March 2017 Solicitations with JH commentary

Here comes March 2017 and with it over-priced events, the fallout of The Clone Conspiracy and the Spider-Marriage of the century!

MONSTERS UNLEASHED #4 (OF 5)
CULLEN BUNN (W) • SALVADOR LARROCA (A/C)
’50s Movie Poster Variant Cover by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA
MONSTER VERSUS MARVEL HERO VARIANT COVER BY BILL SIENKIEWICZ
VARIANT COVER BY HOMARE
MONSTER VARIANT COVER BY SALVADOR LAROCCA
HIP-HOP VARIANT COVER BY TBA
VIDEO GAME VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE
THE BIGGEST EVENT IN MARVEL HISTORY CONTINUES!
• It’s an all-out monster brawl on the streets of Manhattan as LEVIATHONS, GOLIATHONS and MARVEL HEROES clash!
• KID KAIJU’s powers are put to the test, as ELSA BLOODSTONE and MOON GIRL back him up…
• …little does anyone know that their true enemy is on her way — and is more than ready for a fight!
• Brought to life by the sensational Salvador Larroca (STAR WARS, DARTH VADER), this action-packed chapter is sure to make your pulse beat faster.
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

MONSTERS UNLEASHED #5 (OF 5)
CULLEN BUNN (W) • Adam Kubert (A/C)
’50s Movie Poster Variant Cover by FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA
MONSTER VERSUS MARVEL HERO VARIANT COVER BY SARA PICHELLI
VARIANT COVER BY SUPERLOG
MONSTER VARIANT COVER BY ADAM KUBERT
HIP-HOP VARIANT COVER BY TBA
VIDEO GAME VARIANT COVER ALSO AVAILABLE
THE FINAL CHAPTER!
• Up against odds that have never seemed so dire, Marvel heroes like CAPTAIN AMERICA, SPIDER-MAN and MEDUSA will have to lean on their newest and youngest ally to save the day.
• But what is imagination worth up against several tons of teeth, claws and rage? Well, one LEVIATHON is about to find out. KID KAIJU will have to dig deep into his newfound powers if he wants to save the day — and the Earth with it!
• The final chapter in an epic story that you won’t want to miss, as drawn by comics legend, ADAM KUBERT.
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$4.99

Comments: This looks like a fun enough but $4.99, come on guys! I’ll just go and get another Renew Your Vows variant instead.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1.MU
CHAD BOWERS & CHRIS SIMS (W) • David Baldeon (A)
Cover by Michael Walsh
Gwenster Unleashed Variant Cover by Ema Lupacchino
A MONSTERS UNLEASHED TIE-IN!
• The Guardians reunite for a special Monsters Unleashed mission!
• Groot has been kidnapped by a Leviathon.
• It’s up to the Guardians to set aside their differences and save their friend!
40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #18
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W) • VALERIO SCHITI (A)
Cover by ARTHUR ADAMS
BEST BENDIS MOMENTS VARIANT COVER BY TBA
VARIANT COVER BY TBA
• Gamora is said to be the most dangerous woman in the galaxy…
• …which makes her the most dangerous target S.H.I.E.L.D.’s ever gone after!
• But she won’t be stopped until she gets to Thanos!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: I don’t know if Venom’s still in this, but I’m just happy to come to you with a reminder that BENDIS IS LEAVING THE BOOK SOON, PARTAY GUYS! (*Slips back into professional persona*) He will be sorely missed.

AVENGERS #5
MARK WAID (W) • MIKE DEL MUNDO (A)
Cover by ALEX ROSS
VENOMIZED VARIANT COVER BY DAVID MARQUEZ
• “Kang War V” reaches its climax as the Avengers storm through time and space relentlessly to put an end to Kang’s menace once and for all!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: I haven’t been enjoying this. There are only so many time travels stories than I can take that don’t involve a TARDIS and one featuring Kang is one too many. Also Spider-Man bought his way into the Avengers, so that sucks. Stick to Champions guys.

CHAMPIONS #6
MARK WAID (W) • HUMBERTO RAMOS (A/C)
VENOMIZED VARIANT COVER BY MIKE DEODATO
• Versus their counterparts, the Freelancers! And you’ll be surprised to see who’s left standing at the end of the battle!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: Champions has been really good – I can’t sing songs of praise about it enough. The idea of the team having counterparts could be interesting, showing that not all young people think the same way. Waid has really injected a heart into this book that I feel is lacking with his other Avengers book. That’s always where his strengths lie, so I hope to see much more of this in the future. 

