Another month, another set of comics to review. Of course, these past few months have shown that time no longer has meaning and the days drag on while simultaneously vanishing so quickly, but at least we have comics!
So that’s how I’m coping with the ongoing lockdown and fires. How are you?
10. Don’t You Mean “Black, White, & Bub?”
Every now and then, we need a nice Wolverine stand-alone story. After all, he’s got such a lengthy but often mysterious backstory that writers have plenty to work with. Between Gerry Duggan, Declan Shalvey, and Matthew Rosenberg, we’ve got a nice array of writers who are sure to give us unique Wolverine stories. Then back it up with artwork that brings the story to life with no colors but red and we should get an engaging comic if nothing else.
Wolverine: Black, White & Blood
Written by Gerry Duggan, Declan Shalvey, and Matthew Rosenberg
Illustrated by Adam Kubert, Declan Shalvey, and Joshua Cassara
Cover by Adam Kubert
Variant covers by Adam Kubert, Ron Garney, Tony Daniel, and George PerezTOP MARVEL TALENT SINK THEIR CLAWS INTO ALL-NEW
WOLVERINE TALES AND THEY’RE BLOODIER THAN EVER!
• LOGAN. PATCH. WEAPON X. WOLVERINE. The mysterious mutant has gone by many names and lived many different lives. Now, experience ALL-NEW untold tales of the best there is through the lens of an all-star cast of creators, in the unadulterated black and white format (with a healthy splash of blood red all over)!
• Return to the Weapon X program with Gerry Duggan and Adam Kubert, and a new revelation from Wolverine’s shattered memories. Join Matthew Rosenberg and Joshua Cassara on an explosive deep-cover spy mission from Wolverine’s association with NICK FURY. Head into the wilds with writer/artist Declan Shalvey as Logan finds himself in the crossfire of a deadly trap! This is the one you’ve been waiting for, bub.
• 40 PGS./Parental Advisory …$4.99
9. US… Yay?
Is now a good time for a U.S.Agent comic? Given current events, I would say yes. Sure, John Walker isn’t a character readers think about too often, but this comic presents a good opportunity to analyze what it means to be a super soldier and to represent a nation. Naturally, this all depends on its delivery, but given Christopher Priest’s portfolio, I have every confidence he will be able to craft a story worth reading.
U.S.Agent #1
Written by Christopher Priest
Illustrated by Stefano Landini
Cover by Marco Checchetto
Variant covers by Toni Infante, Declan Shalvey, and Patch ZircherCHRISTOPHER PRIEST & STEFANO LANDINI BRING BACK THE SUPER-SOLDIER YOU LOVE TO HATE!
• “American Zealot” Chapter 1 of 5: John Walker, the former Super Patriot, has been stripped of his official USAgent status and is now operating as an independent government contractor protecting government covert interests. His latest protection detail draws him into a conflict between a small town and the corporate giant trying to destroy it. John acquires a new partner and new enemy along the way while being haunted by ghosts from his past and confronting challenges to his future.
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
8. The Doctor is In?
Remember when Thor resided within the body of Donald Blake? For a while, that was an important part of his character. Over time, it became less essential, until Donald just disappeared from the comics and Thor became a self-sufficient god who didn’t need to transform to and from mortal form. Well, now Donald Blake is back. What does this mean for Thor? What has he been up to? We’ll have to wait and see, but given how the recent “Thor” run has been so far, it should be an interesting tale to say the least.
Continued belowThor #9
Written by Donny Cates
Illustrated by Nic Klein
Cover by Olivier Coipel
Variant covers by Greg Hildebrandt, Jenny Frison, Jeffrey Veregge, Ed McGuinness and Nic KleinTHE RETURN OF DONALD BLAKE!
• The “Prey” arc starts here! Once upon a time, a mortal man bore within him the spirit of a god. With a crack of his cane upon the ground, the Mighty Thor would appear! But it’s been years since the King of Asgard required his human ward. Where has the good doctor been all this time – and what does his reappearance mean for the God of Thunder? Donny Cates and Nic Klein journey into a mystery left unsolved since 1962!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
7. No One Can Hide From My Sight
In spite of all the uncertainty surrounding the release of the Black Widow movie, it’s still going to happen, whether in theaters or direct to streaming. So it stands to reason that its supporting characters will be getting their time to shine in the comics as well. What have Yelena and Red Guardian been up to since they last appeared in the comics? How are things going with the Winter Guard? We’ll see how they fare when they get a mini-series all to themselves.
