to her inclusion, but he thinks she "fits in most beautifully." "My way into Psylocke, when I found out the metaphor of the butterfly, that was my way in to her character in this Japanese setting," Milligan adds.
How do the character-centric stories tie in together? "Each chapter focuses on one of these characters," Milligan says, and has a "standalone quality." "But they're intricately linked." Milligan says there's "another way they're connected" that he can't talk about until people read the book. "Their problems are caused by the same source," the writer adds. "It becomes very clear very quickly," what that linking element is, Girner says.
Girner says Laurence Campbell draws a "cold as hell" Punisher, which is why they wanted him for that issue. He adds that Parlov is maybe the best Punisher Max artist, but the only thing he draws better than Punisher is women, which is why he's on the Psylocke issue.
Milligan says that while you wouldn't think characters like Deadpool would translate, they are "immensely recognizable." "We structured each story with things we know about them," Girner says. Milligan says 5 Ronin's Deadpool couldn't be anyone else, and the Punisher is very close to his MU depictions. "We tried to see the people in there," Girner says. "Upholding a code of honor is an incredibly difficult thing to do when you're conflicted."
Which samurai character would you like to see someone dress up as at a con? Milligan: Psylocke. Girner: "The big, broad basket hat Deadpool wears."
Milligan: "One of my favorite moments is when Logan and Psylocke are getting to grips with each other, and the night has been so wild, that Logan isn't sure if they're fighting, or they're actually still having sex."
Marvel's Viscardi ends the call by saying that 5 Ronin will be one of the most attractive comics on the shelves, and a good opportunity for fans who want a Marvel book to be set outside of normal canon.
Milligan and Marvel Editor Sebastian Girner spoke with reporters today in a conference call moderated by James Viscardi about the upcoming miniseries, which launches in March and runs throughout the month. CBR is there with LIVE coverage to help bring some guidance to "5 Ronin."
Things started off with discussion on how the idea came about. "The egg of this idea was born in Sebastian's great interest and passion in all things Japanese," said Milligan. "Sebastian and I made an omelet out of that egg."
Girner said that the samurai armor reminded him of superhero uniforms and he started putting things together on paper. "I tried to image which characters would," and took it from there, he said.
Talk then turned to the specific characters. "The characters changed a little," admitted Milligan. The writer said he was a big fan of the "Seven Samurai" film and concept. "The characters all represent an aspect of this Japanese society," he said. He said that it was interesting to see how these characters molded and became a part of the Japanese landscape as the brainstorming went on. Milligan said that Wolverine made the most sense, as did the Punisher, for the atmosphere and culture.
Girner said that it makes sense to a lot of people why Wolverine would be a vital character in the tale, and that other characters proved a little more different to make work. "We got further and further away from the historical roots to making the characters inhabiting the story of the world that they're in."
Psylocke is a character that might make you raise an eyebrow, Milligan said, but also argued that "Psylocke is the character that fits in most beautifully" with the story.
In regards to the story itself, Milligan went into a little bit of detail. Each chapter focuses on one of the characters, but the stories are intricately linked through a common catalyst. "All these characters have to rediscover as the story continues" that there's a reason they're all connected and drawn together, explained Milligan. They each have problems that stem from the same source.
The decision to have multiple artists said works brilliantly for the nature of the story, said Milligan. The writer said that each installment has a certain tone and atmosphere specific to that character and their story that it almost necessitates a different artist than the other story. Girner talked about the various artists involved and his previous work with them, including on "Daredevil: Noir," "Punisher MAX" and "Deadpool."
"Tomm worked a long time on page one and it's the opening page of this series and it's so detailed," said Milligan. The writer said he owes the artist a beer for how beautiful the image came out—an image based on an actual Japanese battle.
Question then opened up to the press. Milligan revealed that the story begins in 1600 in feudal Japan and follows a few years after that. "When we pick up, one age is coming to and end and the other is painfully about to be born," explained Milligan. Girner said that the story follows from 100 years of civil war and is an important era in Japanese history and culture. "A lot of great stories take place in the Eto Era," said Girner. Milligan pointed out that "Seven Samurai" takes place during this time.
In regards to the Hulk and how he fits in the story, Milligan said that he was the most interesting and counter-intuiative character. "He's not this rampaging Green Monster" revealed the writer. "He's a monk." The writer said the internal battle between Hulk and Banner actually represents what a monk is about—finding that balance within yourself.
