The Return of Alpha Flight! [Archive] - AlphaFlight.net

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mreeez

08-04-2010, 03:24 PM

Maybe.

According to Bleeding Cool (http://www.bleedingcool.com/2010/08/04/the-return-of-alpha-flight/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed:+BleedingCool+(Bleeding+Cool+Com ic+News+%26+Rumors)&utm_content=Twitter).

I understand that we may be about to see the return of Canadian supergroup Alpha Flight appearing in an upconing Marvel comic. Maybe we’ll find out just how dead they all are…

And the man spearheading the return is Marvel-suit-turned-writer Jim McCann!

That’s it. That’s all I’ve got. I’m outta here.

Tiberius Bane

08-04-2010, 03:26 PM

Looks like we read the same article at the same time lol

Sypes

08-04-2010, 03:44 PM

Sweet!!!

-K-M-

08-04-2010, 06:02 PM

Whaaaaaa? We shall see. This could just be hearsay

DIGGER

08-04-2010, 06:30 PM

I guess we probably shouldn't get our hopes up that we may once again see our favourite heroes to the North....but at least we can keep our fingers crossed that it will happen and that the new(possible) series is done in a serious way and not second rate.
So until the Purple Girl holds her breath until she turns blue...

DIGGER

varo

08-04-2010, 08:35 PM

am i reading that wrong, or does it sound like they will be making a appearance in a book, not a ongoing. obviously this means mockingbird and hawkeye, which is one of my favorite books out there right now.

i hope its a ongoing.

-K-M-

08-04-2010, 08:41 PM

varo

08-04-2010, 08:50 PM

right, but appearance meaning cameo, or appearance meaning their book.

confused.

-K-M-

08-04-2010, 10:26 PM

I'm thinking cameo, and then may lead into a book.

Mokole

08-04-2010, 11:20 PM

Well, who knows, but at least it's positive rumours, not negative. After all, in the upcoming Deapool 1000, they have a bit asking Deadpool to be Canada's Captain Canada and say that Alpha Flight might be dead. I know, Deadpool 1000 is all humour but again it's not a negative reference. :D

With this Jim McCann note at least we have a name and a rumour of Jiminez doing art, but that's a pretty long shot guess IMO. Better than just a rumour that somebody made up.

I can use more positive news like this, even if it's just an appearance by AF in Hawkeye & Mockingbird, it's a start. :o

cmdrkoenig67

08-05-2010, 12:23 AM

I'm not sure how I feel about this...But I'm going to wait and see if there's anything worth getting excited over.

Dana

DIGGER

08-05-2010, 01:00 AM

Mokole:

With this Jim McCann note at least we have a name and a rumour of Jiminez doing art, but that's a pretty long shot guess IMO. Better than just a rumour that somebody made up.

I can use more positive news like this, even if it's just an appearance by AF in Hawkeye & Mockingbird, it's a start. :o[/QUOTE]

At San Diego Jiminez said he would like to do Alpha Flight if it consisted of the original members. Hope he was serious.

DIGGER

MistressMerr

08-05-2010, 01:21 AM

This is promising! McCann's a great writer, who always seems to have real respect for the characters he writes. Even if we're just looking at a cameo in Hawkeye & Mockingbird or something, it'd be nice for Alpha's place in the Marvel universe to be reestablished for the new decade.

Phil

08-05-2010, 08:01 AM

So, time to find mcCann on Twitter methinks...

varo

08-05-2010, 11:08 AM

Just found this from comic con. Interesting.

Jimenez then told the crowd that his dream project would be to draw the original Alpha Flight team. He asked if anyone even wanted the original team to return to which the crowd both cheered and laughed. He then teased that he just took a new project with a big name writer, but refused to reveal to the crowd the name of the book, only saying it would be announced shortly.

maniac mike

08-05-2010, 12:08 PM

He's not the only artist who wants to draw AF, Paul Pelletier also wants a shot at drawing the original team too!

Mokole

08-05-2010, 12:19 PM

Even if it's just a new AF team showing up to do whatever in H & M, it's a start; if it's a flashback, boo hoo; if it's more than both combined.... Hard to say from the rumour that the AF reference is any more than a guest appearance, but there it is.

mreeez

08-05-2010, 02:11 PM

To stir the pot a bit, from Jim McCann's Twitter on Tuesday.

Secret project interviews and outline being written. You'll NEVER see this one coming! :)

Mokole

08-05-2010, 04:42 PM

Oh, the secret stuff may have nothing to do with AF, but of course who knows what's going on with AF now.

Flightpath07

08-05-2010, 06:09 PM

huh. we'll have to wait and see, i guess. any timetable on this 'appearance' ?

Mokole

08-06-2010, 02:40 AM

I'd bet no, maybe we'll here a 2011 date for he appearance by November. Pure guess.

varo

08-06-2010, 10:09 AM

Phil

08-06-2010, 10:49 AM

well, if its a on-going, it will be announced soon, as both phil jimenez and jim mccann have both stated they have a project they are working on together that will be announced very soon (fan expo is the 27th/28th in toronto...........hmmm......) but if its just a appearance then it wont be until next year as hawkeye/mockingbird series has a arc with black widow coming up.

I don't think Jiminez will be working on AF if it is written by McCann as the text from that panel read that he was working with a big name writer; my guess would be Grant Morrison on something over at DC.

I'd imagine if it is McCann then it'll be in H&M or it'll be in some kind of anthology series (ala Nation X, Age of Heroes) or maybe (less likely) a oneshot.
I sincerely doubt they'll launch an ongoing from no-where.

Mokole

08-06-2010, 01:55 PM

Even if it's a one shot, it's hope. Better than a flashback or an alternate universe. If it's a new team then at least someone at Marvel wants the team in existence. As long as the team exists, there's hope. New Warriors fans (Who I don't get, aren't Young Allies, Young Avengers, etc. all just New Warriors under new management??) would get a new team that way.

Having Alpha Flight once again in operation in the Marvel Universe gives us something to push for, for that ongoing! Hooray, I hope!

-K-M-

08-06-2010, 06:28 PM

I sincerely doubt they'll launch an ongoing from no-where.

Same.

Flightpath07

08-06-2010, 06:38 PM

Jim McCann has a website, http://www.jimmccannonline.com/ .

varo

08-06-2010, 07:30 PM

yeah, i saw that, he also has a section in jinxworld forums, a twitter (@jimmccann) and a facebook page. and yes i am following him on all of them. interesting solicit for h/m #6 is that mockingbird goes back to the savage land to seek out some info on her skrull capture, possibly originals popping up there (the originals being captured by skrulls would be a god send)

Flightpath07

08-06-2010, 09:47 PM

MistressMerr

08-07-2010, 01:07 AM

"the originals being captured by skrulls would be a god send"

Agreed! But...would Marvel ever allow this to slip through? If Marvel really doesn't want the originals back...

Don't want to be negative...but it is hard to get ones hopes up, too.
Marvel doesn't care one way or another if the originals come back, as long as it serves the story being told.

Mokole

08-07-2010, 01:24 AM

I doubt they'd use the Skrull angle, but pf course all we're doing is speculating a lot, and trying our best to be positive. If it is just a one-off in H&M, then it would be good to see the team in full operating with them, in Savage Land or somewhere else. Maybe running into AF, maybe seeing the old team return from space, maybe needing saving by AF.:)

MistressMerr

08-07-2010, 03:25 AM

Le Messor

08-07-2010, 08:05 PM

Flightpath07

08-07-2010, 08:11 PM

MistressMerr

08-09-2010, 07:09 AM

Haven't Marvel already said they weren't gonna use the Skrull angle?

It'd be nice to get an Originals Alpha series, but we'll have to see. Plus, I've never heard of Jim McCann, though the phrase 'suit-turned-writer' fills me with dread... If he's good, he's good, but that don't make him sound good.

- Le Messor
"He was deeply in love. When she spoke, he thought he heard bells, as if she were a garbage truck backing up."
~ Susan Reese, Arlington

He's a guy who campaigned for YEARS just to get to write a second string character he loved, and that Dazzler one-shot that resulted wound up being a total love letter to everything that made the character awesome back in the 80s. He's probably one of Alpha's best bets.

Also, if I recall correctly, he's the guy who wrote that one digital Christmas special that had the Purple Girl cameo in San Francisco.

Le Messor

08-09-2010, 07:30 AM

I whinge a lot about how comics these days have no heart...
That Dazzler special was the cure. Everything I'd been asking for (except a main character I already cared about, but that's nobody's fault but mine.)

- Le Messor
"He wasn"t going to leave Pat Benson on her own, crabs or no crabs."
~ Guy N. Smith, Night of the Crabs

varo

08-11-2010, 05:13 PM

a couple of interesting tweets from phil jimenez (supposedly who may be the artist with mccann writing)

Delightful feeling drawing characters I've known and loved for the longest for the first time.

Also reminded how well-crafted characters really stand the test of time; they might need a few tweaks/ updates but little else (if that!).

Flightpath07

08-11-2010, 05:35 PM

So...who are characters that Phil Jiminez has known and loved for a long time? Do we know?

Mokole

08-11-2010, 06:11 PM

He has said he'd love to draw AF, so.....

varo

08-11-2010, 06:11 PM

this was what he said at comic-con:

Jimenez then told the crowd that his dream project would be to draw the original Alpha Flight team. He asked if anyone even wanted the original team to return to which the crowd both cheered and laughed. He then teased that he just took a new project with a big name writer, but refused to reveal to the crowd the name of the book, only saying it would be announced shortly.

mos_def

08-11-2010, 07:59 PM

I think if another series is launced that FVL also be kept in mind since writers usually leae after a year or so

cmdrkoenig67

08-11-2010, 08:36 PM

Maybe it's an Alpha Flight mini-series, bringing the original team back (perhaps, in the Dazzler special vein)? This is me being optimistic.

Dana :)

DIGGER

08-11-2010, 11:23 PM

We can only hope that if it is Alpha in ANY form that it be given the proper respect and treatment it deserves. (I am personally hoping for the return to the original group)

DIGGER

Corvus

08-12-2010, 07:10 PM

Interesting, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

Flightpath07

08-12-2010, 07:22 PM

Interesting, but I'm not getting my hopes up.

Hey, welcome to the "I'm Feeling Jaded About Alpha Flight's Chances Right Now" Corner, Corvus! Better get a seat while you can, it looks to be a long season and we are expecting to be at full capacity any time now!

Sigh...

swh_comicguy

08-12-2010, 09:09 PM

Here's a link to where the Flight will be appearing next.

http://www.alphaflight.net/showthread.php?t=5312

swh_comicguy

08-12-2010, 09:16 PM

Check out my last reply! He's very serious. Alpha Flight Forever????

Mokole:

With this Jim McCann note at least we have a name and a rumour of Jiminez doing art, but that's a pretty long shot guess IMO. Better than just a rumour that somebody made up.

I can use more positive news like this, even if it's just an appearance by AF in Hawkeye & Mockingbird, it's a start. :o

At San Diego Jiminez said he would like to do Alpha Flight if it consisted of the original members. Hope he was serious.

DIGGER[/QUOTE]

swh_comicguy

08-12-2010, 09:21 PM

With the exclusive cover for Fan Expo, I'm thinking there really is an opportunity for an actual Alpha Flight series coming out of Marvel in the near future.

well, if its a on-going, it will be announced soon, as both phil jimenez and jim mccann have both stated they have a project they are working on together that will be announced very soon (fan expo is the 27th/28th in toronto...........hmmm......) but if its just a appearance then it wont be until next year as hawkeye/mockingbird series has a arc with black widow coming up.

