UPDATED: John Byrne’s NEXT MEN 2012 Return Grows, But Will It End With IDW’s Cross-Time AFTERMATH!?

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Following our earlier news, In February 2012, John Byrne’s Next Men… or at least some of them… return in a title that picks up from the Next Men numbering. I’m looking forward to this (although I am not digging the “Aftermath” part of the comics new logo).

Interesting that IDW is hyping this series as the last storyline for the Next Men. According to John Byrne himself as of December 30th on his forum, this appears to now be a 5 issue series up from the recent 4 issues, but down from the original 10. A “Seventies” themed issue will make it into this Aftermath finite run as its new middle / third issue. See cover on the right.

From, John Byrne himself: Possibly even epilogueS [for the Next Men]. IDW is quite pleased with the sales this series generates, and would be happy to see me continue it indefinitely. And, as AFTERMATH unfolds, there are certain sidebars that are suggesting themselves. Heck, I could get a whole series out of the central figures on that third issue cover!

Can’t recall if I mentioned, btw, but AFTERMATH has snuck up to 5 issues. That’s how this one, in the middle, ended up being set entirely in the Seventies, instead of being just a “flash sideways” as it is in the first two issues.

When this was originally announced it appeared that Byrne was going to do 4 issues of Cold War and then 4 issues of Next Men: Aftermath and then rotating between the two titles in a series of mini-series. That doesn’t appear to be the case if I’m understanding Byrne posts correctly. Aftermath now seemingly with 5 issues, but Cold War continues as a series of mini-series. While Aftermath is currently slated for 5 finite issues, looks like there is a strong possibility of more Next Men adventures. I guess, we’ll have to wait and see.

In the past, John Byrne has indicated that: “AFTERMATH will continue with some of the familiar faces — but will be a VERY different kind of book!” The solicits seems to confirm that.

Looks promising. Byrne is at his absolute best when he’s doing Next Men. With IDW’s Cobra Command, the sequel to Cobra Civil War, beginning in January 2012 and now Next Men: Aftermath, my IDW reading will be growing exponentially in 2012.

Sweet!

Diversity rocks…


Next Men: Aftermath #40
John Byrne (w & a & c)

It ain’t over till it’s over. Project Next Men has been undone, the Past has been rewritten… but it’s never easy to reshape the Fourth Dimension. As Jasmine is about to discover. She was afraid to go with Nathan and Bethany back to the 1950s—by the end of this issue, she may regret that decision!

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

*Variant covers: Variant B&W John Byrne cover!

Bullet points: The final storyline in John Byrne’s Next Men saga begins HERE!


March 2012 brings us issue #41 and the threat of time shredding itself. This appears to be a bigger epic than the previous Next Men series. Byrne brings the cosmic!

Next Men: Aftermath #41
John Byrne (w & a & c)

Time continues to shred itself, and as Jasmine and Gil search for the solution to that problem, something even more immediate-and personal-is revealed. Plus, in the 20th Century, the mystery quest continues.

FC • 32 pages • $3.99

*Variant covers: B&W John Byrne cover!

Bullet points: The final storyline in John Byrne’s Next Men saga continues.


That’s it and that’s all from me in 2011.

Happy New Year everyone!

A great 2012 to all!


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John is a long-time pop culture fan, comics historian, and blogger. He is currently the Editor-in-Chief at Comics Nexus. Prior to being EIC he has produced several column series including DEMYTHIFY, NEAR MINT MEMORIES and the ONE FAN'S TRIALS at the Nexus plus a stint at Bleeding Cool producing the COMICS REALISM column. As BabosScribe, John is active on his twitter account, his facebook page, his instagram feed and welcomes any and all feedback. Bring it on!