Hello, and welcome to Day 4 of Soliciting Week at Multiversity! Today we’re shining the spotlight on Marvel; there’ll be laughs, there’ll be tears, there’ll be all your favorite things and more — unless you’re excessively into Christmas, because sorry Jack, we’re going to Hannukah Town.
10. Your Final Monthly “AXIS” Tie-In Count: 17
Well, December solicits have arrived, and the end of the 9-part mega-event “AXIS” is upon us — despite us not even having read issue #1 yet! There’s probably a humorous comment to be made from that, but I’m not very funny.
Instead, I will point out how big this event is for something crammed into a three-month scheduling window. Not only does December bring the final three main issues and the final three issues of if its three spin-offs (“Revolutions,” “Hobgoblin” and “Carnage”), but we also get 11 tie-ins: “Loki,” “Nova,” “Avengers World,” “Amazing X-Men,” “Captain America and the Mighty Avengers,” and two issues each of “All-New X-Factor,” “Deadpool” and “Inhuman.” If everything comes out on time without a hitch, then I’ll be impressed — but given that we’re still waiting for issue #3 of “Death of Wolverine” at the end of the month all four issues were supposed to run, I’m a bit hesitant.
Still. It was nice to read “AXIS” in solicit form. What a unique way to release a comic’s plot!
AVENGERS & X-MEN: AXIS #7 & 8 (OF 9)
RICK REMENDER (W)
Issue #7 – ADAM KUBERT (A)
Issue #8 – LEINIL FRANCIS YU (A)
CoverS by JIM CHEUNG
Issue #7 – INVERSION VARIANT BY GREG LAND
Issue #7 – YOUNG GUNS VARIANT BY RYAN STEGMAN
Issue #8 – INVERSION VARIANT BY TBA
Issue #8 – VARIANT BY MIKE DEODATO
ACT III: NEW WORLD DISORDER
THIS IS IT! THE BATLE ROYALE OF YOUR DREAMS–THE ASTONISHING AVENGERS VS THE UNCANNY X-MEN FOR THE FATE OF NEW YORK!
32 PGS. (EACH)/Rated T+ …$3.99 (EACH)AVENGERS & X-MEN: AXIS #9 (OF 9)
RICK REMENDER (W) • JIM CHEUNG (A)
Cover by JIM CHEUNG
Looper variant by Paul Renaud
INVERSION VARIANT BY TBA
ACT III: NEW WORLD DISORDER
• Who will live? Who will die? Who will remain inverted? A shocking climax that promises to crack the Marvel Universe to its very core!
• An old foe must claim the mantle of his greatest enemy to save the lives of all he cares for!
• An X-Man’s horrifying fate! An Avenger’s appalling choice! If you read only one comic this century – This is it!
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99
9. Suck it, John Stewart! It’s Kalan’s turn in the spotlight!
While I lament that Jason Latour is no longer writing the adventures of the Jean Grey Academy, I’m pretty intrigued at the prospects for “Spider-Man and the X-Men.” Why? Because of Elliott Kalan.
Here’s a fun fact that I guess most people don’t seem to realize: Elliott Kalan, the new writer of the Comic Formerly Known As “Wolverine And the X-Men” (RIP), is actually the head writer of The Daily Show — “just” a writer for 856 episodes, and head writer for the last 109. If that doesn’t justify his credentials to take on a humorous character that deals with heavy and important issues, I don’t know what does. It’s an interesting experiment to put on a writer like Kalan on a comic with a major headlining character, but if the persistent BC rumors that this is a series that will now run in short arcs with different headliners, it should at least be a nice, complete read.
Continued belowSPIDER-MAN AND THE X-MEN #1
ELLIOTT KALAN (W) • MARCO FAILLA (A)
Cover by NICK BRADSHAW
Variant COVER BY BENGAL
Variant COVER BY SKOTTIE YOUNG
• Meet the Jean Grey Academy’s new guidance counselor: Spider-Man!
• What’s a non-mutant doing at a school for mutants? What secret suspicion has fueled the formation of his special student class?
• And because you demanded it! Sauron and Stegron the Dinosaur Man! The villain team 65 million years in the making! You didn’t demand it? Well somebody did.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
8. In 5 Months… Shit Gets Real
That image sorta sums it all up, doesn’t it? I mean, the solicit certainly doesn’t; I already miss the days of “AXIS” when the solicits tell you almost everything you could ever possibly want to know.