Samurais themselves have become a legendary icon in popular culture, similar to the cowboy. In regards to the comparison of the two and how both have become romanticized, Milligan said that "the cowboy as we know him is an entire fabrication. The samurai obviously existed with their own code and conduct." The writer said that he took a good look at that code and their lives and reality of the samurai when researching for the story.
"The characters are meant to be recognizable," confirmed Milligan. The writer said that the characters are still "100 percent the characters we read" in regular Marvel books every month. When coming up with the story, they wanted to make sure to keep the core of the characters the same, despite the change of the setting. Girner added that each story plays with things that we know about each character. This went into not only the design of their outfits, but also keeping that inner turmoil and the heart of the character that went into their original creation at Marvel.
Milligan said that there aren't really other analogues of Marvel characters in the story. "The one character we haven't talked about was the villain of the piece," but that is not an analogue but based on a historical figure—a rather evil and wicked one, he said. Milligan said he turned want to turn into a gag of who you could fit into feudal Japan. The story is about these five characters and their problems specifically.
Newsarama: Milligan says that, of the main characters, Psylocke is the one that some "raise an eyebrow at" due to her inclusion, but he thinks she "fits in most beautifully." "My way into Psylocke, when I found out the metaphor of the butterfly, that was my way in to her character in this Japanese setting," Milligan adds.
How do the character-centric stories tie in together? "Each chapter focuses on one of these characters," Milligan says, and has a "standalone quality." "But they're intricately linked." Milligan says there's "another way they're connected" that he can't talk about until people read the book. "Their problems are caused by the same source," the writer adds. "It becomes very clear very quickly," what that linking element is, Girner says.
Girner says Laurence Campbell draws a "cold as hell" Punisher, which is why they wanted him for that issue. He adds that Parlov is maybe the best Punisher Max artist, but the only thing he draws better than Punisher is women, which is why he's on the Psylocke issue.
Milligan says that while you wouldn't think characters like Deadpool would translate, they are "immensely recognizable." "We structured each story with things we know about them," Girner says. Milligan says 5 Ronin's Deadpool couldn't be anyone else, and the Punisher is very close to his MU depictions. "We tried to see the people in there," Girner says. "Upholding a code of honor is an incredibly difficult thing to do when you're conflicted."
Which samurai character would you like to see someone dress up as at a con? Milligan: Psylocke. Girner: "The big, broad basket hat Deadpool wears."
Milligan: "One of my favorite moments is when Logan and Psylocke are getting to grips with each other, and the night has been so wild, that Logan isn't sure if they're fighting, or they're actually still having sex."
Marvel's Viscardi ends the call by saying that 5 Ronin will be one of the most attractive comics on the shelves, and a good opportunity for fans who want a Marvel book to be set outside of normal canon.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Uncanny X-Force Minimates
Art Asylum has packaging shots for the upcoming Uncanny X-Force box set, which pretty much confirms the line-up of Wolverine, Deadpool, Archangel, and Psylocke.The Uncanny X-Force box set is expected to hit specialty shops in January. This is Psylocke's 3rd Minimate to date.
Tuesday, January 11, 2011
Kieron Gillen Talks Psylocke
Somebody has asked Kieron Gillen about Psylocke in Uncanny X-Men via formspring. Sounds like we shouldn't expect much from Betsy in "Uncanny X-Men" in 2011. Check it out:
Is Psylocke still part of the core cast of Uncanny X-Men? Seems like since she was included in Uncanny X-Force, Betsy stopped appearing in Uncanny X-Men for some reason.
Kieron Gillen: While there's no hard or fast rule - she shows up in Quarantine briefly - when we have so many characters, when someone is "starring" elsewhere and isn't someone who necessarily has to be present (i.e. Cyclops, etc), they're not someone who I'd immediately turn to that often. Rick is doing awesome stuff with her over on X-force though, isn't he?
Is Psylocke still part of the core cast of Uncanny X-Men? Seems like since she was included in Uncanny X-Force, Betsy stopped appearing in Uncanny X-Men for some reason.
Kieron Gillen: While there's no hard or fast rule - she shows up in Quarantine briefly - when we have so many characters, when someone is "starring" elsewhere and isn't someone who necessarily has to be present (i.e. Cyclops, etc), they're not someone who I'd immediately turn to that often. Rick is doing awesome stuff with her over on X-force though, isn't he?
