X-Men: Apocalypse Is Overstuffed, but It’s Not the End of the World; Vanity Fair, 5/26/16

Richard Lawson, Vanity Fair; X-Men: Apocalypse Is Overstuffed, but It’s Not the End of the World:

"As is often said, in the X-Men movies, the personal is political, and vice-versa. These are stories largely about personhood and identity, struggles with self hyper-magnified to become battles for humanity. That’s a stark difference from Marvel’s Avengers movies, which are all about (or have become about) the larger civic politics of government and diplomacy, questioning systems of power and control in a globalized world. Both series can be read as contemporary allegories, with the Avengers’ stories grappling with our current fears and concerns about U.S. adventurism overseas, while the X-Men run parallel to, say, the maddening debate over who can use what bathroom. Perhaps that’s simplifying things—but the X-Men movies have (almost) always felt closer to the bone, more immediate and oddly relatable, than their shinier cousins.

Which is why it’s a shame that Bryan Singer’s latest X-Men film, X-Men: Apocalypse, contends with not a clash between man and mutant—a war so cleverly, and movingly, escalated in 2014’s spectacular, brain-itching time-travel epic X-Men: Days of Future Past—but with an ancient being, named Apocalypse, who aims to do nothing more interesting or creative than end the world so he can rule whatever comes after. Sure, sure, those are some mighty high stakes. But the X-Men are our tortured, emo superheroes, so I like when their fights are coming from within. You know, Magneto (a commanding Michael Fassbender in the last few films) going on some messianic, destructive tear while Charles Xavier (James McAvoy, always giving it his all) tries to talk him off the ledge. Yes, other big things (missiles, robots) get involved, but these clashes can always be boiled down to people trying to define and defend who they are."

Marvel Reveals Inside Look at Diverse New Avengers Lineup; Wall Street Journal, 6/24/15

Michael Calia, Wall Street Journal; Marvel Reveals Inside Look at Diverse New Avengers Lineup:

"Marvel Comics fans are used to the Avengers lineup changing every so often. In the fall, an “all-new, all-different” Avengers will debut, this time with a new wrinkle that marks the company’s latest push for more diversity within its pages...

The new team will also include usual cohorts Thor and Captain America, but not the versions of the characters so many have grown up with. Instead, the female Thor (Jane Foster) and the black Captain America (Sam Wilson, otherwise known as Falcon), who debuted to much controversy last year, will join the crew...

The new Avengers, which were featured in a special story for this year’s Free Comic Book Day, will include other fresh faces beyond the new versions of Captain America and Thor. Marvel is looking to capitalize on the breakout success of Ms. Marvel, a Pakistani-Muslim teenager from Jersey City named Kamala Khan, whose comics were the company’s top digital sellers last year. Another new member, Nova (Sam Alexander, who has a Latino background), is also enjoying mainstream exposure as a key character on the popular Disney Infinity 2.0 videogame.

The team will also feature Spider-Man, but not the classic Peter Parker incarnation of the character. Marvel made waves a few days ago when it announced that Miles Morales, a young man of black and Hispanic descent, would be the main Spider-Man in the Marvel universe. Now Morales will also be an Avenger.

Brevoort, who had the idea to add Morales to the team, thinks the team’s diversity will help lure in new readers. “I think that potentially gives you a wider chance to connect with a wider spectrum of the audience who may be able to see and invest themselves in the characters,” he said."

Kamala Khan's First Animation Appearance Confirmed for "Avengers: Ultron Revolution"; ComicBookResources.com, 6/2/15

Albert Ching, ComicBookResources.com; Kamala Khan's First Animation Appearance Confirmed for "Avengers: Ultron Revolution" :

"Kamala Khan has already conquered comics in a short time -- and now she's moving to animation. CBR News has confirmed with Marvel Television that Marvel Comics' current "Ms. Marvel" will be featured in the upcoming third season of "Avengers Assemble," which has been retitled "Avengers: Ultron Revolution."...

A rare example of both a Muslim and Pakistani American superhero in North American comic books, the character quickly gained mainstream attention for being a positive example of increasing diversity in the comics industry, along with a loyal fanbase enthusiastic for its compelling, all-ages stories."