We all love comics here, so what better way to celebrate Valentine’s Day in February than with comics? Okay, maybe that’s a weak connection, but the fact remains that there’s going to be plenty of comics to keep an eye out for. Marvel continues to have no small amount of great choices, so it was hard to whittle it down to a top ten, but here are the top ones to watch for. And if you can share them with a loved one, well, that’s all the better.
10. Symbiotic Sorcerer Spidey
By now I’m sure you’ve already seen plenty of “Spider-Man is the next Sorcerer Supreme” clickbait posts. Well, obviously that’s not the case, but it does look like he’ll take on the mantle for an issue or two in this series. With all the powers of the Sorcerer Supreme, what kind of responsibility will Peter Parker have to deal with? It should be fun to find out.
Symbiote Spider-Man: Alien Reality #3
Written by Peter David
Illustrated by Greg Land
Cover by Greg Land
Variant covers by Ron Lim, Alex Saviuk, Phil Noto, Gerardo Sandoval, and Cie YuanPETER PARKER: THE SPIDER SUPREME?!
• After reliving one of the most horrible moments of his life, Peter Parker turns to one of his oldest allies for a magical helping hand.
• Don’t miss the next history-shaking adventure of Peter David and Greg Land’s landmark SYMBIOTE SPIDER-MAN Series!
9. Forget it, Ben, it’s Yancy Street.
I’ve said it before, but Ben Grimm is my favorite member of the Fantastic Four. Now imagine him in a noir-style comic, solving mysteries while narrating dramatically to himself. If that’s not enough, have it written by Gerry Duggan, who wrote one of the best “Deadpool” runs in recent history. It’s a one-shot, so anyone will be able to pick it up and enjoy it without needing to dedicate time to grabbing each issue. All that combines into a comic that’s certainly worth checking out.
Fantastic Four: Grimm Noir #1
Written by Gerry Duggan
Illustrated by Ron Garney
Cover by Ron Garney
Variant cover by Eduwardo RissoBen Grimm throws on his hat and overcoat to solve a mystery that’s come alive right out of his nightmares.
What is Dr. Strange’s nemesis D’Spayre doing on Yancy Street?
8. Death to Fleshy Ones!
Why do we love Machine Man? Is it because of the duality of his nature as a robot and hero? Is it because of his role in the “Tony Stark: Iron Man” comics? Or is it because he was freaking amazing in “Nextwave?” Whatever the reason, he’s a fun character, and one deserving of a mini series. Ethical dilemmas, character growth, and the A.I. uprising? This all sounds like a good time.
2020 Machine Man #1
Written by Christos Gage and Tom DeFalco
Illustrated by Andy MacDonald and more
Cover by Nick Roche
Variant cover by Dave RapozaThe A.I. uprising has begun, and Machine Man finds himself torn about his place in the revolution! As the battle rages around him, will Machine Man aid mankind’s fight for survival or join his robot brethren in ushering a new age? Plus, when faced with a figure from his past, Machine Man must decide—is it time to follow his programming or his heart? Don’t miss out on this epic adventure from Christos Gage and Andy MacDonald! Plus, revisit Machine Man in 2020 with legendary creator, Tom DeFalco!
7. The Inevitable Deadpool Issue
As I’ve said before, every Marvel comic only has a matter of time until the inevitable issue guest-starring Deadpool. So why is this issue deserving of a place on the top ten list? Simply put, “Black Panther and the Agents of Wakanda” has been a fun-filled adventure through several aspects of the Marvel universe, so it would be deserving even without Deadpool. But Deadpool written by Jim Zub? Now that’s enough to give it a bump onto any top ten list.
Continued belowBlack Panther and the Agents of Wakanda #6
Written by Jim Zub
Illustrated by Scot Eaton
Cover by David Nakayama
Variant covers by Todd NauckAn old S.H.I.E.L.D. cache of experimental technology is a ticking time bomb the Agents of Wakanda need to defuse — but only if they get there before DEADPOOL! Time for a rematch between the King of Wakanda and the Merc with a Mouth! And adding more fuel to fire — the return of the Livewires!
6. Family Drama
Saladin Ahmed has been doing a fantastic job with “Magnificent Ms. Marvel,” maintaining the strong character work, drama, and action that the first run was known for. In fact, the personal stakes have grown even more intense, and not from super-powered threats. Kamala’s father’s illness has been a major driving force in the run, and it looks like things are only getting more dire here. I’ll prepare the tissues, just in case.
Magnificent Ms. Marvel #12
Written by Saladin Ahmed
Illustrated by Minkyu Jung
Cover by Eduard PetrovichWhen Ms. Marvel’s newest nemesis goes after one of her old ones, Kamala will have to choose between saving her enemy…and saving her father.
5. Just in Time for the Disney+ Series
So with a Falcon & Winter Soldier series coming to Disney+, of course we’re getting a comic of the same name. That doesn’t mean it will be the same as the show, of course, even if it has the same characters teaming up. Both Bucky and Sam have carried the title and shield of Captain America at one point or another, and they’ve had good chemistry working off each other in the comics, so a team up should be fun.
