I know. You’re confused. “Isn’t DC the second solicitation set covered by MC during their Soliciting Multiversity week?” You’re right. It is. But, as this month has seen an odd release schedule of solicitations, we are going to be jumping ahead a bit and re-doing the way we normally do things around here based on — well, what was actually released.
So today we look at Marvel’s solicitations. For the full set of solicits for Marvel’s April 2014, be sure to head over to the Resource of Comic Books.
10. So Many #1s, There is Barely Time to Spotlight Regular Books
Honestly. It’s getting a bit ridiculous.
Every month I look at the Marvel solicitations and I’m kind of shocked at how many books they are putting out. IT’s a mix of fear and awe, really; on the one hand I’m impressed at how many different interesting creative teams there are, and how many different types of books Marvel is trying to bring back to the market after a few years of (relatively) generic content — at least for them, anyway. I mean, how many Avengers and X-Men books do we even really need?
On the other hand, the amount of #1s is definitely out of control. I mean, if it wasn’t official before, it certainly is now. It’s kind of insane, really; I kind of can’t believe how every week there seems to be a new #1 from Marvel, and while I actually sort of agree with the reasoning why (and the idea of certain runs of books acting essentially as “seasons”), it’s definitely at the point where even my pull list is bursting at the seams. I can barely keep my gut in, you know? We even start running some of the solicits as news, rather than feature it in here, just because we know we’re going to burst when it comes to covering Marvel solicits.
(That, and now there are so many #2s and #3s in their solicits for #1s we haven’t even seen that it’s hard to get too amped on these books more so than I/we already have.)
So there’s a lot I want to support. There’s a lot of good stuff still coming out in April, not just launching. And while I can’t cover it all due to wanting to point out the stuff that is launching and make wild/baseless accusations of their merit based on no real information, I do want to note that there’s a lot of fun comics at Marvel. It’s just getting overboard.
So, let’s spotlight this — “What If? Age of Ultron,” written by Joe Keatinge, and illustrated by Raffaele Ienco, Ramon Villalobos (HOLY SHIT!), Mico Suayan, Piotr Kowalski and Ming Doyle. On a surface level I have about as much interest in this series as I did in the actual “Age of Ultron” event, but on the other hand, that is an incredible line-up. I dig it.
Continued belowWHAT IF: AGE OF ULTRON #1 (of 5)
JOE KEATINGE (w) • RAFFAELE IENCO (a)
Cover by CHRIS STEVENS
VARIANT COVER BY RAFFAELE IENCO
THE ENDLESS AGE OF ULTRON!
• In Age of Ultron, a time-travelling Wolverine killed Hank Pym before he could create the world-conquering Ultron.
• What would the Marvel Universe look like if another founding Avenger had been killed instead?
• A world without the Wasp brings a world where Hank Pym created an Ultron even more heinous than the one we know!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99WHAT IF? AGE OF ULTRON #2
JOE KEATINGE (W)
RAMON VILLALOBOS (a)
Cover by CHRIS STEVENS
VARIANT COVER BY JAMES STOKOE
THE SECRET ARMOR WARS!
• In a world without Iron Man, the Armor Wars are fought without a victor, scorching the Earth!
• Years later, one of the last remaining superheroes, an aged Amazing Spider-Man, must form a Fantastic Four the likes of which our world has not seen in years!
• Teaming with Ghost Rider, the Incredible Hulk and Wolverine they are in pursuit of the one weapon that could unite the planet — The Forgotten Iron Man!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99WHAT IF? AGE OF ULTRON #3
JOE KEATINGE (W)
MICO SUAYAN (a)
Cover by CHRIS STEVENS
VARIANT COVER BY MING DOYLE
TWILIGHT OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE!
• In a world without Thor, the Norse end times of Ragnarök takes the lives of every super-powered being, leaving only the unpowered heroes of the Marvel Universe behind!
• Assembled under the leadership of Nick Fury, these powerless Defenders are all that remains to defend the planet from the Midgard Serpent!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99WHAT IF? AGE OF ULTRON #4
JOE KEATINGE (W)
PIOTR KOWALSKI (a)
Cover by CHRIS STEVENS
VARIANT COVER BY PIOTR KOWALSKI
TRI-CENTENNIAL BATTLES!
• In a world without Captain America, the United States has lost its spirit, its inspiration.
• A secret cabal unites to create a new Captain America in the nation’s most trying time.