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #5
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W) • STEFANO CASELLI (A/C)
VENOMIZED VARIANT COVER BY RICK LEONARDI
• The world now knows about Riri Williams and what she can do. So other heroes come to court her for their super-teams and villains come looking for revenge on Iron Man.
• Welcome to the Marvel Universe, Riri Williams! (Oh, and Deadpool.)
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: This has been a good series so far – not great, just good. I hope it comes into its own over the coming issues. Unfortunately I have no idea if MJ’s going to play a role in this so I’ll just keep putting it in the Spider-Solicitations till I have an answer.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #25
DAN SLOTT, CLASSIFIED, HANNAH BLUMENREICH,
CALE ATKINSON (w)
STUART IMMONEN, CLASSIFIED, HANNAH BLUMENREICH,
CALE ATKINSON (a)
COVER BY ALEX ROSS
VARIANT COVER BY STUART IMMONEN
VENOMIZED VARIANT COVER BY DAVE JOHNSON
ACTION FIGURE VARIANT COVER BY JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
VARIANT COVER BY TBA
REMASTERED VARIANT COVER BY TBA
HUGE BLOWOUT ISSUE!
• STUART IMMONEN (STAR WARS, AVENGERS) takes the artist reins of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN and joins Dan Slott for a 40-page main story!
• Then don’t miss a super-secret short story by Dan and Giuseppe Camuncoli!
• TOP-SECRET BONUS CREATIVE TEAM!!!
• Hannah Blumenreich makes hers Marvel, making her Spider-Debut!
• Cale Atkinson brings another story of the A-May-ZING SPIDER-AUNT!
88 PGS./Rated T …$9.99

Comments: I genuinely thought Slott would leave after the Clone Conspiray. Don’t get me wrong, I quite like his work but there is such a thing as overstaying your welcome. Having Immonen join the team is definitely a step in the right direction though.

VENOM #5

MIKE COSTA (w) • GERARDO SANDOVAL (a/C)
VARIANT COVER BY CLAYTON CRAIN
• IN THIS CORNER: The scariest symbiotic sociopath this side of the Savage Land! You know him, you love him… The one, the only VENOM!
• IN THE OTHER CORNER: The wall-crawling, web-slinging wonder called THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN!
• Step right up and place your bets — the bout of the century is about to begin!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: I’ll stick with this book, as I’ve not seen enough yet to get me truly hooked. However I have faith that Costa can deliver the goods on this. It’ll be good to see Spidey go up against an evil Venom again.

PROWLER #6
SEAN RYAN (w) • JAMAL CAMPBELL & JAVIER SALTARES (a)
Cover by TRAVEL FOREMAN
• In the aftermath of THE CLONE CONSPIRACY, Hobie Brown tries to return to normal life.
• But as miraculous as it may be, resurrection can sometimes bring ruin, and Hobie’s friendship with the Amazing Spider-Man is far from safe.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: The countdown to cancellation begins…

SPIDER-MAN 2099 #21
PETER DAVID (w) • WILL SLINEY (a)
Cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
• As Miguel searches for a lead on the men who kidnapped Tempest, Captain America grills a defector of THE FIST about the impending disaster that spells doom for 2099.
• But the radical group has a zero tolerance policy when it comes to traitors —
• And Electro of the year 2099 is here to make sure that all dues are paid in full…
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Comments: The actual 2099 parts are always the best parts of this series, so Electro 2099 is a welcome addition to the book.

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: RENEW YOUR VOWS #5
GERRY CONWAY (w) • Nathan Stockman (a)
COVER BY RYAN STEGMAN
VENOMIZED 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: I’m looking forward to this issue more than any of the previous ones for two reasons – 1) I’m not a big fan of opening arcs and 2) I don’t like Mole Man. So whilst this series has been good so far, I;m sure it will truly come into its own when we reach this issue.

SILK #18
ROBBIE THOMPSON (w)
TANA FORD (a)
Cover by HELEN CHEN
• In the wake of THE CLONE CONSPIRACY, Cindy Moon is left heartbroken.
• To make matters worse, her family is hiding a dangerous secret, and Silk may not be able to save all of them…
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Comments: Good to see TCC will at least have a lasting affect on one of our Spiders. I don’t like the cover – it’s a little too bright and hopeful for such a dark solicit.

SPIDER-WOMAN #17
DENNIS HOPELESS (w)
VERONICA FISH (a)
Cover by JAVIER RODRIGUEZ
• Spider-Woman’s tangled with Tiger Shark, Blizzard and a whole host of super villains in her time, but nothing has prepared her to take on a Goblin.
• Jessica’s about to put it all on the line like she never has before.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: Not much to say about this compared to last month – Jess vs a Goblin, sounds pretty cool.

SPIDER-MAN #14
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (w) • SARA PICHELLI (a/C)
“SITTING IN A TREE” PART 5!
• Someone’s stolen a Web-Warriors interdimensional teleporter, and only Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy can get it back!
• They just need to find whoever took it, first.
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

SPIDER-GWEN #18
JASON LATOUR (w) • ROBBI RODRIGUEZ (a/C)
VENOMIZED VARIANT COVER BY SOPHIE CAMPBELL
“SITTING IN A TREE” PART 6!
• THE CONCLUSION TO THE GWEN/MILES CROSSOVER!
• The final battle with the mysterious villain who plagues multiple dimensions!
• What will our heroes do with their newfound feelings for each other?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: Jason Latour told us to bear with him on this one, so that’s what I fully intend to do. He’s gave us some great stuff, so put your trust in him and maybe this won’t be as bad as it looks. 

