Marvel Comic Book Solicitations April 2014

What better way to start a blog than by reviewing a handful of eye-catching previews and covers from Marvel, that only a handful of people will have an interest in? Onward!

Original Sin #0

MARK WAID (W) • JIM CHEUNG (A/C)
ARTIST VARIANT COVER BY PAOLO RIVERA
IT’S THE PROLOGUE TO THE BIGGEST MARVEL SERIES OF THE SUMMER!
WHO IS THE WATCHER? That’s what Nova is wondering after his latest brush with the moon-dwelling enigma he’s encountered before! But what he discovers will have a profound effect on the young hero, as well as priming the pump for the most cataclysmic event in Marvel history! WHAT DID HE SEE?
40 PGS./ONE SHOT/Rated T+ …3.99

In a shocking reversal of what usually happens, Marvel are about to imitate the ideas of DC. It looks like they’re going to take a stab at an Identity Crisis-esque murder mystery. They’re shaking it up a bit by making it outer-spacey (tho I’m sure the lawyers would prefer if it were referred to as Cosmic Marvel TM). Another idea yoinked from recent DC efforts is the irritating numbering. It’s usually DC stealing crappy ideas, so bravo Marvel. Also, The Watcher looks like he’s having a heart attack in this cover.

Amazing Spider-Man #1

Dan Slott (W) • Humberto Ramos (A/C)
Variant Cover by Marcos Martin
Variant cover by Ed McGuinness
Variant cover by Pop Mhan
Variant cover by JEROME OPEñA
75TH ANNIVERSARY VARIANT COVER BY ALEX ROSS
75TH ANNIVERSARY SKETCH VARIANT COVER BY ALEX ROSS
Young variant cover by Skottie Young
Blank Cover variant ALSO AVAILABLE
The Greatest Super Hero of All Time RETURNS!
The world may have changed since Spidey’s been gone, but so has Peter Parker. This is a man with a second chance at life, and he’s not wasting a moment of it. Same Parker Luck, new Parker attitude. Putting the “friendly” back in the neighborhood, the “hero” back into “super hero,” and the “amazing” back into “Spider-Man!” Also returning: The recharged and reenergized ELECTRO!
64 PGS./Rated T+ …$5.99

Peter Parker is back, and it took much longer than everybody expected. The last year of Superior stories slightly outstayed their welcome- 6 months of a terse, snippy and hugely irritating Otto-Man would have been more than enough. Who cares though, because this Marcos Martin cover is the single most beautiful cover of the last forever. The sense of movement and weight, the perfect anatomy and the insane detail of the city below/above is breathtaking. It’s simplicity and efficiency remind me Frank Quitely’s work on All-Star Superman (also known as the best comic book ever).

Nightcrawler #1

CHRIS CLAREMONT (W) • TODD NAUCK (A)
Cover by CHRIS SAMNEE
Artist Variant by Humberto Ramos
Animal Variant by TBA
NIGHTCRAWLER IS BACK!
Newly-returned from the afterlife, veteran X-Man Kurt Wagner finds himself in a world that’s a far cry from the one he left: Professor Xavier is dead, Cyclops is on the run, and the X-Men are divided. But determined not to let his new lease on life go to waste, Nightcrawler hits the road alongside Wolverine, eager to right some wrongs and safeguard the future mutantkind…and he’s going to do it by the means he loves most: swashbuckling, lady-charming and—of course—BAMFing!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …2.99

Because you demanded it! How long did the last Nightcrawler series last? Not very. BUT! Now is probably a great time to give this another whirl. My reservations are numerous, starting with the assignation of Chris Claremont as sole writer. I think it could have been a fun little series written by anyone else, but Claremont has been producing sub-standard fare since his return to the franchise in the late 90s/early 00s. If they use it as an X-Men legacy style free-wheeling vehicle to explore the mutant schism, then that could be pretty cool- but I have a sinking it’s going to feature an overwrought Kurt questioning his faith ad infinitum. Also, thanks Marvel solicits for constantly spoiling the resolution to the Rogue story-line over in Uncanny Avengers by constantly sticking her on covers.

Doop #1

Peter Milligan (W)
INTERIOR ART BY DAVID LAFUENTE WITH LAURA ALLRED (A)
Cover by Michael Allred
Artist Variant by TBA
Living in the margins of the X-Men, Doop has freaked out X-Men and readers alike. However, when he gets deeply involved in X-Men business (and in the personal life of Kitty Pryde!), Doop will be thrust into the spotlight. This adventure will prove that Doop is, in fact, the most powerful X-Man! Written by co-creator Peter Milligan (X-FORCE), covers by co-creator Mike Allred (X-FORCE, FF) and innovative interior art by David Lafuente (AVENGERS, ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN)!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Now here’s a comic that I’m sure nobody wants, and yet I’m very excited! Milligan was excellent on X-Statix but his shortlived run on X-Men was very disappointing- let’s hope this is more like the former. Fun cover from the Allred’s and with interior art from David Lafuente it should look lovely!

Uncanny Avengers #19

RICK REMENDER (W) • DANIEL ACUñA (A/C)
VARIANT COVER BY AGUSTIN ALESSIO
• AVENGE THE EARTH Continues!
• Kang’s Chronos Corps arrives on Planet X with a terrible offer!
• The former members of the Uncanny Avengers must reunite to save the Earth!
• Magneto’s all-new X-Force are out for the blood of a Summers!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

You’ve got to hand it to Remender, who I assume plans his stories out over years as opposed to months. This has been one (incredibly long) mostly coherent story from the outset. I understand why some people’s patience is wearing thin with this, but the sheer number of ideas being thrown at the page pulls me through even through the most exposition heavy of issues. And look! Magneto has an X-Force now. I suppose it’s only fair since everyone else has had a turn. Beautiful cover too, even if it is missing a background beyond swishy space lines.

Ms Marvel #3

Cover by JAMIE McKELVIE
Artist Variant by annie wu
• The All-New Ms. Marvel has already gained international fame.
• But in Kamala’s case, star-power comes with a whole lot of... awkwardness.
• Find out why the most exciting new Marvel hero is also the most loveable!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …2.99

I can’t express how much I’m looking forward to this comic (and dreading its cancellation, which seems inevitable). Look how lovely Jamie McKelivie’s cover is and how excellently it uses white space.

Loki: Agent of Asgard #3

AL EWING (W) • LEE GARBETT (A)
Cover by JENNY FRISON
Variant Cover by OLIVIER COIPEL
• Loki heads back to the dawn of Asgard to join its greatest heroes on a quest for an otter-skin of gold, the heart’s-blood of a dragon... and a certain magical sword.
• Meanwhile, Loki does not appear in this issue.
• Both these statements are, for once, true.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

And the award for most pornographic cover this month goes to…