Friday, May 19, 2023

Alpha Flight "Homage Variant" by Dan Jurgens

Marvel's August solicitations were revealed earlier today, including that of the first issue of the upcoming Alpha Flight mini-series. The solicitation text was included in last month's release announcing the book, but we'll throw it down here again to keep everything in one place. 

ALPHA FLIGHT #1 (OF 5)

ED BRISSON (W) • SCOTT GODLEWSKI (A) • Cover by LEONARD KIRK
HOMAGE VARIANT COVER BY DAN JURGENS
MARVEL ICON VARIANT COVER BY JAVIER GARRĂ“N
MISS MINUTES VARIANT COVER BY RON LIM • VARIANT COVER BY Arthur Adams

SAVING CANADA…FROM THE MUTANT MENACE?!

GUARDIAN, PUCK, SNOWBIRD and SHAMAN return, as a terrestrial ALPHA FLIGHT bursts onto the scene! But what schism will pit these heroes against their former teammates AURORA, NORTHSTAR and NEMESIS, as well as Aurora’s beau, FANG? The FALL OF X has changed the game, and will Alpha Flight soar to new heights…or be crushed under the weight of an impossible mission?

Among the covers listed above, only the Homage variant includes Guardian. The Icon one features Fang and the Miss Minutes one by Ron Lim displays Snowbird.



I can't seem to track down the Arthur Adams variant but if I do and it includes Guardian, I'll be sure to add it to this post!

Friday, April 14, 2023

"IN THE WAKE OF FALL OF X, CANADA’S PREMIER SUPER TEAM UNDERTAKES A NEW MUTANT MISSION IN ALPHA FLIGHT!"

Credit where it's due, while I believe this was a press release, I first spotted it on First Comics News,  a site of which I'm a big fan.

Since 2019’s revolutionary HOUSE OF X and POWERS OF X series, mutantkind has experienced unparalleled growth and prosperity on the island nation Krakoa – but can it really last forever?

Following July’s X-MEN: HELLFIRE GALA #1, mutantkind will enter a thrilling new era of uncertainty, danger, and mystery known as FALL OF X! In the ensuing chaos, a beloved Marvel Super Hero team rises once more! ALPHA FLIGHT will reassemble to navigate the dark times that have befallen mutantkind.

Alpha Flight’s new chapter will be written by Ed Brisson, known for his current work on PREDATOR and as one of the creators who helped launch the Krakoan era to incredible success with NEW MUTANTS. Brisson returns to the world of mutantkind alongside Marvel Comics newcomer, artist Scott Godlewski. Together, they’ll introduce two conflicting Alpha Flight squads that are formed in response to the shocking events of this year’s Hellfire Gala.

Mutantkind’s actions have put Canada on the offense and in addition to crafting a new line of sentinels, they’ll assign a government-sponsored team with de-escalating the mutant conflict by any means necessary! But a second Alpha Flight team joins the fight, striking from the shadow. More secrets and conspiracies are revealed as classic Alpha Flight members and new faces alike become major players on both sides of the war that will define mutantkind!

SAVING CANADA…FROM THE MUTANT MENACE?! Guardian, Puck, Snowbird, and Shaman return, as a terrestrial ALPHA FLIGHT bursts onto the scene! But what schism will pit these heroes against their former teammates Aurora, Northstar, and Nemesis, as well as Aurora’s beau, Fang? The FALL OF X has changed the game. Will Alpha Flight soar to new heights…or be crushed under the weight of an impossible mission?

"Like every Canadian kid who grew up reading comics, one of my biggest dreams was to write for Alpha Flight,” Brisson said. “Growing up, I was a huge fan of the original Byrne run and have followed the team over the years and through every series. The original team of Guardian, Puck, Northstar, Aurora, Shaman, Snowbird, and Sasquatch holds a special place in my heart.

"Unfortunately, Sasquatch is currently indisposed, but the opportunity to bring the rest of the team together, even if they're split and fighting against one another, is an absolute dream come true. And for those of you wondering if I've forgotten anyone, rest assured, I haven't. There are a few surprises for Alpha Flight fans in the mix, but I won't spoil anything just yet.”

“As for returning for the Fall of X era, it feels like a perfect bookend for my work on X-Men,” Brisson continued. “Having been there for the launch of the new era, it's an honor to come back and help close out this chapter of X-Men history."

The above doesn't make it immediately clear, but this is a five-issue mini series. The first issue is scheduled for August 16th.

I have no idea why Sasquatch is indisposed, or whether Aurora being in a relationship with Fang is something I missed or a new aspect in this book. I look forward to being brought up to date, and while I found it a little uncharacteristic for Mac, hopefully Mr. Brisson revisits the "project" involving Heather from the story in True North. Either way, regular Flight content for the back half of the year is welcomed.