November, the month of Thanksgiving! So let’s take some time to be thankful for a few things in comics: “Secret Empire” is still over, we’re getting a lot of one-shots for older series, Squirrel Girl is still a thing, and Kieron Gillen is writing more “Star Wars” comics. Plenty to be thankful for, but here’s a top ten for you.
10. Brother, My Brother
It’s the team-up that keeps on giving, ever since the first Spider-Man vs Deadpool “yo’ mama” fight. Now it’s time for them to get serious, turning red-and-black-clad hero against similarly color-coordinated hero! But while that’s all well and good, the thing that clinched this comic a spot on the list is the promise of laser-sharks. Because who doesn’t love laser-sharks?
Spider-Man/Deadpool #23
Written by Robbie Thompson
Illustrated by Chris Bachalo
Variant Covers by Giuseppe Camuncoli, Mike McKone, and Scott Hepburn• SPIDER-MAN VERSUS DEADPOOL Parts 1 & 2
• When Spider-Man learns that Deadpool is selling SHIELD tech on the black market it’s the last straw. Bromance? OVER. It’s time to hunt Deadpool! The two biggest characters in comics are facing off and it’s going to take them all over the Marvel Universe, no holds barred. As you can see from this cover, Deadpool’s even willing to use his laser-sharks. And it will all lead to the biggest Spider-Man/Deadpool story of ALL TIME!
• 32 PGS. (EACH)/Rated T+ …$3.99 (EACH)
9. Captain, My Captain?
Isn’t it nice to have our proper Steve Rogers back? But there’s still plenty of damage that needs to be repaired, both in and out of universe. Mark Waid is trying to clean that up with this issue, so we’ll see how Steve can win back the heart of America in-universe, and if he can win back the readers in real life.
Captain America #695
Written by Mark Waid
Illustrated by Chris Samnee
Variant Covers by Alex Ross, Mike McKone, Adi Granov, Jim Steranko, and John Tyler Christopher• HOME OF THE BRAVE Part 1
• HOME OF THE BRAVE begins – and Steve Rogers is back in action in the red-white-and-blue! Steve begins a journey across America to restore his tarnished reputation – and the dangers he encounters along the way are unlike any he’s faced before!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
8. A New Punisher, New Machine
Every now and then someone decides to do something crazy with the Punisher. Sometimes that involves turning him into a Frankenstein-esque creature, or have him cross over with “Archie,” but now the idea is to make him the next War Machine. And I say: why not? If he can get his hands on that armor, you better believe Frank Castle is going to take his brand of justice to every villain he can find, now in a mechanical suit of firepower and weaponry. Will this be a new status quo? Probably not. But will it be an interesting run? Most likely.
The Punisher #218
Written by Matthew Rosenberg
Illustrated by Guiu Vilanova
Cover by Clayton Crain
Variant Covers by Tim Bradstreet, Mike McKone, and Greg Smallwood• FRANK CASTLE: WAR MACHINE Part 1
• For years, Frank Castle has been fighting a one-man war against criminals who endanger the innocent, but when a certain one-eyed operative offers him the tools to take his fight global…how could he say no? Find out how Frank found his way into the WAR MACHINE Armor!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
7. Forbush Man For All the Bushes
Do I even need to say anything? Forbush Man, who nearly single-handedly defeated the entire Nextwave team, gets his own one-shot, what’s not to like? Not just his one-shot, actually, since it’s bringing in a nice array of characters to really make the most out of all the potential the story has. It’s bound to be a wild ride.
Continued belowNot Brand Echh #14
Written by Nick Spencer, Christopher Hastings, Jay Fosgitt, and more
Illustrated by Jay Fosgitt, Gurihiru, and more
Cover by David Nakayama
Variant Covers by John Tyler Christopher and TBA• FORBUSH MAN RETURNS Part 1 (OF 1)
• Get ready to break the internet, folks, because FORBUSH MAN IS BACK – and he’s ready to take over the comics industry! Meanwhile, Captain America, Gwenpool, and more are…not quite themselves these days. Featuring stories by NICK SPENCER (SECRET EMPIRE, CAPTAIN AMERICA) CHRISTOPHER HASTINGS (GWENPOOL, VOTE LOKI) JAY FOSGITT (My Little Pony, Bodie Troll) and many, many more!
• 32 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$3.99
6. Home of the Brave
“U.S.Avengers” has been going strong, and each chapter has managed to provide some good development for the characters and story. Now, a big decision is at hand, one that we’ll learn the ramifications of in the months to come, but it promises to be a compelling narrative with important consequences. At least as far as comics go.
U.S.Avengers #12
Written by Al Ewing
Illustrated by Paco Diaz
Cover by Paco Medina• CANNONBALL RUN Part 2
• Glenbrook goes to war — and the U.S.Avengers are caught in the middle! But do they side with humanity — or the alien invaders? It’s a final battle for the soul of America — over a million light-years from Earth!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
5. Fantastic Team-Up
With Sue and Reed off in space (or rather, y’know, written out of the comics), someone needs to step in whenever a team of heroes must unite to save the world from cosmic threats. Lunella may still be without Devil Dinosaur, but she’s a strong character on her own, and teaming up with Ben Grimm and Johnny Storm will make for a neat spin on the old team formula. The fact that they have an “Animorphs”-inspired cover is just icing on the cake.
