If there’s one particular Marvel comics series I’ve been enjoying for the last many months it’s Secret Avengers. The story and characters really seem to resonate with me and I really like where the series is going.

As pleased as I am with the series I was even more intrigued to learn that one of my favorite writers, Warren Ellis, was taking over the scripting duties on it. That work has now arrived with Secret Avengers #16 and, not surprisingly, it was hugely successful. In fact, it sold out and is going back for a second printing.

That second printing hits store shelves on September 28th. But wait, there’s more.

To get you interested in this great arc, we’ve got a preview for Ellis’ next issue for you today. In this one, Ellis is joined by artist Kev Walker and sends Steve Rogers and his team to Eastern Europe to stop a global bio-threat.

Can’t wait to check that one out. Sounds awesome.

Check out the preview for Secret Avengers #17 after the break. Look for it in comic store on September 28th too.

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UPDATE: Due to a request from Paramount, we have taken down the video. Sorry folks but they don’t want you to see it.

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We may be a few weeks away from the God of Thunder’s release  with Thor here in the US, but folks overseas are basking in the glory of Marvel’s newest film as we speak. One diehard fan in particular even got some footage of the illustrious post-credit sequence that Marvel loves to slap onto the end of their films.

We give HEAVY WARNING here: if you don’t want to see what happens in this sequence, then we suggest not clicking through, as it gives clues that lead us up to Marvel’s upcoming films Captain America: The First Avenger and The Avengers.

Those who are a fan of Marvel lore know that this isn’t much of a spoiler, per se, as it is some of the greatest story elements told in comics shown in live action.

So, without further adieu, click through the jump to see the special “Easter Egg” from after the credits in Marvel Studios’ Thor. We loved it, but let us know what you think in the comments below!

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Feel like Iron Man 2 was lacking in the alcoholic subplot that Tony Stark went through in the comics? Well, it looks like the original scribe of the film felt so as well, as we’re getting to see the original opening of the film for the first time.

Set to be attached to next week’s DVD and Blu-Ray release of the film, the opening focuses way less on Rourke’s backstory, and way more on the relationship between Robert Downey Jr.’s Tony Stark and Gwyneth Paltrow’s Pepper Potts.

The scene also includes the iconic Pepper/Helmet kiss that we saw in all of the trailers, but never made the final cut.

They may have beaten the alcoholic subplot, but it looks like this deleted scene had more of the witty comedy that made the first film so good. More deleted scenes are expected to roll out as we draw closer to the release of Iron Man 2 on DVD and Blu-Ray next Tuesday.

In the meantime, check out the scene in glorious standard definition after the jump.

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Matt Fraction has a career most writers can envy. He gets to write some of the most interesting and exciting characters in the Marvel Universe and has also had great success with his earlier work as well.

Some of his accomplishments include the graphic novel 30 Days of Nights: Bloodsucker Tales, The Five Fists of Science and Casanova. At Marvel he’s written for Publisher: War Journal, The Immortal Iron Fist and The Order.

Now, he pilots the course of everyone’s favorite billionaire drunk Tony Stark in Invincible Iron Man and will soon take the reigns of another popular Marvel character’s comic: Thor. Recently, I had a chance to ask Mr. Fraction a few questions about Iron Man, Tony Stark, his work and what’s in store for him down the road.

The Flickcast: For those who don’t know, can you give us a little info on your background? For example, when did you first start to write?

Matt Fraction: Professionally? I did some journalism and magazine work in the late nineties and my first comics starting coming out in 2001. Personally, I’ve been telling stories with words and pictures my whole life.

I’ve dropped out of many exciting art and film schools across the United States.

TF: What do you think makes Tony Stark such a compelling character? His flaws?

MF: The way his flaws spin against his ambition, drive, and talents. The smartest man in the world that will never entirely understand that it doesn’t all revolve around him. It puts a lot of great material in front of you.

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With the Iron Man 2 release just two weeks away, we are eating up anything and everything given to us about the upcoming super hero blockbuster. Earlier today, director Jon Favreau, who seems to be the main source for all information being spread about his film, posted links on his twitter account to the two newest movie posters for the film.

The first shows one of the villains Iron Man and War Machine will be facing, Whiplash. Though it looks like Mickey Rourke may not have actually even showered since The Wrestler, if there is any actor who can portray this insane amalgam of the comic book versions of Whiplash and Crimson Dynamo, all while bringing the character from obscurity to a household name, we have faith that Rourke is the one.

The second poster promotes the IMAX showings of the film with an image of Tony Stark’s slick new briefcase armor, which has been seen in various trailers for the film.

Check them both out in full after the jump, and stay with us as we draw closer to Iron Man 2‘s release on May 7th.

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Hard to believe, but this Wednesday marks the one month countdown before we get to witness Iron Man 2 in theaters across the country. Quite a journey the fans have been on, from the very first set photos that were released, to the first news of Olivia Munn’s casting in the film to the first trailer.

Now that time is coming where marketing is getting bigger and better, in anticipation for the film’s May 7th release date. With that comes a brand new clip from the film, which shows off Iron Man making his way to a big fancy stage in the center of Stark Expo. This is basically a much longer cut of the scene we’ve seen in several trailers.

Check out the clip after the jump, and be sure to catch Iron Man 2, starring Robert Downey Jr, Samuel L. Jackson, Mickey Rourke, Gwyneth Paltrow, and Sam Rockwell, in theaters and IMAX on May 7th.

