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June 2013 Marvel Comics Diamond Previews Review

It’s time to look at Previews for product shipping in August of 2013, and in particular Marvel Comics. Now I will get this out of the way, Marvel Now, for the most part, did not do it for me. That is not to say that there are not some gems that shine through but it seems, for the most part, especially with the announcement of the Minority …. err ….. Mighty Avengers, that everything is slowly becoming about said Avengers and I cannot help but wonder when every hero will be a member, because in all honesty what it meant at one time to be an Avenger is kind of watered down at this point. There, my rant is done, let’s dive into the solicitations.

           The next event officially kicks off in August with the launch of Infinity. The first issue of a six issue mini. This story brings Thanos into the Marvel Now universe and hopefully it is better than the mini-series that focused on his earlier years, because that was not really a Thanos that struck a chord with many readers, and if Thanos is the big bad he has to come across allot more interesting. Some of the early character designs that have been revealed have been captivating but I can’t help but feel that Marvel already has a large library of characters to mine, either way I will check this issue out to see if I will trade wait for it.

With an event we also get official tie ins and Infinity is no exception. Avengers #17 and #18, Avengers Assemble #18, New Avengers #9, Captain Marvel #15, Thunderbolts #14, and the previously mentioned, and disappointing Thanos Rising #5, all make up the tie in line up for August.

           For some of the books it makes sense, namely the Avengers titles as they show the battle from two different fronts, in space, and on Earth. The other ones I suspect are attempts to save titles that may not be selling as much, not because of quality as Captain Marvel is definitely one of the strongest female centric books on the market. Hopefully this crossover will give them the bump they need.

In all honesty this crossover does not excite me as it seems more of the same, with a cast change from the last big bad space war, but I could be wrong, and the creative teams involved are strong, but we will see what happens when August hits.

           While I do enjoy Secret Avengers and will continue to pick it up in trade format but it really should be retitled to perhaps Agents of SHIELD since the ties to the Avengers are really tenuous, and being a secret type of team that leaves their operatives without the memories of their missions, how can this be called an Avengers title? AIM continues to rear it’s ugly head in issue #8 of the Nick Spencer written and Luke Ross drawn series, as the notorious group of evil scientists lash out at Secret Avengers after their attack on AIM Island.

           The brutal blood bath that is Avengers Arena (again barely an Avengers title, not sure why it has Avengers in their name) begins the last story that will end Season 1 of this horrible Battle Royale/Hunger Games rip off. I know I seem harsh with this title, and there are several people who read the book but I am not a fan of the needless deaths of so many characters who are already in peoples hearts or have not had a chance to actually shine.

           Over in Avengers A.I. #2 we see the return of the Sentient Iron Man armor. My question about this is how story driven is this, or is it done for the sake of having a character, no matter how remotely tied to a major box office player, or is it actually story driven? If the first issue interests me then I will find out when the first arc is out in hardcover, well I am assuming hardcover.

           Hunger #2 of 4 comes out in August, and for some reason the Age of Ultron brings forth Galactus, again this is an assumption on my part, but purple and Hunger? Pretty Galactus like to me.

           Spider-fans take note, in Superior Spider-Man Team Up #2 and Scarlet Spider #20 and #21 features the meeting between Kaine and the man who he killed, Doc Ock, who, as we all know is in control of Peter’s complete identity. Doc Ock has an axe to grind but can he put aside his anger and not blow his identity?

           With the upcoming release of the Guardians of the Galaxy movie picking up steam you can expect Marvel to try and capitalize on an increased interest in a one time little known property and it is starting already with the release of Rocket Raccoon: Tales from Half-World. This trade collects the four issue mini-series that brought Rocket Raccoon’s early exploits to life, with appearances from Bucky O’Hare and his first mate Wal Russ. Rocket Raccoon and Guardian enthusiasts should grab this book. In addition to this Rocket trade you are treated to another Neil Gaiman co-written issue of Guardians of the Galaxy. In issue 6 of the series Angela continues her attack on the Guardians, and first up is Gamora. This will be an amazing (hopefully anyway) introduction of a one time Image character into the Marvel Universe.

           August also sees the end of one of the most under appreciated runs coming out of Marvel, Journey Into Mystery written by Kathryn Immonen, and art by Valerio Schiti. Issue #655 marks the last issue for the far too short run that focused on one of the most fascinating, and stronger female characters in the Marvel Universe. I would honestly love to see her join the Avengers, or the Defenders, and in the case of the Defenders, I would actually try out the title again. An added bonus would be to see the same creative team work with Sif, maybe in a new series, or team book. An all female Avengers would work, and let’s face it, it is only a matter of time before every title has Avengers in it.

           Oddest guest star of the month is Silver Surfer, appearing in the pages of Daredevil #30 by Mark Waid (W) and Chris Samnee (A). The Silver Surfer is a character who has been little seen as of late and one can’t help but wonder if this is the start to a comeback? With Galactus, or a facsimile of, returning in the Hunger mini-series, there may be some connection to this return.

           Good news for those that felt the way I did about the odd direction in Captain America, it seems to be coming to a close in Captain America #10 where we have the finale for the Dimension Z story. This title was one I was originally excited about but quickly found it to be far to weird for me, and I did not feel like I was reading a Captain America book. Hopefully whatever comes after this will be better and return Steve Rogers to a time and place that makes a little more sense for the character.

           The second issue of the five issue Dexter mini-series is actually solicited for August. This is impressive and I would not have been surprised to see this issue missing from the pages considering all the false starts this book has had.

           Dazzler is a character Marvel seems to be trying hard to bring the forefront of the Marvel Universe, first by placing her in charge of a rag tag group of time travellers in The Exiles …. er I mean X-Treme X-Men, but of course that title failed, and instead of placing Dazzler on the shelf for a little bit she is now joining the ranks of SHIELD. I suspect Disney is eying Dazzler as a potential role model for young Disney girls. A pop singer who has light based powers is right up their alley. Dazzler joins the government organization in Uncanny X-Men #10 by Brian Michael Bendis (W) and Frazer Irving (A). The remainder of the X titles look to be more of the same, with nothing exceptional really jumping out.

           Collections are a different story with several titles of interest showing up in the solicitations. Frank Miller and Klaus Janson’s run on Daredevil is collected in a new printing of the omnibus collection. This is one of the best respected, most well known, and original runs in Daredevils history. While Daredevil is not a must have for me, this is a classic run that should be in every collection when looking at career defining runs.

           The original graphic novel, Avengers: Endless Wartime, by Warren Ellis (W) and Mike McKone (A) and features a well used plot of a danger from the past being unearthed and the heroes having to rally. With Warren Ellis penning the tale I hope that some freshness is introduced. With Avengers in the title it will surely sell.

           One hardcover that is coming home with me will be Hawkeye Vol. 1 HC collecting issues #1-11 and Young Avengers Presents #6. This is one of the best, if not the best book that Marvel is putting out and is an amazing example of a risk taken, and the company promoting the book, showing absolute faith in something that was so different from anything else in their publishing line up. This is a classic, and will be held up as a run to be remembered.

And with that I bring my look at Marvel for August to an end. Up next, DC!