Another month, another batch of solicits! There’s some solid story continuations, some new events, and some new runs that may be very well worth checking out, so let’s take a look and see what the future holds for the Marvel universe.
10. Getting this out of the way now
Look, you know there’s going to be an obligatory Squirrel Girl inclusion in this list. Will that ever change? Maybe if there’s a super-crazy month for everything else, and the Squirrel Girl solicit says “All the other superheroes are doing their events, while Doreen stays at home and watches animal videos on the Internet,” then I might. Maybe if Ryan North and Erica Henderson get into a big argument and stop working together, then they wouldn’t compliment each others’ style so well. But if it’s a month bringing an intriguing story arc to an end, then you better believe it has a place on this list.
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #20
Written by Ryan North
Illustrated by Erica Henderson
• This is it! The epic showdown between Melissa and Squirrel Girl, as the fate of New York City — and everyone in it — hangs in the balance!
• Will Melissa’s secret intentions be uncovered? Will Doreen and her friends be able to stop her? Can squirrels TRULY hope to match an army made up of EVERY OTHER ANIMAL EVER?
• Great news: We have studied each of these questions extremely carefully, and we are pleased to reveal our answers in this upcoming issue of The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
9. Doom-vengers, assemble?
My feelings remain mixed over Victor Von Doom being “The Infamous Iron Man,” but that’s as a reader and reviewer. The Avengers themselves? Probably a bit less mixed on the feelings. So it’ll be interesting seeing how he meshes with the team when they have to work together, and I have to imagine Mike Del Mundo’s art style will make Doom look just splendid.
Avengers #7
Written by Mark Waid
Illustrated by Mike Del Mundo
Cover by Alex Ross
• The Infamous Iron Man joins the Avengers – or, to hear him tell it, they’re joining HIM.
• How will Earth’s Mightiest Heroes react to a reformed villain like Doctor Doom?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
8. Brace your emotions, this one’s gonna hurt
Seeing the trouble Kamala and Bruno recently went through was heart-wrenching, and I say that in the best of ways; it’s a credit to G. Willow Wilson’s writing, character work, and style. So looking at this solicit, I’m expecting plenty of waterworks. Can their friendship be saved? Probably not in one issue, but I’m ready to see this through.
Ms. Marvel #18
Written by G. Willow Wilson
Illustrated by Francesco Gaston
Cover by Nelson Blake II
A VERY BRUNO ADVENTURE!
• Attending a prestigious science school has always been one of Bruno Carrelli’s dreams–he just never thought he’d have to lose his best friend (and use of his left hand) to get there.
• And as much as he loves Wakanda, Bruno can’t help but feel bitter toward Kamala (who’s secretly a super hero) for the super shenanigans that forced him to leave home.
• But it seems that even when he’s thousands of miles away from Ms. Marvel, adventure’s never far behind this Jersey boy…
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
7. Gwen and Kate’s excellent adventure
“You’ve included Gwenpool in the last few articles,” I told myself. “No need to include her again, especially after last month’s.” Then I saw the solicit. It’s not just Gwenpool – it’s Kate Bishop and Ghost Rider, all working together and/or against each other for the sake of her phantasmal buddy. So once more, the unbelievably enjoyable Gwenpool makes the list.
Continued belowThe Unbelievable Gwenpool #15
Written by Chris Mastings
Illustrated by Myisha Haynes
Cover by Paulina Ganucheau
• Part 2 of Gwen’s L.A. adventure is here!
• As it turns out, Gwen & Kate Bishop (the REAL Hawkeye) make a pretty great team!
• The mission to save Cecil (who is currently trapped in a crystal locked in Ghost Rider’s car) continues!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
6. Back to the galaxy
So the Guardians of the Galaxy are going back to space, as we knew they would. Can this team really be called “all-new” to any capacity? No way, it’s the exact same team we’ll see from now until the movies become a distant memory and they finally remember that Moondragon exists. So why am I still looking forward to this issue? Two words: Gerry Duggan. (Okay, technically one name, but you get the idea.) I’ve loved every moment of his run on “Deadpool,” and “Uncanny Avengers” has been very enjoyable too, so I am absolutely looking forward to seeing him take the helm of the next “Guardians of the Galaxy” run.
All-New Guardians Of The Galaxy #1
Written by Gerry Duggan
Illustrated by Aaron Kuder
Hip-Hop Variant Cover by Jeffrey Veregee
Variant Cover by Aaron Kuder
Action figure variant cover by John Tyler Christopher
Variant cover by Leinil Yu
Young variant cover by Skottie Young
A NEW ERA OF COSMIC ADVENTURE BEGINS HERE!
Double ships every month!
The Guardians of the Galaxy have taken off into space once more, on their biggest and weirdest misadventures yet! Kicking things off with the biggest heist they’ve ever tried, we join Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon and company as they blast their way through the galaxy, the peacekeepers of the Nova Corps hot on their tails. And once they find themselves caught in a war between The Collector and The Grandmaster, there will hardly be time to explain why Groot can’t grow any bigger, what Gamora is searching for or why Drax has sworn off violence! But don’t worry, we will — with a new twice-monthly schedule, All-New Guardians of the Galaxy has space for ALL your Marvel Cosmic needs!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
5. Two Thors, a phoenix, and a purple-haired rebel
Jason Aaron, don’t ever stop writing. As long as there’s a Quentin Quire, Shi’ar Empire, or hammer-wielding gods, there must always be a place for you in comics. After getting a glimpse of the future’s Phoenix-powered Quentin Quire all those years back in “Battle of the Atom,” we may finally see the pivotal moment for Quire – and not even in an X-Men book! … Or not, of course, he could very well decide to defy the future. Either way, I look forward to seeing how it goes.
