This day, in May, we’ll pay for comics to… read-ay? I dunno, I lost the rhyme there. So let’s skip the chit-chat and get to the solicits, including a new Thunderbolts team, the return of Savage Avengers, a return to 2099, and so much more.
10. A New Power Couple?
Iron Man has been through a lot these last twenty issues. He’s had his body broken repeatedly, got lost in space, turned into a god… yeah, it’s been a lot. But more importantly, it sounds as though Tony will be proposing to Patsy Walker, since they’ve been quite close throughout this run. Will it last? Look, comic book relationships rarely do. But we can still enjoy the ride.
Iron Man #20
Written by Christopher Cantwell
Illustrated by Angel Unzueta
Cover by Alex Ross
Variant covers by Betsy Cola and Pasqual Ferry• TONY STARK POPS THE QUESTION!
• With Korvac, the Power Cosmic and a nasty morphine addiction now behind him, a freshly humanized Tony Stark has returned from rehab to the world hoping to show folks that’s he’s okay, highly functional and ready to re-engage. So of course it’s time for him to face off against an angry hyper-intelligent gorilla. When the public unveiling of a new Stark Supercomputer goes awry and the machine’s hairy 400-lb chess opponent decides to break loose in the city, it all leaves Tony feeling a little anxious. Can Patsy Walker provide any shelter in this new storm, or does it just mean more clouds are gathering?
9. It’s Gonna be the Future Soon
It’s time to check in on the far-off future of 2099… which is a lot closer now than it was when the “Spider-Man 2099” comics started. But we’ve got a new story with the futuristic Spider-Man, and not only that, we’re also getting plenty of old and new 2099 versions of familiar characters in the rest of the “Exodus” story. The Alpha issue kicks off with a 2099 Ghost Rider, but we’ll also be seeing Winter Soldier 2099, Loki 2099, and undoubtedly more.
Spider-Man 2099: Exodus – Alpha #1
Written by Steve Orlando
Illustrated by Paul Fru
Cover by Leinil Francis Yu
Variant covers by Ryan Brown, Ken Lashley, and Ron Lim• Miguel O’Hara is back!
• After fighting battles across the timestream, MIGUEL O’HARA is at last back defending his present and our our future!
• For SPIDER-MAN 2099, the only thing constant about life in Nueva York is change.
• So when a cataclysmic crash creates a new Garden of Eden in what was once the American Wastelands, Spider-Man knows exactly what the next atrocity will be.
• Watch as THE CABAL plans to set society ablaze — and you’ll never guess who is leading them!
8. Reign’s End
Going in to “Crimson Reign,” and even the “Star Wars” comics as a whole, we knew that nothing that happens in them would impact the movies. After all, they already happened and they’re the main stories the comic tie-ins are built around. But what the comics can do is deepen and expand on the lore and continuity. In that regard, “Crimson Reign” has done a great job at that, bringing in and wrapping up story lines established in Solo. Now we get to see how it ends, with the final issue of “Crimson Reign.” Let’s rock.
Star Wars: Crimson Reign #5 (of 5)
Written by Charles Soule
Illustrated by Steve Cummings
Cover by Leinil Francis Yu
Variant covers by Steve Cummings, Ario Anindito, Valerio Giangiordano, David Lopez, Koi Pham, and Rahzzah• “THE SCARLET QUEEN”
• LADY QI’RA has used every tool at her disposal to generate chaos in the Galactic Empire, all to further her goal of eradicating the Sith.
• But as the final phase of Qi’ra’s grand plan is revealed, she is about to learn a lesson that the Jedi Order also came to understand…
• Underestimate EMPEROR PALPATINE and pay the price.
7. What Might Have Been
Alternate universes can be fun. They can also be terrifying. When Miles and Shift wind up in a timeline where Selim not only won, but somehow took over Brooklyn, well, that’s gonna be a frightening one for Miles. But we also get to see badass alternate timeline versions of Ganke and even Billie, while giving Miles a chance to confront what might have been. And that’s enough to make this a comic worth reading.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #38
Written by Saladin Ahmed
Illustrated by Christopher Allen
Cover by Taurin Clarke
Variant covers by Skan, Ernanda Souza, Christopher Allen, and Sergio Davila• NEXT STOP…THE EMPIRE OF THE SPIDER!
