Here we are, the first comics of 2022. With the new year comes new series, with plenty of events and mini-series on the way, but also some are coming to an end. So let’s see what 2022 holds (and hopefully it’ll be better than 2021 regardless of the quality of comics) and take a look at Marvel’s top ten.
10. She’s Back, and Still Sensational
She-Hulk has been through some changes lately, taking on a more hulked-out state and coming back from the dead during the events of “Empyre.” Well, now she’s getting a new series and is returning to old form both physically, emotionally, and socially. Now, Rainbow Rowell’s work has had some ups and downs, but I’m still looking forward to seeing what’s in store for Jen. It might be just in time for the new She-Hulk series on Disney+, too.
She-Hulk #1
Written by Rainbow Rowell
Illustrated by Rogê Antônio
Cover by Jen Bartel
Variant covers by Adam Hughes, Argterm, Skottie Young, and Rob LiefeldThe best character ever is back in her own series and about to glam up the whole Marvel Universe! Jennifer Walters, A.K.A. the Sensational She-Hulk, is no longer savage and needs to put her life back together. She’s got a career to rebuild, friends to reconnect with (and maybe represent in a court of law) and enemies to…well, she may not want to connect with them, but they are DEFINITELY going to connect with her. And the last page of this first issue is going to send Jen down a road she’s never traveled and that will shake up her life and possibly the whole Marvel Universe.
9. Back From the Pits
When we were introduced to Krakoa and its system of laws, one of the first things we saw was Sabretooth meeting a new form of punishment: getting dropped into a Pit beneath the island to suffer for eternity. Krakoan justice is harsh.
But of course, we knew that wouldn’t last forever. So now he’s back, and clearly he’s been doing more than just sitting and complaining the entire time. So now we get to catch up with good ol’ Victor Creed and see what he brings… right after the events of “Inferno” have wrapped up, so I guess he missed out there.
Sabretooth #1
Written by Victor Lavalle
Illustrated by Leonard Kirk
Cover by Ryan Stegman
Variant covers by Mico Suayan and Todd Nauck• DOWN IN A HOLE!
• Sabretooth went into the Pit, sentenced to an eternity of torment. Sure, that sounds like hell, but maybe that’s where he feels most at home. What’s he been doing down there? What secret deal has changed his fate forever? And what if he’s not alone? Award-winning novelist Victor LaValle teams up with amazing artist Leonard Kirk to bring us the story of what lies beneath Krakoa…
8. So Many Marvels
I feel like I can just let the solicitation speak for this one. Captain Marvel, the Avengers, and the Guardians of the Galaxy (both teams she’s been a part of) fighting together against the Vox Supreme, plus more surprises on the way. Kelly Thompson’s run on “Captain Marvel” has been a lot of fun, and the latest arc is bound to shake things up.
Captain Marvel #36
Written by Kelly Thompson
Illustrated by Sergio Dávila
Cover by R.B. Silva
Variant cover by Patch Zircher• “THE LAST OF THE MARVELS” FINALE!
• A fight so big we had to add an issue! It’s all hands on deck as Carol teams up with the Avengers and the Guardians of the Galaxy to take down Vox Supreme! But Captain Marvel’s surprise ally is someone nobody expected. She’s about to change everything – and it all starts here! Don’t miss this epic finale as an explosion of heroes takes on the battle to save not just the Marvels, but the Marvel Universe!
7. Ahoy!
It’s time for a new Marauders crew to set sail. Gerry Duggan’s run was a lot of fun, now we get to see what Steve Orlando does with the team, and he’s bringing new faces to the party. This makes the Annual issue a perfect jumping on point, and frankly, I’m looking forward to see new character dynamics shaking things up.
Continued belowMarauders Annual #1
Written by Steve Orlando
Illustrated by Creees Lee
Cover by Russell Dauterman
Variant covers by Ema Lupacchino and David Baldeon• A NEW CREW SETS SAIL!
• With Kate Pryde at the helm, the Marauders are ready to renew their mission of mutant rescue! She’s got the mission — all she needs now is a new boat and a fresh crew to match. Pryde and Bishop must unite a crew of mutants, new and old, to spring Daken from imprisonment at the hands of a leader who’s as cruel as he is charismatic: the primal provocateur known as Brimstone Love! It’s the Marauders versus the Theater of Pain, a torture troupe that’s set up shop in Xavier’s School’s old backyard! Come aboard for the first adventure as Steve Orlando takes the helm with our sea-faring mutants!
6. Let’s Go Surfing Now, Everybody’s Learning How
You know you’re in for a treat when the creative team alone is enough to earn the focus of the solicitation, and these two Rons have earned it. So the Silver Surfer is back doing what he does best, but on top of that we’re also getting him teaming up with the late, great Captain Mar-Vell and Thanos, of all people. Put that all together and you’ve got a mini-series that’s not to be missed. So I guess… surf’s up?
Silver Surfer Rebirth #1
Written by Ron Marz
Illustrated by Ron Lim
Cover by Ron Lim
Variant covers by Peach Momoko, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Dan Jurgens, Claudio Castellini, Alex Maleeve, and Jim Cheung• They’re back!
• No, we don’t mean the guys on the cover… We’re talking about legendary creators Ron Marz and Ron Lim returning to tell a story set during their fan-favorite run of SILVER SURFER! Someone has stolen the Reality Gem, an object that allows the user to fulfill any wish no matter the consequences! But whoever has taken it is doing things like bringing back the dead hero Captain Mar-Vell. It’s up to Silver Surfer to team up with the least likely of allies, Thanos, to find the Gem and restore reality to its proper form!
