Marvel Solicitations for August 2006

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

Courtesy of Comic Book Resources, where you don't have to play a mix-and-match game between covers and their solicitations:

Marvel Comics for August 2006

Smart aleck commentary to come later tonight, maybe, but I will link to the high point of covers (Jo Chen back on covers for Runaways, and her first is James Jean-level good) and the low point of covers (can't Marvel at least PRETEND that they think of Ms. Marvel as more than just a collection of curvy womany bits?)

Sowhatchagonnaget?

-- Ed/Ace

[Eddie G.]

I'll probably pick up Ultimate X-men and Spiderman because they seem to always be pretty awesome, especially Spiderman. I'll also try to get the Annuals since they were rather fun last year.

Speaking of good and bad covers, Fantastic Four #450 has probably the best Civil War cover yet, FNSM looks really fun while Sensational Spiderman is really hard to look at. Beyond #2 is also kind of cool despite Venom having Spawn eyes. Agents of Atlas sounds like tons of fun.

While I plan to only read Capt. America in trades, I've been sucked into Brubaker's Daredevil and will be picking that up.

I won't be getting Marvel Team-Up, but damn is that a funny solict.

She-Hulk and Sqaudron Supreme are sure things as are Civil War #4 and Frontline. I may also pick up Heroes for Hire.

[melibell21]

So, I normally don't get Marvel, but I recently read Runaways Vol. 1 HC and it became my favorite comic in an instant. I don't like the digests, so I'm hoping they come out with a hardcover for the current series soon, but I plan on picking it up from here on out and fill the series in where needed. I might just buy back issues for the current series just to satisfy my Runaways craving (and keep sales so that a hardcover does come out) It really is an amazing comic.

So, I'll just be getting Runaways 19. Otherwise, the rest of my August comics are in the 'DC' thread.

[Xurk]

ULTIMATES ANNUAL #2
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #98 & 99 - Man, I can't wait for that arc to get started, as I'm really curious how Bendis is going to handle this [seeing he hates the Clone Saga and all], and it all builds up to #100! I'm absolutely loving that Kitty Pryde costume on the cover! I noticed after reading the solicit, that I haven't even missed MJ on the title, how long has it been since she last appeared...?
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #2 - If this is as good as last year's, that'll be great. Have Ultimate Daredevil & Punisher showed up yet before this anywhere? [not counting any eventual Ultimate Team-up appearances] This is the one-year anniversary of Peter and Kitty
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #535 - Judging by that cover, this is the issue where Spidey makes his betrayal towards Tony... but knowing Tony, wouldn't he have built in some kind of self-destruct mechanism in that suit, for these kind of occasions?
FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #11 - This sounds fun Has Mysterio been dead ever since back in 1999, when he died in Daredevil[?]?
SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #29 - Another classic Spider-Man foe returning this month [who is also supposed to be dead]; this title may not be the best, but it sure is trying to tell stories that feel like Spidey stories. I'm getting accustomed to the artwork now, but the arms on the covers each month are still grossing me out.
SHE-HULK #11 - Oh my! This sounds great, once again.
CIVIL WAR #4 (OF 7)
NEW AVENGERS #23 - It sounds like Spider-Woman might turn to "the dark side", or is it just me?

[Marc]

Smart aleck commentary to come later tonight, maybe, but I will link to the high point of covers (Jo Chen back on covers for Runaways, and her first is James Jean-level good) and the low point of covers (can't Marvel at least PRETEND that they think of Ms. Marvel as more than just a collection of curvy womany bits?)

I don't know, I have to disagree. I think that David Mack cover is gorgeous. He's a modern master. Other than that, nothing really looks appealing to me, aside for that "Mythos: Hulk" by Jenkins.

But I've been out of the game for too long. I haven't read any comics for a few years now, and I don't have any idea what this "Civil War" is all about (I'm not sure if I want to know either). And Ghost Rider and Moon Knight have their own series again? I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone!

- Marc

[rggkjg1]

FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #11 - i think im one of the few who actually liked the food the school served for lunch, but they never served anything with the word "mystery" in it.

SPIDER-MAN: KRAVEN'S LAST HUNT PREMIERE HC - has marvel published any other "premiere" hardcovers?

CAPTAIN AMERICA #21
DAREDEVIL #88
GHOST RIDER #2
CIVIL WAR #4
FANTASTIC FOUR #540
ASTONISHING X-MEN #16
WOLVERINE: ORIGINS #5
PUNISHER #36

where is THE PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL #1???!?!?!?!!!!

[Clayface]

Marc!! It's great to see you popping up in the CBC forum again!

