OK, I know it's late

[Mokole]

Originally Posted by Scratchy, at comix-fan


If you have any idea, sir, what books could Alpha Flight show up in, besides the Civil War miniseries, of course, and the Northstar cameo in X-Men?

I have a very good idea--but it's not something we're ready to talk about just yet, sorry.

Tom B

At least that gives Scratchy and varo and the other posters over there something positive :o

[varo]

bah.


i want a series 4.

[Mokole]

Oh, I know we all do. I bet Scratchy and all the other posters at comix-fan are pummeling Joe Q. with "when is series four coming out", I know I am.

[DelBubs]

In short, to get right to the point, no beating about the bush, no dancing around the issues here. Any chance of a link? ;-)

[varo]

http://www.x-mencomics.com/xfan/


forums, creators, tom b, general questions, start at the last page and make your way back.

[JohnnyCanuck]

I think it's probably better at this point for Marvel to expose the characters more and try and preach to the unconverted for a little bit before pumping out a new series.
With the image blow that the last series gave AF to the general public it may be a tad harder to go shopping a series out yet.

JC

[Transmetropolitan]

Well, if they WERE to relaunch the Flight...

They'd do well to mix any bright new ideas they have with some hombres and chicas who actually have a fanbase...

Not to preach DC's doctrine over here, but the JSA relaunch did well because they had a good mix of established (in some cases, Golden-Age) and new characters.

[Snowsquatch]

If AF were to be re-launched, I think new characters would be a bad idea.

There are enough great characters in AF that new ones make little sense. In fact, I think the only non-Byrne character I liked was Box III, even though Jeffries was a Byrne character.

I also think "team costumes" would be a really bad idea.

I think either Mac needs to go back to the grave, or Heather needs to retire. AF doesn't need both.

Or, have them both retire, and put someone else in the flag suit? Madison Jeffries maybe? Could a Box/Guardian cross work?

[DelBubs]

Scratchy got another one in tonight at Joe Fridays (http://www.newsarama.com/JoeFridays/JoeFridays42.html)

Scratchy - So with 3 titles involving known characters/teams being launched during Civil War, and at least two more titles involving known characters/teams being launched after Civil War, maybe in early 2007, what are the chances that one will be Alpha Flight, or centered on/near Alpha Flight??

100%? 50-50? 70-30? 20-80? 0%?
JQ: Well, there’s definitely a 100% chance that it will or it won’t happen. You’re a sneaky guy, Scratchy, you almost got that info out of me. Some good stuff is planned during and after Civil War, many old faves and even some new stuff, but you’re going to have to watch it unfold little by little and it’s way too soon, even for Joe Fridays to discuss the end of 2006 and the beginning of 2007.

[Mokole]

Hmmm, So Joe is maybe implying an all or nothing discussion for Alpha Flight. But the fact that he even deigns to answer what Scratchy asked is something, it does mean Alpha Flight is on the minds of the EiC. For what end purpose is unknown. But I'll take the positive outlook that if they're talking about Alpha Flight, that can only mean good.

[kozzi24]

there was also this:

Speaking about a possible Alpha Flight series, and if Mark Millar would be writing it, Quesada said that if there would be a new series, Millar would probably be involved.
at
http://www.newsarama.com/WWLA06/Marvel/MondoMvl.htm

ironic considering the source of that rumor, no?

[Mokole]

Curioser and curioser. It seems that maybe, Alpha Flight will come out after Civil War, in 2007. Or not. Still rumours, but that's better than "no" this and "no" that.

I'm still thinking this all means AF in 2007. :D

[Legerd]

ARGH! I'm tired of all his evasions! I don't want to waste my money on another series (ala Earth X & Paradise X) where AF is given a small (yet useless) role in it, get nearly wiped out and are never heard from again. If the team plays a large role with some relevence in Civil War I'll buy it, but I don't want all this hope-building on JQ's part to be nothing more than a scam to get us to pick up the title. Never has AF played a major role in any crossover and since they don't have a book of their own I don't see it happening this time around either. If Marvel really does have plans for our guys then I wish they would give us some concrete statements and none of this wait and see.

