As we reach the end of our look at solicits, we come to the new year for Marvel. Marvel’s going to have a big end of year when all of the NOW! books launch, but just because they’ve got a handful of relaunches already doesn’t mean they aren’t ready to fire out another dozen. The question, though, is just where will the Marvel Universe be in 2013?
For the full Marvel January 2013 solicits, click here.
Judging Marvel NOW! Now
As has become tradition, I will give you my thoughts on all of the new #1s Marvel is rolling out for their Marvel NOW! initiative. Keep in mind that this is one man’s opinion on the subject, and I may possibly not be right. While this article is primarily to point out interesting solicits and discuss books I quite enjoy, this seems as good a place as any to throw down a few tentative thoughts on the upcoming onslaught of new books we’ll be seeing from Marvel.
So, here we go. Buy/Browse/Pass is the name of the game:
- Uncanny X-Force #1: Browse, potentially a Pass. I’m a big fan of the current iteration of “Uncanny X-Force,” and I’ll admit that the new team line-up does look rather intriguing. However, my central reservation about the book is that I have not really enjoyed Humphries’ forays into the Marvel Universe. I was a big cheerleader for “Our Love Is Real” (and still am), but Humphries’ follow-up to Hickman’s “Ultimates” has left me cold. That said, I do enjoy me some Ron Garney art.
- New Avengers #1: Buy. I very openly and vocally resisted a lot of the changes in Marvel NOW! at first, just because I was afraid a lot of it would be dishonest to the buyer — as in, we’d be buying a book for Team A, and we’d end up with Team C or Team X in potentially less than a year’s time. The more I see Hickman talk about his Avengers run in interviews, however, the more my doubts vanish, up to the point that I am actually really looking forward to what is basically an Illuminati book. In fact, I think this could be more interesting than the main “Avengers” book, and considering Hickman has proven himself at effectively juggling two books at once that share a central focus, I’d wager that if you’re getting one book, you should probably get the other.
- Superior Spider-Man #1: Somewhere between a Browse and a Buy. Allow me to clarify: I am a huge fan of Dan Slott’s current run on Spider-Man, and Ryan Stegman is a fantastic Spider-Artist. That said, like many others, I’m just not sure of the direction of the book. The idea of a darker Spider-Man doesn’t inherently bother me, but at the same time the first issue will be a make or break deal for me. Heck, “Amazing Spider-Man” #700 could even make it or break it, because while I’m willing to give the creators the benefit of the doubt, sometimes you’re just not that into a story. We’ll see, though. I’ll admit there’s no way I won’t be reading “Superior” #1, and while I’ll remain optimistic I am a touch timid.
- The Savage Wolverine #1: Browse, but leaning towards Pass. I like Frank Cho. I like Wolverine. That said, I don’t know if I “get” the premise of this book, nor do I think that I would like it more than “Wolverine and the X-Men,” written by Jason Aaron — who has had the greatest Wolverine run I’ve ever seen in my entire life. Those are huge boots to fill, in my opinion, and while I don’t think every Wolverine story needs to be like one Aaron would tell, I’m admittedly not too excited by anything I’ve heard. But, hey, I do like Cho’s art, and I’d be willing to at least give it a look. A look is all I could honestly recommend though.
- Young Avengers #1: Buy enthusiastically! This is honestly the only book on this list I feel needs no justification of any kind. Gillen and McKelvie doing “Phonogram” in the Marvel U, with Kid Loki and Miss America and Mike Norton and Matt Wilson and so much excitement. The only other book I’ve personally reacted to so enthusiastically is “Thor,” and these two are the only books I think you can pretty much guarantee will be great. That’s lofty praise, but, come on — did you read the Point One sample? The best. Continued below
- Morbius the Living Vampire #1: Browse. This is a difficult conundrum. On the one hand, I think the team of Keatinge and Elson is a good one; Keatinge writes two books I quite enjoy and Elson is a personal favorite of mine, especially after ‘the Terrorism Myth.’ That said, I am finding it very hard to muster up any interest in the idea of a Morbius book. As a big Spider-Man fan, I can not point to any of my favorite Spider-Man stories and say, “Look, Morbius was a big part in this!” — nor can I just name a story with Morbius in it that I liked for anything beyond the fact that it was a story with Spider-Man in it. I’m willing to bet on the creative team to muster up the interest once it’s out there (Keatinge did give us “Glory,” which is a book I had never assumed I would like as much as I do), so it’s possible I’ll turn around. It’s at least worth a browse.
Alright, now that that’s out of the way, lets get to the stuff you came here for.
Everything Seems Back To Normal
It’s weird, but in reading most of the solicits, everything seems to be … well, status quo. I know the intent of Marvel NOW! is to shake things up, and certainly some of these creative teams will indeed do that, but just a casual survey of what’s going on in the Marvel world doesn’t make it seem too different from what we’re used to. There’s still a book about Avenger teens (well, ok, TWO now!), Deadpool is still crazy, all the staple Avengers titles are still around and then some, and there are even a bunch of X-Titles where only one is the one you “have to” read but you’re encouraged to read all to get the whole story. Not to be a cynic, but outside of new creative teams and directions, none of this is really much of a “shake-up.”
This isn’t meant to be said in a negative way, mind you. Truth be told, I actually think how normal everything looks is a good sign. If you remember, up to (and beyond) the relaunch of the DCU, things all looked remarkably different, perhaps even slightly abrasive. Fans weren’t ready for all the changes thrust upon their favorite characters, because that was ultimately the emphasis — that things were different, not better. Yet with Marvel, nothing seems too out of the ordinary, all things considered, which means that the emphasis is indeed being placed on the story. Sure, some of the stories impetus probably/maybe comes from editorial direction and/or the want and need to be controversial and weird and different, but clearly Marvel is at least promoting the creative teams as the central focus instead of just the fact that now certain characters wear their underpants on the inside.