But I've been out of the game for too long. I haven't read any comics for a few years now, and I don't have any idea what this "Civil War" is all about (I'm not sure if I want to know either).

Eh, you're not missing anything. The short summary: the government wants to make all the super-powered beings register their identities and powers, and the Marvel characters split down the middle about whether or not this is a good idea (Captain America leading one group, Iron Man leading the other). Thus a "Civil War" ensues. *Yawn*

And Ghost Rider and Moon Knight have their own series again? I feel like I'm in the Twilight Zone!

Yep, though I wouldn't recommend Ghost Rider. Daniel Way's writing on other titles has been less than impressive (some would say downright awful). The first storyline of his recent run on Wolverine did a slow, tedious crawl to an unsatisfying conclusion, doing in 6 issues what any good writer could have done in 1 (two max).

Anyway, here's what I'm interested in this month:

ASTONISHING X-MEN #16 - Is there anyone not reading this title? Do I really need to explain why I am?

CAPTAIN AMERICA #21 - There was a time I was considering dropping this title to cut back on the amount of cash I spend on comics each month, but Brubaker's amazing writing keeps drawing me and won't let me go.

ETERNALS #3 (of 6) - Neil Gaiman's name and reputaiton has such drawing power with me that the solicit could read "Neil spreads his own fecal matter on the page and sells it to any sucker that'll buy it!", and I'd still buy it. I'm not sure if that says great things about Gaiman's abilities as a writer, or horrible things about me. But either way, I'll be purchasing this title.

MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #18 - Spider-Man, Man-Thing, and Peter David? Interesting combination. Might have to check this one out.

SQUADRON SUPREME #6 - The only JMS title that still interests me.

ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #2 - Though the Mole Man seems like an odd choice for a villain for an annual, I'm a fan of Mike Carey, and I really enjoy the Ultimate FF title, so I'll be picking this one up.

ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR #33 - I like Mike Carey, but I have to admit I'm a bit wary of what his run on the Ultimate FF title will be like.

ULTIMATES ANNUAL #2 - Can't say I've ever read anything written by Huston, and personally I've never really understood the whole Captain America/Falcon dynamic. But this issue's got art by Deodato and Sook, and I do enjoy the Ultimates universe, so I'll probably pick this up.

ULTIMATE X-MEN #73 - Unlike most around these parts, I'm not a huge Kirkman fan. I don't hate him, but I don't think his work is anything special either. I'm not terribly thrilled with his run on Ultimate X-Men, so I may or may not be getting this one.

ULTIMATE X-MEN ANNUAL #2 - See last entry.

UNCANNY X-MEN #477 - Finally I feel confident jumping back onto an X-title! Thank you, Marvel, for letting Mr. Brubaker play with the X-Men!

X-FACTOR #10 - Peter David has done fascinating things with the characters of this book, and had me totally hooked on this title. THis is the best x-book on the market right now.

[KuwabaraTheMan]

Amazing Spider-Man #535
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #11
Captain America #21
Iron Man #11
Runaways #19
Civil War #4
Civil War Frontline #5-6
Civil War X-Men #2
Civil War Young Avengers and Runaways #2
Fantastic Four #540
Heroes for Hire #1
New Avengers #23
Thunderbolts #105
Astonishing X-Men #16
New X-Men #29
New Excalibur #10
Uncanny X-Men #477
X-Factor #10
X-Men #190

Some good stuff heading this way in August, mostly headed by Civil War.

[wonderfly]

I'll be getting:

Amazing Spider-Man #535
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #11-Mysterio's back from the grave?!? *sigh*
Sensational Spider-Man #29-The Chameleon's back from the grave?!? *sigh*
All New Official Handbook to the Marvel Universe A to Z #8
Captain America #21
Daredevil #88
Eternals #3
Ghost Rider #2
Iron Man #11
Moon Knight #5
Runaways #19
She-Hulk #11
Squadron Supreme #6
Civil War #4
Civil War: Frontline #5 and 6
Civil War: X-men #2
Civil War: Young Avengers and Runaways #2
Fantastic Four #540
New Avengers #23
Thunderbolts #105
Wolverine #45
Incredible Hulk #97
Astonishing X-men #16
New X-men #29
New Excalibur #10
Uncanny X-men #477
Wolverine: Origins #5
X-Factor #10
X-men #190
Punisher #36

Wow, first time in a little while that I've sat down and did a list of Marvel comics I collect...geez, I'm going to go broke..

[DBZALLSTAR]

Marvel's lineup for August isn't too shabby.

