It’s been a busy spring and summer...so busy that I had to cancel my appearance at Heroes Con, which made me very sad.  But I’ll be there in 2009, come hell or high water!  On the bright side, it looks as if I’ll be going to Wizard World Texas this November, so I won’t go through 2008 without any con appearances in the South.  And as a way of apologizing to my friends in North Carolina, the lead character in Avengers: The Initiative #13 hailed from Morganton, NC.  Thanks for the enthusiastic response to my first original Marvel creation, Boulder (a.k.a. Butterball)!

 

As Ruth and I gear up for San Diego Comic-Con, there are several new announcements.  First, I’m writing a bunch of tie-ins to the Marvel mega-event Secret Invasion, starting with Thunderbolts #122-125, beginning in July.  Take my word for it--this story arc WILL have an impact on the greater Marvel Universe, so don’t miss it!

 

Next up are three issues of Iron Man: Director of SHIELD, #33-35.  In this crossover, drawn by one of the iconic Iron Man artists, Sean Chen, we’ll be spotlighting Iron Man’s best pal James Rhodes, a.k.a. War Machine, as he stands up for his fallen friend and takes the battle directly to those dirty alien Skrulls!  And if you think it’ll lead to a higher profile for War Machine in the future, you might just be right!

 

Of course, Avengers: The Initiative will be in the thick of the action in a big way, in issues #14 through #17.

 

In non-Secret Invasion news, the success of House Of M: Avengers inspired Marvel to revisit that particular alternate reality.  Civil War: House Of M, a new miniseries beginning in September,  tells the story so many of you have been clamoring for--how Magneto took over the world!  Art is by my World War Hulk: X-Men collaborator, Andrea DiVito, with covers by Mike Perkins.

 

And just a reminder--don’t miss the big first issue of Wildcats in July!  That’s it for now.  Hope to see some of you in San Diego--I’ll be all over the place, so come by and say hello!