Just as life is full of death and birth, so to is the comics cycle filled with cancellations, revivals, and new series. Two long running and great series are coming to an end, but we’re getting plenty of new comics to be thankful for as well. So let’s see what November has in store for Marvel and the circle of comic life.
10. Directed by George Lucas…
The first comic to come to an end is “Star Wars.” 75 issues is an impressive feat, especially for a comic that’s basically filling the gaps between movies. We’ve gotten a lot of mileage and a lot of good stories out of it, but they can only add so much to the canon.
Of course, we still have plenty of other “Star Wars” comics to enjoy, not to mention a new movie in the not too distant future, so I can’t complain. If issue #75 wasn’t on the list for being the finale, #74 would be if just for the solicit advertising a Chewbacca vs Darth Vader fight.
Star Wars #75
Written by Greg Pak
Illustrated by Phil Noto
Cover by Phil Noto
Variant covers by John Tyler Christopher, Chris Sprouse, and Greg Land• FINAL ISSUE! IT’S A TRAP!
• The epic REBELS AND ROGUES storyline reaches its explosive end! Can THREEPIO save the rock people of K43?
• Is WARBA the master or the student? Which Champion falls?
• And how much of LUKE’S desperate plan has DARTH VADER foreseen from the beginning?
• The search for a new rebel base continues!
• 40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99
• Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2019 Lucasfilm Ltd.
9. To Settle Those Nerd Debates
An evil Captain Marvel? I’m interested. Kelly Thompson clearly has a plan in mind with this dark redesign of Carol Danvers, and I’m interested in seeing where it goes. Perhaps we’ll even see if she can lift Thor’s hammer, if she’s going up against all the Avengers.
Captain Marvel #12
Written by Kelly Thompson
Illustrated by Lee Garbett
Cover by Mark Brooks
Variant covers by InHyuk Lee and Junggeun Yoon• CAPTAIN MARVEL VERSUS THE AVENGERS!
• THE LAST AVENGER!
• Captain Marvel has fought off alien hordes. Rescued X-Men. Punched Thanos in the face. Literally saved the world. She now faces her greatest challenge: kill the Avengers. Has one of the world’s most powerful heroes gone dark? But why? And what does this mean for Carol…for the world? Life on earth will never be the same. Kelly Thompson teams up with Eisner-nominated artist Lee Garbett for a brand-new arc – and a bold new direction!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
8. Raccoon Gundam, Go!
Rocket Raccoon has a Gundam-esque mech suit.
I know, it’s supposed to be sad because he’s dying and it’s life support, and this may be his last hurrah until his inevitable revival. But dang that’s a cool suit.
It’s the final conflict of the Universal Church of Truth arc, which has been finding new ways to up the stakes each time. If anyone deserves a super dramatic, heroic, explosive end, it’s Rocket Raccoon, so let’s see how he and his mobile suit bring it to a close.
Guardians of the Galaxy #11
Written by Donny Cates
Illustrated by Cory Smith
Cover by Geoff Shaw
Variant cover by Dave Johnson• The Universal Church of Truth is ready to raise their new messiah and beckon the cosmos into a new era!
• As his body begins to shut down, will Rocket be able to stop them and save the Guardians in his final moments?
• Or is this the end of the galaxy as we know it?
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
7. Annihilate It All
Yep, it’s time for another event. This time we have a new “Annihilation” event, which of course will feature cosmic heroes and universe-threatening foes, so your standard space epic. This comic will set up the event, so let’s look forward to seeing how the new “Annihilation” begins.
Continued belowAnnihilation: Scourge Alpha #1
Written by Matthew Rosenberg
Illustrated by Juanan Ramirez
Cover by Josemaria Casanovas
Variant covers by Alex Garner, Ron Lim, and Ariel Olivetti• THE OPENING SALVO FOR DECEMBER’S MAIN EVENT!
• Something is stirring in the Negative Zone…something that the Marvel Universe isn’t ready for! Will Nova be able to assemble a team powerful enough to tackle this burgeoning threat, or is it already too late to stop its descent upon the galaxy? For the Cosmos’s greatest heroes, ANNIHILATION is only the beginning…
• 40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99
6. What is Dead May Never Die
“Immortal Hulk” has been a dark, horrific, and all-around fantastic comic. The Hulk works incredibly well as a creature of horror, exploring the many aspects of what Hulk is and how those around him have been changed or affected. The fact that it hasn’t been included on this list more is only a testament to how many good comics Marvel has been coming out with.
So now we have not just the Hulk, but Bruce Banner himself organizing his own forces ready to wreck the world. I don’t know about you, but I’m ready for World War Hulk II.
Immortal Hulk #26
Written by Al Ewing
Illustrated by Joe Bennett
Cover by Alex Ross• He’s got an underground fortress. He has powerful allies. He’s even got henchmen.
• He’s got everything he needs to declare war on human society as we know it. He’s the most dangerous man in the world…
• …and BRUCE BANNER is just getting started.
• 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99
5. Spider-Doom, Spider-Doom, Brings a Lot of Spider-Gloom
Spider-Man and Spider-Man 2099 teaming up is cool. But you know what’s even cooler? Getting Doctor Doom involved. And having him team up with the Spider-Men.
