http://www.newsarama.com/25221-marvel-comics-october-2015-solicitations.html
I’m probably going to cover more titles, than I usually do as Marvel is starting their big relaunch of new number ones. Spoilers, I’m still not getting that many of them, but a few more than I had thought.
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #1 & 2
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS 
• DAVID MARQUEZ (a)
Exploding out of the pages of SECRET WARS, one of the most popular super heroes in the world gets a gigantic new series. From the creators that brought you ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN comes new armor, new supporting cast, new villains and a new purpose that is going to tear itself across the entire Marvel Universe and beyond. With a shocker of a last page that will have everyone talking and the return of one of Tony’s biggest nemeses, you will not want to miss this!! Also, who are Tony’s biological parents? The quest begins here!
32 PGS. (each)/Rated T+ …$3.99 (each)
I’m really surprised that they lead with Iron Man 1 & 2 instead of Secret Wars 8, but I can see where Marvel (or Newsarama – but I imagine Newsarama just copies and pastes the information) is in an awkward spot of wanting to promote the ending of their big event and the relaunch of well over 50 titles. Just goes to show how big of a deal Bendis on Iron Man is going to be. Which I’m still passing on.
SECRET WARS #8 (OF 8)
JONATHAN HICKMAN • ESAD RIBIC (a)
Cover by ALEX ROSS
GENESIS!
56 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99
*CHECK FUTURE MARVEL MAILERS FOR SECRET WARS INFINITY STONES PROMO ITEM ORDERING DETAILS.
I wouldn’t mind an Infinity Stone promo item but since Hastings still has like 60 Battleworld Maps, I can see that store not getting additional items. They never did get the free Marvel Preview book.
SIEGE #4
KIERON GILLEN
FILIPE ANDRADE (a)
Cover by W. SCOTT FORBES
THE LAST STAND OF THE SHIELD!
• Well, THAT certainly doesn’t sound ominous…
• Hey look, THANOS is here! That’s always a good sign! Just kidding, of course, that’s terrible news and everything is darkness.
• The biggest battle conceivable. Heroes rise. Legends fall. No one lives forever. THIS IS THE SHIELD!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
*SECRET WARS SERIES
I just read that Siege 1 has a reference to Illyana, so I’m hoping that she shows up a couple times in this series.
INFINITY GAUNTLET #5
GERRY DUGGAN & DUSTIN WEAVER
DUSTIN WEAVER (a/C)
• The Infinity Stones are assembled and all of Battleworld is in danger.
• Can the Nova family possibly out-flank Thanos?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
*SECRET WARS SERIES
This has to spell into Secret Wars 8, right? Since Thanos was in the Ultimate Liferaft, I can only imagine there isn’t more than one Thanos, but I’m probably not right about that.
AGE OF APOCALYPSE #5
FABIAN NICIEZA • IBAN COELLO (a)
Cover by GERARDO SANDOVAL
• The philosophy of Apocalypse has always been “let the fittest survive,” but by its ultimate extension, that would only leave one person standing! As mutants fall from the shocking release of a devastating plague, who will live and who will die? And if Apocalypse falls, who will rule in his place…?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
*SECRET WARS SERIES
Shadowcat wasn’t in the first issue so who knows if I’m getting any of these.
GROOT #5
JEFF LOVENESS
BRIAN KESINGER (a)
Cover by DECLAN SHALVEY
• You didn’t think we were going to tell the story of one of Groot’s adventures without bringing BABY GROOT into the fray, did you?
• With his goal of reuniting with his best friend (and interpreter) Rocket Raccoon within reach, Groot’s only got a ship full of mercenaries to contend with. Should be a piece of cake, right?
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
Issue two was pretty nice, might have to keep reading this in the store.
DEADPOOL VS. THANOS #3 & 4 (of 4)
TIM SEELEY • ELMO BONDOC (a)
Cover by TRADD MOORE
ISSUE #3 & 4 VARIANT COVER BY RON LIM
• Let me check the Marvel Wiki. Hang on…
• OK…Deadpool is a guy with guns and swords…
• Thanos is an Eternal with strength, endurance, agility, and nearly invulnerable skin, who can shoot cosmic energy from his eyes and hands.
• Sounds like a fair fight!
32 PGS. (each)/Rated T …$3.99 (each)
That’s a fun write up. The whole Thanos’ jealousy of Deaths’ attraction to Deadpool, is a subplot that I’m glad people are not forgetting.
ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT MARVEL POINT ONE #1
AL EWING, CHARLES SOULE, SKOTTIE YOUNG, GERRY CONWAY, MARC GUGGENHEIM
FELIPE ANDRADE, RON GARNEY, PACO MEDINA, GERMAN PERALTA, MIKE PERKINS, STEFANO CASELLI (A)
Cover by MIKE DEL MUNDO
In the aftermath of SECRET WARS, it’s an All-New, All-Different Marvel Universe, and this is your one-stop entry point to the changes and mysteries that have developed during the eight months that have passed! Featuring new stories of DAREDEVIL, CARNAGE, CLASSFIED, CLASSIFIED, AGENTS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. and CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS!
56 PGS./ One-Shot/Rated T+ …$5.99
I am super curious about the events that take place during the eight month jump from Secret Wars 2015 8 and the new number ones. I figured there would be a big name creative team doing that official answer but I’ll order this and see what is up.
