Demythify: Top 10 November 2012 Solicitations With DC New 52, Marvel Now, Valiant Entertainment, IDW Publishing, Image Comics & Dynamite Entertainment (Avengers, X-Men, Superman, Bizarro, Eclipso, Spawn, Star Trek, Barack Obama vs. Mitt Romney & More)

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We’ve had most comic book companies release their November 2012 solicitations and we’ve had some interesting news over the last little while. Here is my take on the Top 10 best of all that.


10. Avengers Plus X-Men Marvel Now Teases (Marvel Comics)

In addition to the teaser released by Marvel Comics a few months ago to hype their Marvel Now non-reboot reboot, comes another teaser this time tied to its Avengers vs. X-Men spinoff: Avengers + X-Men.

The new teaser poster (below) has some of the key characters from the original teaser. There are some some interesting additions, some that I recognize and some that I don’t.

Here’s my best try, from left to right starting at the top:

    Spider-Man and Storm.

    Next row, Iceman, Doop from X-Statix, Black Widow and Thor.

    Then we have Iron Man, someone I don’t recognize, Falcon, Lockheed, Kitty Pryde and Angel or Archangel.

    The following row we have Captain Marvel, Mockingbird, Spider-Woman, Rachel Summers, Beast or Dark Beast.

    Then Hope Summers (I guess she survives Avengers vs. X-Men), Northstar, Psylocke, Doctor Strange and Iron Fist.

    Finally, the last row has Gambit, Captain America, Wolverine, Hulk, Rogue and Hawkeye.

That poster for Avengers + X-Men show us the post AVX Marvel universe and build on the series teased in the original Marvel Now poster. In reading the A+X solicit, I wonder what the series’ raison d’etre is. Yes, we have Avengers and X-Men team-ups, but what’s the purpose beyond that? Maybe $ales success since Avengers vs. X-Men was profitable… it was essentially a six issue series stretched to twelve after all? ;) Solid creative team though.

Here is the A+X #2 solicit.

A+X #2

KAARE ANDREWS & PETER DAVID (W)
KAARE ANDREWS & MIKE DEL MUNDO (A) / Cover by KAARE ANDREWS
Variant Covers by ED MCGUINNESS & TBA
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

• Spider-Man and Beast fight zombies in a story by Kaare Andrews (AVX: VERSUS)!
• Iron Man, Kitty Pryde and Lockheed fight the Brood in a story by Peter David and your favorite artist!


9. Earth 2 Robin Meets New 52 Robin (DC Comics)

DC’s Robins have one of the strongest selling features of the New 52. From Batman Inc.’s debut of a new Redbird sidekick for Batman, Batman and Robin’s handling of Damian Wayne as the current boy wonder, Tim Drake as Red Robin anchoring Teen Titans, Jason Todd’s Red Hood leading the non-team team of Outlaws, and Dick Grayson starring as Nightwing in the same titled critically acclaimed series. I have been blown away by all things Robin.

I’ve also enjoyed the multiverse and Earth 2. Interestingly, Worlds’ Finest stars Power Girl and Huntress who are stuck on DC’s main Earth, displaced from Earth 2 where they were that world’s Supergirl and… Robin. Like Damian Wayne who is Batman’s son on the main DC Earth and its current Robin, the Huntress is Batman’s daughter on Earth 2 and a former Robin.

Damian and Helena come face-off in November’s Worlds’ Finest #6.

WORLDS’ FINEST #6

Written by PAUL LEVITZ / Art by KEVIN MAGUIRE, GEORGE PEREZ and SCOTT KOBLISH
Cover by KEVIN MAGUIRE / 1:25 B&W Variant cover by KEVIN MAGUIRE
On sale NOVEMBER 7 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• What happens when Huntress, the former Robin of Earth 2, meets Damian? The same thing that happens when anyone meets Damian: a massive fight!
• Huntress has managed to keep her true identity on this Earth a secret so far, but with Damian on her trail, can the world’s greatest detective be far behind?


8. U.S. Presidential Campaign & Watchmen Inspire Spawn (Image Comics)

Todd McFarlane’s Spawn reaches its milestone 225th issue. The cover pays homage to DC Comics Before Watchmen event with its content seemingly tied to the outcome of the U.S. Presidential Campaign that sees Democratic Incumbent President Barack Obama battle Republican Challenger and Former Governor Mitt Romney. I’m curious about the two endings McFarlane has planned.