The List:
Amazing Spider-Man # 535-Spider-Man VS Iron Man looks good, but I hope it's more than just what's happening on cover.
Astonishing X-Men # 16- Kitty Pryde on her own against the Hellfire Club; reminds me of Uncanny X-Men # 143 for some reason
Beyond # 2 (of 6)- Depends on the first issue; I've been waiting for another Secret Wars-type event
Black Panther # 19- Doom's back for good apparently
Cable & Deadpool # 31
Captain America # 21
Civil War # 4 (of 7)
Civil War: Frontline # 5 (of 10)
Civil War: Frontline # 6 (of 10)
Civil War: X-Men # 2 (of 4)
Civil War: Young Avengers & Runaways # 2 (of 4)
Claws # 1 (of 3)- Sounds interesting, but just a maybe for now
Daredevil # 88- I'm still not convinced

Spoiler:

Foggy's dead

Decimation: Sentinel Squad O*N*E* TPB
Exiles # 85- I really want Tony Bedard to stay on as the writer even when Claremont recovers
Fantastic Four # 540
Fantastic Four: The Resurrection of Nicholas Scratch TPB
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man # 11-Interesting cover
Heroes For Hire # 1-Black Cat and Shang Chi; I'm sold.
Incredible Hulk # 97
Iron Man # 11
Iron Man: Inevitable TPB
Marvel Team-Up # 23
Marvel Zombies HC-I wish Frightful was collected in this, but at least the cover's great.
Moon Knight # 5
Ms. Marvel # 6-Poor MS. Marvel; nothing but another sex object for Marvel
Mythos: Hulk
New Avengers # 23
New Excalibur # 10
New Mangaverse; Rings of Fate Digest
New X-Men # 29-If they keep killing off characters, there won't be any New X-Men.
Runaways # 19
Sensational Spider-Man # 29-Just a maybe; if this book doesn't improve, I'm definitely dropping it.
Sentry: Reborn TPB-I wish the Sentry had an ongoing, but maybe it's best for him to grow as a hero with the New Avengers close by to watch his back or take him down if the Void returns.
She-Hulk 2 # 11-Love the cover
Spider-Girl Presents Avengers Next Volume One: Second Coming Digest
Spider-Man Family: Amazing Friends-Takes me back
Spider-Man: Kraven’s Last Hunt HC_I knew this would come out in hardcover if I waited patiently enough
Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane # 9
Thunderbolts # 105
Ultimate Fantastic Four # 33
Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual # 2-I hope Mole Man's written better than in the first arc.
Ultimates Annual # 2-Perfect way to bridge the gap between 2 and 3
Ultimate Spider-Man # 98-Love Kitty's "Spider-Woman" outfit
Ultimate Spider-Man # 99
Ultimate Spider-Man Annual # 2
Ultimate X-Men # 73
Ultimate X-Men Annual # 2
Uncanny X-Men # 477
Wolverine # 45
Wolverine: Origins # 1 Director’s Cut-Just a maybe; Way's writing isn't great, but the ideas as a whole are interesting
Wolverine: Origins # 5
X-Factor # 10
X-Men # 190

That's it for the month, besides my monthly Sonic the Hedgehog comics. I'll give Marvel six months to give up some info, maybe a release date, for the new Spider-Girl series. If there turns out to be no new series in the works, I'm drastically reducing, if not dropping it entirely, my Marvel list. By the way, RIP Dan Slott's The Thing series; RIP DC's the Manhunter series (please be the new Batwoman). Some series die too young.

Now if only Marvel would announce the next Runaways Hardcover or The Complete Clone Saga Epic. That would make my day.

[Jin Kazama]

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #2 - If this is as good as last year's, that'll be great. Have Ultimate Daredevil & Punisher showed up yet before this anywhere? [not counting any eventual Ultimate Team-up appearances] This is the one-year anniversary of Peter and Kitty

Ultimate Punisher was in the Carnage arc of Ultimate Spider-Man. Ultimate Daredevil was in the Ultimate Daredevil and Elektra minseries, as well as the just plain Ultimate Elektra mini.

As for my choices?

Nice to see a new Ultimate Spider-Man TPB, but I wish the new Hardcover would come out. As of the newly solicited one, that's enough to fill two of them. I'm starting to wonder if I regret collecting the series that way, but the Hardcovers are so darn nice and not that bad a deal.

I'll grab Ultimates Annual #2, Ultimate X-Men and Annual #2, and that's...it. I'm waiting on the post-reviews to see if Civil War will be worth grabbing in trade. I did that for House of M, and I'm glad on that, considering how many trades of it there are.

