As we look ahead towards February, there are plenty of comics worth looking forward to, whether for yourself or as a Valentine’s Day gift for the nerd in your life (Chocolate? Flowers? Nah, get that geek the latest issue of their favorite comic!). So let’s take a look at the top ten, with a nice mix of ongoing series and new favorites.
10. What Year is it?
Night Thrasher is one of those quintessentially 90’s characters (despite technically debuting in 1989), who fought crime while skateboarding, founded the New Warriors, and eventually died and was resurrected. So what’s next for him? Well, a new mini-series, from the looks of things, bringing Night Thrasher out of retirement and back to the streets of New York. Night Thrasher still has plenty of fans looking forward to seeing what’s next for him, so with old friends and new villains alike to see, hopefully this comic will give them the story they’ve been hoping for. And if nothing else, it’s a fine pick to start this list with.
Night Thrasher #1 (of 4)
Written by J. Holtham
Illustrated by Nelson Dániel
Cover by Alan Quah
Variant covers by Tradd Moore, Davi Go, Mark Bagley, Ken Lashley, and Luciano Vecchio• It’s time to thrash the night!
• The death of a loved one draws Dwayne Taylor back to New York City, though his days as NIGHT THRASHER are long over. But Dwayne finds the past difficult to outrun when SILHOUETTE, his ex-teammate from the NEW WARRIORS, seeks his help against a new criminal called THE O.G. And the mystery of the O.G.’s true identity and what’s to come will change Night Thrasher’s legacy forever! Don’t miss this bold new direction for a cult classic character who is leaving the ’90s behind him!
9. Good Ghost
One of the more recent but already beloved additions to Doctor Strange’s cast is Bats the ghost dog. Thankfully, he’s persisted across stories and writers, even occasionally getting a spotlight issue. This is one of them, with the best spectral boy taking on a mystery in the Sanctum Sanctorum. That’s right, Bats is on the case, and you know I can’t resist an issue about one of Marvel’s many super pets. So between Jed MacKay’s writing, Danilo Beyruth’s art, and the goodest ghost in a center role, this issue of “Doctor Strange” deserves a mention.
Doctor Strange #12
Written by Jed MacKay
Illustrated by Danilo S. Beyruth
Cover by Alex Ross
Variant cover by Paco Medina• Doctor Strange is a busy man — sometimes, it seems like the busiest man. But that man has a best friend.
• So when there’s something strange haunting the Sanctum Sanctorum, who can we turn to? Why, BATS THE GHOST DOG, of course!
• But can Bats solve the mystery on his own, or is this good dog in over his head?
8. The True Meaning of “Nimrod”
Fun fact: the term “nimrod” originally referred to a biblical figure and a great hunter. However, it eventually shifted to being used as an insult (allegedly thanks to Bugs Bunny, but it had appeared in media before then in a similar context). But in Marvel Comics, particularly in “X-Men,” the name “Nimrod” still refers to a fearsome hunter, and one with more than a little mutant blood on its hands. So now it’s time for the X-Men to take on the latest incarnation of Nimrod, with everyone from Wolverine to Ms. Marvel joining the fight. And with Gerry Duggan’s track record, it’s going to be one exciting issue.
X-Men #31
Written by Gerry Duggan
Illustrated by Phil Noto
Cover by Joshua Cassara
Variant covers by Russell Dauterman and Kaare Andrews• THE ULTIMATE MUTANT HUNTER!
• The X-Men lived in fear of Nimrod’s creation, and now it’s clear why! The ultimate weapon of mutant extinction is ever-adapting, ever-evolving, with only one goal – DEATH TO MUTANTKIND!
7. Let’s Rock
Hobie Brown, AKA Spider-Man, AKA Spider-Punk, became an absolute sensation after Across the Spider-Verse introduced him to a wider audience, so of course Marvel would capitalize on that newfound popularity with a new mini-series. But it’s not just a quick cash-grab, because it’s got some real talent and continues on the story we’ve seen of Hobie, carrying on the continuity for a new audience to enjoy. So if you’ve liked any previous “Spider-Punk” comics, or want to pick up something new featuring the character after meeting him in the movies, definitely check this one out.
