This Monday’s Demythify column will return next week. In its place, we present the Top 5 (actually 11) Marvel Comics April 2014 solicitations.
For the second month in a row, DC Comics has delayed the release of their comic book solicitations so Marvel Comics’ April 2014 solicitations are out first. DC’s are expected this week and Marvel’s were released last week.
The six big news items coming out of Marvel are:
- The return of Peter Parker in Amazing Spider-Man #1
- The end of Superior Spider-Man with issue #31.
- The relaunch of three Ultimate Universe titles after Cataclysm.
- The launch of a new Nightcrawler ongoing series, spinning off of Amazing X-Men, and replacing X-Men Legacy.
- The debut of a tenth Avengers team: the Avengers of the Supernatural.
- The first new Alan Moore written collection of Miracleman in a generation.
Beyond those, there are still 5 more top news items from Marvel Comics April 2014 solicitations. Do you agree with the below?
(5) What is Marvel’s Original Sin?
Not sure what this series is about, but a cosmic whodunit – teased via Marvel’s cryptic announcement – seems pretty intriguing.
- ORIGINAL SIN #0
MARK WAID (W) • JIM CHEUNG (A/C)
ARTIST VARIANT COVER BY PAOLO RIVERA
IT’S THE PROLOGUE TO THE BIGGEST MARVEL SERIES OF THE SUMMER!
WHO IS THE WATCHER? That’s what Nova is wondering after his latest brush with the moon-dwelling enigma he’s encountered before! But what he discovers will have a profound effect on the young hero, as well as priming the pump for the most cataclysmic event in Marvel history! WHAT DID HE SEE?
40 PGS./ONE SHOT/Rated T+ …3.99
(4) More James Robinson at Marvel!
Writer James Robinson has been a fave writer of mine since the 1990’s. From his Starman work for DC or Firearm series from Malibu Comics to his recent Earth 2 run with DC again. DC’s loss is Marvel’s gain as James Robinson pens two monthly books under the All-New Marvel Now banner!
All-New Invaders seems like a book in Robinson’s wheelhouse having worked on golden age character before; foremost of which was his The Golden Age mini-series from DC in the early 1990’s followed by Starman. From the Justice Society to Invaders = A good fit.
- ALL-NEW INVADERS #4
JAMES ROBINSON (W) • STEVE PUGH (A)
Cover by MUKESH SINGH
“GODS AND SOLDIERS” PART FOUR
• THE INVADERS incursion into Hala, the Kree Homeworld, has begun…and already our heroes are in trouble. • Now the team must fight a Kree-controlled God, but which God? From which pantheon? And how can they defeat an immortal with unlimited power?
• See NAMOR unleashed, CAPTAIN AMERICA fight and THE HUMAN TORCH turn up the heat!!!
• And what is the dangerous side mission that only WINTER SOLDIER and AARKUS THE GOLDEN AGE VISION can complete?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
The Fantastic Four seems like a left field choice for Robinson, but I’ll check it out.
- FANTASTIC FOUR #3
JAMES ROBINSON (W) • LEONARD KIRK (A)
Cover BY JOHN ROMITA JR.
VARIANT BY J. G. JONES
“THE FALL OF THE FANTASTIC FOUR” PART 3
• The FANTASTIC FOUR were victorious defending Manhattan from inter-dimensional invasion but at a terrible cost!!!
• Is this “Flame Off” forever for the HUMAN TORCH?
• Introducing a new stronger, deadlier version of the WRECKING CREW!!!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
(3) That Mighty Marvel Math
Ultimate Spider-Man seemingly hits a #200 issue milestone. As the series had stopped and re-started its numberings, fans have wondered how the book actually reached #200. Well, according to Brian Bendis on his Tumblr account, it appears that Marvel is including any Ultimate Spider-Man mini-series, special and annuals in the count contrary to conventional comic book practice. So, if you like, you can put an asterisk beside the #200 part here.
However, Ultimate Spider-Man is the longest tenured book of the Ultimate line with a hero who isn’t Peter Parker. That must be a milestone of some kind.
- ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #200
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W)
DAVE MARQUEZ, MARK BAGLEY, MARK BROOKS, STUART IMMONEN AND DAVID LAFUENTE (A)
Cover A BY MARK BAGLEY
Cover B BY DAVID MARQUEZ
• The world mourns on the anniversary of Peter Parker’s death
• A gathering of Spidey’s friends and foes reveal some shocking truths about Peter and his world
• One of the biggest surprise endings of the year!
48 PGS./ONE SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99
Surprise, surprise. ANOTHER Bendis book hits a major milestone in April. ;) I assume this counts previous Guardians of the Galaxy proper numbering to get to #100, but if you can help decipher who we got to #100, that would be appreciated.
- GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #14
Brian Michael Bendis (W) • Nick Bradshaw (A/C)
100th issue ANIVERSARY CELEBRATION!
• 45 years in the making! It’s finally here!!! The 100th issue of Guardians of the Galaxy! (Okay it’s actually the 101st, but we had an X-Men crossover to get through! Sheesh!)
• It’s an all-star celebration of the most popular super team of 2014 as cosmic captain Brian Michael Bendis welcomes Nick Bradshaw (WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN) to the team!
• As the GOTG gets ready for new members VENOM and CAPTAIN MARVEL, there are unexpected dangers that promise to tear the team to its core.
• Plus in this special double sized anniversary issue…two special back up stories by former GOTG writers Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning!
48 PGS./Rated T …4.99
(2) Son confronts Mom?
We’ve gone from having no Nightcrawler in the Marvel Universe prior to 2014 to now have two monthly does. Amazing X-Men alongside the new Nightcrawler series. In the first Amazing X-Men arc Nightcrawler confronted his father Azazel (spoilers here). In April it looks his mom confronts him! Enter Mystique.
AMAZING X-MEN #6
JASON AARON (W) • ED MCGUINNESS (A/C)
CAPTAIN AMERICA VARIANT ALSO AVAILABLE
• Nightcrawler is back at the Jean Grey School!
• But when Mystique comes calling, he may be returning to the afterlife very soon.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99
(1) Eight All-New Marvel Now debuts?
In its efforts to refresh its brand, Marvel Comics is launching eight new ongoing series in April 2014. How many tickle your fancy?
From left to right: All-New Ultimates #1, Amazing Spider-Man #1, Elektra #1 and Hulk #1.
From left to right: Inhuman #1, Iron Fist: The Living Weapon #1, Nightcrawler #1 and Ultimate FF #1 (with Ultimate Iron Man as a member).
What has you excited about Marvel’s April 2014 offerings?
Thanks for reading. All feedback welcome. :)
