June Solicitations with JH Commentary

Here comes June 2017 and with it more secret empires, an end of a friendship and a new ‘superior’ look for Ock!

SECRET EMPIRE #4 (of 9)
NICK SPENCER (W) • LEINIL FRANCIS YU (A)
Cover by MARK BROOKS
Variant Cover by J. SCOTT CAMPBELL
Hydra Hero Variant Cover by ANDREA SORRENTINO
VILLAIN VARIANT COVER BY DAN MORA
VARIANT COVER BY LEINIL YU
Action Figure Variant Cover by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
There is a power that can either save the world or doom it! Both Steve Rogers and the heroes arrayed against him need this power! But unfortunately for all of them, the key to possessing this power lies in the hands of the unstoppable Ultron! LIVE IN X-CITING TIMES! SECRET EMPIRE!
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

SECRET EMPIRE #5 (of 9)
NICK SPENCER (W) • LEINIL FRANCIS YU (A)
Cover by MARK BROOKS
Variant Cover by J. SCOTT CAMPBELL
Hydra Hero Variant Cover by ANDREA SORRENTINO
VILLAIN VARIANT COVER BY DAN MORA
VARIANT COVER BY LEINIL YU
Action Figure Variant Cover by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
They thought they were safe! They thought they could handle anything that was thrown against them! But the united heroes of the Marvel Universe never reckoned on the dread power that Steve Rogers would unleash! THE SECRET EMPIRE WILL AMAZE YOU!
40 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: It looks like this series will be a cultivation of Marvel plot-threads building up over the last couple years and that does get me pretty excited. Also, those covers are beyond beautiful. 

SECRET EMPIRE: BRAVE NEW WORLD #1 (of 5)
Paul Allor, Jeremy Whitley, Nick Kocher (W)
BRIAN LEVEL, DIEGO OLORTEGUI, WILL ROBSON (A)
COVER BY PAULO SIQUEIRA
Variant cover by CHRIS SAMNEE
TEASER VARIANT COVER by JOHN CASSADAY
Steve Rogers, Captain America, Liberty’s most dedicated defender is actually the Supreme Leader of Hydra. Faced with this adversity, the world’s heroes have two choices: stand and fight or fall in line. See how Earth’s protectors come to grips this earth-shattering revelation in an action packed first issue featuring Gwenpool, Giant-Man and Steve’s oldest allies, THE INVADERS!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments:Not really too excited for this one, as I can’t see it having too much of a bearing on the plot. However it could be quite interesting to see different corners of the Marvel Universe reacting to the Hydra Steve news. 

SECRET EMPIRE: UPRISING #1
DEREK LANDY (W)
J. CASSARA (A)
Cover by MEGHAN HETRICK
VARIANT COVER BY rafael albuquerque
• A crucial SECRET EMPIRE tie-in that bridges issues #3 and #4! There’s a new order to things in the world, but it’s not one that everybody agrees with! So what is there left to do about it?
• The Black Widow has a dangerous plan—but to carry it out, she’ll need the help of the young heroes of the Marvel Universe—and it may require them to cross a line they never thought they would! THE SECRET EMPIRE WILL CHAMPION YOU!
40 PGS./ONE-SHOT/Rated T+ …$4.99

Comments:I don’t like tie-ins that are ‘crucial’. Or $4.99 price tags. But I do like the young heroes and that might be enough to persuade me to pick this one up. It’s pretty cool to see characters like the new Falcon and Wasp on the cover, showing that it’s not just the Champions taking the spotlight.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #28
DAN SLOTT (w) • STUART IMMONEN (a)
Cover by ALEX ROSS
OSBORN VS. SPIDER-MAN! NO HOLDS BARRED!
• The outcome of this battle will change both of these men.
• And that’s nothing to say of Osborn’s master plan that Spider-Man is powerless to save! ONLY SILVER SABLE AND MOCKINGBIRD STAND A CHANCE!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Comments:However much I’m not enjoying this new ASM run, Peter v. Norman is always something I anticipate with bated breath. Also it’s cool to have Sable back and Mockingbird has been growing on me, so this is one I’m cautiously optimistic for. 

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #29
DAN SLOTT (W) • STUART IMMONEN (A)
Cover by ALEX ROSS
SECRET EMPIRE TIE-IN!
• As revealed in ASM #25, Otto Octavius is back as THE SUPERIOR OCTOPUS!!!
• And Ock has a mission to take down the company that he helped create: PARKER INDUSTRIES!!!
• Does Spider-Man stand a chance?
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Comments:Come on Ock, you can bring down Parker Industries! We’re all counting on you! Wait, we’re actually still meant to be rooting for Peter? Slott could have had me fooled! 

