By Matt McGloin

MARVEL WAR OF KINGS NYCC PANEL

Marvel had their War of Kings Panel from the NYCC earlier today.

The panel consisted of Nick Lowe and CB Cebulski, Christos Gage and Jeff Faerber, Bill Rosemann, Jim McCann and Ben Morse.  DnA couldn't make it. (Also, the editor of the original Annihilation, Andy Schmidt, was called up and received a large applause when he left from the audience.)

Here are the highlights:

WAR OF KINGS:WARRIORS

War of Kings: Warriors, a new Digital comics Exclusive comic was announced which begins in March. It will consist of eight chapters, focusing on Gladiator, Blaastar, Crystal and Lilandra. Taking various characters from War of Kings this exlusive online only series will “…give readers more insight into these characters..”

Writer Christos Gage will be working on a two-part Gladiator story and a Blaastar story. Jay Faerber will be doing a Lilandra story and Crystal story. Faerber will be working with his artist from Dynamo 5, MAHMUD A. ASRAR.

Gladiator’s story will be about why he is so loyal to the Shi’ar Throne and also his origin. He is a favorite of Gage as the first comic Gage bought was X-Men #107 which includes Gladiator’s first appearance.

Gage's Blastaar story will explore how he became king of the Negative Zone and Gage sees Blastaar as more a sci-fi barbarian -- but he's not stupid. He's the ultimate outcast, when we first met him in FANTASTIC FOUR he was on an asteroid exiled from his people.

Faerber’s Lilandra will be about why the role of Queen is so important to her, why she wants it back and “…what drives her to be what she is….”

Regarding Faerber’s Crystal story, this will be about her having a more human persecive on Black Bolt’s hardline stance on things (which we were introduced with in the WOK: One Shot).

More Lilandra news with Nick Lowe saying she will be messing someone up in KINGBREAKER, “pretty bad” and that she has been used too long as a damsel in distress and they want to get away from that.

WAR OF KINGS

Paul Pelletier’s variant cover to WAR OF KINGS #1 was shown (left) featuring Black Bolt vs. Gladiator.

Also, the seven page preview from the back of various marvel comics (Iron Man #10 being one) was shown (unlettered preview here).

Someone asked about Black Bolt’s Infinity Gem, McCann responded that the Infinity Gems will not play a role in WOK but there are plans and that they don’t know where the space gem is as BB was kidnapped and the BB that the Hulk beat up was a skrull.

"Also shown: black and white preview art by Paul Pelletier of Gladiator lead a group of aliends from WOK #3.

Some questions were asked regarding the Inhumans, their previous mini (Silent Invasion) and if they were still at war with earth. They said they are trying to use everything (plot points) that came before and that it was Maximus who declared war on earth, not Black Bolt who us less concerned with earth right now.

Also, mentioned was that WOK will have no ties to Dark Reign.

Regarding, any spin off titles coming out of this event, Rosemann said that is in the hands of the readers.

A fan asked about any plans for Marvel Girl and Korvus with Lower responding not to miss X-Men King Breaker 4.

DARKHAWK

Sounds like there are a lot of major things in store for Darkhawk-

C.B. Cebulski mentioned there are a lot of surprises in store for this character.

Marvel Editor Bill Rosemann explained that Darkhawk’s journey is similar to how Nova’s was in the original Annihilation, but “flipped on its head” and that “his destiny is larger than any of us thought.” Writers DnA looked at his origin and saw where more stories could be told and how his origin could be build upon.

Regarding Darkhawk’s cosmic journey this will be told in the War of Kings Ascension: Four issue mini which is written by DnA and penciled by Wellington Alves -- with Christos Gage mentioning colorist Bruno Hang’s work on this will be “amazing.”

They clarified that Andrea DeVito is working on Nova while Alves is on Ascension.

  

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY

Teaser art from GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #11 and #12 is shown along with art from Salvador Larroca's cover to GUARDIANS #13.

Also, GOTG 11 and 12 will ship bi-weekly.

It was mentioned that Vance Astro, an original Gaurdian, will be showing up all throughout WoK.

Someone asked about Blaastar’s feelings toward the Initiative’s use of the negative zone and they said to read GOTG 9-10 with Gage adding then continue to follow AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE to see how they feel about Blaastar.

Also, if you are a fan of Genis, be sure to check out issue 11.

A fan mentioned Pip, the troll, as he is the only member of the Infinity Watch not to be around and was told “we shall see.”

NOVA

For Nova fans, Rosemann told them to see Nova #23 as it may contain the major plans for the nova corp’s in War of Kings.

SILVER SURFER

What about the Sentinel of the Spaceways? He is currently showing up in Skaar #6-9 and they mentioned they are trying to figure out a way to make him work as (in their opinion) he works better as a supporting character.

A question was asked if there were any plans for the other heralds with the response being “we shall see.”

2/8/09 Update - Mondo Marvel Panel

Writer Greg Pak mentioned the upcoming "Planet Skaar" storyline which begins in May - Skaar is finally coming to Earth! He told readers they should follow the Surfer Arc, "Silver Savage" in issues 8-10 with art by Ron Lim.

Quasar

A fan mentioned Wendell Vaughn, the Protector of the Universe, who “died” fighting Annihilus in Nova: Annihilation #4. Will we see anymore Wendell Vaughn (as he has been showing up in recent issues of Nova)? Andy Schmidt, the man behind the decision, once again apologizes to fans for his death (note: the first being in the Annihilation Hard Cover). Marvel Editor Bill Rosemann responds, “Wendell's story will continue in NOVA and GUARDIANS. Fans love him; Marvel got a huge sheet cake with an image of him on it. It wasn’t poisoned, and tasted great.”

Regarding Annihilus, he may (or the child from the end of Annihilation) be showing up in Darkhawk: Ascension but they don’t want to really spoil anything.

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