Sunday, January 9, 2011
Recap 2010 • Psylocke
Betsy Braddock • Year in Review
Recap 2010 — The Ends and the Means
2010 opened with Betsy Braddock finally confronting Matsu'o Tsurayaba and bringing their long, painful history to a merciful end. Back on Utopia, Psylocke remained one of Cyclops’ most loyal X-Men and was selected for his Alpha Team, entrusted with protecting Cable and Hope Summers when they returned to the present during Second Coming.
The crisis convinced Betsy that mutantkind required stronger protection than the X-Men alone could provide. Believing that extraordinary threats demanded extraordinary measures, she accepted Wolverine’s invitation to join the secret Uncanny X-Force—a decision that placed her on a darker path and set the direction for the most consequential period of her modern history.
January01
Nation X #2
LDR
Psylocke battles a Warwolf in Utopia.
Uncanny X-Men #520
Nation X, Chapter 6
Psylocke, Wolverine and Colossus are sent to New York to find out who sent the Predators X which released the nanobots on Utopia.
Wolverine: Weapon X #9
Insane In The Brain, Chapter 4
Psylocke and Nightcrawler are called by Melitar Garner to rescue Wolverine at the Dunwich Sanatorium.
X-Men Legacy #232
Earth, Give Up Your Dead, Chapter 2
Psylocke is confronted by Proteus with her worst fear and ends up possesed by him.
February02
X-Men: Pixie Strikes Back #1
Pixie Strikes Back, Chapter 1
Psylocke and Nightcrawler meet Pixie's mother, who's looking for her daughter.
Doomwar #1
Doomwar, Chapter 1
Psylocke tells Cyclops that T'Challa and Shuri have arrived in Utopia.
Psylocke #4
Kill Matsu'o, Chapter 4
Psylocke battles Wolverine, who doesn't want her to kill Matsu'o. They later come to an understanding, and Betsy finally kills him.
Uncanny X-Men #521
Nation X, Chapter 7
Psylocke, Wolverine and Colossus continue to battle Lobe and his associates and find out Lobe's connection to John Sublime.
Marvels: Eye of the Camera #6
Closing The Book, Chapter 6
Flashback to the "Fall of the Mutants" event, as told from Phil Sheldon's perspective.
X-Men Legacy #233
Earth, Give Up Your Dead, Chapter 3
Psylocke is freed from Proteus' influence by Rogue. Betsy later frees Husk.
March03
X-Men: Pixie Strikes Back #2
Pixie Strikes Back, Chapter 2
Psylocke, Emma Frost and Nightcrawler look for Pixie and the girls who are missing.
X-Men Legacy #234
The Telltale Heart
Psylocke witnesses images of Rogue and Gambit’s past flashing through the minds of everyone across Utopia.
Breaking Into Comics The Marvel Way #2
Timeline NoteButterfly Blade
Set during Uncanny X-Men #462. Psylocke explains to Rachel why her powers manifest themselves as a butterfly or as a katana.
Uncanny X-Men #522
Nation X, Chapter 8
Psylocke gathers with the rest of the X-Men to witness Kitty Pryde's return.
X-Men: Second Coming #1
Second Coming, Chapter 1
Psylocke is chosen to be part of Cyclops's Alpha Team whose mission is to bring back Cable and Hope to Utopia in safety.
April04
Uncanny X-Men #523
Second Coming, Chapter 2
Psylocke and the X-Men finally find Cable and Hope fighting the Purifiers, and join their battle.
New Mutants #12
Second Coming, Chapter 3
Psylocke and the X-Men take out all the Purifiers, while Cable and Hope run away.
X-Men Legacy #235
Second Coming, Chapter 4
Psylocke and the X-Men follow Rogue's lead and finally reach Cable and Hope.
X-Men: Pixie Strikes Back #3
Pixie Strikes Back, Chapter 3
Psylocke, Emma and Nightcrawler, while still looking for Pixie, end up facing the Mastermind sisters.
X-Men Forever Annual #1
AlternateThe Last Waltz
Psylocke, Jubilee, Kitty and Nightcrawler rescue Wolverine and Jean Grey, who are captured by The Hand.
X-Force #26
Second Coming, Chapter 5
Psylocke and the X-Men battle some soldiers, before coming home to Utopia and learning of Nightcrawler's death.
May05
Uncanny X-Men #524
Second Coming, Chapter 6
Psylocke and the X-Men attend Nightcrawler's funeral.