Plus: both issues are illustrated by Mike Deodato. After his incredible run on “Original Sin,” I couldn’t be more stoked for this crossover.
AVENGERS #39
JONATHAN HICKMAN (W) • MIKE DEODATO (A)
Cover by ALAN DAVIS
IN 5 MONTHS…TIME RUNS OUT!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99NEW AVENGERS #28
JONATHAN HICKMAN (W) • MIKE DEODATO (A)
Cover by ALAN DAVIS
IN 5 MONTHS…TIME RUNS OUT!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
7. The All-New (But Not Entirely, Just Kinda Sorta) Miracleman
We previously ran a story on the announcement of the “Miracleman Annual,” and since then the book has already been re-titled to feature Marvel’s favorite All-New banner (wave your flag high, Marvel! Don’t let anyone tread on your dreams!) And while the material isn’t really all new in the most strictly literal sense, it does sort of sound the alarm for new Miracleman stories to come. November leaves us at issue #13, still a little ways away from Moore Original Writer’s finale — but with the Gaiman re-prints and new finale on the way, I’m very interested to see what creator Marvel saddles with the unholy burden of new Miracleman stories. That’ll be something, eh?
ALL-NEW MIRACLEMAN ANNUAL #1
GRANT MORRISON & PETER MILLIGAN (W)
JOE QUESADA & MIKE ALLRED(A)
COVER BY GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
Variant COVER BY JOE QUESADA
SKETCH VARIANT COVER BY JOE QUESADA
Variant COVER BY JEFF SMITH
• Joe Quesada illustrates Grant Morrison’s lost Miracleman story, a disturbing confrontation prior to the Battle of London
• Peter Milligan and Mike Allred reunite for a new Miracleman classic!
• Plus bonus material!
40 PGS./Parental Advisory…$4.99
6. The Almost Perfect Gift to Sneak Under Your Favorite Nephew’s Hannukah Bush
One pretty great solicit that pops up this month is the solicit for Kurt Busiek and George Perez’s “Avengers” run in an Omnibus. I mean, calling it that and throwing a “Volume 1” on the cover is a bit misleading as the Busiek/Perez combo (in this volume) is only for issues #1-15 and #18-21, but it’s a terrific run. with some amazing stories — especially if you like Kang/Immortus or are excited for Age of Ultron. The hardcover will also include “Avengers Forever,” which is a pretty great story; I often compare it to “Sandman” that it can be a bit of a slog to get through some of the more dense parts, but the pay-off is tremendous — especially if you’re a continuity nerd.
But wait! Despite the December solicit, it doesn’t actually come out until 2015! Oy. Sorry, Alek, looks like Uncle Matt will have to find you something else this year. Are you old enough to read “The Filth” yet?
(Editor’s note: I do not know if my nephew reads this site, but Alek, if you do, don’t read “The Filth.” Yet. And if you do, don’t tell my sister!)
Continued belowAVENGERS BY KURT BUSIEK & GEORGE PEREZ OMNIBUS VOL. 1 HC
Written by KURT BUSIEK, MARK WAID, JOE EDKIN, JOHN OSTRANDER, ROGER STERN, JOHN FRANCIS MOORE & JERRY ORDWAY
Penciled by GEORGE PEREZ, SEAN CHEN, ANDY KUBERT, DEREC AUCOIN, CARLOS PACHECO, LEONARDO MANCO, JERRY ORDWAY & STUART IMMONEN
Cover by GEORGE PEREZ
Fan-favorite creators Kurt Busiek and George Pérez craft a new era for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! The Avengers have always defended humanity against the forces of evil. When duty calls, these legendary champions answer, fighting valiantly for justice. But as the Avengers re-form in the wake of a life-changing event, they must face an array of foes like no other: Morgan Le Fay, the Squadron Supreme, the Kree, the Legion of the Unliving, the Thunderbolts, the Wrecking Crew…not to mention facing Kang and Immortus in the Destiny War! But when the merciless Ultron attacks, wiping out an entire nation in his hatred for mankind, the Avengers must live up to their name — if they can! Collecting AVENGERS (1998) #1-23, #0 and #1 ROUGH CUT; IRON MAN (1998) #7; CAPTAIN AMERICA (1998) #8; QUICKSILVER #10; AVENGERS ANNUAL ’98-’99; and AVENGERS FOREVER #1-12.
