Free Comic Book Day 2018 is your perfect chance to dive into the Marvel Universe! With a story from Jason Aaron and art by Sara Pichelli, Marvel's FCBD title debuting this May features stories that set the stage for an epic new direction for the Avengers in the Marvel Universe. Plus, a Captain America story from Ta-Nehisi Coates and Leinil Francis Yu leading into their upcoming Captain America series!
Jason Aaron grew up in a small town in Alabama. His cousin, Gustav Hasford, who wrote the semi-autobiographical novel The Short-Timers, on which the feature film Full Metal Jacket was based, was a large influence on Aaron. Aaron decided he wanted to write comics as a child, and though his father was skeptical when Aaron informed him of this aspiration, his mother took Aaron to drug stores, where he would purchase books from spinner racks, some of which he still owns today.
Aaron's career in comics began in 2001 when he won a Marvel Comics talent search contest with an eight-page Wolverine back-up story script. The story, which was published in Wolverine #175 (June 2002), gave him the opportunity to pitch subsequent ideas to editors.
In 2006, Aaron made a blind submission to DC/Vertigo, who published his first major work, the Vietnam War story The Other Side which was nominated for an Eisner Award for Best Miniseries, and which Aaron regards as the "second time" he broke into the industry.
Following this, Vertigo asked him to pitch other ideas, which led to the series Scalped, a creator-owned series set on the fictional Prairie Rose Indian Reservation and published by DC/Vertigo.
In 2007, Aaron wrote Ripclaw: Pilot Season for Top Cow Productions. Later that year, Marvel editor Axel Alonso, who was impressed by The Other Side and Scalped, hired Aaron to write issues of Wolverine, Black Panther and eventually, an extended run on Ghost Rider that began in April 2008. His continued work on Black Panther also included a tie-in to the company-wide crossover storyline along with a "Secret Invasion" with David Lapham in 2009.
In January 2008, he signed an exclusive contract with Marvel, though it would not affect his work on Scalped. Later that July, he wrote the Penguin issue of The Joker's Asylum.
After a 4-issue stint on Wolverine in 2007, Aaron returned to the character with the ongoing series Wolverine: Weapon X, launched to coincide with the feature film X-Men Origins: Wolverine. Aaron commented, "With Wolverine: Weapon X we'll be trying to mix things up like that from arc to arc, so the first arc is a typical sort of black ops story but the second arc will jump right into the middle of a completely different genre," In 2010, the series was relaunched once again as simply Wolverine. He followed this with his current run on Thor: God of Thunder.
This is a single comic book issue given in the Free Comic Book Day event of 2018, featuring 2 different stories, one of “Avengers” focused in Black Panther; and another with Captain America.
The overall rating is an average sum based on the individual ratings given to each story included in the comic book.
A MILLION YEARS IN THE MAKING
Rating: ***** ( 5 stars )
Writer: Jason Aaron
Illustrator: Sara Pichelli
With the upcoming reboot of Marvel Comics, obviously comes a new roster for the Earth’s Mightiest Heroes, to face a threat which has a million years in the making!
But before that, Black Panther travels to Asgard in ruins, and talks with Odin, about an ancient team of champions who battle for Earth, killing nothing less than a Celestial…
…but after an intervention of Loki, it seems that the Celestial wasn’t as dead as Odin thought so, and since it was buried in the soil of what is Africa now, obviously it’s an immediate menace for Wakanda, but Black Panther is no fool…
…and he’ll assemble a new Avengers team!
WE WHO LOVE AMERICA: A PROLOGUE
Rating: **** ( 4 stars )
Writer: Ta-Nehisi Coates
Illustrator: Leinil Francis Yu
Back in WWII, it was easy to think what Captain America stands for…
…but what happens nowadays?
Even worse when Captain America is still suffering for the aftermath of being seen as a double-agent for HYDRA…
…a country divided between those still loyal to the ideals of HYDRA and those who want to have a real America fair with everybody.
And in the middle of all that socio-political mayhem…
…a new secret faction, the Power Elite, is rising!
The original Super-Soldier will play a role in all this…
I've always had a soft spot for the Avengers, so when I saw this, admittedly small, comic for free, it was a bit of a no brainer. The drawing is excellent and an interesting storyline, so much so that I have already started investigating the stories that surround it. An enjoyable break from detectives and thrillers.
This is why I HATE (Marvel's) Odin, and LOVE Black Panther. Odin, ever the defeatist, never has to deal with any of his own messes and only passes them onto others… Prime example here. He's a terrible father AND a terrible husband, who constantly estranges every close relationship he has and burns every bridge he's managed to make. Yet he always finds a way to justify it. When Frigga had enough of his deceit and lies and left to find a new identity for herself, instead of looking inward and reflecting on his choices and her terrible treatment, he does the thing that every a**hole guy who gets dumped does— and pouts, and b*tches, and moans in what essentially comes down to: “These hoes ain't loyal.”
When his son goes straight up evil— surely it must be all Loki’s fault he's so f*cked up, right? Even though a lot of this ire is solely directed towards…Odin!?
But guys! Don't get the wrong idea, okay?
Odin is far too weak… far too tender-hearted to kill his own son…(that's basically a direct quote) and isn't he such a kind, and benevolent King?
Truly the sweetest most sensitive guy ever?
Anywho, I hate Odin and I just wanted to rant about him for a moment… Oh, you thought this was going to be a review? The hate I have for Odin, overtook me it seems… Hm.