557

maniac mike

08-13-2010, 09:25 PM

Posted over at comicbookresources.com T & A Thread...

And finally, Scratchy asked, "Rumor has it that Alpha Flight will be returning, under Jim McCann's writing. How soon can we expect news?"
Brevoort: Scratchy, Alpha Flight is dead. Dead, dead, dead. I killed them. (Well, Bendis and I.) They are demised, dead, finished, decomposing, dead. They're hanging out with Nightcrawler.
However, if you happen to live in Canada (or are just visiting during the right weekend), the members of Alpha Flight are taking over for the Avengers, at least for one special variant cover to "Avengers" #4 illustrated by Phil Jimenez. This special extremely limited edition will only be available for purchase at the Fan Expo in Canada on August 28 and 29. And wait'll you read the cover copy!
Y'know, if somebody like Phil were to illustrate it, I bet we might be able to get an Alpha Flight series to sell at that…

http://www.comicbookresources.com/prev_img.php?disp=img&pid=1281721530

Mokole

08-13-2010, 09:36 PM

Who knows how much of that is him joking at the end, or giving us a hint the Jimenez is doing AF....

So I'm guessing that maybe people are right and Phil Jimenez is going to be doing AF after all.... Will my positive vibes be dashed in two weeks?

Flightpath07

08-13-2010, 10:00 PM

Hm.

Well.

Huh.

Not sure how to take this...

On the one hand, yes, there are rumours of an AF appearance, possibly in Hawkeye/Mockingbird. And, there is also a special Avengers cover that features AF, but it is a variant, and there seems to be nothing being said about them actually being in the issue. Which leads to this question - then why the heck would you bother to do the cover? If, as Mr Tom Brevoort so succintly puts it (does anybody at Marvel know what "tact" or "customer relations" mean?), " Alpha Flight is dead. Dead, dead, dead. I killed them. (Well, Bendis and I.) They are demised, dead, finished, decomposing, dead. They're hanging out with Nightcrawler." ...Then again, the question is, why would you slap Canadian fans (cuz they're doing this in Canada, after all) in the face by putting out this cover? It seems like you are giving hope with one hand, then taking it away with the other!! Why give us just a little bit of what we want, then remind us that you killed our favourite heroes? WTH?

The more I look at this...the less sense this makes. Actually, it is starting to piss me off more than a little.

Anybody else feeling more anger than hope?

by the way...do I just live in a box, or have i totally missed the fact that Nightcrawler is dead!?!!?!

varo

08-13-2010, 10:07 PM

there is no way that is a denial by t&a, something tells me that a version of alpha flight is dead, so he's not lying, but if we know anything by now, they are going to announce a series not on a q&a (no offense cbr) but more than likely at a con.

let me put on my detective hat.

1) jimenez states at sdcc that his dream project is the original alpha flight, and asks the crowd who wants to see a return of the originals.

2) jimenez tweets he is working on a new project where he's workin on some classic characters that he loves and has been dreaming of drawing.

3) jimenez just happens to be drawing the variant.

4) rich johnston rumors alpha's return with jim mccann writing. jim mcann and jimenez both have a project that are working on that will be announced "soon'

the last line in the interview:

"Y'know, if somebody like Phil were to illustrate it, I bet we might be able to get an Alpha Flight series to sell at that…"

varo

08-13-2010, 10:13 PM

btw, the art they put in the interview was absent of the "avengers" logo, and guardian saying "canadas mightiest heroes" and they eluded to it in the interview
And wait'll you read the cover copy! not sure why.

there is alot of clues leading to some form of alpha flight news, including scott kollins special cover that i posted in another thread. i just pray that they are finally bringing back the team in its rightful form, not some random book with "alpha flight" slapped on the cover.

Flightpath07

08-13-2010, 10:21 PM

the last line in the interview:

"Y'know, if somebody like Phil were to illustrate it, I bet we might be able to get an Alpha Flight series to sell at that…"

So, they think that all it takes is a great artist to make AF sell?

Well, that seems like a reversal of thinking, as they have previously stated that AF cannot sell and so will not be put out by Marvel.

Also, putting a good artist on AF...lemme think, hmm...actually, that really HASN'T been tried before! lol.

Le Messor

08-14-2010, 08:39 PM

So, they think that all it takes is a great artist to make AF sell?

It'd help.

If, as Mr Tom Brevoort so succintly puts it (does anybody at Marvel know what "tact" or "customer relations" mean?), "Alpha Flight is dead. Dead, dead, dead. I killed them. (Well, Bendis and I.) They are demised, dead, finished, decomposing, dead. They're hanging out with Nightcrawler."

While I still kinda agree with your 'tact' and 'customer relations' comment (apparently, no), I think you need to read Brevoort's line with your Monty Python glasses on. I could be mistaken, but that seems to be a reference to the Parrot sketch.

- Le Messor
"He who has a shady past knows that nice guys finish last."

Flightpath07

08-15-2010, 06:53 AM

Oh no! Are you gonna force me to watch Python?! Man...all that, just to try to remain full of hope about AF coming back? Is it even worth it?!? I mean, Monty Python...man, you gotta be in the right MOOD for that stuff, or else...gack...nothing, no funnies, just sighing and scratching and shaking of the head...

Le Messor

08-15-2010, 07:43 AM

Look, I came here for an argument, not abuse!

Mokole

08-15-2010, 12:40 PM

Hey, hey now, nobody expected an inquisition!

Flightpath07

08-15-2010, 06:58 PM

"Bring out your dead!" (seemed appropriate for an AF forum, lol)

cmdrkoenig67

08-16-2010, 12:23 AM

I Dislike "editor" Brevoort even more....What a bastard. You're right, FP....The man has no tact...Nor does he even have any respect for the fans of the comics he's putting out. I'd feel like I should be swearing a lot more, but I'll control myself.

Dana

mreeez

08-16-2010, 06:27 PM

I took his jabs as much more of a joke since he has drawn the ire of AF fans in the past and was just poking fun at him being an AF villain.

Overall, I thought it was a positive quote with the Jimenez hint at the end.

Mokole

08-16-2010, 07:05 PM

Which I too hope was his point, that Jimenez is the artist for AF!

varo

08-16-2010, 09:03 PM

This in no way shape or form was a denial of alpha flight returning. He's not lying, the alpha flight that died in na 16 are indeed dead. I believe the originals coming back ate either from outer space, or Jim McCann will find a hole from Byrnes run (possibly a skrull angle? possibly from issue 10? Just reaching) so he's just pulling the 'ol obi wan trick on us. Fred van lente just announced his avengers tie in (dead avengers) so it's not an avengers tie-in. The last line in that interview pretty much gives it away. I feel if and when they do announce a new title it will be at fan expo, not in a interview online.

Btw, Jimenez just tweeted he is currently drawing a character he dreamed of drawing since he was a kid. Hmmmmm......

Flightpath07

08-16-2010, 09:16 PM

Varo,

I appreciate your optimism and hope you are correct.

However, you are talking about bringing back, in some way, shape, or form, the original AF team.

Which, of course, brings me back to this disgusting quote...

"Alpha Flight is a tough nut to crack, and in all honesty we haven't quite cracked it yet," writes Brevoort. "So at the moment, there isn't any active Alpha Flight series in development. The problem with Alpha Flight is that the two things that really drove interest in them in their earliest years were the fact that they were these exciting, mysterious new characters who mixed it up with the X-Men (and in some ways resembled them as regards the tenor of their team), and the fact that their series was being written and drawn by John Byrne at the height of his powers and popularity. But when you drill down, the core concept of the series is based on geography, which is very limiting -- they're like the Avengers , but in Canada."

If Brevoort feels that AF is a tough nut to crack, based mainly on their geography, and that they only did well because John Byrne was at the top of his game and becuz they were a foil for the X-Men...then how can we honestly expect Marvel to put out an AF based around these heroes that Brevoort thinks can't make it on their own?

I'm still in a "wait and see" holding pattern on this one.

mreeez

08-16-2010, 09:36 PM

Mokole

08-16-2010, 09:45 PM

As we all know, not only do dead characters don't have to be dead (heck, Absorbing Man was killed and pounded into gravel by the Hulk and ain't dead anymore, then theres' Colossus, Psylocke, and Jean Grey [who is still dead but I'm betting not much longer] who all died on-panel, plus Nightcrawler, so 'dead means not in comics right now').

Also, who says there is no Alpha Flight? Maybe "What about Canada's Mightiest Heroes" is the lead-in to the new iteration of the team, an action team. Our Alpha Flight, 2011. See what happens at Fan EXpo. Maybe my internet will be down on Friday/Saturday and Sunday I'll log on to see 500 posts about the return of Alpha Flight.

Good luck to those of you going to Fan EXpo and hope you get the correct answer to your Alpha Flight queries! ;)

varo

08-16-2010, 10:14 PM

i completely agree with you flightpath, the only thing is you can't hold a marvel editor to his word and feel they are obligated to give us their plans for their characters. plus, thats a older interview, and at the time of the interview i'm sure he believed that statement. i have read many other interviews from either other editors even joe q himself stating that if they had the right pitch they would launch a new alpha flight series. hopefully jim mccann has come up with that pitch.

even though theres been all these rumors, i am still pessimistic arvel will finally give us a real alpha flight series that we all have been looking for.

i am fully convinced that if there will be a announcement, it will be at fan expo, if theres no announcement, then there will not be a new series any time soon. btw, neither phil jimenez or jim mccann has denied that they are working on a alpha flight series. both have acknowledged that they are working on a new unannounced series.

MistressMerr

08-16-2010, 10:43 PM

Yeah, I have my strong doubts that we'll be seeing a new title anytime soon, but there's nothing wrong with a little hope. After having so many of my favourite characters jerked around for the past few years, though, I'm sticking with the 'wait and see' approach so as not to get burned.

Also, I don't see why everyone's assuming they'll have to play the resurrection card in order to get a classic-flavour Alpha lineup up and running again. Sasquatch, Snowbird, Talisman and the twins are all still around, that's a solid roster right there. Pull in a few B-listers if the twins are locked up in X-purgatory, it's all good. Seems like using who's already available would be the simplest approach.

-K-M-

08-16-2010, 11:00 PM

Perhaps we might see Marrina? Here is the Van Lente new Avengers book

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=27841

Flightpath07

08-17-2010, 08:53 AM

"Also, I don't see why everyone's assuming they'll have to play the resurrection card in order to get a classic-flavour Alpha lineup up and running again. Sasquatch, Snowbird, Talisman and the twins are all still around, that's a solid roster right there. Pull in a few B-listers if the twins are locked up in X-purgatory, it's all good. Seems like using who's already available would be the simplest approach."

Heck, throw in Manikin, and Purple Girl or Persuasion (pick your poison), Yukon Jack, either re-power Windshear or put him in the Guardian suit (and call him True North), then we have got the VERY strong rumours that Puck is coming back from hell (and would be my vote to lead the Flight), there is always the "Wolverine robot and his little girl companion" idea that was thrown around months ago...and maybe Earthmover the unexplored but very powerful Alphan-man-of-mystery...geez, Mr. Jeffries, too...

