And there came a day just like any other, when Earth’s mightiest (well, decently mighty) internet journalist was united (with himself) against a common threat (that’s also not a threat)! And on that day, Soliciting Multiversity was born!
Join me as I fight the foe no single hero could withstand! Except for all the other people who have, will and do — the MARVEL SOLICITS!
For all of the solicits be sure to head over to the Resource of Comic Books. But first, a general statement:
10. Holy shit, that’s a lot of comics.
Wow. February is an epic month for Marvel. It’s the second month of the year but already they’re coming out swinging and with all guns aimed at your wallet. Did you know that Marvel will be releasing 70 books in February? In addition to trades and 2 books from their imprint Icon. That’s rather daunting, and with double-shipping it becomes mind-numbing.
I’m a big Marvel fan, but we are very much at the point where enjoying their line is now an expensive hobby!
There’s also quite a few things here worth noting:
- Captain America, Superior Spider-Man, Nova, Thor and X-Men are all tied into Marvel NOW with “jumping-on points”
- It looks like new books will be double-shipping right off the bat now, as a trend I’ve noticed, in order to hook you into it early
- Daredevil, Wolverine and the X-Men, X-Men Legacy and Secret Avengers are all ending (Secret Avengers is set to re-launch in March with Ales Kot and Michael Walsh) and Young Avengers is officially over in January
- Cataclysm ends, and with it potentially the Ultimate Marvel Universe
- Superior Spider-Man begins Goblin Nation, which is assumedly the end of Slott’s run
- It appears a New Avengers/Avengers civil war/crossover is coming
- Valerio Schiti is replacing Greg Land on Mighty Avengers
- And in a strange move, the Iron Man Annual appears to spin out of … the digital series? What?
Normally I’d break all these down in the Marvel solicits in their own individual sections, but things are getting so chaotic and just damn full around these parts because Marvel is RELENTLESS about soliciting! Honestly, look at the full list of 70 books they have coming out and ask yourself how you’re supposed to pick and choose what to talk about today?
It’s a tough gig. But I think I’ve figured out something to do this month.
So because so many new books are debuting in February, I’m going to be ranking them in order of excitement. There are many #1s here, some with a #2 as well, so obviously everyone is going to prioritize it differently — but I will offer my picks in order with advice as to why I lean the way I do. If you trust me and my opinion, this is for you; if not, read it anyway because you’re already here.
9. New Warriors
I was never a New Warriors reader. I had New Warriors issues at one time or another but the book never stuck out to me. And while I actually like Speedball and Justice, let alone Nova, the book appeals to me the least.
That said, Chris Yost and Marcus To? Well, their run on “Red Robin” was great. It has been a while since I’ve read it, but I remember quite enjoying it at the time! So I’d honestly be willing to give the book an issue to draw me in — but if I had to choose, and I do because those are the rules I set up for this column this month, this would be the last one I looked at I’m afraid.
Continued belowNEW WARRIORS #1
CHRISTOPHER YOST (W) MARCUS TO (A)
cover by RAMON PEREZ
Variant Cover J. Scott Campbell
Sketch Variant by J. Scott Campbell
VARIANT BY SKOTTIE YOUNG
Animal Variant by Chris Samnee
WARRIORS REBORN! Adventurers SPEEDBALL and JUSTICE have come together with a group of young heroes including NOVA, SUN GIRL, and HUMMINGBIRD (and even a couple of new faces) to stop the latest threat to the Marvel Universe—the Atlanteans, Inhumans, clones and hundreds of other so-called “superior” beings are living among the humans of the Marvel Universe, but not everyone is pleased about it. THE HIGH EVOLUTIONARY has raised an army to combat the evolution of humanity – and the New Warriors are locked in his sights!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
8. X-Force
Here’s the thing about X-Force — I like everything about this book. Honestly, I do. I like the team, and the characters picked for this iteration. I like Spurrier’s writing and Kim’s art. I like the concept of the team getting “back to basics” after two X-Force books that ran in wildly different directions. Hell, I’ve always liked X-Force, from Liefeld to Remender and friends.
But for whatever reason, I don’t find myself sold. At least, not in the way that I want to give up other slots on my pull for this book. I look at this book and I think it will be rather insanely strong, yet the idiot in me isn’t convinced I have to have it. I can’t tell you why.
X-Force is going to be worth a look without a doubt, but in terms of priorities of debuts it still unfortunately ranks a bit low.
X-FORCE #1
SI SPURRIER (W) • ROCK-HE KIM (A/C)
Variant Cover by Phil Noto
Sketch Variant by Phil Noto
Animal variant by Cook
Almost every sovereign state in the Marvel Universe makes use of sanctioned superhumans to protect national interests and pursue a covert agenda. The United States has the Secret Avengers. The United Kingdom has MI13. And mutantkind has X-FORCE. In this dirty, secret, no-holds-barred, deadly game of superhuman black ops, veteran X-Man Cable and his team will spy, torture, and kill to ensure that the mutant race not only has a place in the world…but also a stake in it.
