http://www.newsarama.com/24217-marvel-comics-full-july-2015-solicitations.html

SECRET WARS #5 (OF 8)
JONATHAN HICKMAN • ESAD RIBIC (a)
OWEN REECE DIED FOR OUR SINS!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
 

            Owen Reece is Molecular Man

 

SECRET WARS: OFFICIAL GUIDE TO THE MARVEL MULTIVERSE #1
Written by THE OHOTMU TEAM, LED BY MIKE O’SULLIVAN & JEFF CHRISTIANSEN
Cover by MIKE McKONE
Worlds are colliding! Both on Battleworld, and in the SECRET WARS OFFICIAL GUIDE TO THE MARVEL MULTIVERSE #1 – a collection of all-new Profiles! Journey through Marvel’s multiverse:
Old Man Logan! The Ultimate Universe’s Spider-Man (Miles Morales)! The Age of Ultron! Weirdworld! The Spider-Verse event! The Age of Apocalypse’s Nightcrawler! Plus: profiles of the characters and events at the core of the Secret Wars: the Incursions of Earths, Namor’s Cabal, the Future Foundation kids and more! Also featuring key participants in previous Secret Wars: Volcana (Marsha Rosenberg), Thunderball (Eliot Franklin), the healer Zsaji, the Dark Elf Kurse, original Battleworld refugee Puff the dragon, and the Secret Wars II event itself! And because we love you: the Pet Avengers’ Throg, Lady Deadpool, Teen Hulk…and Obnoxio the Clown?!
64 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99
 

            I am a sucker for Handbooks! Puff the Dragon, hopefully someone at Marvel remembers that she was in the best miniseries Marvel has ever printed – Kitty Pryde : Shadow and Flame. Lockheed should also get a mention in the Throg profile. I imagine there will be an Age of Apocalypse Shadowcat profile too. Not sure why they advertised Nightcrawler in the write-up, probably due to his death in Remender’s Uncanny X-Force.

 

Ms. MARVEL #17
G. WILLOW WILSON • ADRIAN ALPHONA (a)
COVER BY KRIS ANKA
•The team-up to end all team-ups has finally arrived! Carol “Captain Marvel” Danvers and Kamala “Ms. Marvel” Khan face the end of the world HEAD ON in this epic issue!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

            This does feel like what the series has been leading up to.

BLACK WIDOW #20
NATHAN EDMONDSON
PHIL NOTO (a/C)
WHO IS THE BLACK WIDOW?
• What set off her long path of atonement?
• The creative team that’s brought you the longest run in Black Widow history steps deeper into the psyche of Natasha Romanoff than ever before.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

            Sad that Natasha hasn’t had a longer series than 20 issues.  

 

THORS #2
JASON AARON • CHRIS SPROUSE (a/C)
Variant Cover by Dale Keown
• The saga of the Battleworld police force continues!
• More murders. More mystery. More Thors! (Like GROOT THOR!)
• And maybe even a break in the case, as a surprising suspect is brought in for questioning…
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
*SECRET WARS SERIES

 

             Groot Thor is an amazing addition to the Thor mythos!

 

MASTER OF KUNG FU #3 (OF 4)
HADEN BLACKMAN • DALIBOR TALAJIC (a)
Cover by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA
THE BATTLE FOR CONTROL OF K’UN LUN HAS BEGUN!
• The Thirteen Chambers have opened, and all K’un Lun’s schools gather to determine who is THE MASTER OF KUNG FU!
• As Master to the Lowest Caste, Shang-Chi attempts to enter the tournament in order to topple the despotic Zheng Zu.
• Will Shang-Chi, a wanted murderer, be able to elude his enemies long enough to face his father?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

            Here is hoping that Kitty and Lockheed keep appearing in this!

 

ULTIMATE END #3 (OF 5)
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS • MARK BAGLEY (a/C)
THE BATTLE YOU THOUGHT YOU’D NEVER SEE!
• The mash up of the ULTIMATE UNIVERSE and the MARVEL UNIVERSE reaches its tipping point.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

            Here is hoping that Shadowcat is a major part of this crossover.

Art by Yasmine Putri

 

STAR-LORD AND KITTY PRYDE #2
SAM HUMPHRIES • ALTI FIRMANSYAH (a)
Cover by YASMINE PUTRI
ACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
• The most legendary star-crossed lovers in the Marvel Universe crash land on BATTLEWORLD!
• STAR-LORD and AGE OF APOCALYPSE KITTY PRYDE wage Love and Secret War!
• Will love tear us apart, again?
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
*SECRET WARS SERIES

 

Could it be AoA Shadowcat that is getting the variant cover treatment! That is fun proper cover too by Putri!

