Marvel Heroes game makers announce Iron Man weekend as film breaks UK box office records

Marking the launch of Marvel’s Iron Man 3 movie, which opened in the UK last week in advance of the US release and has broken box office records (taking £11.4 million in its opening weekend), game maker Gazillion Entertainment will be kicking off a Marvel Heroes “Iron Man 3” Open Beta Weekend beginning on Saturday 4th May at 3.00 am BST / through Monday 6th May at 18.00 am BST. 

As part of the Weekend, new players who participate will be able to select an Avenger as their starting hero - including Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Captain America and Black Widow.*

There are over 14 Iron Man armours that will be available in Marvel Heroes spanning the Golden Avenger’s illustrious career in comics and movies (Iron Man, Iron Man 2, Iron Man 3, The Avengers).

Gazillion Entertainment’s Marvel Heroes is an action MMORPG for PC created by David Brevik, the visionary behind  Diablo and Diablo 2. Set in the Marvel Universe,  Marvel Heroes combines the core game-play style of action RPGs and MMOs with an extensive original story crafted by Marvel super-scribe Brian Michael Bendis.

In  Marvel Heroes, players suit up and collect their favourite Marvel superheroes including Iron Man, Thor, Wolverine, Hulk, Spider-Man, Captain America and many more as they team up with friends to try to stop Doctor Doom from devastating the world with the power of the Cosmic Cube. 

Marvel Heroes features a deep leveling system unique to each character, diverse locations set across the expansive Marvel universe, a robust crafting system and much more. Marvel Heroes will be making its debut on PC as a free-to-play game on 4th June 2013.

• In order access the Marvel Heroes “Iron Man 3” Open Beta Weekend, players should register now at www.MarvelHeroes.com. As the weekend approaches, an email will be sent with download instructions.

* Access to The Avengers characters as starting heroes in Marvel Heroes including Iron Man, Thor, Hulk, Captain America and Black Widow, will be available during the Open Beta weekend



 

Marvel Heroes Unleashed

Gazillion Entertainment, publisher of the highly-anticipated massive online action RPG, Marvel Heroes, took the recent New York Comic Con by storm, unveiling three all-new playable heroes from the legendary Marvel Universe: Jean Grey, Nova and Luke Cage.

These iconic Super Heroes join the roster of over 25 announced playable Marvel characters that gamers collect and deploy, including Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor, Captain America, Hulk and Wolverine (but not, as yet, Captain Britain... come on guys!)

Marvel Heroes also showed over 40 minutes of never-before-seen gameplay at New York Comic Con, giving press and consumers an action-packed hands-on experience as they battled villains like the Green Goblin, Electro and the Shocker.

Marvel Heroes, which features an original story crafted by Brian Michael Bendis, is a free-to-play, action MMORPG game created by David Brevik, the visionary behind Diablo and Diablo 2. Set in the heralded Marvel Universe, Marvel Heroes combines the core gameplay style of action RPGs and MMOs with the expansive library of heroes from the Marvel Universe.

In the game, players can collect and play as their favourite Marvel Super Heroes as they team up with friends to try to stop Doctor Doom from devastating the world with the power of the Cosmic Cube.

• Closed beta registration is live now at www.marvelheroes.com

 

Crazy comic-related Christmas presents: the Spider-Man Guitar

You know Christmas is on the way when we start getting PR for perhaps the stranger kinds of comics tie-in merchandise at downthetubes.

Case in point? New guitars from Nevada Music featuring favourite Marvel Super Heroes including Wolverine, X-Men, Spiderman, Iron Man, Captain America, Thor and the Incredible Hulk.

The guitars come with colourful Marvel super hero graphics and detailed artwork that adorn each guitar, strap and pick, set against a black background.

Acoustic Guitars come in half sizes suitable for younger players whilst the electric versions are available in ¾ and full size guitars.

Nevada are proud of their product and tell us both music and Comic fans will find a lot of fun and inspiration in these new instruments from Peavey featuring their favourite Marvel  Heroes. Acoustics are priced from £49.99 and Electric Guitars from £99.