EDGE OF VENOMVERSE #1 (of 5)
MATTHEW ROSENBERG (W) • ROLAND BOSCHI (A)
Cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
Variant Cover by RON LIM
TEASER VARIANT COVER BY FRANCESCO MATTINA
EDGE of VENOM-VERSE starts here!
The series that sets up the epic VENOM EVENT of 2017 STARTS HERE! Each issue introduces another major Venomized character that will feed into VENOMVERSE itself! THIS ISSUE, the young mutant clone designated X-23 collides with a cryogenic tube containing a strange alien symbiote during her frenzied escape from The Facility, . Bonding with the alien enhances her already considerable abilities, and aids in her escape, but it begins to alter her mind! On the run from the very people that made her, can X-23 hold it together or is she doomed to give in to Venom!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Comments:I like X-23 (let’s face it, after Logan, who doesn’t?!) but she seems like an odd fit to be the main protagonist for a Venom miniseries.

PETER PARKER, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #1
CHIP ZDARSKY (W) • ADAM KUBERT (A/C)
Variant Cover by TBA
Remastered Variant Cover by TBA
YEAR OF THE ROOSTER VARIANT COVER BY ZHANG WANG
Hip-Hop Variant Cover by SAM SPRATT
Action Figure Variant Cover by JOHN TYLER CHRISTOPHER
Blank and Movie Variant Covers also available
SPIDER-MAN RETURNS TO THE FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD!
The webslinging, wallcrawling wonder returns to New York City in the all-new PETER PARKER: THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN. A companion series to the best-selling Amazing Spider-Man series, Peter Parker is going back-to-basics for big heroics in the Big Apple. Featuring adversaries old and new, be there as Spider-Man returns to his friendly neighborhood for his never ending battle against crime and the dreaded “Parker Luck”.
40 PGS./Rated T …$4.99

Comments:Okay, there is a lot to unpack with this one. For a start, we’re in safe hands with Zdarsky and Kubert. It’s also great to have Pete back in NY and without the glowing green monstrosity on his chest. But Marvel’s current track record for interpreting what the ‘real’ Spidey is has been hit or miss to say the least. How do these guys see ‘Parker Luck’? Will we see much of his billionaire lifestyle? For the answer to these questions, I suppose we’re going to have to wait for June. But until then, I’ll remain cautiously optimistic. 

AVENGERS #8
MARK WAID & JEREMY WHITLEY (W) • PHIL NOTO (A)
Cover by ALEX ROSS
Mary Jane Variant Cover by MICHAEL ALLRED
• Once and for all, the Avengers have to decide whether the Infamous Iron Man is friend or foe! It’s hard to trust an “ally” you’ve been fighting against for years — but the Avengers will have to!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments:That cover is cool. ‘Nuff Said!

CHAMPIONS #9
MARK WAID (W) • HUMBERTO RAMOS (A/C)
Mary Jane Variant Cover by HELEN CHEN
• Casting a spotlight on young synthezoid Viv Vision! After what became of her family, she willingly shut down her emotions — but does that come with a price to pay?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments:Building upon Tom King’s masterpiece Vision series is a tough job, but if anyone can do it it’s Mark Waid. 

BEN REILLY: SCARLET SPIDER #3 & 4
PETER DAVID (w) • MARK BAGLEY (a/C)
• BECAUSE YOU DEMANDED IT — Ben’s back in his classic threads!
• We hope it’ll make a difference, because the Scarlet Spider’s at odds with a deeply connected crime lord and her impervious consigliere.
• And will Kaine finally catch up to his clone-brother?!
32 PGS. (EACH)/Rated T+ …$3.99 (EACH)

Comments:Can you believe it? Something we actually demanded! Well done, Marvel!

SPIDER-GWEN #21
JASON LATOUR (W) • ROBBI RODRIGUEZ (A/C)
MARY JANE VARIANT COVER BY Kevin Wada
• A new villain has appeared on Earth-65…one with claws and an attitude.
• With Wolverine and Matt Murdock gunning for Harry Osborn, Spider-Gwen will need to step in and save him.
• However, the cost of this rescue might be her own soul!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Comments:So much cool stuff to look forward to here! Wolverine-65! More evil Matt! More Harry Osborn! Damn it Latour, you’ve sucked me back in!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: RENEW YOUR VOWS #8
GERRY CONWAY (w) • RYAN STEGMAN (a/C)
Variant Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN
• Mary Jane Watson-Parker has been saving the day as Spinneret, but at the cost of some of her husband’s powers. So she’s going to try something new…
• That’s right, MARY JANE VENOM. It’s on!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Comments:Well this is interesting. Seeing as Earth-616 (or ‘Prime Earth’) Mary Jane has a strong hatred for Venom, it’ll be cool to see what drives her to use the symbiote.

SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL #18
JOE KELLY (w) • ED MCGUINNESS (a/C)
• The culmination of Joe Kelly and Ed McGuinness’s run is here!
• Is it the end of Spider-Man and Deadpool’s friendship?!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments:Goodbye Spider-Man/ Deadpool. You were much more entertaining than anyone expected you to be. 