AVENGERS #0
MARK WAID, JAMES ROBINSON, G. WILLOW WILSON, AL EWING, GERRY DUGGAN
MAHMUD ASRAR, LEONARD KIRK, GERARDO SANDOVAL, KENNETH ROCAFORT,
RYAN STEGMAN, VICTOR IBANEZ (A)
Cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
The kickoff to the All-New AVENGERS line begins here, with new stories of the ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT AVENGERS, SQUADRON SUPREME, A-FORCE, NEW AVENGERS, ULTIMATES and UNCANNY AVENGERS! Someone is carefully studying the movements of the Avengers and those in their orbit—but do they mean to harm, or help? Find out the first clues in this special launch issue!
56 PGS./Rated T+ …$5.99
I like the idea of having the Avengers family of titles being in sync with each other. I’m surprise that Squadron Supreme is under that title. Ultimates, seems like an odd name to attach to that title (get to that later) as that will probably be the lowest selling series to carry that name. I have issues with, New Avengers, as well. Actually, Ultimates, doesn’t come out until November, but it is just Mighty Avengers rebranded. Like the different title is going to fool anybody.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #1 & 2
DAN SLOTT • GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI (a)
THE WORLD’S GREATEST SUPER HERO!
Spider-Man has gone global! Parker Industries is more successful than ever, with offices in New York, Shanghai, London and San Francisco and Peter Parker is racking up the frequent flyer miles with his “bodyguard” Spider-Man in tow, of course. But success breeds enemies and a reinvigorated Zodiac have also widened their scope to threaten the whole world. Join Dan Slott and Giuseppe Camuncoli as they take Spider-Man to the next level! This huge first issue also includes stories featuring Silk, Spidey 2099, Spider-Woman and much more!
ISSUE #1 – 72 PGS./Rated T…$5.99
Issue #2 – 32 PGS/RATED T…$3.99
So people keep complaining that they are Tony Starking Peter Parker but I’m curious how this unfolds as Superior Spider-Man was awesome. But I’m also not buying this, so what do I know.
ANGELA: QUEEN OF HEL #1
MARGUERITE BENNETT
KIM JACINTO and STEPHANIE HANS (a)
COVER BY JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO
HEL HATH A NEW FURY.
Stolen from ASGARD, exiled from HEVEN, and robbed of SERA, her greatest companion – ANGELA plunges into the depths of blackest HEL to save her friend…and once there, the lost princess of Asgard will carve out a realm of her very own. All hail ANGELA, THE NEW QUEEN OF HEL!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
This looks to be a tad more serious than Angela’s last series – prior to Secret Wars 2015. Those write ups were fun. I’ll be passing on this series.
BLADE #1
TIM SEELEY • Logan Faerber (a)
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
Good for Blade for having a daughter, but it takes more than that to get me to buy a Blade series.
THE ASTONISHING ANT-MAN #1
Nick Spencer • Ramon Rosanas (a)
Scott Lang was a down-on-his-luck, divorced ex-con — until he stole renowned scientist and super hero Hank Pym’s size-altering technology in the hopes of saving his daughter’s life. Through that act of doing wrong for the right reasons, Scott inadvertently learned how to be a hero himself. With Pym’s blessing and his daughter Cassie at his side, he became… The Astonishing Ant-Man! But when a curveball upends Scott’s life, will he continue to be a hero, or will he return to his former life of crime?
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
Nice that Marvel is still promoting Ant-Man, even after the film’s release. I suppose they have to get new trades out there when the BluRay comes out.
CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS #1
AL EWING
PACO MEDINA (a/C)
Welcome to the BATTLEREALM–a broken section of space-time where cosmic beings gamble for the ultimate power while their unwilling pawns fight for their lives and a chance to return back to Earth. Who will survive… THE CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS?
40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99
This looks like it has a fun open door policy to allowing a slew of characters to appear. I’ll have to add it to make sure I don’t miss anyone.
DOCTOR STRANGE #1
JASON AARON
CHRIS BACHALO (a/C)
Who do you call when things are coming out of your dreams and trying to kill you? Or when your daughter is cursing in Latin and walking like a spider? Or when your dog keeps screaming at you to strangle your neighbors? Doctor Strange, of course. He’s the only person standing between us and the forces of darkness, but has he been paying his tab? Every act of magic has a cost and Jason Aaron (THOR, ORIGINAL SIN) and Chris Bachalo (UNCANNY X-MEN) are going to put Stephen Strange through hell to even the scales.
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99
Nice that Doctor Strange is getting a new ongoing, and it is a great creative team but I’ll be passing.
Art by Humberto Ramos
EXTRAORDINARY X-MEN #1 & 2
JEFF LEMIRE • HUMBERTO RAMOS (a/C)
ISSUE #1 – HIP-HOP VARIANT COVER BY SANFORD GREENE
COSPLAY VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE
VARIANT COVER BY J. SCOTT CAMPBELL
BLANK VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE
ISSUE #2 – KIRBY MONSTER VARIANT COVER BY PHIL NOTO
VARIANT COVER BY TBA
The fate of mutantkind is decided here! Staring down the threat of extinction once more, veteran X-Man Storm pulls together the team she’ll need to ensure her race’s survival. Together, these EXTRAORDINARY X-MEN will struggle with the familiar burden of being hated and feared, while facing threats the likes of which they’ve never seen. Here’s hoping they survive the experience!