• MILES and SHIFT’s hunt through the Multiverse lands them…back in Brooklyn?!
• It’s NOT the home they know, but the EMPIRE OF THE SPIDER!
• A timeline where Miles’ clone SELIM is victorious, and the only thing standing in the evil Spider-Man’s way is a rebellion led by General GANKE and a very grown-up and extremely badass Capitán BILLIE!
6. Still So Savage
“Savage Avengers” brought Conan the Barbarian into the main Marvel continuity and had him team up with the biggest and baddest that Marvel has to offer. Now they’re going to do it again. This team has everything, from Black Knight to Anti-Venom, and even Weapon H, so let’s see if it can up the ante and the gore from the last run.
Savage Avengers #1
Written by David Pepose
Illustrated by Carlos Magno
Cover by Leinil Francis Yu
Variant covers by Kaare Andrews, Jan Bazaldua, John Romita Jr., Rafael Albuquerque, Giuseppe Camuncoli, and Todd Nauck• AN ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT, ALL-DANGEROUS TEAM ASSEMBLES!
• Since his exile from the Hyborian Age, Conan the Barbarian has conquered the most dangerous foes the modern Marvel Universe has to offer — but what happens when this hard-edged Cimmerian finds himself on the run from the cybernetic soldier of the future known as Deathlok? Outgunned and outmatched, Conan must turn to an unlikely group of loners, berserkers and killers if he hopes to survive the night — but can these Savage Avengers defy Deathlok’s murderous manhunt, or will they become the next targets in the crosshairs of tomorrow? Don’t miss out on a bold new beginning for Marvel’s most savage super heroes, as Ringo Award-winning writer David Pepose (Spencer & Locke, Scout’s Honor) and superstar artist Carlos Magno (KANG THE CONQUEROR, RoboCop: Dead or Alive) introduce a sensational new lineup that will resonate across every era of the House of Ideas!
5. Pick a Card
What can I say? Gambit has always been one of my favorite X-Men. Now add on Chris Claremont, legendary writer who reshaped the entire “X-Men” series, and of course this is one that can’t be missed. And hey, Gambit’s teaming up with a de-aged Storm, which is actually kind of adorable. So any fans of Gambit will want to check this out.
Gambit #1 (of 5)
Written by Chris Claremont
Illustrated by Sid Kotian
Cover by Whilce Portacio
Variant covers by Peach Momoko, Salvador Larroca, InHyuk Lee, and Scott Williams• All-NEW ADVENTURES OF THE LEGENDARY THIEF BY CO-CREATOR CHRIS CLAREMONT!
• You think you know all there is to know about Remy LeBeau, the Ragin’ Cajun, the mutant known as GAMBIT — but legendary X-scribe Chris
• Claremont has an ace up his sleeve with this new series! Before he joined the X-MEN, Gambit encountered a mysterious girl named ‘RO — the mutant STORM regressed to her child self by the nefarious NANNY — and the two went up against the forces of the SHADOW KING!
• Now, revealed for the first time, Gambit finds his path to becoming the heroic X-Man millions of fans call their favorite! Joined by rising star artist Sid Kotian, Chris weaves a story of action, intrigue and revenge that made Gambit the mutant he is and forged his relationship with Storm. You’ll get a charge out of this one, mon ami!
4. Lightning Strikes
The Thunderbolts is typically a team made up of villains, or at least anti-heroes, trying their hand fighting on the side of good, but with their usual less than heroic methods. In this case, we’re getting a more traditionally heroic team, but filled with some fantastic characters. Hawkeye, Spectrum, and America alone would be enough to carry the book, but that’s just the start. And with Jim Zub as the writer, there’s no doubt that this is going to be all kinds of fun.
Continued belowThunderbolts #1 (of 5)
Written by Jim Zub
Illustrated by Sean Izaakse
Cover by David Nakayama
Variant covers by Sean Izaakse, Paulo Siquiera, Todd Nauck, and Stefano Caselli• …LIKE LIGHTNING!
