Welcome to this, the last day of our solicitation anaysis. For our final day, we will be looking at the so-called House of Ideas, Marvel Comics, as we see how many New #1s they have planned for the fifth month of the year. The answer may surprise you.
For the full list of solicits, please check out the Resource of Comic Books.
10. The United States of Probably A Lot of Delays, Incorporated
Ok. Ok. That’s sassy, it’s probably a bit unfair and it presupposes a lot (mostly negative). I’d be more excited, but, well, I’ve been a Bendis/Oeming fan for some time now with “Powers.” What I’m saying is, I implicitly know not to get my hopes up about a book released with any kind of frequency — no matter what they say.
But, hey, like I said, I like “Powers.” I think Bendis and Oeming know each other very well, and I think Oeming is a creator who continuously endeavors to push himself and what we expect from him. I think the book will look pretty damn amazing, even if we assumedly will have to wait a good deal of time between installments.
And if I’m wrong? You will see no one more excited about that than me, I assure you. I could use something new to read while I wait for “Powers: Bureau” #9. And “Brilliant” #5. And “Takio” #5. And “Scarlet” #8.
THE UNITED STATES OF MURDER INC. #1
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W) • MICHAEL AVON OEMING (A/C)
Variant Cover by DAVID MACK
Variant Cover by DAVID MARQUEZ
Variant Cover by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
DOUBLE-SIZED FOR REGULAR PRICE!
From the creators of the Eisner Award-winning, best-selling POWERS comes a brand-new world of crime fiction like you’ve never seen before. In this oversized first issue, you will discover a world in which the families of organized crime never lost their stranglehold on the United States. Today is the day that Valentine Gallo becomes a made man, and it’s also the day he learns the secrets behind the organization he has served since he was old enough to walk. But it is mysterious hitwoman Jagger Rose that will forever turn his life upside down. Be there when shocking secrets of this new world spill out onto the very past page. This bold new vision of crime fiction harkens back to Bendis’ earliest work in crime comics, while also giving you everything you expect from the creators of POWERS, one of the most successful and longest-lasting independent comics in history.
48 PGS./Mature …$3.99
9. The Return of Evil Dome-Face Man
Speaking of Bendis, remember that mysterious character who “returned” in the pages of “Uncanny X-Men” after appearing on the cover to “New Avengers” forever ago? Here’s a link, in case you’re confused. Well, it looks like his time is coming, as he appears on a Sentinel’s head on the cover. Is he a hero? Is he a villain? Who knows. But it’s Chris Bachalo art, so can I get an “aw yeah” from the general public, please?
UNCANNY X-MEN #21
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W) • CHRIS BACHALO (A)
Cover by ALEXANDER LOZANO
Artist Variant by TBA
• The Cyclops Revolution marches on!
• Who is the mysterious figure building Sentinels for SHIELD?
• Find out what happened to Dazzler since Mystique took her down back in UNCANNY X-MEN #9!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
8. The First Month Without Aaron’s Wolverine
This week sees Jason Aaron’s final issue of “Wolverine and the X-Men,” leaving “Amazing X-Men” as his only book in which he continues to write the character that he has helped redefine for the modern age more than any other writer. It was sad to see him depart from the book, but the blow was softened by his continued role on “Amazing X-Men.”
Except, uh, not this month. Jason Aaron will not be writing Wolverine (sort of — more later) as Kathryn Immonen takes over “Amazing X-Men” for a month to write Spider-Man and his amazing friends. Say, didn’t someone have a theory about that once?
Continued belowI’ll be antsy without my monthly dose of Aaron writing Wolverine and the X-Men, let alone “Wolverine and the X-Men,” but any Kathryn Immonen book I can get is acceptable as well.
AMAZING X-MEN #7
KATHRYN IMMONEN (W) • PACO MEDINA (A)
Cover by KRIS ANKA
• Guest-starring THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN!
• Iceman, Firestar and Spider-Man renew their amazing friendship to save New York City.
• Guest-Issue by Kathryn Immonen (AVENGERS ANNUAL) and Paco Medina (X-MEN, NOVA)!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
7. Proof Positive Gerry Duggan is the Man for Nova
Since Jeph Loeb and Zeb Wells didn’t have the time to stick around on “Nova,” the book has been in this weird place where as a reader we don’t want to get attached to any one dynamic. It could change at the drop of a hat, you know? And for a character as new as Nova, it’s a bit wearisome.
However, it appears that Duggan is around to stay, and boy am I glad he is because the above image and solicit is great indication that he’s writing the exact comic I want to read. And, hey, a double dose of Paco Medina art in May? Sign me up!
NOVA #17
GERRY DUGGAN (W) • PACO MEDINA (A)
Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
• Sam is back from outer-space and discovers his greatest threat right on his doorstep!
• When the Alexander home is threatened, this time there may not be anything that Nova can do to help out.
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
6. The #1 Collection To Make Sure You Pre-Order from Marvel
When Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale team up, magic happens. Every time they touch that comic it turns into gold. Everybody knows they’ve got the magic in them. This collection is proof positive. And while we probably will never ever see “Captain America: White,” I’d grab this up and devour it wholesale if I were you.
I just hope this isn’t the final cover.