Free comic, so I gave the Avengers another try. Apparently this contained two stories, but it could have been one, it was allover the place. Black Panther has a chat with Odin, Loki makes an appearance—with black nail polish and sadly not looking like Tom Hiddleston. Then there is a slightly confusing Captain America story.
It‘s all a bit short to be truly engaging, but the artwork is not bad and the first story was interesting enough to maybe continue in the universe. If I could figure out what to pick up next...
The Avenger one-shot shows Odin recruiting Black Panther to kill Loki and stop a fallen Celestial that Loki resurrected. Black Panther talks to Steve, Tony, and Thor who meet up with other Avengers.
The Captain America one-shot Steve having to stop fellow soldiers who take orders from a woman.
I thought these one shots for free comic book day were good. Nice to see the Big Three together. Also nice to see Captain America fighting. Hope they are able to stop the Final Host.
1) Earth's Mightiest Heroes: Avengers "A Million Years in the Making" This story finds Black Panther summoned by the All Father Odin on a matter of great importance. The color in this story is marvelous as is the art work. The story builds nicely and gives us a bit of an origin story.
2) Captain America: We Who Love America - A Prologue This "Prologue" is very short, but it immediately sets up the story for the next issue as Captain America faces a horde (not really) of fanatical super soldiers.
Reading this felt like I was reading a Marvel comic with fresh ones. Wow this has me pumped for what is to come with the Marvel reset. Yeah, I'm still slightly hesitant - but I'm also very excited, and this was the taster to hype me up.
This is what happens when one goes for freebies. The book, or whatever they call it, has two stories(?). The first one is incomplete. Second one is rubbish. These kind of books (?) prove why one should stick to DC when one comes to comics, irrespective of being an ardent admirer of MCU. The second star is only for the quality of art. Otherwise this deserves just one, or none.
At first, after reading I thought that it wasn't Avengers as much as only Black Panther but he was talking to Odin so Thor's part, and then the story shifts to Captain America and other Avengers it was another nice set of stories and everything is welcome when it comes free :D.
I have always loved comics, and I hope always to love them. Even though I grew up reading local Indian comics like Raj Comics, Diamond Comics, or even Manoj Comics, now's the time to catch up on international and classic comics and Graphic novels. I am on my quest to read as many comics as I can. I love comics to bits, may the comics never leave my side. I loved reading this and love reading more, you should also read what you love and then just Keep on Reading.
A friendly advice. Prefer not to read the "free comic book day" edition. It was more like an interlude with 2 stories (black panther and captain america). Feels little incomplete.
Enfolded in a conversation between Black Panther and Odin, the story set-up in this Avengers tale grabbed me almost immediately. There is enough detail to intrigue the reader and stir up an interest in the Avengers arc that follows. It's impossible not to see where the stories and characters have been influenced by the cinematic universe over the last few years, which gives a sense of familiarity to some characters while giving a bit of a jolt to readers well-versed in the canon that existed prior to the films. Perhaps that is just in this issue, intended, as it seems, to be an introduction to the comic books through the beginning of this story arc.
Having already read the six issues of Captain America's current title that have published at the time of this writing, the second story, setting up that story arc, was a bit anti-climactic for me. But, for readers who have not yet delved into that title, it should serve as a mysterious tease of the story. There is less of the connection to the cinematic universe in this tale, coming as it does on the heels of the Secret Empire arc and Steve's attempts to deal with his personal issues after that crossover.
After reading Avengers #1, this kind of felt unnecessary as Aaron was careful here not to reveal too much considering issues 1 and 2 are both out this month. The Cap preview however, sets the stage for a post Secret Empire story which Marvel has disappointingly tried to ignore, or maybe they were waiting for the right writer to pick up where Nick Spencer left off. And here he is.
I really like this book but there are two story one about black panther and Odin and Loki and the other story about this and captain America so I feel like it should have been one story but in all I loved the book I really recommend it for 10 and up ages because there is a bit bigger words and violence but I love it is amazing please download😁😋👑
So far, I’m interested in the story and what will happen in the later issues. I liked the artwork (though it does look a little rough), the dialogue was engaging. The weight carried by their words kept me interested. If you like the Avengers and Captain America, then this’s for you.
An intriguing teaser. I’m not a dedicated comic reader, but the discussion between Odin and Black Panther peaked my interest. The second story, featuring Captain America was a bit confusing, but I’ll attribute that to my lack of knowledge of the franchise. Overall, I enjoyed this peek into the history of the Avengers.
The Panther/Odin story was interesting but the Captain America portion was not great. Marvel is once again trying to revamp a character when they should leave well enough alone. Captain America needs to be Captain America.
I can certainly say this intrigued me enough to want to read more about the intergalactic empire of Wakanda. The scenes between the Black Panther and Odin were quite interesting.
The second preview was a Captain America and it just didn't do it for me.
I enjoyed being able to read this on my kindle, as I missed our local free comic day where I live. Good, intriguing story. Easy to follow. Anxious to read the rest. Thanks so much. Peg
however, I do recommend it for ages 12 and up, because of the "gangs", if you will, and graphic violence in this comic book. Otherwise, another breathtaking Marvel Comic book!
The Lord of Wakanda is summoned to Old Asgard to meet with Odin.
Odin has failed to protect his kingdom from the Mangog, and he tells the Black Panther a story—how he and his old crew slew a Celestial…one million years ago.
Loki resurrects the Celestial and has harnessed some powers.
Free comic book. Never as amazing as i think they'll be. Oh well. Comic book it is! I like that kindle app lets you see the page and then each little section on thw app so you can see it, and sometimes sew it better than in a hard copy of the comic book.