Seventh New Avengers Military Special Coming Soon

[MadMikeyD]

Here is the press release for the latest Marvel/AAFES New Avengers Military Exclusive, "An Army of One," coming to AAFES locations later in the month...

http://www.aafes.com/pa/news/09news/09-026.htm

MEDIA CONTACT: Chris Ward (wardchr@aafes.com)
MEDIA ADVISORY: 09-026
RELEASE DATE: April 2009


Real Life ‘Super Heroes’ Unmasked in Latest Free Comic Book
DALLAS - It’s all hands on deck as virtually every super hero, including Captain America, Wolverine and even two real life military members, are called to battle the Hulk in the latest free military-only "New Avengers" comic book provided by the Army & Air Force Exchange Service (AAFES) and Marvel Comics.

"An Army of One" finds the all-star lineup descending upon Yuma Proving Grounds to try and bring the Hulk under control as he goes on a rampage. Among the first to arrive on the scene are two armored "Iron Men," who manage to distract the Hulk and draw him out further into the desert, away from the other troops.

Upon their arrival back on base, the super heroes are unmasked to reveal the winners of the AAFES "Unmask the Hero" sweepstakes. In addition to being photographed and professionally drawn into the issue, Tech. Sgt. Theresa Bradley from Scott Air Force Base and Sgt. 1st Class (Ret.) James Wells from Ft. Bliss also received an Iron Man video game and Nintendo DS handheld game console for their participation.

"I was deployed when I found out I was going to be in the comic book and I was floored," said Tech. Sgt. Theresa Bradley. "After I saw my likeness in the book I just couldn’t believe that I was in a comic. My son was really excited and of course he ended up with the Nintendo DS."

"An Army of One," the seventh in the AAFES/Marvel military-only comic book series that began in April 2005, will be available exclusively at BXs and PXs throughout the continental United States in mid-April. Overseas locations, including 90 exchanges in Operations Enduring and Iraqi Freedom, will begin stocking the comic in May.

This latest special is written by Marc Sumerak, who was interviewed about the issue here:

http://www.freewebs.com/marvelmilitaryspecials

[mikekerr3]

Thanks for the info, will pick one up at the bx.

[MadMikeyD]

Here's a look at the cover:

[killerbass]

"Not for resale"?! Too funny...

Will check out eBay in about a month.

--Tom

[mikekerr3]

Check out what an E-1/2 makes and You will see why

[CMBMOOL]

Here's a look at the cover:

I hate to joke about this but this is what WWH should have been like in the first place.

[MadMikeyD]

I guess I'm more out of the loop than I thought I was - there's at least a half-dozen characters on that cover I don't recognize I know:

The Hulk
Spider-Man
Nightcrawler
The Sentry
Deadpool
Wolverine
Human Torch
Falcon
Beast
Iron Man
Mister Fantastic
Emma Frost
Hercules
Cyclops
Invisible Woman
Captain America (Bucky version)
The Thing
She-Hulk
Colossus
Luke Cage
Thor
Ms. Marvel
Daredevil
Nick Fury
Doctor Strange

and then I'm lost. Any help?

[MadMikeyD]

After doing some research, I found out who most of the characters I didn't know are:

Stature
Hawkeye (Kate Bishop)
Patriot
Hulkling
Ares
Gorilla-Man

So it looks like the only characters left to identify are the three in between She-Hulk and Luke Cage...

[MadMikeyD]

I found a copy of the new special at the PX the other day. Here are my thoughts:

The newest issue of the Military Exclusive series brings in new writer Marc Sumerak and new artist Pere Perez, but it continues the loose continuity started by Stuart Moore over the last couple of issues. The Hulk - last seen fleeing the scene at the end of #6 - is found in the Military's Yuma Proving Grounds, and he is not happy. Nick Fury and Tony Stark put the call out to every available hero. The first people to arrive are two Soldiers wearing the Stark Personal Armor System (introduced in #6). Next on the scene are Wolverine and the X-Men, soon followed by practically every hero in the Marvel Universe. Among them is the new Captain America - Bucky Barnes - since Steve Rogers' death was acknowledged back in #5. With the return to the series of the Sentry and the Fantastic Four, the whole series is sort of linked together - coming full-circle, so-to-speak.

I was initially disappointed that Marvel chose a new writer for the project. Marc Sumerak proved himself up to the challenge. The only downside of the story may be that it crams in so many characters that they cannot all shine. For example Deadpool, a fairly popular character these days, shows up in one panel and has no lines. The characters who have lines are well done, but a lot of characters act as nothing more than easter eggs. Fun for fans, but maybe confusing for those unfamiliar with the wealth of characters presented here. It could prove a nice segue to a larger rotating cast for future issues, though.

Pere Perez's art is very good and the characters are identifiable. So many characters in one book must have been a daunting task, but he rose to the occasion.

My biggest disappointment is that Marvel decided to go with their smaller size that they introduced for Free Comic Book Day. The smaller size compresses the art more than it was intended to be, and this makes some panels look exceptionally cluttered. I understand it's a free comic and Marvel is looking to cut costs, so it's an understandable change. It mostly upsets me because I had hoped to one day bind all of these into a custom hardcover book, and the size difference throws a big wrench into that plan. Still, as far as the book itself, it's another fine outing to salute our Military.

GRADE: A

[celticguy]

Ronin has the Hulk in a choke hold now that is funny.

[Jay Dogg]

Ronin has the Hulk in a choke hold now that is funny.

That's Deadpool lol...I think.

[celticguy]

That's Deadpool lol...I think.

hmm maybe well that would explain the stupidity of the move.