Issue #1 – 40 PGS./RATED T+…$4.99
Issue #2 – 32 PGS./RATED T+…$3.99
I’m so jazzed about this new series! Extraordinary X-Men promises to be the flagship title and Magik being on the main team, is awesome! I wonder what the cosplay variants are going to be like? One character dressing as another character?
Art by Art Adams
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS(w)
VALERIO SCHITI (a)
Cover by ARTHUR ADAMS
HIP HOP VARIANT is by SHAWN CRYSTAL
COSPLAY VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE
YOUNG VARIANT COVER BY SKOTTIE YOUNG
BLANK VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE
ACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
VARIANT COVER BY VALERIO SCHITTI
SKETCH VARIANT COVER BY ARTHUR ADAMS
VARIANT COVER BY JASON LATOUR
KIRBY MONSTER VARIANT COVER BY MIKE ALLRED
THE RACCOON’S IN CHARGE!
Peter Quill has abandoned the Guardians and his role as Star-Lord to be Emperor of the Spartax. Rocket didn’t wait a single minute to take the reins and become team leader of Drax, Venom, Groot, Kitty Pryde (A.K.A. Star-Lady ?!?!) and new Guardian BEN GRIMM, the ever-loving THING! 32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
We got confirmation that Star-Lady is Kitty Pryde! So awesome that Bendis is keeping her under his pen. I wish the name was more like Star-Kat or something. ShadowLass is taken by DC’s Phantom Girl but that would have worked too. I guess whenenver Guardians show up now, in a solict, I have to keep track of that now. I wonder if Marvel is going to quietly promote that this title has two Jews on the team (Kitty Pryde and Thing) which I believe is a record number. It is, at least, noteworthy for having Marvel’s two biggest characters of that religion, on the same time. I’m pretty excited about reading Thing on a monthly basis. Plus, Thing is pants! I’m always a fan of that. I’m also happy the action figure variants are sticking around. I imagine that Quill will still appear in the series, from time to time but as long as Kitty is on the main team, we really don’t have to visit him. I’m really hoping with how Lockheed has been in three series, during Secret Wars 2015, that someone remembers to bring him along in a new series. He would be perfect on this time and make him an official member too! Do it!
WHAT IF? INFINITY – THANOS #1
JOSHUA WILLIAMSON • MIKE HENDERSON (a)
Cover by TOM WHALEN
Variant Cover by KRIS ANKA
What if Thanos joined the Avengers?
• Thanos made a deal with the Avengers to use his army to protect Earth from the invading forces, but it came with a cost…
32 PGS./ONE SHOT/Rated T+ …$3.99
WHAT IF? INFINITY – INHUMANS #1
JOSHUA WILLIAMSON • RILEY ROSSMO (a)
Cover by CHRISTIAN WARD
What if the INHUMANS took over Earth?
• BLACK BOLT is the new supreme ruler of Earth, but what happened to Earth’s Mightiest Heroes?
32 PGS./ONE SHOT/Rated T+ …$3.99
WHAT IF? INFINITY – AVENGERS #1
JOSHUA WILLIAMSON(w)
MIKE NORTON (a)
Cover by MATT FERGUSON
What if the AVENGERS lost the war?
• Years after the fall of Earth, CANNONBALL leads a small team of surviving mutants in the deepest parts of space looking for shelter. Eventually they meet up with a few surviving Avengers who had go to great and scary lengths to survive…
32 PGS./ONE SHOT/Rated T+ …$3.99
WHAT IF? INFINITY – GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1
JOSHUA WILLIAMSON(w)
JASON COPLAND (a)
Cover by DAVE RAPOZA
What if the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY found out the ILLUMINATI were hiding Thanos?
• Thanos is the most wanted man in the universe and for years he was secretly being held by the Illuminati. The Guardians of the Galaxy just found out and they are ****** off.
32 PGS./ONE SHOT/Rated T+ …$3.99
WHAT IF? INFINITY – DARK REIGN #1
JOSHUA WILLIAMSON • GORAN SUDZUKA (a)
Cover by JAMES FLAMES
What if NORMAN OSBORN had the INFINITY GAUNTLET?!
• DARK REIGN returns as the GREEN GOBLIN gets his hands on the most dangerous item in the Marvel Universe! No one is safe!
32 PGS./ONE SHOT/Rated T+ …$3.99
As much as I’m a huge fan of the What If concept, was Infinity that much of a beloved crossover that people want to revisit it? I imagine the thought process was that Secret Wars 2015 was too much of a What If but Marvel wants to still sell a trade of Hickman’s so they went with his previous crossover. The first two issues were okay but that’s all I read. The Only one I’m interested in is the Avengers one, as it features Cannonball and a small team of mutants. Could this be a nice New Mutants reunion? I imagine, if it was, that it would be promoted as such. Kitty wasn’t even thought to be part of the Guardians, or had met them by that point (if my memory serves correctly) so she shouldn’t be in that series at all. I do like the Dark Reign remembrance and Norman Osborn with the Infinity Gauntlet should be a very interesting story concept.
HOWLING COMMANDOS OF S.H.I.E.L.D. #1
FRANK BARBIERE • BRENT SCHOONOVER (a/C)
Hidden deep beneath AREA 13 lies the clandestine headquarters of S.T.A.K.E.–a top secret division of S.H.I.E.L.D. housing aliens, mythical beasts, and all manner of extra-normal entities. Under the command of legendary soldier DUM DUM DUGAN, these monsters step out of the shadows and defend the world against supernatural threats too dangerous for normal men as THE ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT HOWLING COMMANDOS OF S.H.I.E.L.D.!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
Man-Thing! The concept is awesome but I’m going to have to pass.
