A Critical Look at Marvel's December 2015 Solicits

With assistance by Mike Maillaro

Check out Newsarama for a complete list of Marvel books shipping in December.

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SECRET WARS #9 (of 9) by JONATHAN HICKMAN & ESAD RIBIC

Mike: Secret Wars finally comes to an end.  About 3 months after Marvel has already started their relaunch.  Great planning there.   I am just sort of bummed out we will still be doing “Front Lines” into December, just because Marvel can’t get their act together.  I love the column, but I thought we would be long done by then.

Grey: We should celebrate it by going DC only for a few months :p

Mike: We really should just turn it into a random “the bunch of us talk about comics” column.  And yeah, we owe ourselves some DC.  It’s been a while since Convergence.

 

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #4 by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS & DAVID MARQUEZ

Tony is knee deep in trouble from enemies both old and new. But here comes MARY JANE WATSON AND HIS WORLD WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN!

Mike: MJ!  You slut!  Now I ain't sayin' she a gold digger...but she ain’t messing wrong with no broke…  This comic is actually bothering me quite a bit, just because of how much Marvel teased us with Renew Your Vows.

Grey: It annoys the crap out of me that the explanation is that she’s an under used Marvel character. Well no shit, she’s PETER PARKER’S WIFE and they used the devil to annul it, and then shoveled her to the background in favor of...Carly and Anna-Maria? Look, Marvel, single Peter Parker kinda sorta sucks. The books might be good, but his character goes ridiculously flat without a supporting cast that actually knows who he is.

 

A-FORCE #1 by G. WILLOW WILSON & JORGE MOLINA

A-FORCE, ASSEMBLE! From the ashes of Battleworld, Marvel’s newest hero SINGULARITY has risen and entered the Marvel Universe. But she didn’t make the journey alone. To combat the most fearsome threats from across the multiverse, Singularity will summon the world’s mightiest team of Avengers to her side: SHE-HULK. CAPTAIN MARVEL. DAZZLER. MEDUSA. NICO MINORU. Together, they are A FORCE to be reckoned with!

Mike: I like the name Starchild better than Singularity (that is what I kept calling her in Front Lines).  But A-Force was really good, and I think GWW is going to do a great job on this.  

Grey: I really don’t want to care about this book, but it has Dazzler and Nico, so I’m torn.

 

THE TOTALLY AWESOME HULK #1 by GREG PAK & FRANK CHO

THERE’S A BRAND NEW HULK IN TOWN, AND HIS NAME IS AMADEUS CHO!

Get ready for the craziest Hulk story of the millennium as a kid genius decides he’s gonna be the best Hulk ever -- and just possibly brings the entire Marvel Universe crashing down into chaos! Totally awesome beach day! Massive monster mayhem! She-Hulk and Lady Hellbender! Massive heart and ridiculous action brought to you by PLANET HULK writer Greg Pak and superstar artist Frank Cho! Is it possible for us to fit in one more exclamation point? YES!

Mike: Grey totally called this one!

Grey: FIVE DOLLARS?!?! Eat a giant bag of dicks, Marvel.

Mike: Yikes, I didn’t even notice that.  WHAT THE HELL???  Great way to introduce your new Hulk...and your newest diversity character.  Dumb to charge 5 bucks for it. Just went from “Mike is curious” to “Mike can’t afford.”

 

GUARDIANS OF INFINITY #1 by DAN ABNETT, JASON LATOUR, CARLO BARBERI & JIM CHEUNG

WHO ARE THE GUARDIANS 1000?!

Defending the galaxy is a good gig, but Drax isn’t thrilled with the combat hours (not enough of them) and Rocket isn’t thrilled with the compensation (not enough of it). They’re off on an adventure to supplement both, and Groot is happy to come along. But instead of the perks they want, they’re about to get more trouble than they can handle. Good thing the Guardians 3000 are on hand to help! But what about…THE GUARDIANS 1000??!!

Also in this issue, Latour and Cheung tell a one-off story of Ben Grimm and Rocket Raccoon, stuck on a planet where culture is based on Earth-style professional wrestling…but the stakes are life and death! THIS AIN’T KAYFABE, BROTHER!

Mike: I am not even sure what the point of this book is.  I am starting to hate how popular GOTG is becoming because it has lead to too many unnecessary series.

Grey: If Abnett and Lanning hadn’t broken up, I’d be a lot more interested. Also, FIVE F'ING DOLLARS.

 

DAREDEVIL #1 & 2 by CHARLES SOULE & RON GARNEY

Back in black and on his home turf, Daredevil begins again in New York City as a new enemy emerges. Meanwhile his alter ego, Matt Murdock, is on a new side of the law in the District Attorney’s office. Fighting crime in the shadows, prosecuting bad guys in the light, it’s a whole new chapter for our man without fear—including the arrival of the devil’s advocate. Welcome to Hell, Blindspot.

