Friday is here and it’s time to close out our look at the solicits of February, wrapping things up with Marvel. It’s a pretty big month, full of kisses and tricks, so strap on your boots and lets wade through it all.
You can check out the full un-annotated Marvel solicits here.
#1 Mania!
As always, there are a bevy of new #1’s out in February. And, as always, I will be looking at them and giving you the only part of this post that isn’t ostensibly objective as I put my predictions down on the good, the bad and the ugly.
- Guardians of the Galaxy by Bendis and McNiven – Buy. We get a #0.1, but, come on. It’s a #1. No need to be cagey! I’m admittedly a huge fan of the modern interpretation of the Guardians of the Galaxy, and the DnA Cosmic run is one of my absolute favorites of perhaps anything Marvel has ever done. I understand the internet in general has a love/hate affair with Bendis, but I’ve always enjoyed his spin on things. Understanding that he’s coming into this not just to do what DnA did, I’m highly anticipating his iteration of the team, and if Marvel is going to tease with a #0.1 then I am biting. That said, I wouldn’t expect McNiven to be on this book too long, but c’est la vie.
- Nova by Loeb and McGuinness – Very cautiously Browse. I’ve been burned before by Loeb and McGuinness, and yet somehow I’m always fairly curious as to what they’ll come up with together. As bad as Loeb’s endgames usually tend to be, there’s no denying that the two of them make a good team, because McGuinness can channel the inherent goofy nature of Loeb’s writing and really give it a fun spin; it doesn’t matter what the story is like, because in this case the art picks it right up. But, look at their track record lately. The Red Hulk story? Reviled. Avengers: X-Sanction? Throwaway. I dunno, guys. I want to be into a cosmic line of more than one books, but this not an easy decision.
- Uncanny X-Men by Bendis and Bachalo – Buy. I was very pleasantly surprised with “All-New X-Men,” so “Uncanny” seems like a no-brainer. Ask yourself this — were you happy with the balancing act of “Avengers” and “New Avengers?” Or “New Avengers” and “Dark Avengers?” Or “New Avengers” and “Mighty Avengers?” If you answered yes to any of those, buy this title. If not? Buy “Dark Avengers” Annual #1 on Comixology, and see if you like it. Decide from there.
- Fearless Defenders by Bunn and Sliney – Browse, leaning more towards Buy. This one is a tough sell. I’m a big fan of Bunn’s work over at “Sixth Gun” for Oni, but none of his Marvel work has really blown me away so far. It’s enjoyable sure, and I like Spider-Man and Devil Dinosaur illustrated by dell’Otto as much as the next guy, but it’s not something that really resonates long. “Fearless Defenders?” Could be great. Could be just good. I’d give this book an issue to sell its concept, for sure, but I am not entirely positive about beyond there.
- Secret Avengers by Spencer and Ross – Browse, leaning more towards Buy. This is similar as the above. Spencer? Dig him. Ross? Great art. Concept? Intriguing. But it all comes down to the execution, and your faith in the creative team and their track record. Personally, my favorite Spencer work is all within the creator-owned spectrum, as his Marvel titles — like with Bunn — have been good, but never truly as great as “Bedlam” or “Morning Glories.” Still, it will be very interesting to see what Marvel has planned for Nick Fury Jr and Coulson.
I’d like to point out at this time that I originally listed Remender and Romita Jr’s “Captain America” #1 as a pass back in August, and yet I ended up buying and quite enjoying it after seeing so many positive reviews. I’ve been wrong before. I could be wrong again.
Your First New Avenger
Appearing in Avengers #5, Hickman and Adam Kubert are introducing a new character named Smasher, who is not only an Avenger but also apparently the first human member of the Imperial Guard. That sounds fun!
Continued belowThere’s also a tease that issue #6 will reveal something hidden in the first five issues, but really, I’m more excited that there’s a new character around.
Peter Parker – Alive?
Flash Thompson is moving out and saying goodbye to New York, but that also includes waving so long to all your friends and family. With that in mind, “Venom” #31 has this solicit:
– As he says good bye to Peter Parker, Betty Brant and all his friends — is something TOXIC on the horizon?!