KARNAK #1
WARREN ELLIS • GERARDO ZAFFINO (a)
Cover by DAVID AJA
THE FLAW IN ALL THINGS
“My curse is that I see the flaw in all things. Systems. Philosophies. Structures. People. Everything. Never forget who I am. I am Karnak of the Inhumans.” You may not know who Karnak is now, but you will when Warren Ellis (MOON KNIGHT, Planetary) and Gerardo Zaffino are done with you. Phil Coulson goes to Karnak to help with a SHIELD case with Inhuman implications and what he’s going to find will terrify you.
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
Marvel’s desire for the Inhumans to be super important, Karnak, and his power to see every flaw, was pretty awesome in Paul Jenkins and Jae Lee’s incredible Inhumans series (that I still want to own that motion comic, one day) but I’m not sure how long an ongoing of his can last. I know Marvel stated that their new philosophy was to treat ongoings like television series seasons, and have set 12 issue stories. Which isn’t horrible but that means that if you don’t like one issue, you are not coming back for a full year. Pass.
NEW AVENGERS #1 & 2
AL EWING • GERARDO SANDOVAL (a/C)
EVERYTHING IS NEW. In the wake of SECRET WARS, the old order changeth – and Bobby DaCosta, Sunspot, is just the man to changeth it. Welcome to AVENGERS IDEA MECHANICS – a super-scientific global rescue squad of tomorrow’s heroes… today! America doesn’t want them! S.H.I.E.L.D. doesn’t know what to do with them! But Earth might not survive without… the NEW AVENGERS!
32 PGS. (each)/Rated T+ …$3.99 (each)
Shouldn’t this series just be titled, Avengers Idea Mechanics? Why have an in-title name for the team but brand it an already well used name? Will this team change focus after a few issues? Ultimate Reed Richards being the other hold over from the Ultimate Universe, seems interesting. Now we have proper Human Torch (in Inhumans), Thing (in Guardians of the Galaxy) and now Ultimate Reed Richards is accounted for. Where is the proper Reed and Sue? I’m passing on this.
CAPTAIN AMERICA: SAM WILSON #1 & 2
NICK SPENCER • DANIEL ACUñA (a/C)
When Steve Rogers was restored to his natural age, he chose one of his closest and most trusted allies to take up his shield. Now Sam Wilson, formerly the Avenger known as Falcon, carries on the fight for liberty and justice as the all-new, all-different Captain America!
32 PGS. (each)/Rated T …$3.99 (each)
I like FalCap sticking around but I’m still passing on this.
SPIDER-GWEN #1
JASON LATOUR • ROBBI RODRIGUEZ (a/C)
BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT!
Gwen Stacy is back in the webs and has an all-new, all-different mystery to solve: the reappearance of The Lizard! Spider-Woman was convinced that the Lizard died in her arms along with Peter Parker. But when a similar monster goes on a reptilian rampage, she’s left with doubts not only about Peter’s life, but his death as well. And witness the debut of the Osborns of Earth-65! Fan-favorite creators Jason Latour, Robbi Rodriguez & Rico Renzi are back for more with a story that every Spider-Fan will be talking about!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
I still haven’t read an appearance of Spider-Gwen and I don’t see that changing, anytime soon. Does this series, and the previous one, take place in her universe? That might explain why I haven’t seen her in anything. Pass.
SPIDER-MAN 2099 #1 & 2
PETER DAVID • WILL SLINEY (a)
2099 IN YOUR CALENDARS, #1 IN YOUR HEARTS.
With a job at PARKER INDUSTRIES, a stable relationship, and uncertain of what impact his actions will have on the future, Miguel O’Hara has decided that it’s time to hang up the webs and retire from being Spider-Man. But when a dangerous new threat appears and puts his new life in jeopardy, he’s got no choice but to don some new threads and tackle the problem the only way he knows how: head on! By the webslinging wonders Peter David and Will Sliney (you know ‘em, you love ‘em.) this is one EXPLOSIVE Spider-Title you won’t want to miss.
32 PGS. (each)/Rated T …$3.99 (each)
So is Miguel still in the present day? That new costume is going to get getting use to, but since I won’t see it outside of solicts, I doubt I will get the opportunity. Pass.
THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #1
RYAN NORTH • ERICA HENDERSON (a/C)
NEW SERIES. NEW AVENGER(!). STILL EATS NUTS AND KICKS BUTTS!
Galactus. Thanos. M.O.D.O.K. With her unique combination of wit, empathy, and totally kick-butt squirrel powers, Doreen Green — aka The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl — has taken ALL these chumps down! Alongside her friends Tippy-Toe (a squirrel) and Nancy (a regular human with no powers whatsoever — they checked), Squirrel Girl is all that stands between the Earth and total destruction! Sometimes. Other times there’s no threats and she’s just a regular computer science student. That’s an adventure too though!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
The first series has been a load of fun but I’m still only going to read it in the store. Pass.
UNCANNY AVENGERS #1
GERRY DUGGAN • RYAN STEGMAN (a/C)
New team, same mission. Steve Rogers has formed a new Avengers unity squad compromised of humans, mutants and…Inhumans? A new threat to the Avengers is revealed. Wait, is that Deadpool on the cover? Is he seriously an Avenger now?