SECRET WARS JOURNAL #3 (OF 5)
SCOTT AUKERMAN & FRANK TIERI
RICHARD ISANOVE & RB SILVA (a)
Cover by JAKE WYATT
• COMEDY BANG BANG’S SCOTT AUKERMAN and RB SILVA follow psychologist Doc Samson as he tries to bring personal growth and inner peace to a land of RAGE-A-HOLIC HULKS!
• FRANK TIERI and RICHARD ISANOVE bring you a tale of murder and mayhem in the mighty Marvel Noir style! Will Wolverine discover a prominent citizen’s murder…or be the next victim?!
• The SECRETEST, WARRIEST book around! Go ahead, name a contender. NO! YOU’RE WRONG! BUT WE LOVE YOU ANYWAYS.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

            Another fun write up! Not sure if it would be worth buying though. Could Kitty be the prominent citizen in the Wolverine tale?

 

SECRET WARS: BATTLEWORLD #3 (OF 4)
IVAN BRANDON and RYAN FERRIER
AARON CONLEY, LOGAN FAERBER and PAUL POPE (a)
Cover by SCOTT HEPBURN
• One versus many! What happens when a Wolverine who’s found peace is confronted with wave after wave of feral Wolverine? Bring a poncho!
• The Deadpool of 1872 is looking for a new ride! Say, Devil Dinosaur looks like a mighty fine steed…
• See the tremendously tiny tussle of the Ant-Men of Battleworld!
• If you only read one Secret Wars anthology, MAKE IT THIS ONE! If you read two…BUY TWO COPIES! Secret Wars Journal won’t love you like we do.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

I like Battleworld anthology claiming to be better than the Journal anthology. If you like Wolverines, this is the issue for you.

 

SIEGE #1 & 2
KIERON GILLEN • FILIPE ANDRADE (a)
THEY CAN’T EVER WIN. THEY CAN’T AFFORD TO LOSE.
• THE SHIELD is the only thing that protects the more civilized areas of Battleworld from the ZOMBIE HORDES, DEATH MACHINES, AND ANNIHILATION WAVES.
•  Anyone who annoys Doom gets sent to The Shield. Anyone who gets sent to the Shield deals with ABIGAIL BRAND.
• Miss America, Lady Katherine, Kang the Conqueror, Leah Shieldmen, the Endless Summers Company, Leonardo Da Vinci and a cast of thousands will fight to the death to keep Battleworld safe. But don’t worry, Kieron Gillen is writing this book, so I’m sure everything will end happily for everyone.
• “Imagine NextWave as a tragedy,” says Kieron, if anyone asks him about it.
32 PGS. (EACH)/Rated T+ …$3.99 (EACH)
*SECRET WARS SERIES

            A cast of thousands? hmmmmm

 

AGE OF APOCALYPSE #1
FABIAN NICIEZA • GERARDO SANDOVAL (a/C)
Connecting Cover 1 of 5 by Gerardo Sandoval
• His war has been won. The few humans left alive are enslaved, the mutant rebellion crushed. EN SABAH NUR, the APOCALYPSE, rules his BATTLEWORLD kingdom without mercy, but the terrorist X-MEN plan to end his reign. Success means finding one very special mutant named CYPHER and unleashing a weapon that will kill Apocalypse — and possibly all mutants, too!
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99
*SECRET WARS SERIES

 

I like the idea of interlocking covers for these miniseries. Hopefully Shadowcat gets on one of them, Illyana as well. I do like a miniseries based around Doug Ramsey.

 

AGE OF APOCALYPSE #2
FABIAN NICIEZA • GERARDO SANDOVAL (a/C)
• The hunt for CYPHER brings MAGNETO’s X-MEN into confrontation with CYCLOPS & HAVOK’s ELITE MUTANT FORCE! Meanwhile, ANGEL has to protect a “flatscan” named JEAN GREY and DR. NEMESIS plans to sabotage DARK BEAST’s quest to become APOCALYPSE’s newest HORSEMAN.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
*SECRET WARS SERIES

I guess AoA Shadowcat being in her own ongoing (with Star Lord), means she can’t be in this series as well. or can she be? I would have voted, yes!

