30
Uncanny Inhumans
Charles Soule & Steve McNiven
I was really surprised that I liked this book as much as I did. Having Kang (a favorite of mine) as the villain also makes it feel more like an Avengers book than the other Avengers I’ve read in this relaunch. Time-hopping madness with some heroics and inter-team drama made this pretty fun. Will definitely read more. – BC
Great mix of classic Inhumans, new ones (nuHumans?), and interesting supporting characters like Beast and Torch. Looking forward to more, and happy to see McNiven lend his talents to the flagship title for this newly placed cornerstone of the ANAD Marvel Universe. – MMDG
First collection: Uncanny Inhumans, Vol. 1: Time Crush (April)
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29
International Iron Man
Brian Michael Bendis & Alex Maleev
I’ll pretty much give anything Bendis does a fair shake, and even though this first issue is objectively mediocre, I enjoyed it. Alex Maleev’s art lends itself to Tony’s dark, mysterious past; I do, however, prefer Iron Man to have more color, more emphasis on boisterous mechanical designs, and an air of levity. This feels more like a Daredevil book, or even Hawkguy, and while I applaud Bendis for doing something more thoughtful with an action hero, it’s not something I really need. In the opening panel, one of the few action pieces in the whole book, a clever henchman jokes that perhaps the disabled Iron Man is “contemplating the life decisions that led him to this moment,” so I know Bendis knows that I know that he’s covering familiar ground, and his awareness makes me think he’s going to do his best to throw some curves and tell a good story. BMB is a master of dialogue and cinematic storytelling, and while I think he effectively builds an intriguing past and a compelling relationship between Tony and Cassandra, I would rather see Iron Man fighting Doom or organizing Avengers. I will keep reading this book, but maybe not recommend it as strongly as Spider-Man. – RF
First collection: International Iron Man, Vol. 1. (November)
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28
Captain Marvel
Tara Butters, Michele Fazekas, & Kris Anka
Eff Canada. Space is the place. Captain Marvel is all about cosmic fights, but why Marvel decided to elevate the Canadian X-Team Alpha Flight to galactic protector is a puzzle. Unlike the heavy or obvious feminism of Squirrel Girl or Spider-Woman, this Captain Marvel doesn’t rely on being a female-driven book. Tara Butters and Michele Frazekas have written an arc that has classic intrigue and tension, something that could work for any Marvel Captain, male or female, but doesn’t fish for recognition by reiterating “AND SHE’S A WOMAN TOO!” at the end. Anka’s art is a little too on the Romita Jr. side for my taste, but I’m down to read more. – RF
Near Space Nine with Marvel characters. Better than any of the Guardians cosmic books already. – MMDG
First collection: Captain Marvel, Vol. 1: Rise of Alpha Flight (August)
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27
Spider-Woman
Dennis Hopeless & Javier Rodriguez
Weird cover. “Hey guys, superheroes gets pregnants too, and it’s just as hard and crazy as it is for everyday jagoffs. See?” A lot of this book is spent over-explaining that Spider-Woman is pregnant, but the last few panels suggest that there’s more to this story than sleepless nights and ice cream cravings. I like the art, I like the Porcupine, and I’ll definitely check out a few more issues before I decide whether or not this book is just an obvious ploy at female readership. – RF
This was the biggest surprise for me out of all the comics I’ve read so far in this relaunch. I kept putting it off, reading Venom or Carnage instead. Then I would finish those comics and be all like, “hmmm, Spider-Woman? Naaa, I’ll read Nova first then Spider-Woman. After a while I had no other comics to read and Spider-Woman was it. So, with a “might as well get this over with” feeling, I began to read. When I finished I said, “Wow, that might be one of the best comics I’ve read yet!” Loved it. – 3D
First collection: Spider-Woman, Vol. 1: Shifting Gears (June)
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26
Howard the Duck
Chip Zdarsky & Veronica Fish
Totally awesome. A great way to introduce the cosmic universe in the new Marvel. Laughed out loud, great use of ancillary villains, and a well-matched art style. Though the book is about making jokes, the audience’s intelligence is respected. I’d say this Zdarsky guy is crafting this funny book with care. – RF
The first funny-first funnybook in this Marvel relaunch that’s actually funny. – MMDG
First collection: Howard the Duck, Vol. 1: Duck Hunt (May)
