October, the wonderful month of Halloween! While you’re busy working on your latest comic book costume, there’s bound to be plenty from Marvel worth looking at, so let’s see what the spookiest month will bring to use from the haunted house of ideas.
10. Defendpool
Sometimes you just have to wonder “How long will this series go before it gets the inevitable Deadpool cameo?” In the case of Brian Michael Bendis’s “Defenders,” the answer is apparently “Six issues.” While Deadpool may be the merc with the mouth, I have to wonder how he’ll sound with Bendis’s signature style of dialogue, not to mention the contrast between Deadpool’s dark comedy, wanton violence, and wisecracking and the more “dark and serious” style “Defenders” has been going for. Either way, it’ll be worth checking out.
Defenders #6
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated by David Marquez
Variant Covers by Szymon Kudranski, Mike McKone, and Chip Zdarsky• KINGPINS OF NEW YORK Part 1
• The Defenders: Iron Fist, Jessica Jones, Luke Cage and Daredevil, protectors of the people, are in a desperate struggle to keep New York City safe in the wake of the power vacuum caused by the Kingpin’s absence and the all-out street war that results! So what could make things even worse for our team of harried heroes? Would you believe — Deadpool?
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
9. Doom vs Gwen
Truly, this is a clash of titans! Gwenpool, the unbelievable girl from our world, versus Doctor Doom himself (or Iron Man, if he’s still calling himself that by then). Yes, Gwen’s only real power is plot armor and her encyclopedic knowledge of comic books, but how much good will that do her against Doom? I don’t know, but I’m sure looking forward to finding out, because between the hilarity and sheer entertainment value of “Gwenpool” and the gravitas that comes with any proper Doctor Doom cameo, this issue has my attention.
The Unbelievable Gwenpool #21
Written by Chris Hastings
Illustrated by Irene Strychalski
Cover by Paulina Ganucheau
Variant Covers by David Nakayama, Mike McKone, and Chip Zdarsky• DOOM SEES YOU Part 1
• Since arriving in the Marvel Universe from the real world, Gwenpool has made a name for herself as one of its most exciting heroes. From teaming up with Spider-Man and the Mighty Thor to tackling villains like M.O.D.O.K. and Arcade, no one can top her combination of demolition and off-the-wall adventure. But now Gwenpool’s looking for the biggest and baddest foes she can think of and she’s going right to the top of the list with…DR. DOOM!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
8. Age of Squirreltron
Look, if you’ve been reading my “Soliciting Multiversity” articles for more than a month and you’re surprised that Squirrel Girl has a place on this list, you haven’t been paying attention. We have dinosaurs in the Savage Land, Ultron, and the amazing team that is Ryan North and Erica Henderson. This is a comic that’s never failed to entertain, and I cannot wait to see this story unfold further.
Continued belowThe Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #25
Written by Ryan North
Illustrated by Erica Henderson
Variant Cover by Chip Zdarsky• This is it! The climactic showdown between SQUIRREL GIRL, a woman who can talk to squirrels, and ULTRON HIMSELF, a killer robot who has ruthlessly defeated the Avengers on multiple occasions! And you may be thinking, “Holy crap I’M SOLD,” but let me tell you more: This entire battle takes place in the Savage Land, an area FILLED with dinosaurs! And NOW you may be thinking, “I’m so sold, good grief, just let me read this comic already,” but hold on some more, because there’s one more thing we need to tell you: ULTRON IS A TYRANNOSAURUS REX NOW. It’s Doreen Green versus DINOSAUR ROBOT ULTRON, and Kraven the Hunter is there, too! Kraven is not a dinosaur, though. Man, we really should’ve made Kraven a dinosaur, too! Lesson learned for next time, I guess!
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
7. Gwenom Cometh
Now, I know a lot of cosplayers, and it took approximately ten seconds after Spider-Gwen was announced for a good chunk of them to come up with Gwenom designs (and they all look amazing). So now we’re getting a canonical Gwenom, and I can already hear the sewing machines. Any proper Spider-character is bound to bond with a Venom symbiote once or twice, so now it’s Gwen’s turn, and it’s likely to be quite the ride.
Spider-Gwen #25
Written by Jason Latour
Illustrated by Robbi Rodriguez
Cover by Khary Randolph
Variant Covers by Khary Randolph, Mike McKone, Chip Zdarsky, and John Tyler Christopher• GWENOM Part 1
• Gwen’s life irrevocably changes as she bonds with her universe’s version of the Venom symbiote. What does it mean for her relationship with crime kingpin MATT MURDOCK? With her father? With THE OSBORNS?! Is any relationship in Gwen’s life safe? It’s SPIDER-GWEN like you’ve never seen her before, and this time, there’s no easy fix for her troubles!
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
6. Dirty Deeds Done at Competitive Market Prices
Deadpool is down on his luck. “Secret Empire” screwed him over almost as much as it did the readers, and all the positive changes that we’ve seen him go through over Gerry Duggan’s run are toppling one by one. It’s tragic, but it makes for a great story. So now we return to one of his best bromances, Cable, and no matter how this turns out, it’s going to be an emotional ride. He also seems to have skipped ahead a couple hundred issues and added a new adjective, but that’s Deadpool for you.