Look, we got enough Alphans around that we could form our own island of 'em! lol.

mos_def

08-17-2010, 10:01 AM

I wouldnt mind seeing Hume in the Guardian suit. Good idea

mos_def

08-17-2010, 10:02 AM

Perhaps we might see Marrina? Here is the Van Lente new Avengers book

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=27841

FVL is actually one of my favorite writers cuz you can tell he has been reading comics for a long time cuz his continuity is so dead on in his stories

Phil

08-17-2010, 01:52 PM

I'll make it a news item when I get in from work, but go check the Chaos war thread!

rplass

08-17-2010, 10:35 PM

Perhaps we might see Marrina? Here is the Van Lente new Avengers book

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=27841

I'm thinking the same thing - she's not one of the Avengers mentioned, but it does say that many other dead Avengers will be in it - resurrected? Gonna be tough to do with the severed head thing and all, you know.

Love,
rplass

Flightpath07

08-18-2010, 04:26 AM

Resurrected? Gonna be tough to do with the severed head thing and all, you know.

"What?! It's just a flesh-wound!"

DIGGER

08-18-2010, 10:30 AM

I'm thinking the same thing - she's not one of the Avengers mentioned, but it does say that many other dead Avengers will be in it - resurrected? Gonna be tough to do with the severed head thing and all, you know.

Love,
rplass

She is a Plodex don't forget. Perhaps one of her powers is that an appendage can grow back (like some lizards can do) or be reattached. Anything is possible.

DIGGER

Garry/Al-Fan

08-18-2010, 12:24 PM

Posted: 23 hours ago | Updated: 23 hours ago

http://www.comicbookresources.com/assets/thumbnail.php?file=/assets/images/articles/1282043937.jpg&w=300 (http://www.comicbookresources.com/prev_img.php?disp=img&pid=1282043937)Jim McCann is joined by artist Reilly Brown to tell a tale of Alpha Flight'shttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=27862#) participation in the coming "Chaos War"
Their job is to protect an area of 3 million square miles - which is home to 34 million people - from any and all unconventional threats, be they super villains, alien invasions or supernatural entities. Their jurisdiction includes both teaming urban metropolises and desolate frozen tundra. They are Alpha Flight, and for many years they protected their home country of Canadahttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=27862#) from some of the Marvel Universe's most dangerous and despicable villains. Then, in 2005's "New Avengers" #16, they ran afoul of an immensely powerful being known as The Collective who ended up murdering almost every member of the team.
Canada continued its superhuman program after the death of most of Alpha Flight, but subsequent teams have not proven as successful as the original group that debuted back in 1979's "Uncanny X-Men" #120. This October, the "Chaos War" event begins and the entire Marvel Universe (http://marvel.com/) finds itself threatened by the powerful entity known as the Chaos King. Once again, it's time for the original Alpha Flight to reunite and show the heroes of the Marvel Universe how saving the world is done - and they're not about to let a little thing like their teammates being dead stop them. In the November shipping "Chaos War: Alpha Flight"one-shot by writer Jim McCann and artist Reilly Brown, this is exactly what happens. CBR News (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=27862#) spoke with McCann about the book, which he hopes will reintroduce fans to a classic Marvel super team.
The first volume of the "Alpha Flight" ongoing series debuted back in 1983 and lasted for 130 issues. During that run, the book earned a dedicated fan base thanks in large part to the complex nature of the characters and the often chaotic events they found themselves embroiled in.
"Alpha Flight has been a very unique beast in that people always wonder and sometimes write them off as Canada's X-Men or Canada's Avengers. It's not Canada, though, that defines this team to me at all. It's the characters, especially the original cast, which I find most fascinating. I think that's what people react to the most. The book was at its most successful when it featured a majority of the original cast members," McCann told CBR News. "Subsequent relaunches never really caught on for various reasons. I'm sure people have their opinions of why they didn't. Each of those relaunches had their own different take on the team that was different from Alpha Flight's original run. I definitely appreciated what they we're trying to do, but for me it's those original members and what they bring to the table."
One of the reasons McCann finds the original Alpha Flight characters so compelling is because at their core, the individual members are all very flawed people simply trying their best to be heroic. (Bingo! [grj]) "They are psychologically the most screwed up team in the entire Marvel Universe. If you take a look at them, they all have almost crippling neuroses. Then, you throw them all into a team and they're insanely dysfunctional personality-wise. Yet, as a team, they can kick a lot of ass and get the job done," McCann explained. "On a character level, though, they are really messed up. They're all damaged. They're all scarred and they all kind of need each other to work properly. I think that's the key to Alpha Flight; they really do need each other to work properly."
Another element McCann finds interesting is the origins of the various characters that comprise the team's Rogues Gallery. "They have a tendency to create their own worst enemies. Professor X and Magneto became enemies because of their differing ideologies, but Alpha Flight just has a tendency to either mess up their own members and trainees, or things just happen to them and it spins out of control very quickly," McCann said. "To be able to write a team that spawns their own worst enemies is very cool, because you never know what is going to happen. One thing can go wrong and suddenly your greatest ally is your greatest enemy. That sort of suspense and potential is really what makes a book like 'Alpha Flight' sing for me."
"Chaos War: Alpha Flight" takes place in Canada shortly after the events of "Chaos War" #3, about which McCann says, "I know that I said that Canada doesn't define Alpha Flight, but the timing of where this appears during 'Chaos War' is important. That's because of what the Chaos King and his minions are doing. What happens in 'Chaos War' #3 makes this story happen at this time. It couldn't really happen at any other time or place."
The machinations of the Chaos King and his followers creates a situation that allows dead Alpha Flight members Guardian (James MacDonald Hudson), his wife Vindicator (Heather Hudson), Shaman (Michael Twoyoungmen) and Marrina Smallwood to return from the grave. They won't be the only Alpha Flight members in the book, however; McCann plans to reunite them with several of the team's still living members.
"This is a full reunion of the core cast. We've got Sasquatch, Northstar, Aurora and Snowbird," McCann stated. "Sharp eyed readers will notice there is a missing name from that list. The character is a very popular member, and that's Puck. That is addressed in the one shot. I can't say much more than that."
As the adage says, nothing is free, and the resurrection of the dead team members in "Chaos War: Alpha Flight" does come with a price. "One of the living Alphans is doing whatever possible to bring back the dead ones. In doing so, this character basically makes a deal with their version of the devil to make this happen," McCann explained. "Once they're brought back, there is one character that is basically trying to hold the team together on the dead side and one character trying to hold the team together on the living side. So when the two are able to succeed and do that with the help of their greatest enemy, you get this awesome reunion, but also, in classic Alpha Flight style, you immediately get the conflict and fallout that rocks every member."
In "Chaos War: Alpha Flight," the reunited titular characters find themselves having to come together despite their internal conflict because McCann isn't pitting them again just one foe - he's got several adversaries lined up to test his characters' mettle. (Bingo, again!) "I was able to tell a story where the original Alphans must face some pretty massive threats. It's almost like a three front war. There's the Chaos King, there's their greatest enemy and they'll also have to deal with the threat of someone from within the team," McCann remarked. "So we're putting these original characters in a setting where they're fighting on three different fronts. I only wish this story could be longer, but when you read the story, you'll under stand why it's self contained."
McCann's editor Mark Paniccia feels that the writer has cooked up a tale that delivers all the action and pathos that Alpha Flight fans have come to expect from stories involving the team. "We're really psyched that we had the opportunity to revisit this particular line up of the team. The 'Chaos War' event is going to test both living and dead teammates like no other point in their history," Paniccia said. "It's going to be intense and, I think, troubling to see them in this kind of heartbreaking situation."
McCann urges Alpha Flight fans to pick up the "Chaos War: Alpha Flight" one-shot, stating that if there's a strong response to the book, there's a good chance it will lead to more Alpha Flight projects and the writer has by no means told all the stories he'd like to tell with the team. "I would love the chance to spread my wings more with the characters, especially the original Alphans, and see how big things can get. At their heyday, there was Alpha Flight, Beta Flight and Gamma Flight. So it's a fascinating concept that I'm only scratching the surface of in this story," McCann said. "My goal here is to show people why these characters are so cool. That's what I've been trying to do with 'Hawkeye & Mockingbird' since Mockingbird had been gone for so long. Alpha Flight, in this incarnation, has been gone for decades. So 'Chaos War: Alpha Flight' is an introduction to what's great about these characters and I definitely have much more story to tell with them.
"Writing this one-shot has been a personal dream come true and if it is the only chance I get to write these characters at least I can say, 'I wrote the original Alpha Flight," McCann continued. "So I'm definitely thankful and giving it my all when it comes to this special. It does have ramifications and fall out for all the members of Alpha Flight. This changes the status quo of the way the original Alpha Flight members will see each other for the future. If there is a future! Bum Bum Bum!"

Discuss this story in CBR's Marvel Universe (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=335408) forum. | 112 Comments (http://forums.comicbookresources.com/showthread.php?t=335408)
Tags: marvel comics (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=archive&type=kw&key=marvel+comics), chaos war (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=archive&type=kw&key=chaos+war), alpha flight (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=archive&type=kw&key=alpha+flight), jim mccann (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=archive&type=kw&key=jim+mccann), reilly brown (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=archive&type=kw&key=reilly+brown)

It sounds like Jim McCann has a good vision for Alpha Flight. Everything old becomes new again, eventually. I don't want to be a kill-joy, but let's see how the book turns out before clamoring (or second-guessing) for more. grj

DIGGER

08-18-2010, 12:40 PM

By the by, what is with the war paint on Shaman?

DIGGER

cmdrkoenig67

08-18-2010, 03:53 PM

On Shaman's "war paint"...Artistic license, maybe?

I have a minor quibble with Mr McCann (no offense, Jim)...He mentions in one interview that "Mac always wanted to be the leader" (paraphrased)...But this is not the case, at all. Mac did his best, but he never wanted to lead the team (that's why he originally groomed Wolverine to be the leader), he was always the reluctant leader...Mac stepped into the role simply because he had to, at the time. Heather made a better leader, IMHO....I think the team would work great with both Mac and Heather leading, maybe even butting heads sometimes...Or perhaps Heather leading from home and Mac coordinating the team in the field.

Dana

Ahab

08-18-2010, 08:00 PM

...Or perhaps Heather leading from home and Mac coordinating the team in the field.

Dana

One of them should be an adult and actually take care of their child...:)

cmdrkoenig67

08-18-2010, 10:20 PM

suzene

08-19-2010, 03:06 AM

I hear ya...But if Heather is leading from home, she could certainly have the baby with her at all times....And maybe take the little one to her family (her parents or any of her 7 or so siblings) when needed.

Dana

Shoot, if anyone's going to stay home with the kid, I'd vote for Mac. Heather lead Alpha Flight longer than he did (and has a better track record of not getting herself blown up in the field). ;)

Flightpath07

08-19-2010, 05:02 AM

Hmm...

Again, I am thinking too much, I know it.

But, Puck is not present. Puck, we know, was in hell's casino (for lack of a better term), waiting for his chance at resurrection...

Then, we have an Alphan that wants the dead ones back, badly enough to make a deal with the(ir) devil. That, to me, sounds like Sasquatch. Heartbroken still over his missing companions, he wants them back, alive, at any cost. The deal with his devil, is perhaps a deal with the Great Beasts (whose form he has borrowed for so long); they get to rampage free, and the Alphans get returned to life.