SPIDER-MAN: HOMECOMING PRELUDE #1
WILL CORONA PILGRIM (w) • TODD NAUCK (a)
YOUR FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN SWINGS INTO THE MCU!
• PETER PARKER is just your average, nerdy, tech-loving teenager…until an unexpected turn of events lands him with the power to cling to walls and the proportionate strength of a spider!
• SPIDER-MAN’s foray into the Marvel Cinematic Universe begins here, with part one of an adaptation of the blockbuster Marvel’s Captain America: Civil War, which sees a rift between CAPTAIN AMERICA and IRON MAN rend a schism between the Avengers…with Spider-Man in the middle of it all!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Comments: Never really a fan of these movie prequels, so I’ll probably just go and watch the trailer another 26 times instead. 

KINGPIN #2
MATTHEW ROSENBERG (W) • BEN TORRES (A)
Cover by JEFF DEKAL
Variant COVER by KERON GRANT
VENOMIZED VARIANT COVER BY CLAYTON CRAIN
IF YOU THINK YOU KNOW WILSON FISK, THINK AGAIN!
• WILSON FISK’s criminal past has tarnished his public image, but to move beyond it, Fisk must face the demons of his past…and convince the world he’s changed!
• Writer SARAH DEWEY has conflicted feelings about helping him turn over this new leaf…but is Fisk’s promise of complete transparency and a big (legal) pay day too good for Sarah to pass up?
• This is the Kingpin in all his brutal honesty…the man, the murderer, the criminal…and the good Samaritan?!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: Beautiful cover. More on that later (spoilers!)

GWENPOOL, THE UNBELIEVABLE #13
CHRIS HASTINGS (W) • GURIHIRU (A)
Cover by GISELE LAGACE
VENOMIZED VARIANT COVER BY YASMINE PUTRI
• Gwen’s been thrown by Arcade into…a world of Fantasy Roleplaying?!?!
• It’s Swords & Sorcery, Gwenpool-style!
• Watch out, or this LARP is gonna become a DARP!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: Okay, that looks insanely fun. 

GHOST RIDER #5
FELIPE SMITH (W) • DANILO BEYRUTH (A)
Cover by FELIPE SMITH
VENOMIZED VARIANT COVER BY DUSTIN WEAVER
FOUR ON THE FLOOR: CONCLUSION!
• The gang’s all here: Ghost Rider, Silk, Wolverine, Hulk and the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. are taking on the big space monster that stole all their powers!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: Whilst I was a fan of Smith’s first run, the first issue of this series disappointed me. All the guest stars (including Silk!) probably won’t help either.

STAR-LORD #4
CHIP ZDARSKY (W)
KRIS ANKA (A/C)
• Peter must team up with the Shocker in order find a missing person.
• But wait…isn’t Shocker a bad guy?
• Guest-starring Daredevil!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: Once again, this just looks fun. Shocker is one of my favorite Spider-villains, so seeing him go toe-to-toe with Quill will be a laugh.

DEAPOOL: TIL DEATH DO US…
Deadpool’s whirlwind romance with Shiklah was one of the most exciting times of his life. Traveling across the world, fighting all sorts of threats at her side, and finally marrying her as a way to thwart the evil vampire lord, Dracula. But since then, the reality has set in. Shiklah is a demon succubus, and more than that, the Queen of the monster kingdom hidden beneath Manhattan…and the problems
between them continue to pile up.

Now, when an affront to Shiklah’s people demands justice, a line is crossed. As the Monster Metropolis declares war on the surface world, Deadpool must choose between the wife to whom he’s pledged himself and the role he’s been crafting for himself as a hero. Also featuring Spider-Man and the Mercs for Money, this is one domestic dispute that’s really going to break some things up.

Written by Gerry Duggan (DEADPOOL, UNCANNY AVENGERS), Joshua Corin (DEADPOOL: TOO SOON) and Christopher Hastings (GWENPOOL, VOTE LOKI) and with art by Deadpool all-stars Salva Espin, Scott Koblish, Iban Coello and Reilly Brown on covers.

DEADPOOL #28
GERRY DUGGAN (W) • Salva Espin (A)
Cover by Reilly Brown
VENOMIZED VARIANT BY DAVID LOPEZ
POSTER VARIANT BY DAVID LOPEZ
’TIL DEATH DO US… Part 1 (of 6)
32 PGS./Parental Advisory…$3.99

SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL #15
JOSHUA CORIN (W) • SCOTT KOBLISH (A)
Cover by REILLY BROWN
POSTER VARIANT BY ROD REIS
VENOMIZED VARIANT COVER
BY DAVE WILLIAMS
’TIL DEATH DO US… Part 2 (of 6)
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

DEADPOOL & THE MERCS FOR MONEY #9
Christopher Hastings (W) • IBAN COELLO (A)
Cover by REILLY BROWN
POSTER VARIANT BY FRANCESCO FRANCAVILLA
’TIL DEATH DO US… Part 3 (of 6)
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: I’m not a big Deadpool fan, so I’ll probably sit this one out. But the cover does look cool.

COVER OF THE MONTH: KINGPIN #2! This perfectly sums up the character, simultaneously showing his kind, philanthropic facade and the brutal mob boss he actually is. I hope you feel proud Jeff Dekal and enjoy your no-prize (can we call it that or will we get a lawsuit?).