Mike: Mark Waid tied everything up neatly, leaving a fresh place for Charles Soule to start.  Really looking forward to this run.  DD continues the trend of always having a great writer!

Grey: Well, didn’t Waid have him banned for practicing in New York because of being Daredevil?

Mike: One thing I have always noticed about DD is that at the end of most writers’ runs, he gets a bit of a restart.  Not saying it makes a lot of sense, but at least they may be able to blame SECRET WARS this time.

Grey: I do know that one of my sources said that James Robinson was initially offered this book, but was having issues with the status quo of “put the genie back in the bottle”.

 

UNCANNY X-MEN #1 & 2 by CULLEN BUNN & GREG LAND

In a world that’s never hated or feared mutants more, there is only one constant: BIGGER THREATS REQUIRE MORE THREATENING X-MEN. Refusing to accept one more mutant death, the most ruthless mutants on Earth have banded together to proactively mow down their enemies. But with a team populated by relentless killers, one question applies above all others: Can they stay away from each other’s throats long enough to sever their targets’?

Grey: Why does Greg Land need to be here?

Mike: I like Greg Land.  Sojourn for life.   I still want to know if this will come out before Uncanny 600…

Grey: I imagine they slip Uncanny 600 out before this, but I want an explanation for why Sabretooth is a bad guy again. Axis JUST HAPPENED.

Mike: Iron Man is back to normal too, I think.  No word on Havok.  Secret Wars may have reversed all the inversions, as far as we can tell.  WHich is kind of lame.  I liked the new take on Sabretooth and Iron Man.  Havok was a little too out there for me.  We will see what happens there.

 

RED WOLF #1 by NATHAN EDMONDSON &  DALIBOR TALAJIC

ONCE UPON A TIMELY IN THE WEST…

Frontier boomtown Timely has more than its share of scoundrels: it takes a hero to keep them in line. Red Wolf—the Cheyenne who crossed the desert and stood up to Mayor Wilson Fisk in Secret Wars’ 1872—is the only man who can fill fallen Sheriff Steve Rogers’ boots. As an outsider and an honest man, Red is going to need all his wits, and both his fists, to serve and protect. The tale of how Red Wolf wins the West starts in 1872, and will take him farther than he could ever imagine!

Grey: I didn’t care before I heard about what a ridiculous assbag that Nate Edmondson was, and I don’t care now. But hey, go figure that Marvel decides to push a book featuring a minority character, but they give it to one of the more extreme right wingers on their payroll.

Mike: I like 1872, but yeah, I have to pass on this one too.  That said, I did enjoy Edmondson’s work on Deathlok.

 

SPIDEY #1 by ROBBIE THOMPSON & NICK BRADSHAW

Think you know everything about Peter Parker’s early days? Think again. It’s action, adventure and a rip-roaring romp in classic Marvel style as SPIDEY swings onto shelves this winter! Featuring adventures from throughout the web-slinging wonder’s younger years, it’s a return to the days of overdue homework, not knowing how to talk to girls (or anybody, really) and just a plenty of danger. Witness some of Spidey’s earliest tangles with the likes of DOC OCK, SANDMAN and a host of other unexpected guests!

Mike: Uhm...hasn’t Marvel done this kind of series many, many times before.  If people want to read old Spider-Man stories with a modern spin. they should just read Ultimate Spider-Man, Marvel Adventures, Untold Tales of Spider-Man, etc, etc.    I am not necessarily against this book, just not sure it’s all that necessary.

 

SQUADRON SUPREME #1 & 2 by JAMES ROBINSON & LEONARD KIRK

They’re each the sole survivor of a lost Earth and they’ll do anything to protect this one, whether you like it or not. The Squadron Supreme -- comprising Hyperion (Avengers), Nighthawk (Supreme Power), Dr. Spectrum (the Great Society), Blur (DP7) and Power Princess -- are a team that doesn’t ask permission or what the rules are. To them all that matters is the safety of Earth and if you stand in the way...that’s your problem! Tell that to the Squadron’s first target -- Namor, destroyer of Dr. Spectrum’s homeworld, who will have to pay for his crimes...but at what cost to the people of Atlantis.

Grey: You had me at Supreme Power Nighthawk.

Mike: I would have liked this to be a little more Squadron Supreme, but this still looks like a real good title.  And I love the creative team.

 

STARBRAND & NIGHTMASK #1 by GREG WEISMAN &  DOMO STANTON

Two former Avengers with tremendous power – and almost zero life experience – are on their own, trying to find their place as HEROES, COSMIC ENTITIES and…COLLEGE STUDENTS? What meal plan will cover a cosmic metabolism? Can two all-powerful entities share a dorm room the size of roach motel? Can you safely teleport to Mars after partying all night long at your first kegger? Find out in Starbrand & Nightmask!