X-Men: Second Coming - Revelations: Hellbound #1
Hellbound, Chapter 1
Flashback to the events of New Mutants #12.
X-Men Legacy #236
Second Coming, Chapter 8
Psylocke and everyone across Utopia and San Francisco are trapped inside Bastion's dome.
X-Men: Pixie Strikes Back #4
Pixie Strikes Back, Chapter 4
Psylocke and Rachel investigate Sublime, who came to the school asking for help against his sister Arkea.
Girl Comics #2
Introduction
Psylocke and a few other female characters drawn by Collen Coover.
X-Force #27
Second Coming, Chapter 9
Psylocke uses her telepathy to keep the people inside the dome as far away as possible from the sphere where the Nimrods come from.
Dazzler #1
Tough Call
Psylocke puts Dazzler's sister, Lois London, in a psychically induced coma, planning to rehabilitate her on the Astral Plane.
X-Men: Second Coming - Revelations: Blind Science #1
Blind Science
Flashback to the events of "Second Coming".
June06
Uncanny X-Men #525
Second Coming, Chapter 10
Psylocke and the X-Men battle the Nimrods in San Francisco.
New Mutants #14
Second Coming, Chapter 11
Psylocke and the X-Men continue to fight Nimrods on the Golden Gate Bridge
July07
X-Force #28
Second Coming, Chapter 13
Psylocke and the X-Men finish the battle against Bastion and the Nimrods once and for all.
X-Women #1
Timeline NoteX-Women
Set between Uncanny X-Men #461 & #475. Psylocke, Storm, Rogue, Kitty confront the Baroness Krieg who wants to start a war between India and China.
X-Men: Second Coming #2
Second Coming, Chapter 14
Psylocke joins the new X-Force, now consisted of Wolverine, Archangel, Deadpool and Fantomex.
Uncanny X-Men: The Heroic Age #1
Uncanny X-Men: The Heroic Age
Psylocke and The X-Men are received as heroes by the people in San Francisco, after the events of Second Coming.
Uncanny X-Men #526
Rebuilding
Psylocke and the X-Men begin to clean-up Utopia after the events of Second Coming.
August08
Uncanny X-Men #527
The Five Lights, Chapter 2
Psylocke and Dr Cecilia Reyes arrive in Mexico to help Gabriel Cohuelo, one of the Five Lights.
X-Men: Curse of the Mutants - Storm & Gambit #1
Curse of the Mutants Tie-In
Psylocke and the X-Men are sent to help Gambit and Storm to fight a group of vampires and retrieve Dracula's body.
September09
Wolverine: Road To Hell #1
The First Day of the Rest of Your Life
Psylocke attends X-Force's first meeting at Cavern-X and rekindles her relationship with Archangel.
Origins of Marvel Comics: X-Men #1
Psylocke
Psylocke's origin.
October10
Uncanny X-Force #1
The Apocalypse Solution, Chapter 1
Psylocke and the X-Force find Clan Akkaba's complex, a clan who has resurrected Apocalypse.
November11
Uncanny X-Force #2
The Apocalypse Solution, Chapter 2
Psylocke and the X-Force track Clan Akkaba's position to the Blue Area of the moon, where they face the Final Horsemen.
X-Men Legacy #242
Fables of the Reconstruction, Chapter 1
Psylocke and some other X-Men are sent to San Francisco in order to rebuild and repair the city from the destruction caused by their battle against Bastion.
December12
Uncanny X-Force #3
The Apocalypse Solution, Chapter 3
Psylocke is taken to the Clan Akkaba's base by War, where she defeats him and prepares to face Apocalypse.
X-Men Legacy #243
Fables of the Reconstruction, Chapter 2
Psylocke and some other X-Men witness Hellion killing Omega Sentinel in San Francisco.
Uncanny Avengers #15
Rapture
Psylockes and the X-Men go on a rescue mission at Project Purgatory.
Refresh your memories and talk about your favorite stories, writers, artists, quotes and more. Happy New Year!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
“For so long, my life has been out of control. Chaos and serendipity, wrapped in insanity. I have suffered, I have lost. Not just my life, but my very soul, my self. But no more. Now I know who I am.” – Elizabeth ‘Betsy’ Braddock, daughter of Otherworld, mutant, telepath, telekinetic, defender of the realm and, above all, X-Man.