Maybe Puck decides that this is a bad deal, so decides to stay dead, and is working from hell bring the others back and reverse what Walter has done..

Just a few rambling thoughts...

Actually, the more I think along these lines, the more i feel that AF may not still be alive when this one-shot ends.

cmdrkoenig67

08-19-2010, 02:45 PM

Shoot, if anyone's going to stay home with the kid, I'd vote for Mac. Heather lead Alpha Flight longer than he did (and has a better track record of not getting herself blown up in the field). ;)

Very true, S. Mac would seem the type to be happier in a tech lab/engineering shop setting working on tech projects, than risking his lives in the field. I'm just conflicted on Heather in a power suit....But I prefer her leading the team over Mac (suit or not).

Dana

MistressMerr

08-19-2010, 03:21 PM

Tiberius Bane

08-19-2010, 03:30 PM

I know I am in the minority, and I LOVE Heather, but I want Mac on the team as well. In my opinion they can both lead the team.

DaVeO

08-19-2010, 04:12 PM

I think after coming back from the dead 3 times or more, Mac will need some serious therapy. I much prefer Heather in the suit and leading, Mac can be the team's R & D but I wouldn't be opposed to see him suiting up occasionally. But Heather surpasses him in leadership experience. As for taking care of the kid, being a super hero is busy work, but then so is being a cop or EMS worker. Maybe we can see Purple Girl babysit, getting the kid to settle down would be a snap for her.

cmdrkoenig67

08-19-2010, 05:29 PM

LOL...Mac and Heather return home to find their child with a slight purple hue...

Mac: "Oh God...She's choking! Kara, why haven't you done anything to help her?!" Mac Picks up his daughter to apply the heimlich.
Kara: "No no no...She's fine!"
Heather: "Mac...it's okay..I have experience with this." Rolls her eyes.

Flightpath07

08-19-2010, 06:10 PM

I'm pretty sure Puck's just flat-out not in it because he's being used in another title.

Actually, McCann says it is explained in his book.

MistressMerr

08-19-2010, 06:24 PM

Actually, McCann says it is explained in his book.
Well, yeah, I'm sure he gives a reason in-story, I just meant that I'm pretty sure he's not being used in this book at all as a consequence. The Alphan who disagrees is going to figure into the plot, so I doubt it'll be the guy who's not in it at all.

Legerd

08-19-2010, 09:50 PM

McCann said: "Once they're brought back, there is one character that is basically trying to hold the team together on the dead side and one character trying to hold the team together on the living side." I'm thinking Puck, in his usual self-sacrificing way, chooses to stay behind which is why he'll also be in Wolverine's book as well.

Mokole

08-19-2010, 09:56 PM

Well, hard to say out of Shaman or the Hudsons who'll be the happy one holding things together on the dead side. Living side I'd say Sasquatch or Snowbird.

So if the 'devil' is the Great Beasts, Shaman won't be happy about being alive, and Snowbird won't. Sasquatch will have to hold the living team together. Heather/Mac will be happy to be alive and keep the 'dead' in it.

Remember, he said they fight on 3 fronts, maybe Puck in Hell, Sasquatch, Guardian, Vindicator, and Marrina fighting the Chaos King minions, Snowbird, Shaman and the twins fighting the Great Beasts.

MistressMerr

08-20-2010, 01:02 AM

Where’s Puck? You may want to check this out (http://marvel.com/catalog/?id=17077). Sounds like he might be busy. If it’s him. (Also, it’s explained in the story)
Busy = not in this story.

Flightpath07

08-20-2010, 01:58 AM

Naw, I still think that is Gary Coleman, not Puck.

As far as I'm concerned, there is no Alpha Flight without Puck. He may not have been "resurrected" in this issue, but he is still the heart and soul of the team, and it won't survive without him.

Also, if "where is Puck?" is "explained in the story", then he IS technically in the one-shot.

Le Messor

08-22-2010, 03:11 AM

I agree with Tiberius.
I don't get why the idea of shuffling the Hudsons off to the side is so popular... But what do I know?

- Le Messor
"He who is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else."

DIGGER

08-22-2010, 10:47 AM

Also, if "where is Puck?" is "explained in the story", then he IS technically in the one-shot.

Maybe he will be in the background with a red and white striped shirt and we just have to look for him. But I also agree that both Hudsons need to be active participants in the storyline. Heather is the heart and Mac is the brain of Alpha.

DIGGER

Le Messor

08-22-2010, 04:26 PM

Digger, don't forget those huge glasses, and the beanie!

- LM
"He who laughs, lasts."

Flightpath07

08-22-2010, 05:09 PM

Digger, don't forget those huge glasses, and the beanie!

- LM
"He who laughs, lasts."

Are you asking Digger to wear them?

Le Messor

08-22-2010, 05:20 PM

Digger, don't forget those huge glasses, and the beanie!

Are you asking Digger to wear them?

No!
No, no, no.
...
Yes.

DIGGER

08-22-2010, 05:40 PM

What do you think I'm wearing... oops forgot the scarf! Damn!

DIGGER

Flightpath07

08-22-2010, 06:01 PM

Oh man, I must have hit the keys wrong and got onto that fetish site. Again.

kozzi24

08-23-2010, 04:08 AM

shoot, if anyone's going to stay home with the kid, i'd vote for mac. Heather lead alpha flight longer than he did (and has a better track record of not getting herself blown up in the field). ;)

seconded

Flightpath07

08-23-2010, 06:56 AM

mreeez

08-23-2010, 09:27 AM

CHAOS WAR: ALPHA FLIGHT #1
Written by JIM McCANN
Penciled by REILLY BROWN
Cover by SALVA ESPIN
CHAOS WAR tie-in!
ALPHA FLIGHT IS BACK! Original members Guardian, Vindicator, Shaman and Marina are back from the great beyond to join their team in battle larger than life or death! As CHAOS KING and his army cut a path of destruction across the Marvel Universe, the return of Alpha Flight may just be what the heroes need to turn the tide. So why does one team member want to put Alpha Flight back in the grave?

varo

08-23-2010, 10:57 AM

I am so glad the cover artist is different than the interior art. I was not digging that cover art.

cmdrkoenig67

08-23-2010, 02:52 PM

Byrne was the only author who has undeedstood Mac, what drove him and what he was like beneath the Guardian suit. Then he grew bored, and killed him. And comics have been all downhill from there. It's time to let Mac rest - for good.

I actually enjoyed almost every Byrne issue after Mac died (after getting over the shock of his death, of course)...I don't see the issues going downhill (except after Byrne left), but that's just my feeling. I loved Talisman's intro, the Great Beast stories (even with the Sasquatch/Tanaraq revelation), The Plodex killings and the return of the Master, Roger Bochs and Madison Jeffries joining up and I thought the fake-out Guardian resurrection was genius.

Dana

MistressMerr

08-23-2010, 05:05 PM

I actually enjoyed almost every Byrne issue after Mac died (after getting over the shock of his death, of course)...I don't see the issues going downhill (except after Byrne left), but that's just my feeling. I loved Talisman's intro, the Great Beast stories (even with the Sasquatch/Tanaraq revelation), The Plodex killings and the return of the Master, Roger Bochs and Madison Jeffries joining up and I thought the fake-out Guardian resurrection was genius.

Dana
You're not the only one! I LOVE Talisman, Walter's wacky dying shenanigans and the fake-out Guardian resurrection. That last one, an awesome story, AND he managed to take a dig at Mac's lame resurrection years before it actually happened!

Flightpath07

08-23-2010, 05:27 PM

I actually enjoyed almost every Byrne issue after Mac died (after getting over the shock of his death, of course)...I don't see the issues going downhill (except after Byrne left), but that's just my feeling. I loved Talisman's intro, the Great Beast stories (even with the Sasquatch/Tanaraq revelation), The Plodex killings and the return of the Master, Roger Bochs and Madison Jeffries joining up and I thought the fake-out Guardian resurrection was genius.

Dana

My point was not that the series instantly declined. My point was more that Byrne made a huge mistake, and he did it out of boredom and not liking the team he was writing. he was the only writer who could write Mac and make him interesting. All attempts at resurrecting him have failed, mainly because nobody knew who he really was or what to do with him. As a character, only Byrne knew him. In some way, it is almost like JB committed suicide when he killed off Guardian...

MistressMerr

08-23-2010, 07:27 PM

DIGGER

08-23-2010, 11:17 PM

Mokole

08-24-2010, 12:01 AM

Maybe in the new AF there will be a small company called Hudson Tech, to compete with Roxxon, Hammer Industries, Stark Resilient... in whatever sector Hudson Tech is involved in. Not weapons, of course.

MistressMerr

08-24-2010, 03:00 AM

I beg to differ. Mac never had much to do because the first 11 issues were split 60/40 story/origin. Mac never had the chance to develop like Heather did because of the need for character origins in the beginning. He was like Reed Richards or Tony Stark in that he was the developer/inventor but never got to expand on it.

DIGGER
Yeah, but it was Mac's death that triggered a lot of that growth on Heather's part. Had he survived and gotten a bit more development on his own, she wouldn't be the same character, and given Byrne's own boredom with him, I think we came out better for losing him.

mreeez

08-24-2010, 10:13 AM

Yeah, but it was Mac's death that triggered a lot of that growth on Heather's part. Had he survived and gotten a bit more development on his own, she wouldn't be the same character, and given Byrne's own boredom with him, I think we came out better for losing him.

I'm with Digger on this, I'd much rather see Mac lead the team as Guardian because we haven't had that development of his character. We've seen Heather grow and develop as a character and that's why, I think, the overwhelming majority of AF fans would rather see her as the leader. She is a known quantity and one that many like but Mac never got that chance to grow and develop.

I say give him that chance and maybe he can be an iconic character in the hands of a writer that isn't 'bored' with him.

Tiberius Bane

08-24-2010, 02:03 PM

Byrne was the only author who has undeedstood Mac, what drove him and what he was like beneath the Guardian suit. Then he grew bored, and killed him. And comics have been all downhill from there. It's time to let Mac rest - for good.

I couldn't disagree with you more. Mac has so much potential that has been wasted because every writer since Byrne just keeps killing him off for shock value.

I have a feeling that they are going to bring Alpha back, and Mac will sacrifice himself again to save the others.

Mac is one of my favourite characters and will be truly upset if he doesnt come back with the team.

varo

08-24-2010, 04:33 PM

i completely agree, i never felt mac was fully developed, he only lasted 12 issues. if they bring him back, just to kill him for shock value i will swear off comics forever. that will be beyond cheap.

cmdrkoenig67

08-24-2010, 06:31 PM

I'm with Digger on this, I'd much rather see Mac lead the team as Guardian because we haven't had that development of his character. We've seen Heather grow and develop as a character and that's why, I think, the overwhelming majority of AF fans would rather see her as the leader. She is a known quantity and one that many like but Mac never got that chance to grow and develop.

I say give him that chance and maybe he can be an iconic character in the hands of a writer that isn't 'bored' with him.

Mac is still, essentially...A blank slate. He has a lot of room to grow, since not a lot was done to flesh him out, in most of his appearances...What do we really know about him? I would definitely like for him to be fleshed out, if he is to remain in the land of the living.

