Heads Up: Marvel Comics Previews – July 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.


 AvX Turbo Arcade Edition!

Place your bets now. Daredevil vs. Psylocke! Thor vs. Secret Unlockable Character!

Avx: Vs #4 (of 6)
RICK REMENDER & KAARE ANDREWS (w)
BRANDON PETERSON & KAARE ANDREWS (a)
COVER BY BRANDON PETERSON
FIGHT POSTER VARIANT ALSO AVAILABLE
• THE PREMIERE AVENGERS VS. X-MEN TIE-IN! Two incredible fights every issue, torn from the pages of AvX.
• Daredevil vs. Psylocke! By Rick Remender (UNCANNY X-FORCE) and Brandon Peterson (NEW AVENGERS, UNCANNY X-MEN)
• Thor vs. [CLASSIFIED] by Kaare Andrews (ULTIMATE COMICS covers, SPIDER-MAN: REIGN)!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

 “No More Avengers.”

That is some sweet, sweet Opena.

AVENGERS VS X-MEN #7 & 8 (of 12)
Issue #7 – MATT FRACTION (w) • OLIVIER COIPEL (a)
Issue #8 – BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W) • ADAM KUBERT (a)
CoverS by JIM CHEUNG
Issue #7 Variant Cover by SARA PICHELLI
Issue #8 Variant Cover by JEROME OPEÑA
Pichelli & Opena Sketch Variants Also Available
Issue #7 Esad Ribic Variant Also Available
Issue #8 Alan Davis Variant Also Available
Avengers Team Variant Also Available
X-Men Team Variant Also Available
Issue #7 –
• Cyclops changes the game with these three words: “No More Avengers!”
Issue #8 –
• Last stand in Wakanda as an out-of-control Namor invades this sovereign nation in pursuit
of the Avengers!
• And a shocking truth stands revealed that may cause fractures in the X-Men’s alliance!
32 PGS. (EACH)/Rated T+ …$3.99 (EACH)

Requiem for a Rulk?

Walt Simonson on a knock-down, drag-out brawl? It’s like a bonus AvX Versus bout! Let’s get ready to crumble!

AVENGERS #28
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (w) • WALT SIMONSON (a/c)
AVX TIE-IN!
• The last stand of the Red Hulk…?
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

The Lizard Returns

Spend the summer in the sewers with Curt Conners and…another Lizard?

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #689
DAN SLOTT (w) • GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI (a&C)
LIZARD VARIANT by J. Scott Campbell
• Spider-Man, Peter Parker, Curt Connors, and the Lizard. The stars of this summer’s big blockbuster movie are right here!
• Morbius the Living Vampire is on the loose and no one at Horizon Labs is safe—including a recently cured Curt Connors.
• But if Curt Connors is cured, who or what is that new Lizard creature? It’s definitely someone Spider-Man knows…
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #690
DAN SLOTT (w) • GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI (a&C)
LIZARD VARIANT by Matthew Clark
• There might be more than one Lizard now…
• And Spider-Man might notice– if only he wasn’t so busy trying to save
everyone from a crazed Morbius, the Living Vampire!
• Also in this issue: New developments for The Kingpin, Madame Web,
Horizon Labs, and the Hobgoblin!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

That’s Captain Marvel to You

Carol Danvers earns her stripes with a double-shot from Kelly Sue DeConnick.

CAPTAIN MARVEL #1
KELLY SUE DeCONNICK (w) • DEXTER SOY (a)
Cover by ED MCGUINNESS
VARIANT COVER BY ADI GRANOV
ASM 50th Anniversary Variant by Paolo Rivera
• SHE’S BACK! The “Mightiest” of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes!
• Ace pilot. Legendary Avenger. 100% pure bad-a$$.
• Carol Danvers has a new name, a new mission …and all the power she needs to make her life a living hell.
• Guest starring Captain America.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #9
KELLY SUE DECONNICK (w) • TERRY DODSON (a&C)
• Spider-Man plummets into action with the star of this month’s hottest new comic: the all new CAPTAIN MARVEL!
• 50,000 feet up and only on one of them can fly …
• Is the World’s Greatest Super Hero Ready for a ride with Earth’s Mightiest Hero?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Untold Tales of Wolverine

Hey, remember that time when Sabretooth lost his head? How’d that work out? Plus, another lost tale from the wake of M-Day. Oh, and Rafael Albuquerque and Jason Latour jamming on a Wolverine story? That’s well worth a flashback.

