Marvel Solicitations for May 2011

[Drz]

http://www.comicbookresources.com/?page=article&id=30834

Enjoy!

 

[NDX]

Joy, 10 Fear Itself related issues. I feel exhausted from just reading about them.

 

[Tron Bonne]

CAPTAIN AMERICA #618
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by BUTCH GUICE
Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
X-Men Evolutions Variant by CHRIS STEVENS
CO-FEATURING STEVE ROGERS, SUPER-SOLDIER! Steve Rogers races against time to uncover the international conspiracy that trapped his ex-partner in a web of intrigue and lies. Meanwhile, Bucky Barnes fights for his life in a Russian Gulag. With everybody gunning for Bucky and Steve fighting the clock, is there any hope for either of these two super-soldiersv
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Yep, looks like this is going pretty much how everyone was thinking. Bucky on the run, Steve slowly coming back into a Cap role. Unless the solicits are off, which is possible.

Also,

DEADPOOL MAX #8 (of 12)

Oh **** you. **** YOU! Nah...well, yeah, but 12 issues is a solid amount.

Also, FF sounds pretty intriguing, but is the actual title of the thing FF, and not Future Foundation? That's dumb. I mean, it doesn't matter that much, but that's still pretty dumb. Still don't give a squeak about Spidey joining, but whatever, I'm up for wherever Hickman is going.

Also, how is Powers? I've never actually read it, might pick up that Deluxe edition since I hear so much good stuff about the early years.

EDIT: And what's all this X-Men variant stuff? There some kind of anniversary for them? We shouldn't be celebrating that

EDIT 2:

 

[kguillou]

Yet another X-men relaunch, surprise surprise, but heres what gets me though:

X-MEN GIANT-SIZE #1
Written by CHRISTOPHER YOST
Penciled by PACO MEDINA & DALIBOR TALAJIC
Cover by ED McGUINESS
Variant Cover by PACO MEDINA
Fantastic Four Anniversary Variant by Simone Bianchi
“FROM FIRST TO LAST”
Think you know everything there is to know about the original X-Men? Think again! Something happened to Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Beast, Angel, Iceman and Professor X years ago, a secret so horrible that it has been locked away in the dark corner of Cyclops' mind until today. What crisis strikes in the present that calls upon memories of the past? Witness the astonishing debut of the Evolutionaries! Taking the lead for a few issues is famed X-Men writer CHRIS YOST (X-FORCE) and with all this danger, he’s lucky to have regular X-MEN artist PACO MEDINA and DALIBOR TALAJIC (PUNISHER) along for the ride.

Oh DEAR GOD STOP IT MARVEL! JUST PLEASE STOP! Enough with the "SECRET BACKSTORIES COMING BACK TO HAUNT THE X_MEN'S PRESENT FOREVER!!". That stuff is so played out. What, it worked SO well in Deadly Genesis that they figured they'd do it again? This is the exact reason the x-men franchise is so ***ed up.

Other than that, the solicits seem pretty decent. I'm looking forward to Astonishing Cap with Diggle and Granov on art. Future Foundation sounds very intriguing. Even though i'm not a fan of Fraction at the moment, i'll buy anything that has Coipel drawing Thor vs Galactus.

I'm not at all interested in Fear Itself, which is the first event that I will not be reading until it is all done. Nor am i interested in the "top secret Spiderman event" nor the "top secret 2011 X-men event."

Speaking of Spidey, not only is he appearing in Avengers Academy, Avengers Academy is appearing in his book as well. Guess that means Academy must be in danger of cancellation if they're pulling this same ol' trick yet again. He's also guest starring in two issue of Heroes for Hire. Oh Marvel, oh desperate desperate Marvel.

 

[runawayboulder]

RIP Deadpool MAX, damnit, I knew that was coming.

On the bright side hopefully Lapham gets higher profile 616 work, the guy rocks!

 

[Specter313]

I'm surprised to see several X-titles missing. I'm guessing since the April solicits had most of the missing ones giving double issues in that month, that they have this month off.