SPAWN #225

story TODD MCFARLANE / art SZYMON KUDRANSKI
cover TODD MCFARLANE
NOVEMBER 7 / 32 PAGES / FC / T+ / $2.99

“DE-PROGRAMMED,” Part One

MILESTONE 225th issue! AND…FOR THE FIRST TIME…the results of a Presidential Election will directly affect the events to come.

On November 6th, the citizens of the United States of America will select their Commander In Chief. The winner, and his goals and agendas, will play a role in shaping the next stage in Jim Downing’s evolution.

Meanwhile…Jim’s long search for answers about his past comes to an end in this two-part story, featuring the return of fan-favorite villain, Jason Wynn.

Wynn, the master puppeteer whose manipulations led to Al Simmons’ original fall from grace, now lays bare the full truth regarding Jim’s role in “The Project.” But what are Wynn’s true intentions? And what ramifications do they have on global events.

RETAILERS: This issue contains two alternate endings – one featuring Barack Obama, the other Mitt Romney. Both are available to order using the unique product codes listed in the order form.


7. Firestorm and Captain Atom Similarities Differentiated? (DC Comics)

I’ve quite enjoyed DC New 52’s Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men. I know it hasn’t been a chart topper, but I have enjoyed the concept of an arms race for Firestorms, rogue and those sanctioned by governments. On one hand it expands the mythos a la the Green Lantern and various Corps, but one the other hand it makes Firestorm less unique.

Despite liking the concept from issue #1 of the New 52, I am intrigued by Dan Jurgens’ hopping on the deck for year two. I am equally pleased that Captain Atom, whose series was just cancelled, will pop by in November 2012. In the New 52 Captain Atom had similar transmutation powers as Firestorm so I’m curious how the characters will be differentiated.

In Jurgens I trust. :) Fury of Firestorm: The Nuclear Men #14 solicit below.

THE FURY OF FIRESTORM: THE NUCLEAR MEN #14

Written by DAN JURGENS
Art and cover by DAN JURGENS and RAY McCARTHY
On sale NOVEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Nothing is going right for Firestorm as he battles Black Trident and tries to keep up a normal high school life!
• The reappearance of Firestorm is causing great concern in the DCU — and how is Captain Atom involved?


6. Bionic Man and Bionic Woman Love, Pain and Fembots (Dynamite)

It is no surprise for those around here that I was a huge fan of the 1970s’ Six Million Dollar Man television show and its 1970’s Bionic Woman spin-off. I was pleased that over the last few years both series has have been released on DVD. And, I was also intrigued as comic legend and pop icon Kevin Smith’s script for a Bionic Man movie was going to be made into a comic book by Dynamite. I’ve picked up both series and enjoyed them. They certainly aren’t like the old series, but they are action packed. The stories have been decent, but the art less so. That said, I’m intrigued by November’s offerings.

We have the break-up between Steve Austin and Jamie Sommers, the headlines of their respective comic series, explained in Bionic Man #16. In Bionic Woman #8 we have the Fembots! They were fan faves in the 1970s and will make an impact in 2012.

KEVIN SMITH BIONIC MAN #16

(W) Phil Hester, Aaron Gillespie
(A) Edgar Tadeo
(CA) Edgar Tadeo, Mike Mayhew

While we know about the events that lead Jaime Summers to become Bionic Woman, the details of her break up with Steve have been a mystery…until now. Dealing with Jaime’s injuries and long recovery have Steve on edge, but how will he react to the discovery that HE might have played a role in her accident? All questions will be answered in this stand alone issue.

BIONIC WOMAN #8

(W) Paul Tobin
(A) Juan Antonio Ramirez / (CA) Mike Mayhew

Is that a 90mm Matador rocket launcher, or are you just happy to see me? Jaime’s search into the remnants of her past lead her to discover a high-school friend who has gone on to become an international weapons dealer, and a high-ranking member of the Russian “Bratva” mob’s “most wanted… dead” list! Can Jaime save her friend’s life? And… should she? And what part do the fembots play? It’s violence in Volgograd, when the Bionic Woman comes to town!