• The war veteran Frank Castle is transformed into something far more than he ever imagined — but not everyone is Steve Rogers…
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99WHAT IF? AGE OF ULTRON #5
JOE KEATINGE (W)
MING DOYLE (a)
Cover by CHRIS STEVENS
VARIANT COVER BY MING DOYLE
AVENGERS INFINITY!
• What if Hank Pym never created Ultron at all?
• Could a world without Ultron survive a world without Ultron’s own weapon-turned-Avenger, the Vision?
• Can the very idea of the Avengers survive without each other?
• In the darkest of all realities, can the Avengers ever hope to Assemble?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
9. Daredevil Cheats Into Getting Another #1
Because having a new #1 in March wasn’t good enough for “Daredevil,” it looks like we’re now going to get a #1.50 issue because the gods of numbers have angered Marvel greatly. This is aimed to be a special 50th anniversary issue of ol’ Hornhead, and it’ll be a 40 page one-shot with art by Javier Rodriguez — which is nice. I mean, look at the cover, right? Super cool.
But, that numbering. Seriously. We get it.
DAREDEVIL #1.50
MARK WAID (W) JAVIER RODRIGUEZ (A)
Cover by PAOLO RIVERA
MARTIN VARIANTS (SET OF 5) BY MARCOS MARTIN
DAREDEVIL 1.50 SAMNEE VARIANT
• Celebrate Daredevil’s fiftieth anniversary with a look at the future!
• A special standalone story that takes place on Matt Murdock’s 50th birthday. How has his life changed? Who lives? Who dies? See if you can spot all the clues the Daredevil creative team has planted for the year 2014!
• Plus: Stories by special guest creators from Murdock’s murky past! Fifty years without fear have all lead up to this!
40 PGS./ONE SHOT/Rated T+ …4.99
8. That Nightcrawler’s One Bad Mother — TELEPORT YO MOUTH!
Oh, that was horrible. I’m so sorry.
Formerly “X-Men Legacy,” the return of Nightcrawler will see everyone’s favorite elf spinning off into his own new series written by veteran — one might even say classic — X-Author Chris Claremont. I’m a bit torn on the series, and I’ve certainly said so on the site before; for all of the interesting new teams that Marvel is giving work to, Claremont on an X-Title is about as inspired as putting jelly on some peanut butter. It works, and it’ll probably work well, but you can have that anytime, can’t you?
Still. I’m actively being down on a book I’ve not read, which is unfair. And it’s a Nightcrawler ongoing, so that’s certainly fun.
NIGHTCRAWLER #1
CHRIS CLAREMONT (W) • TODD NAUCK (A)
Cover by CHRIS SAMNEE
Artist Variant by Humberto Ramos
Animal Variant by TBA
NIGHTCRAWLER IS BACK!
Newly-returned from the afterlife, veteran X-Man Kurt Wagner finds himself in a world that’s a far cry from the one he left: Professor Xavier is dead, Cyclops is on the run, and the X-Men are divided. But determined not to let his new lease on life go to waste, Nightcrawler hits the road alongside Wolverine, eager to right some wrongs and safeguard the future mutantkind…and he’s going to do it by the means he loves most: swashbuckling, lady-charming and—of course—BAMFing!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …2.99
7. A More Shocking Mystery Than That One Episode of Dallas!
Because Mark Waid loves his relaunches (I guess), another of Waid’s Marvel books is seeing a relaunch this April. Joining “Daredevil” back at single digits, “Hulk” will be debuting from Marvel with Mark Bagley on art for a brand new cycle in the never-ending drama that is the relationship between Bruce Banner and his inner rage. And it all begins with the mystery of “Who shot the Hulk?”
(It was Maggie Simpson.)
HULK #1 & 2
MARK WAID (W) • MARK BAGLEY (A)
CoverS by JEROME OPENA
Issue #1 – Variant Cover by MARK BAGLEY
Issue #1 – ANIMAL VARIANT COVER BY CHRIS SAMNEE
Issue #1 – Captain America Team-Up Variant Also Available
Issue #1 – Blank Variant Also Available
Issue #2 – Variant Cover by MARK BAGLEY
ALL-NEW DIRECTION! THE EPIC “BANNER D.O.A.” BEGINS NOW!!!
