August? What happened to July? Oh, right… a lot of stuff happened.
Yes, while the release schedules are still getting sorted out after recent events, comics will go on. There are a few comics that were scheduled for previous months now lined up for August, but we’ll avoid repeating those and instead look at what’s new and exciting.
10. The Maestro is Composing
There’s a lot that can be said about the Hulk. In fact, a lot has been said. But a few things are consistent: he lives a long time, gets more powerful as he does, and that typically ends up going badly for everyone. Still, the Maestro has been one of the most interesting characters from the wasteland of a future, so this will give us a look back at two iconic comics where he faces off against his past self.
Maestro: Future Imperfect – Marvel Tales #1
Written by Peter David
Illustrated by George Pérez
Cover by Inhyuk Lee
Variant cover by Inhyuk LeeExplore a dark vision of the future as we celebrate the legacy of the House of Ideas with the era-spanning MARVEL TALES! This anthology series shines a spotlight on fan-favorite characters, features timeless stories and highlights some of our most impressive talent from the past eight decades. A hundred years from now, a ravaged world is ruled with a giant green fist by the gamma-spawned tyrant who calls himself the Maestro! In desperation, a ragtag group of freedom fighters reach back into the past for the one being who might be able to end the Maestro’s reign – the Incredible Hulk! But when titans clash, who will be the strongest one there is? The classic tale from definitive Hulk writer Peter David and legendary artist George Pérez, HULK: FUTURE IMPERFECT (1992) #1-2, is presented in all its gamma-powered glory! Collecting HULK: FUTURE IMPERFECT (1992) #1-2
104 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T …$7.99
9. Spider vs Dinosaur
Is Spider-Woman taking a trip to the Savage Lands? It sure looks that way, because the cover has her fighting a triceratops.
I feel like that’s all the reason I need to include her in this list, but I can go on. The latest “Spider-Woman” run has started off strong, and it looks like it’ll maintain that momentum. What adventures will await her as the run goes on? I look forward to finding out.
Spider-Woman #3
Written by Karla Pacheco
Illustrated by Pere Pérez
Cover by Junggeun Yoon
Variant cover by David NakayamaDINO-MIGHT!
• With another all-out attack on her client, Spider-Woman is really beginning to regret taking this gig.
• As the tables turn yet again, a quick escape leads to the last place on Earth Jess wants to be.
• The shocking return of someone from Jess’s past ups the ante and throws Spider-Woman’s life into chaos!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
8. Like a Phantom… Ex.
Fantomex is a character who’s had a lot of highs and lows. He was a key member of X-Force, split into three individual Fantomexes, went evil and died, came back… actually, now that I think about it, that’s not much different from any other member of the X-Men.
That aside, there’s a lot that makes Fantomex unique and interesting. For starters, we have the World, an interesting artificial realm. What’s held in there that requires him to break into his own personal world? We’ll have to see as the “Giant-Size X-Men” series continues.
Giant-Size X-Men: Fantomex #1
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Illustrated by Rod Reis
Cover by Rod Reis
Variant cover by E.M. GistThe hit creative team of Jonathan Hickman & Rod Reis (NEW MUTANTS) turn their attention to the covert activities of the Weapon Plus program’s Weapon XIII! A bred killer who choses the life of a gentleman super-thief, Fantomex has always defied expectations… For example, who would expect him to break into the World, the artificial realm of his creation? And then again? And then… again?
40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Parental Advisory …$4.99
7. Insert Big No Joke Here
Continued below
The Star Wars prequels gave us the story of Anakin Skywalker on his journey to becoming Darth Vader. Well, The Clone Wars gave us more of that story, but that aside, there’s a definite gap between when he lost his wife and when he got used to cutting down ships filled with rebel troops without breaking a sweat.
The “Darth Vader” comics have done a fine job filling in that gap. We’re getting more connecting him as Vader to the life he left behind as Anakin and those he lost along the way – perhaps most importantly, Padme. Will this give him enough closure to fully embrace what he’s become? We’ll have to find out.
Star Wars: Darth Vader #4
Written by Greg Pak
Illustrated by Raffaele Ineco
Cover by Inhyuk Lee
Variant cover by Chris SprouseWHO HUNTS THE HUNTER?
• DARTH VADER continues his terrifying quest for vengeance against everyone who hid the existence of his son from him.
• But on NABOO, the DARK LORD OF THE SITH faces a deadly new challenge as his focus turns from LUKE to PADMÉ, the wife of the man Vader used to be.
• And what secrets lie in the tomb of PADMÉ AMIDALA?
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2020 Lucasfilm Ltd.
6. Over the Moon
Comics can do some crazy things to bring characters back. Sometimes it involves finding alternate universe versions of deceased characters, who have their own dimension-spanning baggage. Such is the case for Moondragon, and while the “Guardians of the Galaxy” comics have addressed that a little, it hasn’t gotten all the focus it deserves. Until now.
Moondragon versus Moondragon, who will win? Perhaps more importantly, how will this impact them both?
Guardians of the Galaxy #5
Written by Al Ewing
Illustrated by Juann Cabal
Cover by Ivan Shavrin• Moondragon is a hero. With her wife at her side, she came to our reality from a dimension of heroes – to save us all from evil.