[suzene]

Quesada is a professional hype man. It's his job to get the fans whipped into a frenzy over speculation. I personally find it annoying as hell and pretty much assume that anything that comes out of the man's mouth is snake oil. Much easier that way.

Suzene

[varo]

gotta give him credit, he keeps on answering the questions:



tom thanks for being so gracious and answering all the questions, no matter how repetitive, and down right annoying they may be.
but just so i can clear this up.....as a long time alpha flight fan (series 1, issue 1). if the news that "alpha flight fans will be thrilled" "what if avengers 16 sets up a new series with a-list creative team" and "i am writing alpha flight to restore their former glory for a possible new series"
the only thing alpha flight fans can be "thrilled" about is either between a new series, which you have mentioned on multiple occasions is not in the works, or glorified guest cameos. unless some of the main characters will be used in a prominent ongoing.

i am just confused by all of the different stories i am hearing.






That's because you want the answer to all your questions now, and we're not prepared to give it to you now. Have patience.

Tom B

[Legerd]

Thanks for that post varo, at least someone is willing to say something straight instead of trying to string us along. Not that it was the answer I was hoping for, but at least it wasn't hyped up BS. IMO it seems they don't have any idea yet what to do with the team, but know they have to do something fairly soon to keep the rabid fans off their backs.

[varo]

i'd hate to sound optimist here but every reply has been ended with a "yet"
or "at this time"


We have no plans for an ALPHA FLIGHT series at the moment.



neither ALPHA FLIGHT nor any derivation of ALPHA FLIGHT is presently one of them.


Read my lips: no new ALPHA FLIGHT book planned at this time



then getting upset when I tell you that there is no ALPHA FLIGHT book being planned at this moment.

at this moment, at this time, currently.


hate to be a eternal optimist here, but it sounds like there may be something going on at the marvel offices. like talking mr. millar into writing the new series or sifting through the various proposals.

[Legerd]

There's absolutely nothing wrong with being an optimist varo, I'm betting there will be a new AF series too. I'm just tired of being strung along by TPTB at Marvel.

[shaman]

I'm just tired of being strung along by TPTB at Marvel.

what does TPTB stand for, I may have heard it in it's entirety but I don't think I've seen the abbreviation before

[Ben]

TPTB = The Poweres That Be

[shaman]

thanks, that one was was bugging me when I read it.

[Le Messor]

i'd hate to sound optimist here but every reply has been ended with a "yet" or "at this time"

We have no plans for an ALPHA FLIGHT series at the moment.
hate to be a eternal optimist here, but it sounds like there may be something going on at the marvel offices.

All that stuff sounds to me more like 'We have no plans for an Alpha Flight series at all. But that doesn't mean we never, ever will'.

I don't think Marvel will do an Alpha Flight series, (even if they do an Alpha Flight title :evil: ) at any point soon. Please to remember, they tend to think that because v2 and v3 didn't sell, there's no room for Alpha Flight. The idea that neither book actually had AF, and therefore both were skewed, doesn't mean much to them.

You can't vote with your wallet. They get the wrong idea.

- Le Messor
"Even a hawk is an eagle among crows."

[Mokole]

Well, Tom Brevoort (http://www.comixfan.com/xfan/forums/showthread.php?p=1197418#post1197418) vaguely says this, which may have no bearing on Alpha Flight:


Originally Posted by Scratchy
how many team books are supposed to spin 'directly' out of Civil War, at the moment?

I wouldn't specify team book or other, but right now we're talking about two or three new books during CIVIL WAR (some of which you've already heard about), and then probably something like four new books out of the aftermath.

