Another month, another group of solicits! So we’ve got another group to look at, which I, for one, am looking forward to either because they’ve been consistently good, promise answers to important questions, or could just be something new worth checking out. So let’s see what the future has in store:
10. The Most American Comic Event Ever
Okay, U.S.Avengers, you have my attention. I thought The American Kaiju was awesomely over the top when he appeared in “New Avengers,” so seeing how he works either with or against the all-American Avengers team should be plenty of fun. Whether or not you like Deadpool making cameos in other comics, I’m interested in seeing how he and Red Hulk get along after their time together in “Thunderbolts.”
U.S.Avengers #4
Written by Al Ewing
Illustrated by Paco Medina
• Do you HATE tie-ins with a fiery passion, True Believer? Well, this isn’t one! It’s a COMPLETE EPIC EVENT — IN 20 PULSE-POUNDING PAGES!
• In the wake of Monsters Unleashed — EVEN MORE MONSTERS!! Because you probably will have demanded it! RED HULK! AMERICAN KAIJU! VANDOOM, the man who made a creature! And wouldja believe — DEDD-PUUL, THE MERCENARY THAT WALKS LIKE A MAN?!?
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
9. Slightly Less Than All- American
While the Internet was freaking out over Steve Rogers being revealed as a Hydra sleeper agent, my general reaction was “Wait… this doesn’t make any sense.” So it looks like after a good 13 issues of Steve “Hail Hydra” Rogers growing more and more evil, we get to learn a little about how they’re making this Cosmic Cube-powered retcon work with his history.
Really, I’m not expecting this to explain everything, I’m just more curious as to how they’re going to try making it work. There’s a lot of continuity to retcon here, even though we all know it’ll be undone eventually.
Captain America: Steve Rogers #13
Written by Nick Spencer
Illustrated by Jesus Saiz
Cover by Arthur Adams
Venomized Variant Cover by Tom Raney• If Captain America has been an agent of Hydra since childhood, how did he fight WWII on the side of the Allies? The secret, untold story is revealed here!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
8. Call me, Doreen
Honestly, it’s pretty likely that “The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” will be featured in nearly every Soliciting Multiversity article I write. It’s been consistently entertaining for its entirety, and Squirrel Girl has become an absolute favorite of mine. But this one seems to be throwing in some nice twists, drama, and maybe even moral dilemmas, which makes it all the better.
And also a chicken named Alfredo. This is why I love this series.
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #18
Written by Ryan North
Illustrated by Erica Henderson
Venomized Variant Cover by Kate Leth
• Squirrel Girl has met a mysterious benefactor who has given her a flying squirrel suit that’s definitely reliable and trustworthy! All is fine in the world, yes? You may be saying “yes, of course, and it certainly sounds like this is going to be a refreshingly calm and event-free issue of my favorite talking squirrel comic,” but if you’ll recall what the last few pages of our previous issue dramatically revealed, you’ll remember that, no, we’re actually all in a lot of trouble! Squirrel Girl is being manipulated by someone whose motivations nobody knows; Nancy is struggling with a challenging programming problem off-panel (which is why you didn’t see it in the last issue, but don’t worry, she’ll figure it out); AND a chicken named Alfredo is in a high-stakes battle for his very life!
• Gasp at a secret invasion of character motivations! Thrill at a chaos war of emotions! Boggle as monsters truly get unleashed and Doreen’s fate hangs in the balance! Squirrels and girls and punching, oh my!
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
7. The Game Is On
Speaking of enjoyable and funny comics with endearing female leads, next up we have Gwenpool. Now, I’ve been on something of a “Dungeons & Dragons” kick lately, so tossing Gwen into a Swords & Sorcery-style roleplaying world is good on my end.
Continued belowOf course, this may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but I’m the one writing this article, so you better believe my tastes and moderately-unhealthy obsessions (I’m talking D&D, not Gwenpool) will influence its placing on this list.
Besides, it’s always nice to read a comic that just lets itself be goofy and fun when it wants to be, and “Gwenpool” has always embraced every aspect of comics, including its common tropes and ridiculousness.
Gwenpool, The Unbelievable #13
Written by Chris Hastings
Illustrated by Gurihiru
Cover by Gisele Lagace
Venomized Variant Cover by Yasmine Putri
• Gwen’s been thrown by Arcade into…a world of Fantasy Roleplaying?!?! It’s Swords & Sorcery, Gwenpool-style! Watch out, or this LARP is gonna become a DARP!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
6. The Divorce of Deadpool
I remember when the wedding issue of “Deadpool” was released. More specifically, I remember it costing a good ten dollars. But there was a lot of content within those pages, making it a noteworthy event. It only makes sense that the events leading to their breakup would be just as big.
Really, this was a long time coming. More and more comics featuring the couple have shown that their relationship is less than healthy, while at the same time being just a side plot in the actual “Deadpool” stories. It was fun while it lasted, but now we get to see how it ends.
Deadpool: Til Death Do Us…
Written by Gerry Duggan, Joshua Corin, and Christopher Hastings
Illustrated by Salva Espin, Scott Owlish, Iban Coello, and Reilly Brown• Deadpool’s whirlwind romance with Shiklah was one of the most exciting times of his life. Traveling across the world, fighting all sorts of threats at her side, and finally marrying her as a way to thwart the evil vampire lord, Dracula. But since then, the reality has set in. Shiklah is a demon succubus, and more than that, the Queen of the monster kingdom hidden beneath Manhattan…and the problems between them continue to pile up.
• Now, when an affront to Shiklah’s people demands justice, a line is crossed. As the Monster Metropolis declares war on the surface world, Deadpool must choose between the wife to whom he’s pledged himself and the role he’s been crafting for himself as a hero. Also featuring Spider-Man and the Mercs for Money, this is one domestic dispute that’s really going to break some things up.