WOLVERINE #309
IVAN BRANDON (w) • RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE & JASON LATOUR (a)
Cover by ESAD RIBIC
• An untold tale of the Wolverine!
• Wolverine takes Elixir under his wing
• After M-Day, not all depowered mutants found their way in the world,
and one of them comes back for Wolverine
40 PGS./Parental Advisory …$4.99

WOLVERINE #310
JEPH LOEB (w) • SIMONE BIANCHI (a&C)
Variant cover by ED McGuinness
Variant cover by Stephen Platt
Blank Cover Variant Also Available
• The long-awaited sequel to EVOLUTION
• How did Sabretooth survive his beheading all those years ago?
32 PGS./Parental Advisory …$3.99

Castle in the Sky

 

Oh, it’s happening.

SPACE PUNISHER #1 (of 4)
FRANK TIERI (w) • MARK TEXEIRA (a&C)
• Punishment is a dish best served—in Space!
• Frank Castle shoots his way through the criminal hierarchy of outer space
starting with the Sym-Brood-ant Queen!
• From Frank Tieri, writer of Marvel vs. Capcom and Punisher: Noir and gorgeously painted by
Mark Texeira (Punisher War Journal, Ghost Rider).
32 PGS./PARENTAL ADVISORY…$3.99

Davis Rules

This is kind of neat. Alan Davis is doing a handful of Marvel Annuals, all linked with a continuing ClanDestine story line. More in August with Daredevil Annual.

FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #33
ALAN DAVIS (w) • ALAN DAVIS (a&C)
VARIANT COVER BY ALAN DAVIS
• The Thing and The Human Torch investigate a mysterious magical paradox in space and time with the help of Doctor Strange!
• What dark secrets haunt the history of the ClanDestine?
• Legendary comics creator Alan Davis kicks off a series of ClanDestine adventures, continuing in Daredevil Annual #1 in August!
48 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

 

Fed, But Not Fed Up

Listen. If you’re not ready for prime time, there’s still room for a promotion. New readers are invited to join the bandwagon as Deena Pilgrim goes fed.

POWERS: FBI #1
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (w) • MICHAEL AVON OEMING (a/C)
A new chapter of the Eisner Award-winning POWERS that sends Deena Pilgrim into the big leagues! Pilgrim is now a federal agent and dealing with the biggest powers cases in the entire country. But will this new life close the closet full of skeletons she carries with her? (Absolutely not!) And what does this mean for her old partner, Walker? This is a bold game-changer for the iconic crime superhero comic that started it all and an amazing jumping-on point for new readers!
40 PGS./Mature … $3.95
© 2012 Jinxworld Inc.

Innocence Lost

We consider the first Criminal Deluxe Edition one of the top ten must-have collections of the last ten years. Maybe just in general. Now it’s got an accomplice.

CRIMINAL: THE DELUXE EDITION VOL. 2 HC
ED BRUBAKER (w) • SEAN PHILLIPS (a/C)
The second oversized hardback of the award-winning crime series from Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips is finally here! The first edition has gone through four printings, in sellout after sellout, and now the rest of Brubaker and Phillips’ noir masterpiece is collected in the same format. Collecting BAD NIGHT, THE SINNERS and THE LAST OF THE INNOCENT — along with short stories, behind-the-scenes pieces, art and articles, all previously uncollected. Don’t miss out on this beautiful package from the best-selling team behind such hits as INCOGNITO and FATALE. Colors by Val Staples and Dave Stewart.
432 PGS./Mature … $49.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-6584-2
Trim size: oversized

Gianter-Size Man-Thing

Guys. Just under 1200 pages of botanical brutality. A perfect companion as you plant-sit for the lady in 4B.

