The War of the Realms has begun! After months of buildup and tags saying it’s on the way, the event is kicking off, so of course that will take up quite a few of this month’s spots. But there’s still plenty more from “Spider-Man,” “Star Wars,” and so on. Some months it’s hard to find ten issues worth making the list. This time it was hard to narrow it down to just 10. So let’s see what comics made the cut for April.
10. The Call is Coming From Inside the Comic!
Deadpool has a long history of playing with and breaking the fourth wall, but interacting with things from outside of it is a little different. While Robbie Thompson has definitely been playing up the fourth wall awareness in “Spider-Man/Deadpool,” it seems like it’s leading up to a comic that completely shatters it and sends them fighting through the entire issue. I’m very interested in seeing how this plays out.
Spider-Man/Deadpool #49
Written by Robbie Thompson
Illustrated by Jim Towe
Cover by Dave Johnson• THE EVENT SO BIG ONE COMIC BOOK/REALITY CANNOT CONTAIN IT!
• A battle royale of epic event proportions!!!
• Make sure the roof you read this issue under is well-supported, because we’re gonna DESTROY THE FOURTH WALL.
• The danger is coming…FROM THE OTHER SIDE OF THE PAGE!!!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
9. Part Deux
Another comic with Deadpool in it? Okay, yes, but in my defense, he’s in a lot of comics, so it’ll happen. More importantly, we have Gail Simone writing not only more Domino, but more Deadpool, and several other kickass characters too. No matter how you look at it, this one’s going to be a lot of fun.
Hotshots #2
Written by Gail Simone
Illustrated by David Baldeon
Cover by R.B. Silva and Frank D’armata
Variant cover by Kamome Shirahama• NOW WITH 100% MORE DEADPOOL!
• Six undercover, highly trained, armed-to-teeth women are hunting a device from space that changes life as we know it… wait, who invited Wade?!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
8. Who Doesn’t Love a Good Team-Up?
One of the best things about comic book universes is seeing different characters connect and bounce off each other. A good team-up shows off the strengths of each character while putting them in situations that test their ability to work together and find new solutions using their powers. Will “Marvel Team-Up” give us that? It’s too soon to tell, but it’s got some of my favorite characters working together, so I’m certainly ready to find out.
Marvel Team-Up #1
Written by Eve L. Ewing
Illustrated by Joey Vazquez
Cover by Stefano Caselli
Variant covers by Paco Medina and odd Nauck• THE CLASSIC MARVEL TEAM-UP RETURNS!
• After a science demonstration at Empire State University goes awry, Ms. Marvel and Spider-Man find themselves tangled up in the same chaotic adventure. Is it destiny? Or disaster?!
• Eve L. Ewing (IRONHEART) and Joey Vazquez (SPIDER-GEDDON) team up for the first thrilling arc of a mind-bending and magnificent new series!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
7. A Very Special Issue
Sometimes a comic goes right for the heart. This was set up not long ago in issue 1 of “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man,” so we can brace ourselves for the emotional impact. Aunt May has cancer, it seems, and it’s unlikely that she’s an actor paid to impersonate her just to mess with Peter this time. Get the tissues ready.
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #5
Written by Tom Taylor
Illustrated by Yildiray Cinar
Cover by Andrew C. Robinson• A bomb drops on Peter’s world when Aunt May finally fesses up to Peter about what’s happening.
• Don’t miss this special issue!
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
6. Squirrel of the Realms!
Squirrel Girl has typically stayed out of the big crossovers, and for good reason. I’d rather not see her joining the stupid conflict that was “Civil War II,” and her work in “Secret Empire” took place primarily in France (and in another book altogether). But this time she’s getting pulled into “War of the Realms,” so I’m looking forward to seeing her join in the fracas against frost giants and dark elves. Plus, apparently there’s a big twist coming up, that should be fun.
Continued belowThe Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #43
Written by Ryan North
Illustrated by Derek Charm
Cover by Erica Henderson• You know how Squirrel Girl has stayed out of most Marvel events? Turns out, that was only because THOSE events didn’t involve her good pal LOKI LAUFEYSON!
• When Earth is attacked as part of the WAR OF THE REALMS, Squirrel Girl is called back from her Negative Zone vacation, and Loki recruits her as part of a secret mission!
• Is Loki running a scheme? Probably. Is he playing a trick? Almost certainly. But he NEVER lies about the safety of his good friend (and Cat Thor creator) Nancy Whitehead, and that puts him and Doreen on the same side.
• It’s Squirrel Girl’s first BIG EVENT CROSSOVER… but it’s still the start of a stand-alone epic that you can still enjoy even if you only read SQUIRREL GIRL!
• Also if you’re reading this because you’re thinking, “Hmm I’m big into WAR OF THE REALMS but do I really need to see what happens in SQUIRREL GIRL” then let me say WOW DO YOU EVER, THERE’S A REVEAL ON THIS LAST PAGE THAT’S BEEN IN THE WORKS FOR YEARS!
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
5. Roll the Dice?
When it was announced that the McElroy’s of “The Adventure Zone” would be writing a comic for Marvel, the reactions were very mixed. My own feelings are mixed, but I’m going to be happy for their success and hope their comic debut is a successful one. They’re bringing in a great array of characters for this adventure, so let’s see where it goes and if this journey into mystery makes for a great adventure.
War of the Realms: Journey into Mystery #1
Written by Clint, Justin, Travis & Griffin McElroy
Illustrated by André Lima Araújo
Cover by Valerio Schiti and David Curiel
Variant covers by Marko Djurdjevic, Joe Quinones, and Gerald Parel• The creators of the blockbuster podcast The Adventure Zone bring their talents to Marvel for a wild romp through THE WAR OF THE REALMS!
