Marvel touts the series as giving readers a “rare glimpse into the ultimate nihilist’s early days on his far-off home planet Titan” and the life events that lead him down his path of cosmic villainy. Aaron promised that the origin story is literally that, starting with the Mad Titan’s birth. The series will have some new characters, but there will be several familiar names including Thanos’ father Mentor and his mother Sui-San. Aaron talked about the question that runs through the series:

Well, that’s really the main question of the book. Who is Thanos? When the book starts, even Thanos doesn’t know the answer to that question. It’s the pursuit of that answer that begins to take him to some very dark places. This is not a super hero story. There are no good guys swooping in to save the day here. This is the origin story of a very bad dude. A cosmic mass murderer.

This past summer I had the opportunity to speak with Jim Starlin about the first proposed Thanos origin story, and he shared his thoughts on that (you can find that here). Starlin laid down a lot of history for his creation, but Aaron will be going through pulling it all together and giving it a slight twist. Aaron is sticking to Starlin’s work and talks about how he will continue on from what has already been written:

Jim Starlin of course had already laid down a lot of the pieces of Thanos’ origin, but they were spread out in several different stories written over the course of several years. THANOS RISING combines all those pieces and also fills in a lot of the cracks. I think it’s true to Starlin’s original ideas for the character, while also expanding on some aspects of the origin, and playing around a bit with the dark romance part of the character’s history.

The series starts in April, but as of now there is no word on how long the miniseries will run. Thanos Rising will serve as an entry points for people who just found out about the Mad Titan through The Avengers, but old fans will also get something out of it. Aaron has been writing some great stuff the past few years with Scalped and his recent Thor, so it will be interesting to see what he brings to Thanos. Bianchi’s art is great so that’s an added bonus. You can read the full interview to see what Bianchi had to say about redesigning a young Thanos by clicking here. What do you think about the proposed series? Will you be picking this one up?

Cody "The Thorverine" Ferrell, Jason Aaron To Write Thanos Origin Series: Thanos Rising

Cheadle knows that expectations are extremely high for the first post-Avengers film, but it sounds like he and the cast are ready for the challenge:

I hope that it performs to those levels. We did a little piece of it at Comic-Con and people went crazy. It looked great. The script is good. We’re doing a couple re-shoots next week, but I’m encouraged.

Iron Man 2 was directed by Jon Favreau whereas 3 will be handled by the aforementioned Shane Black. Cheadle praises the new director saying he had a good time with a really good cast. He said the director came up with “an interesting script” that was “a lot of fun.” When asked how he would shake things up in Iron Man 3, the actor may have let a spoiler out of the bag:

I’m not supposed to say that he kills Robert Downey Jr.’s character.  Is that a spoiler?  That would be a spoiler.  You knew that was coming.  You read the comic books.  No.  I will just say that the buddy relationship that these guys have gets tighter.  The third act set piece for the big finale is bigger and badder.  It’s just a lot more.

OK that wasn’t really a spoiler. It would be an incredible shock though you have to admit. The actor did confirm what we had only heard rumors of, that some re-shoots will take place next week in Manhattan Beach. With the stills and clips we’ve seen from the film it does look like the Rhodes/Stark relationship will be explored even further than the second film. To read the rest of the interview where Cheadle talks about his TV show, production company, and family click right here. Everything he said about Iron Man 3 and the third act set piece being “bigger and badder” sounds incredibly promising. What do you think?

Cody "The Thorverine" Ferrell, Don Cheadle Says Iron Man 3 Is “Bigger and Badder”

Possible spoilers ahead, be warned:

For those that don’t know, in the comics A.I.M. is an organization of scientist dedicated to the acquisition of power and technology in aims of overthrowing government.  A.I.M. is also known to have created M.O.D.O.K. (Mental Organism Designed Only for Killing) and wearing yellow “bee keeper” suits.

The site On Location Vacation has also released some more photos from the filming, along with the following description of what was filmed:

One of our readers, A. K. Trujillo, told us, “The crowd was told to be quiet when shots were filmed outside, or else they would heighten security and ban spectators from watching. [There were] no big action scenes. All actors were in business suits or security uniforms. The director was heard yelling, “Action”, “Turn, Turn, Turn, Turn” and “Cut”.” Though the photos were taken from a distance, you can see a few extras in uniform and a decorated tree that indicates the scene is set during the holidays.

Spotted on the set today, via Tumblr’s HannibalDelarge, we have the following images that seem to confirm A.I.M. involvement:

Of course, my mind goes to the same place I’m assuming a lot of your minds are going: Namely that A.I.M. is perhaps best known as the guys behind one of the greatest all-purpose comic book villains ever… M.O.D.O.K.

Speaking of him, Peter Dinklage For M.O.D.O.K.!

What do you guys think of all this? Sound off below!

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The film stars Robert Downey Jr., Ben Kingsley, Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, Rebecca Hall, James Badge Dale, Ashley Hamilton, and Guy Pearce.

Iron Man 3 hits theaters on May 3, 2013.

wolverinept, Is Advanced Idea Mechanics (A.I.M.) Featured In Iron Man 3?

The Daily Blam have apparently seen some new images from the film and have described the look of the suit some more. It turns out those green lines all over it are there for a reason. They do say that fans of the comic need not worry and we will see our first Green Lantern trailer with Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 in November.

Spoilers ahead.

* Hal Jordan (Ryan Reynolds) does not don the suit until his first trip to the planet Oa; which takes place when his power ring acknowledges his need for training after he creates his first construct on Earth.
* When the suit, which is created out of a “hard light” construct from the power ring, is in its solid form, the mask, boots, shoulders, chest, abdomen and back are a distinct, rich green, while the arms, legs and waist areas are a deep black.
* The suit has definitive lines which segregate the green and black colors.
* The glowing, green textured lines which encompass the suit fluctuate in intensity as Jordan gains more control over the power ring, which channels his willpower. The more focus he has, the less it “bleeds” energy.
* The front, green section of the suit does not extend below and around Jordan’s crotch as depicted in many of the older comic books. Instead, it ends in a sharp point at the base of his abdomen in the modern fashion.
* When flying, or traveling through space, the suit emits a faint green glow around the ring bearer. Jordan flies, of his own will, many times throughout the film.
* The ring is comprised of a solid silver band. Over its front, a translucent green attachment is centered with a jewel which visibly “flows” with energy.
* The individual power batteries each Lantern Corp member carries are much different from the comics’ versions. These are mostly comprised of the same green, translucent material which covers the power ring. The handle of the battery is squared off, and immobile. A large jewel rests at its center as well.
* An inscription around the jewel appears to be the Green Lantern Oath, which each member of the Corps must recite to charge their rings.

They also say that there will be the usual ring contructs along with more complex designs such as a Semi truck, dune buggy, fighter jet and anti-aircraft gun.

Sounds very nice indeed.

wolverinept, Green Lantern – Description Of The Suit, Power Ring and Battery