Happy New Year! … Is what we’ll be saying in January. New year, same old Marvel, but we’ve got some new story arcs to look forward to, and a big all-Avengers event to kick off 2018. So without further ado, let’s see what January holds.
10. Always Unbeatable
Oh, like I wouldn’t include the most consistently entertaining comic Marvel’s had in ages on this list. Now, it is still a continuation of the previous month’s story, but that involves Squirrel Girl teaming up with Silver Surfer and Loki, so really, what’s not to like? Now she gets to face Dormammu, and knowing Squirrel Girl, it’s going to be awesome.
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #28
Written by Ryan North
Illustrated by Erica HendersonTHE FORBIDDEN PLA-NUT PART 2
• Nancy (human, no powers) and Tippy-Toe (squirrel, no powers) have been kidnapped! Trapped on an alien world filled with alien squirrels, they have only a short amount of time to figure out something – ANYTHING – before EVERYBODY DIES. But that’s okay, because Squirrel Girl will rescue them, right? I’d love to say, “Yes, absolutely,” but instead I am forced to say, “No way, she’s trapped on Earth, she barely knows where they are, and she has to defeat THE DREAD DORMAMMU before she can go anywhere!” And with LOKI standing in as Sorcerer Supreme, it’s not like this battle is going to be A) easy or B) at all winnable. That’s right: Loki’s back, baby! Can CAT THOR be far behind?
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
9. Running Strong!
The Runaways continue to reunite, with all the growing pains that entails. Rainbow Rowell has been putting some nice focus on Nico’s powers and how they work so far, so it seems that’s a plot point we’ll be getting more focus on. Meanwhile, there’s plenty of character drama and subplots to go around for everyone; it’s good to have the Runaways back.
Runaways #5
Written by Rainbow Rowell
Illustrated by Kris Anka• In classic RUNAWAYS fashion, things aren’t going according to plan. Chase starts a new project that will shock you. Molly has to make an impossible choice. And Nico’s super-power feels more like a prison with every spell she casts.
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
8. Fiery Red, Grey Gal
Jean Grey has been going through quite the arc, both in regards to her legacy, her history/future, and the Phoenix Force itself. Now it all comes to a close, and we’ll get to see how the story plays out. This is quite the time to wrap it up too, with “Phoenix Resurrection” going strong, so we’ll get to see how those tie together.
Jean Grey #11
Written by Dennis Hopeless
Illustrated by Victor Ibanez and Alberto Alburquerque
Cover by David Yardin
Variant Covers by Victor Hugo & Elizabeth TorquePSYCH WAR PART 4
• It was all leading up to this…young Jean Grey vs. the Phoenix! But after all her training, this might be a battle that she wasn’t prepared for at all. Now, trapped in a prison with former Phoenix hosts, Jean must use everything she’s learned to bust out! All this, plus what was up with that ghost Jean Grey?! Guest-starring Rachel Summers, Emma Frost, Quentin Quire, the Cuckoos and Hope!
• 40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99
7. Growing Old Together
In the same month we get “Old Man Hawkeye” (see below), we’ll also be getting an issue with old men Spider-Man and Deadpool in their less-than-apocalyptic futures. While the solicitation promises that it’ll tie in to future story arcs, it sounds like it can be enjoyed as an amusing one-off as well, so it’ll be fun for both casual readers and longtime followers of the series.
Continued belowSpider-Man/Deadpool #26
Written by Robbie Thompson
Illustrated by Scott HepburnSPIDER-MAN VERSUS DEADPOOL Part 4
• Peter Parker and Wade Wilson are in their eighties and live in the same nursing home. Wait, WHAT?! The madness of this book gets a brief interlude in the form of a story from the future! But this is not a throwaway issue! This issue is the first prelude to the biggest Spider-Man and Deadpool story of all time that will come to fruition in JULY OF 2018! DO NOT MISS IT!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
6. Adam’s Back
The moment Guardians of the Galaxy: Volume 2 teased us with the appearance of Adam Warlock, his return to the comics was all but ensured. The Guardians’ current ongoing mission to find the Soul Stone can connect to his return well, but it’ll certain open a whole new can of worms that should be fun to explore. Adam’s return will be quite the event, and I look forward to seeing how it plays out.
Guardians of the Galaxy #151
Written by Gerry Duggan
Illustrated by Mike Allred
Cover by Aaron KuderTHE RETURN OF ADAM WARLOCK Part 2
• Adam Warlock is back! But how? And why? Has he come as a savior? Or is he here to take the Infinity Stones for himself? Find out as the galactic tale of the Infinity Stones’ return enters the next exciting phase!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
5. Jedi and Jedha and Character Development, oh my!
Just look at this solicitation and try to tell me it doesn’t sound awesome. Luke trying to find his path as a Jedi and member of the Rebel Alliance, a foe called The Leviathan on its way, and planet Jedha playing a major role – there’s nothing about this that I don’t like. What could make it better? Kieron Gillen, of course, along with Salvador Larroca. Just try to stop me from reading this.