Continued belowSpider-Punk #1 (of 4)
Written by Cody Ziglar
Illustrated by Justin Mason
Cover by Takashi Okazaki
Variant covers by Maria Wolf, Olivier Coipel, and Todd Nauck• ENCORE! YOU WANTED MORE!
• In a world without NORMAN OSBORN, SPIDER-PUNK REIGNS!
• This ain’t no victory lap though – as HOBIE BROWN and team try to rebuild society, JUSTIN HAMMER & DOCTOR OTTO OCTAVIUS have other plans…like introducing the world to the SPIDER-SLAYING SENTINELS!
• Cody Ziglar (MILES MORALES: SPIDER-MAN) & Justin Mason (SPIDER-MAN 2099: DARK GENESIS) reunite to bring the Brooklyn boy back with the whole crew you know and love!
• Grab your boots, your instruments, your amps and LET’S GO!
6. Even More Spiders
But wait, there’s more spiders in the multiverse! Yes, we’ve got yet another Spider-Verse event approaching, and that means it’s time for even more spider-themed superheroes from across worlds. Spider-Punk isn’t the only hero to have reached a wider audience in Across the Spider-Verse, so Spider-Byte is getting her time to shine in a new story as well. But we’re also getting some new ones, like a spider from the Weapon X Program. And of course, there’s a great team behind each of these stories, so it’ll undoubtedly be fun for anyone looking for a new spider-themed hero to enjoy.
Edge of Spider-Verse #1 (of 4)
Written by Jackzon Lanzing, Collin Kelly, and Nilah Magruder
Illustrated by Travel Foreman and Eric Gapstur
Cover by Chad Hardin
Variant covers by Amanda Conner, Chris Allen, Derrick Chew, Skottie Young, Kris Anka, and David Nakayama• The now perennial Spider-Hit is back as we start the build to the biggest Spider-Versal story we’ve EVER DONE!
• We all know who Weapon X is, but WHO IS WEAPON VIII?! In their universe, when Weapon X escapes from his facility, they call on their greatest previous success to get him back.
• SPIDER-BYTE RETURNS! You may not have realized that the digital avatar Spider-Character who made her big screen debut in Across the Spider-Verse came from the comics first! She’s back in comics now and you don’t want to miss her!
5. For Sue the Bell Tolls
At this point, it should be entirely unsurprising when a “Fantastic Four” comic makes the list. Ryan North’s run has been consistently great, supported by excellent artwork (not to mention the covers by Alex Ross, which are always outstanding). Each issue typically stands alone as its own tale as well as part of the overarching comic, and now we’re getting one involving Sue Storm, time travel, and a predestination of death. Every part of that sounds like a great story.
Fantastic Four #17
Written by Ryan North
Illustrated by Carlos Gómez
Cover by Alex Ross
Variant covers by Kaare Andrews, Ernanda Souza, and Lee Garbett• When construction unearths something unexpected, Susan Storm is called in – not as a super hero but an archaeologist!
• But when the bones she uncovers – tens of thousand of years old, dating back to the first arrival of humans in the Americas – turn out to be female…and matching her build…and wearing the shredded and decayed remains of what appears to be BLUE FABRIC constructed of unstable molecules, she must accept the fantastic: Dr. Susan Storm is going to DIE deep in Earth’s prehistory and that time is coming sooner than she might think!
• Also in this issue: an anniversary date for Reed and Sue! So Sue gets both inarguable evidence of her own death AND some romance.
• Not in that order though.
4. Super Siblings
Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver have had quite the history. They’ve been villains, Avengers, mutants, dead, alive again, and more. But throughout it all, they’ve always been a brother and sister ready to support each other, at least… usually. Sometimes, of course, those bonds get put to the test – like now, as part of a story where they’re teaming up to take on a new, eldritch threat and deal with the death (and ongoing revival) of Magneto. If you’re a fan of either or both of these characters, you’ll want to see what Steve Orlando has planned.