5. All-New X-Men Modern Day Line-Up Revealed (Marvel Comics)

Brian Michael Bendis has shifted allegiances from the Avengers – a franchise he breathed new life in from disassembling it and reassembling it as Marvel’s premiere franchise – to the X-Men. His first foray is the All-New X-Men which features the original 1960s X-Men time-displaced into 2012. In addition, we learned with its issue #2 cover which modern-day X-Men will join the original X-teens.

I’m intrigued by how Marvel will make this work without changing the past and impact the Marvel Universe as we know it.

What I am disliking is Marvel’s intent to continue to gouge readers with more than one issue of if its popular series. It cannibalizes other Marvel Comics series, but that’s a marketing gripe not a concept gripe.

ALL-NEW X-MEN #1 & #2

BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W) • STUART IMMONEN (A&C)
Variant Covers by JOE QUESADA and SKOTTIE YOUNG / TBA
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

It’s a blast from the past as the original five students of Professor X – Cyclops, Marvel Girl, Iceman, Angel and Beast – are plucked from the past and brought to the present. But what they find, the state that their future selves are in and the state of Xavier’s dream, is far from the future they dreamed of. And how will the X-Men of the present deal with their past coming crashing forward?


4. Eclipso Marching Through New 52 Towards ‘Event’ Debut? (DC Comics)

I am quite enjoying DC’s period pieces. Demon Knights set during the age of Knights of the Roundtable and early 1900s All-Star Western with Jonah Hex in Gotham City. I’m also eagerly anticipating DC’s Team 7 set 5 years ago at the advent of the New 52 with the debut of Superman. The book is set around the same time as writer Grant Morrison’s Action Comics and a neophyte Superman.

November 2012 sees the return of the Black Diamond, a gem used by the villain Eclipso to take over and control others. Can Eclipso be far behind?

DEMON KNIGHTS #14

Written by PAUL CORNELL
Art and cover by BERNARD CHANG
On sale NOVEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Trapped in Hell and betrayed by Etrigan, the Demon Knights are on the edge of oblivion!
• There’s only one way out… But is Jason Blood prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice?
• And what is the secret of the mysterious black diamond that Lucifer has given to Exoristos?

ALL-STAR WESTERN #14

Written by JUSTIN GRAY and JIMMY PALMIOTTI / Art by MORITAT
Backup story art by PHIL WINSLADE / Cover by ARIEL OLIVETTI
On sale NOVEMBER 28 • 40 pg, FC, $3.99 US • RATED T+

• The Black Diamond continues its journey through DC’s history as it shows up in 19th century Gotham.
• Someone has stolen the Black Diamond that Doctor Jekyll uses to create his infamous potion, and he’s hired Jonah Hex to track it down!
• While Hex follows the trail of Gothamites under the influence of a bootleg copy of the potion, Amadeus Arkham must face the mad doctor on his own.

TEAM 7 #2

Written by JUSTIN JORDAN / Art by JESUS MERINO / Cover by DOUG MAHNKE
1:25 Variant cover by BRETT BOOTH

On sale NOVEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• The secret history of The New 52 is told here – with bullets!
• Set five years in the past, Team 7 races into the heart of darkness to stop the evil that the Black Diamond will unleash!

In the modern-day DC Comics New 52 universe, we’ve seen the Black Diamond whole and larger than life in Argus’ trophy room – the organization Steve Trevor works for – in DC’s 2012 Free Comic Book Day issue. So, Eclipso returns later in 2012 or 2013?


3. Bizarro Becomes H’El in Superbooks X-Over? (DC Comics)

H’El comes to Earth to battle Superman, Supergirl and Superboy. It appears he may be a cursed clone from Krypton. We know that something untoward occurred on Krypton concerning its clones as Supergirl uses that as the reason to distrust Superboy when they first met in the New 52.

Hmmm.

A cursed Kryptonian clone with a reverse S-shield on its chest. Could this be the New 52’s new Bizarro? The backwards looking-glass Superman?

Check out the Superman Family November solicits below.

SUPERMAN #14

Written by SCOTT LOBDELL / Art and cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
1:25 B&W Variant cover by KENNETH ROCAFORT
On sale NOVEMBER 28 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• Following events in this month’s SUPERGIRL #14 and SUPERBOY #14!
• It’s their worst nightmare: A creature of unknown Kryptonian origin, more powerful than Superman, smarter than Supergirl and more lethal than Superboy.
• His actions will change the course of a planet’s fate!