 

[runawayboulder]

So what's the deal with The Sinister Six? They're all over the place this May.

Avengers Academy is getting some heavy duty exposure too, they have 2 issues again this month, the giant sized issue and a crossover with ASM. That's 5 books total and a sign that Marvel's not giving up on them yet.

I'll be skipping most of the Fear Itself tie-ins. None of the one's that aren't attached to a book I'm already buying seem to have relevant stuff.

GOD DAMN IT BENDIS! I knew this was gonna turn out bad in New Avengers. He's trying to incorporate the movie's Avenger's Initiative into 616 history. Is it really necessary to re-write this stuff, just leave it alone for Christ's sake! Kraven and Sabertooth as the 1st Avengers....? Gimme a friggin break.

I'm not feeling the FF's new costumes. The symbol's ok, but they could've kept the old color scheme. It looks kinda lame.

I also HIGHLY RECOMMEND the Michelinie/McFarlane Omnibus for those that weren't around when it was out.

 

[JewishHobbit]

Well, I'm always excited to see Iron Fist and the Immortal Weapons show up in a title... I just wish it'd be in one that I already read. I need to drop crap, not pick stuff up. Oh well, I guess I'll be buying a few issues of Iron Man 2.0 But screw the rest of the tie-ins. If I'm not already buying the book I'm not picking up the tie-in.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

God damn it. The Mighty Thor #2 sounds f***ing awesome, but I'm like 99% certain that Fraction will find some way to screw it up. And I always wanted someone to revisit the old Galactus/Thor rivalry from way back in Kirby's day, too.

I hope that Avengers Academy cameo in Amazing Spider-Man boosts AA's sales. Also, yay for atomic steeds! Every Avengers-related comic should have an atomic steed or two somewhere. Why would anyone not ride around on one of those?

Speaking of Spider-Man: AAAARGH, why is he everywhere this month?

Man, I cannot f***ing wait for Annihilators. Even if it probably is the cosmic line's swan song, it at least looks like a damn good one.

What the hell is up with that Moon Knight cover? Is he gaining some kind of power-copying or shapeshifting ability, or is that just incredibly blatant pandering?

Really looking forward to Satana as a Thunderbolt. I love magic shenanigans.

Jesus H. Christ, and again with Spider-Man in Silver Surfer. Mini-series too, Marvel? Why can't I f***ing escape him?! Also, Lee Weeks is awesome and deserves regular work.

Curious about that X-Men: Preludes thing. I'll probably flip through those, at the very least.

Dang, Astonishing X-Men actually sounds good. And it's got Beast and Brand. And it's by Christos Gage. Win.

Totally getting those X-Men: First Class trades. Man, I miss that series.

Dear lord, why would anyone ever want to remember Trouble, let alone give it a hardcover?

 

[kguillou]

God damn it. The Mighty Thor #2 sounds f***ing awesome, but I'm like 99% certain that Fraction will find some way to screw it up. And I always wanted someone to revisit the old Galactus/Thor rivalry from way back in Kirby's day, too.

I hope that Avengers Academy cameo in Amazing Spider-Man boosts AA's sales. Also, yay for atomic steeds! Every Avengers-related comic should have an atomic steed or two somewhere. Why would anyone not ride around on one of those?

Speaking of Spider-Man: AAAARGH, why is he everywhere this month?

Man, I cannot f***ing wait for Annihilators. Even if it probably is the cosmic line's swan song, it at least looks like a damn good one.

What the hell is up with that Moon Knight cover? Is he gaining some kind of power-copying or shapeshifting ability, or is that just incredibly blatant pandering?

Really looking forward to Satana as a Thunderbolt. I love magic shenanigans.

Jesus H. Christ, and again with Spider-Man in Silver Surfer. Mini-series too, Marvel? Why can't I f***ing escape him?! Also, Lee Weeks is awesome and deserves regular work.

Curious about that X-Men: Preludes thing. I'll probably flip through those, at the very least.