Continued belowScarlet Witch & Quicksilver #1 (of 4)
Written by Steve Orlando
Illustrated by Lorenzo Tammetta
Cover by Russell Dauterman
Variant covers by Rose Besch, Skottie Young, Rickie Yagawa, Luciano Vecchio, and Paulo Siqueira• Old Rivalries and New Mysteries!
• The Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver have been heroes, friends, family heads and occasionally villains, but, above all, they are twins who look out for each other. So when Wanda receives a letter from the recently deceased Magneto that would upset Pietro, she burns the letter before her brother can read it.
• But her choice drives them apart at the worst possible time: a new threat heralded by the Wizard – with a horrifying eldritch upgrade – is coming for their heads, and if they can’t find a way to repair their damaged bond, it will cost them their lives.
• Join the fan-favorite SCARLET WITCH creative team as they celebrate sixty years of Scarlet Witch and Quicksilver with this new chapter in the twins’ storied legacy!
3. Can the Bromance Be Saved?
Beast has changed pretty significantly since the start of the Krakoan Era, to say the least. Even with the Fall of X, he’s still a major problem for X-Force. It really makes one miss his days on the Avengers, where he and Wonder Man had a great friendship that really brought out the best in each other. You know who else misses those days? Wonder Man. So with everything that has happened over the past several issues, it’s time for two friends to be reunited, and see if Simon can smack a little sense back into Hank.
X-Force #49
Written by Benjamin Percy
Illustrated by Robert Gill
Cover by Daniel Acuña
Variant cover by Will Sliney• WONDER MAN AND BEAST –
• THE DYNAMIC DUO RETURNS!
• In a simpler time, the bounding BEAST partnered up with Avenger WONDER MAN! But after Beast’s fall from grace, is there any chance these two can see eye to eye? In a last desperate attempt to take down Beast, witness the return of…Beast?!
• TARGET: BEAST part 2!
2. The Devil and the Doctor
To say things have been crazy for Daredevil might be underselling it a bit, but things are only going to get wilder. Saladin Ahmed and Aaron Kuder have kicked off the new run to a strong start, and now it’s time for the next step in their story. And as exciting as it is to see what’s next for the man without fear, it sounds like we’re also getting a team-up with Doctor Strange, so that’s even more to look forward to. It’s a good time to be a Daredevil fan, that much is for certain.
Daredevil #6
Written by Saladin Ahmed
Illustrated by Aaron Kuder
Cover by John Romita Jr.
Variant covers by Ben Su and Sergio Dávila• A BOOK OF REVELATIONS!
• In their first no-holds-barred arc of DAREDEVIL, Saladin Ahmed and Aaron Kuder tore Matt Murdock’s world asunder! With those closest to him ensnared by some dangerous and malevolent force, Matt’s been left with nothing but questions. IN THIS ISSUE, he finally starts to get some answers from the STRANGEst source of all…
1. Wakanda in the Ultimate Universe
The Ultimate Universe continues its return, bringing us a new version of the Black Panther. The world in the new Ultimate Marvel is different from the one we’ve known before, but Wakanda remains strong, independent, and protected by the Black Panther – and now we get to meet him. What kind of hero and king will he be? No one can say for certain, but Bryan Hill and Stefano Caselli both have solid track records, so we can certainly look forward to finding out.
Ultimate Black Panther #1
Written by Bryan Hill
Illustrated by Stefano Caselli
Cover by Stefano Caselli
Variant covers by Karen S. Darboe, Ethan Young, and Travel Foreman• THE NEW ULTIMATE BLACK PANTHER!
• In the wake of ULTIMATE INVASION, Khonshu and Ra – the force known together as Moon Knight – are seeking to expand their brutal control of the continent of Africa.
• In response, the lone bulwark against them, the isolated nation of Wakanda, will send forth its champion…its king…the Black Panther!
• From the creative minds of Bryan Hill (BLADE, KILLMONGER) and Stefano Caselli (X-MEN RED, AVENGERS) comes a bold new take on the world of Black Panther and Wakanda!
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com.