Widowmakers: Red Guardian and Yelena Belova #1
Written by Davin Grayson
Illustrated by Michele Bandini
Cover by Mike McKone
Variant covers by Inhyuk Lee, Junggeun Yoon, Chris Samnee, and Jeffrey Veregge• Devin Grayson, one of the creators of Yelena Belova — the Red Room recruit who once nearly killed Natasha Romanoff — returns with a brand–new story drawn by rising star Michele Bandini! Yelena has spent years trying to figure out who she is. Once she thought the Black Widow mantle was her destiny, but fate had other plans. Now the past is catching up with her — and with Alexi Shostakov, a.k.a. the Red Guardian! Alexi has worn many titles, including husband to Natasha, but while the Widow played her avenging games, the Red Guardian waited in the shadows. Now a new day is dawning — and this time, no one will stand in his way.
• 40 PGS./ONE–SHOT/ Rated T …$4.99
6. Sheathe It
We have another month full of “X of Swords” comics, but this may be where it ends. “Destruction” could refer to any number of things – the destruction of swords, of villains, of teams. All we know is that “the unfortunate fall,” which isn’t much to go off of, but enough to keep us on the line to see where it goes. Jonathan Hickman has something big planned for the “X of Swords” series, so I look forward to seeing what it may be.
X of Swords: Destruction #1
Written by Jonathan Hickman & Tini Howard
Illustrated by Pepe Larraz
Cover by Pepe Larraz
Variant covers by Leinil Francis Yu, Ryan Stegman, and Pepe Larraz• The wheel of fortune turns. The unfortunate fall.
• A sword against the darkness.
• 48 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99
5. It’s come down to this. A dungeon. And a dragon.
Gerry Duggan is writing a comic in which Conan the Barbarian teams up with Black Knight, Juggernaut, and other heroes/anti-heroes to fight an Asgardian dragon. I feel like that statement should speak for itself.
“Savage Avengers” has been a fun chance to let Marvel’s characters with fewer qualms about killing really break loose, and also to bring Conan more into the Marvel universe. So if it gives us an issue of dragon-fighting action, backed up by Duggan’s excellent dialogue, then I’m all for it.
Savage Avengers #14
Written by Gerry Duggan
Illustrated by Patch Zircher
Cover by Valerio Giangiordano
Variant cover by Marco ChecchettoConan leads a team of Savage Avengers against an Asgardian dragon in a quest for treasure. Get out your twenty-sided dice and roll to attack with Conan, Magik and new Savage recruits the Black Knight and Juggernaut!
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99
4. Do We Have to Avenge Mephisto Too?
Well, the Age of Konshu arc has been crazy, but builds on the “Avengers” mythos Jason Aaron has been building and gave characters many chances to shine. It was crazy, it was world-spanning, and what do you mean we’re immediately jumping into a Phoenix storyline?
Hey, remember the last time the Phoenix came to Earth and the Avengers basically went to war with the X-Men? I sure remember. But we’ve also seen the Phoenix among the prehistoric Avengers, so we’re continuing to see the theme of legacy and history emerge. What does Jason Aaron have planned with it now? And what does it mean now that Mephisto is dead? I can’t wait to find out.
Continued belowAvengers #38
Written by Jason Aaron
Illustrated by Ed McGuinness
Cover by Ed McGuinness
Variant covers by Jeffrey Veregge and Aaron KuderEXIT THE AGE OF KHONSHU. ENTER THE PHOENIX.
• The Avengers have saved Earth from the god of the Moon, but the return of a certain planet-burning cosmic firebird isn’t going to give them much time to catch their breath. Plus: The devil may be dead, but the threat of Mephisto lingers on, with a legacy interwoven in heretofore untold chapters of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes.
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
3. Tony Stark’s Photo Op
If you haven’t noticed by now, the “Marvels Snapshot” series is good. Really good. It gives us a look at characters from Marvel’s history from the perspective of other characters, whether they’re relations, civilians, or even enemies. It’s a new look at heroes from throughout their history.
Now we’re getting that with the Avengers, including a classic lineup that needs more love. We’ll get to see the team through the eyes of a two non-super-powered emergency responders, and those eyes may also be turning heart-shaped as well. Sounds like a good time to me.