• But our reality already had a Moondragon, and she can’t be a hero all the time. The DRAGON OF THE MOON has returned…
• …and it won’t leave until it’s fed on a soul.
• Didn’t we say it could always get worse?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
5. Mysterious as the Dark Side of the Moon
Moon Knight took on the Avengers, and won. What now? Well, it looks like now he’s changing the world to suit his aesthetic, because he couldn’t just save it once then let it go. Now it’s the Avengers, knocked down a few pegs, trying to take him out. And there’s nothing quite like a story of an occasional ally turned all-powerful enemy to make for a good “Avengers” story.
Avengers #35
Written by Jason Aaron
Illustrated by Javier Garrón
Cover by Matteo ScaleraTHE AGE OF KHONSHU!
An empowered, godlike Moon Knight has just saved the world from fiery ruin. Now an army of mummies and moon priests begins to reshape the world in the image of ancient Egypt. But where does that leave the Avengers? Broken, imprisoned – or on the run in the moonlit streets of New Thebes City.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
4. *Lightsaber sound effects*
Remember how Luke lost his hand and lightsaber in The Empire Strikes Back, then had a new green lightsaber in Return of the Jedi? Not to mention he was a lot better at using all sorts of Jedi tricks. Clearly he learned a fair bit more of the Force between the two films, but what, and how?
While the expanded universe provided answers in the past, the continuity has changed. Charles Soule is ready to fill in the gaps, and maybe throw in a few more encounters with Darth Vader along the way. Now that Luke knows the truth about his father, how will this play out?
Continued belowStar Wars #5
Written by Charles Soule
Illustrated by Jesús Saiz
Cover by R.B. Silva
Variant covers by Chris Sprouse and Patrick ZircherThe next steps on Luke Skywalker’s search for Jedi wisdom begin here!
• Following a mysterious vision he received on CLOUD CITY, Luke travels to a lost planet looking for a woman he believes may hold the key to his Jedi future and that of the entire Rebellion.
• But will he arrive at his destination in time to learn what he needs… or will the evil DARTH VADER get there first?
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2020 Lucasfilm Ltd.
3.
We can never truly tell what the future will be like. Marvel once predicted a 2020 that was vastly different from ours, complete with an Arno Stark as the new Iron Man. Of course, that’s set in Earth-8410, so it’s a very different Arno Stark than the one we have now.
This Arno is Tony Stark’s brother, although Tony himself is the adopted one. And he’s quickly gone down the slippery slope of villainy. Now it’s time for the machine uprising of 2020 to come to an end, and with it, hopefully the Iron Man of 2020. But boy was it an exciting ride.
Iron Man 2020 #6
Written by Dan Slott & Christos Gage
Illustrated by Pete Woods
Cover by Pete Woods
Variant covers by TakAshi Okazaki, Simone Bianchi, Ron Lim, and SuperlogThrow out the rest of your stupid, worthless flesh-bag calendars. 2020 is over, man! The moment Arno Stark has been preparing for is here: the end of all human and artificial life as we know it! All this time you thought he was just some egomaniacal jerk; well, who’s laughing now? Well…no one really. We’re all about to die.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99
2. Who Doesn’t Love Jeff?
Deadpool’s relation to the X-Men has always been… interesting. He’s not technically a mutant, but he has Wolverine’s healing factor, and has joined or worked with the X-Men to a certain capacity more than once. Now Deadpool has his own Monster Island, while the X-Men have Krakoa.
Just thinking about all the mayhem this will lead to has me giddy with anticipation.
Most importantly: how will the X-Men react to Jeff? And let’s not forget, Gwenpool is currently chilling on Krakoa (thanks to “Gwenpool Strikes Back” making just a slight adjustment to the Marvel universe to treat her as a mutant), so will she be reunited with her beloved baby land shark? I sure hope so!
You might have noticed by now, but here at Multiversity, we love Jeff the Land Shark.
Deadpool #6
Written by Kelly Thompson
Illustrated by Kevin Libranda
Cover by Greg Land
Variant cover by Khoi PhamDEADPOOL INVADES THE X-MEN!
• When the X-Men won’t return Deadpool’s calls for a Krakoa portal on Monster Island, Wade decides to drop by for a visit.
• Apparently, the new X-Men home isn’t taking visitors. RUDE.
• It’s an entire nation of biological weapons and mutant warriors versus a merc with a mouth. GAME ON!
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99
1. He Hath Risen
You might be wondering: Who is Quoi? The son of Mantis and Swordsman, Quoi is evidently destined to become the Celestial Messiah. Well, it seems that destiny is about to start just about now. Well, maybe not, if Mantis has anything to say about it.
“Empyre” has been bringing in aspects from all across the cosmic section of Marvel, and it’s great to see older plot points being brought back to conclude. Will Quoi ascend? What does it mean to be a Celestial Messiah? And how will this impact the rest of Empyre? So many questions, and one great way to get them answered.
Lords of Empyre: Celestia Messiah #1
Written by Alex Paknadel
Illustrated by Alex Lins
Cover by Rod Reis
Variant cover by Josh CassaraThe eve of Quoi’s ascension is at hand! But when the trials are interrupted by an unexpected interloper—Mantis—who will win this battle of wills?
Don’t miss out as mother and son go head-to-head, revealing secrets that will shape the course of the galaxy!
40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com.