1184 PGS./Rated T …$125
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9288-6
Trim size: oversized
5. That Powers Relaunch That’s Happening And No One Is Talking About
Oh, hey. “Powers” is re-launching in order to match the debut of the TV show and… Wow, did this just fall under every collective radar, or what? Am I just completely ignorant?
Look: I really like “Powers.” Or, at least I have fond memories of really liking “Powers.” That first volume at Image? An incredible run; absolutely career defining for Bendis and Oeming, and their definitive stamp on superheroes and the creator-owned world of comics and the potential therein. The second volume was pretty decent, despite the massive delays, but I think it paid off. Third volume? Delays really hurt it, and the same is true for the current fourth volume. “Powers” can and should be a great book, but it trips over itself like a kid who refuses to tie his shoelaces properly but really loves to run.
With a looming fifth ongoing run for the series, despite Bendis and Oeming promising otherwise and now having a really great reason to deliver, I fear the series’ momentum going forward. The TV series seems like a nice kick in the pants for Bendis and Oeming, and I have the highest of hopes for the latest volume. I’ll read it, but I’m curbing my enthusiasm.
POWERS #1
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W) • MICHAEL AVON OEMING (A/C)
VARIANT COVERS BY DAVID MACK, DAVID MARQUEZ, PHOTO VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE
ALL-NEW ONGOING SERIES!
Just in time for the debut of the long-awaited POWERS TV show comes this brand-new number one, a perfect jumping-on point for fans new and old! The Eisner Award-winning POWERS tells the story of homicide detectives Christian Walker and Deena Pilgrim, who are assigned cases specifically involving powers. If a superhero falls dead from the sky or a super villain is found dead in the gutter, it’s up to Walker and Pilgrim to solve the case. But having barely survived the most harrowing case of their careers and discovering government corruption of the highest level, Walker and Pilgrim are now faced with the most difficult decision they’ve ever had to make. Plus: the discovery of a power no one has ever seen before! This issue – double sized for the regular price – will also include an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at the making of the POWERS TV show with never-before-seen pictures from the set.
48 PGS./Mature …$3.99
4. The Lamentation of Nick Fury Jr.
I really can not express how much I love “Secret Avengers,” though the fact that it keeps getting into my solicit articles month after month probably reiterates that point. However, as we start barreling to what I assume is the creators’ endgame (the solicit here is all rather doom and gloom), now seems as good a time to reinforce how terrific this series is — and perhaps nudge you into checking it out if you haven’t read it yet. (There’s a new issue on sales as of yesterday, in fact; it involves a lot of MODOK, if that’s your kink.)
And, for those who don’t understand my header or the cover, here is a link for you to enjoy.
SECRET AVENGERS #11
ALES KOT (W)
MICHAEL WALSH (A)
Cover by TRADD MOORE
-Hawkeye and Coulson face off. Who survives? Why is this even happening?
-Vladimir makes a deal with the Fury. Is this a good thing? Is this a bad thing? We won’t tell! But you’ll find out!
-Helicarrier is under attack. Spider-Woman engages. M.O.D.O.K. gets the message.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
3. The Secret Life of Eva Bell
Lets be upfront with something: that “Avengers vs. X-Men” resulted in the rebirth of the mutant gene, and that the comics that followed this only gave us a small handful of new characters, is a huge misstep in the X-Line. So much potential focused on a startling few.
That said? I’m looking forward to Eva Bell getting fleshed out a bit more like nobody’s business. With Andrea Sorrentino hopping over from the much celebrated “Green Arrow” run he did with Jeff Lemire, a two-part story that hopefully is released in the same month (looking at you, difficult shipping schedules!), this has a lot of potential. I’m much more interested in this story in December than I am in maybe anything going on in the X-Line right now, so lets get this hype train impossibly rolling!
Continued belowUNCANNY X-MEN ANNUAL #1
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W) • Andrea Sorrentino (A/C)
VARIANT COVER BY DUSTIN NGUYEN
THE SECRET LIFE OF EVA BELL – Part 1
• Part one of the epic two-part tale of the time-manipulating mutant Eva Bell’s greatest secret.
• Losing control of her powers, Eva disappeared during a training exercise in Tabula Rasa. Reappearing shortly thereafter, she seemed older and far more weathered, but refused to offer an explanation.