MAN-THING OMNIBUS HC OLIVETTI COVER
Written by ROY THOMAS, GERRY CONWAY, STEVE GERBER, TONY ISABELLA, LEN WEIN, MARV WOLFMAN, CHRIS CLAREMONT, RALPH MACCHIO, MICHAEL FLEISHER, DOUG MCKENZIE, JM DEMATTEIS
Penciled by GRAY MORROW, JOHN BUSCEMA, RICH BUCKLER, JIM STARLIN, VAL MAYERIK, MIKE PLOOG, ALFREDO ALCALA, VICENTE ALCAZAR, RICO RIVAL, ED HANNIGAN, RON WILSON, JIM MOONEY, TOM SUTTON, JOHN BYRNE, DON PERLIN, GENE COLAN, LARRY HAMA & PAT BRODERICK
Covers by ARIEL OLIVETTI & FRANK BRUNNER
Neither wholly plant nor animal, neither entirely self-aware nor totally non-sentient, the creature called the Man-Thing is unique, unchanging and alone — but none who encounter him can ever be the same again. Empathic by nature and drawn to fight evil, his shambling visage inspires fear — and whatever knows fear burns at the Man-Thing’s touch. Whether danger rises from the swamp or the city, the past or the future, outer space or the human soul, the Man-Thing awaits! Collecting ASTONISHING TALES (1970) #12-13; FEAR #11-18, and material from #10 and #19; MAN-THING (1974) #1-22, GIANT-SIZE MAN-THING #1-3 and material from #4-5, INCREDIBLE HULK (1968) #197-198; MARVEL TEAM-UP (1972) #68; MARVEL TWO-IN-ONE #43; MAN-THING (1979) #1-11; DR. STRANGE (1974) #41; and material from SAVAGE TALES (1971) #1, MONSTERS UNLEASHED #5 and #8-9, and RAMPAGING HULK (1977) #7.
1192 PGS./Parental Advisory …$125.00
ISBN: 978-0-7851-6463-0
Trim size: oversized
MAN-THING OMNIBUS HC BRUNNER COVER (DM ONLY)
1192 PGS./Parental Advisory …$125.00
ISBN: 978-0-7851-6468-5

No Longer a Secret!

The Descendants. Not the Jim Rash version. Not the Milo going to college one. The really creepy Adaptoid versions. If you dig Uncanny X-Force, this is a sure bet.

SECRET AVENGERS BY RICK REMENDER VOL. 1 PREMIERE HC
Written by RICK REMENDER
Penciled by PATRICK ZIRCHER & GABRIEL HARDMAN
Cover by ARTHUR ADAMS
The new era of Secret Avengers begins here! Enter Captain Britain and Giant-Man, as Hawkeye becomes the new leader! First, Hawkeye and Captain America undertake a mission to the Red Light Nation, a country run by criminals for criminals! Then, the Adaptoids strike — but who are the Descendants? An Avenger will die to find out, as the team literally journeys to the center of the Earth and discovers a city of evolving automatons! Hawkeye’s leadership is put to the ultimate test as the beleaguered team tries to stop the final ascension of the Adaptoids, Deathlok Legion, Sentinaughts, Ultravisions, Machine People and more! Plus: A new member joins! A spy in their midst! The lighthouse compromised! And a race is born! Collecting SECRET AVENGERS #21.1 and #22-25.
120 PGS./Rated T+ …$24.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-6118-9
Trim size: standard

How Matt Murdock Got His Groove Back

Trade-waiters, time to see what all the fuss about the no-fuss Man Without Fear is all about.

