February 2017 Solicitations with JH commentary

Sorry this is so late, but here comes February 2017 and with it is villains, the end of clones and more Gwenpool than anyone asked for!

KINGPIN #1
MATTHEW ROSENBERG (W) • BEN TORRES (A)
Cover by JEFF DEKAL
Variant Cover by BILL SIENKIEWICZ
Connecting Variant Cover by MARCO CHECCHETTO
Variant Cover by BEN TORRES
Hip-Hop Variant Cover by JULIAN TOTINO TEDESCO
Young Variant Cover by SKOTTIE YOUNG
ACTION FIGURE VARIANT BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
WILSON FISK BUILDS A BRAND-NEW EMPIRE!
The KINGPIN has done bad things. Deplorable things. He has cheated the law. He has blackmailed rivals. He has killed. But that’s all in the past. The Kingpin is back in the city that he loves and ready to make his mark as a titan of legitimate industry, but needs to rekindle his public image. When Wilson Fisk makes disgraced journalist SARAH DEWEY an offer she can’t refuse, the spiraling saga of crime and betrayal begins anew. Don’t miss the start of Kingpin’s ongoing series, written by breakout writer MATTHEW ROSENBERG and illustrated in the heavy noir stylings of BEN TORRES, as Manhattan’s criminal mastermind returns to the Big Apple with honorable intentions, but no one in his circle remains pure on his climb back to the top.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments:  It’s always interesting to have a series from a villain’s perspective but even more so when it’s the Kingpin. After last year’s Daredevil Netflix series my love this character has been reinvigorated and I can’t wait to see what Rosenberg does with him over the course of this series.

MONSTERS UNLEASHED #2 (OF 5)
CULLEN BUNN (W) • GREG LAND (A/C)
Variant Cover by ASAMIYA
MONSTER VERSUS HERO VARIANT COVER BY ART ADAMS
‘50s Movie Poster Variant Cover by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA
KIRBY 100TH ANNIVERSARY VARIANT COVER BY JACK KIRBY
HIP-HOP VARIANT COVER BY JEFFREY VEREGGE
MONSTER VARIANT BY COVER LEINIL FRANCIS YU
Marvel Future Fight Variant Cover Also Available
THE BIGGEST EVENT IN MARVEL HISTORY CONTINUES!
• The heroes of the Marvel Universe repel wave after wave of Leviathon monsters as more and more fall to Earth…CAPTAIN MARVEL rallies her ALPHA FLIGHT against these hordes from space while CAPTAIN AMERICA and the AVENGERS hold the line around the world.
• Amidst this chaos’ a puzzle is appearing and ELSA BLOODSTONE is just the person to pick up the pieces and find the answer to what might save Earth from this apocalypse…
• …or might hasten us to a devastating end!
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

MONSTERS UNLEASHED #3 (OF 5)
CULLEN BUNN (W) • LEINIL FRANCIS YU (A/C)
Variant Cover by Q-HAYASHIDA
MONSTER VERSUS HERO VARIANT COVER BY ED MCGUINNESS
’50s Movie Poster Variant COVER by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA
HIP-HOP VARIANT COVER BY SANFORD GREENE
MONSTER VARIANT COVERBY GREG LAND
Marvel Future Fight Variant Cover Also Available
THE WORLD IS UNDER SIEGE…WHO WILL SAVE US?!
• As monsters continue their assault against Earth and its heroes, the being responsible for the attack is made perfectly clear…and a new ally emerges from the rubble that surprises everyone…
• But what does all of this have to do with a little boy from New York City…and how does he tie into the INHUMANS’ ancient history?
• The winter’s biggest event continues in the blockbuster fashion that only the HOUSE OF IDEAS can provide!!
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

Comments: Had enough of events yet? Are you sure? Because here comes Marvel’s latest cash-grab to get you to fork over 5 dollars twice a month just in case something important happens. But seriously, 5 dollars per issue? That is ridiculous. 

CHAMPIONS #1.MU
JEREMY WHITLEY (W) • RO STEIN & TED BRANDT (A)
Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI
GWENSTER UNLEASHED VARIANT COVER BY DAVE JOHNSON
A MONSTERS UNLEASHED TIE-IN!
• An endangered habitat! A peaceful protest! And a team of freelance troubleshooters determined to end the work-stoppage at any cost!
• Sounds like a job for the Champions, right? Only, nobody mentioned anything about GIANT MONSTERS FALLING FROM THE SKY!
40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99

Comments: Champions – good. Tie-ins – bad. Really, this one could go either way. And 5 dollars again – come on guys! You’d probably make more money if you brought the price down because more people would buy it. Also the cover sucks. 