Despicable Deadpool #287 & 288
Written by Gerry Duggan
Illustrated by Scott Koblish
Covers by David Lopez
Variant Covers by Clayton Crain, Salva Espin, Mike McKone, and Scott Koblish• DEADPOOL KILLS CABLE PartS 1 and 2
• Deadpool’s going back to his vile beginnings as a mercenary and wanted killer. No more being a hero. No more X-Men. No more Avengers. And if he wants to break bad again, what’s more despicable than killing your best friend? Cable better get ready because his old friend Wade has him in the crosshairs.
• 32 PGS. (EACH)/Parental Advisory …$3.99 (EACH)
5. Avon eht Nioj
Speaking of Gerry Duggan, good ol’ former SHIELD agent Adsit has been busy rebuilding the Nova Corps. Of course, they lack the firepower or the competence of the current Novas (Sam and Richard), not to mention the Nova Force, but points for trying! Now we get the Guardians involved, not to mention the return of Richard Rider to their side (so we can look forward to seeing how he and Gamora get along after all this time), so there are quite a few things to look forward to from this issue.
All-New Guardians of the Galaxy #11
Written by Gerry Duggan
Illustrated by Roland Boschi
Cover by Francesco Mattina
Variant Cover by Chip Zdarsky• The Nova Corps…the peacekeepers of the galaxy, charged with maintaining order, serving and protecting the sentient peoples who make it their home. The Fraternity of Raptors… a shadow organization dedicated to imposing their own order on the galaxy. Rich Rider guest-stars as these two forces come into desperate conflict!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
4. To the Moon!
What’s a hero without a sidekick? More importantly, what’s Moon Girl without her Devil Dinosaur? It’s time to look at more character dynamics, and a bit of hilarity along the way. “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur” is a fun, well-written comic, and this cavalcade of guest stars is bound to make for an entertaining time.
Continued belowMoon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #24
Written by Brandon Montclare
Illustrated by Natachi Bustos• MOON GIRL AND…?
• After the earth-shattering events of issue #23, Moon Girl needs a new partner! Lunella takes three candidates for a test drive, but who will be the lucky hero to become her newest sidekick? Guest stars galore! Ghost Rider! Daredevil! The X-Babies!
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
3. Masque vs Hawk
Kate Bishop has continued to prove herself worthy of both the Hawkeye name and the solo run. We’ve been getting a closer look at her family, how well she can manage on her own, and plenty of backstory to enhance her character. Madame Masque has been a perfect foe for her, and each issue has helped build up to this showdown. I, for one, cannot wait to see how it goes down.
Hawkeye #11
Written by Kelly Thompson
Illustrated by Leonardo Romero
Cover by Julian Totino Tedesco
Variant Cover by Chip Zdarsky• Hawkeye’s personal beef with Madame Masque comes to a head when those closest to her are caught in the crossfire. But when dark secrets about her past come to light, Kate’s shaken to her core… Can Kate find the strength to face her demons? Or will this be the case that ends Hawkeye Investigations – and Kate herself – for good?
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
2. This is Halloween
Hey, it’s October, we need at least one comic filled with creatures from the depths of Hell! In this case, we get a nice team-up featuring all sorts of haunted, spooky heroes, which I’ll file under “good enough.” Sure, I’d prefer the Robbie Reyes Ghost Rider to Johnny Blaze, but this still has the makings of a good team book, and is oh so thematically appropriate for the month.
Spirits of Vengeance #1 (of 5)
Written by Victor Gischler
Illustrated by David Baldeon
Cover by Dan Mora
Variant Covers by Mark Texiera, Ken Lashley, Mike McKone, Chip Zdarsky, and John Tyler Christopher• WAR AT THE GATES OF HELL Part 1
• A dead angel. A silver bullet. A kept promise. For ages, the war between Heaven and Hell raged in the unseen corners of society, both sides in delicate balance that could topple if the right weapons were in the wrong hands… When an undercover angel is murdered, Johnny Blaze, the Ghost Rider, must find the killers and punish them…But this time he won’t do it alone: A deadly team must rise from the darkest depths of the Marvel Universe to form an unholy alliance – HELLSTORM! SATANA! BLADE! They are the SPIRITS OF VENGEANCE! PLUS: Includes 3 bonus MARVEL PRIMER PAGES! Story by Robbie Thompson and a TBA artist!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
1. Thunder’s End
Is this it for our goddess of thunder? Ever since Thor’s secret identity was revealed, we knew that her time was limited, and her heroics would lead to the end of Thor, so it sounds like this is where that end begins. It could just be a fake-out, but it sounds like it’s leading up to the Odinson’s return to full Thordom. Jason Aaron’s work on “The Mighty Thor” has been nothing short of exemplary, so if this is the end, then let it be a grand one.
The Mighty Thor #700
Written by Jason Aaron
Illustrated by Russell Dauterman, Walter Simonson, Olivier Coipel, Chris Burnham, James Harren, and more!
Variant Covers by Russell Dauterman, Stephanie Hans, Mike McKon, Adam Hughes, Jack Kirby, John Tyler Christopher, and Chip Zdarsky• DEATH OF THE MIGHTY THOR Part 1
• The final judgement comes as the Mangog arrives! The War Thor will meet the beast head on. But even the bloodthirst of this Ultimate Thor may pale in comparison to the might of the Mangog! The battle rages as Jane’s cancer takes a turn for the worse, and she might not have to wait for the final judgment at all. The clock is ticking, and no hammer can save her this time. It’s the beginning of the end that will lead to the most dramatic return in the Marvel Universe! PLUS: Includes 3 bonus MARVEL PRIMER PAGES! Story by Robbie Thompson and a TBA artist!
• 64 PGS./Rated T+ …$5.99
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com.