DAREDEVIL BY MARK WAID VOL. 1 TPB
Written by MARK WAID
Penciled by PAOLO RIVERA & MARCOS MARTIN
Cover by PAOLO RIVERA
It’s a fresh start for the Man Without Fear, with the all-star creative team of writer Mark Waid (CAPTAIN AMERICA) and artists Paolo Rivera and Marcos Martin (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) at the helm! Matt Murdock is back in New York, but not everyone is happy to see him. Hoping to resuscitate his law practice, he takes on a police-brutality case — but someone is trying to silence the victim. While Murdock struggles in court, Daredevil hits the streets as Klaw, master of sound, makes his deadly return! Then, the blind literally lead the blind as a visually impaired client targeted for assassination holds the key to a global conspiracy perpetrated by some familiar foes. Can Daredevil protect the young man long enough to bring down an international criminal organization, or will their deadly enforcer get to him first? Collecting DAREDEVIL (2011) #1-6.
152 PGS./Rated T+ …$15.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-5238-5

Greece is the Word

Street level Hercules? Get all your de-powered demigod goodness in one weird, wild place.

HERC: THE COMPLETE SERIES BY GREG PAK & FRED VAN LENTE TPB
Written by GREG PAK & FRED VAN LENTE
Penciled by NEIL EDWARDS, MIKE GRELL,
JUNE BRIGMAN & DAVID HAHN
Cover by CHRIS STEVENS
A bold new era for the Lion of Olympus! Hercules is back, minus his powers — but when mythic evil stalks the streets, what is the son of Zeus to do? He takes 3000 years of combat experience, raids Ares’ armory for the most fearsome weapons of legend, and gets medieval! But what chance does a mere mortal have against FEAR ITSELF’s army of monsters and super villains? Plus: when Spider-Island erupts, Hercules finds himself “infested” with spider-powers of his own. Can you handle … the Incredible Spider-Herc?! Then: Zeus decides to move in with his wayward son after an angry Hera de-powers him. Herc teams up with the assassin Elektra to take on some powerful foes … but will Zeus muck everything up? You bet he will. Collecting HERC #1-6, #6.1 and #7-10.
256 PGS./Rated T+ …$29.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-4723-7

Smash Hit of the Summer

Six seasons and a movie.

HULK: SEASON ONE PREMIERE HC
Written by FRED VAN LENTE
Penciled by TOM FOWLER
Cover by JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO
New York Times bestseller Fred Van Lente (AMAZING SPIDER-MAN) and acclaimed artist Tom Fowler (VENOM) retell the beginnings of the green goliath for a new generation! This is the definitive origin of the Hulk — as well as Betty Ross, now Red She-Hulk; and General “Thunderbolt” Ross, now the avenging Red Hulk! Plus: Gamma Base, Rick Jones and the introduction of a new Hulk villain that will continue to haunt both him and his alter ego, Dr. Bruce Banner, in present continuity! Also includes INCREDIBLE HULK (2011) #1.
136 PGS./Rated T+ …$24.99
ISBN: 978-0-7851-6388-6
Trim size: standard

For the full list of Marvel Comics July solicits, click it here.

Comments

  1. So I take it AVX is just one big fight comic? Cause with eight issues in it sounds like the solicts say nothing else but that. The only thing that seems to change is the location.

    Yeah I’m dropping even more Marvel once the Thor/JIM crossover starts. So in the Summer I will not be buying a lot of stuff from Marvel except for Daredevil, FF/Fantastic Four, and Infernal Man Thing. Although that Man Thing ‘Man’-ibus looks great!

    • Avatar photo Paul Montgomery (@fuzzytypewriter) says:

      That is essentially the concept, yes. Par for the course with things called “_____ Vs. _____”

    • Weren’t we hoping for something more then just that though?

    • Avatar photo Paul Montgomery (@fuzzytypewriter) says:

      There’s a little more to it than all that, but not much more. It’s early though.

    • I would just think buying 12 issues of a drawn out fight would make more people upset….Especially since people bitch about $3.99 every single second.

    • @TNC, I’m not sure what you’re reading above that makes you think there’s nothing more than a fight in every issue?

