Captain America: CIVIL WAR trailer is here!

The Avengers are back! And things are not looking good--Captain America and Iron Man are frenemies! How did they come to this?

The trailer for next summer's blockbuster Marvel film, Captain America: Civil War is already here and gives us a glimpse of the ever-widening rift between former popsicle and die-hard boy scout Steve Rogers and genius, billionaire, playboy, philanthropist. Tony Stark.

This next chapter in the Marvel movie cycle is based on the 2006 comic book crossover event of the same name. In that storyline, Cap and ol' Shellhead were at odds over whether to comply with a government mandate to register and reveal their secret identities.

No word yet on how close the film will hew to the comics, but it looks like at least the main pillars of that plot are in place:

• Captain America and Iron Man as opposing team leaders? CHECK!
• An inciting "disaster" (or several accumulating ones from previous films) to make the government take action? CHECK!
• Fast-paced chases and fight scenes? CHECK!

We're still not sure how big a role Cap's old army pal, Bucky Barnes, AKA The Winter Soldier, will play in the story. Also no word on whether Spider-man will make an appearance. He was a key player in the comics. Spidey's movie rights are owned by Sony, but there was word that they might be striking a deal with Marvel Studios to appear.

Still, looks like it's going to be a superhero squabble for the record books. Here's the trailer--enjoy!






EDIT: Nifty scene-by-scene breakdown of the trailer by io9!

Get set for an action-packed AVENGING APRIL!

Have you noticed something super in the library lately? We've been sneaking some of your favorite Avengers in the secret comics shelf! So far we've got Iron Man and the Hulk!

Stop by every Wednesday all through the month of April to see what new avenging Marvel heroes are swooping in for adventure. Here's the heroes who've already assembled and those yet to arrive:

April 1 reveal

April 8 reveal  

April 15 reveal

April 22 reveal

April 29 reveal

 

We're assembling a super team every week, leading up to the big day: FREE COMIC BOOK DAY on Saturday, May 2!

And don't forget that Avengers: Age of Ultron opens on Friday, May 1!

Great Odin's Ravens--THOR IS HERE!

The thunderous Thor rolls into theaters this weekend and we have him at the Library of Justice! Just added today are a few rollicking tales of the mighty Asgardian's adventures.

Thor and the Mighty Avengers is an excellent compilation of his team-ups on Earth with Iron Man, Namor, Ant-Man/Giant-Man, and Captain America! Writer Roger Landgridge and artist Chris Samnee turn in one of the most charming renditions of the character in ages. He's brash, brooding and full of heart. One of my personal favorites--pure fun!

Thor Crown of Fools is a single issue comic that begins a brand new adventure on Asgard battling the nefarious God of Mischief, himself: Loki. Thor finds himself at battling friends (the Lady Sif and the Warriors Three: Fandral, Hogan, and Volstagg) who've fallen under Loki's spell and seeking the help of an unlikely ally--a Frost Giant!

Want some background on Lord Malekith the Dark Elf, the villain from the new movie? Then check out his run-in with the God of Thunder in The Mighty Thor, Across All Worlds, where a plot to take over Asgard turns into a full-out war with the gods.

THOR (that's the whole title!) by famed sci-fi writer J. Michael Straczynski and artist Olivier Coipel is a trade paperback collection of the regular series where the war-weary Asgardian returns from the dead to team up with his Earthly alter ego, Dr. Donald Blake. It's a wonderful homage to the original Thor stories from the 60s.

Come by soon before Loki makes off with 'em!

New Iron Man trailer and a new foe: THE MANDARIN!

Have you seen the new trailer for Iron Man 3? Here it is if you've not seen it:



So the word is that the new main villain this time around is The Mandarin played by Sir Ben Kingsley.

Our surprise for today is the just stocked first volume of Essential Iron Man which includes The Mandarin's first appearance in comics (Strange Tales #50 February, 1964) in glorious black and white ink.

Color cover and rated "E" for everyone!

The Mandarin as he was first depicted.

Come and check it out! We've got this and more comics anthologies on the way!

Oh, and what did you think of the trailer? Let us know in the comments!

Catch up on your heroes with BIG anthologies!

Has a been a while since you've cracked open a comic book? Maybe you're just looking for a refresher on an old favorite--or want to get the low down on a Marvel or DC character you've always wanted to know more about. Maybe you're totally new to comics.

You're in luck. 

You can digest dozens of stories thanks to the thick, black and white comics anthologies published by Marvel and DC. What they lack in color, they make up in spinning good 'ol yarns about your favorite superheroes from the Golden, Silver, Bronze, and Modern eras of comic book publishing. They're printed on salt-of-the-Earth, pulp paper and show off the beautiful--and oft forgotten--ink work rendered before they were colored.

Both Marvel and DC have put out volume after volume on an array of characters, super teams, and special titles--well-known and not-so-well known. A few in my personal collection include The Avengers, Ant-Man, and Marvel's take on Conan the Barbarian (among some of the best comics every written!).

A few weekends ago, I was a willing participant in that great, nerdly swirl of comic geeks held every autumn at the Minnesota State Fairgrounds--FallCon. The "one day wonder" is a great place to get a good deal on comics--and especially those compiled in trade paperback form. That's just what I did, picking up a few Marvel Essentials collections as well as some DC Showcase Presents volumes.

I selected mainly "Volume #1" books so Library of Justice readers could enjoy the origins and early days of favorites like Superman, Batman, Iron Man, and Amethyst. At least three of these are over 500 pages of some of the best and most memorable stories.

If these become popular reads, I'm hoping to include a few more volumes that I found--maybe even make them a regular item. Let me know in the comments if you enjoy these monstrous anthologies!

Reading Tips:

• Take one at a time: They're BIG volumes, even for voracious readers, so plan to get comfy with a character for a while. 
• Careful turning those pages: The paper is cheap and tears easily (how else can you afford 500 pages of comics?)
• Get a book mark: You'd have to be SUPER HUMAN to read these in just one sitting!
• Return in good condition and help others enjoy these great stories.

Good Reading!