Dang, Astonishing X-Men actually sounds good. And it's got Beast and Brand. And it's by Christos Gage. Win.

Totally getting those X-Men: First Class trades. Man, I miss that series.

Dear lord, why would anyone ever want to remember Trouble, let alone give it a hardcover?

Havent you been following Corp? Moon Knight is now crazier than ever. In the new book, MoonKnight will have multiple personalities, sometimes he'll think he's spiderman, sometimes he'll think he's wolverine, or sometimes he'll be Captain America....and no i'm not kidding.

 

[JewishHobbit]

When's that new Spider-Man movie coming out? Is it around this Spring?

 

[Spider-ManHero12]

^^ July 3rd, 2012.

Overall, these solicitations sound awesome. Epsecially for Spidey, IMO.

 

[Colossal Spoons]

- FI Youth In Revolt looks awesome, all the Avengers Initiative kids plus Gravity? Yes please

- Herc in tights? Ehhhhhh

- Iron Man 2.0 is about War Machine, includes Iron Fist and the Immortal Weapons AND is not written by Fraction

- Wolverine is the new dark phoenix? Cooooooooool

- Namor's annual looks freakin awesome

- X-Men is still about vampires. Ugh, I'll continue not buying it

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I don't know why they felt the need to redesign Herc's clothes, myself. One would think that he'd be just as comfortable in his old-school Greek raiment as a mortal as he was as a god. Cool that they kept the Nemean Lion imagery, though.

Havent you been following Corp? Moon Knight is now crazier than ever. In the new book, MoonKnight will have multiple personalities, sometimes he'll think he's spiderman, sometimes he'll think he's wolverine, or sometimes he'll be Captain America....and no i'm not kidding.

Hahaha, awesome. I'm glad I'll never read that series.

 

[hippie_hunter]

I really can't believe that there is only one Deadpool ongoing now. Here's to hoping that Daniel Way gets replaced by Rick Remender and all will be right.

 

[runawayboulder]

I really can't believe that there is only one Deadpool ongoing now. Here's to hoping that Daniel Way gets replaced by Rick Remender and all will be right.

It really sucks that MAX is getting the guillotine.

 

[TheCorpulent1]

I really can't believe that there is only one Deadpool ongoing now. Here's to hoping that Daniel Way gets replaced by Rick Remender and all will be right.

The only part that sucks about it for me is that Deadpool Team-Up wasn't the surviving series. It's the only Deadpool comic I read.

 

[CantThinkOfAName]

I really can't believe that there is only one Deadpool ongoing now. Here's to hoping that Daniel Way gets replaced by Rick Remender and all will be right.

I can't believe that there was ever more than one.

 

[Tron Bonne]

I really can't believe that there is only one Deadpool ongoing now. Here's to hoping that Daniel Way gets replaced by Rick Remender and all will be right.

Nah, all would be right if DeadpoolMAX was the ongoing in question

 

[hippie_hunter]

Nah, all would be right if DeadpoolMAX was the ongoing in question

Deadpool MAX is awesome, but I prefer to see a Deadpool that continues with Fabian Niceza's interpretation of the character. Rick Remender and Duane Swierczynski are so far the only writers that have shown that they are capable of doing so. Everyone else either follows an out of continuity approach (like the awesome David Lapham) or follows Daniel Way's horrid approach.

 

[Dread]

Another month, another list of solicitations. Rants ahoy.

- Got to love TBA, who keeps showing up in art credits. He certainly does do a lot of work for Marvel, and it always varies!

(Yes, it is a joke.)

- Those X-Men Evolution variant covers are interesting. It naturally has nothing to do with the cartoon of the same name (that ran from 2000-2003), or the comic adaptation of the same name (which ran from 2001-2002). Curious that Kitty Pryde's doesn't show her death. I imagine Archangel's will be the most depressing. "From Lame To Emo" will be the piece's name. I imagine Iceman's will be the most static. You can really tell what decade it was with some of those costumes. Did you know Rogue was created in the 1980's? I thought it was impossible to notice.