Mike: Would anyone buy this book?  I like Greg Weisman, but this seems like a huge waste of his talent.  

Grey: Agreed.

 

WEIRDWORLD #1 by SAM HUMPHRIES & MIKE DEL MUNDO

• From the pages of SECRET WARS, now in the ALL-NEW MARVEL U!

• Imagine, being trapped in a world of sword and sorcery.

• With no sword and sorcery experience to speak of.

• This is the story of BECCA, a girl stuck in WEIRDWORLD, with only one mission: get home alive!

• Marvel’s own twisted fantasy realm comes alive before your eyes! Barbarians! Wizards! And tricked out sports cars!

Mike: Really curious how Weirdworld survives past Secret Wars, but definitely looking forward to seeing how it goes.  Weirdworld has been awesome.

 

SCARLET WITCH #1 by JAMES ROBINSON & VANESA DEL REY

Witchcraft is broken - and the SCARLET WITCH is on a journey across the globe to fix it. From the back alleys of Manhattan, to the serene Greek Isles, to the bustling streets of Hong Kong, Wanda will have to face down her foes and find out who her true friends are. But as Wanda solves magical crimes and pieces witchcraft back together, the most important question remains: Who is the mastermind that broke it in the first place? Written by Eisner Award winner JAMES ROBINSON, with covers by Eisner Award winner DAVID AJA with the first issue drawn by fan-favorite VANESA DEL REY!

Grey: Was it Crazy Wanda?

Mike: Robinson has been doing some great work lately. I don’t know if I could bring myself to buy a series about Scarlet Witch though.  She seems a better fit for a team book, to me.

 

PATSY WALKER, AKA HELLCAT! #1 by KATE LETH &  BRITTNEY WILLIAMS

PATSY WALKER has managed to escape her past, her enemies and Hell itself (literally), but nothing compares to job hunting in New York City! Between trying to make rent and dodging (literal) bullets, Patsy barely has time to deal with her mother’s exploitative romance comics about her childhood resurfacing, much less how they start to interfere with her work and dating life. As she goes from living a double life to a triple, what the Hell is Patsy Walker supposed to do? Raise your (literal) claws for PATSY WALKER, AKA HELLCAT!

Grey: Who was asking for this? I mean, I’m always cool with a female character in a solo book by a female writer and artist, but what’s the point?

Mike: I would rather her have continued to be a supporting character in She-Hulk.  She seems best at that role.  And it would mean that we would get more issues of She-Hulk. Wins all around.

 

GWENPOOL SPECIAL #1 by VARIOUS

• AN ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT MARVEL HOLIDAY SPECIAL!

• She-Hulk throws a holiday party and invites the entire Marvel U!

• Deadpool teams up with both Hawkeyes – Kate and Clint – to…stop a pickpocket?!

• Ms. Marvel takes on her most dangerous threat yet: the holiday blues!

• And then there’s the reason for the season(al special): GWENPOOL!

• Yup, you read that right – Gwen. Pool. C’mon, you know you’re curious.

Grey: Kill it with fire.

Mike: What the hell is Gwenpool??

Grey: It’s why Howard the Duck is going to be five bucks an issue.

Mike: That is a real stupid decision. Howard is a niche book as is.  How can you possibly justify charging $5 for it.  That’s going to make that book DOA.

 

ALL-NEW X-MEN #3 by DENNIS HOPELESS & MARK BAGLEY

• Terrible acts committed by mutant revolutionary Cyclops have placed mutantkind in extinction’s crosshairs…and no one is left to suffer the consequences more than his time-displaced counterpart—teen-aged Scott Summers.

• As Storm and her team whisk Earth’s remaining mutants away to safe haven, the original X-Men do just the opposite: emboldened by super heroic ideals, the ALL-NEW X-MEN set out on the road to save their world and write their own futures.

• But can youthful optimism reverse the damage Cyclops has done?

Grey: I’m going to read it, and Hopeless is awesome, but I really don’t like this new status quo.

Mike: I will agree with that.  Love the creative team, but not really sure about the direction of this one.  The “All-New X-Men” probably should have ended with Secret Wars...

 

ALL-NEW WOLVERINE #3 by TOM TAYLOR & DAVID LOPEZ

CAN YOU HANDLE THE DEADLY MYSTERY OF THE FOUR SISTERS?

• It’s WOLVERINE vs. TASKMASTER in this explosive issue!

• Can Laura survive ALCHEMAX’S army of mercenaries?

• What is the devastating secret the SISTERS have been keeping?

Grey: So stoked for this book.

