Wolverine #315 Review

Wolverine is in sort of a weird transition phase right now. Jeph Loeb recently wrapped up Sabretooth Reborn, but there are still several months to fill before Frank Cho's Savage Wolverine relaunch debuts. The good news is that Cullen Bunn's brief return to the series is reading less like filler and more like a necessary coda to some still dangling threads left over from Jason Aaron's run.

I'm not crazy about the idea of Bunn reverting Wolverine to his amnesiac days, even partly, but the general conflict in this arc is interesting. The series has a slightly pulpy, almost Indiana Jones vibe as Logan and his new partner Elsa Bloodstone travel the globe. The fact that Logan is decked out in full Indy attire in the 1930's-era flashbacks doesn't hurt either. Bunn shows a similar flair for fiendishly wacky villains that Aaron did. Offsetting the rampant violence and adventurous tone is the more emotional struggle Melita Gardner is facing. Aaron seemed to all but abandon the character towards the end of his run, and it's nice to see Bunn dust her off again and explore the lingering ramifications of their romance. One complaint about Bunn's structure is that I wish he would be quicker about revealing the nature of the Dreaming Maiden and what it is the various characters are actually squabbling over.

Paul Pelletier rounds out a solid storyline with his visuals. Pelletier's work is a bit more loose and frenetic than it was on the previous arc, but that doesn't necessarily go against the grain of the story. This collaboration is proving enjoyable enough that I'm beginning to wonder why Bunn and Pelletier weren't simply given the keys to a new Wolverine ongoing for Marvel NOW!

Jesse is a writer for various IGN channels. Allow him to lend a machete to your intellectual thicket by following @jschedeen on Twitter, or Kicksplode on MyIGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

When Will Marvel's Ant-Man Shoot?

With Marvel's "Phase 2" in full force -- including a sequel run for Iron Man, Thor, Captain America and Avengers -- it's easy to forget that Edgar Wright's Ant-Man is still waiting patiently on the sidelines, just itching to get made.

However, it now sounds like Captain America may have a hitch in his giddy up. According to Chris Evans, who was making the interview rounds at the Toronto International Film Festival this weekend, production for Captain America: The Winter Soldier is now scheduled to begin in March instead of the end of this year. This leaves a gap in Marvel's shooting schedule between Thor: The Dark World and Cap 2. As a result, it's possible that Ant-Man could fill that gap.

As Screen Rant points out, director Edgar Wright recently noted that he could begin shooting the film in London directly after Thor 2 wraps production. Additionally, Marvel heads Louis D'Esposito and Kevin Feige have hinted that Ant-Man could hit theaters as soon as 2014, which means the studio could be lined up for three major releases in one year.

Should Ant-Man nab the production slot, fans can expect to see casting announcements in the very near future.

As it stands, Iron Man 3 is scheduled to hit theaters on May 3, 2013; Thor: The Dark World on November 3, 2013; Captain America: The Winter Soldier on April 14, 2014; Guardians of the Galaxy on August 1, 2014; and The Avengers 2 on May 1, 2015.

Max Nicholson is a writer for IGN, and he desperately seeks your approval. Show him some love on Twitter and IGN.

Source : ign[dot]com

Marvel Phase One Blu-ray Box Set Delayed

Fans might need to wait a little longer for the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One - Avengers Assembled Blu-ray box set to arrive. As it turns out, the nifty case that houses the 6-film, 10-disc set (and the glowing tesseract) isn't just a prop made by the studio, but is actually a copyrighted case design crafted by the German luggage company Rimowa BhmbH. According to a recently filed lawsuit, Marvel allegedly didn't get proper permission to release a replica version. Indiewire is reporting that a complaint was filed with California federal court alleging that "Marvel did not obtain any license or authorization from Rimowa to make replica copies of the case for any purpose . . . the plastic ‘replica case’ [is] a close copy of Rimowa’s Topas attaché case in every respect but quality -- from the proportions and coloring, to the style of the handle and latches, and, of course, in the use of the trademarked parallel ridges around the body of the case.”

It's unclear if a settlement or some agreement can be met before the set's original September 25, 2012 release date. Because of the allegations, retailers like Amazon have temporarily made the box set unavailable for pre-order.

[UPDATE] According to Amazon, "The Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One-Avengers Assembled Collection will not be released by Marvel as we originally expected. We know this delay is disappointing, and we're sorry for any inconvenience this causes. Marvel is planning to offer a similar collection in new packaging. The new collection will include the original titles offered with the first version of the item, and we expect it will be available in the spring of 2013. Additional information will be available on our website and via email when available."

Disney also released the following statement, "We are sorry to inform you that there will be a delay in the availability of the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One – Avengers Assembled Collection. Originally, the Collection was to be available on September 25, 2012, but unfortunately we are now unable to make that date. We are currently working with Marvel to identify the exact date when the Collection will be available, but we expect it to be during Spring, 2013.

The Collection will come in a new briefcase and include even more than the content and features that were first advertised. We know that you are disappointed in this delay, and we are working hard to get your Collection to you as soon as possible. We will have an updated announcement for you in the coming weeks which will include actual timing and final details. Once again, we apologize for the delay and hope that when you do receive the Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One – Avengers Assembled Collection, you will enjoy it as much as Marvel enjoyed creating it."

So, looks like fans will have to wait half a year until they can get their hands on this amazing set, but the trade-off is more bonus features. Perhaps a Director's Cut of The Avengers?

Still, this is a pretty colossal bummer. But fear not, you can still pre-order The Avengers on four-disc Blu-ray combo pack, two-disc Blu-ray combo pack, and DVD.

Stay tuned for more news as it develops.

"Enough! You are, all of you, beneath me! I am a god, you dull creature, and I shall not be bullied..." Become a friend of R.L. Shaffer on Twitter, Facebook or MyIGN for quotes, rants, reviews, news and more!

Source : ign[dot]com

Check Out a Deleted Scene From The Avengers

The Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase One Blu-ray box set and The Avengers Blu-ray are just over one month away. In anticipation of this massive release, Marvel/Disney have been slowly unveiling little teases to keep fans enticed, including a sneak peak at the new Marvel short, Item  47:

Today, another tease popped up on EW in the form of an extended scene. You may recall that odd exchange between Bruce Banner (Mark Ruffalo) and the security guard (played by the legendary Harry Dean Stanton) following the action set piece on the hellicarrier in which Banner "Hulked" out. It should come as no surprise that this exchange originally lasted a little longer. Take a look:

What do you think? Good call that they deleted the scene, or bad call? Sound off in the forums below.

"Enough! You are, all of you, beneath me! I am a god, you dull creature, and I shall not be bullied..." Become a friend of R.L. Shaffer on Twitter, Facebook or MyIGN for quotes, rants, reviews, news and more!

Source : ign[dot]com