Do I even need to say anything else? The concept alone is awesome enough to deserve a place on this list, because it’s Spider-Man and Doctor Doom. Throw in a future getting wrecked and a threat big enough to force the team-up and I’m more than interested in seeing where this goes.
Amazing Spider-man #34
Written by Nick Spencer
Illustrated by Pat Gleason
Cover by Pat Gleason
Variant covers by Rick Leonardi and Arthur Adams• Spider-Man 2099’s present is our crumbling future.
• But what chance do we have relying only on Peter Parker, Miguel O’Hara and… Victor Von Doom?!
• That’s right, Doctor Doom guest stars in the Mighty Marvel Manner, but what villain is so heinous that Doom and Spidey are on the same side?!
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
4. Let’s Do The Time Warp Again
2099 is back, which I guess means Marvel is going back to the future. Yes, we’ve got more than a few “2099” comics, but rather than touch on all of them, let’s focus on “2099 Alpha,” which sets up all the different events to come. Punisher, Doom, Spider-Man, and so much more, all set in the future – even Conan the Barbarian is getting in on the future action! Yes, this has me very interested.
2099 Alpha #1
Written by Nick Spencer
Illustrated by Viktor Bogdonovic
Cover by Pat Cleason
Variant covers by Ryan Stegman and Arthur Adams• 80 years ago, the Marvel Universe was born. 80 years from now, will it die?! THE FUTURE IS IN PERIL! Events of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN have been leading to this for months. Something is happening in 2099 that spans Nueva York and beyond and will shake up the official Marvel Future forever. This is not a drill!
• 40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T …$4.99
3. No Team Like an X-Team
Yep, we have more new “X-Men” comics coming out, including a new X-Force. These comics can live and die by their teams, and it seems like this comic is split between the intelligence and special ops sides. So that means we’ll get Beast and Wolverine on an X-Force team, each using their unique skills in a way best suited for them.
Continued belowOh, and Quentin Quire is part of the team too. That cinches it for me, I’m sold on this comic.
X-Force #1
Written by Benhamin Percy
Illustrated by Joshua Cassara
Cover by Dustin Weaver
Variant covers by Russell Dauterman, Jonathan Hickman, Mark Bagley, and Juan Jose Ryp• THE HIGH PRICE OF A NEW DAWN!
• X-Force is the CIA of the mutant world—one half intelligence branch, one half special ops. Beast, Jean Grey and Sage on one side, Wolverine, Kid Omega and Domino on the other. In a perfect world, there would be no need for an X-Force. We’re not there…yet.
2. King of the Pool
Kelly Thompson writing “Deadpool.”
There, that’s the only reason you need to read this comic.
But seriously, “Deadpool” has gone through several great writers’ hands, and now it’s Kelly’s time to work with him. Every one of them has brought something new and interesting to the character, and now it’s her turn. With the comic starting off with a fight against monsters, it’s already sounding like it’ll be an exciting ride.
Deadpool #1
Written by Kelly Thompson
Illustrated by Chris Bachalo
Cover by Chris Bachalo
Variant covers by David Finch, Junggeun Yoon, and Carlos Gomez• Deadpool’s newest mercenary job has him going after the King of Monsters, who has claimed a new kingdom for his monstrous subjects…on Staten Island! But you know what they say, when you come at the king, you better not miss! The Merc with a Mouth finds himself neck deep in political intrigue, monster law, and a monster hunter out for blood! It’s like The Crown but with even more swords and monsters! Can Deadpool’s smooth charisma and deft diplomacy allow him to keep his head, or will he be royally screwed?
• 40 PGS./Parental Advisory …$4.99
1. So Long, Squirrel Cowgirl…
This is it. After 50+ issues of absolute hilarity and some amazing character work, “The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” is finally at an end. This comic has consistently earned a place in the top ten lists, featuring brilliant writing by Ryan North and synergistic artwork from the art team. It’s been smart, it’s been emotional, it’s been funny, and it’s ensured Squirrel Girl’s place as one of my all-time favorite characters. The comic has been explored the Marvel universe, from the Negative Zone to the Savage Lands and everywhere in-between, and brought its own unique flavor to each of them.
I’m going to miss this comic so much. But it’s been an incredible ride.
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #50
Written by Ryan North
Illustrated by Derek Charm
Cover by Erica Henderson
Variant cover by Rahzzah• FINAL ISSUE!
• This is it! After 58 issues (comics numbering is, dare we say: nuts), an OGN and a whole bunch of both eating nuts AND kicking butts, The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl reaches its 50th and final issue!
• When we say “The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl’s final issue” though, we mean the *comic book*, not the character. Doreen Green will be fine! She’s fine!
• …OR IS SHE? Because in our previous issue it really seemed like things WEREN’T fine and since it’s our last issue maybe we’re feeling that since anything COULD happen then anything SHOULD happen!
• There’s only one way to find out, and you’re looking at a solicit text for it!
• Friendship, explosions, and friendships forged during explosions: it all comes down to this!
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com.