• But where did her powers take her? Or maybe the better question is when? And what could she have endured to cause her to keep her story secret from her fellow X-Men?
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99ALL-NEW X-MEN ANNUAL #1
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W) • Andrea Sorrentino (A/C)
VARIANT COVER BY DUSTIN NGUYEN
THE SECRET LIFE OF EVA BELL – Part 2
• Part two of Eva Bell’s journey through the ages!
• With limited control over her powers, and even less control over her destinations, Eva had believed herself lost in time.
• But just when she had come to accept this as truth, her world was once again ripped asunder as she is once again sent tumbling through time.
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99
2. Happy Birthday, Carol! You look great for 100!
Lets pretend that I’ve already written that paragraph I always write about how much I love the character of Carol Danvers, her continued journey through comics, what she represents as a symbol and Kelly Sue’s current run on the series.
With that out of the way, it’s exciting that Carol gets a big 50th-ish Anniversary issue in the latest series, as it gives us a chance to celebrate some of the aspects of her character and story that DeConnick hasn’t really delved into. We’ve dealt with her history to an extent, sure, and we’ve definitely seen her legacy, but I don’t think it’s out of the realm of wonder to think that a little bit of revisionist history on DeConnick’s part could make Carol all the stronger as a character — and I’m really looking forward to seeing what comes together here.
CAPTAIN MARVEL #10
KELLY SUE DECONNICK (W)
DAVID LOPEZ, MARCIO TAKARA & MORE (A)
COVER BY DAVID LOPEZ
CAROL’S 100TH SOLO ISSUE ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL!
• We’re celebrating 100 issues of Carol Danvers’ high-flying, smack-talking, and butt-kicking adventures, thanks to you our beloved Carol Corps! Join writer Kelly Sue DeConnick and artists David Lopez, Marcio Takara and more as we bring you a momentous (and over-sized) issue almost 50 years in the making!
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99
1. 21st Century Schizoid Woman
It should be no surprise that someone like me, who has written almost excessively about “Journey into Mystery”, is through the roof in excitement for Kieron Gillen’s return to Asgard. That he’s bringing* Margueritte Bennett, Phil Jimenez and Stephanie Hans with him is tremendous, as that’s a hell of a team. Jimenez and Hans are tremendous artists, one that can bring a huge scope and range to the galaxy and Asgard and everywhere in between — and while I’ve read literally one comic by Bennett (the “Batman” annual Wes Craig drew), I’m excited none the less to see how Gillen and Bennett collaborate in order to give Angela some more definition now that Marvel has finally defined her role in the Marvel U.
Of course, my excitement for Gillen to once again break my heart into tiny bits with Sigur Ros references aside, I’ll note that there is some discrepancy as to whether this is an ongoing, as CBR said in their announcement, or if this is a mini, as stated by Bennett at least at time of this writing. So I’ll say this: just support the book, and give it enough justification for an ongoing. I know I will.
*Note: I do not think Kieron is bringing anyone anywhere, so much as Marvel has assembled a team in order to bolster Sad Writer’s confidence some.
ANGELA: ASGARD’S ASSASSIN #1
KIERON GILLEN & MARGUERITE BENNETT (W)
PHIL JIMENEZ & STEPHANIE HANS (A)
Cover by STEPHANIE HANS
Variant cover by PHIL JIMENEZ
Design variant cover by JOE QUESADA
Variant cover by SKOTTIE YOUNG
• All her life, Angela — the finest warrior of Heven — was raised to hate Asgard with every fiber of her being.
• And now Angela knows the truth about her identity: She is Thor’s sister. She is an Asgardian.
• Cast out of her home and wanting nothing to do with Asgard, Angela must now strike out on her own!
• But what does Angela have that both Asgard and Heven want? And why are they so eager to get it?
• Visionary writers Kieron Gillen and Marguerite Bennett team with the legendary art team of Phil Jimenez and Stephanie Hans to finally throw the spotlight onto the Marvel Universe’s most dangerous inhabitant!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
That’s all the time we have for today. Join us next month where we’ll once again look at the solicits for Marvel and hopefully finally unveil our exclusive interview about Alan Moore, in which he reveals that the only reason he started that feud with Morrison was because he wanted to get his attention; he had, like, a wicked bad crush on that Scot.
For the full solicits from Marvel in December, there’s a resource of comic books for that.
