Happy holidays! At least that’s what we’ll be saying when these comics come out. Is it the most wonderful time of the year? I suppose that all depends on how good these comics are, so let’s take a look at the solicitations.
10. The Newest Guardian
There’s nothing I can say that isn’t said in three words alone: “I am Groot.” Or rather, Shuri is Groot, at least temporarily. I don’t care how this happens or why, I love the idea and want to see it happen. Plus, Shuri projecting her mind into space may give us more connections to the space-facing “Black Panther” ongoing, so tying things together would be a nice touch. Frankly, though, I just want to see Shuri interacting with Rocket.
Shuri #3
Written by Nnedi Okorafor
Illustrated by Leonardo Romero
Cover by Sam Spratt• I AM…SHURI?
• A little Wakandan magic, a little astral projection and a very confused tree. Shuri cast her mind into the depths of space in a desperate bid to find her missing brother—and instead she landed in the mind of Groot! Who’s about to become a crunchy snack for a huge, energy-sucking alien! Rocket Raccoon’s best guns won’t get them out of this one. Is Wakanda about to lose its only remaining heir to the throne?!
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
9. Such Wonderful Wacky Warping
Okay, I know I used the first “Infinity Warps” in last month’s top ten as well, but hear me out: The Punisher Pack.
Yes, the Power Pack with the bloody thirst for vengeance of the Punisher. I don’t care if turning Frank Castle into a group of kids doesn’t make sense narratively, it is a hilarious idea and I want to see it happen.
Ms. Marvel and Kang the Conquerer combined sounds amusing too, sure, and that’s definitely not a combination I’d expect, but it may connect into the two of them being on Loki’s Cosmic Avengers team in this event. And the Emma Frost/Wolverine amalgamation called Diamond Patch may give us more Doopool, which I still hold up as the best thing “Infinity Wars” could have given us.
Infinity Wars: Infinity Warps #2
Written by Sina Grace, Cullen Bunn, Jim Zubb, and Christopher Hastings
Illustrated by Garry Brown, Kev Walker, Chris Sprouse, and Flaviano
Cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli• With astonishing mental powers and a skeleton made of solid diamond, DIAMOND PATCH lives a life of violence and glamor! Plus, when the Chronogen Mists left KAMALA KANG forever changed, they set her on a course to becoming the teenaged conqueror of time! And finally, when their parents were killed as they got their powers, they swore revenge and became…THE PUNISHER PACK!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
8. Would the Real Tony Stark Please Stand Up?
If this is your first time reading this Soliciting Multiversity column, you should know that “The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” is one of my all-time favorites. If this isn’t your first time reading this column, you’re probably sick of hearing it. But here we are again, with one of the most consistently clever, humorous, and charming comics coming out from Marvel. So let’s get ready for another issue of Ryan North’s wit and Derek Charm’s art combining into an unbeatable read.
Continued belowThe Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #39
Written by Ryan North
Illustrated by Derek Charm
Cover by Erica Henderson• Last issue ended with Squirrel Girl and someone CLAIMING to be Iron Man getting into a fight! Will this issue show you how that fight goes and who wins and why? THE ANSWER: yes!
• But with an Iron Man imposter on the scene, that means the real Tony Stark is missing! It’s up to Squirrel Girl and her friends to find Tony before it’s too late: for him AND the world.
• Unfortunately for Squirrel Girl—as this comic is within the super-hero genre of sequential art, one that relies on high-stakes narrative storytelling filled with twists and turns that result in the world never being the same—what she finds is not what she expects and the world will never be the same!
• All this—plus: let’s say underwater adventure too awaits you in this issue of the Unbeatable Squirrel Girl!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
7. Mazel Tov!
Another superhero wedding! It feels like we’ve been getting a lot of those lately, but anything that propels these characters forward is good by me, and let’s face it, this is long overdue. Though on a more personal level, I’m glad to see that they’re having a Jewish wedding; representation matters, and Ben Grimm is one of the most famous Jewish characters in comics.
Fantastic Four #5
Written by Dan Slott
Illustrated by Aaron Kuder, Adam Hughes, and Michael Allred
Cover by Esad Ribic
Variant Covers by Alex Ross, Simone Bianchi, Mark Brooks, Jack Kirby, Elizabeth Torque, Ashley Witter, and Esad Ribic• SPECIAL 650th ISSUE SPECTACULAR!
• The wedding that’s been years in the making…Ben and Alicia say “I do!”
• No bait. No switch. Not a dream. Not a hoax. And we swear, not a single Skrull around. This is really happening! From the book that brought you the first, best and longest running super hero marriage in comics, we give you…the wedding of Ben Grimm and Alicia Masters! Featuring an untold tale of the courtship of Ben and Alicia. A bachelor party that only Johnny Storm could throw. And a very special ceremony brought to you in the Mighty Marvel Manner.
• 64 PGS./Rated T …$5.99
6. Is it a Good Offense?
We’ll be getting multiple one-off issues focusing on the various classic “Defenders” characters throughout the month, and it’s all leading up to this. What exactly is “this?” Apparently the destruction of the solar system, which all ties into seemingly disconnected events. Alright, Al, I’m intrigued, let’s see how you pull this off.