 SPIDER-ISLAND #1 & #2 (of 5)
CHRISTOS GAGE & TOM DEFALCO
PACO DIAZ & RON FRENZ (a)
Cover by HUMBERTO RAMOS
• The Spider-Queen has turned Manhattan into an island of Spider-Madness and Peter Parker has lost, thanks to Spider-Scribe CHRISTOS GAGE (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN) & rising star artist PACO DIAZ (WOLVERINE, SCARLET SPIDERS).
• With Spider-Man defeated and captive, does Flash Thompson, A.K.A. VENOM stand a chance?
• All this, plus visit the MC2 patch of BATTLEWORLD! Mayday Parker and her Spider-Family are back courtesy of classic Spider-Girl team TOM DEFALCO, RON FRENZ & SAL BUSCEMA!
Issue #1 40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99
Issue #2 32 PGS /Rated T …$3.99

            I had no interest in this until the MC2 Spider-Girl mention.

 1602 WITCH HUNTER ANGELA #2
MARGUERITE BENNETT with KIERON GILLEN
STEPHANIE HANS WITH Irene Koh (a)
Cover by STEPHANIE HANS
Variant Cover by Irene Koh
“IN WHICH WICKED SOMETHINGS THIS WAY COME”
• The hunt is on! The Faustians have made their deal with the Devil — er, Enchantress — but Angela isn’t going to take that lying down, is she? No, not by her psychic ribbons and very, very pointy weapons, no, she is not.
• Out into the wilds of the countryside, Angela and Sera collide with a wandering caravan of ne’er-do-well performers. (Hint: their name starts with a “G” and ends with an “Y” and has an “Uardians of the Galax” in the middle.)
• Pagan rites, dubious ethics, a deadly curse, and Kieron and Irene Koh being up to no good – who can resist the lure of the Faustians?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
*SECRET WARS SERIES

Another fun write up for an Angela series!  I sort of wish this was about all of the witches of the Marvel Universe, then we could have gotten Illyana into a second title.

CAPTAIN BRITAIN AND THE MIGHTY DEFENDERS #1 (of 2)
AL EWING • ALAN DAVIS (a/C)
• Welcome to Battleworld – where, in what’s left of Mondo-City One, Boss Cage is the law!
• When the fascist futuropolis annexes neighboring Yinsen City, who’ll stand up for Ho Yinsen’s dream of universal peace?
• If you liked the Mighty Avengers — you’ll love the Mighty Defenders!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

Poor Paul Cornell, Marvel is finally made a MI13 title and he isn’t writing it. Though it only looks like Excalibur and Captain Britain are members from the old title.

A-FORCE #3
MARGUERITE BENNETT & G. WILLOW WILSON
JORGE MOLINA (a/C)
Variant Cover by KEVIN WADA
• She-Hulk has violated the most sacred rule of Battleworld…
• …and now A-Force is on the run from the planet’s protectors: The Thor Corps!
• And while trying to prove her innocence, She-Hulk discovers that one of her own may have engineered her downfall…
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
*SECRET WARS SERIES

            This is what I didn’t get about the Exiles series, whenever there is an interdimensional story, shouldn’t that team be on site as well? The Thor Corps have their own title, that they are the police of Battleworld, but they are not in every title, which doesn’t make any sense. So I’m glad that someone is seeing the concept through.

 GIANT-SIZE LITTLE MARVEL: AVX #2
SKOTTIE YOUNG • SKOTTIE YOUNG (a/C)
Variant Cover by TBA
• Our heroes may be little, but boy are they fierce!  The land of Marville brings you the best of Marvel as they face-off in a battle of the fittest, in a slightly smaller package.
• Super-powered dodgeball, high-tech hideouts and eye-puns a plenty, Marvel’s most adorable heroes aren’t pulling any punches in this larger-than-life, fun-size adventure.
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
*SECRET WARS SERIES

Should be a super cute time!

             I do like how they are making a point of stating “Secret Wars Series” to distinguish from the “Last Days” series, I’m guessing.

 

X-MEN ‘92 #2
CHRIS SIMS & CHAD BOWERS • SCOTT KOBLISH (a)
Cover by PEPE LARRAZ
Variant Cover by TBA
• ROGUE & GAMBIT…together at last?
• WOLVERINE face-to-face-to-face with CYBER and OMEGA RED!
• All orchestrated by THE SHADOW QUEEN!
• Battleworld’s most ’90sest district’s tubular tale keeps rocking!
40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99
*SECRET WARS SERIES

            This should be pretty fun, it seems just like a plot from the cartoon.

 
Art by Art Adams

 YEARS OF FUTURE PAST #3
MARGUERITE BENNETT • MIKE NORTON (a)
Cover by ART ADAMS
Variant Cover by Mike Norton
• Gouged up from its sanctuary, the mutants’ last defender clashes with Sentinels above the ruins of New York City!
• Kate Pryde and her family take refuge in a Coney Island madhouse…and find dark revelations at last!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
*SECRET WARS SERIES

 

Is that a giant Lockheed on the Art Adams cover? Oh man, could that be awesome!

