April! What else can be said about April other than… it’s another month with some great comics coming out. We’ve got so many new “X-Men” adjacent titles I could make a top ten list out of them alone (and it was tempting to include even more on this list) as well as plenty of new comics kicking off. So let’s take a look at what April holds…
10. Weapon X Alumni Party
Wolverine may be the best there is at what he does, but you know who else is pretty good at it? Deadpool. It’s been a while since we last checked in with the Merc with a Mouth, and who better to do it than Wolverine? It’s a classic team-up that always leads to plenty of action, so it’s a great way to start off this list.
Wolverine #20
Written by Benjamin Percy
Illustrated by Adam Kubert
Cover by Adam Kubert
Variant covers by Jorge Fornés, Tyler Kirkham, Martin Coccolo, and Dustin Weaver• THE BRUTAL RETURN OF THE BEST THERE IS…WITH AN UNLIKELY PARTNER!
• DEADPOOL was the king of Staten Island — now he wants to be an honorary citizen of Krakoa. WOLVERINE just wants him to shut up. But when Deadpool uncovers a dangerous plot that could mean doom for the mutants’ safe haven, it’s going to take a titanic team-up of the Best There Is and the Merc with a Mouth to quell the threat. But that doesn’t mean Logan has to like it.
• Featuring Wolverine and Deadpool at their most savage, as well as the return of a fan-favorite X-character to the Krakoan era! (And no, we don’t mean Wade.)
9. Hawks and Snakes
“Heroes Reborn” may have been short, but its effects are still being felt in the “Avengers” comics. Nighthawk has been working to try and bring the world back to the “Reborn” world he comes from, and it looks like he has more machinations at hand. Every “Avengers” arc in Jason Aaron’s run has been big, crazy, and exciting, so this is going to be no different. And hey, nothing like a little fight against the Serpent Society to kick things off.
Avengers #55
Written by Jason Aaron
Illustrated by Javier Garrón
Cover by Javier Garrón
Variant cover by Peach Momoko• THE COMING OF THE NIGHTHAWK
• Last seen during the events of HEROES REBORN, Nighthawk of the Squadron Supreme of America returns to the scene with a dark and mysterious purpose. Is he friend or foe to the Avengers? Nobody’s sure. But there are no such questions about the deadly new incarnation of the Serpent Society!
8. Krakoa in the 90’s
Like many who grew up in the 90’s, my first introduction to the X-Men was through the animated series. I remember picking up VHS copies of the series at the local video store to watch Wolverine, Gambit, Jubilee, and the rest of the team. So to see Marvel bring the 90’s animated series story back in comic form to see how that show would handle Krakoa, well, that’s absolutely exciting. So get ready to be hit with nostalgia and see a reimagining of the biggest X-event in the past few years. Whatever madness happens, it’s bound to be fun.
X-Men ’92: House of XCII #1 (of 5)
Written by Steve Foxe
Illustrated by Salva Espin
Cover by David Baldeón
Variant cover by David Nakayama• THE ’90s ARE BACK — AGAIN!
• Everyone’s favorite ’90s incarnations of the X-Men have returned…but this time, everything is even all-newer and all-more different! Mutantkind is taking a huge leap forward by founding their own nation on the island of Krakoa, guided by Professor X, Magneto, and a mysterious long-lived woman who knows more than she should. That’s right – the ’90s X-Men are tackling the Krakoan Age thirty years early… and it’s NOT going to go the way you expect!
7. Vader’s Play
Darth Vader versus Crimson Dawn. Do I need to say any more? Well, I will anyways. Greg Pak’s “Darth Vader” run has been nothing short of gripping, and the recent “Crimson Reign” storyline has been an exciting way to connect multiple disparate Star Wars movie points into a single cohesive narrative (heck, “Crimson Reign” is even bringing in the Knights of Ren). So this is the point where Vader really kicks into action, complete with a few twists and reveals to watch out for. The Force is strong in this one.
Continued belowStar Wars: Darth Vader #22
Written by Greg Pak
Illustrated by Raffaele Ienco
Cover by Paul Renaud
Variant cover by Paul Renaud• CRIMSON HAVOC!
• With all secrets smashed and all traitors revealed, DARTH VADER unleashes his endgame!