However...I still would rather see Heather be leader, since for the most part Mac has been characterized (mostly during the Byrne years of Alpha) as not really wanting the job. Heather has more experience and drive to be leader. The option of co-leaders would also be an interesting angle for Mac and Heather, especially if the team were to break into two groups from time to time (when needed).

I haven't really seen it addressed much, but I think even though Northstar is an X-Man...He could certainly be an Alpha Flight member as well...If Wolverine can be on 3 or more teams, certainly a speedster who can fly can be on two. In any case, I would hope that any Alpha Flight creative team would have dibs on him and Aurora, but still...There's no reason he can't be on more than one team. The increased exposure might do both Jean Paul (depending on how he is written) and the other Alphans some good.

Dana

cmdrkoenig67

08-24-2010, 08:38 PM

If anything were to come from the Chaos War one shot, I wouldn't mind seeing Alpha in a mini-series (maybe 4-6 issues) once or twice a year...That is, if an ongoing is out of the question.

Dana

kozzi24

08-24-2010, 11:37 PM

I think an important aspect of the Mac/Heather debate goes to Byrne's roots of the character. Mac NEVER wanted to be leader. Unless something in their experiences clearly changes that, I think the character would best be served in an admistrative supporting role. The ONLY detriment to Hether's leadership is her tendency to fire on teammates a little two quickly, as she has done to both Marrina and Snowbird (with fatal results that second time.) Being the oldest of 7 lent her a natural take-charge leadership.

cmdrkoenig67

08-25-2010, 12:25 AM

DIGGER

08-25-2010, 12:52 AM

With Mac being the leader he brings the reluctant hero to the forefront. He may not seem to want the job but he does wear a costume that is made up of the Canadian flag. That alone makes him the most immediately recognizable member. It is just like the Avengers in that when Cap wasn't in charge it still felt like he SHOULD BE just because of what he was wearing (I know that sounds kind of fickle but that was the impression I got). As for Heather being "trigger happy", I chalk that up to being a convenient way for the "author" to shock the reader or to move the story along.

DIGGER (as you can probably tell I am a huge Guardian fan...nothing against Heather...after all I married a redhead.

Mokole

08-25-2010, 02:12 AM

Well I think my idea of Hudson Tech (company) would fly, and Mac could be the leader of the team. After all, Heather has always been more of an administrator when not in action.

kozzi24

08-25-2010, 03:49 AM

Koz,

I feel Heather has "grown" past that (I believe Mr Mantlo is the party responsible for her blast-happy moments in both instances you mentioned)...Other writers came in and made her a bit more level-headed as Volume One went on.

Dana
I agree
But I consider the fact that she has never been taken to task for it to be an unresolved plot thread. Puck, Box and Northstar were there, so would probably recognize the heat of the moment decisions. Shaman, Snowbird and Mac shpuld still have questions or doubts about the incidents, especially as there ARE two instances where she wantonly fired on teammates. (Wonder wh they left that off of #120's "Join Alpha" recruiting poster.)

kozzi24

08-25-2010, 03:52 AM

Well I think my idea of Hudson Tech (company) would fly, and Mac could be the leader of the team. After all, Heather has always been more of an administrator when not in action.

LOL

Welcome tot he 21st Century, Mok...Heather CAN be CEO instead of just the secretary to one.

Snowbird says, "Does CEO mean Chief Executing Officer?"

cmdrkoenig67

08-27-2010, 06:49 PM

LOL

Welcome tot he 21st Century, Mok...Heather CAN be CEO instead of just the secretary to one.

Snowbird says, "Does CEO mean Chief Executing Officer?"

Nah...She thinks it means Carnivorous Eskimo Offender.

Dana ;)

Wildcard

08-31-2010, 12:44 AM

From both covers - Chaos War and Avengers #4 it seems the artist/creative team is taking Alpha back to their original costumes or close to.

I personally hope that they keep the newer costumes. I much prefer Talisman's Omega outfit and I do like Northstar's newer costume. I would like to see the others with a little more or a modern/current take on their costumes as well. Not to stray too much from the design of the original, just enough to give them an up-to-date look.

Mokole

08-31-2010, 08:26 PM

I meant Heather should run Hudson Tech.

varo

08-31-2010, 10:04 PM

jason aarons explination of puck being in hell in a recent interview:

Since it's already been revealed in interviews and solicits, could you explain why Alpha Flight member Puck is in hell, despite some of his heroics as a member of the team?
Puck, I'm afraid, has been paying the price for having an evil sorcerer trapped inside his body for years (if you don't believe me, go ask Wikipedia). Ah, the perils of living in the Marvel Universe...

varo

08-31-2010, 10:05 PM

and more info from fan expo:

Cebulski began by referring to the previously announced miniseries “Chaos War,” a story spinning out of events in “Incredible Hercules.” Stating that it will “play around with some of the boundaries of the mortal realm,” he displayed some art from a tie-in with the self-explanatory title “Dead Avengers” before telling the appreciative audience that Alpha Flighthttp://images.intellitxt.com/ast/adTypes/mag-glass_10x10.gif (http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=28104#) members killed off by Brian Bendis will also return in a very Canadian one-shot. (He later hinted that the team’s revival won’t end there.) While describing the still-living Giant-Man’s resumption of that name in “Avengers Academy” #7, Cebulski said that one of the issue’s variant covers will involve “our merger with a little company named Disney.”

-K-M-

08-31-2010, 11:19 PM

Oh and here I thought maybe Puck's mercenary days is what got him in Hell, but just that demon (Raazar) he had inside him did it. Kind of weak really. Oh well, I will still pick it up

kozzi24

09-01-2010, 12:17 AM

I meant Heather should run Hudson Tech.

I know, and I'm not dissin' you per se, but there's still the implication that the man should be field leader of the field forces even though the woman has more experience (and didn't get herself blown up.)

Reread V1 #14...everything why Heather should be leader is in there. Now picture the same issue if she had already been in the battlesuit. None of Mac's overthinking hesitation.

Flightpath07

09-01-2010, 01:01 AM

Oh and here I thought maybe Puck's mercenary days is what got him in Hell, but just that demon (Raazar) he had inside him did it. Kind of weak really. Oh well, I will still pick it up

Actually, like the Razor plot-twist to the origin of Puck that Byrne created or not (and I am halfway between on that one), that actually makes sense. Puck is paying the price for trapping Razor within himself (Razor's revenge?).

With any luck, they will be able to make Puck's history make sense somehow. I know, I know, it'll be a "tall order" (groan...), but hopefully somebody will be able to do so.

cmdrkoenig67

09-01-2010, 01:34 AM

Actually, like the Razor plot-twist to the origin of Puck that Byrne created or not (and I am halfway between on that one), that actually makes sense. Puck is paying the price for trapping Razor within himself (Razor's revenge?).

With any luck, they will be able to make Puck's history make sense somehow. I know, I know, it'll be a "tall order" (groan...), but hopefully somebody will be able to do so.

John Byrne did not...Repeat: Did not have anything to do with Raazer being associated with Puck's origin...Bill Mantlo was the fellow responsible for that. John Byrne intended Puck to be a normal dwarf with a condition called Achondroplasia (which is painful and is the cause of the most common type of dwarfism), which Byrne actually named in one issue of Alpha Flight. Mantlo either missed that fact or ignored it.
Dana

Flightpath07

09-01-2010, 04:17 AM

Perhaps this
like the Razor plot-twist to the origin of Puck that Byrne created or not should instead have read,

"Whether or not you like the plot-twist that was ADDED to Byrne's original origin of Puck..."

Cuz that was what i meant.

Le Messor

09-01-2010, 06:37 AM

Perhaps this should instead have read, "Whether or not you like the plot-twist that was ADDED to Byrne's original origin of Puck..."
Cuz that was what i meant.

Ah, okay, because that did not come across.

Good to see you're now thinking like the rest of us. ;)

- Le Messor
"He who spends a storm beneath a tree, takes life with a grain of TNT."

Flightpath07

09-01-2010, 06:42 AM

Wait...if the rest of you are thinking, are you thinking "Collectively"? Blech - I think I just threw up in my mouth a bit.

Le Messor

09-01-2010, 07:06 AM

Who us? Think collectively?
Never.

566

- Le Messor
"Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die."

Flightpath07

09-01-2010, 09:05 AM

Who us? Think collectively?
Never.

566

- Le Messor
"Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die."

heh. Now THAT Collective is alright with me. It is the "other" Collective I am not too fond of.

Flightpath07

09-01-2010, 09:06 AM

Ah, okay, because that did not come across.

My brain goes much faster than my typing fingers (all two of them).

DIGGER

09-01-2010, 10:15 AM

With any luck, they will be able to make Puck's history make sense somehow. I know, I know, it'll be a "tall order" (groan...), but hopefully somebody will be able to do so.

Whatever they do they better not "Puck it up"....collective groan?

DIGGER

cmdrkoenig67

09-01-2010, 01:27 PM

Argh! Bad puns galore...Let's hope they don't screw this return up...AFAIC, Marvel has a lot to vindicate. ;)

Dana:p

Mokole

09-01-2010, 01:33 PM

"Since it's already been revealed in interviews and solicits, could you explain why Alpha Flight member Puck is in hell, despite some of his heroics as a member of the team?Puck, I'm afraid, has been paying the price for having an evil sorcerer trapped inside his body for years (if you don't believe me, go ask Wikipedia). Ah, the perils of living in the Marvel Universe..."

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=28114

Ahab

09-01-2010, 06:55 PM

Is this Groundhog day, the sequel? :confused:;)

Flightpath07

09-01-2010, 08:35 PM

Would Groundhogs Day really need a sequel? I mean, couldn't you just watch the original, over and over and over...?...

Ahab

09-01-2010, 08:44 PM

Would Groundhogs Day really need a sequel? I mean, couldn't you just watch the original, over and over and over...?...
True that...

-K-M-

09-05-2010, 07:47 PM

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=28175

I'd assume that the #1 topic at Fan Expo every year is Alpha Flight. Have you heard what the reaction has been to the news of the new story up there yet?

Certainly, if you're up in Toronto or in Canada in general, there are going to be more people interested in Alpha Flight per capita than anywhere else in the world, and we did that special "Avengers" #4 cover which was sold at the Fan and sold out by noon on Saturday. I haven't really had an opportunity to talk to anybody just yet about the Toronto show in depth, so my answer is "I don't know." But my expectation is that, yes, people were pretty interested in what's going on with Alpha Flight and the "Chaos War: Alpha Flight" one-shot. Beyond that, we'll see what develops.

After the news surrounding Canada's favorite superteam came out over our last few columns, thew40 asked, "I know this is a long-dangling plot thread, but what ever happened to the Guardian and Vindicator's baby? With the (brief) return of Alpha Flight, any sign of this kid?"

Brevoort: Wow, even I don’t really recall Guardian and Vindicator’s baby as a plot thread, so I don’t think there’s much likelihood that it’s going to resurface any time soon – especially not until Alpha Flight has some kind of a series again.

And in fact, we had a few questions about international superheroes this week, and I wanted to put two together. First we have strathcona who asked, "Alpha Flight one-shot recently announce. Fantastic Winter Guard mini recently. MI13 one of the best recently canceled series. Is there any chance we can see an International Teams anthology book so we can keep up with these teams?" And as a great follow up to that, there's The GoldenAger wondering, "Will we see any more mini-series based on International Teams in the Marvel Universe (i.e. The Triumph Division, Les Heroes De Paris, etc.)?"

