Out this Week - Revolutionary War: Motormouth and Avengers Undercover

Well, here we are into the third month of Revolutionary War already. This week sees the turn of Harley Davis, know better to many as 'Motormouth'. This time out the writer and artist pairing of Glenn Dakin and Ronan Cliquet will be taking on the reins, with Mark Brooks on the lead cover, and a variant cover by Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire:

There is 3 page preview up at Comic Book Resources, for the curious, and this is probably one of the books I've been most curious about. As we saw in the Alpha issue Harley's former partner-in-crime Killpower was separated from the other UK heroes some time ago, lost into an alternate dimension at the Battle of London Bridge. Furthermore, as was mentioned in the solicits, apparently Harley is a... mum now??

REVOLUTIONARY WAR: MOTORMOUTH #1

GLENN DAKIN (W) • RONAN CLIQUET (A)
Cover by MARK BROOKS
Variant Cover By DECLAN SHALVEY
• When Mys-Tech returns and threatens the safety of Great Britain, MI:13 need to try to convince MOTORMOUTH to come out of retirement.
• Harley Davis’ days of being a hero are over, though.  Now, her day job is being the mother of  her two children. Until an explosive Mys-Tech attack calls her out of retirement!
• Be there as Motormouth gets her mojo back!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99 

Two kids. I wonder who the father is. 

The story also picks up directly from where the Alpha issue left off for SHIELD Agent Keller and Col Tigon Liger of The Warheads. Both of whom are trying to locate Harley - who has always had a knack for not being found when she doesn't want to be...

I just love the darker tone this preview seems to have compared next to some of the other recent Revolutionary War issues. It's clear that Harley is in a pretty bleak place, right now. In her original Marvel UK stories she was always the mouthy teenager who the world could never bring down. Always cheerful. Frequently very funny. I suppose in some kind of messed up way Motormouth was the nearest Marvel UK had to a Kitty Pryde figure in the imprint years. And while they are quite different characters, seeing the ever positive Harley Davis broken by the real world has a similar powerful effect to it as the X-Men trend of putting Kitty in peril. People sympathise with her. She's an easy character for the reader to connect with.

This is exactly the kind of contrast I'd been hoping we'd see in Revolutionary War - how the intervening years have effected our forgotten heroes. I really look forward to it.

In connection with Motormouth, this week's issue has also reminded former Marvel UK editor John Freeman of his time editing the character. He's been talking about it over at Down The Tubes. You should check that out.

This week see the launch of another new series at Marvel, with ties to the British side of universe. For all of you who read and enjoyed Dennis Hopeless and Kev Walker's Avengers Arena series, you'll want to pick up the continuation of that story. The name has changed, but the creative team and the surviving cast (including former students from 'Braddock Academy') are all still here in the new series Avengers Undercover.

What's the premise this time?

Well, here's the solicit blurb:

WHEN TEEN HEROES INFILTRATE THE MASTERS OF EVIL, WHO WILL BREAK BAD?
Damaged by their experience in Murder World, five conflicted young superhumans go rogue and infiltrate the Masters of Evil, planning to bring the Avengers’ rivals down from within. But the longer the teens spend undercover, the more they descend into darkness, and as they start to build relationships with these multi-layered criminals, the line between good and evil blurs. What will happen first…joining the Masters for real, or getting exposed and killed? If you thought Murder World was dangerous, just wait until “Most Promising New Talent” Harvey award-winner Dennis Hopeless and acclaimed artist Kev Walker surround you with Evil!

Avengers Arena has been one of the rare gems of Marvel's recent history, which while some might only see tenuously connected to Marvel's Britain I've certainly enjoyed a lot.  The first run is a hard act to follow, but it's great to see the Hopeless/Walker pairing got to continue into a second run. They do great work together.

Both Revolutionary War: Motormouth and Avengers Undercover are out tomorrow - Wednesday 12th March.

The Time has Arrived: Revolutionary War starts This Week!

Well, 'Hello' everyone. I hope you had a suitably enjoyable Christmas and New Year break. I have been giving myself a little time away from the internet during December. Recharging for all that 2014 has to offer.

And boy, DOES it offer!

This week brings us the start of the Marvel UK mini event 'Revolutionary War'. Marvel UK stalwarts Andy Lanning and Alan Cowsill are bringing back the largely forgotten characters of the Marvel UK 90s imprint, for a multipart story played out over three months.

This all begins this coming Wednesday (8th January, 2014), with Revolutionary War: Alpha, by Lanning and Cowsill, with art by Richard Elson.