Tom B

[Shaman Of The Whills]

By these 'new books' during Civil War, is he referring to actual newly introducted books, or is he talking about short miniseries to be exclusively for the purpose of Civil War? Because if it is wholly new series...es.. (is there such thing as a plural of series?), I'm very upset... I'll already be pressed with trying to manage the actual Civil War titles, and adding even more new titles will really stretch readers thin... Joe Q keeps trying to push titles like Runaways, and there is a movement to support quality good titles that aren't selling too well, like Thing, She-Hulk and the Young Avengers... tossing in new titles will essential demolish (yes, I was tempted to say Decimate, but then I'd be a tool, wouldn't I?) these smaller titles. Additionally, I think we should all be hoping for as few new titles as possible, so that when Alpha Flight eventually does come back (of course, this supposes that it will come back), that new readers will have enough spare comic money to try it out... as it is... *sigh* Luckily alot of the bigger titles are starting to suck, so I'm going to get to drop those. (*cough* New Avengers *cough*) And with regards to these new books... if they're not teams, or at least individuals... my worry is that they'll just be making more of the same, AKA yet another Wolvie title, or even worse yet another Spidey title... and that will lessen the quality of that franchise even further, while at the same time stretching fans over several titles just so that they have to work to find those that will eventually be lasting, or worse simply have a lasting influence over that character and Marvel history, while actual good, fun, entertaining stories will be lost...

[Mokole]

From what I've read, all are supposed to be new series, not miniseries, and most are supposed to be based on established characters/teams.

I wonder if Joe Q. constantly saying "If there's an Alpha Flight series, Mark Millar would have to be involved" is somehow a shot at Millar/Bendis for hyping Alpha Flight in print, like here. Probably not.

[Phil]

I presumed the 3 during civil war were Frontline, Runaways/Young Avengers and X-Men:Civil War.

Presumption is a mother' though...

[Shaman Of The Whills]

I presumed the 3 during civil war were Frontline, Runaways/Young Avengers and X-Men:Civil War.
The only reason that I read that element slightly different is that these aren't new books exactly, but rather miniseries... but come to think of it, I can't remember many times when they've been labeled as the latter over the former... so I guess that may have been a misinterpretation on my part... while I'm still not sure if that is right or not, I'm pressing my hands together with hope that these '3 new books' are indeed those you mentioned... I'm also curious as to why Joe Q is so determined to make sure that Young Avengers doesn't go down in flames... although somewhat unrelated to the topic at hand, has anyone read the Young Avengers books (consistently) and if so, are they indeed so good? I only picked up and off-hand issue or two... Runaways I pick up regularly, but I even missed the introduction of the Young Avengers entirely...

[Phil]

Guess it was just hype and wishful thinking;

http://www.newsarama.com/forums/showthread.php?s=56e1b120e54ab4cb29773cfead1d671f&threadid=65068

[Transmetropolitan]

Heroes for Hire?!

Hoo boy...

Didn't the title sorta tank the last time they ran it?

Oh well.

Guess I'll resume gnashing my teeth in futile rage.

[Legerd]

Heroes for Hire?!

Hoo boy...

Didn't the title sorta tank the last time they ran it?


You mean like She-hulk?

[Shaman Of The Whills]

Well, there are a few key differences with She-Hulk vs. Heroes For Hire... Heroes' last run was back in 97, a little bit of a while back... She-Hulk was just a 'season' renewal, as was the case with Runaways with others... different perspective... She-Hulk, both volumes, have actually sold out at my comic shop... and despite the somehow poor general sales, She-Hulk has gained alot of fans. Heroes for Hire... that was a different kind of tank from what I understand (course my understanding is amateurish, so I can't call any of my words truth... also, they majorly altered the foundation of Heroes, with the cast of it and all, whereas She-Hulk is still at least She-Hulk... and while we're at it, if titles like She-Hulk and Heroes for Hire have no chance for a comeback after a tank... who else does that mean has absolutely no hope for a new volume? I think that Joe Q and company believe that as a result of New Avengers, the appeal might be a little bit higher, a better market for those characters than 97. And with the way certain characters have been building in importance, it was almost inevitable. Like I said elsewhere, I'll buy the first few issues, but that is it.

[Le Messor]

has anyone read the Young Avengers books (consistently) and if so, are they indeed so good? I only picked up and off-hand issue or two... Runaways I pick up regularly, but I even missed the introduction of the Young Avengers entirely...