    • @Ken: Because apart from changing scenery it sounds like it’s still Avengers fighting X-Men.

    • Avatar photo Paul Montgomery (@fuzzytypewriter) says:

      Why do you actively seek out human misery? Why are you looking for complaints? Focus on things you like. Isn’t it good that people aren’t complaining as much as you expect them to? If you’re not reading it, why do you care anyway?

      AvX Versus is wall to wall fights. AvX is fighting with some story. But it’s all centered on a conflict between two groups of heroes. It sounds like Avengers fighting X-Men because that’s the central conceit of this particular event. It’s called that. It’s in the title.

    • Trust me, for those that get their feathers ruffled with every complaint about prices, it’s just as grating to hear from the “I’ll accept shoddy business practices as long as the story is good” crowd.

    • Avatar photo Paul Montgomery (@fuzzytypewriter) says:

      I thought about it. This has exactly nothing to do with this particular discussion.

    • I’ll take a drawn out Marvel fight event over the recent nonsensical DC events. That said, I’m not actually reading AvX…

    • TheNextChampion said, “…Especially since people bitch about $3.99 every single second.”
      Paul Montgomery said, “…Isn’t it good that people aren’t complaining as much as you expect them to?”

      Sure, I understand. Only sniping, back-handed comments dress with on-the-topic’ flair are allowed. Let me re-phrase my previous statement…

      I would just think buying 12 issues of a drawn out fight would make more people happy….Especially since people accept shoddy business practices as long as the story is good.

    • Man this site sure seems to have a lot more firestarters than it used to. I remember when articles used to generate discussion rather than arguments. I miss those days. Sigh…

    • @USPUNX: The price of success, unfortunately.

    • Avatar photo Paul Montgomery (@fuzzytypewriter) says:

      Yes. Books often cost $3.99. It sucks. Which version of the conversation do you want to have this particular time? What do you want us to do?

    • @conor: True that. Mo’ money mo’ problems. Which is strangely what started this argument in the first place…

    • @Paul: You’re just going to make yourself crazy. There’s no point in engaging people like that. They have no information to support their opinions. If you were face to face with him he would just start to talk increasingly louder until he was yelling at you. Since internet posting have no volume, he resorts to a more and more sarcastic tone with each post in an effort to rile you up and therefore feel like he has “won.” My advice, let it go and find someone to discuss this with who knows how to maintain a level head and converse as an adult.

    • Avatar photo Paul Montgomery (@fuzzytypewriter) says:

      Make?

    • Turning an effective profit is a “shoddy business practice”? Jeez, I hope your boss doesn’t read this site…

    • You’re tellin’ me I gotta drink this coffee hot?!

    • @Paul: Well played sir.

    • You call that a couch? I demand a pillow!

      I just thought it was weird that there are a ton of people online (not just here) that complain endlessly on $3.99 and then….Nothing! They want to find an excuse to not buy $3.99 and I would assume an event that will most likely not have any depth to it would be a good enough reason not to buy for the extra dollar. But whenever good examples do come down to not buy $3.99 the majority of people who are against the price hike doesn’t seem to remember ever saying it. I’m not accusing anyone on this long, and now ridiculous, chain of replies of doing that. I’m just tired of hearing people complain about it and do nothing to back it up.

    • Avatar photo Paul Montgomery (@fuzzytypewriter) says:

      Maybe they’re outdoors protesting and picketing. Maybe they don’t have a mobile device to complain here while they’re doing that. Either way, they’re not complaining here. Which is wonderful. Because in their place there is joy. Is this what joy is? What does joy feel like?

    • Mocking those with a different perspective is real professional. Way to alienate the silent majority of the site who think pricing is a legitimate concern.

      Paul – I’ve come to enjoy and respect your contributions to this site, but resorting to belittling is not very flattering on you.

      Paul stated, “…Yes. Books often cost $3.99. It sucks. Which version of the conversation do you want to have this particular time? What do you want us to do?”

