May 2014 Marvel Comics Diamond Previews Review

July is all about Original Sins over at Marvel. Many previously unseen secrets are about to be retconned * into the Marvel 616 universe.

          Spider-man wasn’t the only one bitten by a radioactive spider the day Peter had his origin. It turns out a young lady by the name of Silk was also bitten all those years ago and in Amazing Spider-man #4 by Dan Slott (W) and Humberto Ramos (A) we find out where she has been all this time.

One of the more interesting retcons * coming out of Original Sin is the revelation that Angela is actually related to Thor, and via adoption, Loki, and comes from a tenth realm. This is being brought to us from Jason Aaron (W), Al Ewing (W), Simone Bianchi (A), and Lee Garbett (A). This is kind of interesting but will undoubtedly cause many colorful message board rants. Thor Vs. Loki #1-5 sounds interesting and I imagine will have far reaching consequences for the God of Thunder and his mischievous adopted brother Loki.

          We have always known that Daredevil’s mother was a nun but in Daredevil #6 by Mark Waid (W) and Javier Rodriguez (A) we find out exactly what prompted that life changing event in this Original Sin tie in.

          Issues #23 & 24 of Uncanny X-Men are Original Sin tie-ins and promise to shake the X-Men to the core with “The Last Will and Testament of Charles Xavier”. Brian Michael Bendis writes with art in issue #23 by Kris Anka, and Chris Bachalo providing the art in issue #24. The solicits hint at (surprise, surprise) a retcon * when a previously unknown power threatens them like nothing before. I hope this is a smoother retcon * when compared to all of the X-Men teams that have been pushed into the timeline before the one we all know and love so well.

          Hidden within all of the Original Sin tie-ins are several new releases, carrying on the All-New Marvel Now slate of books, first of which is Rocket Raccoon #1. Skottie Young handles both art and writing for this series that Marvel has made a point of saying is in-continuity. The in-continuity part scares me because Rocket Raccoon could be an amazing comic book for the all ages readers but in-continuity means that if a crossover happens, chances are it will impact this book. Either way Skottie has proven he is a fun artist who has graced many variant covers and that he can write. This book should make Rocket Raccoon the star he deserves to be.

          The book I am somewhat excited about is Spider-man 2099 #1 by Peter David (W) and William Sliney (A). I only say somewhat because the book is set in the present day. Part of the fun of the 2099 universe was the world itself and how much it added to the atmosphere of the book. I hope that Peter David is allowed to avoid the Spider-family cross-overs and get to create his own set of supporting characters for Miguel O’Hara. I am hoping a return to 2099 or the much rumored Superior Spider-man 2099 series will be announced soon. Either way this is a must have just to see a possible return to greatness for this long overlooked character.

           Storm of the X-Men is getting a solo series from Greg Pak (W) and Victor Ibanez (A). Storm will be traveling all over the globe to right wrongs and bring about the peaceful world she envisions. I am not a fan of solo X-Men titles since I personally find they function better as smaller parts of a larger whole. I am interested in how this book does only because this seemed to be a ninja solicitation, kind of tucked away and hidden. In a month where there are so many special issues, Original Sin tie-ins, and a few launches it may not have been wise to launch this series now since it is very over-shadowed at the moment. Best of luck to the creative team though.

With the amazing female led books Marvel is putting out (She Hulk, Black Widow, Ms. Marvel, Elektra, etc.) this one may add to the pile of strong women who kick butt and look good while doing it.

Short article for Marvel but since most books are embroiled in Original Sin it isn’t really a surprise. Good reading everyone!

retcon *