- FEAR ITSELF reveals the villain as being a "god of fear" and a Serpent. While some are theorizing it may be Set the elder god, I am curious if this could also be the Midguard Serpent, who actually is related to the Asgardians and more than capable of destroying the earth (literally crushing it in its coils). It does seem as if Fraction and Brubaker have at least been passing notes in class about this, as hints could have been laid in CAPTAIN AMERICA REBORN, which ended at the start of 2010. While I have fallen out of love with Fraction on ongoing titles, he is at least a fresh writer for a crossover event. At 7 chapters, FEAR ITSELF will be shorter than his recent arcs on INVINCIBLE IRON MAN and THOR, which may actually be a boon to his pace (lord knows even his better arcs have usually been at least 1-3 issues too long). Besides, it isn't Bendis for a change, or even Mark Millar.

- FEAR ITSELF: THE HOME FRONT looks to merge the anthology format of the AGE OF HEROES/I AM AN AVENGER series with doing a FRONTLINE type mini for an event. It isn't a bad idea. I assume the Speedball story will be written by Christos Gage, making up for not doing much with him very often in AVENGERS ACADEMY. The biggest thing will be a Jimmy Woo/AGENTS OF ATLAS story that is NOT written by Jeff Parker. If that is the take Peter Milligan is writing, then he could be weird enough to handle it. Overall, I will be getting it for the lead feature, and hopefully being pleasantly surprised by the rest. Gage has been the lone writer who has wanted to rehabilitate Speedball from being Penance, but to his credit, isn't just hitting a reset button to make him light & goofy again, but is treating it like the character growth it should be. I am curious to see how it goes.

- To be honest, if Ed Brubaker was remaining on SECRET AVENGERS past issue #12 I might have jumped off after the arc wrapped. But now I want to see how Nick Spencer will handle the team.

- It is impressive that I am seeing more mini's that are priced at $2.99. I guess sales for January and February were so bad that Marvel will try anything - even being fair to costumers. This is madness!

- It is a shame that Mike McKone has left AVENGERS ACADEMY to draw a mini series I probably won't read (FEAR ITSELF: SPIDER-MAN). It isn't that I dislike Chris Yost - it just seems like extra material I may not be able to afford, and don't think I will suffer much for missing.

- FEAR ITSELF: YOUTH IN REVOLT looks very cool. It is written by Sean McKeever, of GRAVITY/YOUNG ALLIES/NOMAD: GIRL WITHOUT A WORLD/ONSLAUGHT UNLEASHED fame. Drawn by Mike Norton, whose work I have often felt was under appreciated. It features a slew of Marvel's younger and/or newer characters like Gravity, Firestar, Ultra-Girl, Tarene/Thor Girl, Hardball, Komodo and Cloud 9. Half of them have been left over from AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE with nowhere to go. I imagine Firestar running into Ultra Girl will be dramatic enough; Justice's ex meeting his rebound. Hardball ended up annoying me in A:TI, so hopefully he rebounds as well. Personally I'd have rather seen Komodo with Reptil. I am curious how the federal government can easily "deputize" these heroes since the SHRA was repealed so technically they have no authority. Can the military simply "deputize" anyone who USED to be with the Initiative, even if the act that required it was stricken down? Because if so, that is probably scarier than any fear demon and proves a lot of those anti-SHRA heroes right; once that box of privacy is opened, it never closes again. Dan Slott personally had Cloud 9 happily react to no longer being deputized by the fed, and now it seems she is right back to where she started. Still, I am interested and expect good things.

- That IRON MAN 2.0 issue with Iron Fist and Fat Cobra looks cool - too bad I am not reading that series.