Any chance either of these ideas might work for some of Marvel's overseas heroes?

Brevoort: Possibly, though I think we do a disservice to these characters and their respective cultures and homelands by lumping them all together simply because they’re outside the USA. I don’t know that there’s a widespread interest in any and all international teams per se, but there might be specific interest in the Winter Guard, or in MI:13 or in Alpha Flight. So when we consider projects headlining these characters, they have to be strong stories that are intrinsically keyed to these particular heroes.

So it’s not out of the question that we might choose to do some manner of “Around The World” anthology, but I don’t think it’s incredibly likely. It’s more probable that somebody will hit on a good approach for any of these specific teams, as has happened with Winter Guard and Alpha Flight recently, and then we’ll do the project regardless of the nation it’s set within.

MistressMerr

09-05-2010, 11:46 PM

Brevoort: Possibly, though I think we do a disservice to these characters and their respective cultures and homelands by lumping them all together simply because they’re outside the USA. I don’t know that there’s a widespread interest in any and all international teams per se, but there might be specific interest in the Winter Guard, or in MI:13 or in Alpha Flight. So when we consider projects headlining these characters, they have to be strong stories that are intrinsically keyed to these particular heroes.

So it’s not out of the question that we might choose to do some manner of “Around The World” anthology, but I don’t think it’s incredibly likely. It’s more probable that somebody will hit on a good approach for any of these specific teams, as has happened with Winter Guard and Alpha Flight recently, and then we’ll do the project regardless of the nation it’s set within.
Wow, was that... an actual diplomatic, respectful answer from Brevoort? Gold star!

suzene

09-06-2010, 05:22 AM

Wow, was that... an actual diplomatic, respectful answer from Brevoort? Gold star!

I call Skrull. ;)

Le Messor

09-06-2010, 05:53 AM

I call Skrull. ;)

Yes?

I, too, was surprised by Brevoort's answer; not just that it was diplomatic, but it was actually a good answer.

- Le Messor
"Heisenberg might have slept here."

Flightpath07

09-06-2010, 08:44 AM

It’s more probable that somebody will hit on a good approach for any of these specific teams, as has happened with Winter Guard and Alpha Flight recently

is anyone having any thoughts on this? I am assuming his "good approach" for AF is about the One-Shot. Or is it?

Mokole

09-06-2010, 03:14 PM

I wonder too if that's an unintentional mention of an AF series. 'Good approach for AF recently' doesn't sound like Chaos War.

DIGGER

09-06-2010, 04:27 PM

I wonder too if that's an unintentional mention of an AF series. 'Good approach for AF recently' doesn't sound like Chaos War.
Gotta agree with you on this one. I wouldn't think a one-shot would garner a response like that.
[-o<

DIGGER

Flightpath07

09-06-2010, 06:36 PM

That is what i was thinking (hoping? praying?) as well, Mok. (and Diggs)

Le Messor

09-07-2010, 05:13 PM

Hmm... Could it be subtle publicity?

- Le Messor
"Translated from Marketing language, it means 'give us your money'. Of course, everything in Marketing means 'give us your money'."
- me

kozzi24

09-08-2010, 09:43 PM

Gotta agree with you on this one. I wouldn't think a one-shot would garner a response like that.
[-o<

DIGGER

The one-shot is a good testing ground, critically and financially.

varo

09-10-2010, 05:07 PM

I like Jim mccann. His latest tweet:

Words I never want to type or seen typed again: "Temporal copies."
TweetDeck • 9/10/10 11:30 AM

Legerd

09-10-2010, 08:09 PM

I like Jim mccann. His latest tweet:

Words I never want to type or seen typed again: "Temporal copies."
TweetDeck • 9/10/10 11:30 AM

cool :cool:

Flightpath07

09-11-2010, 01:17 AM

Things I never want to see typed again; "Alpha Flight? They're dead - dead, dead, dead. We killed them." (not an exact quote, sorry.)

That, and the words "off-panel death".

mreeez

09-14-2010, 11:00 AM

Signed copies pf Alpha Flight: Chaos War available (https://www.dynamicforces.com/htmlfiles/p-C115721.html).

Sypes

09-14-2010, 11:10 AM

Just ordered mine

Signed copies pf Alpha Flight: Chaos War available (https://www.dynamicforces.com/htmlfiles/p-C115721.html).

mreeez

09-29-2010, 06:44 PM

McCanns Twitter

JimMcCann

Oh, and @Reilly_Brown is drawing the best looking Alpha Flight I've seen since Byrne. Seriously

suzene

09-29-2010, 07:36 PM

Not to disparage Mr. Brown's considerable talent, but that's a pretty low bar given the quality of the post-Byrne art.

Flightpath07

09-30-2010, 04:53 AM

Ouch, Suzene!

That "thud"ding noise, was the sound of several former AF-artists falling away from this website after having read that. :|

Le Messor

09-30-2010, 05:42 AM

That "thud"ding noise, was the sound of several former AF-artists falling away from this website after having read that. :|

One of those being Jim Lee!
Even Linkara likes him, and says he's the good thing about All Star Crazy Steve and Dick Grayson: Age 12.

- Le Messor
"Hey, buddy, can you paradigm?"

suzene

09-30-2010, 07:15 AM

Ouch, Suzene!

That "thud"ding noise, was the sound of several former AF-artists falling away from this website after having read that. :|

*shrug* Some of them got better later -- in the cases of, say, Mignola and Lee, a LOT better -- but the art on Alpha Flight post-Byrne more often than not looked like artists cutting their teeth, and I didn't care for it.

One of those being Jim Lee!
Even Linkara likes him, and says he's the good thing about All Star Crazy Steve and Dick Grayson: Age 12.

Why "even Linkara"? The guy reviews bad comics and calls them for what they are, but he's not a professional hater or anything.

Le Messor

09-30-2010, 07:34 AM

Why "even Linkara"? The guy reviews bad comics and calls them for what they are, but he's not a professional hater or anything.

True, but usually if he reviews something you can tell right away that it's bad to the bone; so if he says there is good in it, I pay attention.
Search your feelings. You know it to be true.
There is no conflict.

- Le Messor
"Something something something Dark Side."
~ The Emperor discovers the formula for Star Wars Dialogue
(Family Guy)

DaVeO

10-04-2010, 02:05 PM

True, but usually if he reviews something you can tell right away that it's bad to the bone; so if he says there is good in it, I pay attention.
Search your feelings. You know it to be true.
There is no conflict.

- Le Messor
"Something something something Dark Side."
~ The Emperor discovers the formula for Star Wars Dialogue
(Family Guy)

No lies, at the exact same time I read your post, Bad to the Bone was playing on the radio. :shock:

Le Messor

10-04-2010, 03:44 PM

No lies, at the exact same time I read your post, Bad to the Bone was playing on the radio. :shock:

I love it when that happens. Usually with my iPod, which I swear has a sense of humour (and pays a disturbing amount of attention for a machine.)

- Le Messor
"You say potato, I say crazy old guy with a wheelchair of death."
- Wolverine, Astonishing X-Men

mreeez

10-07-2010, 11:20 AM

I'll be going to New York Comicon this Saturday and see if I can dig up some more info on the return of the Flight.

Mokole

10-07-2010, 08:10 PM

Good luck to you AND Phil, and anyone else!

cmdrkoenig67

10-07-2010, 08:12 PM

Have fun at the Con, guys! I wish I could go...I've never been to one.

Dana :(

suzene

10-11-2010, 03:48 PM

Reilly Brown has a height comparison sketch of The Flight up on his DA. (http://reillybrown.deviantart.com/art/Alpha-Flight-182303213)

I can't lie, that is some good-looking Alpha Flight. I am a bit thrown by Heather and Marrina's heights, though. Heather looks SO short next to Mac.

Le Messor

10-11-2010, 04:11 PM

You can lie Suzene. Just try, try!!!

Yeah, you're right - it does look pretty good. He draws Sasquatch as if he's seen Byrne's designs. First, they put Alpha Flight in an Alpha Flight book, then they actually look at Sasquatch before they draw him? Haven't they read Marvel's policies on Alpha Flight at all?

Also, I agree that the heights are off. If I had more time and less lazy, I'd check the 'One will die' and 'Who will lead' ads from #11 and... 16? respectively. There, Byrne drew a similar pic. There's no Heather next to Mac, but I think she comes up a little higher than his shoulder.

- Le Messor
"His thoughts tumbled in his head, making and breaking alliances like underpants in a dryer without Cling Free."
~ Chuck Smith, Woodbridge

Flightpath07

10-11-2010, 05:44 PM

Mac and Sas both look too tall, as does Marrina. Mac is a scientist, not a basketball player!

Good looking pic, tho.

maniac mike

10-11-2010, 06:22 PM

Gus Vazquez has a B&W pic of Man-Bot on his DeviantART site...

http://uncle-gus.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2xshnh

Ahab

10-11-2010, 08:22 PM

Gus Vazquez has a B&W pic of Man-Bot on his DeviantART site...

http://uncle-gus.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2xshnh

Ugh. Man-Bot. My least favorite Alphan of all-time...

Bill P

10-11-2010, 09:56 PM

More so than Major Maple Leaf???

rplass

10-11-2010, 10:20 PM

Gus Vazquez has a B&W pic of Man-Bot on his DeviantART site...

http://uncle-gus.deviantart.com/gallery/#/d2xshnh

Nice find! I'm a gonna link to it!

Love,
rplass

DIGGER

10-11-2010, 10:52 PM

Mac and Sas both look too tall, as does Marrina. Mac is a scientist, not a basketball player!

Good looking pic, tho.

C'mon, if you came back from the dead wouldn't you want to change something about yourself? Maybe Mac wanted to come back taller. (I sure hope he didn't come back to be a Toronto Raptor!)

DIGGER

Bill P

10-11-2010, 11:06 PM

Height of characters according tho the Official Handbook of the Marvel Universe:

Northstar 5'11" 185 lbs
Aurura 5'11" 125 lbs
Mac 6'2" 190 lbs
Heather 5'5" 120 lbs
Shaman 5'8"
Puck 3'6" 225 lbs (??)
Snowbird 5'10" 108 lbs
Marrina 6' 200 lbs
Sasquatch 10' 2000 lbs

I think the sketch is fairly accurate.

Le Messor

10-12-2010, 05:24 AM

@Bill -
Puck was superdense for a while. His body, not his head.

Looks like the sketch is accurate to that, but what about Byrne's canon?
Okay, remember those pictures I was too lazy to look up this morning?
According to them, Heather is as tall as the twins - and they come up to Guardian's chin.
None of them is wearing heels.

Guardian is the tallest (um, 'cept Sas, of course), with Snowbird being a tiny bit shorter than the twins in one picture and a bit taller in the other. She's a shapeshifter, though.
Puck looks a little shorter and less hairier in the second image (but his head's bowed), but the rest are fairly consistent.

- Le Messor
"History books which contain no lies are extremely dull."

Flightpath07

10-12-2010, 09:14 AM

How tall is Walter? I seem to recall he was always shown to be the tallest, yet unless he was HUGELY (is that a word?) tall, then how the heck is Mac 6'2"?