Mighty Thor #19
Written by Jason Aaron
Illustrated by Russell Dauterman
• THE “ASGARD/SHI’AR WAR” COMES TO A FIERY CONCLUSION!
• The gods of the Shi’ar make their final play against Thor and her allies! With the Phoenix Force unleashed, it’s up to Quentin Quire to quell its destructive power…if he feels like it.
• Odinson has returned — but what awaits him in the war-torn Asgardia?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
4. Back to the Quire
Speaking of Quentin Quire, remember when I complained about the new X-Men teams being uninspired and sorely lacking in the incredible young mutants we’ve seen grow and develop? Well, good news there, since Generation X is giving us exactly that, with plenty of teenage mutants ready to show us more of what they’re made of. As for Jubilee, this does bring her nicely full-circle, from her roots as an annoying teenager fighting alongside the X-Men to the mentor of a new team. … Is she still a vampire? I’ve honestly stopped keeping track.
Continued belowGeneration X #1
Written by Christina Strain
Illustrated by Amilcar Pinna
Cover by Terry Dodson
Hip-Hop Variant Cover by Kevin Wada
Action Figure variant cover by John Tyler Christopher
Corner Box variant cover by Leonard Kirk
Variant cover by Rahzzah
Remastered variant cover by Brian Hitch
The Xavier Institute for Mutant Education and Outreach has opened its doors and is ready to foster the next generation of heroes and diplomats! But this time around, the X-Men recognize an unfortunate truth: not all mutants are created equal. Some mutants are not made to fight Sentinels or serve as ambassadors on behalf of their kind. Some mutants will just be lucky to survive another day in a world that hates and fears them. And who better to mentor mutantkind’s lovable losers than perpetual sidekick Jubilee? But will Jubilee and GENERATION X survive the experience??
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
3. Breaking Deadpool’s heart all over again
While Deadpool’s marriage is coming to its messy end, so too, it seems, is his faith in Captain America. After all, “Secret Empire” is kicking off, and we’re already seeing the current “Deadpool” run start to uncover the truth. So the merc with the mouth continues his team-up with Phil Coulson, and I am quite looking forward to seeing how the events of “Secret Empire” play into this story.
Deadpool #31
Written by Gerry Duggan
Illustrated by Matteo Lolli
Cover by David Lopez
Secret Comics variant by Scott Koblish
SECRET EMPIRE TIE-IN!
• Deadpool trusts Steve Rogers implicitly. How could he not?
• Now, it’s time to put that trust to the test.
• The result will have serious ramifications for Deadpool in days to come.
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99
2. Speaking of Captain America…
So hey, it’s finally time to bring all this “Captain America is a Hydra sleeper agent” business to a climactic closure! Or at least kick off the storyline that will do as much. There’s been a very lengthy buildup to this, and so many comics this month will be impacted by the events herein, so no matter how it goes down, it’s going to be a spectacle.
Secret Empire #1
Written by Nick Spencer
Illustrated by Steve McNiven
Cover by Mark Brooks
Variant Cover by Adi Granov
Variant Cover by J. Scott Campbell
Hydra Hero variant Cover by Andrea Sorrentino
Young Variant Cover by Skottie Young
Action Figure Variant Cover by John Tyler Christopher
Villain Variant Cover by Dan Mora
Party Variant Cover by Todd Nauck
It’s been building for months, across a bevy of titles! But now, the moment has arrived for Steve Rogers to step into the light and declare his allegiance to Hydra! How can the heroes of the Marvel Universe cope with this shattering betrayal by the most trusted figure among them? And what will this mean for the world? The map of the Marvel Universe changes in ways nobody will expect — TRUST THE SECRET EMPIRE!
48 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99
1. That citadel is screaming in joy
Kieron Gillen has added some great content to the “Star Wars” comic universe, perhaps none quite so evident as Doctor Aphra. While introducing original characters in-between the movies can be a risky move, Aphra has done a good job becoming a part of the universe without interfering with the canon. But now we get her and Luke Skywalker working together, and with Gillen’s script combined with Marco Checchetto’s art, it’s bound to be a blast.
Star Wars: The Screaming Citadel #1
Written by Kieron Gillen
Illustrated by Marco Checchetto
Cover by Marcho Checchetto
Variant Covers TBA
“THE SCREAMING CITADEL” — PART 1
Rebel pilot and rogue archaeologist wander side by side into the darkest shadows of the galaxy as Luke Skywalker reluctantly teams up with Doctor Aphra! The Doctor makes Luke an offer he can’t afford to pass up…one that leads him to a very rare gathering at the heart of the infamous Screaming Citadel. Will Luke find what he’s looking for? Can Aphra be trusted? Or will they both wind up victims of the Citadel’s Queen?
40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T …$4.99
