Okay, there is a lot to get through here so I’m going to just get this out of the way quick and bring you all the important points from the panel. Lots of new series, new renumberings and new arcs so I don’t want this to take three hours to get through so let’s go go go. However, still be sure to check out CBR’s much more extensive coverage of the panel.
First of all, and most importantly, Nathan Edmonson and Phil Noto are launching a “Black Widow” ongoing as part of All New Marvel Now. While I’m still personally peeved that it took this long after The Avengers for the only woman of the team to get her own comic series, it’s better late than never. Especially with Phil Noto in tow because, let’s face it, Noto kills most every book he works on and is perfect tonal fit for the kind of espionage action that should accompany a “Black Widow” book. More on this book will be revealed at the Women Of Marvel panel later in the weekend.
As it turns out “Avengers World” is indeed a new ongoing series and seems like it will operate as a second monthly Avengers title that will allow Nick Spencer to have some fun with the cast on a global scale without stepping on Hickman’s toes. This actually seems like a neat idea to me as the only problem I’ve had with “Avengers” so far has been the plot-focused narrative have left some of the character feeling a little under-utilised. I mean, has Falcon really done much since the first issue? This also allows “Avengers” to move to monthly shipping instead of double shipping, which should take some pressure off of Hickman.
Speaking of “Avengers”, the panel teased the next arc which starts in #25.NOW… which is also a #1 in All New Marvel Now? Even Hickman admitted the numbering is terrible, but what isn’t terrible is that the new ‘Rogue Planet’ arc will feature Esad Ribic on art. “Avengers” #25.NOW is set to ship on Christmas Eve, apparently, and will be 30 pages long. That’s one hell of a Christmas Present.
While Nick Spencer will be finishing out the current arc, ‘How To Maim A Mockingbird’, it seems that his co-writer on that, Ales Kot, will be rebooting “Secret Avengers” with Michael Walsh. Seeing as the two of them just absolutely killed it on “ZERO” #1 recently, this seems like the perfect fit for them. Especially as Kot said that they will be bringing the series back to the original mission statement: run the mission, don’t get seen, save the world.
As it turns out, ending “Avengers Arena” has led to a series that will probably anger even more people. Dennis Hopeless and Kev Walker will be reteaming for “Avengers Undercover” which will see characters from “Arena” go undercover with the Masters Of Evil. There wasn’t much revealed about this, but I’m more interested in seeing how they can keep a format like this sustainable or if this will be it.
And now, it’s time for the quickfire round because these didn’t have enough information attached to warrant a full paragraph.
- Al Ewing and Lee Garbett’s series seems to be “Loki: Agent Of Asgard” whose cover seems to exist to confuse me. Does this reveal more than it should about “Young Avengers”? Is this a series completely unrelated to the Marvel Universe? Who knows, but I guess we’ll find out sooner or later.
- The next arc of “Captain America” will indeed feature Doctor Mindbubble as the main villain. The arc starts in #16.NOW which, like the “Avengers” issue, is also as #1 in All New Marvel Now.
- The original Nick Fury will apparently play a part in upcoming “Avengers”-family books, whatever that means. Hopefully we’ll see him in “Secret Avengers” because, come on, who doesn’t want that?
- Oh, and Dustin Weaver is definitely working on “SHIELD” issues so hooray for small miracles.
That seems to be it, but be sure to check out CBR’s coverage of the panel for more information. Also, the “Loki” and “Captain America” covers are down below for posterity.
