Heads Up: Marvel Comics Previews – June 2012

Being a comic fan can be tough. With so many publishers printing more and more books, canceling titles and starting new ones, it can be daunting when you head to the comic book shop on a Wednesday to know exactly what’s coming out.

The current system of presenting and ordering comics three months ahead of their release as set forth by the sole comics distributor, Diamond Comics, doesn’t make it any easier either. We’re not a fan of that system, we think it’s slowly strangling comics to death, but we realize it’s a harsh reality of how the industry works and we definitely don’t want you to miss out on any of the cool comics being published.

And so, as opposed to regurgitating the list of comics solicited in Previews each month, we present to you some of the highlights of things you probably won’t want to miss out on.

SPOILER WARNING in order to get people to order comics, the publishers have a funny habit of revealing what’s happening in the books. If you don’t want anything at all to be spoiled, then you’ll probably want to skip this post and take your chances with your pre-orders and/or your shopping.


In looking at Marvel’s solicitations for June, it’s still Avengers Vs. X-Men for what seems like half the line of comics published.  We all know what to expect from those, the Avengers and the X-Men fighting.  So I’m going to spare you the hype around those and highlight the NON Avengers Vs. X-Men books.  The good news about Avengers Vs. X-Men? Come June, we’re half way over with it! The end is in sight (and it hasn’t even started yet!).  That said, on with the comic books

LISTEN, WE LIKE CHRIS SAMNEE, OKAY?

Cover by Paolo Rivera

Seriously Marvel? First you put Chris Samnee on interiors and then Paolo Rivera delivers an amazing cover? Why are you hell bent on making Daredevil the greatest comic being published right now? IT’S NOT EVEN FAIR.

DAREDEVIL #14

MARK WAID (w) • CHRIS SAMNEE (a)
Cover by PAOLO RIVERA

ASM 50TH ANNIVERSARY VARIANT ALSO AVAILIBLE
ASM IN MOTION VARIANT ALSO AVAILIBLE

“Megacrime and Punishment” continues!
• Daredevil imprisoned in Latveria for crimes against the state – and no amount of lawyering can get him out of there!
• Meanwhile, Foggy uncovers more evidence that Matt’s not quite the man he seems.

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

 

WE ALSO LIKE RYAN STEGMAN

Cover by Ryan Stegman

Listen, we’re pretty good at the reading of comic books. We’ve done it for a while, and for the most part, we’re pretty good at telling you when there are good comics out there. Scarlet Spider is good. You should be reading it.  Simple enough for you?

SCARLET SPIDER #6

CHRISTOPHER YOST (w) • RYAN STEGMAN (a&c)

• The book everyone is talking about!
• Kaine goes from hunter to hunted as the daughter of KRAVEN THE HUNTER takes on the Scarlet Spider!
• From the pages of SPIDER-ISLAND, Madame Web crashes into Kaine’s life – with dark visions of his road ahead!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

BUT WE IDOLIZE STEVE DITKO

Cover by Jack Kirby, Steve Ditko..and Dean White?

If you’ve never read Amazing Fantasy #15 OR The Amazing Spider-Man #1, now’s your chance to see where the icon began. If you don’t understand the greatness of Steve Ditko, behold the work he’s most well known for.  And just like It’s a Wonderful Life, it’s better because it’s re-colored! (Wait a minute…)  Either way, this is a slice of history that you owe it yourself to read.

AMAZING FANTASY #15: SPIDER-MAN!

STAN LEE (w) • STEVE DITKO (a)
Cover by JACK KIRBY, STEVE DITKO & DEAN WHITE

• Relive the adventures that started it all!
• A radioactive spider may have granted bookish young Peter Parker incredible abilities, but it was his uncle’s death that truly transformed him.
• Can the newly minted Spider-Man defeat the menace of the Chameleon — and face the Fantastic Four?
• Thrill to Spidey’s debut issues, completely remastered and beautifully recolored in modern style by Jean-Francois Beaulieu (WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ)!
• Collecting material from AMAZING FANTASY (1962) #15 and AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #1.

40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/All Ages …$3.99

 

LOOKOUT LADIES, IT’S MICHAEL LARK

Covers by Steve Epting

I’ve been really enjoying Butch Guice’s work on Winter Soldier, but we understand that even the best artist needs to take a break. And if the fill in artist is Michael Lark? Well, that’s okay by me, even if it’s 2 issues double shipping.

