As usual, thoughts on the July teasers!
- I am partisan about UNCANNY X-MEN: FIRST CLASS #1. It seems to be going about the same route as the X-MEN: FIRST CLASS thing did; an 8 issue mini, then presumably an ongoing, and then likely another mini with some annuals in between. Among the MARVEL ADVENTURES line it is among their best sellers, but they usually average less than SPIDER-GIRL was averaging, which was about 15k an issue. Jeff Parker is leaving the franchise, likely because Marvel sees him doing more mainstream Marvel stuff like AGENTS OF ATLAS, which is good since he is an excellent writer. That leaves Scott Grey to take over the writing on UXM: FC. He's yet another DOCTOR WHO refugee; it seems anyone who writes for HEROES or DOCTOR WHO gets a comic at Marvel these days. He's best known for the FIN FANG FOUR thing, but beyond a short story in an anthology I can't recall, I never read any of that. I am glad Roger Cruz is staying on art, and that cover for the first issue is great.
Granted, what little I did read of FIN FANG FOUR was actually funny and light hearted. The only thing is that XM:FC relied too much on guest stars and usually said little about any of the characters were didn't already know, and I would hope Grey doesn't repeat that flaw. As it is, the FC stuff is usually fun and not very pretentious, which is rare for anything X-Men these days. Plus, to be frank, as a kid two things helped cement me on the X-Men; the FoxKids cartoon, and reprint collections with the team from the Wein/Claremont/Cockrum/Bryne era, which is pretty much the team they have here. I'll likely give it a try.
- That ALL STAR COMICS 70TH ANNIVERSARY thing with Blonde Phantom is interesting. I wonder if the writers involved realize that she spent many years as a supporting character for SHE-HULK's title in the 90's, and her daughter also became a superheroine as the Phantom Blonde, which would be fun for a return.
- The cover for CAPTAIN AMERICA #601 looks good, although it will be $4, of course. It's hard to root for your heroes getting anniversary specials when it just means shelling out more money. It's like in sports, the further your team goes into the playoffs, the more expensive the tickets will get, and the later the games will start. Still, art from Gene Colan and I guess one of the few untold Rogers war stories left will be told. Looks interesting. Although, seriously, so may Rogers in WWII stories have been told that if you lined them all up, they would cover, literally, every single day of his service during the 40's. Every day. Think about that before begging for Steve to sit up in the tomb.
- INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #15 promises a showdown with Stark and Madame Masque on the cover, which is fitting since she is one of his rogues, and they share history. Should be fun. It is a bit irritating that it was nominated for the Eisner for "Best New Series" considering it really isn't a "new" series, it was just a relaunch of Iron Man while his old book became WAR MACHINE. It's dubious to say the least. Not to say it isn't good, of course. DR has really improved it.
- CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND MI-13 #15, the finale of the Vampire War with Dracula and could possibly be the end of the series, considering how dire the sales are. It remains to be seen if it will be solicted for August or if it will go into "hiatus" before we know. I would also assume the Meggan special takes place after this story, so it may count as an unofficial issue #16. Mico Suayan's cover is pretty damned sweet. I can't wait for the showdown.
- FANTASTIC FOUR #569 (Millar must love those last two numbers) is doubt sized to be $4 and is the finale of the Millar/Hitch's tenure on the book. Despite getting more media attention than the last three creative teams combined, the team behind THE ULTIMATES weren't able to keep the book above 50k sales for very long. Still, their run has been mostly unoffensive, save for the Debbie thing, but she likely will die. The final battle against Dr. Doom's Demonic Algebra teachers is here, but I am kind of waiting for the Hickman run by now.
- FANTASTIC FORCE is suddenly a 4 issue mini. Was it always solicted as such? Even if so, a spin-off for a run on FF that barely sells over 49k an issue really is a bit daft. Anyone at Marvel who expects this mini to sell above 27k for the whole run needs their head examined.
