When Marvel is well into Summer, so what does that bring? Lots and lots of new series. We’ve got a lot of those, but they’re looking good! Unfortunately, it also marks the beginning of the end of another beloved series, so let’s see what the future holds.
10. Let the Bodies Hit the Floor
Every now and then we get a comic where the evilest, angriest, bloodiest of villains can cut loose. Why? Because comic book violence! It looks like that’s what we’re getting, as Carnage goes chasing after anyone who’s worn a symbiote. Although, after the many Venom-based events, that’s… lots and lots of heroes. But hey, let’s see where this event goes!
Absolute Carnage #1
Written by Donny Cates
Illustrated by Ryan Stegman
Cover by Ryan Stegman
Variant covers by Artgerm, John Tyler Christoper, Ron Lim, Nick Bradshaw, Adi Granov, Gabrielle Dell’otto, Mark Bagley, Mike Deodato, and Aaron Kuder• After turning Venom’s world upside down a year ago, DONNY CATES and RYAN STEGMAN are about to put the Sinister Symbiote through hell again, only this time CARNAGE has come calling, and everyone who’s ever worn a symbiote is dead in his sights! He’s skirted the periphery of the Marvel Universe for months, but Cletus Kasady at last stands poised to make his grand return to New York in a blistering 60-PAGE story… and he wants to paint the town red!
• 72 PGS./Rated T+ …$7.99
9. Ghosting Earth-65
I suppose it was only a matter of time until Gwen/Ghost-Spider was brought more solidly in to the Earth-616 Marvel universe. Rather than being brought directly in like Miles was, she’s going to be doing a bit of bouncing back and forth. But for those who were avoiding the previous “Ghost-Spider” comics because they didn’t want to deal with a world outside of the main continuity, this could be a good jumping on point.
Ghost-Spider #1
Written by Seanan McGuire
Illustrated by Takeshi Miyazawa
Cover by Jorge Molina
Variant cover by Joe Quesada• GWEN STACY MAKES HER WAY TO THE MARVEL UNIVERSE!
• With a cloud of infamy hanging over her head on Earth-65, GWEN STACY now travels to Earth-616 for super hero action…and school?!
• The newest student at ESU is about to get a crash course in multiversity as she splits her time between the world she loves and the world she’s just getting to know!
• But what devious villain has eyes on Gwen’s travels?
• Is Gwen ready for what comes next?
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
8. Don’t Shrug
“War of the Realms: Agents of Atlas” got a lot of buzz for being a new pan-Asian Marvel superhero team, so it makes sense that it’s getting a new run afterwards. The idea of the science and magic heroes, young and old, working together all sounds pretty fun, but bring in old Marvel continuity with the previous “Agents of Atlas” team and we’ve got a promising start.
Agents of Atlas #1
Written by Greg Pak and Jeff Parker
Illustrated by Gang Hyuk Lim and Carlo Pagualayan
Cover by Jung-Geun Yoon
Variant covers by Carlo Pagulayan, Skottie Young, Mico Suayan, and Leinil Francis Yu• PROTECTING EVERY CORNER OF THE MARVEL U.!
• By popular demand, ATLAS debut in their own series as AMADEUS CHO, SILK, SHANG-CHI, WAVE, JIMMY WOO and all your favorites defend the cross-Asian portal city of Pan against the science-magic threat of one of Marvel’s classic villains! Classic science-magic super hero fun combined with young and old heroes from multiple lands clashing with one another, fighting monsters and maybe saving the world along the way! And who is ISAAC IKEDA, the Protector of Pan? PLUS: Where are the original AGENTS OF ATLAS? Namora, M-11, Gorilla Man and Marvel Boy in an all-new top-secret mission!
• 40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99
7. It’s Gonna be the Future Soon
The Future Foundation is one of the most unique and interesting parts of the “Fantastic Four” comics, so leaving them behind in the new run felt like a real shame. Fortunately, Jeremy Whitley and Will Robson are ready to pick up the slack. So what’s the Future Foundation up to without Marvel’s first family? A prison break and a guest appearance from Yondu, apparently. This sounds very promising.