• For more info visit: www.nevadamusic.co.uk or telephone 023 92 205100

The original Death's Head returns in Marvel Heroes

A page from the new Death's Head
versus Hulk story by Simons Furmsn
and Williams. Via Simon's blog

(with thanks to Simon Williams): One of Marvel UK's most popular characters, Death's Head, is set to return in an all-new story for Panini Comics Marvel Heroes.

Issue 33 of the newstand title, on sale in March, will see the original Freelance Peacekeeping Agent Death's  Head back in action – and fighting none other than the Incredible Hulk.

"For the past month or so, I've been making hints on both my Facebook and Twitter accounts in regards to a certain project that I've been working on," says Simon on his official web site on deviantart, "a project which I truly believe is the most exciting thing I've worked on since breaking into the comics business in 2003.

"Well, after numerous weeks of teasing the masses, I can now finally spill the beans... Death's Head is back! The original Freelance Peacekeeping Agent is returning to the pages of of a UK comic, in the pages of Panini Comics' Marvel Heroes, in a tale written by original Death's Head creator Simon Furman, with art by yours truly.

"It's the second part of a two-part story (both parts in the same issue), the first written by Ferg Handley with art by John Ross. Death's Head grand entrance however isn't until our part of the tale."

"Amazingly, this marks my first work on the original Death’s Head since the early 1990s," says Simon Furman, "when he guest-starred in the likes of She-Hulk, Marvel Comics Presents and Death’s Head."

A page of Simon Williams'
fan fiction tale featuring
Death's Head and Hulk

For Simon Williams, this is a dream come true - the accomplished artist even created his own Hulk versus Death's Head strip just for fun some time back, which features in his online gallery.

"It's no secret that I've been campaigning for the return of Death's Head since I broke into comics," Simon enthuses, "so I can't begin to tell you how excited and proud I am to be part of this."

For him, the fact that Death's Head will be fighting none other than the Hulk is "icing on the cake".

"Honestly, my job could never get any better than this," says Simon. "I know for sure that a lot of Marvel UK and Transformers fans out there are going to be very pleased with this news!!

• Marvel Heroes Issue 33 is on sale in all good UK newsagents from 24th March 2011. Death's Head is back... and it's about time, yes?

• Simon Williams blog is here: http://soulmaninc.blogspot.com

Sneek Peek: X-Men versus Dracula by John Royle

Here's a sneek peek at an upcoming cover for Panini's Marvel Heroes title by fab artist John Royle.

John's also penciled the upcoming  X-Men and Dracula strip from what he tells us is a great script by Mitchel Scanlon, with inks by David Roach and "lovely colour" by John Charles.

"I'm just working on a two-issue Spider-Man story for Panini's Spectacular Spider-Man," he tells downthetubes. "It's a great action adventure featuring Spidey, Dormammu, Doctor Strange, Captain Britain, Spitfire, Union Jack and Megan!"

When not drawing Spider-Man or X-Men, John's also been busy this year for a variety of commercial clients.

A recent job was a one page comic strip ad for Benylin, commissioned by top ad agency JWT, which is now running in various magazines in the UK such as Closer and marks another appearance of "Chester the Mucous Monkey" seen in the brand's recent TV ads, brought to CGI life for the small screen by Leigh Brett.

The page went through several changes at art and lettering stages, but JWT and the client are delighted with the final look, which was deliberately intended to 'homage' classic comic storytelling, right down to the "Editor's note" in the main panel.

• Check out John's work at: www.johnroyleart.com

Marvel Super Heroes storm London's Madame Tussauds

Two of the world's leading entertainment brands - Madame Tussauds, part of the Merlin Entertainments Group, and Marvel Entertainment - have joined forces to create a unique new visitor experience at the leading London attraction, scheduled to open in early summer 2010.

Marvel Super Heroes 4D, due to open next month, will feature a mix of 4D animation, interactive themed areas and startlingly realistic Madame Tussauds wax figures over three floors of the attraction.