Falcon & Winter Soldier #1
Written by Derek Landy
Illustrated by Federico Vicentini
Cover by Dan Mora
Variant covers by Bengal, Butch Guice, and Ziyian LiuAn office of dead government agents. A gifted new killer. Two ex-Captain Americas…
When a dramatic attempt on the life of Bucky Barnes reunites him with Sam Wilson, the two old friends are plunged headlong into a race to uncover the new leader of Hydra before a mass casualty event announces the terror group’s resurgence to the world. The clock is ticking…
Derek Landy (BLACK ORDER, SECRET EMPIRE: UPRISING) and Federico Vicentini (ABSOLUTE CARNAGE: MILES MORALES) team up for a pulse-pounding action spectacular!
4. Bring on the Thunder
Thor vs Beta Ray Bill. ‘Nuff said.
Okay, I’ll say more than that. There’s plenty to look forward to for the upcoming “Thor” run, including Donny Cates taking over as writer and Nic Klein handling the art. But sometimes it’s fun just to see two super strong characters clash, so who better for that than Thor and Bill? This will be a chance for Nic Klein’s art to really shine with hard-hitting, hammer-swinging combat, and promises to be a fun read.
Thor #3
Written by Donny Cates
Illustrated by Nic Klein
Cover by Olivier Coipel
Variant covers by Ryan Brown and Dale KeownTHE BATTLE OF TWO STORMS!
It’s Mjolnir versus Stormbreaker as Thor’s old ally Beta Ray Bill makes a thunderous entrance! But what has put the two friends at odds — and can the King of Asgard convince the Korbinite to let him continue his bloody mission to save all that is?
3. The Biggest Little Hero
Ant-Man is back! Yes, Scott Lang has had a string of short runs and mini-series, but it’s always good to see him get a chance to shine in his own series. So what will this one give us? Bees, a global conspiracy, and of course, some father-daughter bonding with Cassie. Yep, that’s all I need for a good “Ant-Man” comic.
Ant-Man #1
Written by Zeb Wells
Illustrated by Dylan Burnett
Cover by Eduard Petrovich
Variant covers by Marcos Martin, John Tyler Christopher, and Herb TrimpeSWARM APPROACHES!
Scott Lang is back and doing better than ever! Er, at least according to him, but his daughter, Stinger, and the anthill he’s living in say otherwise. Desperate to raise his daughter’s opinion of him, Scott takes a job from local beekeepers only to uncover a global conspiracy that could topple the world order! No time to call the Avengers, this sounds like a job for – ANT-MAN?! Join the explosive creative team of Zeb Wells (NOVA) and Dylan Burnett (X-FORCE, COSMIC GHOST RIDER) as they take Ant-Man to all-new heights in this epic adventure!
2. Hi Bub
Continued below
Can there ever be enough Wolverine comics? Yes, but we’re long past the days where he was on every team, so now it’s a good time for a new solo series. Given all the evens in the current “X-Men” comics, it’ll be interesting to see how Wolverine is adapting to life on Krakoa and the new state of Mutantdom that comes with it. Can Wolverine truly be happy, or will any story with him involve something going horribly wrong? Let’s find out.
Wolverine #1
Written by Benjamin Percy
Illustrated by Adam Kubert and Viktor Bogdanovic
Cover by Adam Kubert
Variant covers by Alex Ross, Jim Lee, Adam Kubert, Greg Hildebrandt, Rahzzah, R.B. Silva, Scottie Young, Jeehyung Lee, and Chip KiddTHE BEST IS BACK!
Wolverine been through a lot. He’s been a loner. He’s been a killer. He’s been a hero. He’s been an Avenger. He’s been to hell and back. Now, as the nation of Krakoa brings together all mutantkind, he can finally be… happy? With his family all together and safe, Wolverine has everything he ever wanted… and everything to lose. Writer Benjamin Percy (X-FORCE, WOLVERINE: THE LONG NIGHT) and legendary artist Adam Kubert (X-MEN, AVENGERS) bring the best there is to his new home! PLUS: The return of OMEGA RED!
1. Homecoming
Speaking of X-Men and Krakoa, there’s one important Mutant character that hasn’t made his way to the new home of mutantkind yet. Cyclops did state in an early issue of “House of X” that Franklin is welcome to join them there, so is it time for him to take them up on the offer? It feels like this is leading up to another “hero vs hero” comic conflict, but I trust Chip Zdarsky to do it right and make it a comic worth reading. So let’s see what happens when the X-Men extend an invitation to the first born of the Fantastic Four.
X-Men/Fantastic Four #1
Written by Chip Zdarsky
Illustrated by Terry Dodson
Cover by Mark Brooks
Variant covers by Chris Eliopoulos and Meghan HetrickTHE SEEDS WERE PLANTED IN HOUSE OF X….
THE LINE IN THE SAND!
KRAKOA. Every mutant on Earth lives there … except for one. But now it’s time for FRANKLIN RICHARDS to come home.
It’s the X-MEN VS. the FANTASTIC FOUR and nothing will ever be the same.
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com.