5. He’s a Madman! A Madman, I Tell You!
Things have been crazy for the Inhumans ever since the Terrigen Cloud was unleashed upon the world. The crystals were all but gone, and it ended up leading to this whole “Inhumans vs X-Men” conflict (which I’ve made my thoughts on painfully clear). So will this be where they bring everything back to square one, with Maximus’s homemade Terrigen Crystals?
Either way, it seems this is where Charles Soule’s run on the series ends. It’s had some bumps along the way, but it’s always been at its best when Soule could do what he wanted without editorial mandates forcing him to integrate other comic events. We’ll see if it can end on the best note possible.
Uncanny Inhumans #20
Written by Charles Soule
Illustrated by Kim Jacinto
Cover by Frazer Irving and Scott Wilson
IvX Variant Cover by Declan Shaley and Jordie Bellaire
• Maximus the Mad has recreated the recipe for Terrigen Crystals, and can end the mutant-Inhuman war with a single stroke. He can finally be a hero! Or maybe he won’t do anything like that at all.
• Everything changes for the Inhumans as Charles Soule brings his landmark three-year run on Inhumans titles to an end with this extra-sized story.
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
4. May The Force Be With Yoda
Given that the “Star Wars” comics have, up to this point, been set between episodes IV and V, we haven’t exactly seen much of Yoda. As such, an issue focusing on him should be interesting.
Mind you, I’m a big fan of Jason Aaron’s work, and the “Star Wars” comics have been very solid so far. Even with the struggles of having to add on to the canon story without impacting the films in any way, they’ve been good for the characters and the overarching story. And considering Yoda’s had plenty to do during his exile on Dagobah, this could be a good story to read.
Continued belowStar Wars #29
Written by Jason Aaron
Illustrated by Salvador Larroca
Cover by Stuart Immonen
Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher
Star Wars 40th Anniversary Variant Cover by Kevin Wada
• A problem, Yoda has. A big problem. Strong with the stonepower, this problem is. But judge it not by its size, will he.
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
3. Punch It!
Iron Fist is a character I’ve always wanted to read more of, but never really got around to. Perhaps this is the comic that will change things. Of course, it would be naive to think that the upcoming “Iron Fist” show on Netflix has nothing to do with it, but that’s nothing new or unusual in comics these days.
It seems they’re jumping right into a big event with an arc called “The Gauntlet” too, and putting the future of Iron Fist’s powers in jeopardy; with no K’un Lun and little chi left, this could be the end of… I’m just kidding, it’s the first issue, he’ll be fine.
Iron Fist #1
Written by Ed Brisson
Illustrated by Mike Perkins
Cover by Jeff Dekal
Variant Covers by Alex Ross and Mike Perkins
Black and White Variant Cover by Alex Ross
Hip-Hop Variant Cover by TBA
• THE GAUNTLET STARTS HERE!
• K’un Lun is in ruins. The chi fueling Danny’s fists is wavering. Is there a future for the Iron Fist? Danny Rand pushes himself to the breaking point, finding fights to prove his worth. But a bigger fight than he can handle may have found him…
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
2. F-Yeah
America Chavez is a character I’ve been interested in since I first saw her in “Young Avengers,” but never really had the chance to get into, since I haven’t been following “The Ultimates.” Everything I’ve seen of her, though, I’ve liked.
So having a new solo run for her is good by me, as I’d love to learn more about the character and see her in action. While the idea of a superhero going to college isn’t entirely new, it’s still usually a good read with plenty of potential (and I admit, a tiny part of me is hoping she ends up having classes with Squirrel Girl, so sue me).
America #1
Written by Gabby Rivera
Illustrated by Joe Quinones
Variant Covers by Cliff Chiang and Jamie McKelvie
Young Variant Cover by Scottie Young
Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher
Hip-Hop Variant Cover by Jeffrey Veregge• At last! Everyone’s favorite no-nonsense powerhouse, America Chavez, gets her own series! Written by critically-acclaimed YA novelist Gabby Rivera (Juliet Takes A Breath) and drawn by all-star artist Joe Quinones (HOWARD THE DUCK), Marvel Comics’ brand new AMERICA series shines a solo spotlight on the high-octane and hard-hitting adventures of the one and only America Chavez!
• America has always been uncontestably awesome, and as the newly appointed leader of the Ultimates, she’s now officially claimed her place as the preeminent butt-kicker of the Marvel Universe! But while leading a team of heroes and punching out big bads is great and all, it doesn’t really leave much time for self-discovery… So what’s a super-powered teenager do when she’s looking for a little fulfillment? She goes to college! She just has to stop an interdimensional monster or two first, plus shut down a pesky alien cult that’s begun worshipping her exploits!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
1. Don’t Feed The Trolls
Another character I’ve come to enjoy in what sounds like a very solid issue. Kamala has always dealt with relatable issues while still being a superhero; she can face super-powered threats in one issue, and then matters of teenage troubles in the next. She’s not just a street-level superhero, she’s as involved with worldly issues as a comic book character can be.
So it seems her foe this time is a troll who’s gotten a little too much power. If that isn’t a wonderful metaphor, I don’t know what is.
Continued belowMs. Marvel #16
Written by G. Willow Wilson
Illustrated by Takeshi Miyazawa
Cover by Nelson Blake II• What started out as a game for Kamala Khan has quickly become Ms. Marvel’s worst nightmare. The twisted sicko who’s been using online games to troll folks has found a way to take control of people IRL. With the Doc.X Virus on the loose, can Ms. Marvel trust anyone?
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com