- HERC #3 looks good, and I will be aboard for it. Unlike some others, I actually like Herc's new costume. It makes sense to go for a design change now that he has lost his powers; if heroes never change their clothes even for large personal events, they never will. He has worn far worse outfits in the 90's. While I don't expect it to last forever and "hero lost his powers" is old hat, I am interested in what this does for Hercules as a growth exercise. Usually the moral of every single "hero loses his powers" story is they become 500% more effective WITHOUT their powers than with them, to the point where one wonders why they even bother to restore them, or why when they get them back they aren't extra effective. Why can Superman be capable of learning warrior skills to survive powerless and on his own in "HEREAFTER" in JLU, yet fail to ever block a punch even from a more powerful opponent in every single battle he has afterward? Why can Cyclops get past psychic illusions with a handgun and some rambling incoherence without his powers in ASTONISHING X-MEN yet never accomplish such a feat of mental resistance with his powers ever again? I digress. At least this new costume retains Herc's Nemian loin buckle and his color scheme of gold and green. Actually, tropes aside, I think this will be great. Hercules will get to show that he became a hero of legend for more than just being really tough and strong. All I will need is a good reason why Cho can't just give him a "Banner tech" force-field (which allowed Cho to be able to survive a fight with Thor) and I'll be good to go.

- To my surprise, RUSE and SIGIL are not FEAR ITSELF tie in's.

- My paraphrase of the solicitation for ULTIMATE COMICS SPIDER-MAN #158: " 'Death of Spider-Man' continues, and the real question is, will ANYONE care?"

- If there is a theme I am detecting in this month's solicitations, it is support of some younger Marvel characters. The Paul Tobin/David Baldeon team-up between the Young Allies and Avengers Academy cadets seemingly finally sees print as an AVENGERS ACADEMY GIANT-SIZE special. While I will definitely buy it, this is the second time it has been canceled and repackaged, and this was before it was known that AVENGERS ACADEMY slipped to 24k a month in Jan. 2011. I will believe it when I buy it. That said, the two issues of AVENGERS ACADEMY look great; not only getting it past a year, but doing a prom of young heroes. It's about damn time Marvel's kids did something that fun and amusing. Naturally, the Sinister Six have to spoil it, but you have to shove in some villains somewhere.

- The slate of ASM issues look great, too. FUTURE FOUNDATION vs. the SINISTER SIX - bring it ON! Plus, hey, I don't mind Spidey teaching the Avengers Academy kids. That book is struggling and Marvel claims they want to support those kids. That means having them appear in ongoing series somewhat higher up the food chain than THUNDERBOLTS. Well, ASM certifies. Plus, as an Avenger, Spidey totally has a reason to meet them. Looks fun, and the art teams are solid. Reilly Brown will get to draw entire issues.

- ASTONISHING SPIDER-MAN & WOLVERINE, which is already over a month behind schedule, will wrap in May? We'll see. It has been a delightfully insane series. Whatever Jason Aaron is drinking when he writes that, I'll have two.

- Two issues of FF look interesting, finally bring subplots to a conclusion. Looks like Val brings on the end of the world. Why am I not surprised? It's always the smug, arrogant ones.

- I love how ANNIHILATORS has the balls to brag about having "the most powerful super team ever". I'm not kidding, that's awesome. Usually only Mark Millar solicitations boast like that. Although I wonder if a lone Dire Wraith should really be a threat to the Silver Surfer. Still, the series is awesome. Marvel may want to reconsider scrapping the space line - THANOS IMPERATIVE DEVASTATION, a one shot epilogue, sold 26k last month. That is more than more Marvel ongoing titles sold than I care to mention - even a few starring Deadpool.

- By May, I wonder if the sales for BLACK PANTHER: MAN WITHOUT FEAR will be low enough that Marvel will regret tanking Daredevil's audience.

- It is funny how the worm turns. In recent years, if Marvel wanted to try to boost sales with a guest star (a practice that hasn't worked since the early 90's, when comics were still a buck and change), it was usually someone like Deadpool, X-23, Ghost Rider, Punisher, Venom, and Wolverine. Now, ASM's sales are steady enough that Spider-Man is back at it. Usually he used to pop up in a series' second issue; for H4H he comes in for the second arc. I don't mind, though; he is still a street hero sometimes. It's Abnett & Lanning, and Walker, so it will look and sound great. Spidey has even teamed up with Paladin before. Why complain?