X-TINCTION AGENDA #2
MARC GUGGENHEIM
CARMINE DI GIANDOMENICO (a)
Cover by DAVID NAKAYAMA
• The Secret Wars sequel to the landmark inaugural X-Crossover continues!
• In desperate need of a cure for their people, Havok, Wolfsbane and the Press Gang have invaded X-City.
• As old friends become new enemies, the war to save Genosha from extinction is on!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
*SECRET WARS SERIES

X-Tinction Agenda the inaugrural X-Crossover? It came well after Mutant Massacre and Fall of the Mutants.

 E IS FOR EXTINCTION #2
CHRIS BURNHAM • RAMON VILLALOBOS (a)
Cover by IAN BERTRAM
Variant Cover by TBA
• The Classic X-Men rally against Magneto and his New X-Men, to save the life of one of their own!
• EMMA FROST versus her CUCKOOS! Have the students become the teachers??
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
*SECRET WARS SERIES

Emma v Cuckoos could be a decent fight

 
art by Javier Garron

 INFERNO #3
DENNIS HOPELESS • JAVIER GARRON (a/C)
VARIANT COVER BY TBA
• What has Illyana done to Nightcrawler (and can we get the action figure)?
• Can Colossus really trust the Goblin Queen?
• Where did that weird little demon’s master go and what do they want with Boom Boom?
• Kindergarten Cable? Seriously?
• These questions and more will be answered in our hellacious third issue.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
*SECRET WARS SERIES

 

Look how bad ass Darkchyld is on that cover! What she did to Nightcrawler seems pretty intense too! I was just thinking about where Magik was during Secret Wars 2015 as I had clearly forgotten about this series.

SPIDER-VERSE #3
MIKE COSTA • ANDRE ARAÚJO (a)
Cover by NICK BRADSHAW
• SPIDER-MAN NOIR ON THE RUN!
• The Web Warriors are outmatched in a world where none of them belong. Does Spider-Ham hold the secret to a possible victory?
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
*SECRET WARS SERIES

 

Spider-Ham? This could be alright.

DEADPOOL’S SECRET SECRET WARS #3 (OF 4)
CULLEN BUNN • MATTEO LOLLI (a)
Cover by TONY HARRIS
• The war that’s so secret, the rest of the Marvel Universe doesn’t even remember it!
• Amid the chaos Deadpool dons…a new costume?!?!
• Plus: our heroes stage a huge attack on the gluttonous GALACTUS!
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

 

Oh Deadpool with a symbiote, that could be pretty fun!
A slew of Star Wars comics that took a while to down page through.

 

art by Declan Shalvey

 

GROOT #2
JEFF LOVENESS • BRIAN KESINGER (A)
Cover by DECLAN SHALVEY
VARIANT COVER BY TBA
• STRANDED, and without anyone who can understand what’s coming out of his mouth, it’s Groot vs The Cosmos in a trek to get his best friend back!
• Featuring a special guest star who’s REALLY OUTTA THIS WORLD!
• Groot may look intimidating, but, trust us, he’s all bark!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

 

I take it, this series isn’t affected by Secret Wars 2015? Well, good job Marvel, you got me to buy Groot 2, as it has both Kitty and Illyana on the cover! Hopefully one of this is the mysterious guest star! Hopefully neither of them is covered up by the logo!

HOWARD THE DUCK #5
CHIP ZDARSKY • JOE QUINONES (a/C)
• While the world’s greatest super heroes fight to save NYC – and possibly America and parts of Canada – Howard and Tara Tam learn a lot about each other, and themselves.
• Communication is key in life. Be inquisitive about the people you surround yourself with.
• RETAILER NOTE: This issue is a HOWARD THE DUCK #4 tie-in!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 

             This is a fantastic write up! This is a tie-in to the previous issue, is a line that I want to read more often!