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #25
Written by Brandon Montclare
Illustrated by Natacha Bustos
Variant Covers by Felipe Smith, Mike McKone, Rahzzah, and John Tyler Christopher• FANTASTIC THREE Part 1
• When THE SILVER SURFER comes to Manhattan with a warning about an ancient cosmic menace on a collision course with Earth, you better listen up! But without the First Family of the Marvel Universe around to answer the call, who’s going to step up and solve the impossible? Lunella Lafayette, that’s who! Without Devil Dinosaur by her side, Lunella must join forces with some new friends who are missing their pals, too: THE HUMAN TORCH! THE EVER-LOVIN’ BLUE-EYED THING! DON’T MISS THE RETURN OF THE FANTASTIC THREE!
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
4. Journey Into Strangeness
Can a Norse God be the Sorcerer Supreme? We’re about to find out. Loki’s character has gone through quite a lot of changes in recent years, but this is a new step, even for him. Change is often good, though, in spite of how little it seems to actually stick in comics, so it’ll be interesting to see how Loki handles this level of responsibility.
Doctor Strange #381
Written by Donny Cates
Illustrated by Gabriel Hernandez Walta
Cover by Mike Del Mundo
Variant Covers by Mike Deodato Jr., Mike McKone, Gabriel Hernandez Walta, John Tyler Christopher, and Steve Ditko• LOKI: SORCERER SUPREME Part 1
• Evil is everywhere and the world needs the Sorcerer Supreme more than ever. But is the world ready for LOKI: SORCERER SUPREME? He has the cloak, the spells — he’s even got Zelma Stanton as his assistant (and possibly more?) — but is this the chance he needed to become a hero, or is the god of lies dangerously close to unlimited power? And what happened to STEPHEN STRANGE?
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
3. Time to Enlist
The Guardians join the Nova Corps. Take a moment and think of all the hijinks that can ensue from that. Rocket Raccoon with the power of the Nova Force? Of course. The Guardians are no stranger to Nova (any of the proper Novas, as opposed to generic corpsmen), so it’s not too unusual to consider, but there are so many ways this can go hilariously wrong, and I cannot wait to see which ones Gerry Duggan picks.
Continued belowGuardians of the Galaxy #146
Written by Gerry Duggan
Illustrated by Marcus To
Cover by Aaron Kuder
Variant Covers by Ron Lim, Mike McKone, and Adi Granov• THE INFINITY QUEST Parts 1 & 2
• THE GUARDIANS’ HUNT FOR THE INFINITY STONES BEGINS! Their first stop? Joining up with the Nova Corps, of course! Join the Guardians as they all take up golden helmets in the quest to keep the universe safe! Nuff said!
• 32 PGS. (EACH)/Rated T+ …$3.99 (EACH)
2. Super Standalone Squirrel
“Oh look, Squirrel Girl again, what a surprise,” you might be thinking. But stop right there, loyal reader, because as always, Ryan North and Erica Henderson have provided a pitch that earns this comic a place on the list. This time, they’ve brought friends, with multiple guest artists to illustrate a number of stories, all presented in the comic’s usual style of humor and wit. As a one-shot, it’ll be a great issue to pick up and enjoy without any commitment, but let’s face it, if there’s one comic you really out to be following month to month, it’s this one.
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #26
Written by Ryan North and Erica Henderson
Illustrated by Carla Speed McNeil, Chip Zdarsky, Michael Cho, Rahzzah, Rico Renzi, and more
Cover by Erica Henderson• In this special standalone issue, Squirrel Girl has convinced, cajoled, and otherwise induced her friends in the Marvel Universe to make comics of their own! For the very first time, find out what kind of comics your favorite Marvel characters would REALLY make! Will Tony Stark write author-insert coffee-shop alternate-reality comics where everyone talks up how great he is? It seems likely, and yet, he has given us something EVEN CRAZIER to publish!
• Featuring TONS of special guest artists, including a legendary comic strip artist making his Marvel debut!
• This unique view of both Squirrel Girl and the Marvel Universe is sure to make readers laugh, turn the page, read a bit, see a new joke, and then laugh again! It may also make readers say, “Oh my gosh you’ve gotta read this comic; I’m so glad I purchased it at my local comic-book store and will definitely patronize them again in the near future!!” NO OTHER COMIC is making this explicit promise this month, so in our opinion you should definitely order our talking squirrel comic book.
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
1. Kieron Gillen Is The Man
Did anyone else love Gillen’s run on “Darth Vader?” Of course you did, why wouldn’t you? It was fantastic! So now he’s back to penning the “Star Wars” universe, and is tying it in to Rogue One by taking it to Jedha. Combine that with Salvador Larroca’s artwork, and there’s no way this doesn’t deserve the top spot on the list.
Star Wars #38
Written by Kieron Gillen
Illustrated by Salvador Larroca
Cover by David Marquez
Variant Covers by Michael Walsh, Terry Dodson, Pepe Larraz, Kris Anka, and John Tyler Christopher• THE ASHES OF JEDHA! KIERON GILLEN’S FIRST ISSUE ON STAR WARS!
• The Rebel Alliance turns its attention to the shattered planet of Jedha! Once the site of great significance to the Jedi, Jedha was left in ruins when the Death Star annihilated the Holy City there. Now, new series writer Kieron Gillen joins artist Salvador Larroca to bring Luke, Leia, Han, and the rest to the remains of the tragic victim of the Empire’s fury!
• 32 PGS. (EACH)/Rated T …$3.99 (EACH)
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com.