• But is his target CRIMSON DAWN — or the EMPIRE itself? And where does that leave the heroes and assassins who have fought at his side?
• Plus, a shocking reveal that cuts to the very core of the DARK LORD’S dark heart!
6. Smash at thee!
Hulk and Thor are two of Marvel’s heaviest hitters and biggest bruisers, so it only makes sense that they’d fight every now and then. Well, this is more than just a one-issue skirmish. This is the kickoff of a big crossover between their comics, and no punches are being pulled. With everything going on in their respective comics, the two characters have been through a lot, and now we get to see how they stack up against each other in a good old fashioned comic book throwdown. Heck yeah.
Hulk vs Thor: Banner of War Alpha #1
Written by Donny Cates
Illustrated by Martin Coccolo
Cover by Gary Frank
Variant covers by Martin Coccolo, Ron Lim, Trevor Von Eeden, Ryan Stegman, and Geoff Shaw• Hulk and Thor have both undergone massive changes recently, but one thing remains constant — their heated rivalry! When mysterious circumstances bring them into conflict once more, will the God of Thunder be able to triumph against a Bruce Banner who can now control his rage?
• Celebrating the 60th Anniversary of both characters, this epic five-part crossover between the THOR and HULK series starts here in this oversized Alpha issue, brought to you by creators Donny Cates and Martin Coccolo! Key mysteries from both series will be revealed, as well as shocking consequences for the future of both characters! (Continued in May’s THOR #25 and HULK #7!)
5. From the Way to the Legion
“Way of X” was a good enough way to bring Nightcrawler and his place in Krakoa into focus, but all that was just the prelude. Now Kurt has his own team, including some of the biggest and craziest characters that have ever been a part of an X team. And just the names they’re dropping alone are enough to let you know this is going to be an exciting new comic. Best yet: it’s just one of the many X-Men-related comics worth checking out this month.
Legion of X #1
Written by Si Spurrier
Illustrated by Jan Bazaldua
Cover by Dike Ruan
Variant covers by Tom Muller, Todd Nauck, Mike McKone, Bob Quinn, Nick Robles, Ken Lashley, and Jamie McKelvie• SI SPURRIER AND JAN BAZALDUA BRING PEACE, LOVE AND JUSTICE TO KRAKOA!
• Krakoa has its laws — but does it have justice? To remain a mutant sanctuary, Krakoa must safeguard itself against those who would damage its peace or traumatize its people. The lost must be found, and the wicked must face redemption — or retribution.
• It’s up to the ever-soulful swashbuckler NIGHTCRAWLER to keep the spark alive and LEGION to host his unique team in the psychedelic mindspace called THE ALTAR. With PIXIE on point, JUGGERNAUT as a one-man riot squad and a host of X-favorites on the beat, the LEGION OF X will do anything to protect mutants’ right to pursue happiness and hope.
• Kicking off with a hunt for a missing Arakkii god and a skinjacker possessing innocent mutants, read this issue and come meet WEAPONLESS ZSEN, ORA SERRATA…and a villain worth praying for. The DESTINY OF X bares it heart and soul right here!
4. It’s Thorsday, my dudes
What comes next for Thor after his battle with the God of Hammers? How about a celebration issue? That’s right, it’s Thor’s 750th issue, and a milestone like that deserves a big comic to celebrate! We’re getting a whole array of writers stepping in, including classic fan favorites, so we’ll have plenty to enjoy while celebrating the God of Thunder. I mean, just look at all those variant covers alone – you know this is going to be a big one with all those covers.
Continued belowThor #24
Written by Donny Cates, J. Michael Straczynski, Walter Simonson, Dan Jurgens, and more
Illustrated by Nic Klein and more
Cover by Nic Klein
Variant covers by Declan Shalvey, Taurin Clarke, Juni Ba, Alex Maleev, Dan Jurgens, Pasqual Ferry, Stephanie Hans, Daniel Warren Johnson, and Mahmud Asrar• STAR-STUDDED CELEBRATION OF 750 ISSUES!
• After a scorched-earth victory against the God of Hammers, Thor and all of Asgard reel from a brutal loss. But some people are never truly gone…And in honor of 750 issues of THOR, fan-favorite creators like J. Michael Straczynski and Walter Simonson return in this oversized issue! Celebrate the long and storied history of the God of Thunder with the writers and artists who helped build his legacy!