      Do you really think people are looking to this site to resolve this issue? People come here for the community where many hold this concern.

      The message is now clear…if you hold a separate view point from the iFanboy elite, you will be taken down a notch en masse and mocked.

    • Avatar photo Paul Montgomery (@fuzzytypewriter) says:

      You entered this conversation about a series’ narrative direction with a combative comment about price-gouging. Yes, TNC remarked on the frequency of complaints about $3.99 comics, giving you an open. I was taken aback by the choice to turn the conversation in that direction because there are more sensical places to talk about it. Say, in the Batman thread or in a new comment.

      To be clear, I’m not trying to mock you. But I do think you’re making some broad statements. That we’re complacent about pricing. I don’t grant that premise.

      Here’s my thing. If commenters are free to make sweeping statements about us, why are our responses viewed as attacks and not what they truly are: defenses or rebuttals? You’re welcome to disagree, but we have the right to disagree right back. Then you can disagree again if you like. If that stings because we run the place, that’s kind of how it goes. We’re just supposed to sit there? It’s a forum not a dunk tank.

      I granted that $3.99 price points suck. I buy some books at that price point, always begrudgingly. But I also pass on a lot of $3.99 titles. You’re free to debate the merits of it. But I don’t know where you want the conversation to go. You concede there’s no resolving it here. So, is it just comfort through griping?

    • @K I think the slightest bit of empathy would be appropriate. Reading this shit all the time would be taxing on even the most patient of women/men. It would be discouraging to have so many people complaining all the god damn time about the same shit. I should know, cause I used to be one of the complainers. Having a chip on your shoulder doesn’t help. These people on iFanboy are not out to destroy. They intend to create a safe, non-legitimate bitch-free environment, which is fun and equally engaging. ‘Tis all.

    • @TNC: I see where you are coming from but in my experience at lot of comic buyers are not that concrete when balancing price against a comic. Many people (myself included) are against the $3.99 price point. However I am also going to buy a comic that I like regardless of price (within reason of course, I’m not paying more that $3.99 without a serious page increase). For me, and I think many others, we are intellectually against the idea of a $3.99 price increase for comics but we don’t want to give up the comics we love. For instance, I am a little miffed that after seven issues the price for Batman has gone up to $3.99. That said, I am really, REALLY enjoying Snyder’s Batman so I’m definitely still going to buy that comic. Eventually there is a tipping point and if too many comics cost $3.99 it breaks your budget and that’s when its time make a decision about dropping a $3.99 comic. I think that’s why you see the disconnect you’re talking about. The fact that people intellectually are opposed to a price increase, but at the same time don’t want to not buy comics they like or sound interesting.

    • @K: You seem to have a serious complex. “The Silent Majority?” Did you really just quote Nixon? Look around this site, people tend to express their opinions. I find it hard to believe there is as great silent majority out there that supports your opinion and also decides to never post about it. Maybe I’m wrong. If I am I now call upon all in this great silent majority to speak up!! Let us hear your voices!!!

      While we wait for that, let me also say its a little hypocritical for you to accuse Paul of mocking you when you are really the person who brought the mocking, argumentative tone to this discussion.

    • I’ve lost track of the number of times that the iFanboy guys read one of my reviews on their show and disagreed with it. However, I don’t get offended since I’m not under the delusion that the guys are doing it to attack me. Chill out, kid…there’s no “silent majority” or conspiracy or whatnot.

    • Eeeeeend SCENE!

    • Um… I’m not sure why this discussion went off the rails, but back to the original point that TNC asked. Which series were you referring to? From what I understand, “AvX: Vs.” is a giant fight comic which is ancillary to “Avengers Vs. X-Men” which has a much more complex plot than just random fighting. It just seems like there was some confusion about that, since AvX Vs. is only 6 issues, whereas Avengers Vs. X-Men is 12.