40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99
I like Gerry Duggan getting a proper big title – Deadpool is big but it isn’t Avengers big – and I guess Spider-Man is still going to take the time to be on teams and running a global business. Stark has done it for decades, so why not Parker? Deadpool makes sense being on this team, now that I know Duggan is involved. Passing but will be tracking it. Steve Rogers seems like he has the same position as around the Heroic Age, minus the SHIELD overview. Maybe?
UNCANNY INHUMANS #1
CHARLES SOULE
STEVE MCNIVEN & BRANDON PETERSON (a)
Meet the Uncanny Inhumans. MEDUSA! BLACK BOLT! TRITON! READER! HUMAN TORCH?! BEAST?! It’s eight months later and everything is different for the Inhumans. Medusa and Johnny Storm are an item. Black Bolt is running covert missions of his own. And something so big happened between the Inhumans and the X-Men that Beast is now on the side of the Inhumans. And if that’s not enough, the most dangerous villain throughout Marvel’s history is against them—KANG THE CONQUEROR. Don’t miss what the epic team behind DEATH OF WOLVERINE (Charles Soule and Steve McNiven) have in store for you. All this plus a bonus story by Charles and Brandon Peterson (UNCANNY X-MEN).
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99
Was Death of Wolverine ever late? I can’t recall. Human Torch is in this as is the traitorous Beast, so that’s not enough to get me to buy this. Pass.
GUIDEBOOK TO THE MARVEL CINEMATIC UNIVERSE – MARVEL’S IRON MAN
MIKE O’SULLIVAN & THE OHOTMU TEAM
Cover by MIKE DEL MUNDO
At last, the Marvel Cinematic Universe receives its own guidebook! Starting with the 2008 blockbuster Marvel’s Iron Man, this series will profile fan-favorite Marvel Studios films and Marvel Television series! But this isn’t your daddy’s Official Handbook — the MCU Guidebooks are completely overhauled, slicker, sleeker and packed with vital information about the people, places, and objects that make the Marvel Cinematic Universe so compelling! Chock full of “fast facts,” movie-to-comic comparisons, behind-the-scenes artwork and production stills, this inaugural issue features Tony “Iron Man” Stark himself; allies like Pepper Potts, Happy Hogan, Ho Yinsen and Agent Phil Coulson; enemies like Obadiah Stane and the Ten Rings; Tony’s armors and equipment including JARVIS, the Arc Reactor, Stark Mansion…and don’t forget “Dum-E!” And much more! Relive the big-screen thrills of Marvel’s Iron Man, and begin building your indispensable library of Cinematic Universe reference books!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
As much as I adore Handbooks, them being about the Marvel Cinematic Universe, leaves me cold. May have to flip through a copy in the store.
MARVEL SUPER HERO CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS #1
STEVEN GRANT, MARK GRUENWALD & BILL MANTLO
JOHN ROMITA JR. (a/C)
• The Grandmaster enters a cosmic wager with Death herself, using Earth’s mightiest heroes as his chess pieces!
• His goal? To return his fellow Elder of the Universe, the Collector, to life!
•The stakes? Nothing less than the fate of the Earth itself!
•Now, heroes from around the globe must battle it out in a contest like none ever seen before.
•Marvel’s historic first miniseries is re-released in a single volume, packed with extras!
•Guest-starring…everyone! (Everyone circa 1982, that is.)
•Collecting MARVEL SUPER HERO CONTEST OF CHAMPIONS #1-3.
88 PGS./Rated T …$7.99
Kitty is in the first and third issues of this, and it may be fun to keep a nice copy on the shelf. It is priced right. If only Kitty was on the cover, I would be super tempted but if Hastings gets a copy, I could see being tempted by it.
FIGMENT 2 #2 (of 5)
JIM ZUB • RAMON BACHS (a)
Cover by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
Action Figure Variant Cover by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
FIGMENT AND DREAMFINDER’S LEGACY CATCHES UP TO THEM!
• As Figment and Dreamfinder adapt to their new time period, a shadowy threat emerges…and you’ll never guess its origin!
• Steampunk adventure and modern technology clash with unexpected results!
• Don’t miss the next installment of the sequel to the fan-favorite, sell-out miniseries!
32 PGS./All Ages …$3.99
Elements based on Figment © Disney
That lousy Figment! Who is buying this! Demand more Lockheed appearances, if you like small purple dragons so much!
MARVEL SUPER HERO SPECTACULAR #1
KARL KESEL • DAVID BALDEON (a)
Cover by TODD NAUCK
A SUPER HERO EXTRAVAGANZA THE LIKES OF WHICH THE WORLD HAS NEVER SEEN!
• Get a front row seat to the hottest ticket in town as we unveil Saturnalia and the Interstellar Circus Spectacular!
• But there’s more to these three rings than meets the EYE!
• Featuring a wild array of new characters and some of Marvel’s all-time most popular super heroes including the Avengers, the Guardians of the Galaxy, and Spider-Man!
32 PGS./ One-Shot /All Ages …$3.99
See, this looks super passable but it has the Guardians on the cover BUT with Quill as Star Lord, so I will order it and probably just not buy it.
MARVEL UNIVERSE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1
Adapted by Joe Caramagna
Variant cover by Michael Ryan
THE GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY RETURN IN THEIR NEW ON-GOING SERIES!
• Star-Lord! Rocket! Groot! Gamora! Drax!
• Join your favorite galactic guardians at the start of their new adventures!
32 PGS./All Ages …$2.99
Can Kitty show up in this cartoon? That would be pretty awesome!
