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Soliciting Multiversity: Marvel’s Top 10 for June 2020

By | April 1st, 2020
Posted in Columns | % Comments

How’s everyone holding up? Times are tough, but for now, we still have comic solicits. So let’s take a look at what Marvel has planned for us with the June 2020 solicits.

10. The Ultimate Game of Tag

“Strange Academy” has already introduced us to a number of unique and amusing characters in a magical school with surprises around every corner. (Eat your heart out, Hogwarts.) Now what better way to see them in action and explore the world of this comic than by having them all run about in a game of tag? Yes, sometimes comics are just good fun, like running through mystical doors and putting magical might to work to tag someone. And sometimes this lighthearted fun also has unforeseen consequences. Let’s see where it goes.

Strange Academy #4
Written by Skottie Young
Illustrated by Humberto Ramos
Cover by Humberto Ramos
Variant cover by Art Adams

• TAG, YOU’RE IT!
• The students at the Strange Academy blow off their homework for the craziest game of tag ever.
• Every door of Strange Academy holds a surprise – one takes you to Dr. Strange’s Sanctum Sanctorum, another to Weirdworld, another to Asgard; and some doors’ destinations are unknown even to Strange himself.
• The students plan on stepping through every door, and at least one of the students will bear some significant consequences of their actions.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

9. Can a Nova Burn Out?

As I said, sometimes comics can be good fun. Other times they can be soul-crushing works of character exploration. Life has not exactly been kind to Nova, even with him back from the Cancerverse. So let’s check in with Rich and see if he can bring his life back around, and perhaps even if he’ll join the Guardians for a time.

Guardians of the Galaxy #6
Written by Al Ewing
Illustrated by Marcio Takara
Cover by Rafael Albuquerque

• As old tensions explode in the far-off Earth System, the political map of the galaxy is redrawn.
• Meanwhile, old friends and lovers must redraw the maps of themselves – or tear them up entirely.
• He used to be the Human Rocket. Now he’s the Human Wreck. Is there any coming back for Nova?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

8. Give it a Read…

Some of you may know the Darkhold from Marvel’s Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., where it served as a mystical MacGuffin. But the item has a long history in Marvel comics, and it’s being brought back for its own little event. Magic users and Lovecraftian horrors await, which is at least deserving of a spot on this list.

The Darkhold Alpha #1
Written by Steve Orlando
Illustrated by Cian Tormey
Cover by Greg Smallwood
Variant covers by Greg Smallwood and Aaron Kuder

• ENTER THE PAGES OF THE DARKHOLD… IF YOU DARE!
• Critically acclaimed writer Steve Orlando (Martian Manhunter, Batman, Wonder Woman) makes his Marvel debut with a story that will delight and terrify! For hundreds of years, scholars and heroes alike have searched for the complete text of the Darkhold — A.K.A. the Book of the Damned, written by the elder god Chthon. Now one of the greatest sorcerers in the Multiverse has found it — and Chthon has found him. To save them all, the Scarlet Witch must gather the world’s greatest heroes…and unleash their inner darkness. Witness the Marvel Universe’s descent into chaos!
40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99

7. Don’t Get Tangled

For all the time Peter Parker spends broke, it’s easy to forget that he’s actually pretty brilliant. Now we can see his science side in action, along with a bunch of other characters who have more brains than brawn. Given that it talks about teenage heroes, it sounds as though this will be a non-canonical story about a younger Spider-Man, but it should be plenty of fun either way.

W.E.B. of Spider-Man #1
Written by Kevin Shinick
Illustrated by Roberto Disalvo
Cover by Gurihiru

• Peter Parker. Spider-Man. Scientist. Troublemaker?
• Thanks to none other than Tony Stark, a new scientific research station for the teenage heroes of the Marvel Universe has just been completed – and Spider-Man just got an invitation to join! Working alongside some of your favorite faces from the MU and a whole bunch of awesome new gadgets, and with Iron Man keeping an eye on the them, surely everything’s going to go great for the heroes, right?
…Right?
• Face front, True Believers, and treat yourself to this first issue in an adventure of the WORLDWIDE ENGINEERING BRIGADE!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Continued below

6. Worthy of Springsteen’s Song

America Chavez is a great character that’s been sadly under-utilized. She’s been in a fair amount of teams and had her occasional solo run, so it’s a good time for another mini-series. Her powers are incredible, but there’s always ways for enemies to pose a threat to her. It sounds like it’ll be an exploration of her character and motivations, so it will be nice to see her shine on her own.

America Chavez: Made in the USA #1
Written by Kalinda Vasquez
Illustrated by Carlos Gómez
Cover by Sara Pichelli
Variant covers by Stephanie Hans, Junggeun Yoon, and Elizabeth Torque

• WHO IS AMERICA?
• America Chavez is incredible – her origins, her strength, her dimension-shattering star portals! But when the foundation of everything she believes is shaken, America will stand up and face the parts of herself she’s been running from. From writer Kalinda Vazquez (Marvel’s Runaways) and artist Carlos Gomez (Amazing Mary Jane) comes an explosive, brand-new story all about what made America Chavez who she is – and what she’ll do to protect the ones she loves.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

5. Accuse Them All

What’s cooler than Captain Marvel becoming an Accuser? How about her bringing in even more heroes, like War Machine and Spider-Woman? Yes, all the action of the “Empyre” event is continuing on and we get to see more cosmic accusatory action, plus an all-powerful Universal Weapon. Kelly Thompson’s “Captain Marvel” has been entertaining throughout the entire run, so this is going to take it to an even higher level, blending the character work with some spacefaring drama. What’s not to enjoy about that?