 

 

 

The solicit for the issue itself reads as follows:

 

 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR: ALPHA #1

ANDY LANNING AND ALAN COWSILL (W) • RICH ELSON (A)

Cover by MARK BROOKS
Variant Cover by BARRY KITSON
Part 1 of “Revolutionary War”
• Marvel UK’s greatest heroes come together for the first time in 20 years to face a threat that could destroy the world.
• Featuring Captain Britain, Pete Wisdom, Death’s Head II, Motormouth and Killpower, the Warheads and a host of British heroes.
32 PGS./ ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$3.99

 

 

I cannot overemphasize both how excited I am about this and just how important this issue is to all fans of Marvel UK. Marvel probably doesn't have huge expectations for this series, so please join in me in surprising them by exceeding those expectations in a definite way.

 

Ask your comic store to put a copy aside for you, do not miss this issue. That's the cover you are looking for, or this Barry Kitson variant:

 

 

 

 

 

 

And for those who are curious a 4 Page Preview is now up over at Comic Book Resources.

 

Want more? Well, now we have a much clearer picture of what is coming via Marvel's own solicitations and via Alan Cowsill himself over on the Make Mine Marvel UK Facebook page.

 

So, Revolutionary War: Alpha is effectively Chapter 1 of this story. Here is how the rest of Revolutionary War will break down.

 

 

Wednesday January 15th 2014:

 

 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR: DARK ANGEL #1

KIERON GILLEN (W) • DIETRICH SMITH (A)
Cover by MARK BROOKS
Variant Cover by SALVADOR LARROCA
Part 2 of “Revolutionary War”
• When Shevaun Haldane experiences a troubling vision in Darkmoor Castle, she realizes danger may be coming for the heroes of Marvel UK.
• With time running out, Shevaun has no choice but to suit up as Dark Angel once again.
• An adventure that will take fans through the past, present, and future of Marvel UK!
32 PGS./ ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$3.99

 

 

 

Wednesday 29th January 2014:

 



REVOLUTIONARY WAR: KNIGHTS OF PENDRAGON #1

ROB WILLIAMS (W) • SIMON COLEBY (A)

Cover by MARK BROOKS
Variant Cover by TBD
Part 3 of “Revolutionary War”
• A corporate deep-mining setup unearths an old MYS-TECH base, where magical cloning experiments have been taking place.
• What mysteries or monsters are waiting in Britain’s subterranean bones?
• Featuring fan-favorite Marvel UK characters Dai Thomas, Pete Wisdom, and Union Jack!
32 PGS./ ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$3.99

 

 

 

Wednesday 12th February 2014:

 

 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR: DEATH'S HEAD II #1

ANDY LANNING & ALAN COWSILL (W) • NICK ROCHE (A)

Cover by MARK BROOKS
Variant Cover by LIAM SHARP
Part 4 of "Revolutionary War"
• The long-awaited return of DEATH'S HEAD -- one of the biggest hits of the original Marvel UK!
• Death's Head! Death's Head II! On an adventure together for the first time EVER!
• What threat could be grave enough to bring these two heroes together from across time? How about the villainous Mys-Tech organization resurfacing with an army?!
32 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ ...$3.99

 

 

 

Wednesday 19th February 2014:

 

 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR: SUPERSOLDIERS #1

ROB WILLIAMS (W) • BRENT ANDERSON (A)
Cover by MARK BROOKS
Variant Cover by DAVE GIBBONS
Part 5 of "Revolutionary War"
• Some of the most popular heroes of Marvel UK return for SUPERSOLDIERS – and where the Supersoldiers go, trouble isn't far behind!
• It's the Supersoldiers versus Mys-Tech in all-out war!
• When a vast army of Mys-Tech Psycho Wraiths come calling on a small Scottish town, it's up to the Supersoldiers to put them down for good!
32 PGS./ ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ ...$3.99

 

 

 

Wednesday 12th March 2014:

 

 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR: MOTORMOUTH #1

GLENN DAKIN (W) • RONAN CLIQUET (A)
Cover by MARK BROOKS
Variant Cover By DECLAN SHALVEY
• When Mys-Tech returns and threatens the safety of Great Britain, MI:13 need to try to convince MOTORMOUTH to come out of retirement.
• Harley Davis’ days of being a hero are over, though.  Now, her day job is being the mother of  her two children. Until an explosive Mys-Tech attack calls her out of retirement!
• Be there as Motormouth gets her mojo back!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

 

 

Wednesday 19th March 2014:

 

 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR: WARHEADS #1

ANDY LANNING & ALAN COWSILL (W)
GARY ERSKINE (A)
Cover by MARK BROOKS
VARIANT COVER BY GARY ERSKINE
• Colonel Liger, formerly of the evil organization Mys-Tech, has started working as an agent of MI:13, Mys-Tech’s rival agency.
• Not everything is as it appears, though – because Liger has just discovered that his old team, The Warheads, are still alive – and nothing’s going to stop him from finding them.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

 

 

And finally...

