The Marvel Reporters’ Commentary on the January 2018 Marvel Solicits

On a monthly basis The Marvel Report will be commentating on the new Marvel solicits. This month the Marvel Reporters will be discussing Marvel’s January solicits. Read the full solicits here on Comic Frontline.

Commentators: Kat, Tatiana, Louis, Jay

Editor: Kat

AVENGERS #675-678

Louis – While the idea of Avengers going weekly sounds awesome, I wish Marvel would’ve reduced the price for this arc.

Jay – This is a lot of Avengers coming at us and Marvel’s way of working around the “No more events for 18 months after Secret Empire.” This also looks like the debut of Voyager, so I am interested in seeing her and how she is the forgot Avenger, sounds a lot like and even looks like a female version of Sentry.

PHOENIX RESURRECTION #2-5

Kat – Looks like this is going to be an epic X-Men event. I like seeing all the X-Men involved. Also very curious to see what’s up with the “Jean” living a suburban life.

Tatiana – It feels like the entire Jean Grey arc thus far has been building up to the return of her older self. I’m very much looking forward to seeing how they tackle the story this time around, and I hope it will be as well done as both X-Men teams have been thus far.

Jay – DUDE! I am SO HYPED for this you have NO IDEA!!!! This story sounds interesting with a ghost of Jean? I hope we wind up getting the REAL ADULT JEAN GREY and not some new girl named Jean who just so happens to look like Jean Grey. Is it January yet? I need it to be January NOW!

JEAN GREY #11

Kat – It’s been a slow burn (pun totally intended), but we are finally getting the face off we deserve.

Tatiana – On the flip side, I’m wondering what will happen in Jean’s story once she’s finally confronted that other side of herself. It’s definitely a climactic moment for the run, but where will we go from here?

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY # 150 -151

Louis – Adam Warlock’s back! This is makes me more excited for the Infinity Stone arc. Also it’s good to see Warlock in the comics again since he was hinted at the end of Guardians Vol. 2.

Jay – Marvel, psst, come here STOP CHANGING THE COMICS TO FIT INTO THE MCU This is why fans are pissed at you right now! They are Infinity GEMS not STONES! Now that, that is out of my system, and I took a deep breath, I love that Adam Warlock is returning. Maybe with him back we can see a resurgence of the Cosmic corner of the Marvel Universe.

ASTONISHING X-MEN #7

Louis – I’m glad that Charles Xavier is coming back. Plus it looks like he’ll have his own agenda.

Jay – Did you seriously just give away the ending to the current arc? So Professor X is back and I am excited, but I rather have read it and experienced it instead of being spoiled by it.

RISE OF THE BLACK PANTHER #1:

Tatiana – This sounds like an excellent tie-in for both the Black Panther film and the current Ta-nehisi Coates run. I’m glad he will be involved in writing it, and I think it’ll be great to see a T’Challa who is less sure of himself and who has not yet come to power in Wakanda.

Jay – This is risky for Marvel, but perfectly timed with the movie coming out people are going to want to read about the Black Panther, but his series just are not selling. I think they should have put this story in the main title for an arc and it would have boosted the sales instead of splitting them.

OLD MAN HAWKEYE #1 (of 12)

Jay – This sounds really cool. I am so in for this!

LEGION #1:

Tatiana – It’s hard to imagine this comic matching the depth and tone of the current FX series, but sometimes it’s nice to approach a character from a different angle. Especially one who is lesser known, such as David.

Jay – With the show being a surprise hit and this story sounding so interesting I can not wait for this. I just hope the comic lives up to the solicitation.

ROGUE & GAMBIT #1

Kat – With Kelly Thompson onboard – sign me up! Glad to see this as a mini series instead of an ongoing. It should be a neater story without the arc getting too prolonged.

Jay – This sounds interesting I hope it is more than just a ship series and has decent character growth and moments for both.

CAPTAIN AMERICA #697

Louis – So far this arc by Mark Waid looks awesome. If there’s a Spider-Man villain that could go toe-to-toe with Cap, it’s definitely Kraven.

Jay – What could that final page be? It has me interested, and Cap should be able to take out Kraven with or without his shield.

INHUMANS: JUDGMENT DAY #1

Jay – So another invasion/attack on Earth. I like the sound of this but it does sound like this is replacing Royals.

INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #596

Tatiana – The search for Tony Stark has me on the edge of my seat, but I’m most excited for the possibility of Doom and Riri interacting. What kind of dynamic are they going to have?

Jay – I am interested in the return of Tony Stark, I love a good mystery.