JEPH LOEB & TIM SALE: YELLOW, BLUE AND GRAY HC
Written by JEPH LOEB
Penciled by TIM SALE
Cover by TIM SALE
Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale’s classic “color” masterpieces are collected in one lush oversized hardcover! Blind acrobat Daredevil was inspired to heroism by the example of his prizefighter father — but Matt Murdock is a young man in love with Karen Page. Relive Daredevil’s heartwarming, heartbreaking debut! Then, Peter Parker and Gwen Stacy want to spend the rest of their lives together — but first, Spider-Man must run a gauntlet of his greatest foes. And finally, no matter how powerful the Incredible Hulk becomes, his heart can still be shattered by Betty Ross — the daughter of his greatest enemy! Join the Eisner Award-winning team of Jeph Loeb and Tim Sale (Superman For All Seasons, Batman: The Long Halloween) for a touching, insightful and gorgeous look into the early days of Marvel’s most popular heroes. Collecting DAREDEVIL: YELLOW #1-6, SPIDER-MAN: BLUE #1-6 and HULK: GRAY #1-6.
540 PGS./Rated T+ …$75
ISBN: 978-0-7851-8831-5
Trim size: oversized
5. Crawling Up The Walls Again
So, I guess rumor has it that Peter Parker comes back and he doesn’t have all his memories. And he’s coming back at the time when a Spider-Man movie hits theaters, so there’s ample room to get him in the face of the public. I guess with all that in mind, why not just re-tell his origin? Again.
That’s exactly what Marvel is going to do! And, really, it’s a solid creative team — Slott and Perez? The book is going to be very solid, I can guarantee you. It feels a bit suspect, perhaps even a touch erroneous, but hey — that’s comics, kids. And if anyone can figure out a place in Spider-Man’s history to fit something new in, it’s going to be Slott, so there’s that.
Continued belowAMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1.1
DAN SLOTT (W) • RAMoN PERéZ (A)
Cover by Alex Ross
Sketch variant by Alex Ross
Variant by John Romita Jr.
YEAR ONE: LEARNING TO CRAWL!
• He sought revenge… and found responsibility. From that night on, a new life began.
• Join Peter Parker as he takes his first steps towards finding his way in the world as Spider-Man.
• The chapter you never knew about the story you know by heart.
• Dan Slott (SPIDER-MAN/HUMAN TORCH) and Ramón Perez (the Eisner winning TALE OF SAND & WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN) bring you a new & reverent spin on the first 60 days of Spider-Man.
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
4. The Sort of End of that One Part in Hawkguy
It’s not The End end, don’t worry, but this solicit promises something huge for the West Coast Kate storyline and I am a little scared and also very excited so uh I guess what I am saying is lets do this. #Kate5evr.
HAWKEYE #20
MATT FRACTION (W)
ANNIE WU (A)
Cover by DAVID AJA
• KATE-GUY! MADAME MASQUE! LOS ANGELES! EXPLOSIONS! THE END OF SUMMER VACATION! THE FINAL SHOWDOWN FOR ALL THE MARBLES! THE MARBLES ARE A METAPHOR!
• YOU BELONG YOU BELONG YOU BELONG YOU BELONG TO THE MERRY MARBLE MARCHING SOCIETY!
• This is… THE BIG ONE. Fraction and Wu and Hollingsworth too — OH MY!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99
3. The Best Solicit
In this descriptor: Matt giggles.
MOON KNIGHT #3
WARREN ELLIS (W) DECLAN SHALVEY (A/C)
VARIANT Cover by RYAN STEGMAN
• In this issue: Moon Knight punches ghosts.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
2. The Part Where Jason Aaron Writes Wolverine
OK, so Jason Aaron will be writing Wolverine in a comic. It’s just not necessarily the comic you’d expect to see him do it in.
So, Marvel’s next big event, brought to you by Jason Aaron and Mike Deodato. I’m always incredibly wary about this sort of thing in the year 2014 because I think we’re well past the age where these things end up meeting expectations. That said, Jason Aaron is my favorite writer at Marvel Comics, so all things considered this could be the event we’ve been waiting for. I’m willing to have faith.
ORIGINAL SIN #1 (of 8)
Jason Aaron (W) • Mike Deodato (A)
Cover by Julian Totino Tedesco
Variant cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
INTERLOCKING BATTLE VARIANT BY ART ADAMS
VARIANT COVER BY ED MCGUINNESS
YOUNG VARIANT BY SKOTTIE YOUNG
Teaser Variant also available
BLANK VARIANT ALSO AVAILABLE
WHAT DID HE SEE?
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99ORIGINAL SIN #2 (of 8)
Jason Aaron (W) • Mike Deodato (A)
Cover by Julian Totino Tedesco
Variant cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
INTERLOCKING BATTLE VARIANT BY ART ADAMS
Teaser Variant also available
WHAT DID HE SEE?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
1. Oh, Thank the Based Comic God
There was never any doubt, even when “Cataclysm” started, that Miles Morales would somehow continue on with his book. Never any doubt. And when Marvel announced their three new Ultimate books, Miles was included in that list so there was nothing really big to worry about there. But when the solicit wasn’t present in April’s line-up, I was admittedly a little sad, just because the adventures of Miles are some of my favorite at Marvel.
But come May, Miles is back in our regular pull, and all is well. This is Bendis and Marquez at their best, people, and if there is one book I would implore you not to miss, it’s this one. Welcome back, Miles!
MILES MORALES: THE ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #1
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W) • DAVE MARQUEZ (A/C)
Variant Cover by FIONA STAPLES
Variant Cover by Brandon Peterson
PART ONE OF THE BIGGEST SPIDER-MAN STORY OF THE YEAR “REVIVAL”!
• MILES is back in action with a new status quo and a new outlook on life!
• A BIG BIG BIG villain from PETER PARKER’s past is alive and well and about to turn New York upside down!
• The last page will have ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN fans SCREAMING!
• This issue can’t be missed!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