- The IMMORTAL WEAPONS 5 part mini starts to cover for the "hiatus" IMMORTAL IRON FIST book, and it looks solid. Adding Jason Aaron to the writing mix should only make things better; he's been solid on GHOST RIDER. Although at this point Marvel would be more honest if they just kept all of the titles they are putting on "hiatus" around another 4-6 issues and simply boosted the price by a dollar, which is basically what they are doing with this book and GHOST RIDER. Just keeping them around another 5-6 issues at an extra buck. Why the sham with a mini, a new title? Just be honest. Just put a stamp of Marvel approval on that greed. If you're going to do it anyway, I say own it.
- MARVEL DIVAS is still stupid, and will only add to the pile of evidence for why girls don't read Western comics, and why they have a rep for sexism that lingers to this day.
- THOR #603 looks interesting, as it seems some Asgardians will follow Thor into exile, and the rest will follow Loki and his duped puppet prince, Balder, into Latveria into the arms of Dr. Doom. Should help not all of the Asgardians being morons when it comes to Loki. It would be fun if there was a passing line with one random Asgardian warrior looking at Thor from across the campfire and going, "Not to offend the Odinson, but even the dullest one of our ranks would have predicted Loki would pull something like this," and Thor could sigh and say, "Aye" while narrating something about family bonds. It would help humanize the moment. Non-Coipel drawn issues will mean they'll actually be timely, which is nice. In a way, THOR is akin to DARK REIGN right now; the shift in the status quo is great for writing stories, you just have to swallow a ridiculous premise first. Thor's at least isn't as large of a gulp.
I also expect the Warriors Three to be at Thor's side.
- It is about time THOR & HERCULES got a Handbook edition. I mean if even the MARVEL PETS are getting one, and WOLVERINE (who is kind of like a Marvel Pet), then they're long overdue. Better late than never.
- TERROR, INC. APOCALYPSE SOON continues to look interesting. TERROR, INC for my money was one of the few Max books worth bothering with.
- There will be two Destroyer comics out in July, but I will be sticking with Kirkman & Walker's DESTROYER mini. It may be "Marvel's Brit", but I liked the first issue enough to continue. Nothing exceptionally unique from Kirkman, but I usually enjoy his non-Ultimate stuff even when it's not entirely original. I mean I even enjoyed TECH-JACKET for chrissakes, and that was hardly INVINCIBLE or even CAPES material.
- WAR OF KINGS #5 as always looks good, although they can promise a Black Bolt vs. Vulcan fight all they want, so long as Havok gets his moment to step up against his brother when it counts. It's essential for a hero whose had to drown in Cyclops' shadow forever. Hopefully Abnett & Lanning realize that. Still, it's been a great event so far, and we've barely read a third of it!
- WAR OF KINGS: ASCENSION #4 wraps up whatever retcon or boost that Darkhawk is going to get, and by then we should know if it worked or not. The pair clearly have interest in Powell, hence why he started showing up in NOVA.
- WAR OF KINGS: WARRIORS has Gage covering Gladiator's part in the mini, which may be solid. Gage is usually a good writer. I wonder if this is reprinting Internet exclusive material, though. Even still, I likely will buy it. This is the only WOK material not written by Abnett & Lanning, beyond WOK: DARKHAWK #1.
- GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #16 looks interesting as the team is caught between the warring sides, trying to restore peace rather than picking a side. Curious how it plays out. If THIS is their MOST reckless mission, then it should be quite intense. Nearly all of them have been reckless so far.
- NOVA #27 looks awesome as usual with Richard back in the driver's seat of the Corps and trying to rescue as many of them from Worldmind's recklessness as he can, including his brother. Plus, hinting at showdowns with Ravenous and Blastaar. Looks awesome as always; in some ways this book is always the cream of "DnA" 's crop, and this issue looks to be no exception.
- Haven't read SON OF HULK, and it seems Paul Jenkins is taking over for Pak here. Both writers are hit or miss but can be good when they are on. I'm iffy on bothering with this tie-in. I'd rather they make Colossus the king of Breakworld and throw them in.
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