Continued belowFuture Foundation #1
Written by Jeremy Whitley
Illustrated by Will Robson
Cover by Carlos Pacheco• A BRAND-NEW SERIES STRAIGHT FROM THE PAGES OF FANTASTIC FOUR!
• When the Richards family is called back to Earth to be the Fantastic Four again, they left behind the Future Foundation — a think tank of the most brilliant young minds in the universe — with one mission: to find the pieces of and rebuild their friend Molecule Man. But that’s proved harder than imagined as this crew of young geniuses, Atlanteans, Mutants, Moloids and androids have run into every problem in the Multiverse. Now, with the leadership of Alex and Julie Power and a little extra firepower from guest professor Yondu Udonta, the team will undergo their most dangerous mission yet — a PRISON BREAK! Jeremy Whitley (UNSTOPPABLE WASP) and Will Robson (GREAT LAKES AVENGERS; Spawn) take the Future Foundation on a heart-pounding journey across time and space!
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
6. Fly, Nova, Fly!
Many a Nova fan was disappointed when Sam was stripped of his helmet during the lead-up to “Infinity Wars,” but slowly the comics have been leading to him getting it back. Judging by the cover, that went quite well, but nothing is without its cost. So what’s the cost in this case? And what do the Freelancers have to do with it? I’m looking forward to finding out.
Champions #8
Written by Jim Zub
Illustrated by Steven Cummings
Cover by Kim Jacinto• Fear, doubt, and deception…The Champions’ ideals are about to be tested, and not everyone will make the grade.
• Plus, the return of the Freelancers and the fate of Sam Alexander!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
5. Cue the Imperial March
Sometimes it’s fun to see a bad guy being badass against slightly-less-bad guys. In this case, it’s the dark lord of the Sith versus a pair of bounty hunters. Dengar is a character that hasn’t gotten too much attention in the more recent “Star Wars” comics and shows, so including him in this story should be interesting. But mostly, well, Darth Vader gets to cut loose.
Star Wars: Target Vader #2
Written by Robbie Thompson
Illustrated by Stefano Landini
Cover by Nic Klein
Variant cover by John McCrea• THE HUNTER BECOMES THE HUNTED!
• VALANCE and DENGAR track DARTH VADER while also seeking out the perfect weapon to kill the SITH LORD…
• …which they’ll need as Vader turns the tables on the hunters and corners them!
• And both hunter and hunted uncover dark secrets behind the criminal syndicate known only as THE HIDDEN HAND.
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
• Star Wars © Lucasfilm Ltd. & TM. All rights reserved. Used under authorization. Text and illustrations for Star Wars are © 2019 Lucasfilm Ltd.
4. Welcome to the Neighborhood
When the Fantastic Four returned, they took up a new residence in Ben Grimm’s old stomping grounds: Yancy Street. This one-shot shows us a little more about their lives there, adding more to the world and their place in it. It sounds like a good grounding for the characters that’ll present them with challenges less supernatural/scientific and more, well, down-to-Earth.
Fantastic Four: 4 Yancy Street #1
Written by Gerry Duggan
Illustrated by Greg Smallwood
Cover by Greg Smallwood
Variant covers by Stonehouse and Jack Kirby• The first of a series of regular essential releases expanding on the ongoing legend of the Fantastic Four and their world!
• The FF are now living on Yancy Street, but not all of their neighbors are happy about that.
• The Thing investigates a nasty piece of vandalism that conjures up painful old memories as he takes a trip down memory lane through the Lower East Side and it’s made all the more dangerous by…THE TERRIBLE TRIO!
• 40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99
3. Parting is Such Sweet Sorrow
The final arc begins, and I’m not emotionally ready. “The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” has been my favorite comic since issue 1, and now it’s approaching its end. It was a good long run, full of some of the most endearing characters, best gags, and clever writing I’ve seen in a while. I’m going to miss this comic, but I look forward to seeing what Ryan North and Derek Charm have planned for the finale.
