Looking Forward to October: Marvel Comics

This one’s Andy’s. He got a lot done before he went on vacation. He’s not a total slacker! As of now I’m all for this Marvel Now thing. Do think it’s time for a Marvel shake up. Fingers crossed. Toes crossed. Hope it’s good! – Rusty

One of the biggest news items out of San Diego was the announcement of Marvel Comics’ Marvel NOW! initiative. Why am I telling you this? Because it kicks off in October! According to Editor-in-Chief Axel Alonso, "Marvel NOW! is the next chapter in the ongoing saga of the Marvel Universe. From October through February, we’ll provide at least one great reason for readers—old, lapsed or new—to go into a comic store each week: a new issue #1, featuring an exciting new creative team and driving concept, that’s an easy entry-point into the Marvel Universe. Each and every one of these launches is built to last."

And that’s basically it! As Shawn noted in his news column, it’s designed to give readers a place to jump on board in the wake of Avengers vs. X-Men. And the best place to start? Marvel NOW! Point One…

MARVEL NOW! POINT ONE #1

Written by Brian Michael Bendis, Matt Fraction, Jeph Loeb, Nick Spencer, Kieron Gillen, Dennis Hopeless
Art by Michael Allred, Ed Mcguinness, Steve Mcniven, Jamie Mckelvie, Salvador Larroca and Luke Ross

The future of Marvel is now!

But the first real title to come out under the Marvel NOW! banner is Rick Remender’s Uncanny Avengers. As Shawn said, "the main villain of the book will be a newly resurrected Red Skull, except this one has the consciousness of the Red Skull circa 1944…" Sounds pretty cool.

UNCANNY AVENGERS #1

Written by Rick Remender
Art by John Cassaday

ALL NEW ONGOING! THIS IS IT! The greatest era of the Marvel Universe starts here! From the ashes of AvX an all-new, all-different Avengers assemble! Captain America begins his quest to create a sanctioned Avengers unit comprised of Avengers and X-Men, humans and mutants working together – so why is Professor Xavier’s dream more at risk than ever? The first attack of the most loathsome villain in history will quake the Marvel Universe forever! The funeral of one of Marvel’s greatest heroes!

Of course, where some titles begin… other titles must come to an end. This October sees the final issue of numerous Marvel Comics titles. Here’s just a few of the ones we’ll miss…

AVENGERS #31

Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Brandon Peterson

END TIMES STARTS HERE! The final explosive arc for long-term Avengers writer Brian Michael Bendis. While the Avengers deal with the fallout from AVX, Tony Stark intercepts the signal…a signal that may lead the Avengers into the arms of one of their dearest friends…or their greatest enemies.

NEW AVENGERS #31

Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Michael Gaydos

END TIMES HAVE ARRIVED! The final explosive arc for long-time Avengers writer Brian Michael Bendis. Now that the New Avengers have sacrificed all they had to fight the Phoenix, many are asking hard questions: Is it time for New Avengers to call it quits? Meanwhile, one of the New Avengers deadliest foes hatches his elaborate plot for revenge!

CAPTAIN AMERICA #19

Written by Ed Brubaker
Art by Steve Epting

END OF AN ERA! Steve Epting returns for the grand finale of Ed Brubaker’s EPIC RUN on Captain America, and the end of an era!

THE MIGHTY THOR #22

Written by Matt Fraction
Art by Barry Kitson

END OF AN ERA! EVERYTHING BURNS AFTERMATH THE FINAL ISSUE…! After all the blood and thunder that’s rocked the nine realms someone has to pay. It will probably be Thor – the only Asgardian brave enough to face…THE DOOM RING. Who dares judge a god? Just wait and see who shows up…

Not related to any of the above (I don’t think) is this eight-issue mini-series detailing how Daredevil meets his maker…

DAREDEVIL: END OF DAYS #1 (OF 8)

Written by Brian Michael Bendis & David Mack
Art by Klaus Janson & Bill Sienkiewicz

Revealed at last…how it ends for the Man without Fear! In the near future, investigative reporter Ben Urich has one last story to write – what was Matt Murdock’s the final secret? A story years in the making brought to you by some of the greatest creators in Daredevil history!

Looks pretty cool, especially considering the amount of talent on board. Bendis has written some of the greatest Daredevil stories ever, while David Mack, Klaus Janson and Bill Sienkiewicz are likewise important names in old Hornhead’s history.

WOLVERINE: MAX #1

Written by Jason Starr
Art by Connor Willumson

ALL-NEW ONGOING SERIES! Your favorite X-Man done the way you wanted to see him – in a no-holds-barred MAX series! Written by award-winning crime novelist Jason Starr (PUNISHER MAX, The Chill) In modern-day Tokyo, Logan gets pulled into a terrorist’s plot…or was he the target all along? A new look at Wolverine’s past!

Generally speaking, most of the series that have come out under the Marvel MAX imprint have been pretty solid. (And of course some of the Punisher stuff ranks up there with our all-time favorite comics EVER.) So we’ll definitely be checking this one out. It’s not even a mini-series either! Expect blood, guts and cussing!