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.
New Beginnings
If you're looking for a place to start your journey with some of Marvel's team books, this could be a good month to start. Coming out of Fear Itself, we seem to have a new beginning for the Thunderbolts with issue #163, and if you want to know how we got to this place, Thunderbolts #163.1 will give you the backstory of one of my favorite comics over the years! Justice, Like Lightning! Over in Avengers land, Avengers #17 promises a new beginning for 2 characters, could this be Hawkeye and Spider-Woman as teased recently? And in New Avengers #16, the inevitabel happens as Bendis returns to Daredevil as he joins the team.
Hate Monger Alert!
It's the return of one of the greatest, and my personal favorite, villains of the Marvel Universe, the Hate Monger! Black Panther goes up against this axis of evil in Black Panther: Man Without Fear #523, and even dons a patriotic costume in honor of the epic struggle against evil. But isn't Black Panther from Wakanda and not the USA? Hmm.
Fear Itself…Justified
The entire event of Fear Itself finally gets the nod from me, complete and total approval. Why? Because it spawned this new mini-series that might just be the greatest thing ever imagined by a comic book publisher, Hulk Vs. Dracula. We get not one, but TWO issues of this epic battle and better yet, it's drawn by up and coming artist Ryan Stegman! Now this is what comic books were made for.
Ultimate Comics Ultimate Number One Comics Ultimate Style
Last month we saw the relaunch of the Ultimate line of comics, but in September things get real as we get Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #1 from Brian Michael Bendis and Sara Pichelli and Ultimate Comics X-Men #1 from Nick Spencer and Paco Medina. It's like the year 2000 all over again as we kick off the Ultimate Comics universe with 2 of the most notable titles. Ultimate Comics Spider-Man is expected to be more of the consistent quality from Bendis and Pichelli, while Spencer and Medina try to shake off the past failures of Ultimate Comics X-Men with this new book. Both issues get covers by Kaare Andrews, and I gotta admit, I kinda like the look of the Ultimate Comics X-Men.
Spiders In The Big Apple
The events of Spider-Island, the big Spider-Man cross over seem to have a big impact on New York City, as in Amazing Spider-Man #670, we finally see J. Jonah Jameson become the menace he's fought so hard against over these years. And with Spider-Man: I Love New York City #1 gives us an anthology with stories from Greg Rucka, Kelly Sue DeConnick, Skottie Young and Max Fiumara. Not a bad by product of a big crossover at all.
Speaking of Skottie Young…
The Wizard of Oz returns as Eric Shanower and Skottie Young kick off another volume of the Eisner Award winning Wizard of Oz series of comics. This time around, it's Dorothy & The Wizard in Oz #1 and is sure to deliver more of the fantastic storytelling from this legendary creative team
You Want Art? We've Got Art!
If you're looking to be blown away by artists, then look no further than New Avengers #16.1, with art by the legendary Neal Adams illustrating Brian Michael Bendis' story! Or you could pick up Daredevil #4, which brings us the return of Marcos Martin debuting on Daredevil, written by Mark Waid and this promises to be something special. Or you could welcome the return of the artist who started it all, Jerome Opena on Uncanny X-Force #15. If you're a comic art fan, it doesn't get better than this.
ICON!
Fans of creator owned work will want to take notice of the books released under the Icon imprint this month. September marks the return of Matt Fraction and Gabriel Ba with Casanova: Avaritia #1. Fans of Casanova will finally be treated to a brand new story that Fraction has promised will blow your mind. Also from Icon is Criminal: The Last of the Innocent #4 from Ed Brubaker and Sean Philips, which we're highlighting here because Sean Philips' covers continue to be the best thing on the comic racks.
For Your Shelf Porn
Over in the collected editions, we've got something old and something new. If you haven't read The Infinity Gauntlet, you need to fix that ASAP and luckily Marvel is putting it back in print in trade paperback form, so don't miss out. We also get the trade paperback of Avengers Prime, the excellent Captain America, Iron Man, and Thor story from Brian Michael Bendis and Alan Davis. Avengers Prime is going to be a go-to recommendation for people looking for Avengers stories, so pick up this modern classic while you can.
Check out the full list of Marvel's solicitations for books shipping in September, 2011 over at ComicBookResources
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Someone educate me: So Infinity Guantlet was the good one, and Infinity Crusade was so-so and Infinity War was atrocious? Also, that Sean Philip’s cover is gorgeous.
So Cap’n Steve is still kicking around in his new duds come in Avengers #17 in September? Except who’s that on the cover of Thunderbolts?
Take note: Leonard Kirk on X-Factor!
@jonnyflash i think i remeber brubaker saying that steve would be switching costumes depending on the situation some time hes captain america some time hes captain steve
I’d love a Moritorium on the words “Shelf Porn”. Comics are not obscence or particularyl salicious things that need some sort of colorful catogization.
Can’t wait for that Prime Hardcover.
I’m definitely more of a Marvel guy than a DC guy, but this September group of books seems pretty lackluster to me. I’ll be buying the stuff I always buy, (FF, Iron man, Amazing Spider-Man, Heroes For Hire, some others) but the books that month I’m most looking forward to mostly seem to be on the DC side of the fence.
I wouldn’t mind having a trade of “The Infinity Gauntlet” if just for the Perez art. But with all the new DC books and a slew of interesting Marvel books coming out, I doubt I can afford it now. Any chance that Marvel will have any books that aren’t 3.99?
I think DC’s solicitations beat Marvel’s this time 🙂
Looking forward to most of these.
Infinity Gauntlet is a classic Starlin 6 issue mini series, loved this story when it came out cause it was one of the 1st comics events I remember affecting all the heavy hitters in the Marvel U and the key players in the end were some of my favorite more obscure cosmic characters and Thanos is in my top 5 favorite villains. Never read Infinity War or Crusade but am from the Detroit area and remember buying Infinity Gauntlet #1 on a vacation in Gatlinburg Tennessee, must’ve been 10-12 years old but remember it opening my eyes to what limitless stories in comix could be told. Jim Starlin is a cosmic legend.
@Kodaiji Avengers Academy is 2.99. I believe Amazing Spider-Man is, also.
@MaxPower: I share JSAkid’s feelings about Infinity Gauntlet. Sweeping, entertaining storyline and great art.
I read the spin-offs–Inifinity Crusade and Infinity War–when first distributed. Crusade was good, not great. I thought War was bad even as a kid. That’s just my opinion though.
I like this article!