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The Internets basically exploded on Sunday night when news first came that a brand new Iron Man 2 trailer had been released. As if the Oscars hadn’t even happened, fans and geeks alike turned to their laptops in droves to check out the brand new Tony Stark goodness, and nobody was disappointed.

Today, not even 48 hours after the trailer was released, we’re bringing you even more stuff about the movie, like an aftershock of awesomeness. Today, a few brand new images have just dropped online, giving us more Iron Man, War Machine, and even Whiplash. Plus, we threw in a couple older ones as well just for fun.

Check out the images after the jump. Be sure to catch Jon Favreau’s Iron Man 2, starring Robert Downey Jr., Samuel L. Jackson, Don Cheadle, Gwyneth Paltrow, Sam Rockwell, and Mickey Rourke, in theaters on May 7th.

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Change, as they say, is inevitable. So it is with most things, including super powered suits worn by members of The Avengers. Case in point this new, improved armor design for one of our favorite flawed heroes: Iron Man.

The new suit, according to our friends at Marvel:

” . . . signals a new era for Tony Stark and the Marvel Universe! From the minds of Eisner Award-winning series writer Matt Fraction and Ryan Meinerding, designer on the Iron Man and Thor films, comes the most bleeding edge, out of this world armor you’ve ever seen!

Following the sold-out “Stark Disassembled” storyline, the Marvel Universe still needs its armored champion and a new mission requires a new kind of armor! But when you see just what Iron Man has planned for the Marvel Universe, your jaw will be on the floor! There’s never been a super hero like the new Iron Man!”

The all-new Iron Man makes his debut in Invincible Iron Man #25, which hits stores on April 25. In the meantime, click through to check out a larger pic of the new armor.

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Three different sites have received images of faux-newspaper clippings, somehow related to Paramount and Jon Favreau’s Iron Man 2. Superhero Hype received the first image, with the headline reading “The Secret Life of Mr. Stark,” with “Secret” highlighted in yellow. The second image was received by Screen Rant, with the headline of the photo reading, “Stark Situation Paralyze”, with “Stark” in yellow.

And now, the third released image, comes from CHUD with the headline stating, “Tony Stark’s Confession: ‘I am Iron Man’”, and this time “Confession” is highlighted. So far, the message seems to be, “Secret Stark Confession.” Who knows how many more are to come, if any, or if this little game is just a bit of viral misleading.

Answers seem to point to the creation of an ARG, much like the series of ploys created for The Dark Knight, and pretty much anything that JJ Abrams touches. To me, this seems like it’s leading to something to do with Mickey Rourke’s character, Whiplash, as there have been photos of that character in a Russian prison cell, with articles much like this hanging on his wall.

Check out the three clues after the break, and let us know what you think they might mean. Iron Man 2 hits theaters May 7, 2010.

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It looks like Paramount has been stepping up their marketing over the past few weeks in preparation for next May’s release of Iron Man 2. Just last week, we received two new teaser posters, showing off both Tony Stark and War Machine, and now a brand new poster has surfaced showing off the film’s baddie, Whiplash.

The character is played by Oscar-snubbed actor Mickey Rourke, and is basically a mash-up of a few different Iron Man villains. He’s got Crimson Dynamo’s background with the appearance and name of Backlash. The character is said to fight alongside Tony Stark’s villain in the film, Justin Hammer (played by Sam Rockwell).

Check out the full-sized poster after the jump, featuring a quite intimidating Rourke posing with his glowing makeshift Iron Man power source and light-whips. Be sure to keep it here for all new Iron Man 2 coverage as it comes to us.

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Like some other Marvel characters recently (and characters from across the aisle), is Tony Stark dead? Judging from the cover of Marvel’s upcoming comic Invincible Iron Man #20, it kinda looks that way. Although, he could just be sleeping. . . or passed out drunk, so who knows.

Still, Thor looks positively grief stricken and forlorn, so you never know. Sure, the God of Thunder can be a bit morose and angry at times, but he’s not exactly known for his sensitive side, so the fact that he’s in attendance at Tony Stark’s bedside means that some serious stuff might be happening. I’m sure I’m probably reading a lot into this brand new Patrick Zircher cover but still, its fun to try and guess the storyline given only this clue.

Good news or bad, we’ll find out soon enough when this comic, written by Matt Fraction with art by Salvador Larroca, hits store shelves in November. Until then, let the guessing games continue.

Be sure to click through for a must bigger look at this great cover after the break.

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Last summer’s Iron Man had fans rejoicing after the ending credits when a surprise visit from Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury planted the seeds for the upcoming Thor, The First Avenger: Captain America, and Avengers films. MTV Splashpage recently caught up with  Don Cheadle, and asked the Iron Man 2 star what fans can expect after the credits have rolled.

“Thor and Hulk both make an appearance in this film. They work at a diner,” Cheadle reveals, “You heard it here first. Thor is actually in the movie. He eats Tony Stark. He consumes him into his godlike belly and spews him into the world. He turns into stars actually.”

Fans will have to wait to see how much of Cheadle’s humorous assertion will show up in Iron Man 2, but given the Thor’s 2011 release date, it seems feasible that the thunder god will have some kind of reference point in the film. Hopefully, it won’t include eating Tony Stark.

“It’s a strange twist. I don’t know that they’re going to stay with it. It may not make it to the final cut, but it was cool to see filmed,” Cheadle joked.

Iron Man 2 opens on May 7, 2010.