    • @USPUNX: I certainly understand what you’re saying there. I honestly don’t care what I pay when it comes to $2.99 or $3.99. (But as a hypocrite if it goes higher then that I will stop buying) I’m just tired of seeing these arguments against the price increases and at the end of the day they buy the bloody things anyways. I’m fine with Batman going up in price because we are getting MORE for our money. While Marvel is essentially putting an extra dollar for the same page count for just one big fight scene. That’s the difference.

    • “So I take it AVX is just one big fight comic”

    • For what it’s worth (and I don’t have an opinion yet), Marvel IS including those codes for free digital versions of some of their $3.99 books (AVX and the Ultimate books are the only ones I’m aware of). So there’s some attempt on Marvel’s part to add some value (again, I don’t know exactly what that value is) back into the price of the book.

      When DC does that they charge an extra dollar for it (see the $4.99 Combo packs of Justice League). So there’s that.

    • @TNC: Yeah I get all that. I guess in the end it just comes down to if you want to read the comic or not.

    • I’m buying weeklies for the first time in about three years because of AVX. Love the concept, and it’s the best use of the Phoenix Force since the original Phoenix Saga.

      And I think putting out books that JUST have the brawls in it makes the most sense of any event tie-in I’ve seen in years.

  2. That Criminal Deluxe edition is such an instant buy!!

  3. Yay! Captain Marvel is a $2.99 book! I’ll give it a shot! Here’s hoping Hawkeye is $2.99 as well.

    • Looking forward to this myself as well. I always liked the previous Ms. Marvel series. Is this only a “two-shot?”

    • No, it’s intended to be as ongoing as any new series is these days. Listen to Kelly Sue on her recent Word Balloon episode, she’s got no delusions about what this book is up against.

  4. I’m gonna give Captain Marvel a chance. The pages I’ve seen look nice, and it should be something a little different.

  5. Two things –
    1. I think the McGuiness covers on everything are a poor choice by Marvel. They did not match the style or tone of Captain America & Bucky and it does not seem to match the interior art style of Captain Marvel. I know his stuff sells, but still….

    2. I have been completely lost on Secret Avengers. I love Remender and Hardman, but I just am not following the story on this series at all.

    • Avatar photo filippod (@filippodee) says:

      C’mon it’s easy! They are fighting these strange guys with creepy powers and… uh… expendable Ant-Man dies… and uhhh those guy are creepy and have famine-plague-and-stuff-like powers and… ehhh…. Ant-Man dies and… Oh my, I guess I’ll have to go back and re-read it.

  6. New ClanDestine!

  7. Avatar photo filippod (@filippodee) says:

    Captain Marvel! Now with additional hair for the same cheap cheap price!

    Jokes aside, I’m looking forward to it. In fact, I’d like to have more than half of this stuff!

    That Man-Thing Omnibus in particular mmmmmmm! But alas, can’t afford it. I’ll buy a box of crayons and color my Essentials…

  8. Does anyone have any idea who Thor is facing in that cover?

    This site is usually great at telling classified characters on covers.

    • Looks like it could be Storm to me…

    • Storm doesn’t usually have claws and/or long fingernails, does she? (Maybe Gischler is doing something to her cause that’s the only X-book she’s relevant in)

      Someone pointed out on twitter, can’t remember who sorry, said it’s probably whoever has the Phoenix Force in them that’s fighting Thor. But I’m not sure they would just go and do that in a spin-off comic like this.

    • Scarlet Witch

  9. So… Space Punisher… no more Rucka Punisher? Or is this “in addition to?”

    • Avatar photo Paul Montgomery (@fuzzytypewriter) says:

      In addition to. Its a separate mini. There’s a solicit for the July Rucka issue at the link at the bottom of the post. Too many books to cover!

  10. I know it isn’t mention on this fantastic post, but I’m really really REALLY excited for Fred Van Lente/Tom Fowler’s Hulk: Season One.

  11. The Space Punisher concept is almost too insane to pass up.

  12. I know I’m not the first person to come up with this (at least I’m pretty sure I read it somewhere), but that Powers FBI book does really remind me of the never-made 4th season of Veronica Mars. I’m not accusing them of stealing that idea (since it wasn’t really a completed idea anyway), but now that’s all I can think of when I look at the cover.