Star Wars #41
Written by Kieron Gillen
Illustrated by Salvador Larroca
Cover by David Marquez
Variant Covers by John Tyler Christopher and Rod ReisTHE ASHES OF JEDHA, PARTS 4-5!
• The Leviathan is heading for the remains of Jedha, prepared to pick the carcass of the once-holy planet clean. But with Luke Skywalker torn between his allegiance to the Rebellion and pursuing the path of a Jedi, who will lead the charge against the Empire?
• 32 PGS. (EACH)/Rated T …$3.99 (EACH)
4. The Mangog Menace
Jason Aaron has been building this arc up for a while. Soothsayers and weavers of fate across the Marvel universe have been foreseeing Mangog’s arrival with dread, so now we can see what all the fuss is about, and what kind of threat he poses. A billion murdered beings? Yeah, that sounds like a challenge for even the God of Thunder.
Mighty Thor #703
Written by Jason Aaron
Illustrated by Russell Dauterman
Variant Cover by Rob LiefeldTHE DEATH OF THE MIGHTY THOR Part 4
• The Mangog has come to Asgardia. But as every god assembles to meet him, there is one noticeable absence. Where is Thor? Where is Jane Foster? Without their mightiest hero, who among the Asgardians can face the wrath of a billion murdered beings–and survive?
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
3. Old Man Aims On
Hey kids, do you like “Old Man Logan?” Then you’ll love “Old Man Hawkeye!” At least that’s what I had to imagine the pitch sounding like. But the “Old Man Logan” comics presented us with a world where heroes don’t live long, at least not without adding the “anti-” prefix to the title, and now we get to see how Hawkeye fits into it. An old Clint Barton on one last mission of vengeance? Aww yeah.
Continued belowOld Man Hawkeye #1
Written by Ethan Sacks
Illustrated by Marco Checchetto
Variant Covers by Ron Lim, Steve McNiven, Greg Land, and Barry KitsonAN EYE FOR AN EYE Part 1
• The super heroes have fallen. The country has been divided into territories controlled by super villains. Among the wastelands lives CLINT BARTON – one of the few Avengers to survive. But it’s been 45 years, and he’s no Avenger. Trying to eke out a living anyway he can, the former HAWKEYE is confronted with a startling discovery: the sharpshooter is going blind. With time running short, Clint realizes there’s one last thing he wants to see: revenge for his fallen comrades-in-arms. Rising-star writer ETHAN SACKS and superstar artist MARCO CHECCHETTO take you back to the Wastelands in a story set five years before the original classic OLD MAN LOGAN.
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
2. Still Ship It?
Practically everyone who grew up with the X-Men in the 90’s loved the power couple of Rogue and Gambit (with the exception of the people who are going to comment just to say that they didn’t), but that was a long time ago, and the characters have developed much since then. They’ve each gone their separate ways, had their distinct arcs, and have grown as individuals and characters.
But that won’t stop fans from wanting to see them brought together, whether it’s on a team or as a couple. It’s often nice to see how they work together when reunited, with the embers of their old flame still flickering, so this looks like a promising run.
Rogue & Gambit #1 (of 5)
Written by Kelly Thompson
Illustrated by Pere Perez
Cover by Kris Anka
Variant Covers by Steve Skroce, ARTGERM, Mike McKone, and Daniel AcunaRing of Fire Part 1
• Everybody’s favorite X-couple is reunited! And boy, are they not happy about that… Kitty Pryde must send Rogue and Gambit on an undercover mission to find a group of kidnapped mutants. What they discover on this mission will shock them. But will it also bring them closer together…? It’s a high-stakes adventure caper that only the two hottest X-Men can deliver!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
1. So Much Avenging
Want more Avengers in your life? Then this is going to be a crazy month for you. Not only are we getting an issue a week throughout January, but it promises a crossover of all the Avengers teams uniting against a massive threat. Best of all: it doesn’t seem to include them fighting each other for a convoluted reason! What’s not to love?
Avengers #675
Written by Mark Waid, Al Eqing, and Jim Zub
Illustrated by Pepe Larraz
Variant Covers by Mark Brooks, John Tyler Christopher, Julian Totino Tedesco, Alex Ross, Mike McKone, Skottie Young, and Daniel AcunaNO SURRENDER Part 1
• AVENGERS goes WEEKLY for the stunning sixteen-part saga that will write the end of an era! The Earth has been STOLEN! The sky burns while mysterious cosmic objects crash down from above, wreaking havoc across the world! The Avengers are the last line of defense between Earth and the mysterious forces threatening to tear it apart. It’s time to ASSEMBLE! The teams you know and love from AVENGERS, UNCANNY AVENGERS, U.S.AVENGERS and OCCUPY AVENGERS come together to face a threat beyond any they’ve faced before in a weekly epic adventure that will define the future of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes!
• 40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com.
