Marvel MMO Character Update: Some Assembly Required

Marvel has rolled out some new images of the character designs for the upcoming Marvel Universe Online MMO. I've already featured the designs for Wolverine, and below we have Captain America, Thor, The Thing and Iron Man. Check 'em out, and let me know what you think!

Iron Man Anime Episode 10 Preview

Check out this preview for the Iron Man anime, airing Friday night at 11:00 pm ET on G4.

Yinsen and the Zodiac have their sights set on Iron Man, and Tony Stark will have to use all his technology and smarts to win this battle.

New 'Avengers' Promo Art (Now With More Hulk!)

This promo art that Marvel is showing book retailers for their upcoming Avengers tie-in, a trade collection titled Road to the Avengers, gives us a good look at what sort of Hulk we'll be seeing. The Hulk is the biggest wild card of the film, as both of the movies starring the jade giant this past decade were notable box office and critical failures, and have been somewhat disowned by Marvel in that they're certainly not seen as runners-up to The Avengers in the way that Thor, Iron Man, and Captain America are - despite a Cap-related easter egg on the DVD for The Incredible Hulk.

So unlike the other Marvel heroes, who will be building on continuity from their hit films, the new Hulk, played by Mark Ruffalo, is, for all practical purposes, being rebooted  for what is likely to be Marvel's definitive franchise for the years to come.

I think he looks pretty badass - less like the "Hulk just want to be left alone" brooder, and more of a scrapper with the strength and confidence to pick a fistfight with Zeus. That one didn't end will, but still. You've gotta be hardcore to even to step into that ring.

Here's Marvel's official synopsis for Road to the Avengers:

Gear up for the upcoming Avengers movie with these official in-movie continuity stories starring Avengers mainstays Iron Man, Captain America and the Agents S.H.I.E.L.D.! First, it's an expanded re-imagining of the original Iron Man, featuring bonus scenes not in the movie! Then, it's an all-new Iron Man adventure! What happened between the events of Iron Man and Iron Man 2? How did Tony Stark put a new chapter in the history books? And how did Iron Man break and rewrite all the rules? Then, it's Black Widow, Nick Fury and Agent Coulson in espionage action! Think you know S.H.I.E.L.D.? Check out what you DIDN'T see in the movies! And finally, it's the official comics prequel to the blockbuster Captain America! Steve Rogers is the inspiration for millions during the dark days of World War Two -- but where did he get his inspiration from? How did he meet his best friend, "Bucky" Barnes? And what set him on the path to becoming the First Avenger? Experience an all-new Cap adventure on the European battlefields.

'Avengers': Downey and Hemsworth On Who Would Win If Iron Man and Thor Fought

The Avengers are out in force this weekend at Disney's D23 Expo - movie footage is being screened to wide acclaim, and the stars are doing the publicity thing, charming the press.

In this clip, Robert Downey Jr. and Chris Hemsworth are interviewed by The Hollywood Reporter and asked who would win if Iron Man and Thor fought one another. Downey pretty much nails it.

Watch Todd Nauck Draw Dazzler

Comics great Todd Nauck paired with the wonderful Louise Simonson on last week's Iron Age #3, for a story featuring Dazzler.

In this video, we get to watch him bring Daz to life as he discusses his love of '80s comics, his admiration of Weezy and Walt Simonson, the concept behind Iron Age, and just generally talks about his love for the medium. Having just revisited the Dazzler of the '80s, and the work of the Simonson team, in the recently released Fall of the Mutants Omnibus, I got a great kick out of hearing that Nauck and I are fans of the same books and creators. He's just like me, only you know - really, really talented. Watch the master at work, and check out Iron Age, it's a very fun read.

Awesome Art: 'The Avengers' by Matt Norton

(Click here or on the image to view full-size)

A decidedly different take on The Avengers than the concept art released over the weekend at Comic-Con. Sadly less complete, lacking both Black Widow and Nick Fury, but very cool and iconic nonetheless.

'Avengers' Character Posters - Some Assembly Still Required

(click here or on the image to view full-size)

All six Avengers promotional posters released over the weekend at Comic-Con, combining to form an almost complete mega-poster. From left to right, that's the Black Widow, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Hawkeye, and Nick Fury. The gap between is reserved for The Hulk, one of whose hands appears to be visible in the background of the Captain America poster - I wonder if Marvel might release one more poster before the Con is through to complete this image?

Avengers Promo Posters - Captain America and Iron Man

Just because Marvel Studios is rumored to be giving Comic-Con a pass in favor of Disney's D23, you didn't think they weren't gonna be promoting The Avengers, did you? Come on, it's Comic-Con! Check out this sweet concept art for Captain America and Iron Man, and begin counting down to next summer!

Bob Layton Revisits Classic Avengers

(Click here or on the image to view full-size)

Iron Man master and all-around super-artist Bob Layton drew this portrayal of the classic Avengers in their finest hour, and damned if it doesn't transport the viewer right back to that glorious moment between the Silver Age and the Bronze Age. And what prompted this piece?

This is a piece I recently did...just for fun. One of the highlights of my second run on Iron Man was having Barry Windsor-Smith ink my pencils on issue #243. Barry taught me how to ink in his organic style during our collaborations at Valiant. Every so often, I do something to keep my hand trained to work in that particular inking style.

"Just for fun." It drives me nuts when people are so talented that they make this stuff look easy! And despite my admiration for the excellent Salvador Larocca, I'm amazed that Marvel isn't begging Layton to return to Iron Man..