From the moment you enter a lovingly-created S.H.I.E.L.D (Supreme Headquarters International Espionage Law-enforcement Division) HQ, you'll be immersed in the Marvel superhero world. Hulk’s gigantic legs can be seen standing astride a massive plinth, his torso disappearing through a gaping hole in the ceiling, the green-skinned behemoth free from his Gamma Chamber, triggering warning lights and emergency alarms.

Early design work for the Hulk
as he appears in Marvel Super
Heroes 4D

Next stop is The Hall of Heroes, for some close up and interactive Super Hero action: a very angry Hulk bursts up through the floor with muscles rippling across his huge chest, face contorted in rage. There, you'll be able to measure up to his outsized vital statistics, stand inside his huge outstretched hand and even “turn Hulk” yourself courtesy of a special interactive that will make you appear very, very big and very, very green. Nearby, showing off his amazing arachnid powers, is Spider-Man and a cleverly inverted office scene means you can literally “hang out” with him on the ceiling.

The figure of Wolverine (as portrayed by Hugh Jackman) shows off his awesome foot long Adamantium claws to full effect and you can try them out for size with some special replica versions. No stranger to danger, The Invisible Woman can melt away into the ether and an ingenious graphic effect will allow fans to become semi transparent as you stand alongside her figure (as portrayed by Jessica Alba). You can also find out much more about the featured Super Heroes via graphic light boxes and interactive displays.

Early design work for Doctor Doom
as he appears in Marvel Super Heroes 4D

Linking the Hall of Heroes to the final level is the Heroes Gallery – a futuristic gallery space with Super Hero artwork and a mutant mirror wall that will show some very alternative images.

Also on display is the Super Hero Test Area, full of high tech equipment, where you'll find Iron Man and S.H.I.E.L.D boss, Nick Fury (as portrayed by Samuel L Jackson), keeping a watchful eye on proceedings as you prepare to enter the final phase of their Super Hero adventure – the Marvel Super Hero 4D auditorium.

The climax of the experience is a new 360º nine minute animated 4D cinema attraction, complete with high impact special effects. Screened in Madame Tussauds famous domed auditorium, the story unites a crack team of Super Heroes including Hulk, Spider-Man, Wolverine, and Iron Man in a battle against one of Marvel’s most villainous baddies in an all new adventure set in the UK.

The Super Heroes arrive in London to receive special bravery awards from the Queen only to find The Capital under threat from evil genius, Doctor Doom. The deadly Doctor is intent on destroying the Super Heroes and their secret command centre and has created an army of lethal robotic accomplices to help him.

Utilising the entire 70 metre circumference of the dome, Marvels Super Heroes 4D unites amazingly realistic 3D animation with state of the art digi-star projection and then adds in an extra-sensory fourth dimension. The action will spill out of the screen over the audience and thrill-enhancing special effects - from water and smoke to tremors beneath the feet - will touch every sense, drawing you right into the heart of the adventure. As the story unfolds the London skyline is vividly brought to life and you will literally feel the impact of the villain’s invasion and the force of the Super Heroes’ strength as they do battle.

The film has been created by one of the world leaders in CGI feature films and 4D attractions, Threshold Animation Studios, working in close collaboration with Marvel. The figures and themed experience have been brought to life by Madame Tussauds’ creative team and unrivalled sculptors.

• Tickets for Marvel Super Heroes 4D go on sale very soon. Sign up here to receive the latest news and exclusive special offers from Madame Tussauds. Official web site: www.madame-tussauds.co.uk/4d

Tube Surfing: 27 October 2008

• Comics artist Neil Edwards sent us a sneak peek from an upcoming Iron Man strip for Panin's new Marvel Heroes. Here's a panel from the strip, which see Iron Man battling more than one costumed hero.

• Hot on the heels of our foray into British girls comics with our feature by Jenny McDade on wriitng for Tammy, Artist Sean Phillips has just posted some pages for his The Secret of Penny Farthing he drew for Bunty, aged just 16. Here's the first post, and the second... The first part was inked by Ken Houghton who pencilled and inked the first episode, then Sean took over pencils for the rest of the story.

• Theres' a new episode of the brilliant FreakAngels online from Warren Ellis and Paul Duffield, with Warren suggesting this might be a good starting point for those of you who haven't read it before. (I went and read it and am not so sure, but maybe he's hinting at things to come...)