 

GUARDIANS TEAM-UP #7 & 8

ISSUE #7
Paul Scheer & Nick Giovannetti
Shawn Crystal (A)
Cover by David Lopez
ISSUE #8 – RAY FAWKES
BENGAL (A/C)
Issue #7 –
• DRAX is taking his talents to South Beach, the home of pastel suits, chainsaws*, and ANT-MAN.
• When a murderous alien ends up in Miami, it’s up to an unlikely duo of Ant-Man and Drax to stop him, that is of course if they can stop bickering with each other long enough. They’re Lethal Weapons who are Running Scared and they have 48 Hours to save the day before the Hot Fuzz come and replace them with The Other Guys.
•*Oh yes there will be chainsaws!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Issue #8
• A crippled spaceship with a million souls on board. A ruthless force, blasting it all the way to the ground.
• And in the middle: Groot and the Silver Surfer, teamed up for a daring rescue!
• But what mysterious quest can bring them both together in the midst of this conflict?
• And what is the prize that they may both be willing to sacrifice themselves for?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

I can’t believe that Marvel isn’t just hijacking this series to essentially be the Pet Avengers title! For shame!

 THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #7
RYAN NORTH • ERICA HENDERSON (A/C)
• Our friend Squirrel Girl doesn’t like our new friend Girl Squirrel! In this issue we’ll discover if this dislike is… POTENTIALLY JUSTIFIED??
• Also: if you don’t care whether or not these two people like each other, perhaps me telling you that THE WORLD HAS GONE MAD AND SQUIRREL GIRL HAS TO FIGHT THE AVENGERS IN THIS ISSUE will attract your attention?
• It did? Well guess what: she also fights Ratatoskr, the Norse God of squirrels!
• Also, Old Guy Thor is in this issue! As is New Lady Thor! We don’t have Frog Thor, though.
• That seems like an oversight, actually??
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99
 

            I wish they referred to him as “Old Guy Thor” and just “Thor” for the lady one – which is how we should be referring to her, she is simply – Thor. Throg being left out, is an oversight!

 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #20.1
GERRY CONWAY • CARLO BARBERI (a)
Cover by YASMINE PUTRI
Variant Cover by NICK BRADSHAW
• The final chapter of “Spiral” brings Spidey and Wraith together- but not as friends.
• The crime landscape of New York City is changed from here on out…
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

            “From here on out” seems silly with Secret Wars 2015 amongst. Though I do like how they placed all of this Old Marvel Universe titles together in the same section, maybe maybe one or two in the right family of titles above.

 

COLLECTIONS

AVENGERS BY KURT BUSIEK & GEORGE PEREZ OMNIBUS VOL. 2 HC
Written by KURT BUSIEK, ROGER STERN, FABIAN NICIEZA, ROY THOMAS & STEVE ENGLEHART
Penciled by GEORGE PEREZ, STUART IMMONEN, JOHN ROMITA JR., STEVE EPTING, ALAN DAVIS, MANUEL GARCIA, KIERON DWYER, BRENT ANDERSON, IVAN REIS, PATRICK ZIRCHER, YANICK PAQUETTE, BRUCE TIMM, NORM BREYFOGLE, RICHARD HOWELL, MARK BAGLEY, JERRY ORDWAY & MORE
Cover by GEORGE PÉREZ
Fan-favorite creators Kurt Busiek and George Pérez craft a new era for Earth’s Mightiest Heroes! The Avengers forge an uneasy alliance with the Thunderbolts to face Count Nefaria — but the true threat comes from the stars as Earth is declared a cosmic maximum-security prison for alien criminals! To save their planet, and contend with hordes of rampaging Hulks and the spawn of Ultron, the Avengers must rebuild their operation bigger and better than ever. But none of it will do any good when the time-spanning Kang the Conqueror wages war on the present day…and wins! Now, Captain America and a small band of rebels may be the world’s only hope for freedom! Collecting AVENGERS (1998) #24-56, #1½ and ANNUAL 2000-2001; THUNDERBOLTS (1997) #42-44; MAXIMUM SECURITY: DANGEROUS PLANET; MAXIMUM SECURITY #1-3; and AVENGERS: THE ULTRON IMPERATIVE.
1248 PGS./Rated T …$125
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9807-9
Trim size: oversized

            I would highly recommend this to anyone who has a spare $125, as it is amazing!  You know, for those people.

 

DEADPOOL: PAWS PROSE NOVEL HC
Written by STEFAN PETRUCHA
Marvel’s popular Merc with a Mouth in an all-new ARRGGH * Hey hey, book readers, take off those big thick glasses — this is Deadpool speaking! Sorry Marvel, somethin’ happened to your copy guy. Anyway, this is my first prose novel, and they got this dude Stefan Petrucha to write it. He’s good people — he’s written novels (Ripper, Dead Mann Walking) and comics (Power Rangers, X-Files). But here’s the thing: This book is about dogs. Dogs that turn into big nasty monsters. And then I gotta kill ’em. Thing is, I like killing people — the ones that deserve it, anyway — but I won’t kill dogs. No way. So that’s what we call a character dilemma. What — wait for the paperback? Who said that?! I’ll gut you right now—
304 PGS./No Rating …$24.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9327-2

That is a funny description! Though I would say, wait for the paperback, as that is what I’m doing with the X-Men Days of Future Past prose novel and instead of paying $25, I am only paying $8 – and with a discount, probably be closer to five dollars.

