Cuppacafe

OK kids, here are my two latest published works, issues # 2 & 3 of The Official Index to the Marvel Universe (V2) Avengers, Thor, & Captain America.

#2 has been out for a bit, but # 3 just came out this past week I believe. I am contributing to the indexing of both the modern (Post WWII) Captain America comics and Thor. Needless to say this is a tad more difficult for me, as I don't really have any where nearly complete runs on either of these titles. Still, we are currently in sections of both runs where I do have quite a number of issues (Although I did have to borrow some early Thor issues from my good buddy, Mark (Thanks pal!).

I know that I contributed to a number of dust jack covers for Marvel hard-bound collections, but I haven't seen the covers yet, so I'm not sure if they have come out as of yet. I'll have to check in on that next week.

OK, now back to whatever was distracting me prior to this post.

The Perfessor

OK, it really isn't the phone book, but well, as it turns out, Marvel Comics collected all of the Spidey entries from the first volume of The Official Index to the Marvel Universe into a bound volume and issued them as a softcover edition. (To be sure, they also collected Iron Man & the X-Men, but I didn’t contribute to those entries, so I care less about them, as you could guess.)

I'm mentioning it now because, well, I just got my (comp) copies (two of ‘em!) today, so I’m pretty pumped. Further, if I had realized that Marvel was going to issued them as a book, I probably would have contributed entries to the other series as well (Iron Man & X-Men), that way I would have gotten my name in the other volumes as well. Needless to say, for the second series (out now) I’m contributing to not on the Captain America entries, but to the Thor entries as well (Maybe I should do a couple of Avenger entries just so I can get that book when it comes out as well, eh?)

OK, enough fooling around, back to writing my Thor entries for Volume #2.

If you wanted a copy of your own, you can always score one from Amazon.

The Perfessor

So The Official Index to the Marvel Universe has now moved into volume #2. (Technically, it's official title is Avengers, Thor & Captain America: Official Index To The Marvel Universe, because this time we are indexing Captain America, Avengers & Thor.

For this volume I am working on both Captain America and Thor entries.

How cool is that?

The Perfessor

You heard it, and no, no one was surprised, but Captain America is Back! (or you know, soon will be).

You heard it right, just in time for the 4th of July, Marvel Comics has announced that it is issuing a limited series comic that will herald the return of Steve Rogers to his rightful place as the one and only Captain America.

Well, that’s about it for me right now. Everyone enjoy the holiday!

The Perfessor

Anyone remember that classic line from Monyt Python and the Holy Graiol? If not, go back and watch this wet-your-pants-funny film. Anyway, that’s not what we’re talking about today. We’re talking about Captain America.

Everybody out there who thought that Steve Rogers (who was “killed” in Captain America #25 in March of 2007) raise your hand. Then march yourselves over to the corner and put on the Dunce cap.

You see, you folks just don’t understand marketing (don’t feel bad, I know quite a few folks who also don’t, but well, that’s another story altogether) Anyways, apparently the good Captain, and sentinel of Liberty isn’t quite dead yet. Or to be more specific, “He’s gotten better.” So says Sr. Marvel editor Tom Brevoort.

As reported earlier this morning, the July-debuting five issue miniseries Captain America: Reborn will be just that – Steve Rogers returning to the land of the living. The seeds of that return are planted in Captain America #600, on sale today in comic shops. Safe to say, what Sharon Carter (who fatally shot Cap back in Captain America #25) originally remembered happening on those courthouse steps may not actually be what happened. And that gun? Maybe it wasn't what she thought it was. In Reborn, Cap writer Ed Brubaker and artist Bryan Hitch – along with Butch Guice – will bring the original star-spangled hero back.

For the rest of that story check out Newsarama.

Well, I’m going out to check my local shop, and I’ll get back to you more of this “surprising” story.

The (Star-Spangled) Perfessor

According to a recent posting on Steve Epting’s site, (Steve is the artist currently drawing the very compelling Captain America comic published by Marvel Comics) After Captain America #50 hits the stores this May, the book will return to it’s original numbering, which makes the June issue #600. Here's how that issue is described in Marvel’s June 2009 Solicitations:

CAPTAIN AMERICA #600
Written by ED BRUBAKER with MARK WAID, ROGER STERN & OTHERS
Pencils by BUTCH GUICE, LUKE ROSS, DALE EAGLESHAM & OTHERS
Cover by STEVE EPTING
50/50 Cover by ALEX ROSS
Where were you when Captain America died? It's the anniversary of the day Steve Rogers was killed, a day of reflection and mourning in the Marvel U...a time to look back on the things Steve did and what he stood for... or is this issue actually the beginning of the most wicked plot twist since issue 25? Yeah, actually it's both. Plus, contributions from Cap creators past and present, including a very special essay by Joe Simon, a classic story from Cap’s Golden Age, a full gallery of 600 Cap covers, and more anniversary shenanigans than you can shake a shield at!
104 PGS./New and Reprints/Rated T+ ...$4.99

The cover is a deception James Buchanan “Bucky” Barnes in his three identities (Bucky, Winter Soldier, Captain America) all under the watchful eye of Steve Rogers (the original Captain America). I’m thinking that this should be a great issue, personally, I'm looking forward to reading it.

The Perfessor