Following the shocking events of last month’s INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK finale, Bruce Banner lies at death’s door! If he survives, it WON’T be as the Bruce Banner we’ve known! How will the Hulk wreak vengeance on Banner’s assailant? How CAN he?
32 PGS.(each)./Rated T+ …$3.99 (each)
6. Inhuman Loses the S and the Fraction, Gains Some Soul(e)
It was announced a while ago, but “Inhuman” is now launching from Marvel in April from the creative team of Charles Soule and Joe Madureira — and it’s certainly one of the most intriguing upcoming books from Marvel. Given all that Fraction said he had planned when taking over the main fallout of “Infinity,” it’s interesting to see Lt. Col. Hannibal Smith’s worst nightmare come true as a plan falls apart.
Continued belowBut Charles Soule… I mean, the guy is on fire. He’s taking over comics one book at a time, it seems. It’s ridiculous! But he’s doing it, and he’s doing it well. Certainly this title is still worth a looksee to see how things change.
INHUMAN #1
CHARLES SOULE (W)
JOE MADUREIRA (A/C)
Variant Cover by Humberto Ramos
VARIANT Cover by J. Scott Campbell
VARIANT Cover by Milo Manara
Design VARIANT by JOE MADUREIRA
Blank Cover Variant Also Available
RESOLICITATION!
The newest super heroes of the Marvel Universe are born! A cloud of Terrigen mist is moving around the world turning regular people into Inhumans with amazing powers. But not everyone thinks this is a good thing. Discover the secret history of the Marvel Universe and get in at the ground floor of the next big Marvel franchise!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
5. Doop.
Doop!
All-New DOOP #1 (of 5)
Peter Milligan (W)
INTERIOR ART BY DAVID LAFUENTE WITH LAURA ALLRED (A)
Cover by Michael Allred
Artist Variant by TBA
Living in the margins of the X-Men, Doop has freaked out X-Men and readers alike. However, when he gets deeply involved in X-Men business (and in the personal life of Kitty Pryde!), Doop will be thrust into the spotlight. This adventure will prove that Doop is, in fact, the most powerful X-Man! Written by co-creator Peter Milligan (X-FORCE), covers by co-creator Mike Allred (X-FORCE, FF) and innovative interior art by David Lafuente (AVENGERS, ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN)!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
4. Original Sin’s Original Sin is Mark Waid
MORE MARK WAID! Why don’t they just change it from Marvel to Markwaidvel, eh? EH? I’m sorry.
But, wow, Mark Waid is becoming somewhat of a Company Man at Marvel now, huh? “Daredevil,” “Hulk,” and now the kick-off to an event he’s not writing! And he’s doing a book about the secret history of an established character in the Marvel Universe (something he’s never done before, wink wink) and using his vast knowledge of comics to kick off the next big Marvel event. And with Jim Cheung art to boot!
I’m quite excited to see what Jason Aaron and Mike Deodato can do with an event. I really am. And while these prelude issues are often throwaway material for regular readers, I’ll be giving it a look for sure.
ORIGINAL SIN #0
MARK WAID (W) • JIM CHEUNG (A/C)
ARTIST VARIANT COVER BY PAOLO RIVERA
IT’S THE PROLOGUE TO THE BIGGEST MARVEL SERIES OF THE SUMMER!
WHO IS THE WATCHER? That’s what Nova is wondering after his latest brush with the moon-dwelling enigma he’s encountered before! But what he discovers will have a profound effect on the young hero, as well as priming the pump for the most cataclysmic event in Marvel history! WHAT DID HE SEE?
40 PGS./ONE SHOT/Rated T+ …3.99
3. How Elektra Got Her Groove Back
“Elektra” is another book to feature a switch in writer from Marvel at the eleventh hour, as Zeb Wells is replaced by Haden Blackman and my heart is shot with an arrow. Honestly. I’ve been waiting for Wells to write an “Elektra” book for years now, ever since “Secret Invasion: Elektra” was the best thing to come out of “Secret Invasion.” With Wells gone, I fear for the worst.
But … Blackman is quite good. “Batwoman” was quite good. And Mike Del Mundo is amazing. So this book is still worth a definite look, that’s for sure. It might not be the same, but it should still be exciting.