Given the events of “Amazing Spider-Man” #698 and the fact that we ‘know’ Superior Spider-Man is not Peter Parker, this seems odd. Although, you know, this could just be a case of Flash saying bye to Pete’s body and/or not realizing that he’s saying goodbye to what is actually Doc Ock/some composite of Peter and Ock occupying Pete’s mind and body, which has just a high potential as anything else.
Oh, and there’s some kind of tease towards something “Toxic,” which seems to indicated Toxin. As someone who is a HUGE fan of all the symbiote stories Marvel has done, I have only one thing to say — please, no.
These Young Avengers Variants Are Too Good
#1 gives us an O’Malley variant, and #2 gives us a Stephanie Hans variant. Wowzers. They are not playing around with these bad boys!
No offense to the fantastic interior artist Jamie McKelvie, but if Marvel keeps putting out ace variants like this I may never buy one of his covers.
Knock The Red Off The Thunderbolts
Marvel’s new “Thunderbolts” title, for whatever odd reason, has featured the Thunderbolts all adorning Red. It makes some sense — Elektra, Red Hulk, Deadpool — and it makes no sense — Venom? Punisher? Why would the Punisher wear a Red Skull? Isn’t that someone else’s shtick?
Yet, with the solicit for issues #4 and #5, it appears that a Red Madman is knocking the red right off them. Lets hope that that happens within the issue, too.
The Return of Massacre
Now, here’s a fun one. One of Dan Slott’s best Spider-Man stories was when the character Massacre showed up and Spidey went on his whole “no one ever dies around me ever again ever never ever” rant. It was a big, powerful, wonderful moment in which Slott really channeled the pathos of Peter Parker, and — I repeat — it’s one of the best stories he’s ever told. Perhaps ever will tell.
“Superior Spider-Man” #4 features the return of Massacre against the new Spider-Man, whoever that is. OMG, you guiz. It’s almost enough to make you want to read “Superior Spider-Man” without having to know who Spidey is!!
And The Best Cover of 2013 Goes To…
“X-Men Legacy” #6 by Mike Del Mundo.
Well, that contest was over fast.
But This Cover Is Quite Lovely Too
“Captain Marvel” #10 by Joe Quinones, featuring a grounded Carol Danvers. Lovely.
Ok, Fine — ONE More Cover
“Hawkguy” #8 by David Aja, for a special Valentine’s issue? Can’t wait.
The REAL End of Rucka’s Punisher Run
Rucka’s “Punisher” may have wrapped up, but we’ve managed to get five more issues out of the guy before he leaves the character for what will inevitably end up a run as revered as the Ennis run, perhaps even more so than Remender’s recent run. Big stuff here, people.
And with February, we lose the beard and see Punisher being punished. It’s likely Rucka’s last company-owned comic ever, as he’s publicly stated that he’s not too happy about “Punisher” getting wrapped up to make way for “Thunderbolts” (although sales certainly has something to do with that, which means you’re all to blame). So don’t miss out on this.
But, hey, we still have more “Stumptown” and “Lazarus” to look forward to!
The Dexter Comic Launches
I’m not big on property-based comics of this particular kind, but it’s the writer of the Dexter books telling a comic book story. If you’re into Dexter, I’d imagine this will be quite a treat.
Continued belowMarvel Isn’t Giving Us New X-Factor Covers, and I’m A Little Afraid
Unless this is just a simple error of the average kind, there is no cover revealed for “X-Factor” #251 or 252. We’re simply given the cover we got last month for “X-Factor” #250.
Also, does anyone get the feeling that this might be the end of X-Factor? I hope not.
Adjectiveless X-Men Ends
Well, this ship went down fast. After Gischler’s rather fun run of ridiculous X-Men stories ended, Brian Wood hopped in for what was definitely a far too short run before this book apparently just died. Poor Seth Peck. Hopped onboard just long enough to go down.
Also, why is Xorn on the cover?
The Return of Powers – No, Seriously! For Real This Time!
From my understanding, there was apparently an issue in calling the book “Powers: FBI”, which led to some problems and delays — not to mention Mike Oeming going off to make his own comic series “The Victories” over at Dark Horse, while balancing “Takio” (oh, yeah, where’s that gone?). But now, “Powers” is back as “Powers: Bureau,” with a promised 2 issues out in February. Can you believe the hype?