I honestly am not too sure about the accuracy of that picture. The scale just seems wrong. I have never noticed Heather to be drawn as a short woman, once she lost the mousy/plain look she originally had she ended up being a tall, leggy woman - not short. Shorter than 6' tall people -definitely. But 5'5"? I don't buy it. If that is the case, then many other artists have never drawn her accurately.

varo

10-12-2010, 09:39 AM

i dont think you can fault reilly brown for that. he said he was using the marvel encyclepedia as the source, if anything blame marvel.

mreeez

10-12-2010, 11:05 AM

More from Reilly Brown (http://reillybrown.deviantart.com/art/Sasquatch-sketch-182415001)

varo

10-12-2010, 12:43 PM

now that looks like sasquatch.

cmdrkoenig67

10-12-2010, 01:59 PM

Mac and Sas both look too tall, as does Marrina. Mac is a scientist, not a basketball player!

Good looking pic, tho.

Sassy is 10 ft tall (so no, he is not too tall here), Marrina is supposed to be 6 ft tall and thus, not too tall here either...Heather is 5'5" so she should be rather short...Mac is 6' 2".

Dana

cmdrkoenig67

10-12-2010, 02:03 PM

Le Messor

10-12-2010, 04:08 PM

Rplass - as with others, I don't like Manbot, but that doesn't stop that being a really cool pic.

i dont think you can fault reilly brown for that. he said he was using the marvel encyclepedia as the source, if anything blame marvel.

I haven't been since Bill P posted the heights. But, if you compare the official heights to Byrne's actual imagery...
Wait, I'm gonna dig that up again. Give me a few minutes...

573574

This is what I'm talking about.
I can't think of anything Alpha related where I don't consider Byrne the definitive, final word.

(I'd like to put the Reilly Brown pic next to these two, but I don't know if that'll get us in trouble? If not, tell me, and I'll edit it in.)

Also, great Sasquatch pic from Reilly Brown - really shows personality.

- Le Messor
"History is the study of the world's crime."
~ Voltaire

Flightpath07

10-12-2010, 06:33 PM

cmdrkoenig67

10-13-2010, 01:02 AM

So, according to Byrne's pic, MArrina is slightly shorter than the twins, and Heather is the same size as the twins. And i still feel that Sas looks too tall in Reilly's pic...altho that may be that i am used to other artist's drawing him smaller than he should be drawn...

I stand corrected on Mac being a tall bugger - he is. Would've liked to see Walter's comparative height in that Byrne pic, tho.

Thanks Mik.

Marrina certainly doesn't look 6 ft there, but with Heather and the twins in the second pic...Keep in mind they are behind her, perhaps by a foot. They may still be taller than her, if they were standing right beside her. Heather does look pretty tall there, if Wolvie is 5'3" and Heather is standing behind him...She looks taller than 5'5" there (more like 5'9" or something?).

LOL...Sasquatch is slouching in the second picture.

Dana

cmdrkoenig67

10-13-2010, 01:08 AM

Maybe Mac used to play basketball (it was invented by a Canadian, after all)?....LOL!

Dana

Le Messor

10-13-2010, 03:52 AM

575

Knock, and ye shall receive.
From #1.
That's Mac on the right, with his back to us. The hand and the leg are JP.

- Le Messor
Hobbes: Do you think there's a God?
Calvin: Well, SOMEbody's out to get me.

Flightpath07

10-13-2010, 04:19 AM

575

Knock, and ye shall receive.
From #1.
That's Mac on the right, with his back to us. The hand and the leg are JP.

- Le Messor

Thanx. Judging from that pic, although it is hard to tell, I'd put Walter at 6'3" or 6'4"? If Mac is actually 6'2", that is. (I'd also guess JP to be right-handed? lol)

Sigh...I really, really, really miss Byrne's AF artwork. (Insert nasty curse words aimed at JB's hatred of AF here)

Phil

10-13-2010, 11:55 AM

A quickly taken photo of the Sas Reilly did for me at NYCC:
576

Phil

10-13-2010, 11:57 AM

And he's just put a Marinna up on his DA (http://reillybrown.deviantart.com/art/Marina-182526994);
577

Le Messor

10-13-2010, 03:38 PM

Nice. I like how well he did the Sas under convention conditions - I'm assuming he didn't have a model to draw from?

- Le Messor
"Assume attack positions!"
"But sir, you know what happens when you assume!"

cmdrkoenig67

10-13-2010, 03:46 PM

Thanx. Judging from that pic, although it is hard to tell, I'd put Walter at 6'3" or 6'4"? If Mac is actually 6'2", that is. (I'd also guess JP to be right-handed? lol)

Sigh...I really, really, really miss Byrne's AF artwork. (Insert nasty curse words aimed at JB's hatred of AF here)

The handbooks say Walt is 6'4" in his natural human form...So right on, FP. :D

Dana

cmdrkoenig67

10-13-2010, 04:18 PM

Okay....More on heights of characters...Check out Marrina in her first appearance in Alpha Flight Vol 1, #1

http://www.byrnerobotics.com/forum/uploads/RyanMaxwell/2007-10-04_125046_AF_01_02.jpg

Legerd

10-14-2010, 12:00 AM

More from Reilly Brown (http://reillybrown.deviantart.com/art/Sasquatch-sketch-182415001)

OMG, that's fantastic! :eek: I can't wait for the one-shot.

Le Messor

10-14-2010, 05:02 AM

Okay....More on heights of characters...Check out Marrina in her first appearance in Alpha Flight Vol 1, #1

Wow! Guardian's taller than I thought! Taller than any three people standing on each other's heads!

S'rously, I thought of posting that image. But then I didn't.

It does add Beta and Gamma to the mix, though. Lil seems to be taller than anyone but Sas.

- Le Messor
"Home is the place where your computer lives and runs your life."

mreeez

10-14-2010, 11:29 AM

Interview excerpt from Reilly Brown

Can you give us a hint as to what you have in store for us in the future?
Up next is an Alpha Flight one-shot that ties into Chaos War. There are a lot of rabid Alpha Flight fans out there who have been e-mailing me to make sure I remember to draw Northstar with pointy ears and things like that, so I'm impressed with the amount of enthusiasm around the project. Jim McCann's writing it, and he's a huge Alpha Flight fan, so hopefully this will satisfy everyone's desires for Canadian superheroes for now-- or at least wet everyone's appetites. If the book does well enough, and the editors hear enough feedback, who knows? Maybe there will be some more Alpha on the horizon.

Full interview HERE (http://www.tentonstudios.com/forum/index.php?topic=8017.msg0#new)

Phil

10-14-2010, 11:45 AM

I love the fact that there's a copy of Alpha Flight Classic on his desk for reference...

Le Messor

10-14-2010, 04:02 PM

I love the fact that there's a copy of Alpha Flight Classic on his desk for reference...

More importantly, look next to it; on top of his copy of 'Drawing the Human something something'. That red line is pointing straight at drawings of at least two of the Great Beasts - I recognise Somon the Artificer, and Ranaq next to him; and could that be Kariooq the corrupter above Somon?

I can't make out much from the page of comic art, but in the middle of the left-hand side there's a woman with a headdress. She could be Snowbird, but looks more like Scarlet Witch - and of course, this may have nothing to do with Alpha Flight.

- Le Messor
Homer: Are you saying you're never going to eat any animal again? What about bacon?
Lisa: No.
Homer: Ham?
Lisa: No.
Homer: Pork chops?
Lisa: Dad, those all come from the same animal.
Homer: Heh heh heh. Ooh, yeah, right, Lisa. A wonderful, magical animal.

suzene

10-14-2010, 07:40 PM

I love the fact that there's a copy of Alpha Flight Classic on his desk for reference...

Ha, likewise!

Also, I am officially a rabid fan! Yay! I want a badge or something.

DIGGER

10-14-2010, 11:33 PM

Le Messor

10-14-2010, 11:53 PM

One of the things you have to becareful of when comparing the heights of Alpha in those 2 pictures of Byrnes is the positioning of the characters...

I was thinking about that when looking. Their feet are all in one single line in all three pics, indicating that that isn't the case; also, for perspective alone to make the kind of difference we're talking about, they'd have to be standing very far apart - far farther than would make sense for a group shot like any of the three.

All that said, I have to admit that after I scanned my two images in and tried to make them the same scale, it became obvious that they weren't particularly consistent. I don't believe Dana's is, either (if you take all three together)

- Le Messor
Nerk

cmdrkoenig67

10-15-2010, 02:32 PM

One of the things you have to becareful of when comparing the heights of Alpha in those 2 pictures of Byrnes is the positioning of the characters. They are not all on the same plane, they are standing one in front of the other. Perspective-wise that will have a slight affect in how tall they appear (for example Marrina may in fact be taller than Aurora but since she is behind Aurora she looks slightly shorter). I'm not saying that Marvel got the heights wrong, it's just that unless they stand side by side/shoulder to shoulder all Reilly has to go by is the handbook.

DIGGER

I think that's what I said above (quoted myself below), Dig...Does everybody have me on ignore or some such?

Dana:p

Marrina certainly doesn't look 6 ft there, but with Heather and the twins in the second pic...Keep in mind they are behind her, perhaps by a foot. They may still be taller than her, if they were standing right beside her. Heather does look pretty tall there, if Wolvie is 5'3" and Heather is standing behind him...She looks taller than 5'5" there (more like 5'9" or something?).

LOL...Sasquatch is slouching in the second picture.

cmdrkoenig67

10-15-2010, 02:35 PM

More importantly, look next to it; on top of his copy of 'Drawing the Human something something'. That red line is pointing straight at drawings of at least two of the Great Beasts - I recognise Somon the Artificer, and Ranaq next to him; and could that be Kariooq the corrupter above Somon?

I can't make out much from the page of comic art, but in the middle of the left-hand side there's a woman with a headdress. She could be Snowbird, but looks more like Scarlet Witch - and of course, this may have nothing to do with Alpha Flight.

- Le Messor
Homer: Are you saying you're never going to eat any animal again? What about bacon?
Lisa: No.
Homer: Ham?
Lisa: No.
Homer: Pork chops?
Lisa: Dad, those all come from the same animal.
Homer: Heh heh heh. Ooh, yeah, right, Lisa. A wonderful, magical animal.

How on Earth are you seeing all that, Mik? It's making my eyes bleed trying to make out what's on those pages...:cry:

Dana

Le Messor

10-15-2010, 04:07 PM

Does everybody have me on ignore or some such?

Yep, Dana, it's a rule we have here, didn't you know?

I don't think a foot behind her would affect perspective that much.

How on Earth are you seeing all that, Mik? It's making my eyes bleed trying to make out what's on those pages...:cry:

The woman with the headdress is the only thing I can make out on that page. The Great Beast picture is the sort of thing I recognise because I know what they look like.

- Le Messor
"Honest criticism is hard to take, particularly from a relative, a friend, an acquaintance, or a stranger."
~ Franklin P. Jones

SNOWCHILD

10-16-2010, 07:18 AM

What's going on here?
This is... well, it goes far beyond my mental sanity for sure...
I missed some months of this forum and when I return I discover that...
... MARVEL IS BRINGING BACK THE GREATEST SUPEHERO TEAM OF ALL TIME...?!
Please, if this is a dream, just make me sleep!

Marrina. I want Marrina. They already brought back Snowbird, so now I just need Marrina.

Oh God, I'm so excited!

I'm 100% fine with the magical/infernal comeback. It screams RETCON from every letter, but who cares. They could have go through the "temporal copies were killed, not the real ones" path anyway.