3. Mars Ain’t the Kind of Place to Raise a Kid
The X-Men terraformed Mars and sent an island full of hyperviolent mutants to live there, now Storm is their queen.
That’s all you need to know for the setup here, because that very concept is awesome. That’s right, there’s more mutant madness to enjoy in this month’s list, because “X-Men Red” is kicking off on the red planet. We’ve got Storm, we’ve got Cable, and of course, Abigail Brand is up to something big. So it’s just another day in the world of the X-Men, and I mean that in the best of ways.
X-Men Red #1
Written by Al Ewing
Illustrated by Stefano Caselli
Cover by Russell Dauterman
Variant covers by Javier Garrón, Taurin Clarke, Peach Momoko, David Lopez, Tom Muller, and Christian Ward• WHO CAN SAVE THE RED PLANET?
• The mutants of Arakko spent millennia scarred by war — but on what was once called Mars, they’re learning to live in peace. STORM knows the red planet needs something greater than a queen. But ABIGAIL BRAND has other plans, along with an unstable VULCAN on her side and CABLE keeping his own secrets. Welcome to X-MEN RED. It’s a new world…and someone has to fight for it.
2. Swinging Back into the Spotlight
Remember what I said about comics with a whole bunch of variant covers being big ones to look for? Well, just look at this list of artists! Ben’s time as Spider-Man was all well and good, but now Peter Parker is back, and Zeb Wells is kicking things off with a whole lot of trouble for the web-slinger. Throw in two baddies on his trail, and I believe the solicit when it says Spider-Man’s 60th anniversary is going to be a big one.
And while personally, I’m not a fan of John Romita Jr’s artwork, I know he’s a favorite among many a “Spider-Man” reader, so his return is a welcome one for many too.
Amazing Spider-Man #1
Written by Zeb Wells
Illustrated by John Romita Jr.
Cover by John Romita Jr.
Variant covers by Humberto Ramos, Mark Bagley, Travis Charest, Jim Cheung, Russell Dauterman, Skottie Young, Bengal, Patrick Gleason, Peach Momoko, Romina Jones, Stanley “Artgerm” Lau, Inhyuk Lee, John Romita Sr., and Rose Besch• WHAT DID SPIDER-MAN DO?!
• Peter’s on the outs with the FF. He’s on the outs with the Avengers. He’s on the outs with Aunt May! No one wants to see Spider-Man – except for Doctor Octopus. Ock’s on Spider-Man’s tail and the Master Planner has something truly terrible planned for when he gets his tentacles on Spidey. All that, and what does Tombstone have planned? Just in time for Spider-Man’s 60th Anniversary, a new volume of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN begins, and 2022 is going to be the biggest year for Spider-Man EVER! Don’t believe us? We brought John Romita Jr. back JUST FOR THIS!
1. O Captains, My Captains
The title of “Captain America” has passed through many hands, as has the shield. Now with Sam Wilson taking over as Captain America in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, it’s time for him to reclaim the mantle in the comics as well – but there’s no reason for Steve to step aside either. After all, we can have two Captains America at once, and there’s nothing like a team up between some of the best to carry the name. It’s time for a new “Captain America” story to kick off, and this is a great way to do it.
Continued belowCaptain America #0
Written by Tochi Onyebuchi, Collin Kelly, and Jackson Lanzing
Illustrated by Mattia De iulis
Cover by Alex Ross
Variant covers by Mark Brooks, Adam Hughes, and Jim Cheung• When Arnim Zola launches a catastrophic attack on New York City, he meets his match – in Sam Wilson and Steve Rogers! In the explosive battle that follows, two Captain Americas prove better than one, and Sam and Steve decide they might just keep a good thing going…
• Tochi Onyebuchi (BLACK PANTHER LEGENDS), Jackson Lanzing & Collin Kelly (KANG THE CONQUEROR) and Mattia De Iulis (THE MIGHTY VALKYRIES, INVISIBLE WOMAN) kick off an incredible new CAPTAIN AMERICA saga – you won’t want to miss what comes next!
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com.
