There’s a lot coming from Marvel in April, so we pick apart some of our highlights to share with you today.
For the full solicits from Marvel, check out CBR.
A Handful of Ultron, And Some Surprises
So, there will three issues of “Age of Ultron,” including Bryan Hitch’s last (assumedly where the story was supposed to end, according to Hitch) and Brandon Peterson/Carlos Pacheco’s first. But that’s not what’s particularly interesting about Marvel’s “Ultron” in April.
We’ll be getting three AU tie-ins: “Avengers Assemble” written by Al Ewing (and not Kelly Sue DeConnick) and illustrated by Butch Guice; “Wolverine and the X-Men” written by Matt Kindt (and not Jason Aaron) and illustrated by Paco Medina; and “Ultron” #1AU which currently has no author and illustrated by Amilcar Pinna. The first two are interesting in that they’re being written by people other than the series’ ongoing writer (unlike the “Fantastic Four” tie-in, written by Fraction), but the “Ultron” issue, starring Victor Mancha son of Ultron, has a TBD writer. To be decided!
Maybe it was best not to announce that one just yet? Maybe? No? Ok.
Either way, it’s nice to see that “Age of Ultron” is fairly limited and contained, and that it’s not going to be impacting any books. Your average comic book follower, for example, may choose to ignore “Wolverine and the X-Men’s” tie-in due to Aaron not writing it, although I’m looking forward to what Kindt will bring to the table. It doesn’t seem like any of these books feature any inherent “need” to read them to “get” the story of the event, and I bet a lot of folks with event fatigue are thankful for that smallest of favors.
“To challenge them is to court death.” *Smiley face*
Originally attached to Joe Keatinge and Rich Elson, the Thanos origin mini is now being written and illustrated by Jason Aaron and Simone Bianchi for “Thanos: Rising,” a five-part mini detailing the history of the Mad Titan.
I touched upon this on the news article from when this was announced, but Aaron and Bianchi make a great team for this kind of book. Keatinge and Elson would’ve done a bang-up job as well, assuredly, but looking at Aaron’s ability to take somewhat irredeemable characters with dark pasts and given them a new dimension through which to understand and sympathize with their darkness is perfect for this book. Add to that Bianchi’s inventive and creative approaches to the page and his clear penchant for doing big, grandiose space-epics (go find that Thor mini he did with Rob Rodi, “For Asgard” – great story) and you’ve got a great team for the title. This is easily the most exciting team on a villain-based mini at Marvel since the Spencer/Cloonan “Doom” team-up from a fe-
Oh, shit. Knock on wood, knock on wood! We’re supposed to say “The Scottish Comic,” aren’t we?
The New X-Men
Brian Wood took over the adjectiveless “X-Men” book from Victor Gischler, and it was very exciting. A few issues later he was no longer on the book, and it was very sad.
PSYCH! Haha, tricked you! It was all an elaborate rouse to relaunch the book with a new #1, a fantastic artist and a killer team. If you’re not excited for this book then I don’t know what to tell you. This is easily one of my most anticipated titles of the year, and I expect literally nothing but the best from both Coipel and Wood.
Just don’t call it X-Women. As Wood has said on Twitter on multiple occasions with a few word variations, “They’re classic X-Men. They’ve never been anything but.”
An Extra Dose Of Rocket
Marvel has been really pushing “Nova” this week, issuing two previews for two issues a month and two months away, respectively. Well, lets just go ahead and push that third issue that’s three months away.
Why? Because you’re not just getting a book starring Nova, you’re getting a book starring Rocket Raccoon and Gamorra. Who doesn’t want more Rocket Raccoon in their life?
Continued belowThe Beginning and the End
In April, the Fantastic Four will visit both the dawn of time and the inevitable death of the Universe. I can only expect that these two issues will be full of extreme optimism and crushing reality.
Nice contrast between the two covers, though.
Shield Returns – But Not In The Way You’re Thinking Of
No, Jonathan Hickman and Dustin Weaver’s fantastic but criminally unfinished (yeah, that’s right – criminally!) “Shield” book isn’t coming out in April. But we’re going to get something close to it, and I’ll definitely take it.
In March, an arc will begin in “Red She-Hulk” called ‘Route 616’ in which Betty is on the run from SHIELD. But in April, the solicit reads “Red She-Hulk goes deep underground to find the secrets of the ancient order of the Shield!” Looks like we might get to see Da Vinci again.
From a God Butcher to a Godbomb and a Godkiller
Over in “Thor,” Jason Aaron will be starting a new five-part arc with artist Esad Ribic called “Godbomb,” and I don’t know what that is but it sounds awesome. Meanwhile, over in “Iron Man,” Kieron Gillen and Greg Land end the ‘Godkiller’ arc, following up the events of “AvX” and Tony Stark’s actions taken against the Phoenix. Add that with the “Avengers” whole God-battle in Hickman’s books, and it seems that we’re getting some kind of a recurring theme here.
Jeez. Marvel does not much care for Gods, does it?
Oh, and apparently they’re re-using the cover for “Thor” #6 for #7. Or just giving #6 a new one. Either way, no new cover this month.
Young Avengers Has The Best Solicits
YOUNG AVENGERS #4
KIERON GILLEN (W) – JAMIE MCKELVIE (A/C)
Variant cover by DAVID LAFUENTE
– Kate Bishop finally turns up!
– A lovely day trip to Central Park for a group of cheery youngsters.
– LIES! It’s not lovely as they’re being pursued by bad guys and it’s not a day trip as (er) it’s at night.
– A shameless retcon into Marvel Boy’s history!
‘Nuff said on that front, I believe.
Miguel O’Hara Returns, As Well As Potentially A Sense of Normalcy
Well, it’s been a long time rumored, but it looks like it’s official for April. The “Superior Spider-Man” solicit for #7 reads, “And a new development for a Spider-Man who hasn’t been seen for some time. And by time, we mean centuries.” There’s literally only one Spider-Man who that could be referring to.
There’s also reference that things are leading into a new Spider-Event, and that Peter Parker is going to be fighting back for his body/mind. In fact, the line “Is this the beginning of the end for Otto Octavius?” is used for the solicit for issue #8. It would seem that the amount of time spent on this Doc Ock As Spidey story is going to last for much less than we believed.
Either that, or Dan Slott is the new Loki.
This Comic Is Still Going??
Apparently, a seventh issue of “A+X” will come out in April. Seven issues! I’m honestly shocked.
Not to knock the book, mind you. It’s been an interesting anthology with some fun little stories in it (loved the Chris Bachalo short), but it’s probably the longest running post-event anthology Marvel has ever done. I’m legitimately shocked that this is still a thing.
Wow.
Daddy’s Home?
… For real?
This is maybe the worst cover I’ve ever seen in my entire comics reading career thanks to two words. I’m having trouble believing “A+X” still exists, but I’m having an even harder time believing that this cover will not make it to the stand as a real thing.
But On The Plus Side,
Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire put together great, great covers for Marvel. So, this one excellent cover makes up for that other one quite well, I believe.
Continued belowFrancesco Francavilla on “Hawkeye”
Because this book couldn’t get any better.
Honestly, who isn’t buying “Hawkeye” at this point? Raise your hands, all none of you.
