Another month of comics to look forward to! Yet we’re still in the midst of “Secret Empire,” which means it’s slim pickings for a top 10 once we weed out everything forced to tie in to the most ill-conceived comic event we’ve had in ages (and considering we just got through two ill-conceived “hero vs hero” comic events, that’s saying something). With those out of the way, though, we can pick out the best of the bunch.
10. C’mon, Gwen, you should know better
“Edge of Venomverse” may not run off the tongue as well as anything about the Spiderverse, but it’s not uncommon for Venom to follow after anything Spidey does. While typically this sort of comic idea would make me roll my eyes, even the most ridiculous of ideas becomes much more interesting when Gwenpool gets involved. So if you give me Gwenpool as Venom, I’ll be intrigued, and hopefully entertained.
Edge of Venomverse #2
Written by Christopher Hastings
Illustrated by Irene Strychalski
Cover by Francesco Mattina
Variant Cover by Ron Lin• A PINK NIGHTMARE! The wall-breaking wunderkind we call Gwenpool gets ahold of the VENOM SYMBIOTE and turns into a sword-slinging, web-swinging master of disaster! But it won’t all be fun and games when Gwenpool comes across something huge… something that will directly lead to the Venom event of 2017!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
9. Spider-Men, Spider-Men, do whatever a spider ken?
The first “Spider-Men” comic was great as it was not only the first time that the 616 Marvel universe crossed over with the Ultimate universe, but it provided good character moments for both Peter Parker and Miles Morales. It’s great that Miles is in the main universe now, and has formed a nice niche for himself, but there are still plenty of questions about his story now that he’s been rebuilt in a world where Peter never died. It looks like this comic will explore that, and I look forward to seeing how it goes. For all the complaining I can do about Bendis, I trust him to make this a good story.
Spider-Men II #1
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated by Sara Pichelli
Cover by Sara Pichelli and Justin Ponsor
Variant Covers by Daniel Acuña, Jesüs Saiz, Kadir Nelson, and Julian Totino Tedesco• THIS IS IT, TRUE BELIEVERS! The moment five years in the making is finally here! The first time Peter Parker and Miles Morales met ended with a question — WHO IS THE MILES MORALES OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE?! Now that the Miles you know and love is with Peter in the Marvel Universe, you’re finally going to get that answer to who the OTHER Miles Morales is! And that’s just the tip of the iceberg as Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli bring you the next heart-stopping adventure for both Peter Parker and Miles Morales!
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
8. It’s a Good Month to be a Spider
What’s this? Another Spider-Man comic to look forward to? Yes, for the one good thing to come from the latest clone-based debacle in Spider-Man’s history is the return of Dr. Otto Octavius, and he’s ready to make his grand return. In fact, his return is the only reason I’m overlooking the “Secret Empire tie-in” it boasts, because this is something that’s been properly set up and built up to while actually making sense.
We all knew Doc Ock would be coming back eventually, but his return is done well enough that it’s worth looking forward to.
Amazing Spider-Man #30
Written by Dan Slott
Illustrated by Stuart Immonen
Cover by Alex Ross
X-Men Trading Card Variant Cover by Jim Lee• SECRET EMPIRE TIE-IN!
• Otto Octavius is back, but he’s not returning to his old ways… No, this time, he’s THE SUPERIOR OCTOPUS! And he’s allied himself with Steve Rogers and Hydra! What does Ock have planned for Peter and Parker Industries? Nothing good for Spider-Man, that’s for sure!
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
7. Doreen Does it Again
Continued below
Oh thank goodness, Squirrel Girl is staying out of this “Secret Empire” nonsense. In fact, she’s staying so far out of the way, she’s in the Savage Lands. I suppose it makes sense; if they didn’t bench her, she’d probably single-handedly tear through all of Hydra herself.
Yes, I know she’s still in “U.S.Avengers,” let’s put that aside for now and focus on this amazing comic.
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #22
Written by Ryan North
Illustrated by Erica Henderson• When Doreen Green and Nancy Whitehead enter a mysterious programming competition, they don’t suspect that the prize for winners will be…an all-expenses-paid trip to the SAVAGE LAND! Yes: THE SAVAGE LAND! Also known as “a mysterious tropical region of Antarctica that we discovered is actually populated by DINOSAURS”! In the Marvel Universe, I mean. In OUR universe, the only thing ever discovered in that region was a note from Robert Scott’s doomed expedition to the South Pole (he arrived there weeks after his competition, Roald Amundsen, got there first), which read in part, “This is an awful place and terrible enough for us to have labored to it without the reward of priority”! The story of those Antarctic expeditions is fascinating, but OURS IS PRETTY FASCINATING TOO, plus it has Squirrel Girl AND dinosaurs in it!! So maybe read up on the other ones but definitely check out our comic right away.