• Determined that more people should subscribe to The DFC, Neill Cameron has posted the first episode of his gorgeous school strip Mo-Bot High, on his blog.

• The first part of a new interview with Starship Troopers writer Cy Dethan has just been posted on SciFi Pulse. Well worth a read if you're an aspiring wirtyer or artist as Cy offers some useful comment on breaking into the business.

• (via Lew Stringer): Another popular British comics artist is no longer with us. Ken Hunter, whose strips adorned many issues of The Topper and The Beezer died on October 20th aged 91. Our sympathies to his family and friends.

• Steve Holland has profiled Valiant anti-hero One-Eyed Jack, brought to life by John Cooper, over on Bear Alley.

• Artist Tim Perkins has posted some designs for his strip for Hot Wheels comic on his blog. The comic is published by Oldham-based Lucky Bag and the strips written by former Marvel UK and IPC editor Ian Rimmer.

• (via BugPowder): Phill Elliott, who really should have become far more famous, is posting his Tales From Gimbley online, starting with his earliest work and continuing one a day until up to the most recent. The Tales From Gimbley strips were printed around the world, but most of them appeared in Phill's own self-published titles which had very limited print-runs so many of the strips you'll find on this site have been lost in transit.
" This could almost be considered one of the founding documents of the UK small-press movement of the 1980s, I suspect," comments Eddie Campbell on his blog, who also offer a rare insight into the original small press boom back then. "The thing about the original small press comics scene is that there was a seeking to make comics into a kind of café thing. The exciting challenge was to make the medium interact with the regular passing parade.
"Objects were creatively undefined, and poetry music and mail-art were in the mix. Getting an exhibition in a coffee house or a Mayfair gallery, or a review or interview in the music press or in an arts context, or selling stuff at the Saturday open air market or at CND rallies were a few of our opportunities to connect, as I recall."

• Ellerbisms from Marc Ellerby is now online on its own dedicated site at www.ellerbisms.com and well worth a visit. Marc’s promising regularly updated strips Monday and Thursday and has moved all his previous Ellerbisms previously found on his Live Journal to this new site.

• US comics site Newsarama currently has a long, ongoing 10-part interview with Grant Morrison his recently finished and quite brilliant All Star Superman. Here's Part One

Panini Launches Marvel Heroes

Available now in all good British newsagents is the first issue of Panini's Marvel Heroes, which launched last week. The first issue kicks off with two new stories featuring the Hulk and Iron Man respectively.

The title's editor Ed Hammond has given downthetutbes the lowdown on the creators behind the originated strips in the new title. On the Hulk, this time up against Kraven the Hunter, the script is the work of the fevered imagination of Al Ewing, with pencils from John McCrea, inks by James Hodgkins, coloured by Andrew Elder.

Scott Gray, highly acclaimed for his mind-blowing scripts on Doctor Who Magazine, has delivered the Iron Man strip which sees Iron Man battling Dr Octopus. penciled by Carlos Gomez with inks from Gary Erskine, coloured by James Offredi.

"It's 36 pages of explosive Super Hero action in the unmistakable mighty Marvel manner," enthuses Ed, "and features two seven page comic strips each issue. The rest of the issue is packed full of fact files, pull-out posters and other games and activities, plus a news section on all the coolest Marvel merchandise hitting the shelves this month."

For those of you not already persuaded by the top talent working on the title, it comes with a free mean, green Incredible Hulk mask - perfect for Hallowe'en, we say.

"As Smilin' Stan would have it - face front, True Believer, and look for the bagged rubber face of the Ever-So-Slightly-Incredible Hulk at your local thrill-merchants now!" urges Hulk writer Al over on his blog. "Who says this isn't the Mighty Marvel Age of doing much better at writing the Hulk than Jeph Loeb? Red Hulk. schmed Hulk - does he fight Robot Snakes controlled by Kraven the Hunter? I think not, pilgrim!

"And just wait until you eyeball the awesome ending to this seven-page epic of war, woe and cartoon deers whose names have been changed just enough to avoid copyright dispute!"