32 PGS./PARENTAL ADVISORY …$3.99
7. Wolverine
Wolverine is a tough call. Cornell’s current run is interesting, but it’s not too amazing that I feel I always need to read it. (In fact, as much as I hate to admit it, I’ve forgotten it came out a few times, and that’s no good.) Cornell is following a tough act with the Best Run On Wolverine Of All Time so it’s an uphill battle but all things considered I’m not overly into it.
But Stegman? Hot damn. Stegman’s awesome. And while I’ll admit the solicited story doesn’t demand I read it, I think we’d be hard pressed to pass on a book that has Ryan’s artwork in it, especially with a book like this where he can really cut loose and tear things up — pun fully intended.
Wolverine has two issues in February to prove itself to us. I’m totally willing to see what it can do.
WOLVERINE #1 & 2
PAUL CORNELL (W) • RYAN STEGMAN (A/C)
Variant Cover by Jerome Opeña
Animal Variant by Katie Cook
Design Variant by TBA
Blank Variant Also Available
Issue #2 – Variant Cover by TBA
WOLVERINE NO MORE?
After the events of KILLABLE, Wolverine has something to prove. Before he can take on Sabretooth again, he’ll need to build himself back up, get better and stronger than he’s ever been…but it’s not as easy as he thought, and he’ll soon find himself turning to other means of revenge when the normal channels don’t seem to be working fast enough. Can he fight back his demons, or is this the beginning of a Wolverine who’s gone to the dark side?
32 PGS./PARENTAL ADVISORY …$3.99
6. Winter Soldier: The Bitter March
Truth be told, this book is in a tie with Wolverine to me. On the one hand I kind of hate buying minis because I always forget them and they get lost in my long box. On the other hand, Remender and Boschi are an excellent team — and with Remender’s Captain America kicking a good deal of ass (I honestly quite enjoy it!), I’d be interested to see what he does balancing the two stories together — especially with that big ol’ movie coming out and this book taking place in 1966. Hmmm.
Continued belowWINTER SOLDIER: THE BITTER MARCH #1 (of 5)
RICK REMENDER (W)
ROLAND BOSCHI (A)
Cover by ANDREW ROBINSON
Animal Variant by Chris Eliopoulos
Artist variant by IN-HYUK LEE
1966: With Nick Fury missing, and presumed dead, global espionage agency S.H.I.E.L.D. sends secret agent Ran Shen to collect two Nazi scientists with the key to defining who wins the Cold War. But the Americans are not the only ones who want the high value scientists. The Soviets have opened the Red Room, releasing their most dangerous operative –The Winter Soldier, who unbeknownst to the world, is the presumed-dead partner of Captain America—Bucky Barnes! The brainwashed soldier’s mission: to acquire the scientists by any means or to kill them should they fall into American hands. This classic 60’s style, high-octane, spy pulp told at Cold War’s peak follows Ran Shen and his terrified scientists as they creep out of the shadow of East Berlin. Intrigue, adventure, romance and murder abound with ramifications that will shatter relationships in the modern-day Marvel Universe—including one with the Star Spangled Avenger himself!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
5. Punisher
You know what I thought was amazing? The last Punisher run by Greg Rucka. You know what was awesome before that? Remender’s run on Punisher and Aaron’s Punisher MAX. You know what I also really enjoyed before that? Fraction’s Punisher run. Ennis’ Punisher run. Punisher’s EuroTrip story full of shenanigans. All the Punisher things!
I’ve actually never been a Punisher fan in the strictest terms of definition, but I always seem to like his books. Yet they always seem to not do well in sales because each creative team (and, truth be told, writer — since the artists usually depart or are switched out) just does weird things with it per their own vision — Fraction wrote a comedic Punisher, Remender a monster, Rucka barely even put the Punisher in some of the issues.
So what are Edmondson and Gerads going to do? No idea. But they proved themselves together with “the Activity.” I’d be interested to see what they cook up here.
THE PUNISHER #1 & 2
NATHAN EDMONDSON (W)
MITCHELL THOMAS GERADS (A/C)
Variant Cover by Salvador Larroca
Annimal Variant by Chris Samnee
Young Variant by Skottie Young
Blank Variant Also Available
Issue #2 – variant cover by Jerome Opena
For years, The Punisher has waged a war on crime in New York City with an array of very large guns, but a lead on a major source of drugs, weapons, and more has set his many sights due west. NOW! Frank Castle’s in the City of Angels, looking to give the devil his due. Things aren’t all they appear, though, with a highly trained military hit squad hot on Frank’s tail. Caught between a posse of Punisher predators and targets of his own one-man-war, Frank’s manifest destiny may be a shallow grave!
32 PGS. (EACH)/Parental Advisory …$3.99 (EACH)
4. Loki: Agent of Asgard
You know what I didn’t know? I didn’t know this book was an ongoing.
Sold.
LOKI: AGENT OF ASGARD #1
AL EWING (W) • LEE GARBETT (A)
Cover by JENNY FRISON
Variant cover by Frank Cho
Sketch Variant by Frank Cho
Animal Variant by MIKE DEL MUNDO
Old God – New Trickster!