[Stu]

On Mysterio's return;

Spoiler:

It's not actually Quentin Beck, who commited suicide in Kevin Smith's Guardian Devil arc, but a new character, a mutant, whose name escapes me at the moment, but he has the ability to teleport and he bought the Mysterio suit from The Kingpin back in Spider-Man/Black Cat: The Evil Men Do. I've actually really been looking forward to his return for a while now - I hope they bring back Black Cat for it too.

[wonderfly]

Well, who was that Mysterio that was appearing in Amazing Spider-man, (back when John Bryne was doing the artwork around the reboot in the late 90's), and the Mysterio that appeared in X-man in the late 90's...was that ever revealed?

[Stu]

Well, who was that Mysterio that was appearing in Amazing Spider-man, (back when John Bryne was doing the artwork around the reboot in the late 90's),

Bryne's work, Chapter One, has been written out of continuity because it was utterly awful. Didn't that happen before Guardian Devil anyway?

There has been another Mysterio appear since, I believe in a Daredevil/Spider-Man team up featuring Beck's ex-girlfriend trying to cash in on Mysterio's legacy with action figures and such, but he pretty much dissapeared.

My previous post is of course, assuming

Spoiler:

that this new Mysterio is the one from The Evil Men Do

and the Mysterio that appeared in X-man in the late 90's...was that ever revealed?

Can't help you there, I don't read X-Men.

[Marc]

Well, who was that Mysterio that was appearing in Amazing Spider-man, (back when John Bryne was doing the artwork around the reboot in the late 90's), and the Mysterio that appeared in X-man in the late 90's...was that ever revealed?

I'm fairly certain that the Mysterio who appeared in "X-Man" was THIS GUY. Check under his "Character History" section and it lists that X-Man issue.

I seem to recall Smith being rather annoyed that writers were trying to bring Beck back from the dead and/or ignore his Guardian Devil story so soon after he killed him off...I also seem to remember Byrne being upset that a "celebrity" writer like Smith could be allowed to kill off a character, even a low-level villain like Mysterio. I could be wrong about all this though. I've got a foggy memory. I do know that Smith brought controversy with him wherever he went.

Still, I like that they're passing the mantle with certain characters. It's much easier to do with villains than heroes.

- Marc

[wonderfly]

I seem to recall Smith being rather annoyed that writers were trying to bring Beck back from the dead and/or ignore his Guardian Devil story so soon after he killed him off...I also seem to remember Byrne being upset that a "celebrity" writer like Smith could be allowed to kill off a character, even a low-level villain like Mysterio. I could be wrong about all this though. I've got a foggy memory. I do know that Smith brought controversy with him wherever he went.

Well, how do you think Mark Waid feels when Marvel brought Galactus right back to "status quo" right after Waid shunted Galactus off to another dimension during his run on Fantastic Four? Or how does Grant Morrison feel when he kills off Magneto, and he comes right back to life the following month in the pages of Excalibur?!?

Just remember, at Marvel, "Dead means dead."

[Stu]

I'm fairly certain that the Mysterio who appeared in "X-Man" was THIS GUY. Check under his "Character History" section and it lists that X-Man issue.

I seem to recall Smith being rather annoyed that writers were trying to bring Beck back from the dead and/or ignore his Guardian Devil story so soon after he killed him off...I also seem to remember Byrne being upset that a "celebrity" writer like Smith could be allowed to kill off a character, even a low-level villain like Mysterio. I could be wrong about all this though. I've got a foggy memory. I do know that Smith brought controversy with him wherever he went.

Thanks for that. My memory is a little hazy when it comes to that era, I was in and out of the books a lot, mainly because they were all pretty terrible at the time.

It is easier to create a new version of the same supervillain, indeed. In this case, it's simply the costume. Hopefully the new guy will be as interesting as Beck was. I love me my Mysterio!

[JLU Dude]

Been I while since I posted in one of these threads. Anyway...

What I'm planning to get:
Ultimate Spider-Man #98 and #99: I've been getting into Ultimate Spider-Man since the middle of the Silver Sable arc and since I got into theregular Spidey titles during the Clone Saga, I may check this out.
Ultimate Spider-Man Annual #2: I checked into a couple of back issues of the Warriors arc. This might be interesting.
Ultimate X-Men #73: So far, I've been digging Robert Kirkman's run, so this could be good. We'll see.
Ultimate X-Men Annual #2: I got Brian K. Vaughan's first arc and the Mojo arc on TPB four of the five issues of his last arc, so I'm interested in seeing how Dazzler reacts to what's happened.
Ultimate Fantastic Four #33: I haven't read this title yet, but since this is the start of a new run, I may check it out.