Avengers: Marvels Snapshot #1
Written by Barbara Randall Kesel with Kurt Busiek
Illustrated by Staz Johnson
Cover by Alex Ross
Variant covers by Staz Johnson and George Perez• The Marvel Snapshot tour through Marvel history takes a romantic — and destructive — turn during the Michelinie/Byrne/Pérez Avengers era! Take one rookie cop, add one new-to-the-city emergency medical technician, and make their meet-cute a devastating battle between the Avengers and a giant, rampaging robot! What comes next? Only Barbara Randall Kesel (Hawk & Dove, Ultragirl) and Staz Johnson (New X-Men, Robin) can tell you. Featuring Iron Man, the Beast, Wonder Man, Count Nefaria and more.
• 40 PGS./One–Shot/Rated T+ …$4.99
2. Listen and Hear Them
Representation matters.
I’m not going to lie, Marvel has not always had the best reputation when it comes to representation throughout its history. But this issue is giving Indigenous voices a chance to speak, with Native American creators focusing on Indigenous characters. Of course, these creators are all incredibly talented, so this should make for an excellent read. I look forward to seeing what kind of voice and message they bring to the comic.
Marvel’s Voices: Indigenous Voices #1
Written by Jeffrey Veregge, Rebecca Roanhorse, Darcie Little Badger, and Stephen Graham Jones
Illustrated by Jeffrey Veregge, Weshoyot Alvitre, Kyle Charles, and David Cutler
Cover by Jim Terry
Variant covers by Jeffrey Veregge, David Mack, and Afua RichardsonMARVEL CELEBRATES INDIGENOUS HISTORY WITH A STAR-STUDDED SPECIAL!
• Today’s hottest Native American and Indigenous talent make their Marvel Comics debuts with a collection of super-charged stories as Marvel celebrates National Native American Heritage Month! Celebrated writer and artist Jeffrey Veregge explores the legacy of Marvel’s incredible cast of Indigenous characters! Hugo, Nebula, and Locus-award winning Black/Ohkay Owingeh writer Rebecca Roanhorse and Tongva artist Weshoyot Alvitre tell an Echo tale like none you’ve heard before. Geoscientist and Lipan Apache writer Darcie Little Badger joins acclaimed Whitefish Lake First Nation artist Kyle Charles for a Dani Moonstar story that’s out of this world! And Bram Stoker-winning horror writer Stephen Graham Jones of the Blackfeet Nation teams up with Qalipu Mi’kmaq First Nation artist David Cutler to revisit one of the darkest spots of X-Men history!
4• 0 PGS./ONE-SHOT/RATED T+ …$4.99
1. Eternity Resumes
If you’d asked me a week ago what I thought of the Eternals, I’d have shrugged and said “I mean, they exist.” Then when I heard Kieron Gillen was writing a new “Eternals” comic, and suddenly I’m interested. Gillen has an amazing gift for stories and characters, so seeing how he handles the Eternals is bound to be exciting. Back that up with the artwork of Esad Ribić and it’s suddenly the most exciting announcement we’ve had in months. If anything will help introduce or re-introduce readers to the Eternals, this is it.
Also: holy moley, look at all those variant covers!
Eternals #1
Written by Kieron Gillen
Illustrated by Esad Ribić
Cover by Esad Ribić
Variant covers by Alex Ross, Peach Momoko, Alan Davis, Art Adams, Mahmud Asrar, Jen Bartel, Bosslogic, Russell Dauterman, Dave Johnson, Jeff Johnson, Mike Del Mundo, Jenny Frison, Rian Gonzales, Inhyuk Lee, J. Scott Campbell, John Romita, Jr., Jack Kirby, Brian Pelletier, Joe Quesada, Khary Randolph, Esad Ribić, Humberto Ramos, Walt Simonson, Ron Lim, Otto Schmidt, Superlog, Todd Nauck, Greg Land, Takashi Okazaki, Dan Panosian, Skottie Young, Leinil Francis Yu, and Frank ChoNEVER DIE. NEVER WIN. ETERNALS.
• What’s the point of an eternal battle?
• For millions of years, one hundred Eternals have roamed the Earth, secret protectors of humanity. Without them, we’d be smears between the teeth of the demon-like Deviants. Their war has waged for all time, echoing in our myths and nightmares.
• But today, Eternals face something new: change. Can they – or anyone on Earth – survive their discovery?
• From the thought provoking minds of Kieron Gillen (The Wicked + The Divine, Uncanny X-Men, Thor) and Esad Ribić (Secret Wars, King Thor) comes a new vision of the classic Marvel mythology!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com.