Yes, and yes. Especially if you like Runaways.
I never had interest in YA, and never ordered it, but the considerate people where I buy NA just put it in my order. I thought, okay, I'll bite, just this once. I never took it off. It really is good. Well-written, well-drawn (imho, of course), if you like that sort of thing.
(I like the artwork better than Runaways, but like the Runaways writing better.)

It's also got an openly gay couple in it, which I think will be a draw card to a lot of people here. And, unlike other titles, the gay people didn't shoot off to space / fairy land as soon as they came out.


Heroes for Hire?! Didn't the title sorta tank the last time they ran it?

Meanwhile, on the Heroes for Hire board:
'Alpha Flight?! Didn't the title sorta tank the last time they ran it?'

- Le Messor
"It's so sad. Her mom and dad found her hanging from a tree limb, her insides on the outside."
- Tatum

[syvalois]

Heroes for Hire?! Didn't the title sorta tank the last time they ran it?

Meanwhile, on the Heroes for Hire board:
'Alpha Flight?! Didn't the title sorta tank the last time they ran it?'

You are sooooooooooo mean Mik. But I got to admit, you said it better than I would have! I totally agree.

[Shaman Of The Whills]

Yes, and yes. Especially if you like Runaways.
I read a wiki-type sum-up of the series... in order to know what is going on, would I have to go back and get all the other issues or would you say that it is probably a 'jump-on'able series?

Meanwhile, on the Heroes for Hire board:
'Alpha Flight?! Didn't the title sorta tank the last time they ran it?'
Meanwhile, on the Alpha Flight board:
'...wait, wait... there is a Heroes for Hire board? How did that happen?'

But yeah, I do agree with your point, as illustrated in my previous post's "if titles like She-Hulk and Heroes for Hire have no chance for a comeback after a tank... who else does that mean has absolutely no hope for a new volume?" Just included that to show that I'm just trying to be funny, not purely sarcastic.

[varo]

cryptic as ever.....




Quote:
Originally Posted by varo
as a huge alpha flight fan, will i be happy with what the future holds for this team?


Remains to be seen. But hopefully.

Tom B

[Mokole]

At least it wasn't 'no' or 'how should I know?'

Hope is not as vague from Marvel as what they usually say :roll:

[Transmetropolitan]

Heroes for Hire?! Didn't the title sorta tank the last time they ran it?

Meanwhile, on the Heroes for Hire board:
'Alpha Flight?! Didn't the title sorta tank the last time they ran it?'

Yeah, never mind that HFH has always been presented as a truly B-list team. :roll:

All I'm saying is that I can't think of anyone I know, anyone at all, who remembers HFH fondly.

[Le Messor]

Yes, and yes. Especially if you like Runaways.
I read a wiki-type sum-up of the series... in order to know what is going on, would I have to go back and get all the other issues or would you say that it is probably a 'jump-on'able series?

Allow me to answer that with a head-butt. {northstar}

Meanwhile, having read from the start, I can't answer for sure. But if I had to guess, and I do, I'd say 'no'. I think there's far too much character development and flow... Iron Lad alone...
BUT...

The series is drawing to a sort-of close soon, Ã* lÃ* Runaways (more a Summer hiatus). I'd recommend picking up the collected edition when it comes out--and it will, I'm sure.
Of course, it may be "affordably priced". Which is CSN's way of saying Qu'ils mangent brioche. or, let them eat cake.




Heroes for Hire?! Didn't the title sorta tank the last time they ran it?
Meanwhile, on the Heroes for Hire board:
'Alpha Flight?! Didn't the title sorta tank the last time they ran it?'
All I'm saying is that I can't think of anyone I know, anyone at all, who remembers HFH fondly.

Maybe not, but you don't spend a lot of time on that H4H board I just made up, do you? Every team is somebody's favourite.
Mean as I was, Sylvie, :wink: the point is, in a lot of people's eyes, people who aren't us, but are, apparently, TPTB (among others, I'm sure), there's not a lot of difference there.

The fact that both H4H series have included the same frickin' characters (Power Man and Iron Fist, unless I'm mistaken?) and AF hasn't, doesn't register in Marve's collective wisdom.

