Continuing our look at July’s solicits, today brings us a look at offerings from Marvel. The above image has no additional commentary below because I still can’t decide if I want to read the new “Fury MAX” or not and have no other opinion to make on the book, but I love Dave Johnson’s covers.
Take a look past the cut for some solicit commentary, and check out the full solicits here.
Is Marvel Planning A Secondary X-Event?
No, probably not. But hear me out!
In July, two X-Solicits have the same line: “We can’t say much or we spoil the event of the summer!” It’s a simple line, one often used in solicits in order to help up the ante of a given story, but the placement has me a tad bit curious.
The two solicits come from “Uncanny X-Men” and “Wolverine and the X-Men,” the two ‘main’ X-titles focusing on Wolverine and Scott’s camps respectively. While both books are “AvX” tie-ins, their premises are suspect; “Uncanny” features the X-Men fighting Sinister, and “Wolverine…” features Kitty Pryde on a date. Shouldn’t they be, I don’t know, busier? Or is there something else in the works here that we’re not seeing yet?
That being said, it is obvious that I might be reading into that a bit. “Event of the summer?” Well, it’s July and there’s “AvX”. That sounds like the event of the summer to me.
…But hey, you never know?
Speaking of Events…
July also brings an Ultimate event, “Divided We Fall”, written by two brand new Ultimate writers and Brian Bendis, the only consistent writer the Ultimate Universe has ever known. I tried not to editorialize when reporting the news from C2E2, but since this is an opinionated column I’ll use this space to add a thought:
It is far too soon for an Ultimate event. Humphries just hopped onto Ultimates, let alone at Marvel and Brian Wood writing a crossover event? It’s not unheard of (remember “Counter X”?), but wouldn’t it be so much more interesting to have him go do his thing off in the X-Corner of the Ultimate world? Let alone newbie Miles Morales who has less than no training worth of being able to survive a giant event.
If they want to bring back Steve Rogers, I’m all for it. I like Steve, both in the 616 and in the Ultimate U. That being said, this really could have just been an arc. No need for an event.
Then again, when you read the solicit and see “ALL CAP ACTION — perfect jumping on point for new readers!” hidden in the Ultimates solicit, you understand the thought process a bit more.
Double the Ms. Marvel, Double the Kelly Sue!
I am super excited for Kelly Sue’s “Captain Marvel” book. I’m a big fan of Carol; I adored Brian Reed’s run with the character and after talking to Kelly Sue on our podcast I’m even more excited.
Now it looks like, hey, my guess was right: in July, the month that the new “Captain Marvel” ongoing launches, Marvel will also be giving Kelly Sue along with the Dodson’s the key to the “Avenging Spider-Man” book for an additional Captain Marvel story!
That’s two Captain Marvel books starring the new and improved Carol Denvers from Kelly Sue DeConnick in one month, and that month happens to be the month of my birth! If this isn’t Marvel pandering directly towards me, I’m not quite sure what else it could be.
Long story short: I’m very excited for “Avenging Spider-Man” #9 and “Captain Marvel” #1.
Continued belowAdditionally worth noting, Kelly Sue gave me a pull quote that I can’t figure out where to use. It only makes sense to use it here, in order to show you that I know what I’m talking about: “Matt has exceptionally good taste in people who give pull quotes! Four stars!” I got a four star rating. That means my opinions must be worthwhile!
This Tony Moore Cover For “Venom” #21 Is Intense
Check out Toxin in the background there. That’s just ridiculous.
Also, this marks the finale of the “Savage Six” story and, if I’m right, the end of Remender’s Venom run. Should be interesting.
The “Winter Soldier” Solicit Is Good And Bad
Before commentary, here is the “Winter Soldier” solicit untouched:
ED BRUBAKER (w) – MICHAEL LARK (a)
Cover by STEVE EPTING
– Bucky vs. Black Widow
– Old enemies resurfacing with new codenames.
– And nothing will ever be the same.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99
There is something I like here and there is something that I dislike. I’ll give you a minute to see if you can figure it out.
Ready?
Ok. I like that Michael Lark is on the book. Lark illustrated “Gotham Central”, the book Brubaker did with Rucka, and the collaboration was fantastic. I love Lark’s work.
I don’t like these damn bullet point solicits! Marvel has been doing them now for a little while, but while reading through this month’s crop it was only at this point that I realized how aggravating I find them. In those three bullet points is a fragmented statement and a weird split apart sentence. If the bullet points aren’t just going to be buzz-worthy lines and are instead going to be broken up thoughts, just have people put together paragraphs again! “It’s Bucky vs the Black Widow, with old enemies resurfacing with new codenames — and nothing will ever be the same!” See? Easy
How To Spoil Your Ending With Double-Shipped Solicits
I’m going to put a big ol’ “spoiler alert” right here, just in case I’m right about this, but look at these two lines for a minute:
“Invincible Iron Man” #520: What is the future of Resilient? Who lives? Who dies? How can Tony save his people, save the world, and save himself at the same time…?
“Invincible Iron Man” #521: A prisoner of MANDARIN CITY! Can Rescue, IM2.0, and War Machine team up and not kill one another while Tony Stark builds the Mandarin’s ultimate weapon?
Huh. When you can’t defeat your enemies, join ’em?
Walt Simonson Doing New Thor Covers = 🙂
I have no insightful commentary here. Just wanted to point that out.
Nobody Respects Alves’ Wishes
Here’s a scene from this week’s issue of “The Punisher” by Greg Rucka:
Here is the solicit for July’s issue of “the Punisher” by Greg Rucka:
GREG RUCKA (w) – MARCO CHECCHETTO (A&C)
– Fight or Flight continues!
– A friend switches sides.
– Cole becomes the hunted!
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$2.99
Poor Cole. I mean, Alves.
You Have No Excuse Not To Be Reading “Criminal”
You don’t. You really, really don’t. It’s one of the finest comics on the market, and my second favorite collaboration between Brubaker and Philips. I’ve often said that fans of “Sin City” would love “Criminal,” and that “Criminal” makes “Sin City” look like shit. If you want damn fine noir/crime comics, you need to be reading this book.
Continued belowAnd hey, look at that! July brings the second deluxe hardcover of the series collecting the three most recent arcs:”Bad Night”, “The Sinners” and “Last of the Innocent”. Pick it up, why don’t you?
All Of Rob Williams’ “Ghost Rider” In One Convenient Place
I was quite enjoying Rob Williams’ “Ghost Rider” run until all of you folks not buying it caused it to be canceled. Selfish, you lot! But hey, why not check it out? You get all ten issues (minus the “Venom” crossover and the “Shadowland” one-shot), and it is quite a Ghost Rider-y bargain. You’ll get a full story from start to finish as well, and it is quite a good one at that.
