FAITH ORCINO
STAFF WRITER
Marvel Entertainment announced three comic events and a special crossover that will create quite a stir in the comic book universe.
The universe already completed two of its biggest comics, “Fear Itself” and “Spider-Island,” but it isn’t quite over for the characters.
February’s event is “The Circle of Four” which takes place in the on-going “Venom” series. By some strange demonic force, Eugene “Flash” Thompson a.k.a. Venom, must fight with X-23, the new female Ghost Rider, Alejandra, and the Red Hulk, Gen and “Thunderbolt” Ross, to save Las Vegas. The event starts in Venom #13, with four (#13.1-.4) point issues and then concluding in Venom #14. This unlikely team must stop evil before Sin City literally turns into Hell.
March is going to be an explosive month when the Avengers Academy gets some new transfer students. The misfit Runaways join for a special crossover spanning two issues. In addition to the cast, artist Karl Moline will be the penciler for those issues. Moline was on the creative team for the “Loners” series, which Avengers Academy team member Julia Powers a.k.a. Lightspeed was affiliated with. Marvel expects a throw down on the west coast when the two collide.
In April, two events will surely shake things up. “The Omega Effect” event creates an unlikely team. Spider- Man, Daredevil and the Punisher take on some of the top crime syndicates in order to make sure they do not get their hands on the mysterious Omega Drive. It will take place in “Avenging Spider-Man #6,” “Daredevil #11” and “The Punisher #10” with highly acclaimed writers Mark Waid and Greg Rucka working together with Marco Checchetto as the interior artist for all three issues.
New York will then become the battleground for the “Avengers vs. X-Men” event. It will take place after the conclusion of “Avengers: The Children’s Crusade” and “X-Sanction.” Most of the fighting will be in the 12-part limited series under the same name of the event while certain series will have issues crossovers with it. Questions rise concerning those who have dual membership to both parties, such as Wolverine and Beast, to see where their true alliances belong.
Many teasers are floating around comic shops and on the internet, but Marvel is keeping things in the dark. Several stores such as the famous Midtown Comic store in New York have chosen their sides. Special early re- lease parties on April 3 will be held in participating shops around the nation, a day be- fore the first issue of “Avengers vs. X-Men” is out. Ask your local vendor if they will be joining the festivities.
For more information on any of the Marvel events, visit Marvel.com. If you want to get a copy of some of the issues, check out your local comic book shop or online vendor.