 

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY SOLO CLASSIC OMNIBUS HC
Written by BILL MANTLO, CHRIS CLAREMONT, LEN WEIN, JIM STARLIN, MIKE FRIEDRICH, STEVE ENGLEHART,
AL MILGROM, DOUG MOENCH, JIM SHOOTER, JACK KIRBY & SCOTT EDELMAN
Penciled by SAL BUSCEMA, JIM STARLIN, AL MILGROM, PAT BRODERICK, BOB HALL, STEVE GAN, KEITH GIFFEN,
JOHN BYRNE, CARMINE INFANTINO, BILL SIENKIEWICZ, GENE COLAN, TOM SUTTON, MIKE MIGNOLA, JACK KIRBY, MIKE ZECK, KEITH POLLARD & MICHAEL GOLDEN
Cover by ALEX ROSS
They’re the galaxy’s greatest heroes — but who were they before they met? Find out in this complete collection of their earliest appearances! Drax’s sole mission is to destroy Thanos. But when Thanos launches an all-out war with Gamora as his uneasy ally, can Drax succeed even with the Avengers’ help? Plus: Witness the space-faring adventures of the legendary Star-Lord and Rocket Raccoon’s quest in the Keystone Quadrant! And gasp as Groot tries to…conquer Earth?! Collecting INCREDIBLE HULK (1968) #271 and ANNUAL #5; IRON MAN (1968) #55; CAPTAIN MARVEL (1968) #27-33, #43-44 and #58-62; STRANGE TALES (1951) #180-181; WARLOCK (1972) #9-11 and #15; AVENGERS (1963) #219-220 and ANNUAL #7; MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE ANNUAL #2; MARVEL PREVIEW #11; MARVEL SPOTLIGHT (1979) #1-2 and #6-7; MARVEL PREMIERE #61; ROCKET RACCOON (1985) #1-4; and STAR-LORD SPECIAL EDITION — plus material from TALES TO ASTONISH (1959) #13; LOGAN’S RUN #6; MARVEL PREVIEW #4, #7, #14-15. 1112 PGS./Rated T+ …$125
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9832-1
Trim size: oversized

I’ve read that that 1985 Rocket mini is pretty fun.  Though I want to say that they’ve printed a collection like this already, like when the movie first came out, so there might be a cheaper version of it.  It most likely doesn’t have nearly as many stories, I’m imagining.

  CAPTAIN MARVEL VOL. 3 TPB
Written by KELLY SUE DECONNICK
Penciled by DAVID LOPEZ
Cover by DAVID LOPEZ
Captain Marvel’s time as an astronomical Avenger has pitted her against some of the worst the galaxy has to offer. But now, the Haffensye Consortium has finally caught up to Carol and Tic! Carol was barely able to survive the last time she squared off against the Haffensye — will she be so lucky again? And when bloodthirsty space pirates attack, will Captain Marvel find herself in way over her head? Place your bets! Then, Carol is drawn into THE BLACK VORTEX, but as she faces the cosmically powered Iceman and Groot, the Vortex’s power may prove too strong for Earth’s Mightiest Hero! And as the dust settles, Carol sets her sights on Earth, preparing for a homecoming an entire year in the making! Unfortunately, time is running out for the Avengers — and the end is nigh! Collecting CAPTAIN MARVEL (2014) #12-15.
96 PGS./Rated T+ …$12.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9841-3

            I like that the Black Vortex issue is included in the trade. I could understand Marvel leaving it out (I’m not sure on what the rule is when they do make that decision) but for those fans who only follow that series, it makes sense to keep the issue in the trade. Plus, maybe sell a Black Vortex trade that way. If they left it out, I could see a fan not really caring. Maybe be a tad interested, do a quick Google search and lose interest. Though it is a good crossover.