Kid Loki’s all grown up – and the God of Mischief is stronger, smarter, sexier and just plain sneakier than ever before. As Asgardia’s one-man secret service, he’s ready to lie, cheat, steal, bluff and snog his way through the twistiest, turniest and most treacherous missions the All-Mother can throw at him… starting with a heart-stopping heist on Avengers Tower – and the death of Thor! And that’s just the beginning!
Would we lie to you? This is LOKI, true believer – we’re lying to you RIGHT NOW!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99
Wait, what? You want me to write more about Loki? Huh. Ok.
Well, honestly, “Journey into Mystery” is my favorite Marvel book of the last decade (sorry Hawkeye fans), and after Gillen’s run with him throughout multiple books I’m rather attached to the character. Ewing is kind of a natural heir to Gillen’s trickster mantle, especially proving himself with Mighty Avengers, and I really like that Gillen was able to put an end to the Kid Loki saga on his terms. It’ll be interesting to see what happens next.
3. Ms. Marvel
It wasn’t that long ago when Ms. Marvel was one of my favorite titles. It featured Carol Danvers in the mantle (and Karla Sofen at one point), and it is what endeared me to the character and her history.
Now we have a new Ms. Marvel while Carol goes out to space to be Captain, and I’m impossibly intrigued at what she could be like. And Adrian Alphona on art? Sold! Case closed!
Continued belowMS. MARVEL #1
G. WILLOW WILSON (W)
ADRIAN ALPHONA (A)
Cover by SARA PICHELLI
Variant Cover by Art Adams
Sketch Variant by Art Adams
Design Variant also Available
The legend has returned!
Marvel Comics presents the all-new MS. MARVEL, the ground breaking heroine that has become an international sensation! Kamala Khan is just an ordinary girl from Jersey City–until she is suddenly empowered with extraordinary gifts. But who truly is the all-new Ms. Marvel? Teenager? Muslim? Inhuman? Find out as she takes the Marvel Universe by storm, and prepare for an epic tale that will be remembered by generations to come. History in the making is NOW!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99
2. She-Hulk
Do you guys remember Dan Slott’s run on She-Hulk? Because I do. And I remember that it is awesome, and that it is incredibly sad that the book had to go and Jen Walters couldn’t have a spotlight anymore.
But now that is over, and Jen is back! And the’s brought Charles Soule and Javier Pulido with her! Charles Soule is so hot right now, writing a whole bunch of those “DC Comic Booky Things” people talk about as well as having a sell-out of a creator-owned series fresh off the shelves, and Pulido is a great artist whose work needs to get more out there and frequently. Teaming them up together seems like a great way to sell She-Hulk to the fans, and you can count me among them.
SHE-HULK #1
CHARLES SOULE (W) • JAVIER PULIDO (A)
Cover by KEVIN WADA
Blank Cover Also Available
Variant Cover by Milo Manara
Variant Cover by Ryan Stegman
Variant Cover by SIYA OYUM
Young Variant by Skottie Young
JENNIFER WALTERS IS…THE SHE-HULK! A stalwart Avenger, valued member of the FF, savior of the world on more than one occasion, she’s also a killer attorney with a pile of degrees and professional respect. A 7-foot-tall drink of cool, emerald water, she’s tough enough to knock out Galactus with one punch (possibly?) and has a heart bigger than the moon. But juggling cases and kicking bad guy butt is starting to be a little more complicated than she anticipated. With a new practice, a new paralegal and a mounting number of super villains she’s racking up as personal enemies, She Hulk might have bitten off a little more than she can chew…but she just calls that that Tuesday.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99
1. Fantastic Four
And finally, the obvious choice for #1, Fantastic Four.
Look. I can tell you all about why I think this is going to be the most exciting launch in February, and with enough words I can probably turn even the most skeptical of believer. But I don’t have to say anything — the creative team does it all on its own. It’s James fucking Robinson and Leonard fucking Kirk writing the Fantastic fucking Four! FUCK!
This book has been on an awesome hot streak with its past few creative teams. I can’t wait to see what Robinson, Kirk, Reed, Sue, Johnny, Ben, Franklin, Valeria, Fing-Fang-Foom and more get up to.
FANTASTIC FOUR #1
JAMES ROBINSON (W) • LEONARD KIRK (A/C)
Variant Cover by Jerome Opeña
75th anniversary VARIANT by ALEX ROSS
75th anniversary sketch VARIANT by ALEX ROSS
Young Variant by Skottie Young
ANIMAL VARIANT By KATIE COOK
Blank Variant also available
“THE FALL OF THE FANTASTIC FOUR” PART 1
The world’s greatest comics magazine begins anew with Marvel’s First Family, the Fantastic Four! But as the brilliant MR. FANTASTIC, the compassionate INVISIBLE WOMAN, the ever lovin’ THING & the hot-headed HUMAN TORCH embark on a strange mission, they aren’t met with new beginnings, but an untimely end! As the family of cosmic explorers head towards their darkest hour, who could possibly be behind their downfall? And how is one of their oldest enemies, the sadistic dragon known as Fing-Fang-Foom involved? Prepare for the fantastic!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
