Marvel's latest issue of The Amazing Mary Jane features cover art of Pinay artist

MANILA -- Rising cover artist Rian Gonzales has her work featured in Marvel Comics’ The Amazing Mary Jane #4.

Gonzales’ cover art debuted with Betty and Veronica in 2016 and since then she has seen her stylish art adorn the covers of Josie and the Pussycats, Jem and the Holograms, Marvel Rising, Spider-Geddon, and Venom.

In her latest published work, she depicts Mary Jane Watson getting dolled up by miniature versions of Spider-Man’s villains such as Kraven the Hunter, the Vulture, Doctor Octopus, and Electro.

“It’s always fun to be able to do iconic characters such as Mary Jane Watson. After all, as a young comic book reader, Spider-Man was one of my favorites,” Gonzales said at a book signing at Comic Odyssey at Eastwood Mall last Saturday. “I know it’s just a cover or a variant cover, but it is a start. It feels good when people collect your art.”

Gonzales' style is a candy-themed style that, while appearing to be feminine, appeals to all audiences for their striking vibrancy.

“Getting to do covers isn’t an easy one,” shared Gonzales between book signings and sketches by fans. “There has to be the right moment for the book and even the right feel to what is going on.”

Gonzales’ work will next appear on Sabrina, the Archie character who has returned to popularity with its horror-themed comic book revamp in The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina n 2014 and its wildly successful Netflix series. 

“That should be out soon. Probably around March or April. Then I have a couple of more works for Marvel that I cannot talk about right not. But it will be worth the wait,” she said.

The Amazing Mary Jane #4 and back issues of Rian Gonzales’ work can be purchased at Comic Odyssey or through Filbar’s.

source: news.abs-cbn.com

LOOK: Captain America stars at NY stock exchange

S&P 500 closes at record high

NEW YORK - Actors Chris Evans, Sebastian Stan and representatives from Marvel Comics and the movie "Captain America: The Winter Soldier" rang the opening bell at the New York Stock Exchange.

Disney's Marvel superhero sequel opened at No. 1 in 30 of 32 markets in which it debuted. The film took in $75.2 million in its overseas box-office debut this weekend.

Meanwhile, U.S. stocks rose for a third straight session on Tuesday, with the S&P 500 ending at a record close, after positive data on factory activity indicated economic growth was gaining traction following a harsh winter.

Gains were broad, with areas of the market closely tied to the pace of economic growth among the day's leaders. Consumer discretionary stocks rose 1.4 percent while technology shares were up 1.3 percent.

Among other groups, the PHLX housing sector index rose 1.6 percent and the Nasdaq biotechnology index added 2.1 percent. The Dow Jones Transportation index rose 0.9 percent to a record.

The Institute for Supply Management (ISM) said its index of national factory activity rose to 53.7 in March, its second straight monthly acceleration. However, the report was below the median forecast of 54.0.

The ISM report was the latest to point to improving economic conditions, giving credence to the theory that soft data earlier this year was due to weather and not weakening fundamentals.

"There's a whiff of spring in the economic data, which means we're starting the second quarter with signs that the economy is maintaining the kind of reasonable growth that will continue to support the market," said Jim McDonald, chief investment strategist at Chicago-based Northern Trust Global Investments, which has about $884 billion in assets under management.

"I'm comforted by the rise in discretionary and homebuilding stocks, since those are the ones that really show economic strength. Meanwhile the rise in biotech shows improved risk appetite."

Ford Motor Co jumped 4.6 percent to $16.32. U.S. auto sales rose more than expected in March, following two months when demand was hampered by weather.

General Motors Co dipped 0.2 percent to $34.34, although its March sales also topped forecasts. Mary Barra, the company's chief executive, told a House Energy and Commerce subcommittee GM has retained Kenneth Feinberg as a consultant to gauge possible responses to families of those injured or killed in crashes involving recalled cars.