 AVENGERS WORLD VOL. 4: BEFORE TIME RUNS OUT TPB
Written by SAM HUMPHRIES &
FRANK BARBIERE
Penciled by BENGAL & MARCO CHECCHETTO
Cover by JEFF DEKAL
The Avengers, Illuminati and Cabal have been battling to save their world while reality dies and time runs out around them — but how did things get the way they are? Find out here, as the answers you’ve been waiting for are revealed! Cannonball and Smasher face their greatest adventure yet: parenthood! But can the new parents survive an encounter with the Shi’ar Imperial Guard? Sunspot takes on A.I.M. in the Savage Land as Starbrand and Nightmask face a surprising enemy, and Thor and Hyperion are unleashed! The Avengers fall as the Cabal rises — and no world is safe as the march to the end times begins! Plus: Starbrand is losing his grip on his humanity! Can Nightmask bring him back to Earth? And can he stand against the cosmic fire of Kolobus? Collecting AVENGERS (2012) #34.2 and AVENGERS WORLD #17-21.
144 PGS./Rated T+ …$19.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9252-7

 

I really liked issue 17 but that’s all I can vouch for.

 DOCTOR STRANGE: DON’T PAY THE FERRYMAN TPB
Written by ROGER STERN & PETER B. GILLIS
Penciled by SAL BUSCEMA & CHRIS WARNER
Cover by MIKE MIGNOLA
Flames of the Faltine! Is it getting hot in here, or is it just Mephisto? When Doctor Strange joins Reed and Sue Richards in battle with the Lord of Lies, the enchanting sorceress Topaz is freed from hell. But half her soul remains in torment. Can Strange complete her — or will he fall prey first to a siren’s song? Or perhaps to a feral feline demon? With a key part of his costume clawed to pieces, Stephen’s going to need a new Cloak — but when the unholy Urthona strikes, he might need a new body, too! The old saying goes, “Don’t pay the ferryman until you get to the other side.” But before Strange can reach it, there might just be a new Sorcerer Supreme! Collecting DOCTOR STRANGE (1974) #75-81.
176 PGS./Rated T …$24.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9325-8

Have they been quieting reprinting Doctor Strange’s 1974 series and I haven’t noticed? One would imagine that they would wait for the movie or some tie-in that I’m not connecting with this printing. I’m glad the write up as the rest of the expression in it, as I am not familiar with it.

BLACK PANTHER BY CHRISTOPHER PRIEST: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL. 1 TPB
Written by CHRISTOPHER PRIEST & JOE QUESADA
Penciled by MARK TEXEIRA, VINCE EVANS, JOE JUSKO, MIKE MANLEY, MARK BRIGHT & SAL VELLUTO
Cover by JOE QUESADA
Black Panther reinvented as a sharp and witty political satire? Believe it! T’Challa is the man with the plan as Christopher Priest puts the emphasis on the Wakandan king’s reputation as the ultimate statesman, as seen through the eyes of the U.S. government’s Everett K. Ross. As the Panther investigates a murder in New York, Ross plays Devil’s Advocate in an encounter with Mephisto, and a new regime seizes control in Wakanda. When the truth behind the coup becomes clear, T’Challa finds himself an enemy of the state — and a major revelation threatens to destroy his relationship with the Avengers! Plus: Meet Queen Divine Justice — is she ready to join T’Challa’s deadly crew of female bodyguards, the Dora Milaje? Are they ready for her? Hold onto your pants, because Ross sure can’t! Collecting BLACK PANTHER (1998) #1-17.
416 PGS./Rated T+ …$34.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9267-1

Oh man, buy this! Priest’s Black Panther is the best! The ever lovin’ best! Which ever trade reprints Sturm und Drang, I will recommend like crazy.  To fully appreciate that trade, you sort of have to start at the beginning as Priest was doing some long form storytelling with this series. I just now noticed Joe Quesada is credited as a writer, I wonder which issue he got that for?

POWER MAN & IRON FIST EPIC COLLECTION: HEROES FOR HIRE TPB
Volume #1 in the Power Man & Iron Fist Epic Collections
Written by MARY JO DUFFY with CHRIS CLAREMONT, ED HANNIGAN, BOB LAYTON & STEVEN GRANT
Penciled by KERRY GAMMILL with JOHN BYRNE, TREVOR VON EEDEN, MIKE ZECK, SAL BUSCEMA, LEE ELIAS, MARIE SEVERIN & ALAN WEISS
Cover by DAVE COCKRUM
Marvel’s stronger-than-steel man of the streets, Luke Cage, partners with the mystic kung-fu master Iron Fist in the beginning of one of the greatest teams in comic-book history! Together, Power Man and Iron Fist are heroes for hire, taking on any any job, any challenge — so long as their clients can meet the price. But both heroes have long pasts and old foes out to destroy them. Between those menaces and making ends meet, it’s a life short on downtime and long on action! This inaugural Epic Collection features the beginning of our heroes’ partnership; guest appearances by the X-Men, and Colleen Wing and Misty Knight — the Daughters of the Dragon; and classic villains including Nightshade, Bushmaster and Sabretooth! Collecting POWER MAN #48-49 and POWER MAN & IRON FIST (1978) #50-70.
448 PGS./Rated T …$39.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9296-1

 

            It makes sense to test the market with this, as people are going to want more Luke Cage, once his Netflix series begins (and his practically co-starring in Jessica Jones’ series).