CHAMPIONS #5
Mark Waid (W) • Humberto Ramos (A/C)
VARIANT COVER BY Joe Quinones
CORNER BOX VARIANT COVER BY JOE JUSKO
• Oh, great! Just when the Champions had a nice little movement going on, here comes Gwenpool to ruin – I mean, “improve” – it all, with her patented brand of consequence-less violence and disregard for human life!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: Whilst Champions has been one of my favorite books at the moment, Gwenpool has been hit or miss. But I know we’re in safe hands with Waid and red-state dodging Ramos (yeah, I went political). 

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #4
Brian Michael Bendis (W) • Stefano Caselli (A/C)
Corner Box Variant Cover By Joe Jusko
• With every issue Riri discovers more about what being a hero really means in this modern complicated world.
• Her actions start to have a powerful effect across the world and the question is, is Riri ready to take on that responsibility? • All this plus, Not only did Tony Stark leave a laundry list of things that need taking care of, he left a laundry list of criminals looking to destroy his legacy.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: Issue 1 of Riri’s book was better than I expected, but worse than I hoped. Hopefully Hologram Tony’s introduction will spice things up a bit. 

THE CLONE CONSPIRACY #5 (of 5)
DAN SLOTT (W) • JIM CHEUNG (A)
Cover by GABRIELE DELL’OTTO
Variant Cover by MARK BAGLEY
Connecting Variant Cover by ALEXANDER LOZANO
THE SPIDER-EVENT OF THE YEAR CONCLUDES!
• The Jackal takes drastic measures that Spider-Man, Spider-Gwen and Scarlet Spider could never see coming.
• Jackal’s coup de grâce not only sets a host of resurrected villains loose on the unsuspecting streets of San Francisco, but threatens the lives of everyone on Earth!
• After months of waiting, heartache and incredible surprises, THIS is the issue Spider-fans around the world will be talking about for years to come!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: I hated Clone Conspiracy #2 – it was a mess. But I’ll stick with it through to the end, which I hope Slott can pull off. At least the idea of a bunch of obscure resurrected villains does get me quite excited. Not too excited though. 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #24
DAN SLOTT (W) • GIUSEPPE CAMUNCOLI (A)
Cover by ALEX ROSS
CORNER BOX VARIANT COVER BY JOE JUSKO
VARIANT COVER BY TBA
A CLONE CONSPIRACY TIE-IN!
• Spider-Man has been through hell…
• The Jackal has taken his best shot, but Spider-Man doesn’t need to face him alone.
• Discover who is joining Spider-Man in his battle!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: Sounds cool. The cover kinda gives away that we’ll be seeing multiple Jackals, unless that’s meant to represent his inner conflict. Whatever, let’s just see this event out. 

SILK #17
ROBBIE THOMPSON (W) • IRENE STRYCHALSKI (A)
Cover by HELEN CHEN
A CLONE CONSPIRACY TIE-IN!
• Cindy Moon is still on the West Coast, operating as SILKWORM to protect her secret identity.
• But the Jackal’s nefarious operations have started to hit close to home when Cindy’s ghost-powered and sometimes-boyfriend Hector (A.K.A. SPECTRO) gets caught in the middle!
• Fortunately, Mattie Franklin, the original Spider-Woman, is alive and well again, and happy to lend a hand…or six!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Comments: Looks like this event has hit Silk worse than anyone else! It’ll be cool to see her hiding from the Jackal – I hope there are some lasting repercussions to this.

PROWLER #5
SEAN RYAN (w) • JAMAL CAMPBELL & JAVIER SALTARES (a)
Cover by TRAVEL FOREMAN
A CLONE CONSPIRACY TIE-IN!
• For months, the Jackal has been resurrecting superhumans in secret, including THE PROWLER, who’s been operating as his right-hand man!
• But as the Jackal’s carefully-stacked house of cards starts to tumble, some of the super villains he’s brought back to life will try to settle some old scores with Jackal’s favorite deputy…
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: I’m meant to be reviewing Prowler (I’ll have it up soon, I promise), so I won’t give too many of my thoughts away here. Apart from the fact that the first issue was pretty underwhelming and I’m not really too excited to see where it goes from here on out. At least we’ll get to see him throw down with some villains – yay…!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: RENEW YOUR VOWS #4
GERRY CONWAY (w) • RYAN STEGMAN (a/C)
VARIANT COVER BY Humberto Ramos
• It’s family fun night at the Parker household!
• After their first outing as a Spider-Family, Peter and MJ want to have a nice relaxing night with Annie.
• So of course the Parker Luck dictates that Sandman has to crash the party!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Comments: Now here is some good stuff! #1 was one the of the best things I’ve read since DC Rebirth started! It turns out that telling good stories that stay true to the characters is the best thing to do – who would have knew?