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25
Mockingbird
Chelsea Cain & Kate Niemczyk
If you happen to read this review before you read the book, it may help to read Chelsea Cain’s afterword to issue #1 of Mockingbird before the actual story. Because the actual story is elusive at this point. However, I’m not familiar with Mockingbird, or her legacy, and from page one Bobbi Morse comes off as a powerful, intelligent, and beautiful character, and that’s compelling in and of itself. It seems the women of Marvel are at odds with the “shadowy government organization” of S.H.I.E.L.D, and much like in Black Widow #1, I don’t exactly know what’s going on, but I want to know more. I want to solve this “puzzle box” Cain is setting in front of me on a black cross of electrical tape, challenging me, asking me questions, making me ask questions. I want the intellectual reward that this intriguing story is gearing up to deliver. I also want to see more sexy drawings by Kate Niemcyzk. A lot more. Oh, and more Hercules in the waiting room. What a great gag! – RF
First collection: Mockingbird, Vol. 1. (October)
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24
Old Man Logan
Jeff Lemire & Andrea Sorrentino
This is better than Bendis’s Secret Wars miniseries, and more in keeping with the brutal vengeance themes from Millar and McNiven’s original arc. Sorrentino’s art is perfectly matched for this plot, and I like Jeff Lemire so much more when he’s writing these first-person solo books. This one’s a keeper; I hope Marvel doesn’t bring back the old/young(er) Logan too soon. – MMDG
I like how unhinged Logan’s mind is, and I’ve liked a lot of the other Lemire stuff I’ve read. While I like the “vengeance list” plot, I’m much more interested in Old Man Logan’s role with the X-Men. However, I will keep reading this book because it seems like the kind of solo noir book Marvel is really good at putting out (see Madrox or the current Daredevil). – RF
First collection: Old Man Logan, Vol. 1: Berzerker (July)
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23
All New Wolverine
Tom Taylor & David Lopez
This may be the first revamp that I really like. A younger, female Logan will have her own challenges, but the classic costume, the Weapon X story, and redemption through violence are all part of what makes Wolverine great. I like Lopez and Navarro’s work, although I think something about Laura’s face looks funny in the mask. Also: when did Angel get firewings? Pretty sweet. I could definitely read more of this. – RF
I really liked this a lot – very straightforward with solid action. I definitely want to learn more about her relationship to Logan. – MH
First collection: All New Wolverine, Vol. 1: The Four Sisters (May)
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22
Spider-Man/Deadpool
Joe Kelly & Ed McGuinness
I actually chuckled out loud several times with this book, and liked it a LOT more than expected. I didn’t read much Deadpool over the last few years, mostly because what I did read was annoying and featured poor attempts at being a potty-mouthed Spider-Man. In this book, paired up with Spidey, Joe Kelly has an opportunity to showcase his snappy dialogue skills by giving each hero the characterization he deserves. So long as Kelly is on this book, I’ll be reading it. – MMDG
This made me laugh more than I thought it would and it gets my attention for that. Joe Kelly is best when writing quick quips and he’s got those in spades on the book. Art is also very good. I would read more as long as it remains the same team. – BC
First collection: Spider-Man/Deadpool, Vol. 1: Isn’t It Bromantic (August)
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21
A-Force
G. Willow Wilson & Jorge Molina
The all-female cast is refreshing and Singularity is one of the more intriguing new characters I’ve come across since starting down this Marvel rabbit hole. – MH
I thought this book was gonna be a lame female Illuminati, but, thankfully, it’s a lot more. Singularity’s origin reminds me a little of when Marvel used Layla Miller in the aftermath of House of M, and I really liked her significance to that world. Though we didn’t get to see the sorceress from Runaways or the Dazzler in this issue, I’m really excited to have them featured in this book. Actually, having Dazzler as a main character will get me to read this whole thing. – RF
Ohhhh! I liked this. Set up is great, Singularity is a new character to be excited for, and the team is dope. Really wanted more when the issue ended, and that is a good sign this. Will read more. – BC
First collection: A-Force, Vol. 1: Hypertime (July)
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The Institute of Idle Time 