 X-MEN: AGE OF APOCALYPSE VOL. 1 — ALPHA TPB
Fully updated reading order! Includes LegionQuest prologue!
Written by SCOTT LOBDELL, MARK WAID, FABIAN NICIEZA, JEPH LOEB, LARRY HAMA, JOHN FRANCIS MOORE
& WARREN ELLIS
Penciled by ROGER CRUZ, RON GARNEY, ANDY KUBERT, IAN CHURCHILL, CHRIS BACHALO, JOE MADUREIRA, TONY DANIEL, ADAM KUBERT, STEVE EPTING, STEVE SKROCE & KEN LASHLEY
Cover by ANDY KUBERT
Charles Xavier is dead — killed twenty years in the past during a time-travel accident — and the world created by his absence is a nightmare! Apocalypse rules with an iron fist, ruthlessly enforcing his dictum that only the strong shall survive. But hidden in Apocalypse’s long shadow are a group of ragtag freedom fighters led by Xavier’s oldest friend, Magneto: the X-Men! When Bishop, last survivor of the true Marvel Universe, explains how the world went wrong, these embittered mutants and their tenuous allies must risk everything to put things right! Collecting UNCANNY X-MEN (1981) #320-321, X-MEN (1991) #40-41, CABLE (1993) #20, X-MEN ALPHA, GENERATION NEXT #1, ASTONISHING X-MEN (1995) #1, GAMBIT AND THE X-TERNALS #1, WEAPON X (1995) #1, FACTOR X #1, X-MAN #1, X-CALIBRE #1, AMAZING X-MEN (1995) #1 and X-MEN: AGE OF APOCALYPSE ASHCAN EDITION.
408 PGS./Rated T …$34.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-9364-7

So they are reprinting these with easier reading orders? Wouldn’t just reprinting them with the miniseries, fully intact? I know I would buy the Generation Next one.

 . . .

 So here is my running tally –

 

Secret Wars 5            $4
Secret Wars Handbook            $5
Star Lord and Kitty Pryde 2            $4
Masters of Kung Fu 3            $4
Ultimate End 3            $4
Age of Apocalypse 1 & 2            $8
Years of Future Past 3            $4
Giant Size Little Marvel : AvX 2            $4
Inferno 3            $4
Groot 2            $4

Which makes my total – $45. With eleven comics, so eleven dollars off, that makes my real total $34 – which is even more perfect!

Plus, really, there are a lot of maybes on that list above – Secret Wars, Age of Apocalypse, Giant Size Little Marvels – so the total could be even lower! $29, with my discount at Hastings being – $24, which is under twenty five dollars, so isn’t too bad. Well under my forty dollar budget!

It also leaves room for some other Maybes such as –

SECRET WARS JOURNAL #3 (OF 5)
SECRET WARS: BATTLEWORLD #3 (OF 4)
A-FORCE #3
X-MEN ‘92 #2
X-TINCTION AGENDA #2
E IS FOR EXTINCTION #2

Still though, that is a lot of titles that I’m at least interested in tracking. I’ve started, over at Marvel Database, to just start checking every Marvel comic that comes out, each week, to see if there has been any other appearances of Kitty Pryde, Lockheed and Magik – which I’ve caught one or two doing that way. I’ve started doing that as I’ve been so busy at work that I haven’t had the chance to go on message boards like I use to. Not like I’ve ever really done that, or spent much time doing that – mind you.

. . .

This is just for my future self, but you may need it for your DCBS order or your local shop list.

I’m having to add, to my overall order, at Hastings –

Groot
Age of Apocalypse
Secret Wars Handbook (real title “Secret Wars : Official Guide to the Marvel Multiverse, I would have just titled it – Secret Wars 2015 Handbook, but that’s me),

I’m still pretty jazzed about Secret Wars 2015.  I think some stories of what Marvel will be like, after the event, has helped me take this pill easier.  It not being as massive (it is but not my involvement in it) has helped too.

When will I learn that, with comics, things are never as radical as I (or the online community) believes it will be.  Most “major changes” are essentially taking one character off the board, for a while.  Even big changes like, a relocation, isn’t that major – as once it becomes the backdrop, the stories are essentially the same.