• Earth is at war, besieged by an army of Frost Giants, Trolls and Fire Goblins — and the mighty Thor is nowhere to be found! But could it be that the key to turning the tide is…Thor’s baby sister? Journey into Mystery with Spider-Man (Miles Morales), Hawkeye (Kate Bishop), Wonder Man, and Balder the Brave as they go on an epic quest to save Earth’s only hope! (And, yes, deal with diaper duty.)
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
4. Unexpected Friends
Rainbow Rowell’s run on “Runaways” is regarded as… I can’t think of an r-word for “very good,” so you’ll have to excuse the incomplete alliteration, but it’s well-regarded. It’s taken the characters in directions that are true to their cores while still feeling fresh, brought back old friends and enemies, and has generally been an enjoyable read. Now we have a child of the Gibborim, of all beings, who seems to be joining the team at least for the time being. If nothing else, we’re getting quite the imagery from the cover alone out of this.
Runaways #20
Written by Rainbow Rowell
Illustrated by Andrés Genolet
Cover by Kris Anka• The fallout from “That Was Yesterday” is still very much being felt.
• There’s rebuilding to do, both metaphorical and literal – Are the Runaways up for these repairs?
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
3. Super
Coulson’s Squadron Supreme was teased a while back in the pages of “Avengers,” but now we get to see them in action. It’ll be a shift away from the Avengers team while everyone’s wrapped up in “War of the Realms,” so we’ll get to see another team in action. With Jason Aaron writing both books, there’ll likely be great continuity between them, but I also want to see how he handles the team of not-Justice Leaguers. (And more Coulson is good too.)
Continued belowAvengers #18
Written by Jason Aaron
Illustrated by Ed McGuinness
Cover by Ed McGuinness
Variant Covers by Alex Ross and Paolo Rivera• WAR OF THE REALMS TIE-IN!
• See the greatest heroes of Washington, D.C., in action as the War of the Realms comes to the nation’s capital. Who needs the Avengers when you’ve got the all-new Squadron Supreme of America? But who are these mysterious new heroes, and where did they come from? Only Agent Coulson knows.
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
2. Side Characters, Unite!
The “Star Wars” franchise once had an expanded universe that gave practically every side or background character a lengthy story and connection to the mythos. Those stories have been since removed from “Star Wars” canon, but Disney and Marvel have been rebuilding it. This feels like a return to those times with stories focusing on under-developed and under-appreciated characters like IG-88, Biggs, and of course, Jek Porkins. A little more Yoda never hurts either. Let’s see where the creative team takes these characters.
Star Wars: Age of Rebellion Special #1
Written by Marc Guggenheim, Jon Adams, and Si Spurrier
Illustrated by Jon Adams, Caspar Wijngaard, and Andrea Broccardo
Cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli and Guru-eFX
Variant Covers by Marco Checchetto, Jen Bartel, and Mike McKone• A ONE-SHOT SPECIAL FEATURING YOUR FAVORITE (AND UNEXPECTED) CHARACTERS FROM THE ORIGINAL STAR WARS TRILOGY!
• Move over, Boba Fett. The most dangerous bounty hunter in the galaxy isn’t who you think. The cold, calculating assassin droid IG-88 had a deadly reputation. Wanted criminals should tremble in fear because IG-88 will stop at nothing to get the job done. But where did it come from? What does it want? Perfection might be a good place to start. SI SPURRIER (DOCTOR APHRA) and CASPAR WIJNGAARD (DOCTOR APHRA ANNUAL) bring the terrifying droid to life!
• The destruction of the Order, the death of his friends, exile — no matter what he has endured, YODA will always be a Jedi. Even in hiding on the isolated planet of Dagobah, far from the evil Empire’s reach, a Jedi’s work is never done. Marc Guggenheim (X-MEN GOLD) and ANDREA BROCCARDO (STAR WARS) will pay the wise, old master a visit!
• The freedom-fighting REBEL ALLIANCE has more than its fair share of heroes — like ace pilots BIGGS DARKLIGHTER and JEK PORKINS. But they’ve been fighting the evil Galactic Empire for a long time and sometimes, even noble warriors like Biggs and Porkins need a little rest and relaxation. Is anywhere truly free from the trials of the galactic conflict? Writer and illustrator JON ADAMS (the New Yorker, LOVE ROMANCES) has the answer!
• 32 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T …$4.99
• Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2019 Lucasfilm Ltd.
1. And So it Begins
After months of buildup, teases, and foreshadowing, the “War of the Realms” is finally, finally starting. Will it be everything Marvel is building it up to be? I fully trust Jason Aaron to deliver a compelling story, and seeing the heroes of the Marvel universe band together against the more mythically-aligned characters from Thor’s stories sounds like a lot of fun. There’s a lot to look forward to from this event, let’s hope it’s everything it promises to be.
War of the Realms #1
Written by Jason Aaron
Illustrated by Russell Dauterman
Cover by Arthur Adams and Matthew Wilson
Variant Covers by Victor Hugo, Sana Takeda, David Finch, Greg Horn, Joe Quesada, Walter Simonson, Russel Dauterman, and Marko Djurdjevic• THE WORLD AT WAR!
• Asgard. Alfheim. Heven. Jotunheim. Muspelheim. Niffleheim. Nidavellir. Svartalfheim. Vanaheim. All of the Ten Realms have fallen to Malekith and his army except one: Midgard. Home to Thor’s beloved humans. Home to heroes and gods alike. Now, at last, it burns. And Thor won’t even be there to see it.
• All hell breaks loose in New York City as Malekith and his allies begin their invasion — and the greatest heroes of the Marvel Universe watch as the Earth falls!
• 48 PGS./Rated T+ …$5.99
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com.