5. He Lives, He Dies, He Lives Again (and again, and again)
Wolverine. He’s one of Marvel’s biggest characters, whether we’re talking about comics, movies, or animation. And he’s lived through a lot. (Also died a couple times, but he got better.) So Marvel is bringing us “X Lives of Wolverine” and “X Deaths of Wolverine,” with more than a few issues to kick things off in January. We’re taking a trip through his history, and considering how long Wolverine has lived, that’s a LOT of history to go through.
Bring it on.
X Lives of Wolverine #1
Written by Benjamin Percy
Illustrated by Joshua Cassara
Cover by Adam Kubert
Variant covers by Peach Momoko, Ron Lim, Jorge Molina, Ed McGuinness, Will Sliney, Todd Nauck, Joshua Cassara,, Mark Bagley, Arthur Adams, and Mr Garcin• THE BIGGEST WOLVERINE STORY OF ALL TIME BEGINS HERE!
• WEEK 1 – Logan. James Howlett. Weapon X. The mutant best known as WOLVERINE has lived many lives under many identities and in many places, but never before has the fate of the future been so entwined with the past! Fan-favorite eras of Wolverine’s saga are explored anew, along with never-before-seen episodes as Logan must travel to various points in time to prevent the death of a key figure in mutant history. But these LIVES are only one side of the story…
• Be here for the start of the time-shredding saga across all of Wolverine’s history and future yet to come!
4. Royal Diplomacy in Action
It’s time to celebrate 200 issues of Black Panther! While the issue still follows the storyline that kicked off at the start of John Ridley’s run, we’re still getting a lot of extra stories celebrating T’Challa’s history and future, so there’s a lot to look forward to there. And even if there wasn’t, it’s time for a reunion between T’Challa and Storm, only this time, she’s the one sitting on a throne. There’s nothing not to love about any of this.
Continued belowBlack Panther #3
Written by John Ridley & more
Illustrated by Juann Cabal & more
Cover by Alex Ross
Variant covers by Taurin Clarke, Gary Frank, and Joe Jusko• CELEBRATING THE 200TH ISSUE OF BLACK PANTHER AS T’CHALLA FACES OFF AGAINST THE X-MEN OF MARS!
• With assassins closing in and Wakanda’s faith in him shaken, T’Challa goes to visit Storm on the newly terraformed Mars. But this will not be a happy reunion as T’Challa has ulterior motives for his visit. And back home, Shuri discovers who is behind the attacks on Wakanda’s secret agents — a revelation that will change everything. Plus: This oversized issue will include stories celebrating the past and foreshadow the future of the Black Panther and the world of Wakanda!
3. So Long, Ya Savages
“Savage Avengers” has been one hell of a ride. It’s brought together some of Marvel’s most brutal and least merciful characters, tossed in some massive magical threats, and taken Conan the Barbarian on a tour across Marvel. There’s a lot going on, and every issue has been a blast. Now it’s ending, and with just as much violence as it started with. So let’s see this series out right.
Savage Avengers #28
Written by Gerry Duggan
Illustrated by Patch Zircher
Cover by Valerio Giangiordano
Variant cover by Kyle HotzAll good things must come to an end. This volume of SAVAGE AVENGERS concludes after an epic 28-chapter run, and it ends as it began: with a good old-fashioned stabbing. CROM WITNESSES YOU, SAVAGE AVENGERS READERS. Thank you for the adventure.
2. There Will Be a Reckoning
Dan Slott’s run of “Fantastic Four” has put Marvel’s first family through quite a lot, and now… there’s even more. Yep, it’s time for a new event, going back to the Multiverse and all connecting to the FF in one way or another. That alone is plenty to look forward to, but with all the characters showing up to help in this event, well, it’s going to kick off strong, and it’s bound to only get better from there.
Fantastic Four: Reckoning War Alpha #1
Written by Dan Slott
Illustrated by Carlos Pacheco
Cover by Carlos Pacheco
Variant covers by Bryan Hitch and Stefano Caselli• FIFTEEN YEARS IN THE MAKING —
• AND IT ALL KICKS OFF HERE!
• In a time before the Kree, Skrull or Shi’ar Empires. Before the emergence of Galactus. Before the birth of Asgard.
• There was the First War. The greatest war to ever rage across the Multiverse.
• Today, it is reignited. This is the Day of Reckoning.
• And all that stands between all of reality and revenge from the dawn of time are the heroes of Earth, the Fantastic Four and the mind of Mister Fantastic.
• Starring the FF, She-Hulk, Jack of Hearts, the Unseen, the Silver Surfer and everyone in the whole damn Marvel Universe.
1. Does She Dare?
Have I mentioned before how fantastic Chip Zdarsky’s run on “Daredevil” is? I know I have, because it’s been on this list on more than one occasion. It was during his run that Elektra took on the role of Daredevil, and now we’re getting a close look at how she carries out the task and the emotional turmoil that comes with it. It all ties back to Chip’s “Daredevil” story and “Devil’s Reign,” so you know it’s going to be great.
Oh, and it sounds like Kraven the Hunter will be facing off against her, so that’s gonna be fun too!
Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1
Written by Chip Zdarsky
Illustrated by Rafael de Latorre
Cover by Chris Bachalo
Variant covers by John Romita Jr., Todd Nauck, and Jen Bartel• The next pulse-pounding chapter in the saga of New York City’s Guardian Devil, this time starring ELEKTRA as Daredevil!
• Joined by Rafael De Latorre, Chip Zdarsky continues his landmark run and the DAREDEVIL story that spins directly out of the shocking revelations in the pages of DEVIL’S REIGN!
• Elektra is the world’s deadliest assassin — and she’s taken a vow not to kill. Someone puts themselves directly in her path with deadly consequences. What else would you expect from the MARVEL UNIVERSE’S GREATEST HUNTER?!
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com.