  13. JDC WANT HULK SEASON ONE!

  14. With Hulk: Season One now up on here I do find it oddly compelling to read. I mean:

    Fantastic Four: Season One? Dud.
    X-Men: Season One? Spectacular.
    Daredevil: Season One? Mediocre

    This is the first time I think they got the talent mixed just right. If Fred Van Lente can make movie tie-in (like Iron Man and the recent Avengers mini’s) fun to read then I expect this to be at least good.

  15. I’m sure this has been pointed out in previous months but it occurred to me that the branding of AvX Versus and AvX proper is rather confusing. To someone that doesn’t know any better both look like they are called “Avengers vs. X-Men” or “Avengers logo vs. X-Men logo”. Would the hypothetical new or casual reader know the difference if their shop didn’t bother to explain it? I might even write Versus off as a variant cover if I hadn’t been exposed to the original press release.

    I’ll certainly give Captain Marvel a try at the lower price point but I’m pretty skeptical based on the interior preview art they showed.

  16. I’m very much looking forward to the punchy punchy fun times promised in AVX: VS even if the name is redundant.

  17. Captain Marvel is the only title I wanna check out here but am a huge cosmic corner Marvel U guy so thats good news for me……..It would nice to have that Man-Thing Omnibus on my shelf just for sheer strange beauty, awesomeness and love that cover. That Opena Avsx variant cover is pretty,its sooo pretty.

  18. There are a lot of quality comics in that pile.

    Looking forward to another month of good stuff from the House of Ideas.

  19. i cant wait for 5.99

  20. Holy poop….that Opena cover

  21. So… I don’t want to do any research. Is that “Man-Thing” title more than just a “Swamp Thing” rip off? Is there a movie about it coming out? Why is there a giant omnibus for a series I’ve never heard of? It’s simultaneously confusing me and making me want to buy it…

    • Avatar photo Paul Montgomery (@fuzzytypewriter) says:

      Both characters first appeared in the same year (1971). Man-Thing is less complicated. He doesn’t talk. He’s more of a straight up horror character. Appears in the current run of Thunderbolts. I like ’em both.

      There WAS a movie. You haven’t heard about it for the usual reasons.

    • Interesting. Thanks, Paul. I may have to see if I can find some of that to read, though, before dropping $125 on that monster of a book.

    • Avatar photo Paul Montgomery (@fuzzytypewriter) says:

      Entirely fair. Might be some Marvel Essential collections in your shop. And there’s a mini-series starting in….June?

    • Yes! If you are interested in Man-Thing then Marvel, for once, is doing something right! Steve Gerber’s final script, and if you don’t know how awesome Gerber is I suggest you find some Howard the Duck comics, is being turned into a 3 issue mini with Kevin Nowlan on art.

    • I’m mostly interested because I just feel like if they’re putting this massive book out there at that price, without the usual movie tie-in, then it must be pretty good stuff.

  22. Quick question:

    On Sean Phillips’ blog he says the Criminal Omnibus comes out in October:

    http://surebeatsworking.blogspot.ca/2012/04/criminal-deluxe-edition-volume-2.html

    …so is it coming out in July or October?

  23. Did they add more hair to Captain Marvel? Seems like it’s longer than when they initially announced the title. Apologies if this has been discussed before.

  24. That Captain Marvel design has really grown on me and I can’t wait to see the mask in action.

  25. Wolverine #310 sounds stupid. Why retread what Aaron had to save Wolverine from in the first place.

  26. AvX kinda reminds me of the old Contest of the Champions comics. I loved those comics and i can’t wait for a good nonsensical brawl to see who would win!

    My only sadness is that Nightcrawler isn’t able to participate.

    Daredevil Vs Psylocke? Psylocke for the win!!!

    Go Thor!!!

  27. So much Avengers stuff!! AWESOME !!!