May 2012 Marvel Comics Diamond Previews Review

         Reviewing the last column, it seemed a bit long, instead of one long column I am going to break it down into mini columns: Marvel,   DC,   Image/Dark Horse/Dynamite/IDW, and everything else. I am also going to select a “Pick of the Month”, something that is worth a look at, whether it be a new series, new creative team, or a major moment in the history of that title and its characters.

          The first column in this format will be Marvel Comics, the easiest one to look at since it comes in a separate magazine. As anyone who reads Marvel knows that they are currently knee deep in a little crossover called “Avengers Vs. X-Men”. My first impression of the crossover was not a good one, but with the recent wave including Secret Avengers, and New Avengers, it is getting interesting. The first round just seemed to show slightly different views of the same story beats and I personally found allot of it redundant, and a waste of money. My faith has been renewed for now.

          AvX: VS #4 (of) 6 has me curious as to the mystery figure that seems to be going up against Thor. Part of me is curious if it is a former ally who switched sides in the battle, or possibly the Scarlet Witch? This is already on my pull list but that isn’t quelling the curiosity.

          The Avengers Vs. X-Men related tie ins all seem to promise exciting chapters of the story, and I hope that they live up to expectations.

          As exciting as it is to read the solicits for the crossover, it is refreshing to see some of the titles return to their own story lines, Secret Avengers leaves the crossover behind and launches a new arc in issue #29, it has intrigue, romance, and spies, with Hawkeye having to deal with all of it, and save the world.

          The Ultimate Universe lost me with Ultimatum, and the wholesale slaughter of characters, some of whom had barely the chance to be explored. It reminded me of what a superhero snuff film would be like. Well they seem to be making big changes again in the Divided We Fall crossover, hitting the pages of Ultimate Comics Ultimates #13, and Ultimate Comics X-Men #14. I may have bittered on this imprint but for fans, this will be a storyline to grab.

          If Avenging Spider-Man is any indication Terry Dodson should have been the one to provide the art for the new Captain Marvel series. No disrespect for the current artist, and I will be picking up the book, but the emotions, and curves that Dodson captures is beautiful, graceful, and powerful. Avenging Spider-Man #9 will be put on my pull list.

          Fantastic Four #608 promises big changes for the Wakandan protector, Black Panther. With this issue we will find out who will don the mantle of the Panther. As I have never really followed that character, except in the Avenger books, I will be passing this one up but Jonathan Hickman is sure to craft a story that will surprise and please fans of the character.

          On the other hand, I will be picking up Fantastic Four Annual #33 for one thing, ClanDestine. Alan Davis provides writing and his gorgeous art to a story involving magic, Doctor Strange, and best of all, ClanDestine. They are a dysfunctional, magic based family created by Davis. I enjoy the visits with this oddball corner of the Marvel Universe, and with the original creator on board, I am in!

          We get to the regular creative team of writer, Kelly Sue DeConnick, and artist, Dexter Soy with their new series, Captain Marvel. As I said earlier, there is just something about Dodson that brings out the best in female characters, the power, and the femininity. Dexter, however, brings a retro pulpy feel to the character, which appeals to the sci-fi fan in me. This book has me excited, and hoping, that just once, a book with a solo female lead can make an impact! This will be added to my pull list.

  For the same reason as above, Space Punisher will be coming home with me. Since I heard about a series re-imagining, not just Punisher, but the entire Marvel Universe in a science fiction fashion, that got me jazzed, and the preview art that is out there has me even more psyched. The freedom of a writer to create their own versions of such beloved characters is a dream for many, and Frank Tieri promises to provide the Punisher we all know and love but in a way we would never expect. I hope that this is the first of a new sub imprint, similar to The End series of minis.

          This next comic we have Disney Italy to thank for bringing to the light of day. Muppets #1 (of 4). Roger Langridge was about to bring his run as writer over at Boom!, when they held the license The license of course was lost to Marvel. Now we will finally see how Langridge was going to close off his run. For Muppet enthusiasts, Disney fans, or a Roger Langridge fan, this would be a good thing to pick up.

          A new series that I am so happy to see is X-Treme X-Men. This is not a return to Claremont’s little fan fiction romp with Storm, and her team, but a return to the Exiles, in a way. The team consists of Captain Howlett, Kid Nightcrawler, and Emmeline Frost, all versions of current fan favorites. Joining them will be the 616’s Dazzler. She is an incredibly under used character, whether that be through circumstance, or the writer’s connection to the character herself, and this might be the time and place to finally let her shine, and take her place at the big mutant’s table, because she deserves it. This will be on my pull list, and probably at the top of my reading pile just so I can see what broken time they will be fixing!

          X-Men #32 is removed from Avengers Vs. X-Men as well with a story focusing on the origin of the proto-mutants, although with Storm’s fear that Cyclops is going to try and take control of her team, it cannot be too far away from the event.

          Uncanny X-Force double ships in July with issues #27 and #28. These issues promise a new member, and I for one am hoping that Deathlok becomes a member. His character, personality, really everything about him lends himself to this book, and it shows a nice connection to the Marvel Universe that isn’t entirely mutant inclusive.

          Sabretooth fans rejoice, Wolverine #310 is the sequel to Evolution. Sabretooth Reborn shows how he survived his beheading. This is another example of a character that holds very little interest for me but I know there are plenty fans for this out there, so grab this while it is available.

          Powers gets a new directive, and title, with Powers: FBI #1 hitting shelves in July. It ups the ante as Deena Pilgrim joins the big leagues. This means bigger stories, and bigger skeletons. With Bendis and Oeming continuing as the creative team, I am in!

          Daredevil by Mark Waid is getting it’s first TPB. I decided before this came out that I would want this in bigger chunks, and now I will get the first 6 issues of the current, critically acclaimed run. The covers for the series has made it hard to resist but I think this is going to read great in this format versus monthly.

          The last Marvel title – Counter X: X-Force – Rage War TPB is from 1991 and a time when Marvel tagged Warren Ellis to relaunch the lower selling X-Titles. July sees the Ian Edginton and Warren Ellis written X-Force coming to a store near you. Collecting issues #110-115, and the rough cut of #102, this is 176 pages of a creative take, unlike any other, of X-Force

MARVEL PULL LIST

Astonishing X-Men
Avengers
Avengers Academy
Avengers Vs. X-Men
AvX: vs.
Captain Marvel
Dark Avengers
Fury Max
New Avengers
Powers: FBI
Secret Avengers
Space Punisher
Uncanny X-Force
Uncanny X-Men
Wolverine and the X-Men
X-Treme X-Men

SPECIAL ORDER (Not my regular pull list)

Avenging Spider-Man #9
Counter X: X-Force – Rage War TPB
Daredevil by Mark Waid Vol. 1 TPB
Fantastic Four Annual #33
Hulk (Mayan arc)