• Super-powered crooks have taken hostages in Staten Island?
• A dimensional rift tears open in Chinatown?
• Monsters running amok at the Met?
• Call in the THUNDER!
• New York City’s finest are here to save the day —
• Hawkeye, Spectrum, America Chavez, Power Man, Persuasion and Gutsen Glory!
• You know ’em, you love ’em…they’re the Thunderbolts!
• In the aftermath of Devil’s Reign, the Big Apple has big problems, and it’s up to a new group of Thunderbolts to turn things around. But when Clint Barton gets tasked with heading up this team and proving they can go toe-to-toe with anything the Marvel Universe can throw at them, the first opponent he’s going to have to face is himself.
3. More Voices to Hear
You know the drill: “Marvel’s Voices” takes a moment to highlight marginalized groups and their representation in comics, both through characters and creator, and because each “Voices” comic is a wonderful tribute to their culture, it gets a place on this list. So it’s time to highlight more AAPI superheroes, and during Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The lineup includes some fan favorite characters and excellent creators, so of course this is another one not to miss.
Marvel’s Voices: Identity #1
Written by Sabir Pirzada, Jeremy Holt, Pornsak Pichetshote, and more
Illustrated by Creees Lee and more
Cover by Creees Lee
Variant covers by Stan Sakai and Jeehyung Lee• THE GREATEST ASIAN SUPER HEROES AND CREATORS RETURN!
• Just in time for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, comes a new spotlight on the best Asian super heroes in comics! Ms. Marvel! Shang-Chi! Wong! Mantis! Plus, more surprises to come from an amazing lineup of new and established AAPI creators!
2. A Reign Continues
I’m sorry, were you expecting “Devil’s Reign” to end with Fisk beaten up and everything back to the status quo? Not if Chip Zdarsky has anything to say about it. “Devil’s Reign” wraps up in its Omega issue, and it’ll change the face of New York in Marvel. Of course, we don’t know yet how exactly things will play out – who will stand, who will fall, etcetera – but we know that Chip’s been building up to this for a while, and it’s bound to be one fantastic read.
Devil’s Reign: Omega #1
Written by Chip Zdarsky and more
Illustrated by Rafael De Latorre and more
Cover by InHyuk Lee
Variant covers by Logan Lubera, Alex Maleev, Peach Momoko, and Rod Reis• In the wake of one of the most visceral DAREDEVIL, nay, MARVEL stories EVER, the Marvel Universe’s New York City stands remade and reforged — if not in Wilson Fisk’s image, then at the very least in his spirit!
• After a battle that nearly tore the city and its citizens apart, New York’s super heroes have no choice but to try to adapt to the new and dangerous paradigm they find themselves operating under — with eight million people turned against them!
1. Can I Tell You a Secret (Invasion)?
The original “Secret Invasion” shook up the Marvel universe. Characters were revealed to be Skrull impostors (helpfully wiping many hands of less than noble deeds they might have recently done), characters thought dead were found alive, and Norman Osborn was given enough power to kick off “Dark Reign.” Now we’re getting a new “Secret Invasion,” with none other than Ryan North at the helm. And look, Ryan’s work at Marvel has always been entertaining, whether he’s capturing our hearts with “Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” or terrifying us with “Darkhold: Iron Man,” so no matter what direction this story goes in, it’s gonna be good.
Secret Invasion #1 (of 5)
Written by Ryan North
Illustrated by Francesco Mobili
Cover by Matteo Lolli
Variant covers by Gabriele Dell’otto, Giuseppe Camuncoli, R.B. Silva, Todd Nauck, and Skottie Young• THE SKRULLS ARE BACK…
• …in a giant-sized issue kicking off an all-new five-part miniseries!
• When Maria Hill detects the merest HINT of Skrulls, she acts quickly to put her defensive plans into action. And when Nick Fury is sent to investigate a Skrull sighting in Iowa, he finds the LAST thing he was expecting!
• Our pale blue dot is in their sights, and this time, Earth’s old defenses won’t work…
• Find out who you REALLY trust: The invasion begins NOW.
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com.