Continued belowThe Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #47
Written by Ryan North
Illustrated by Derek Charm
Cover by Erica Henderson• BRAIN DRAIN IS MISSING!
• Do you want the good news or the bad news first?
• Let’s do the good news: It’s the start of a new Squirrel Girl arc! BRAIN DRAIN is missing! A sinister face from the past returns! And the hitherto UNBEATABLE Squirrel Girl will have to face CERTAIN DEFEAT to save him!
• Now the bad news: While this is the start of a new Squirrel Girl arc, it’s the start of our LAST Squirrel Girl arc! We’re going out on a high note. You have been amazing, and making this book has been amazing, but sadly in four months, THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL will end with issue #50. I KNOW.
• Now the good news again: Because it’s our last story ever we’re making it COMPLETELY HUGE AND AMAZING and it is going to BLOW YOUR MIND!
• It’s the start of the most nuts Squirrel Girl story ever as lives hang in the balance, narrative threads are resolved, and shocking reveals are made!
• <3
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
2. She’s Back!
While seeing one of my favorite comics end is saddening, seeing another favorite character return is a plus. Gwenpool is back for a mini-series, which is a promising return for the character. Plot-wise, it’s interesting to see Gwen out to unmask Spider-Man, considering a huge part of her final storyline was her determination to not become the Dark Gwenpool of the future who unmasked Miles. What could this mean for the character? Will she get her powers to move between comic book panels back after being rebooted for “West Coast Avengers?” It’s hard to say, but I’m going to trust Leah Williams to do this right.
Gwenpool Strikes Back #1
Written by Leah Williams
Illusrated by David Baldeon
Cover by Terry Dodson
Variant covers by Chris Bachalo, Ema Lupacchino, Gurihiru, Logan Lubera, and Amanda Conner• POOL’S OUT FOR SUMMER!
• That’s right — everyone’s favorite comics-fan-turned-comics character is back, and this time, she’s playing for keeps! Gwen Poole is desperate not to disappear into comic book limbo, so she’s going to make an impact on the Marvel Universe! First up: Unmask Spider-Man! And heck, maybe see if she can get some real super-powers while she’s at it!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
1. ‘Nuff Said.
To say this comic is going to be big may be an understatement. After several ad pages with nothing but large writer and artist names, Marvel revealed the massive undertaking that is “Marvel Comics #1000,” a celebration of the history and characters of Marvel. Nearly every Marvel contributor is on board, bringing their talents to make a massive issue where every character, large or small, is said to have something to contribute.
It’s going to be big, and it’s going to shake things up. This issue will celebrate everything Marvel, and I can’t wait to see what’s in store.
Marvel Comics #1000
Written by everyone
Illustrated by everyone
Cover by Joe Quesada
Variant covers by Joe Quesada, Gabriele Dell’otto, Inhyuk Lee, J. Scott Campbell, Ed McGuinness, Mr. Garcin, Mark Brooks, Mike Allred, Greg Smallwood, Julian Totino Tedesco, Ron Lim, Mark Bagley, Kaare Andrews, Calyton Crain, Jen Bartel, Skottie Young, Greg Hildebrandt, George Perez, and Steve Ditko• THE GREATEST TALENT EVER ASSEMBLED FOR ONE STORY!
• THIS IS THE BIG ONE! In celebration of Marvel’s 80th Anniversary, we have gathered together the greatest array of talent ever to be assembled between the covers of a single comic book! Names from the past, from the present, and even the future! Every page is filled with all-new work from this cavalcade of comic book luminaries!
• There is a mystery that threads throughout the Marvel Universe — one that has its origins in MARVEL COMICS #1 and which unites a disparate array of heroes and villains throughout the decades! What is the Eternity Mask, and who is responsible for the conspiracy to keep it hidden? And what new player will make their startling debut as these secrets are peeled away?
• Featuring the entirety of the Marvel Universe of characters!
• 96 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T …$9.99
• PERFECTBOUND FORMAT!
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com.