SUPERGIRL #14

Written by MIKE JOHNSON / Art and cover by MAHMUD ASRAR
On sale NOVEMBER 21 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• A “H’ELL ON EARTH” crossover chapter!

• Picking up from SUPERBOY #14, Supergirl meets the villainous H’el!
• What happens when she finds herself agreeing with his pro-Krypton/anti-Earth plans?
• Continued this month in SUPERMAN #14!

SUPERBOY #14

Written by TOM DeFALCO / Art and cover by R.B. SILVA and ROB LEAN
On sale NOVEMBER 14 • 32 pg, FC, $2.99 US • RATED T

• A “H’ELL ON EARTH” crossover chapter!

• Guest-starring Supergirl and The Teen Titans!
• Fresh from the events of SUPERMAN #13, Superman’s deadliest new foe comes after Superboy!


2. Shadowman Makes 2012 Debut (Valiant Comics)

By all objective measures, the Summer of Valiant has been a success. Story-wise its offerings have been solid. X-O Manowar, Harbinger, Bloodshot and Archer and Armstrong have paired solid writers with dynamic artists. It is clear those behind Valiant Entertainment have a plan and are executing it well. There have been sell-outs of issues and the future of Valiant includes the debuts of Ninjak and Eternal Warrior. Will they have get their own series? Well, we don’t know yet, but we do know that Shadowman gets a new ongoing series in November.

Check out the solicit for its debut issue followed by a preview of its interior and come concept art. We see the classic villain Master Darque and a new villain Mr. Twist. This series looks promising if you’re a fan of the dark arts. :)

SHADOWMAN #1

Written by JUSTIN JORDAN & PATRICK ZIRCHER / Art by PATRICK ZIRCHER
Cover by PATRICK ZIRCHER / Pullbox Exclusive Variant by PATRICK ZIRCHER
Variant Covers by DAVE JOHNSON and BILL SIENKIEWICZ

The next epic expansion of the Valiant Universe starts this November in a new ongoing series by comics superstar Patrick Zircher (Captain America, Thor: Ages of Thunder) and Harvey Award nominee Justin Jordan (The Strange Talent of Luther Strode, Team 7)!

There’s a million dreams in the Big Easy. But now its worst nightmare is about to come true. As the forces of darkness prepare to claim New Orleans as their own, Jack Boniface must embrace the legacy he was born to uphold. As Shadowman, Jack is about to become the only thing that stands between his city and an army of unspeakable monstrosities from beyond the night. But is the mantle of Shadowman a blessing or a curse? And what is the true cost of his otherworldly power? The rebirth of a Valiant icon starts right here when Shadowman strikes this November!

$3.99 US/Rated T+/32 pgs. / ON SALE NOVEMBER 7th!


1. Star Trek Reimagines Mirror Universe (IDW)

I am a fan of Star Trek. I haven’t been that into the comics, but I have picked up the occasional mini-series from IDW and have picked up several novels from the fine folks at Pocketbooks. Any true fan of Trek knows about the Mirror Universe, a universe where the heroes of the U.S.S. Enterprise are villains.

There was a cool Alternate Realities DVD collection (see right) that collected all of the MU adventures across all the TV series that it appeared in. There have also been some intriguing novels featuring the Mirror Universe.

The Star Trek movie franchise was rebooted a few years ago by J. J. Abrams and Robert Orci. The latter has been part of the comic book launch of continuity tied to the movie franchise. In November we see the reimagining of the Mirror Universe with Mirror Spock on the cover.

Looks like I have arc to pick up!

STAR TREK ONGOING #15

(W) Mike Johnson
(A) Stephen Molnar
(CA) Tim Bradstreet

The countdown to next year’s Star Trek sequel continues here, in an all-new re-imagining of the classic “Mirror Universe” story! Witness the transformation of the new Enterprise crew in part one of this blockbuster story, overseen by Star Trek writer/producer Roberto Orci!

So, what caught your eye from the comics industry November 2012 solicitation?

Till next week, thanks for reading. As always, all feedback welcome.


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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!