I’m glad they group the four Star Wars ongoings together and at the bottom, makes it easier to skip right over them.
SECRET WARS HC
Written by JONATHAN HICKMAN
Penciled by ESAD RIBIC & PAUL RENAUD
Cover by ALEX ROSS
The Marvel Universe is no more! The interdimensional Incursions have eliminated each and every alternate universe one by one. And now — despite the best efforts of the scientists, sages and superhumans — the Marvel Universe and Ultimate Universe have collided…and been destroyed! All that exists in the vast empty cosmos is a single, titanic patchwork planet made of the fragmented remains of hundreds of devastated dimensions: Battleworld! And the survivors of this multiversal catastrophe all bend their knee to Battleworld’s master: Doctor Doom! What strange creatures inhabit this world? Which familiar faces will return? And what happens when Battleworld’s various domains go to war? The Marvel Universe is dead — and the victors of the Secret Wars will determine what comes next! Collecting SECRET WARS (2015) #1-8 and material from FREE COMIC BOOK DAY 2015: SECRET WARS #0.
224 PGS./Rated T+ …$49.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9884-0
Trim size: oversized
$50 for a hardcover, isn’t terrible. Thus far, in the first four issues – Ultimate Shadowcat has only been in the first issue. Issue four had two major deaths but I can see the trade being a great read. I’m not sure about re-read but if you are waiting for this trade, I imagine it won’t disappoint. I do like it coming out in the same month as the final issue. I know I read the final issue of DC’s Convergeance (which was horrible) and seeing plenty of copies of the other issues, I could have read the whole series, right there but I like the idea of being tempted to read the final issue and buying the trade to get the whole story. Then, the fifty dollars price point, may be a turn off.
AGE OF APOCALYPSE: WARZONES! TPB
Written by FABIAN NICIEZA
Penciled by GERARDO SANDOVAL & IBAN COELLO
Cover by GERARDO SANDOVAL
His war has been won. The few humans left alive are enslaved; the mutant rebellion crushed. En Sabah Nur, Apocalypse, rules his Battleworld kingdom without mercy — but the terrorist X-Men plan to end his reign! For Magneto and his X-Men, success means finding a very special mutant named Cypher and unleashing a weapon that will kill Apocalypse — and possibly all other mutants, as well! As the X-Men face Cyclops and Havok’s Elite Mutant Force, Angel finds himself protecting a “flatscan” named Jean Grey, and Dr. Nemesis must sabotage Dark Beast’s quest to become the newest Horseman of Apocalypse! As the race to claim the Legacy virus grows desperate, the X-Men, the Horseman and the human insurgency clash! The devastating plague begins claiming mutants’ lives — but if Apocalypse falls, who will rule in his place? Collecting AGE OF APOCALYPSE (2015) #1-5.
120 PGS./Rated T+ …$16.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9862-8
If you are a Doug Ramsey completist, you may want this and for $17, that isn’t bad. I’m still hoping that Shadowcat shows up but she is busy over in Star Lord & Kitty Pryde – if that will never come out.
I’m surprised Marvel didn’t brand the trades as “Secret Wars 2015 – Age of Apocalypse – Warzones” but I’m sure the Secret Wars 2015 logo will appear somewhere on the trade dress.
MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE CHAMPIONS VOL. 1 HC
Written by TONY ISABELLA & BILL MANTLO with CHRIS CLAREMONT & JIM SHOOTER
Penciled by GEORGE TUSKA & JOHN BYRNE with BOB HALL, DON HECK & SAL BUSCEMA
Cover by GIL KANE
Join the Black Widow, Hercules, Ghost Rider, Iceman and Angel as they form an all-new super-team: the Champions! This massive Masterworks collects the Champions’ complete adventures in a single volume! Every issue, every highlight, every page as the lives of these Marvel icons play out together. Their struggles will reveal the origin of the man who created the Black Widow, pit them against the combined might of Magneto and Doctor Doom; unleash the Crimson Dynamo and Titanium Man on Los Angeles; team them with the Stranger in the fight for an Infinity Gem; and bring fan-favorite artist John Byrne aboard for some of his greatest early work, including stories featuring the Sentinels and Brotherhood of Evil Mutants! Collecting CHAMPIONS #1-17, IRON MAN ANNUAL #4, AVENGERS (1963) #163, SUPER-VILLAIN TEAM-UP #14 and SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN (1976) #17-18.
432 PGS./Rated T …$100.00
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9692-1
Hey, Marvel can print this with the ‘Champions’ name and everything! Have the full 17 issues in one handy trade is pretty awesome. $100, is a bit much. How many are they hoping to sell? I guess if they sell ten that is a thousand dollars.
UNCANNY X-MEN VOL. 1 HC
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by CHRIS BACHALO, FRAZER IRVING, KRIS ANKA & MARCO RUDY
Cover by CHRIS BACHALO
The flagship X-Men series returns! In the wake of the Phoenix event and Professor X’s death, what are Cyclops and his outlaw X-Men: visionary revolutionaries or dangerous terrorists? Whatever the truth, Cyclops, Emma Frost, Magneto and Magik are gathering new mutants and redefining the name “Uncanny X-Men.” But they face harsh challenges: Robotic Sentinels hunt mutants once again, there’s a mole on Cyclops’ squad, and a villain is secretly posing as their former ally! As a new team of students forms, a weakened Magneto must prove he’s still the Master of Magnetism, and Magik faces the evil Dormammu! School is in session — but as the new recruits learn what it means to be an X-Man, they wonder what exactly they’re being trained for. Plus: Kitty Pryde! INHUMANITY! And more! Collecting UNCANNY X-MEN (2013) #1-11, #14, #15.INH and #16-18.