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
6. The Khan Family Drama
“Ms. Marvel” continues to be a comic with a lot of heart, soul, and smarts behind it. A lot of what makes it great is less about the crime fighting, and more about Kamala herself and her life. So with Jersey City in a state of unrest and her brother in a state of danger, things are looking good.
Not good for Ms. Marvel in-story, of course, but good for us as readers.
Ms. Marvel #20
Written by G. Willow Wilson
Illustrated by Marco Failla
Cover by Valerio Schiti
X-Men Trading Card Variant Cover by Jim Lee• Kamala Khan’s older brother is in danger and she’s determined to help him at all costs — but to rescue him she’ll need help. But who can she trust when Jersey City is more divided than ever? It’s becoming clear that this unrest in J.C. might be more personal than Kamala ever considered…
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
5. The Force is Strong With This One. Also His Muscles.
Order 66 really didn’t kill as many Jedi as one would have thought, given how many survivors keep showing up. Mind you, this one isn’t going to last, considering he’s going up against Darth Vader, but I’m sure it’ll be a great fight. Going off the cover, this is perhaps the most swole Jedi to ever wield a lightsaber, and I know sheer muscles don’t help when you can use the force, but between those, the scar, and the beard that says “I fight bears for a living,” I can’t wait to meet this badass Jedi Master.
Darth Vader #3
Written by Charles Soule
Illustrated by Giuseppe Camuncoli
Cover by Olivier Coipel
Variant Cover by Guiseppe Camuncoli• Vader sets his sights on a Jedi who’s avoided Order 66…a Jedi Master who’s long lived in seclusion…a Jedi more powerful than any Vader has faced before…
• 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
4. Reunited and it Feels so Good
Can we get a moment of applause for well-written, strong friendships between empowered characters? I thought so. America and Kate Bishop are both running strong in their own series, but I can’t say no to seeing them team up again to take on a tough case. So once more, “America” makes the list, as does a “Hawkeye” crossover. And they have yet to prove themselves unworthy of it.
Continued belowAmerica #5
Written by Gabby Rivera & Kelly Thompson
Illustrated by Ramon Villalobos
Cover by Jen Bartel
Variant Cover by Kevin Wada• ALL THEY WANNA GET IS… A LITTLE BIT CLOSER! Reunited at last! Former Young Avengers Hawkeye and America team up to take on a new threat! When a case spins out of control, semi-legal 100% legit private investigator Kate Bishop calls the one person she knows will have her back. But is this one too big to punch her way out of?
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
3. Jones and the Hill
Things kind of suck for Maria Hill right now, and as per usual it’s in no small part her fault. But turning to Jessica Jones for help? Now that’s a concept I can get behind. It’s a nice blend of two different aspects of the Marvel universe, and I look forward to seeing how everything works together. Also how they work together, of course, because you know Hill is going to tag along and criticize everything Jessica does.
Jessica Jones #10
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Illustrated by Michael Gaydos
Cover by David Mack
Variant Cover by Martin Simmonds• The mysteries of Maria Hill. Ousted by the world peacekeeping task force she dedicated her life to, Maria Hill has no choice but to turn to Jessica Jones to help her find…the last secrets.
• 32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99
2. Bring the Thunder!
What’s better than Thor? How about three Thors, all kicking ass and taking names in the divine realms that the comics have been thriving in? Toss in the excellent writing by Jason Aaron, add a bit of Russel Dauterman and Valerio Schiti’s art, and I’m fairly certain this comic will leave me thunderstruck.
The Mighty Thor #21
Written by Jason Aaron
Illustrated by Russel Dauterman and Valerio Schiti
Cover by Russel Dauterman
X-Men Trading Card Variant Cover by Jim Lee• THE ULTIMATE TEAM-UP! The Queen of Cinders sets the realms ablaze — and even the combined might of three Thunder Gods may not be enough to put out the flames! But the all-new Ultimate Thor has a shocking secret. Can Thor trust her newest ally to have her back as Malekith’s army grows and the War of the Realms reaches Asgard’s doorstep?
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
1. Silver Shipping
There is nothing negative I can say about Dan Slott’s run on “Silver Surfer.” The character work is great, the writing is fantastic, and the art from Michael Allred is just perfect for the comic; I couldn’t imagine anyone else behind it. So now the story of Silver Surfer and Dawn Greenwood reaches a new climactic moment, and I’m looking forward to seeing how it tugs at my heartstrings.
Silver Surfer #13
Written by Dan Slott
Illustrated by Michael Allred• Once upon a time, a strange device scanned the Silver Surfer and found him the one being who was his “most important person in the universe,” Dawn Greenwood. And, it turned out, he was her “most important person in the universe” too. This is the story of a love that ended before it started, and began after it ended. But is it a love that can outlast the universe? Because the universe is about to go away. For real.
• 32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
Check out the full solicitations over at CBR.com.