WINTER SOLDIER #6

ED BRUBAKER (w) • MICHAEL LARK (a)
Cover by STEVE EPTING
ASM IN MOTION VARIANT ALSO AVAILIBLE

• Ed Brubaker is reunited with famed artist Michael Lark (DAREDEVIL) who joins for the Winter Soldier’s second arc “Broken Arrow” with original Winter Soldier artist Steve Epting taking the reins on covers!
• Winter Soldier finds himself on a twisted trail from coast to coast and past to present…
• …chasing the insane man who will become his worst enemy.
• And an inciting incident you won’t forget!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

 

WINTER SOLDIER #7

ED BRUBAKER (w) • MICHAEL LARK (a)
Cover by STEVE EPTING

• Part Two of “Broken Arrow” – The aftermath of a tragic and savage murder.
• A villain who knows Bucky is really alive.
• Winter Soldier and Black Widow on a hunt that gets personal!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

 

IT MAY NOT BE GIANT-SIZED…

Cover by Art Adams

One of those, “Finally!” releases. A title that’s long been rumored and wondered if it would ever see print. It’s none other than the legendary Steve Gerber’s last Man-Thing story, drawn by Kevin Nowlan. That’s worth stopping and taking a look at to see one of the greats of his time do his thing on a character that only a comic fan could love.

 

INFERNAL MAN-THING #1 (of 3)
STEVE GERBER (w) • KEVIN NOWLAN (a)
Cover by Art Adams

Variant covers by GIL KANE & KEVIN NOWLAN

• STEVE GERBER’S FINAL MAN-THING STORY!
• What is the mystery behind the “Screenplay of the Living Dead Man”?
• The story no one thought existed!!!
• NO ADS! BONUS CONTENT!

32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

THE END OF AN ERA

Cover by Skottie Young

Years ago, when I heard that Marvel was doing the Wizard of Oz, and Skottie Young would be drawing it, I shook my head. That was an odd decision. And now, years later after multiple Eisner awards and who knows how many thousands of books sold, the partnership between Young and writer Eric Shanower will go down as one of the most successful runs of the modern age.  And it all ends with this issue. Bravo gentlemen.

DOROTHY & THE WIZARD IN OZ #8 (of 8)

ERIC SHANOWER (w) SKOTTIE YOUNG (a/c)

• It’s the biggest murder trial ever in the Land of Oz! Eureka the kitten is charged with eating one of the Wizard’s piglets!
• The Tin Woodman as Public Defender clashes with the Wogglebug playing Prosecutor.
• The Wizard of Oz has a secret plan to save Eureka from a guilty verdict, but can it possibly work?
• Don’t miss the last thrilling installment in the critically-acclaimed Dorothy and the Wizard in Oz series!

32 PGS./All Ages …$3.99

BONUS POINTS FOR THE TITLE

Cover by Arthur Suydam

Once upon a time, zombies were the new black.  They were the the new hotness. When Mark Millar introduced the zombies in the pages of Ultimate Fantastic Four, who knew what chaos it would bring. Thanks to a young Robert Kirkman, happily working for Marvel, with an Ed Brubaker-less Sean Phillips, zombies began tearing shit up in the Marvel Universe and it was awesome.  And then Marvel never stopped publishing zombie stories..for years. And now you can have them all in one cleverly titled volume.

MARVEL ZOMNIBUS HC

Written by ROBERT KIRKMAN, KARL KESEL, MARK MILLAR, REGINALD HUDLIN, FRED VAN LENTE, FRANK MARRAFFINO & MORE
Penciled by SEAN PHILLIPS, TODD NAUCK, ADAM DEKRAKER, ROB DISALVO, GREG LAND, MITCH BREITWEISER, FRANCIS PORTELA, KEV WALKER, KANO, FERNANDO BLANCO & MORE

Cover by ARTHUR SUYDAM

The smash-hit Marvel Zombies saga is collected in one meaty, macabre tome! The dead walk — and leap, fly and climb walls — when Marvel’s mightiest are transformed into flesh-eating monsters! After devouring every single person on Earth, the ravenous once-heroes set their sights higher — taking on Galactus, spreading into space, and breaking into new and delicious dimensions…including our own! Lock your doors, and board up your windows — the Marvel Zombies are coming for you! Collecting MARVEL ZOMBIES: DEAD DAYS, MARVEL APES: PRIME EIGHT, MARVEL ZOMBIES: EVIL EVOLUTION, ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #21-23 and #30-32, MARVEL ZOMBIES #1-5, BLACK PANTHER (2005) #28-30, MARVEL ZOMBIES 2 #1-5, MARVEL ZOMBIES RETURN #1-5, MARVEL ZOMBIES 3 #1-5, MARVEL ZOMBIES 4 #1-4, MARVEL ZOMBIES 5 #1-5, and MARVEL ZOMBIES SUPREME #1-5.

1200 PGS./Parental Advisory …$125.00
ISBN: 978-0-7851-4026-9
Trim size: oversized

 

ONE OF MY COMICS ORIGINS

Cover by Erik Larsen

I wouldn’t be a Savage Dragon fan or an Erik Larsen fan if it wasn’t for his run on Spider-Man. Before leaving Marvel to help launch Image Comics, Larsen followed Todd McFarlane on the Spider-Man titles and made an instant fan in me. While everyone raved about McFarlane, there was something about the Kinetic energy in Larsen’s art that resonated with me. Fantastic to see this legendary story get collected and released. I hope you check it out and see what got me hooked.