Among tech names, Google Inc rose 1.8 percent to $1,134.89 and Microsoft Corp added 1 percent to $41.42. Both were among the biggest boosts to the Nasdaq 100 index, which rose 1.7 percent. Shares of Cisco Systems jumped on heavy volume, up 3.9 percent to $23.10 as the biggest advancer on the Dow.

The Dow Jones industrial average was up 74.95 points, or 0.46 percent, at 16,532.61. The Standard & Poor's 500 Index was up 13.18 points, or 0.70 percent, at 1,885.52. The Nasdaq Composite Index was up 69.05 points, or 1.64 percent, at 4,268.04.

The S&P 500 has gained for three straight sessions, up about 2 percent over that period.

About 69 percent of stocks traded on the New York Stock Exchange closed higher on Tuesday while 72 percent of Nasdaq-listed shares ended up. About 6.41 billion shares traded on all U.S. platforms, according to BATS exchange data.

Financial data firm Markit said its U.S. Manufacturing Purchasing Managers Index slipped to 55.5 in March, unchanged from a preliminary reading, but the rate of growth and the pace of hiring remained strong.

Construction spending edged up 0.1 percent in February, curbed by a drop in private residential projects.

Intuitive Surgical Inc jumped 12.7 percent to $493.60 as the best performer on the S&P 500. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration gave marketing clearance for the company's da Vinci Xi Surgical System.

Medicines Co tumbled 15.5 percent to $24.02. A U.S District Court ruled a generic version of its blood thinner made by Hospira Inc did not infringe two of Medicine Co's patents. Hospira shares gained 2.4 percent to $44.27.

After the market closed, shares of Apollo Education fell 3.7 percent following its results.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

'Iron Man' beats 'minions', Katniss in 2013

HOLLYWOOD - It was a golden year for Robert Downey Jr's Iron Man 3, which earned the distinction as the top grossing film of 2013.

The comic book hero franchise took in $1.2 billion worldwide - according to Box Office Mojo - as movie fans flocked to theaters to see Downey Jr. reprise his role as billionaire entrepreneur Tony Stark.

Checking in at the No. 2 spot was "Despicable Me 2," the animated comedy that scored very well over the summer with ticket sale of close to 920 million.

Hollywood's golden girl, Jennifer Lawrence added to her box office resume with "The Hunger Games: Catching Fire," which made 795 million globally. The sequel to the original film, which made Lawrence a star, played equally well home and abroad.

Rounding out the top four for the year was the always reliable car franchise, "Fast & Furious 6," powering its way to nearly 790 million dollars with an action packed cast that included Vin Diesel, The Rock and the late Paul Walker, who's untimely passing from from a tragic car crash in 2013 has delayed the release of "Fast & Furious 7."

It's worth noting that the 8 out the year's top 10 films are sequels.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com

Paul Rudd cast as Marvel's 'Ant-Man'

MANILA - Marvel Studios has announced the casting of Paul Rudd as the star of the upcoming superhero movie "Ant-Man", which comes out on July 31, 2015.

The new movie, part of Marvel's Phase 2 of superhero movies, will be helmed by director Edgar Wright (Shaun of the Dead, Scott Pilgrim vs. The World).

Ant-Man is Hank Pym, a scientist who can change his size and communicate with insects. In the comics, he is a founding member of the Avengers.

In a press statement, Marvel said Rudd was the studio's first choice to play Ant-Man. The film’s plot is being kept under wraps.

“When Edgar Wright came to us with the idea of Paul Rudd, we felt a huge sense of relief because the first step in creating any Marvel Studios film is finding the right star," said Marvel's Kevin Feige.

"We knew early on that we had found the right person in Paul. When he not only agreed to do it but became as enthusiastic as any actor we’d ever met with about doing the work, we knew we’d found the right guy. We couldn’t be more excited for our audiences to see what he’s going to do to bring Ant-Man to life.”

Rudd has appeared in several movies including “The 40-Year-Old Virgin”, “Knocked Up,” “Role Models,” “Anchorman" and its sequel, "Anchorman 2."

The new movie will come out less than two months after Marvel releases "Avengers: Age of Ultron” on May 1, 2015.

source: www.abs-cbnnews.com