My point being: look at the Ultimate Universe if you want to see something that looks a bit crazy out of the ordinary. Marvel is still playing your favorite songs of the 80’s, 90’s and today.
Plus, I love this “Thor” cover. I’m really looking forward to this book.
Chris Yost Takes Over “Avenging Superior Spider-Man”
The side-book to “Amazing Spider-Man,” this title was created for Zeb Wells and Joe Mad to tell stories that mattered to Spidey’s canon but mostly allowed for fun/thoughtful musings on the character. However, it quickly devolved when Wells and Mads’ upcoming story was reportedly taking too long to finish, and the book instead was given to various writer/artist teams to simply tell various Spidey stories, such as Kelly Sue’s Captain Marvel team-up or the recent Deadpool/Inception riff.
That’s all changing next year. The solicit reads for issue #16 reads:
Continued belowAVENGING SPIDER-MAN #16
CHRISTOPHER YOST (W) – PACO MEDINA (A)
Cover by PAOLO MANUEL RIVERA
– NEW CREATIVE TEAM! NEW DIRECTION! THE SUPERIOR AGE BEGINS!
– The all new Superior Spider-Man teams with Wolverine and the X-Men!
– Christopher Yost (Scarlet Spider, X-Force) and Paco Medina (Ultimate X-Men) begin a new SUPERIOR era of Avenging Spider-Man!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
It’ll be interesting to see what Yost brings to the table for sure, but not for nothing, I really miss Zeb Wells on the book. The issues he did that truly emphasized why Spider-Man was the greatest hero are my favorites of the book so far, and the change in direction from one-off Spidey stories to a new central focus with the Superior Spidey… well, we’ll have to wait and see on this one. Given that whoever Superior is is not as universally familiar as Peter Parker, it seems a bit odd to have two books fleshing out the new character. This book will certainly be on watch, creative team aside.
Pichelli Is Ultimate Again — Now With Extra Venom
Bendis launched the new direction for Ultimate Spidey with Sarah Pichelli, but as she went to illustrate the “Spider-Men” crossover, her work became absent from this title. However, with issue #19 Pichelli returns, and she’s bringing a new Venom with her for a story entitled “Venom Wars.” Which is, you know, a pretty funny title considering one of the last arcs of the first volume was entitled “War of the Symbiotes.” What, these things have to go to war again? When are we going to sign a peace treaty and call it a day!
Those with clear memories will note that when we last saw Venom, he was being taken off to Latveria. Wonder if Ultimate Doctor Doom will play any part in this?
This David Aja “Hawkeye” Cover Is Gorgeous
Let it not be said that Aja’s covers are some of the most attractive on the market today. This is honestly the sort of stylized cover that would make me intrigued towards the interior content of the book at face value. Assuming I had never read “Hawkeye,” I would be very interested to see what is happening inside a book with this cover.
That and, for those who have read “Hawkeye” #3, the red woman should seem familiar.
This Jamie McKelvie “Captain Marvel” Cover Is Gorgeous As Well
McKelvie was the man responsible for the costume redesign for Captain Marvel, so seeing his covers for the book are always rather exciting. This one especially, with its focus on symmetry, is incredibly attractive as an image to draw readers into the story. Carol looks particularly powerful here, strong and determined, and that kind of quality in an image depicting a book’s central character should be a great way to entice new readers for an issue that’s described as a jumping on point.
I’m honestly a little afraid to think of how the traditional titles will be placed over it.
Ed Brubaker’s Final Marvel Comic: Winter Soldier #14
This is it. “Captain America” may have ended this week, but this is Brubaker’s true final Marvel book before he leaves, with only an Image title to tide us over in his comic work. Given that Bucky was one of the main things he worked with in his time on Cap’s legacy, I would imagine that this will probably be a bit of an emotional finale.
That, or totally bad ass. Fingers crossed for either other.
Marvel Collects Parable For The Modern Reader
Earlier this year, Marvel recollected Stan Lee and Moebius’ celebrated “Parable” story in a hardcover for their premiere line. The only problem with that was, they threw in “the Enslavers” as well and then charged $24.99 for it all. Seems like a poor deal.
So instead, Marvel is releasing a 104 page one-shot for $7.99 that collects the entire story — and nothing else — in one little book. Given Marvel’s average price for comics ($3.99 for 20 pages of story or so), $7.99 for 104 pages of Moebius art seems like a great deal.
The “Hell On Earth War” Finally Arrives
Long teased throughout David’s “X-Factor” and beyond, the “Hell on Earth War” storyline is something initially teased 15 or so years ago in which all the various devils of the various Hells go at it for dominion. This week’s “JiM” lightly teased such a story, but we’ll see if David’s big epic has it’s true pay-off.
Continued belowOh, who are we kidding? David is nothing if not a master of long-form storytelling. This is going to be awesome.
What’s Going On With The Adjectiveless X-Men?
The only title announced as ending this month is “Secret Avengers,” which we knew already to be followed up by a Spencer/Ross relaunch. However, the solicit for “X-Men” #40 reads “The end of an era!” Given that there is no real “point” to the series anymore (and I don’t mean that in a rude way — it just has no central focus or creative team anymore), is “X-Men” perhaps ready to go through a Marvel NOW! relaunch of it’s own? Mayhaps, friends. Mayhaps.