SPIDER-MAN #17
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (w) • OSCAR BAZALDUA (a)
Cover by PATRICK BROWN
• Spider-Man and his amazing friends!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Comments:Yes! That’s one cool-ass team! Aww, just look at poor Ganke, just looking on. 

SPIDER-MAN 2099 #24
PETER DAVID (w) • WILL SLINEY (a)
Cover by FRANCESCO MATTINA
• Miguel races the clock to bring down The Fist before they can complete their plan to bring about the apocalypse.
• But with the entire city under some kind of trance, Spidey’s hopes of winning the fight are dwindling…
• Luckily, help has appeared in the form of a mysterious new Spider-Man!
32 PGS./Rated T …$3.99

Comments:I have always preferred the original suit, I’m hoping this is a step towards reintroducing it as the main suit. But until then, we have another kick-ass Spidey 2099 to love forward to. 

VENOM #151
MIKE COSTA (w) • GERARDO SANDOVAL (a)
COVER BY Francisco Herrera
Mary Jane Variant Cover by Francesco Mattina
“THE LAND BEFORE CRIME” Starts Here!
• Eddie Brock and the Venom symbiote have been reunited at last – and their hatred of Spider-Man is greater than ever!
• While hunting the friendly neighborhood wall-crawler, Venom comes face-to-face with none other than STEGRON THE DINOSAUR MAN!
• Can Venom postpone feasting on Spider-Man’s brain long enough to stop Stegron from turning everyone in New York into a bloodthirsty dinosaur?!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: SSSSTTTTTTEEEEEGGGGGRRRRROONNN! The best worst Spider-Man villain! Vs Venom! Count me in!

KINGPIN #5
MATTHEW ROSENBERG (W)
BEN TORRES (A)
Cover by JEFF DEKAL
THE LIFE AND CRIMES OF WILSON FISK!
• SARAH DEWEY realizes there’s no turning back from the KINGPIN now…
• …but how much MORE is it going to cost her?
• WILSON FISK reestablishes his reputation with his biography…but what is his end game?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: The Kingpin has always been an interesting, complex character and I think Rosenberg has really shown that on this series. I’m not too sure if this is the last issue or not, but I certainly hope not. 

GWENPOOL, THE UNBELIEVABLE #17
CHRIS HASTINGS (W) • GURIHIRU (A/C)
Mary Jane Variant Cover by DAVID NAKAYAMA
“BEYOND THE FOURTH WALL” continues!
• Gwen is back in her “home universe,” but she is far from happy.
• Will she be able to get back to the Marvel Universe?
• And at what cost?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments:If Gwen’s own universe is this one, how is there a comic book about it? Or is this a universe that’s identical to ours but is presented in our universe in comic book form? The multiverse makes my head hurt. 

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #8
BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS (W)
STEFANO CASELLI (A/C)
Mary Jane Variant Cover by MARCO CHECCHETTO
• Riri Williams strikes out on her own as her idealism is pushed to the test by a world she does not understand yet. How far is Riri willing to go to do what she knows is right?
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: Obligatory dark cover. I like it. 

DOCTOR STRANGE #22
DENNIS HOPELESS (W) • NIKO HENRICHON (A)
Cover by CHRIS BACHALO
Variant Cover by NIKO HENRICHON
Mary Jane variant by Francisco Herrera & Fernanda Rizo
SECRET EMPIRE TIE-IN!
• With the incredible current events in NYC, Strange must ally himself with some unsavory people.
• No, Spider-Woman isn’t unsavory, though the Doctor is allying with her.
• It’s Wilson Fisk, a.k.a. the Kingpin. That’s who we’re talking about.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

Comments: I haven’t read this book since The Last Days of Magic but the prospect of a team-up between Strange, Spider-Woman and the Kingpin is too delightful a one for me not to go straight to Comixology to catch up on this. 

MARVEL COMICS DIGEST #1 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN

(W) Stan Lee, Len Wein (A) Steve Ditko, Ross Andru (CA) Mike Wieringo, Karl Kesel
Excelsior! Marvel Comics’ best-selling heroes are now in the ever-popular digest format! Each digest is a mixture of over 200 pages of the most memorable classic and modern stories, spanning every decade of Marvel history and readership. This first issue spotlights the Amazing Spider-Man, featuring art and stories from comic greats including Stan Lee, Steve Ditko, Len Wein, Ross Andru and more. This is a can’t-miss collector’s item that will not be reprinted! (STL045275)
Digest, 224pgs, FC SRP: $6.99

Comments:And the best Spidey book this week isn’t even being published by Marvel. Well done Archie, now all you have to do is to get Tom Holland on Riverdale and you’ll be my favourite pubisher!