Defenders: The Best Defense #1
Written by Al Ewing
Illustrated by Joe Bennett
Cover by Ron Garney
Variant Covers by Art Adams, Kevin Nowlan, Sal Buscema and Skottie Young• “THE BEST DEFENSE” FINALE!
• The lost Atlanteans. The Train. The bedsheet man. Dead Steve. The Stock Exchange of Souls. Trust us, it all makes sense.
• In fact, it makes enough sense to destroy our entire solar system… Unless four very different heroes can come together to stop it.
• 40 PGS./one-shot /Rated T+ …$4.99
5. It’s Just Awkward Enough to Work
I know the main focus of this issue is supposed to be the international super hero summit, and the unexpected US representative. But let’s be honest, the real draw is Thor and Hulk (or She-Hulk if you prefer to call her that) going on a date. I feel like normally they’d skip that stage, but seeing two of Marvel’s biggest hitters hitting the town on a night out sounds both amusing and potentially awkward. I’m sold.
Avengers #11
Written by Jason Aaron
Illustrations and cover by Ed McGuinness
Variant Covers by Alan Davis and Carlos Pacheco• THE AVENGERS WORLD TOUR COMES TO A SHATTERING CONCLUSION!
• To deal with the fallout from last month’s world-shaking issue #700, the Avengers organize an international super hero summit, gathering heroes from the most powerful nations on Earth. But no one was expecting the shocking new representatives of the United States. The world is about to become a far more dangerous place. Especially for the Avengers. Plus Hulk and Thor try to go on a date.
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
4. Is This Your Comic!?
As excited as I am for the “Shuri” comic, Killmonger did make just as big an impression. While there are plenty of similarities between the movie and comic versions of the character, it feels like the comic is leaning more towards the movie side, due to the film’s popularity. That’s certainly not a bad thing, though, and either way I always enjoy comics that flesh out villains and add more to their motivations and characterizations.
Continued belowKillmonger #1
Written by Bryan Hill
Illustrations and cover by Juan Ferreyra
Variant covers by Jason Pearson and Larry Stroman• One day, Erik Killmonger will rise up and attempt to steal the throne of Wakanda. The throne he believes he is owed. But long before he became “Killmonger,” there was a boy known as N’Jadaka. A boy who was stolen from his home and taught only the world’s cruelties. A boy who knew the Black Panther only as a fairy tale, a whisper from strangers. This is the story of a man who driven by revenge. This is the legend of Killmonger.
• 40 PGS./Rated PARENTAL ADVISORY …$4.99
3. And So It Ends
“Infinity Wars” has been quite the ride, but it’s coming to an end in this issue. A good end? That has yet to be seen, but Gerry Duggan has been doing a good job with the story so far, and just look at that cover – there’s a lot going on here, but it looks like an emotional and powerful conclusion. So let’s see how it goes.
Infinity Wars #6
Written by Gerry Duggan
Illustrations and cover by Mike Deodato Jr.
Variant covers by Javier Garron and Jen Bartel• INFINITY’S END.
• 56 PGS./Rated T+ …$5.99
2. Ho-Ho-Ho-No!
I’m positive this isn’t the first time Deadpool has killed Santa, or at least a Santa. But it’s the holiday season, and I can think of no better way to celebrate than by having Deadpool battle Santa. Skottie Young promises “the best Christmas story since Die Hard,” which is quite a claim to make, bu I have faith in him, so let’s see who’s getting a merry Christmas out of this.
Deadpool #7
Written by Skottie Young
Illustrations and cover by Nic Klein
Variant covers by David Marquez and Marc Laming• GET NAUGHTY!
• Deadpool gets his most difficult mission yet…TAKE OUT SANTA CLAUS!
• Jolly old St. Nick ain’t so jolly no more. He’s downright DEADLY!
• The best Christmas story since Die Hard! YOU HEARD US!!!
• 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99
1. Putting the X in X-Mas
Good grief, that’s a lot of writers! Twenty-five stories crammed into 40 pages, all about the different X-characters and their holiday season. Christmas for the X-Men has got to be crazy, and I look forward to seeing it. Once more giving them points for representation – Magneto’s Judaism is an important part of his backstory, so I’d love to see how he celebrates Hanukkah. Maybe Kitty Pryde will get to celebrate it too. But with as wide and unique a cast as the X-Men, this looks to be a comic filled with cute little stories, and it’ll be a great way to celebrate the holidays.
Merry X-Men Holiday Special #1
Written by Charlamagne Tha God, Chris Sims, Chad Bowers, Ed Brisson, Matthew Rosenberg, Kelly Thompson, Rainbow Rowell, Charles Soule, Zac Thompson, Lonny Nadler, Leah Williams, Tini Howard, Sina Grace, Al Ewing, Chris Claremont, and more
Illustrated by Marco Failla, Kris Anka, Ryan Browne, and more
Cover by David Nakayama
Variant Covers by Rian Gonzalez and Marko Djurdjevic• Twenty-five holiday tales of merry mutants, one for each day of December 1 through December 25! What does Magneto do for Hanukkah? What’s Rogue and Gambit’s first married Christmas like? Is Jubilee truly the master of navigating malls during the holidays? These questions and more are answered as all your favorite X-Men and more creators than you can shake a jingle bell at come together for a holiday celebration to last all month long!
• 40 PGS./one-shot /Rated T+ …$4.99
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com.