SNOWCHILD

10-16-2010, 07:22 AM

557

This cover... it's like Alpha Flight are saying readers: "Look out, we're back with a vengeance, and we're the real deal: X-MEN SUCK!" Hahahha.
That's why Marvel killed them in the very first place. LOL.

SNOWCHILD

10-16-2010, 07:29 AM

My point was not that the series instantly declined. My point was more that Byrne made a huge mistake, and he did it out of boredom and not liking the team he was writing. he was the only writer who could write Mac and make him interesting. All attempts at resurrecting him have failed, mainly because nobody knew who he really was or what to do with him. As a character, only Byrne knew him. In some way, it is almost like JB committed suicide when he killed off Guardian...

Fact is, Guardian/Mac was the "normal" guy interacting with the weirdest creatures on the planet (Snowbird, Marrina, Sas, the twins). When Byrne killed him, he basically killed the "normal" viewers' point of view. That was the interesting trick to play, the interaction between Mac and the guys. Maybe Byrne didn't fully understand that, and just killed Mac out of "boredom" --- or because he was thinking Mac as a Captain America replica. He wasn't.

If they're gonna do a new AF title, they need to play new cards, not killing off members just for the sake of it.
They need to focus on the most recognizable members (the originals) and just use some old Betans as "guests". Manikin should be the first one.
They need to mix up Byrne's and Mantlo's flavour (I loved Mantlo's run) and come up with some new "spices" as well.

Flightpath07

10-16-2010, 06:12 PM

Also, I am officially a rabid fan!

I tried that once. The rabbit lost, the fan won.

DIGGER

10-16-2010, 07:40 PM

I was thinking about that when looking. Their feet are all in one single line in all three pics, indicating that that isn't the case; also, for perspective alone to make the kind of difference we're talking about, they'd have to be standing very far apart - far farther than would make sense for a group shot like any of the three.

All that said, I have to admit that after I scanned my two images in and tried to make them the same scale, it became obvious that they weren't particularly consistent. I don't believe Dana's is, either (if you take all three together)

- Le Messor
Nerk

The two images i was referring to were the Who will die/Who will lead pics not the Beta/Gamma images. And no Dana I'm not ignoring you. How can I when we both agree on the same thing.

DIGGER

cmdrkoenig67

10-16-2010, 08:03 PM

I will not be ignored?...Yay! LOL!

Dana

Le Messor

10-18-2010, 05:07 AM

The two images i was referring to were the Who will die/Who will lead pics

Me too.

- LM
"Honesty is next to poverty."

DIGGER

10-19-2010, 11:16 PM

But in the Who will live/Who will lead they are not on the same line. If they were they would be shoulder to shoulder not one infront of the other. If you look at the images they are standing infront of each other so that will have an effect on height. Sorry to disagree but I'm beginning to feel like Dana.

DIGGER

Flightpath07

10-20-2010, 04:21 AM

Sorry to disagree but I'm beginning to feel like Dana.

DIGGER

I'm ignoring this.

mreeez

10-20-2010, 03:24 PM

New Tweet from Reilly Brown

I just turned in a page that I think will make Alpha Flight fans very happy.

Le Messor

10-20-2010, 03:37 PM

But in the Who will live/Who will lead they are not on the same line. If they were they would be shoulder to shoulder not one infront of the other.

Yes, that's true, and I wasn't disputing it. What I was saying was that they weren't (or shouldn't be) far enough apart to have as much of an effect on height as we're seeing if the Encyclopedia is accurate.
Though, given how much shorter Snowbird is in the one where she's behind everyone, I could be wrong here.

I just turned in a page that I think will make Alpha Flight fans very happy.

Um... okay?
Is it chocolate?

- Le Messor
"Hope is a waking dream."

Legerd

10-20-2010, 06:31 PM

New Tweet from Reilly Brown

Is it a signed contract to draw an Alpha ongoing?

Ahab

10-20-2010, 08:16 PM

Legerd

10-20-2010, 10:14 PM

Good grief, Charlie Brown. I look at this as his not-so-subtle way of tellng us that Alpha Flight is coming back for good. We really should try out some different bling because right now everybody is so jaded...;)

Hey now, we's only havin' fun. ;) And for the record I've already said I believe AF is coming back to stay with this one-shot.

Along those lines... has anyone tried to get an interview with either Jim McCann or Reilly Brown for Alphaflight.net?

cmdrkoenig67

10-20-2010, 10:15 PM

I dunno about being jaded, Ahab...For me, it's more like having been burned a few times.

Dana

-K-M-

10-20-2010, 10:48 PM

I dunno about being jaded, Ahab...For me, it's more like having been burned a few times.

Dana

Cosigned, we shall see what the future holds.

I'm trying to be optomistic though.

Le Messor

10-21-2010, 04:22 AM

Think of me more as lapis lazuli'd.

(Also, my comment was 'that didn't tell me anything'; not 'this is gonna suck'.)

- Le Messor
"Honk if you love obscene gestures."

Flightpath07

10-21-2010, 06:25 PM

I dunno about being jaded, Ahab...For me, it's more like having been burned a few times.

Dana

Yes. Its the Burn Ward for me, as well. You tend to get all numb-like, when you have no nerves left.

Ahab

10-21-2010, 08:26 PM

Yes. Its the Burn Ward for me, as well. You tend to get all numb-like, when you have no nerves left.

That's what healing factors are for.

Ahab

10-21-2010, 08:28 PM

I dunno about being jaded, Ahab...For me, it's more like having been burned a few times.

Dana

Actually, I think the problem is we were all Byrned the first time and now nothing is quite good enough. :D

cmdrkoenig67

10-21-2010, 08:30 PM

LOL! Good one, Ahab...I still love Byrne's Alpha stories the best.

Dana

Le Messor

10-22-2010, 04:50 AM

Flightpath07

10-22-2010, 07:22 AM

Or is it just a bunch of stuff I thought I'd mention?

- Le Messor

No, "it"...Stands for "Information Technology," and is pronounced "I.T." It refers to anything related to computing technology, such as networking, hardware, software, the Internet, or the people that work with these technologies. Many companies now have IT departments for managing the computers, networks, and other technical areas of their businesses. IT jobs include computer programming, network administration, computer engineering, Web development, technical support, and many other related occupations. Since we live in the "information age," information technology has become a part of our everyday lives. That means the term "IT," already highly overused, is here to stay. *

* As described by techterms.com ( from whom i receive no money :mad: ).

Flightpath07

10-22-2010, 07:27 AM

Le Messor, you bring up good points.

Unfortunately, we will only know if THIS Alpha Flight succeeds where the others have failed, in hindsight.

As i think you may be getting at...although it appears that perhaps Marvel just may have possibly learned a lesson from their many many myriad and totally brutally well-earned previous mistakes...just because it smells like Alpha Flight, looks like Alpha Flight, and says it is Alpha Flight, doesn't mean that there isn't even more possibility of a larger and much more catastrophic failure than what has been seen before.

As i said, we will only know, in hindsight. Such is the curse of humanity. Such is the curse of Alpha Flight.

In the meantime, prehensile toes crossed!

cmdrkoenig67

10-22-2010, 02:18 PM

The last three relaunches seemed to follow a pattern - the new creator gets the book, then starts talking about how they've always loved Alpha Flight, and how they're really excited to be on the book. Then they'd come to this forum to chat with us and tell us how happy they are to be on the series.

Then we'd learn that this particular series is the last, best hope for Alpha Flight. Once it fails, no more chances.

At some point, we'd learn the new team lineup - and it'd have little in common with Alpha Flight as we know it.

To my knowledge, none of that has happened on this particular run. In fact, the team lineup is Alpha Flight as I think of it.

Should we get excited just for that?
Or is it just a bunch of stuff I thought I'd mention?

- Le Messor
"Hope is what keeps all suffering in place."

If you look at Joe Quesada's (or Tom Brevoort's, Marvel execs in general) pattern also, then you'd notice he (or they) seems to constantly talk in absolutes ("Dead means dead", Alpha Flight's "last chance", "Nothing will be the same" after House of M, M Day, Civil War, Secret invasion, etc, etc...)...It's a sad way to do business, because nearly everything they promise to be permanent turns out to be false.

Dana

mreeez

10-22-2010, 02:50 PM

If you look at Joe Quesada's (or Tom Brevoort's, Marvel execs in general) pattern also, then you'd notice he (or they) seems to constantly talk in absolutes ("Dead means dead", Alpha Flight's "last chance", "Nothing will be the same" after House of M, M Day, Civil War, Secret invasion, etc, etc...)...It's a sad way to do business, because nearly everything they promise to be permanent turns out to be false.

Dana

It's the nature of comics.

Le Messor

10-22-2010, 04:09 PM

No, "it"...Stands for "Information Technology,"...

Thanks. Turns out, I knew that. Dumb question.
Sorry.

Also, the one word we cannot bear to hear.

Unfortunately, we will only know if THIS Alpha Flight succeeds where the others have failed, in hindsight.

One of our measures of success has been 'lasted a long time'. As a one shot, this can't do that.
Of course, some of our other measures have been:
Is Alpha Flight.
Success!
Is any good.
We'll have to wait and see on that one. Of course, your mileage may vary, whatever happens.
Sells well.
Again, wait and see. A little less subjective than the above though.
That could lead, though, to the first one... and would be really cool, combined with the next two. (Though I really don't want to encourage wild mass guessing, not this early. This is just a possibility I'm outlining, not a 'This is what's gonna happen' thing.)

If you look at Joe Quesada's (or Tom Brevoort's, Marvel execs in general) pattern also, then you'd notice he (or they) seems to constantly talk in absolutes ("Dead means dead", Alpha Flight's "last chance", "Nothing will be the same" after House of M, M Day, Civil War, Secret invasion, etc, etc...)...It's a sad way to do business, because nearly everything they promise to be permanent turns out to be false.

Yeah, I notice patterns. That is my blessing. That is my curse.

I call it a blurse!
On the other hand, things they threaten also turn out false. Maybe Peter & MJ will get married again?

- Le Messor
"Only the Sith talk in absolutes."
- Sith Lord Obi-Wan Kenobi

cmdrkoenig67

10-29-2010, 11:45 PM

Blurse...I love it (Gotta love Buffy references!). That made me smile, thanks, Mik!...I needed it.

Dana :D

SNOWCHILD

10-30-2010, 04:17 PM

LOL, I'm a bit lost here.
"Relaunch" what?
If AF truly comes back from the dead world, we get the same team we learnt to love in AF #1.
Hopefully no John Byrne in sight to kill'em all in a big zapping slaughter or Mantlo turning them into transexuals. LOL.

Le Messor

10-30-2010, 06:36 PM

Blurse...I love it (Gotta love Buffy references!). That made me smile, thanks, Mik!...I needed it.

Is that where I picked that word up? I've been wondering for years. (Started to think I'd made it up, via Simpsons.)
Also, glad to give a smile. :)

LOL, I'm a bit lost here.
"Relaunch" what?
If AF truly comes back from the dead world, we get the same team we learnt to love in AF #1.

The same team would still be a relaunch, as the series would be started (launched) anew... I think that's what you're lost about?

- Le Messor
"How come when I call Information they can’t tell me where my keys are?"

Flightpath07

10-30-2010, 07:03 PM

The same team would still be a relaunch, as the series would be started (launched) anew... I think that's what you're lost about?

Lost...sigh...another television epic that should never have ended...