Captain Marvel #20
Written by Kelly Thompson
Illustrated by Cory Smith
Cover by Jorge Molina
Variant cover by Jeff Dekal

• THE ACCUSER CORPS!
• Captain Marvel recruits some of her closest allies to unravel the mystery of the Universal Weapon — and the woman she’s meant to accuse. But is Carol splitting her power just when she’ll need it most? And how is the united Kree/Skrull Empire going to react to three more HUMAN Accusers?!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

4. Let the Storm Rage On

The “Giant-Size X-Men” comics have provided us some great one-shots that look at iconic “X-Men” characters. Now it’s Storm’s turn to get a spotlight, which ties in to the “Jean Grey & Emma Frost” one-shot. They discovered something very troubling inside her mind, so we’re returning to that as they attempt to save Storm. Of course, this is Storm’s comic, so more likely she’ll be the one doing the saving.

Giant-Size X-Men: Storm #1
Written by Jonathan Hikman
Illustrated by Russell Dauterman
Cover by Russell Dauterman
Variant cover by Jen Bartel

• HICKMAN & DAUTERMAN TAKE FLIGHT AGAIN!
• In GIANT-SIZE X-MEN: JEAN GREY & EMMA FROST, Hickman and Dauterman took Jean and Emma into Storm’s mind to learn what had happened to her. Now they take the X-Men’s resident goddess to the far end of the world to save herself!
40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/ Rated T+ …$4.99

3. Dawn of Destiny

Marvel is kicking off a new “Infinite Destinies” event, bringing together the Infinity Stones that were recently sent across the universe and bonded to new hosts. It begins with “Iron Man Annual,” which also ties into a recent “Miles Morales: Spider-Man” storyline. How does it all tie together? I look forward to finding out. Not only that, but Nick Fury finally reunites with Coulson after he was killed by Deadpool… and is working for Mephisto. The drama! The tension! Yeah, that’s comics for you.

Iron Man Annual #1
Written by Jed Mackay
Illustrated by Ibrain Robserson
Cover by Nick Bradshaw
Variant covers by Travis Charest and Ron Lim

• IRON MAN VERSUS QUANTUM!
• When Iron Man learns about the strange people who kidnapped and tortured Miles Morales, he HAS to look into it. What he finds out about the Assessor and especially Quantum will shock him and you! Don’t miss this in depth look at some of the coolest new villains and the groundwork laid for major future Marvel stories!
• ALSO IN THIS ISSUE: Part 1 (of 8) of “Super-Spy vs. Super-Spy”- Nick Fury is Agent of Nothing and Phil Coulson is Agent of Mephisto. For the first time since Coulson came back from the dead, these two brothers-in-arms will face off.
40 PGS./One–Shot/Rated T+ …$4.99

Continued below

2. Hail Britannia

Captain Britain is more than just a British version of Captain America. He’s got his own set of powers, mythos, and stories behind him. Betsy Braddock is currently holding the mantle, but this will be a collection of Brian Braddock’s greatest hits – from his debut as a hero to his time in Excalibur. It’ll be a great way for readers unfamiliar with the character to learn more about him, and for longtime fans to relive his most glorious moments.

Marvel Tales: Captain Britain #1
Written by Chris Claremont
Illustrated by Herb Trimpe, John Byrne, and ALan Davis
Cover by Inhyuk Lee
Variant cover by Inhyuk Lee

• A legendary hero flies the flag for the United Kingdom as we celebrate the legacy of the House of Ideas with the era-spanning MARVEL TALES! In Chris Claremont and Herb Trimpe’s incredible CAPTAIN BRITAIN (1976) #1-2, Brian Braddock must choose between the Sword of Might and the Amulet of Right. Only one will transform him into Captain Britain, champion of Albion! Then, Brian takes a trip across the pond and ends up in Spider-Man’s neighborhood — but their first meeting turns downright murderous, courtesy of Arcade, in MARVEL TEAM-UP (1972) #65-66 — by the fan-favorite team of Claremont and John Byrne! Then, the sword is drawn in EXCALIBUR (1988) #1 as Claremont joins artist Alan Davis to team Captain Britain and his girlfriend Meggan with a trio of ex-X-Men — Nightcrawler, Shadowcat and Phoenix — to form the UK’s most offbeat super team! Collecting CAPTAIN BRITAIN (1976) #1-2, MARVEL TEAM-UP (1972) #65-66 and EXCALIBUR (1988) #1.
88 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$7.99

1. Master of Martial Arts

With a “Shang-Chi” movie somewhere off on the horizon, it was only a matter of time until we got a new comic with him. Who better to write it than Gene Luen Yang? His comics like “New Super-Man” perfectly blend Chinese culture and mythology with fantastic super-heroics. The cover alone has me hyped to see what he has in store for us, making it a deserving top pick.

Shang-Chi #1
Written by Gene Luen Yang
Illustrated by Dike Ruin and Philip Tan
Cover by Jim Cheung
Variant covers by Inhyuk Lee, Jim Cheung, Ron Lim, and Rudy Nebres

• THE MASTER RETURNS!
• An ancient and evil secret society has stayed in hiding since the death of their leader, Zheng Zhu. But now his successor has been chosen to shift the balance of power in the world…Zheng Zhu’s son, Shang-Chi! Witness the Marvel Universe’s greatest fighter return to a world of death and destruction he thought he left behind long ago…and discover the secrets to Shang-Chi’s past that will change his world forever.
• Don’t miss out on this epic tale of family, betrayal and justice as the incredible team of Gene Luen Yang (American Born Chinese), Dike Ruan (SPIDER-VERSE, BLACK CAT) and Philip Tan (UNCANNY X-MEN) launch a new chapter in the legend of Shang-Chi!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com.


//TAGS | Soliciting Multiversity

Robbie Pleasant

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