- Le Messor
Stu: As if.
Randy: Oh, really, Alicia?

[Shaman Of The Whills]

Allow me to answer that with a head-butt.
:lol: Eheh, I'm not exactly sure how to respond to that...

I'd recommend picking up the collected edition when it comes out--and it will, I'm sure.
Good stuff, I'll check it out.

Maybe not, but you don't spend a lot of time on that H4H board I just made up, do you?
Haha, actually the moment that you posted it, I checked up to see if there was such a thing and of course there was, but even given the recent news and Cage's consistent appearance in New Avengers, there have been like no posts whatsoever... at least we have constant active membership...

[Le Messor]

Allow me to answer that with a head-butt.
:lol: Eheh, I'm not exactly sure how to respond to that...

You should've thought of that before I was me. :oops:


I'd recommend picking up the collected edition when it comes out--and it will, I'm sure.
Good stuff, I'll check it out.

... There's also the possibility that you'll find it derivative; YA and Runaways cover a lot of the same ground, disturbingly close at times, but I think it's created its own world and style, enough to keep it from being a rehash. I don't even use hash. Maybe hashbrowns. Those're good.

- Le Messor
"A Slayer, huh? I knew this 'I'm the only one, I'm the only one' thing was just an attention-getter."
- Xander

[Shaman Of The Whills]

... There's also the possibility that you'll find it derivative; YA and Runaways cover a lot of the same ground, disturbingly close at times, but I think it's created its own world and style, enough to keep it from being a rehash. I don't even use hash. Maybe hashbrowns. Those're good.
Well, I'm down for that (the hashbrowns and the rehash). Alot of the stories that I've been getting right now have all pretty much been exactly the same anyways, but I still enjoy them about equal... really funny was the time not too long ago when I had 6 issues, in 3 pairs, in which each of the pairs exhibited similar traits to the other almost down to the letter (for an example that I know at least some others out there are aware of, the remarkably similar 'shocking conclusions' of X-Factor 1 and Son of M 1... read those two right in a row and boy was that effect ruined...) But especially since I'll get to take a full story on without any cliffhangers or delays, it should be a good read... I'm going to take a walk to the local store today and hope that they have it.

[Le Messor]

I'm going to take a walk to the local store today and hope that they have it. (The Young Avengers collected edition.)

They won't. I don't think it exists yet. The series just got to #11, and I think the break'll start at 12 (I don't know where I get that from); there shouldn't be a collection before then.

- Le Messor
Dad, if you threw a snowball at someone, but deliberately missed, would that be "bad"?
Dad: Well, I suppose that would be provoking, so yes, it would be a little bad.
Calvin: As bad as if you'd hit the person?
Dad: No, not that bad, but worse than if you hadn't thrown it at all.
Calvin: Suppose you just grazed the person. How bad would that be? Say maybe you knocked off his hat and his glasses or something.
Dad: That would mean instant death.

[Le Messor]

I'm going to take a walk to the local store today and hope that they have it. (The Young Avengers collected edition.)

They won't. I don't think it exists yet. The series just got to #11, and I think the break'll start at 12 (I don't know where I get that from); there shouldn't be a collection before then.

- Le Messor
Dad, if you threw a snowball at someone, but deliberately missed, would that be "bad"?
Dad: Well, I suppose that would be provoking, so yes, it would be a little bad.
Calvin: As bad as if you'd hit the person?
Dad: No, not that bad, but worse than if you hadn't thrown it at all.
Calvin: Suppose you just grazed the person. How bad would that be? Say maybe you knocked off his hat and his glasses or something.
Dad: That would mean instant death.

[Shaman Of The Whills]

They didn't when I went (but the one near here most probably wouldn't have it anyawys)... nevertheless, I checked online a few days ago, and either it was released like in the last week or will be released in the next few weeks... can't remember... but all that matters is it is on the list. I actually heard from another reliable source that it was good too so it is now pretty much sealed that I'll shell the cash to check it out.

EDIT: Yeah, now I've checked it out... Vol 1. TPB Sidekicks is available.