 

Wednesday 26th March 2014:

 

 

REVOLUTIONARY WAR: OMEGA #1

ANDY LANNING & ALAN COWSILL (W) • RICHARD ELSON (A)
Cover by MARK BROOKS
Variant Cover by JAMIE McKELVIE
THE FINAL ISSUE IN AN 8-PART EPIC
• Marvel UK’s triumphant return reaches its epic conclusion!
• Will the agents of MI:13 be able to stop whatever Mys-Tech has been planning?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

 

And there you have it. A list of issues, dates, variant covers and creators. And with this again may I reiterate what is fast becoming somewhat of a mantra for me, right now. Make sure you Order (or Pre-order) your copy.

 

I'm sure that most of you, much like myself, are eager to read these books. They're kind of a big deal to us, we want to read more Marvel UK character stories, and we know that the only way that is going to happen is if this series succeeds. The best way to ensure that is for you to go to your local comic book store, speak to the guy who orders them in, and ask them to pre-order you a copy of each book. You have the issue names. You have the dates they come out. They can do this for you.

Why? Well, it's no secret that the characters involved here are not as high profile as, say, the Spider-man, Avengers or Wolverines of this world. Those Mark Brooks covers are gobsmacking. Really standout covers. But the Marvel UK characters have been away for a while, and some store owners out there might not even be completely aware of Revolutionary War as a series or event.

So go and spread the word to them. :)

Pre-ordering the book, asking the owner to put an issue aside, guarantees that you'll get your copy, but it also lets the owner know that people are interested in the series. So hopefully they'll order enough copies in for others too.

If championing Marvel UK appearances over recent years (Such as Captain Britain & MI13, for example) has taught me anything it's that there's nothing more frustrating than wanting to support a series only to find that you cannot get hold of a copy - either because the store owner didn't order enough copies in, or didn't order it in at all. I've received a number of emails over the years from guys telling me just that. So let's make sure this does not happen this around.

Avoid disappointment, get your Revolutionary War order in today, and pick up Revolutionary War: Alpha this Wednesday. I have a really good feeling about this.

 

Speak soon.

 

Mark (Sword)

Far more details about Revolutionary War from London Film & Comic Con

This past weekend was the London Film & Comic Con at London Olympia.

I wasn't there. Several people have now contacted me to tell me that I really should have been.

Yeah. Sorry about that.

Luckily, however, the very helpful Jon Carpenter of Starlogged was. Which was very fortunate, because while it seems to have gone largely under the radar for press so far there was a Revolutionary War panel at the event, at which Andy Lanning, Alan Cowsill and Glenn Dakin unveiled the shape of the series to come. Carpenter has covered the LOT. You should go and check it out HERE.

So as far as I can tell it sounds like the premise of Revolutionary War is that in the years since we last saw them MYS-TECH have been taken down and while a few heroes have remained active, such as Captain Britain and those who worked for MI13, S.H.I.E.L.D. have set about shutting the others down.

And naturally those heroes are probably not entirely happy about that.

Which is likely what the 'Revolution' part is all about.

We already knew that Mark Brooks would be doing some covers, but Carpenter says that they also announced a Death's Head cover by Liam Sharp and a Super Soldiers cover by Dave Gibbons.

Interesting.

So, reading between the lines of here and elsewhere... I *think* this is what we'll be getting:

Prologue (January 2013):
Revolutionary War - Alpha: Writers - Andy Lanning & Alan Cowsill Art: Richard Elson

One Shots:
Motormouth: Writer - Glenn Dakin Art: TBA
Warheads: Writers - Andy Lanning & Alan Cowsill Art: Gary Erskine
Death's Head (featuring Death's Head & Death's Head II): Writers - Andy Lanning & Alan Cowsill Art - Nick Roche
Dark Angel: Writer - Kieron Gillen Art - TBA
Knights of Pendragon: Writer - Rob Williams Art - TBA
Super Soldiers: Writer - Rob Williams Art - TBA

Conclusion:
Revolutionary War - Omega: Writers - Andy Lanning & Alan Cowsill Art: Richard Elson

And seeing those names involved I'm actually pretty happy.

Also confirmation that Captain Britain & MI13 will appear. Something I'm naturally very happy about also.

But it was this quote which made me smirk in particular, on the subject of the to joint Death's Head and Death's Head II story.

“It’s a buddy movie… It couldn’t be more Death’s Head”

Those of you who know me from my posts over at Comic Book Resources will know that I've wanted to see a Death's Head 'Buddy-movie-with-himself' series for a number of years. It's also something which I've discussed with Death's Head fanatic and Panini UK artist Simon Williams on Twitter. I'm amazed nobody has done it before, and I really look forward to it.

So that's what we know for now.

Please feel free to spread the word about Revolutionary War. This is to date a pretty low key Event from Marvel. I don't think they have any particularly high expectations for its performance, and it's unlikely that there will be a huge amount of in-house publicity for it.

This is a huge opportunity for Marvel UK properties to get some exposure. Let's make the most of it.