SPIDER-MAN: REVENGE OF THE SINISTER SIX PREMIERE HC

Written by ERIK LARSEN & TERRY KAVANAGH
Penciled by ERIK LARSEN & SCOTT MCDANIEL

Cover by ERIK LARSEN

Dr. Octopus! Electro! Mysterio! The Vulture! The Hobgoblin! Sandman! The Sinister Six, the deadliest foes Spider-Man has ever fought, return to wreak terrible vengeance upon our favorite wall-crawler — and an unsuspecting world. With Dr. Octopus’ new Adamantium arms and help from another dimension on the Six’s side, Spidey decides to round up his own band of allies: the Hulk, Ghost Rider, the Fantastic Four and more! It all adds up to the ultimate high-stakes faceoff in a sock-to-the-jaw adventure that will leave you breathless — if you and Spider-Man can make it to the thrill-packed finale in one piece! Plus: a bonus story co-starring the X-Men’s Beast! Collecting SPIDER-MAN (1990) #15 and #18-23.

176 PGS./Rated T …$29.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-6056-4
Trim size: standard

 

 

 

 

Comments

  1. I assume Shanower and Young are moving on to the next Oz book right? Or are they really done done?

    • I really hope so, I love the Oz books and would be quite sad to see them go… A well, we have four of them so we can’t complain that much.

    • I knew it was really unlikely, but I was kind of hoping they’d eventually get through the entire Famous Forty.

      Is this really the end though? Maybe Ron has heard something we haven’t.

    • Just looked it up, I never realized there were 14 Oz books! Doing them all would be quite a commitment so I understand why they would stop here (if that’s what’s happening). I was trade waiting the series and unfortunately haven’t picked any of them up yet. Knowing it ends at 4 series would be comforting because then I could easily catch up.

  2. You pointed out three books that I read as soon as I get them.

    Daredevil, Scarlet Spider and Winter Soldier are all excellent titles.

    It looks like these books will be able to tell their own stories this summer.

    As will ASM, FF & F4.

    Also looks like will be seeing fallout from the Omega Effect and Ends of the Earth across the old Marvel Knights line, that area of the MU-616 I like to refer to as the Wackerverse.

    As anyone who buys the A or X related books can tell you, there’s no escaping the Main Event, but who’d want to anyway? At this point, if you’re buying team books but don’t like events, I’d say start taking the summer off.

    I’ll be reading the AvX event itself through all of the tie-ins, and I’ll read the event itself, like I do every year, the following year when the public library buys the hardcovers.

    The title I’m most looking forward to is MARVEL UNIVERSE AVENGERS: EARTH’S MIGHTIEST HEROES, which ties into the returning cartoon.

    I also noticed that they’ve been pushing Scorpio as Nick Fury’s “old nemesis” across the line, what with last week’s Wolverine & Nick Fury trade, the direction of Assembled, the appearance of Scorpio in the new All-Ages title, and the Nick Fury Classic reprints solicited for June. That’s good. Fury does need his own “name recognition” Big Villain for an audience just getting to know of him through the movies.

    Tom Grummett is on Avengers Academy? I need to get this from the library post-haste!

  3. dr. doom in DD. damn, this title is unstoppable.
    here’s to many happy returns

  4. Matt Murdock: No, no, don’t speak. Don’t speak. Please don’t speak. Please don’t speak. No. No. No. Go. Go, gentle Doctor Doom, go. Your Daredevil wishes you every happy return.
    Victor Von Doom: Just one…
    Matt Murdock: Don’t speak.

  5. Is that Sleepwalker on the cover of that Spider-Man reprint? I only had about five issues of his series when I was growing up, but I loved that guy. I’ll almost certainly try to track that book down.

  6. Avatar photo filippod (@filippodee) says:

    Usually previews like this make my wallet bleed, but I am already getting all of the regulars and minis featured here. So my wallet this time won’t bleed further. Not too much at least: I’m soooo gonna get Man-Thing! Love the character, love Gerber (I miss you Steve) and love Nolan.

  7. Larsen’s run on spider-man brings back so many memories…The Return of the Sinister Six story arc was the first one I bought growing up and i still remember not being able to wait for the next issue to come out…it was definitely the book and run that got me hooked on comics

  8. You know what I would have changed in the art for Amazing Fantasy #15?…

    Absolutely fucking nothing because it’s fine the way it is.

    Also, dropping Thunderbolts in June will easily be replaced with Gerber’s ‘Infernal Man-Thing’. So at least Marvel did something right there by finally releasing this.

  9. Man-Thing!!

    • can anybody see a strategy at work here?…bringing out Nowlans Man-Thing, while the biggest Nowlan inspired/clone Yanick Paquette is doing a successful run on the Swamp Thing, which the Man-Thing is a sort of clone of..
      whew… saying that out loud made my head hurt just a bit….a bit of torus mobius strip thing going on there…

    • Ain’t nothing like the real thing!