Another month of Marvel, so let’s see what they have in store. There’s some uninspired X-Men teams, an Inhumans book where the cover alone diminishes my desire to read it (as much as I like Al Ewing), and plenty of other stories that just don’t make the cut. But these here are the top ten that may be worth keeping an eye out for.
10. Has Cap Hailed His Last Hydra?
It’s been a long time coming, but it looks like the “Captain America is a Hydra sleeper agent” arc is finally reaching its end. I’m honestly surprised it lasted as long as it did, but there’s no denying it got people talking. It promises a big showdown between Cap and the Red Skull, because no matter how you change Steve’s history, he’s still going to punch Skull in what passes for his face. I look forward to seeing what comes of this, even if it’s a return to the status quo.
Captain America: Steve Rogers #16
Written by Nick Spencer
Illustrated by Jesús Saiz
Cover by Daniel Acuña
Connection Variant Cover A by RB Silva• The stage is set! Everything has been leading to this moment! It’s time for Captain America to step out of the shadows to change the very landscape of the Marvel Universe in a massive way!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
9. Crossovers and Olympians
I was going to pass on this at first, in spite of the multiple heroes it promised to bring in. Then I saw it mentioning The Olympus Group, and it reminded me of Amadeus Cho’s time in the “Hercules” comics, and how great that was. If Grek Pak can bring back that mythical magic while letting Cho Hulk out and bringing in all those other great characters it promises, well, that’s enough for me.
Totally Awesome Hulk #18
Written by Greg Pak
Illustrated by Mahmud Asrar
Cover by Stonehouse• “BIG APPLE SHOWDOWN” CONTINUES! When a new alien race comes to Earth… …HULK, MS. MARVEL, SILK, SHANG-CHI and JIMMY WOO are her last defenders… Plus: A hostile takeover of THE OLYMPUS GROUP!
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
8. Obligatory Squirrel Girl
It really can’t be a surprise when I include a “Squirrel Girl” comic in these lists. Every solicit offers something awesome and worth looking forward to; in this case, it’s machine-gun-wielding bears.
Do I even need to say any more? I think by now my potentially-unhealthy adoration for a fictional squirrel-based superhero is abundantly evident, but not without good cause. Every issue has given me reason to look forward to the next, so until that changes, Doreen Green will always have a place on this list.
Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #19
Written by Ryan North
Illustrated by Erica Henderson• Worst-mentor-ever Melissa Morbeck has trapped Squirrel Girl in her house, surrounded by zoo animals under her control, and laid out her demands: She wants to have…A CHAT. Does that not sound exciting enough? What if we were to tell you that this chat ALSO involves punching, shocking revelations, a little bit of cool computer stuff and MACHINE-GUN-WIELDING BEARS, who are as extremely cute as they are extremely deadly?? Squirrels AND machine-gun bears, all in the same comic?! That’s right. Only SQUIRREL GIRL gives you what you want, assuming you have those two very particular interests!! Hopefully you do; we’ve got a lot riding on this.
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
7. More Bloody Team-ups
I say “bloody” not in the manner of British slang, but because there’s almost a guarantee that this team-up comic will spill a lot if it. This isn’t the first time Deadpool and the Punisher have teamed up or fought each other, not by a long shot, but considering the two of them already have plenty of their own ongoings and team-ups, it was only a matter of time. Of course, they did spend some time together on a Thunderbolts team, so perhaps that’ll come up again.
Continued belowDeadpool vs The Punisher #1
Written by Fred Van Lente
Illustrated by Pere Perez
Cover by Declan Shalvey
Variant Covers TBA• Frank Castle has an unstoppable will — a powerful drive to punish those who do wrong, rooted in the tragic killing of his family. Wade Wilson has an unstoppable mouth — an unthinking knack for annoying everyone around him, rooted in thinking he’s funny. Both men, however, are among the deadliest on the planet. When they find themselves in disagreement over the criminal known as The Bank, they’re in for one of the most brutal fights of their lives! Can Frank kill Wade over and over without ever dying once himself? Or will Wade bug him until he welcomes death?
• 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99
6. Richaaards!!!
Remember when the Ultimate universe Reed Richards turned evil, and proved himself to be exceedingly good at it? He was woefully under-utilized since “Secret Wars” ended, but I’m actually going to trust Brian Michael Bendis to make this work. Bringing back The Maker to go up against the Dr. Doom Iron Man is a nice switch from the classic “Fantastic Four” formula, and one that’s been getting built up to for a while. Perhaps Doom will finally get to crush a version of Richards, or maybe old habits will die hard, we shall see in due time.
