We’re approaching the mid-year mark on Marvel’s All New All Different relaunch, and many of the initial storylines have wrapped and are being prepped for the first collected editions of the ANAD era, due late next month.

Although this week doesn’t give us any series premieres – other than the Max Bemis-penned Worst X-Man Ever limited series – the new release shelf of your local comic shop should be absolutely spilling forth with Mighty Marvel Mania. Among the new books is the sixth issue of Mark Waid’s ANAD Avengers book, which will hopefully provide an answer to why Vision seems to be reverting to his old, sinister ways. We also get the long-awaited second issue of Ellis and Zaffino’s Karnak. Everyone here at The Institute is overjoyed that this series has re-commenced, but the truly good news is that Warren Ellis, who experienced some health scares last year, seems to be back to his good ol’ cheeseburger & cocktail self, steering well clear of another “terrible neurological event that hospitalises you and leaves you with mysterious, frightening neurological and physical deficits that science cannot explain…”

Continuing and related titles
All New Inhumans #4
All New X-Men #5
All New All Different Avengers #6
Amazing Spider-Man #1.3
Angela, Queen of Hel #5
The Astonishing Ant-Man #5
Daredevil #4
Drax #4
Hercules #4
Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D. #5
Karnak #2
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #4
New Avengers #7
Patsy Walker AKA Hellcat #3
Silk #5
Spider-Man 2099 #7
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #5
Venom: Space Knight #4
X-Men: Worst X-Man Ever #1 (of 5)

I expected this to be good, and I’m glad I wasn’t disappointed. My only reservation is that Ellis will, as is his prerogative as one of the preeminent creators working today, launch this book for a few issues, and then move on. Karnak is not a character that can sell a book on name recognition alone. But maybe, even if Ellis doesn’t stick around, there will be enough with this church of wisdom and the SHIELD connection to make a viable, engaging series. Also love that he’s hunting down a new Inhuman who’s revealed powers are to be cured of food allergies. Ellis can make fun of the 21st-century better than anyone in the game. (“Hench” app? Ugh.) – MMDG

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