- HAWKEYE: BLINDSPOT would have been the third arc of HAWKEYE & MOCKINGBIRD, but since that got canceled, Marvel seems to have had to figure a way to publish the material as mini's because they've planned for BLINDSPOT, which is Hawkeye going blind. How does one shoot arrows while blind? I do picture it would be hilarious if Hawkeye goes into a battle shooting off arrows and his usual arrogant wisecracks, not realizing he is hitting his own team mates as well as enemies at pure random. It's like if Wolverine kept bragging about being "the best there is" after his body was changed to Nerf.

- Given that ONSLAUGHT UNLEASHED #4 is ending on the 5th month yet began on the first month of 2011, I imagine Filipe Andre needed to skip a month to make up schedule. It still is the mightiest opponent the Secret Avengers have ever faced, in a book that isn't their own. As usual.

- POWER MAN & IRON FIST #5 will be awesome. There is nothing more to say or assume.

- So Satana is joining the THUNDERBOLTS. Interesting. While the issue sounds fun as usual, I do think Jeff Parker would be wise, one day, to come up with an actual antagonist rather than oddball collections of weird threats every month. Just sayin'. Still enjoy his stuff.

- The X-MEN are STILL fighting vampires? Oy.

- X-MEN GIANT SIZE #1? Didn't they do that in 1975, or that was UNCANNY X-MEN GIANT SIZE #1? At any rate, I didn't know the original X-Men or Xavier had any dark retcon secrets left. Between Xavier being a pedo and almost killing Scott's brother, I thought that well was dry.

- Christos Gage is writing a fill in issue of ASTONISHING X-MEN? That stars Colossus? I may have to check it out!

- I do like that the movie "X-MEN FIRST CLASS" is giving Marvel reason to reprint the trades to Jeff Parker & Roger Cruz's series of the same name that have nothing in common. That series was good.

- It is about time Marvel solicited another Handbook thing! It is the annual X-Men one, but I read them all (so long as they are REAL Handbook Bio's and not just tiny profiles). Always worth the money. Given how the A-Z updates always sell worse, I imagine Marvel may keep it to themed specials for the time being. I don't mind, personally.

- Only 3 Deadpool comics? And one is a mini, and the other an annual? It is as if Marvel has realized his sales have tanked due to over exposure, a mere 15 months too late.

- It is interesting that Marvel are now able to reprint those first volumes of POWERS that Bendis & Oeming published over at Image, and that Image printed for the longest time.

Aside for snarkiness, I actually am optimistic about these solicits overall. I don't mind the Spidey guest stints; he's an Avenger and on FF and he's moved up after all. I like the support for all of the young heroes - I complain that Marvel leaves them to rot, well, at least for now they aren't.

 

[bored]

So, this new, hidden trauma for the original X-Men, does anyone else think that

Spoiler

they got bad touched by a Sentinel?

 

[Dread]

So, this new, hidden trauma for the original X-Men, does anyone else think that

Spoiler

they got bad touched by a Sentinel?

It will be that for one fleeting moment in their founding years, the X-Men...did something fun and smiled. It was immediately stricken from the record and they were attacked by demons and stranded in Hell for 17 months as punishment, and they never spoke of it. But one day Anole dusted off a photo album and said, "Wait a minute, Warren isn't scowling in this one!" and the truth trickled forth...

 

[hippie_hunter]

Actually Gage is alternating with Way on Astonishing X-Men. Way will write the issues with Cyclops, Emma Frost, Storm, and Wolverine, while Gage will write the issues with Beast, Colossus, Kitty, Lockhead, and Bran.

 

[JewishHobbit]

The Gage cast intersts me but the Way cast I can read in just about every other X-Men book out there. Too bad I've been dischanted on Astonishing X-Men enough to not try the book at all. There's no need for 4 X-Men books when 2 1/2 focus on the same 3 or 4 characters.