SPIDER-MAN #13
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (w) • SARA PICHELLI (a/C)
“SITTING IN A TREE” PART 3!
• Miles and Gwen’s adventure takes them back to Gwen’s dimension in pursuit of someone very important to Miles.
• But something about the pursuit puts our heroes at odds!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

SPIDER-GWEN #17
JASON LATOUR (w) • ROBBI RODRIGUEZ (a/C)
CORNER BOX VARIANT COVER BY JOE JUSKO
“SITTING IN A TREE” PART 4!
• Who is the mysterious villain threatening Miles’ universe all the way from Gwen’s universe?!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: However much I enjoy the adventures of Miles and Gwen individually, I can’t see this crossover as anything more than a chance to cash in on their popularity – a disconcerting recurrence in Marvel at the moment. 

VENOM #4
MIKE COSTA (w) • GERARDO SANDOVAL (a/C)
CORNER BOX VARIANT COVER BY JOE JUSKO
• Venom’s back and badder than ever!
• But people are starting to take notice, including Mac Gargan, who’s suited up as the SCORPION for the first time in years!
• Also featuring another WEB-SLINGING, WALL-CRAWLING, SPIDER-SENSE-ATIONAL GUEST STAR!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: Cool to see Mac back, but I don’t think it’s been years since we last saw him as Scorpion – didn’t that happen in 2099 a short while back? Or is my mind playing tricks on me?

SPIDER-MAN 2099 #20
PETER DAVID (w) • WILL SLINEY (a)
Cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
• Spider-Man has had one goal since his girlfriend Tempest fell into a coma following a terrorist attack: To take down THE FIST, the organization responsible.
• But Tempest is on the mend, and though there’s still much to be done to stop the Fist, nothing will keep Miguel from seeing his love.
• Nothing except MAN MOUNTAIN MARKO!!!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Comments: Talking of 2099, good to see it making #20! I hope they wrap up the FIST arc soon before it’s dragged out too long. 

SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL #14
JOE KELLY (w) • ED McGUINNESS (a/C)
• How did Spider-Man and Deadpool get to WEIRDWORLD?!
• The pair find themselves fighting all kinds of scary and strange foes…
• …but while they’re away, what has Itsy Bitsy been doing?!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: Itsy Bitsy look to be sticking around. Always good to see more Weirdworld. Keep up the good work guys!

SPIDER-WOMAN #16
DENNIS HOPELESS (w) • VERONICA FISH (a)
Cover by JAVIER RODRIGUEZ
“SCARE TACTICS” PART 4!
• SPIDER-WOMAN VS. HOBGOBLIN!
• FINAL ROUND, WINNER TAKE ALL!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: I love Veronica Fish’s art, especially on Archie (come on, it’s everyone’s guilty pleasure!). I hope she delivers as always.

MOSAIC #5
GEOFFREY THORNE (W) • KHARY RANDOLPH (A)
Cover by MIKE DEL MUNDO
• The first arc of the newest Marvel Super Hero comes to a close!
• Spider-Man and Mosaic’s adventure continues as Mosaic gets face-to-face with his first super villain and collateral damage.
• All of Mosaic’s preconceived notions are called into question!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: This has been a surprisingly good story. Whilst I don’t expect Spidey to stick around for long, I do sincerely recommend it to any comic book fan.

 

GWENPOOL, THE UNBELIEVABLE #11 & 12
CHRIS HASTINGS (W) • Myisha HAYNES & GURIHIRU (A)
ISSUE #11 – COVER by Elsa Charretier
ISSUE #12 – Cover by Gisele Lagace
• First up – Gwen gets hired to save a small town from a VAMPIRE!
• But all is not what it seems. What else is new?
• Then, Gwen’s gaming skills are put to the test…
• …when she’s captured by ARCADE!
32 PGS. (EACH)/Rated T+ …$3.99 (EACH)

Comments: Little secret: I love Arcade. Like seriously, one of my favorite villains. He should be in everything. On the plus side, with the way Marvel is going, he’ll probably have his own series soon. Oh, and vampires. Cool. 

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #17
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W) • VALERIO SCHITI (A)
Cover by ARTHUR ADAMS
BEST BENDIS MOMENTS VARIANT BY FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA
CORNER BOX VARIANT COVER BY JOE JUSKO
VARIANT COVER BY Stephanie Hans
GROUNDED!
• Angela has come a long way from the skies of Heven…
• …to find herself grounded on the Earth.
• Can she find a new home among the heroes?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: Bendis is almost done of Guardians – we’ve almost made it! Now come on Marvel, you can do better this time around…plz?

COVER OF THE MONTH: Spider-Gwen #17! It’s so good to see Robbi Rodriguez draw Miles – hopefully that will be the saving grace of this crossover. So good work Robbi, you become our second winner! If you even read this…well done!