Infamous Iron Man #7
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated by Alex Maleev• The Reed Richards from a dead reality calls himself “The Maker” — and his plans for the world are far more insane than anything Doctor Doom ever attempted. Now Doom, as Iron Man, is the only one who can stop him. Doom is the hero? Richards is the villain? It is a world gone mad!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
5. Monster a Go-Go, Baby
“Wait a second,” you might be asking, “Isn’t there already an ongoing event called ‘Monsters Unleashed?’ In fact, you reviewed the first issue just recently, you devilishly handsome reviewer!”
True on all counts, but that was that, and this is this. This “Monsters Unleashed” is an ongoing, which the current event is leading up to. The monsters that caused so much trouble will be getting their own series, and Elsa Bloodstone will be playing a big hand in it. So this comic had me at “Bloodstone.”
Monsters Unleashed #1
Written by Cullen Bunn
Illustrated by David Baldeon
Cover by Arthur Adams
Variant Cover by RB Silva
Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher• THE FIRST FANTASTIC ISSUE OF MARVEL’S NEWEST HEROES! From acclaimed writer CULLEN BUNN, known for his work on DEADPOOL, UNCANNY X-MEN and more, comes a high-action sci-fi series centered on a team of monstrous and monstrously massive do-gooders including KID KAIJU, AEGIS, SLIZZIK, SCRAGG, HI-VO AND MEKARA.. Now teaming up with vampire-hunter ELSA BLOODSTONE, the series unfolds as the team takes on gargantuan creatures and protects the planet from ruin and disaster. However, can they be accepted by the rest of the Marvel Universe and allowed to help, or will they be deemed dangerous as well?
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
4. Shi’ar, Asgardians, and Quire, oh yeah!
When the Asgard/Shi’ar War began, I was quite happy to see Kid Gladiator return, and with Jason Aaron writing him no less. Sure, he wasn’t the main focus, but it was Jason’s run on “Wolverine and the X-Men” that made me a fan. So with Quentin Quire joining the mix, well, how could I possibly pass on this?
Of course, watching Asgard and the Shi’ar Empire go to war is awesome enough as it is, but throw in the Phoenix Force and it’s already got my blood pumping.
Mighty Thor #18
Written by Jason Aaron
Illustrated by Russel Dauterman
ResurrXion Variant Cover by Ryan Stegman• THE “ASGARD/SHI’AR WAR” GOES FULL-ON PHOENIX! As the gods of the Shi’ar call down their ultimate judgment on the Asgardians, Thor finds desperately needed aid in the form of Odinson! But are even two thunder gods enough to take on the Phoenix Force? And where the Phoenix goes, lately so does the X-Men’s favorite troublemaker, Quentin Quire! Has the rebel-without-a-cause finally found one, or will he just let the world(s) burn?
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
3. The Gravity of the Situation
Is there anything I can say that the solicit hasn’t already? Isaac Newton versus the Avengers. ‘Nuff said.
But really, this is why I love comics. There’s honestly nothing else to say – Isaac Newton, Avengers, magic, it’s all there. I’m sold.
Continued belowDr. Strange and the Sorcerers Supreme #7
Written by Robbie Thompson
illustrated by Javier Rodriguez• Sir Isaac Newton betrayed the rest of the Sorcerers Supreme, and has come to the present-day…where he takes on the Avengers!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
2. Private Eye Team-Ups
So far so good in Kelly Thompson’s “Hawkeye,” and this looks great. It’s all well and good to see Kate learn from Clint, and how they work together, but seeing her work with Jessica Jones as heroes/detectives sounds like a blast as well. It was inevitable, but something I’ve been looking forward to since issue 1.
Hawkeye #5
Written by Kelly Thompson
Illustrated by Michael Walsh
Cover by Julian Totino Tedesco• WHAT WOULD J. JONES DO? NEW ARC STARTS HERE! Everything is coming up Kate! She’s got fancy new HAWKEYE INVESTIGATIONS window sign, a burgeoning P.I. business (albeit a temporarily unlicensed one), new friends and even some promising looking love interests on the horizon. So when her mentor, Jessica Jones, surfaces in LA on a case, Kate jumps at the chance to learn from the master (and show off, obviously). But the City of Angels has long history of crushing dreams…
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
1. Nova Takes it Again
What’s this? Another month where “Nova” is the top of the list? It’s almost as though consistently strong writing, good characters, great emotion, and a nice balance of developing new heroes while still giving due time to their predecessors can create a good comic! Whatever the reason, “Nova” has been great so far, and this issue seems like it’ll help close old loops while still giving Sam Alexander time to shine as Nova.
Nova #5
Written by Jeff Loveness & Ramon Perez
Illustrated by Ramon Perez• As more about Richard’s time in the Cancerverse comes to the surface, so does whatever darkness is inside him that he’s been hiding from his fellow Nova, Sam Alexander. And whatever it is, it’s getting hungrier.
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com