Mike: I really love that Alchemax is becoming such an important part of the Marvel Universe.  I’ve been a 2099 fan from day one.  

 

HOWARD THE DUCK #2 by CHIP ZDARSKY & VERONICA FISH

• “Our World.”

• Plus, a new Gwenpool story!

Mike: And here’s Gwenpool again.  WTF?

Grey: This is her book, they’re going to keep at five bucks an issue and give her a backup story because Marvel.

Mike: As I said earlier, that is a real stupid decision.

 

SPIDER-MAN 2099 #4 by PETER DAVID & WILL SLINEY

• A mysterious stranger from the future arrives in New York, and he’s got Spider-Man dead in his sights!

Mike: This is perhaps the most generic solicitation ever written...but then again, I will buy this book anyway, so I guess the didn’t need to put much more effort…

Grey: They had me at “Spider-Man 2099”, even if I hate the new costume.

 

SILK #2 by ROBBIE THOMPSON & STACEY LEE

• SILK! BLACK CAT! IN CAHOOTS!

• But not everyone in Cat’s criminal crew are happy about it!

• Neither is everyone in Cindy’s life, including a certain CEO of Parker Industries.

Grey: Do Peter and Cindy still struggle to not go at it like rabbits when they get within five feet of each other?

Mike: I think so.   That is the one thing I didn’t like about Silk, but they seemed to have mostly toned that down in her own book.  By keeping Peter Parker FAR away from her.  Good call.

 

SPIDER-GWEN #3 by JASON LATOUR & ROBBI RODRIGUEZ

• Still reeling from the events of SPIDER-VERSE, Gwen Stacy decides to pay a visit to Jessica Drew, AKA Spider-Woman!

• Gwen learns about her Earth-616 counterpart, and sees that the lesson that with great power, there must also come great responsibility applies in any reality.

Grey: ….so Gwen can travel through dimensions at will now?

Mike: I am assuming this is tied in to Web Warriors.  

 

CARNAGE #3 by GERRY CONWAY & MIKE PERKINS

• Trapped down in a mineshaft with Carnage, the situation for the FBI’s symbiote squad gets HAIRY when John Jameson loses his cool.

• You won’t want to miss th—AROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!

Grey: Still sounds fun.

 

WEB WARRIORS #2 by MIKE COSTA AND DAVID BALDEON

• SPIDER-GWEN STRANDED! Without her interdimensional timepiece to get her home, Gwen Stacy (AKA Spider-Woman) has no choice but to sit tight and wait to be rescued by the rest of the Web Warriors.

• Everyone’s favorite hoodie-wearing hero isn’t exactly a damsel in distress, though, is she?

Grey: ...oh, alright, that answers my Gwen question.

 

NEW AVENGERS #4 by AL EWING & GERARDO SANDOVAL 

• Out beyond the nether dark lurks... Moridun, Master Magus of the Fifth Cosmos!

• He’s not just an evil wizard - he’s an evil Space Wizard! But when the space dust settles, who will be... the King of Space?

• Seriously, everything’s cooler in space. How cool will the New Avengers be in space? THEY WILL BE PRETTY COOL!

Mike: New Avengers...IN SPACE!

Grey: SPAAAAAAACCCCCCCEEEEEEE

 

THE ASTONISHING ANT-MAN #3 by NICK SPENCER & RAMON ROSANAS

• Because you demanded it: Scott Lang, the Astonishing Ant-Man, teams up with Sam Wilson, Captain America! Just like you saw in the movie!

• Except in the movie, they actually got in a fight. And in the movie, Sam was still Falcon, not Captain America. But... close enough, right?!! Please buy our book, movie-watcher people!

• The return of The Slug! Er, he wasn’t in the movie either. Dang it.

Mike: This solicit is just perfect.  Fans of Superior Foes of Spider-Man MUST BUY this book.  And if you are not a fan of that book...there might be something wrong with you.  Seek medical help.

 

STAR WARS SPECIAL: C-3PO #1 by JAMES ROBINSON & TONY HARRIS

• Follow everyone’s favorite protocol droid as he Journeys to Star Wars: The Force Awakens, in this special one-shot leading up to his appearance in the film! Just how did Threepio get a red arm, anyway? Find out here as the blockbuster creative team of James Robinson and Tony Harris of DC’s Starman reunite for the first time in nearly two decades!

• You may be fluent in over six million forms of communication...but this book is a must have in any language!

Mike: Wait...James Robinson and Tony Harris are finally reunited….and instead of a new story about Opal City, it’s C-3PO???  I feel ripped off. Especially at $5.  But, I love Star Wars so I will still be a customer here.

Grey: At least it’s a one shot and not an ongoing. At the same time, forty pages? Marvel hates consumers.