What I'm considering:
Ultimate Fantastic Four Annual #2: I may also check this out, depending on how I think about #33.
Civil War #4: I read the first issue and so far, so good. Depends on what happens down the road, though.

On the Mysterio subject, I recall reading somewhere that while Kevin Smith had permission to use Mysterio, he didn't have permission to kill him off. I forget where I read that, though.

[Ed Liu]

Howdy,

I don't know, I have to disagree. I think that David Mack cover is gorgeous. He's a modern master.

I'd agree about Mack being on a very short list of truly innovative comic book creators (some of the others being Bill Sienkiewicz, Dave Sim, and Dave McKean), but if anything that makes me more disappointed by that cover. The coloring job looks just a bit better than a kid's crayons, and I'm really not fond of the cropping that seems to deliberately exclude her face. Add in that American flag and the "Civil War" trade dress and you start getting all kinds of weird cross messages from it at the same time. It doesn't help that there's all kinds of amazing covers this month, too.

Anyway, on with the show...

- Boy, that's quite a striking cover for the Ultimate X-Men Annual #2, innit?

- I am also quite amused by the Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #11 cover, for its combination of whimsy and menace in just the right proportions.

- I will probably buy that Spider-Man and His Amazing Friends special, especially since Sean McKeever showed a real handle on the whole teen hero thing in Gravity. I don't really much care where in continuity it happens to be, or if it is even.

- Also a great cover for Agents of Atlas #1, but I don't know if I'm even waiting for the trade for it. It's one of those books where I'm not quite sure if I like it enough to pre-order it sight-unseen, but I'm also fairly certain that my shop will sell out if I don't, meaning I can't browse through it and decide I like it.

- As I said, I love Jo Chen and I love her work on Runaways covers and her cover to Runaways #19 is totally awesome. See, melibell21 bought the Vol. 1 HC and said it rocks, so you should buy it too if you haven't already and you will see that it rocks too.

- Normally, I'm not fond of Greg Horn's covers, but the one to She-Hulk #11 is hilarious.

- I notice that there is no solicitation text for the Women of Marvel Poster Book. I think this is because nobody needs to know much more about it beyond the title, the page count, and the price, but a list of included artists might have been nice.

- Another Marvel Westerns special, but one with more Steve Englehart/Marshall Rogers goodness. I've been waiting for the trade on these, though this one is really tempting.

- I may also give a crack at that Marvel Adventures Spider-Man title, for exactly the same reasons as Clayface. That's a great cover by Cameron Stewart, too.

- Totally sweet cover to Astonishing X-Men #16.

- I wasn't quite sure about X-Men Fairy Tales, but the preview for the first issue looked entertaining, and they've definitely lined up some undeniably terrific artistic talent for it in the past, but I have to admit I'm pretty shocked to see Bill Sienkiewicz do one. I may just get the trade for these when it comes out.

- That's a hilarious concept for Exiles #85:

Snikt, to the sixth power! With the Exiles fired, it's time for a new group of dimension jumping heroes. Wolverine has always been known as the best there is at what he does, so six Wolverines must be really really REALLY good at what they do! Can the Exiles get their jobs back from these scene-stealing Canucks? Don't bet on it!

A team of Wolverines. Hee!!

- And yet another really striking cover in August, this one for X-Men #190.

- Marvel Zombies oversize HC and Nextwave regular-sized HC. Come to daddy.

- I like Kraven's Last Hunt enough to buy it in HC, but I'm puzzled why it doesn't include the follow-up Soul of the Hunter story as well. So it just went from a "come to daddy" to a "maybe," unless the solicitation text is wrong and it's the complete Kraven's Last Hunt saga in one HC. Regardless, it is one of the truly great Spider-Man stories of the 90's, and it's well worth your time if you haven't read it.

- X-Statix Dead Girl TPB, which I'd almost buy just for Mike Allred's artwork. I've heard it didn't suck, though, which makes it that much easier.

- I wonder what it was that got Marvel to finally reprint Kurt Busiek's Untold Tales of Spider-Man series. I've been wanting to pick those up for a while, but now it's a no-brainer.

-- Ed/Ace

[melibell21]

- As I said, I love Jo Chen and I love her work on Runaways covers and her cover to Runaways #19 is totally awesome. See, melibell21 bought the Vol. 1 HC and said it rocks, so you should buy it too if you haven't already and you will see that it rocks too.

-- Ed/Ace

Really, the book is awesome. Nothing of Marvel's ever really interested me, but I had heard so many good things about Runaways that i had to check it out. I really encourage every comic fan, marvel, dc, whatever, to go out and give this book a try.