360 PGS./Rated T+ …$34.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9532-0
Trim size: oversized
Issues 12 and 13 are Battle of the Atom crossover and since that never happen, they are not reprinting it – that’s my theory. This was when the title was pumping out the hits. If you are not turn off by the $35, I would recommend you buy it. Most websites, don’t charge you the full price if you order early.
THE SUPERIOR FOES OF SPIDER-MAN OMNIBUS HC
Written by NICK SPENCER, JAMES ASMUS, TOM PEYER & ELLIOT KALAN
Penciled by STEVE LIEBER, RICHARD ELLIS, CARMEN CARNERO, NUNO PLATI & MORE
Cover by MARCOS MARTIN
The spidery sleeper-hit series is collected in one stylish, superior volume! Boomerang and his “team” of villains have a plan and the means to pull it off, but they’re about to learn the hard way that you can’t steal the head of cyborg mob boss Silvermane without severe repercussions! Now, Boomerang has been targeted for death — but what does the Beetle know about it? Is Overdrive a rat? Can Shocker and Boomerang repair their relationship? And if Speed Demon can’t do the time, then he shouldn’t have done the crime! Now the Foes are up against the world’s most dangerous thing: the truth! Manhattan descends into chaos as the gang war begins! Lives are lost, feelings are hurt, and car keys get misplaced as the Foes take on all comers! Collecting THE SUPERIOR FOES OF SPIDER-MAN #1-17.
376 PGS./Rated T+ …$49.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9837-6
Trim size: oversized
I’ve heard amazing things and people are still talking about it so it must be holding up. If I can read this in the store, I may try to do so. I imagine it will come shrinkwrapped so I will probably never read it.
THE UNCANNY X-MEN OMNIBUS VOL. 3 HC OPEÑA COVER
Written by CHRIS CLAREMONT
Penciled by DAVE COCKRUM & PAUL SMITH with
FRANK MILLER, BRENT ANDERSON, BILL SIENKIEWICZ,
WALTER SIMONSON, JOHN ROMITA JR., MICHAEL GOLDEN, BRET BLEVINS, JOHN BUSCEMA, RON FRENZ & SAL BUSCEMA
Covers by JEROME OPEÑA & PAUL SMITH
Experience some of the greatest stories the blockbuster X-Men franchise has to offer! The era’s top talents mark milestone after mutant milestone beginning with the “Brood Saga.” Then, author Chris Claremont rises to find perhaps his most poignant and challenging expression of the mutant metaphor in “God Loves, Man Kills.” His work with Frank Miller on WOLVERINE skyrocketed the character’s popularity, setting the stage for his breakout as a global icon. The X-Men classics continue with a look into Professor X’s past with Magneto, Kitty Pryde and Colossus’s growing romance, Illyana Rasputin’s transformation into Magik, encounters with Dracula; Rogue’s debut with the X-Men, the first appearance of the Morlocks; and the wedding of Cyclops and Madelyne Pryor. Collecting UNCANNY X-MEN (1981) #154-175, X-MEN ANNUAL (1970) #6-7, MARVEL GRAPHIC NOVEL #5, WOLVERINE (1982) #1-4, SPECIAL EDITION X-MEN #1 and MAGIK (1983) #1-4.
968 PGS./Rated T+ …$99.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9922-9
Trim size: oversized
THE UNCANNY X-MEN OMNIBUS VOL. 3 HC
SMITH COVER (DM ONLY)
968 PGS./Rated T+ …$99.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9923-6
Trim size: oversized
Now this, if I had a spare $100 (and I never do!) I would buy this in a heartbeat! The entire Paul Smith run, in a beautiful hardcover, yes please! Plus a slew of other titles. I would definitely put a bookmark wherever issue 165 starts and read on from there, countless times. Probably be another bookmark right when the Original Brood Saga begins with Cockrum on art but 165 to 175, is so great. Legendarily great! Legendarily, is a word, who knew?
CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE 75TH ANNIVERSARY
VIBRANIUM COLLECTION HC
Written by JOE SIMON, JACK KIRBY, STAN LEE, STEVE ENGLEHART, MIKE FRIEDRICH, ROGER STERN, MARK GRUENWALD, KIERON DWYER, MARK WAID, ED BRUBAKER & RICK REMENDER
Penciled by JACK KIRBY, JOE SIMON, AL AVISON, JOHN ROMITA SR., SAL BUSCEMA, JOHN BYRNE, KIERON DWYER,
RON GARNEY, STEVE EPTING, MICHAEL LARK & STUART IMMONEN
Cover by ALEX ROSS
Celebrate 75 years of the Sentinel of Liberty with this Vibranium-sized, slipcased collection of Captain America’s greatest adventures from each decade — from the Golden Age, to Cap’s 1950s revival, to his return after years on ice! Cap battles the Red Skull and his Sleepers, socks Hitler in the jaw, faces M.O.D.O.K. and the Secret Empire, and races against time in Baron Zemo’s Bloodstone Hunt! Bucky Barnes returns as the Winter Soldier, and the Falcon steps up to wield the shield for an all-new era! Iconic tales of suspense from a score of industry legends! Collecting CAPTAIN AMERICA (1968) #169-175, #255 and #445-448; CAPTAIN AMERICA (2005) #8-9 and #11-14; and ALL-NEW CAPTAIN AMERICA #1-6 — plus material from CAPTAIN AMERICA COMICS #1-2, #7 and #10; CAPTAIN AMERICA (1954) #76-78; TALES OF SUSPENSE #72-74 and #92-94; and CAPTAIN AMERICA (1968) #357-362.
