The last day of solicit coverage is here, and with it we take a peek at the House of Ideas to see what they’ve got planned for May. Of course, we don’t cover everything, because that’d just be a list of solicits, so if you want to see everything coming out in May from Marvel just head on over here.
In the meantime, take a peak at what we think is worth your eyeballs’ time.
Age of Ultron Gets House of M-y
From my understanding, “Age of Ultron” is like Marvel’s “Blackest Night” in that it wasn’t supposed to be an event, just an arc, and now it’s this big ol’ thing. And that’s fine, I guess, but that does make you kind of wonder how Marvel can launch an event that seems to effect so little. After all, Marvel loves line-wide events. What’s the deal!
Well, it appears that the book is doing it’s own “House of M”-y, alternate reality shtick here to account for all the insanity, and if it wasn’t an assumed thought before it should certainly be one now with the above cover.
Oh, and hey, this Wolverine outfit:
That sure looks wicked familiar, doesn’t it? Just what is going on with this darn event, eh? Is this the next big 616/Ultimate crossover in disguise? Oh, and isn’t that Wolverine dead?! Mysteries!!
And, hey, only three tie-ins! This is, like, a new record for Marvel when it coems to their events! And one of them has art by Adam Kubert and features Kang (“Uncanny Avengers” #8AU). Things are looking pretty tight so far.
Nick Spencer Joins the Avengers
With issue #12 of the flagship title, Nick Spencer will be joining Jonathan Hickman as co-writer of “Avengers” for a story entitled ‘Children of the Sun.’ Last time someone joined Jonathan Hickman on an Avengers-esque title, that someone took over the book. (See: “Ultimates” and Sam Humphries.) You don’t think … ?
Naw. He probably just needs some time to work on this upcoming summer cosmic event. You did hear about that, right?
Also: why is everyone going to the Savage Land these days?
The Most Presumptuous Solicit Ever?
The solicit for “Nova” #4 begins with “The comic everyone is taLking about continues!” Ignoring the randomly capitalized L in there, it’s pretty impressive for this solicit to come out with the claim that everyone is talking about it before anyone has even had a chance to read it.
I mean, OK, granted now we’ve all read it and in my review going online later today I have a lot of nice things to say about it, but even so. What if that back-fired? Would anyone bat an eye?
(Spoiler: no.)
You Have To Love Marcos Martin Covers
Because when you put Marcos Martin on a cover, you get something like this:
And that’s just awesome. You don’t even have to care about the whole Doc Ock/Spidey thing, it’s just impossible not to dig that cover.
Dale Eaglesham Joins Iron Man
We’ve discussed this before, but apparently Greg Land is off “Iron Man” and being replaced with Dale Eaglesham for more cosmic fun and the apparent new origin story of Tony Stark. So, I guess now is the time for all of you Land haters to join the book anad see how entertaining of a story Gillen is weaving for Marvel’s most eligible and space-exploring bachelor. Also, Death’s Head!
A+X Is Still Going
Issue #8, with a story about Captain America teaming up with Wolverine and Deadpool teaming up with Hawkeye.
I’ll maybe say this every month, but is anyone else really surprised that this book still exists?
Well, At Least It Didn’t Go To Waste
The above cover for “Thanos Rising” #2 by Ed McGuinness is the same one that Marvel handed out with Joe Keatinge and Rich Elson were doing a Thanos mini with the same basic premise. I guess its back for this one.
Continued belowWell, at least it didn’t go to waste.
X-Men Legacy Still Has The Best Covers
I’ll admit, I don’t actually read this book. I like Si Spurrier’s writing a lot but the first issue didn’t do much for me.
That said, if Marvel released a book that was just the covers of this comic in a nice, blown-up hardcover format, I’d buy it in a heartbeat. Every month the “Legacy” covers are so interesting and eye-catching that I almost always want to revisit the interiors. Maybe someday I will.
For now, though. Awe.
But These Deadpool Covers By Art Adams Give Mike Del Mundo A Run For His Money
Long-winded header, probably not a great joke, but honestly, is there anything you don’t want to see Art Adams illustrate? I mean, I don’t even care for the current Deadpool shtick and I just want to own this cover.
Adrian Alphona Joins the Uncanny X-Force
For a special guest appearance, everyone’s favorite “Runaways” artist Adrian Alphona is joining everyone’s favorite Sam Humphries on everyone’s favorite “Uncanny X-Force” for an issue. Alphona doesn’t do too many interiors anymore (his last was a “Mind the Gap” one-shot), but seeing him back in the world of superheroes is certainly very exciting.
No, This Isn’t The End of Miles
The above cover for “Ultimate Spider-Man” #23 is an homage to the famous SPIDER-MAN NO MORE! scene from “Amazing Spider-Man” #50, and it’s clear that this Venom storyline going on now is going to put Miles through the ringer. But is Marvel going to get rid of little ol’ Miles? No. No way. This isn’t the end of Miles.
Yes, This Is The End of Bendis’ Daredevil
But in other Bendis news, yes, this is the end of his long awaited “Daredevil” story. And you know what? It has been worth the wait, and it’s going to make for a fantastic finale. I just know it. I believe it in my heart!
“The Enemy Within” – Your May Mini-Event
We covered this already so I won’t reiterate too much in terms of what its about, but May brings a mini-event for “Captain Marvel” and “Avengers Assemble” that launches with “The Enemy Within” one-shot. Word on the street is that this could be a tool to help bolster “Captain Marvel” sales, so be sure to pre-order this in every which way you can.
The caveat to this event’s existence, though, is that there are no issues of “Captain Marvel” in May and “Avengers Assemble” is busy with “Age of Ultron” tie-ins. However, as an interesting note, the file name for the above covers provided in the solicits is actually “CaptainMarvel13_Quinones,” so that certainly adds some interesting insight into how this mini-event was formed.
The Final Dark Avengers
David already gave this a eulogy with his weird obsession with Lord Demonpimp’s single panel appearance, but it’s worth noting that one of the most entertaining books Marvel has put out in the last few years is going away and that’s really, really very sad. I will miss this book.
But at least I still have “Red She-Hulk!” Silver linings!
2013’s Best Comic of the Year
No comments. Just read the solicit:
MATT FRACTION (W) • DAVID AJA (A/C)
• THE breakout character of 2012… becomes the breakout character of 2013… as PIZZA DOG gets his own issue.
• Literally… the entire issue… it’s all from the dog’s point-of-view.
• Pizza Dog gets hired to solve a crime — the grizzly murder that shocked Team Hawkguy — and the only thing more shocking than THAT… is what happens the end of THIS.
• Seriously. This is not a joke! Even the coloring. Dog issue. We’re all gettin’ fired. PLEASE READ…
“Pizza is my Business” …before it’s too late for us.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99
Ok, one comment. Given what we know about the series, seeing Pizza Dog walk out of the red into black and white – even if it is a reference to dog vision, yes, I get the joke, I promise – is still very interesting.
Continued belowThe End of Kick-Ass Begins
“Kick-Ass” is a trilogy, of sorts. The main series was supposed to be three parts according to Millar, and it looks like that final part is finally arriving this May. It’ll be interesting to see how Millar ties everything together, because this certainly isn’t the type of book you’d even expect to have a Trilogy in the first place. But, hey, that’s more profitable!
The real question is: what is the mysterious fifth book of the series? Fans may remember that Millar revealed the book would have two spin-offs, one of them being the “Hit Girl” spin-off. There’s one left. What is it?
