It’s time to check out another batch of solicits, and we’ve got a look at ten of Marvel’s titles for February. It’s my turn to take a look at what’s to come while sharing my thoughts and snarky comments, so bear with me and hang in there, because it’s never a dull month around here.
10. We are the champions, my friends
I gave Champions a chance, and I was amused but not entirely wowed, but with this solicit alone they’ve ensured I’ll stick around for at least a few more issues. Gwenpool has won me over enough to give them this chance, although admittedly I wasn’t sure just how canon she was until now. It’ll at least be amusing to see the team of “protect the people first, clean up and reduce collateral damage” juxtaposed to Gwenpool’s philosophy of “everyone’s a comic book character, so wreck everything.”
Champions #5
Written by Mark Waid
Illustrated by Humberto Ramos
Corner Box Variant Cover by Joe Jusko• Oh, great! Just when the Champions had a nice little movement going on, here comes Gwenpool to ruin – I mean, “improve” – it all, with her patented brand of consequence-less violence and disregard for human life!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
9. Team America, World Avengers
U.S.Avengers is a team that I’m still trying to figure out if I like or not. Well, to be more accurate, I’m trying to figure out if I like Squirrel Girl enough to give the rest of them a chance, and if I can take Red Hulk seriously with his mustache. But once we get past my personal hesitations, the cover with the Avengers team fighting the Golden Skull on a massive Monopoly board looks pretty nice, and I admit, the solicit has me intrigued, at least enough to give it a fair chance.
U.S.Avengers #3
Written by Al Ewing
Illystrated by Paco Medina
Variant Cover by Paulo Siqueira• It’s socialism gone wild as the U.S.Avengers literally punch the business leaders of tomorrow right in their faces!
• Are there extenuating circumstances, or have we just gone mad? You’ll have to read the comic to find out!
• Also, the Golden Skull makes his incredibly ostentatious, jewel-encrusted last stand!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
8. Answers at last about Iron Doom
“Doctor Doom as Iron Man… why?” That was what many a reader thought when it was announced that Victor Von Doom would become the Infamous Iron Man. The first issue didn’t really give much of an explanation, but five issues in we’re getting an answer. But it’s good to know that no matter what name he carries, Doom still needs cosmic-level threats to provide a challenge.
Infamous Iron Man #5
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated by Alex Maleev• What is Doom’s secret? Why, after all he has done to destroy and punish us, is he now determined to become the hero? Find the answer here. But can you trust anything he says or does? Plus: The identity of his new cosmic-level adversary is revealed! And it’s a doozy.
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
7. Get Stung
It’s always nice to see a young superhero take off on a new solo run, and I have a soft spot for legacy characters. The new Wasp got a little introductory time in “All-New, All-Different Avengers,” and is part of the new “Avengers” team, but it’s the solo series that should really let the character grow into her own.
Continued belowThe Unstoppable Wasp #2
Written by Jeremy Whitley
Illustrated by Elsa Charretier
Variant cover by Tony Fleecs• Nadia is on a mission to bring together the brightest Girl Geniuses of the Marvel Universe and change the world, but first, she has to figure out how to find them and get them to join her. With her chaperone Jarvis by her side, her first recruiting mission is going to take her to Washington Heights in search of one of the greatest young engineering minds of our time…one no one has even heard of. Guest-starring Lunella Lafayette, The Miraculous Moon Girl!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
6. A flaming skull head never looked so good
Well, Ghost Rider’s been having plenty of fun in Agents of SHIELD, so it’s only fair that SHIELD returns the favor and appears in his comic. It’ll be nice to see more of Robbie in the comic, and I love the cover, where he’s completely chill about the many attacks he’s getting hit with.
Ghost Rider #4
Written by Felipe Smith
Illustrated by Danilo Beyruth
Cover by Felipe Smith
TV Variant Cover by Felipe Smith• “FOUR ON THE FLOOR” CONTINUES!
• That purple monster from space is STILL wreaking havoc across the West Coast…even the combined efforts of the Hulk, Wolverine, and Silk can’t stop it! Time for the Ghost Rider to clean up their mess… Guest-starring the AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
5. Super powered bro time
Together, there’s nothing Luke Cage and Danny Rand can’t punch… except their feelings. It may be something of an emotional issue, but those are always great for character development.
Power Man and Iron Fist #13
Written by David F. Walker
Illustrated by Elmo Bondoc
Cover by Sanford Greene• Jessica Jones left and took Danielle with her. Luke is not taking it well. Danny wants to be there for his friend, but he’s got issues of his own. Double, double, toil and trouble are brewing…
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
4. Identity is secret again
Daredevil paid a price to keep his identity secret? … He doesn’t have a marriage and child on the way to trade to Mephisto, does he?
Daredevil #17
Written by Charles Soule
Illustrated by Ron Garney
Corner Box Variant cover by Joe Jusko• NEW ARC! “PURPLE” STARTS HERE!
• The question everyone has been asking…what price did Matt Murdock pay to make his identity secret again? And who got left behind in the process?
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
3. Shot through the heart, and Kate’s to blame
Welcome to California, Kate. There’s nothing like a good Hawkeye solo run, no matter which Hawkeye it is, and Kate Bishop needs more love.
Hawkeye #3
Written by Kelly Thompson
Illustrated by Leonardo Romero
Cover by Julian Totino Tedesco
Variant cover artist TBA• California’s supposed sunshine and smiles, right? Well, apparently the “City of Angels” missed the memo…just when Kate Bishop thought she’d cracked this campus stalker case wide open, the crap hit the proverbial fan and now EVERYONE at Venice Beach has it out for her. Can Hawkeye stop the hate before it consumes everyone around her?
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
2. Squirrel Girl goes Rocky (and not the boxer)
I make no excuses nor apologies for my love of Squirrel Girl (in a “this comic is great” kind of way, not necessarily in a “call me, Doreen” kind of way). So put her in a flying squirrel suit and I’m even more sold. It’s been one of the most consistently funny, clever, and generally feel-good comics on the market, so every new issue is one worth reading.
Continued belowThe Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #17
Written by Ryan North
Illustrated by Erica Henderson• It’s a normal quiet day at Empire State University, filled with lots of lectures and higher education, and OH BOY I can already hear y’all buckling up for a jam-packed thrill-ride of students learning quietly!! Well, BAD NEWS on that front, friends: Once all that quiet learning is out of the way, there’s gonna be a FISTFIGHT! Plus, besides the cool fistfight, Doreen ALSO gets a new FLYING SQUIRREL suit, making her easily 2150% more unbeatable! With a new more powerful Squirrel Girl and a rad new suit, I’m certain crime is over forever. There’s definitely not a new super villain in town conspiring to mold Squirrel Girl into the perfect minion…OR IS THERE? Who can say? Heck, I guess the only way to know for sure is to buy the comic and find out, right?
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
1. The back and forth of legacies
Well, the solicit pretty well covers my thoughts. Technically Richard Rider was my introduction to Nova, but that was for all of one issue of “New Warriors” before I even started following comics. Sam is the one who’s really been developing as a character lately, with a strong supporting cast and lots of heart, so hopefully Richard’s return won’t push him into the background while the old character gets all the focus.
Nova #3
Written by Jeff Loveness
Illustrated by Ramon Perez
Variant Cover by James Stokoe
Corner Box Variant Cover by Joe Jusko• Richard Rider…back from the dead?! But HOW?! And WHY?! And what does his return spell for Sam Alexander?
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com