Continued belowELEKTRA #1
Haden Blackman (W)
Michael Del Mundo (A/C)
variant cover by Milo Manara
VARIANT cover by Paolo Rivera
VARIANT cover by Bill Sienkiewicz
VARIANT cover by Skottie Young
Blank Cover Variant Also Available
Witness the beautifully violent return of the world’s deadliest assassin. A life spent in silent pain has led Elektra to the precipice of despair. As she prepares to shed her past and take her next step, everything you know about her will change! Death is no escape, but she will find her way as a new option opens up that will take Elektra to places no other Marvel character can go.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
2. Iron Fist! Iron Fist! Iron Fist!
I have nothing to say here that I didn’t already frantically type into Multiversity as my hands shook with excitement over this announcement. But seriously, this is easily one of the most exciting debuts of the year.
Iron Fist: Living Weapon #1
KAARE ANDREWS (W)
KAARE ANDREWS (A/C)
VARIANT COVER BY DALE KEOWN
Animal VARIANT COVER BY MIKE DEL MUNDO
Young Variant by Skottie Young
Blank Cover Variant Also Available
High above the city, in a multi-million dollar penthouse, Danny Rand, a.k.a. Iron Fist, “The Living Weapon,” is haunted by the consequences of choosing death over life. A message from Iron Fist’s mystical homeland of K’un-Lun brings Danny back to his blood soaked origin of betrayal and vengeance! Revenge is a weapon that cuts both ways…. Will Danny survive the bloodletting? A one-of-a-kind kung fu action epic directed by the inimitable Kaare Andrews!
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99
1. The Return of the Amazing Spider-Man
I have many thoughts about this, none of which I’ve put from pen to paper before. I think that Dan Slott may be one of the greatest Spider-Man writers of all time, and I definitely think that what most people call the definitive modern run of Spider-Man — JMS’ run — is absolute trash compared to Slott’s work. I’ve said it to people before to less than positive reactions, but honestly, it’s true; I’ve loved Spider-Man all my life, and Slott is one of the few modern writers that I’ve felt really understands why Spider-Man matters. Not only that, but Slott continually pushes Peter in ways that we’d never seen before, and it’s always admirable to see how Slott handles the various challenges he throws Parker’s way.
I was somewhat against “Superior” at first, but I turned around quickly. I took “Spider-Man” off my pull but couldn’t resist checking out “Superior” #1, and honestly, I fell in love with the concept by the second issue. I was a hard sell, but Slott did it. He really did it. He has absolutely made everything about this work.
And while we knew it was ending, man, it just feels really soon. I mean, it’s been about a year now since “Superior” launched, and sure there have been lots of double-ships so we’re getting 31+ issues (two specials, two annuals), but I’m actually kind of sad to see it go. And I kind of don’t want to see Peter come back. Slott has shown an incredibly creative side in his use of Otto as a hero, and it’s been magical.
I also fear that this is going to feel forced, or rushed. I mean, obviously it’s timed for the second film release, right? And man, I’m just so sick of #1s. I get it, I really do, but I almost hate the number now. I just don’t want to see it!
But, I have faith.
I have a lot of faith in Dan Slott, and this is easily the most anticipated release for me come April.
SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #31
Dan Slott (W) • Giuseppe Camuncoli (A/C)
Connecting Variants A & B by J. Scott Campbell
VARIANT cover by Kevin Maguire
Captain America Variant Also Available
• SERIES FINALE! The end of an era! A tale of triumph and tragedy! The GREEN GOBLIN unmasked! A hero reborn! But what does this mean for OTTO OCTAVIUS?!
• There’s only one man who can save us from the Goblin Nation… PETER PARKER: The one, true SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN!
64 PGS./Rated T …5.99AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1
Dan Slott (W) • Humberto Ramos (A/C)
Variant Cover by Marcos Martin
VARIANT cover by Ed McGuinness
VARIANT cover by Pop Mhan
VARIANT cover by JEROME OPEñA
75TH ANNIVERSARY VARIANT COVER BY ALEX ROSS
75TH ANNIVERSARY SKETCH VARIANT COVER BY ALEX ROSS
Young variant cover by Skottie Young
Blank Cover Variant Also Available
The Greatest Super Hero of All Time RETURNS!
The world may have changed since Spidey’s been gone, but so has Peter Parker. This is a man with a second chance at life, and he’s not wasting a moment of it. Same Parker Luck, new Parker attitude. Putting the “friendly” back in the neighborhood, the “hero” back into “super hero,” and the “amazing” back into “Spider-Man!” Also returning: The recharged and reenergized ELECTRO!
64 PGS./Rated T+ …$5.99