824 PGS./Rated T+ …$200.00
ISBN: 978-1-302-90000-7
Cap is turning 75! That’s pretty awesome. $200 for a trade, is too much.
UNCANNY X-MEN VOL. 5: THE OMEGA MUTANT TPB
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by KRIS ANKA & CHRIS BACHALO
Cover by CHRIS BACHALO
The X-Men gather to unseal the last will and testament of their beloved leader, Charles Xavier — but what they learn will change Xavier’s entire legacy! And as they hunt an all-powerful mutant whom Charles had secreted away, Scott Summers faces his own past. Thanks to his Phoenix-possessed murder of Professor X, Cyclops destroyed his former life and has become one of the world’s most wanted men. But is the greatest threat to his safety lurking within the dark recesses of his own mind? Then, Magneto returns to the X-Men, but they’re certainly not happy to see him. In the fallout from AXIS, the team members return to the school to lick their wounds and search for an identity. Are they terrorists, revolutionaries, teachers…or something else entirely? Collecting UNCANNY X-MEN (2013) #26-31.
136 PGS./Rated T+ …$19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-8939-8
Second to last Bendis era trade of Uncanny X-Men.
ALL-NEW X-MEN VOL. 6: THE ULTIMATE ADVENTURE TPB
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by MAHMUD ASRAR
Cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
Dimension-hopping is something of an X-Men rite of passage, and it’s about time the All-New X-Men took the plunge! You don’t always have to travel Miles away to visit a new place, but will the tangled Web in which these young time-displaced X-Men find themselves Ultimately bring about their end? Okay, enough subtlety: The All-New X-Men meet Miles Morales, the Ultimate Spider-Man — and this is a showdown you won’t want to miss! Will either universe ever be the same again? Guest-starring scores of Ultimate characters! Plus: It’s Iceman unleashed as young Bobby Drake takes the offensive! And X-23 may be abandoning her loner ways as she takes an interest in the high-flying Angel! Tune in as yesterday’s X-Men continue to explore the fear-fraught future of the present day! Collecting ALL-NEW X-MEN #31-36.
136 PGS./Rated T …$19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-8969-5
This was a pretty fun romp.
GUARDIANS TEAM-UP VOL. 1: GUARDIANS ASSEMBLE TPB
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS, SAM HUMPHRIES, JOHN LAYMAN, ANDY LANNING, ANDY SCHMIDT & MORE
Penciled by ARTHUR ADAMS, STEPHANIE ROUX, MIKE MAYHEW, OTTO SCHMIDT, GUSTAVO DUARTE & MORE
Cover by ARTHUR ADAMS
The Guardians of the Galaxy meet the Marvel Universe’s heaviest hitters in this titanic tome of team-ups! First, it’s a cosmic threat so massive it’ll take both the Guardians and the Avengers to stop it! But when the likes of Gamora, Black Widow, Hawkeye and Rocket Raccoon are forced to problem-solve together, only one thing is guaranteed: destruction! And when the Black Vortex strikes the Kree Empire, Ronan the Accuser must battle alongside the Guardians! Then, intergalactic bounty hunters are hired to target a tough, green, mean powerhouse — but there are two Marvel heroines who fit that description. And now Gamora and She-Hulk are both fighting mad! And finally, Rocket Raccoon must team up with the Pet Avengers, much to his dismay, to face some truly fowl villains! Collecting GUARDIANS TEAM-UP #1-5 and TAILS OF THE PET AVENGERS #1.
136 PGS./Rated T+ …$16.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9714-0
Issues three and five were pretty good, even though Lockheed doesn’t appear or is mention in the fifth issue. Issue three was the Black Vortex crossover, which has an appearance by Magik in it.
. . .
October doesn’t look to be too expensive for me. It is mostly a large number of Maybe titles.
Secret Wars 8 $5
Siege 4 $4
Age of Apocalypse 5 $4
All New All Different Marvel Point One $6
Contest of Champions 1 $5
Extraordinary X-Men 1 &2 $9
Guardians of the Galaxy 1 $4
What If : Infinity – Avengers $4
Marvel Super Heroes Spectacular $4
With ten comics for a total of $45 but I save a dollar a comic, that’s only $35, which is under my $40 budget. I probably only really buy Extraordinary X-Men and Guardians of the Galaxy, which is $13 – 3 = $10, which is even better!
I do wonder how Kitty being in this will effect the films, if at all. I still say if they introduced her as ‘Star Lady” and had her name be, Katherine, they probably could get away with it. But her being part of the comics, makes me think I will be buying a slew of titles, going toward.
This wasn’t even all of the new number ones, as there are still six or ten other X-Related titles so November may be the expensive month.
. . .
This seems silly to add, but I know I will need this when I look back at it in a few months :
Titles to add to my pull list –
All New All Different Marvel Point One
Contest of Champions
Extraordinary X-Men
Guardians of the Galaxy
What If : Infinity – Avengers
Marvel Super Heroes Spectacular
Shadow and Flame with Magik 