CHAMPIONS #16

Kat – I might pick this up for Spider-Gwen.

Tatiana – Very much intrigued by a so-called “membership drive.” The Champions have settled into a fun routine for now, but shaking up the line-up a bit can only lead to interesting new relationships.

Jay – More members? Hmmm I wonder who they lost (hoping it isn’t Viv) and who could join the team now?

THE MIGHTY THOR #703

Jay – Where could Jane be? I am highly anticipating this story and not sure how they will deal with Jane dying.

SHE-HULK #161

Tatiana – Jen has been herself in so much lately, especially with her powers working differently now, that it is gonna be a treat to see her lose control. And is she green once more on the cover?

Jay – I am enjoying (Hulk) She-Hulk and love Jen’s journey I am hoping through this arc or maybe the next we will see the return of the Green Bombshell we all know and love.

INCREDIBLE HULK #712

Jay – This is one of the Legacy Arcs I am most looking forward to. World War Hulk was an amazing story so to see this revisited they really have a lot to live up to.

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN VENOM INC OMEGA #1

Louis – Really wish Marvel could conclude a story arc within the series instead of making separate one-shots.

Jay – I still think Maniac is Flash and if it is will Flash be able to tame the symbiote like he did Venom? I hope so I like Flash as a hero.

SPIDER-GWEN #28

Kat – Everything has been leading to this!

Jay – This has been building up for a while now and I can not wait to see it finally happen!

THE AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #794

Kat – Please no more of the Zodiac storyline!

Louis – Last time Spider-Man fought Zodiac he had Parker Industries backing him up. Wonder how he’ll fight them since he can barely afford web fluid now.

Jay – I like that there is a rematch but does it have to be this? I was bored with Zodiac a year ago!

SPIDER-MAN #236

Kat – Glad to see Bendis digging deeper into Bombshell’s character again, especially her dynamic with her mother. We haven’t seen this since the Ultimate Spider-Man.

Jay – I am interested in the Secret Six for two reasons the Iron Spider (which we all know will be Miles from 616) and Bombshell against Miles.

PETER PARKER: THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN #299

Jay – This sounds like it could be really interesting I wonder who will be augmented and how?

SPIDER-MAN/DEADPOOL #26

Jay – Oh My Grump Old Heroes! I have to read this issue! This sounds like a blast!

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN: RENEW YOUR VOWS #15

Tatiana – This series hasn’t let me down yet, and I love reading the more classic takes on villains. Even though I no longer read present-day Peter Parker stories, I never miss a chance to pick up Renew Your Vows.

Louis – This is a fun read that’s a nice break from the mainstream Spider-Man titles.

Jay – Looking forward to see where this all leads to 8 years later!

BEN REILLY: SCARLET SPIDER #13

Jay – Ben Reilly is the Scarlet Spider, The Slingers are back, man I am in heaven!

DAREDEVIL #597

Louis – Sounds like Matt Murdock is going to take down the Kingpin from the inside. Can’t wait to read it!

Jay – Murdock working with Fisk? Interesting! Shame you need a scorecard to know who knows his secret identity.

JESSICA JONES #16

Tatiana – No upcoming plot has me as nervous as the return of the Purple Man. I really want to see Jessica fight for herself and her family, but I don’t want it to take too dark of a turn. She’s just gotten her life back, and I’m scared of watching her lose it all over again.

Louis – This arc is very intriguing. While most arcs have a small window of hope, this one feels like it could easily take a dark turn.

Jay – The first part of this story was slow but had a nice hook.

IRON FIST #76

Jay – I love Iron Fist and I dig good guy Sabretooth so I’m down.

THE PUNISHER #220

Jay – Looks like he is in the armor so this could be interesting, the Punisher has a wearable tank! Is that wise?

LUKE CAGE #169

Jay – I am like Luke Cage right now can’t wait to see where this story leads.

MARVEL TWO IN-ONE #2

Kat – I can’t wait for this book. Give me the return of the Fantastic Four!

Louis – Okay now that Doom’s involved, I’m fully committed to this title.

Jay – This arc better end with the Fantastic Four reunited, just saying!

THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #28

Tatiana – Nancy and Tippy-Toe kidnapped while Doreen is busy fighting Dormammu? There’s no way this can go wrong! In all seriousness, I’m always ready to watch Doreen and Nancy have parallel adventures and I’d love to see how they get off this evil planet without Squirrel Girl’s help.

CAPTAIN MARVEL #128

Jay – This arc is sounding more and more like a Mirror Universe arc which as a Trek Fan I am all in for!

BLACK PANTHER #169

Tatiana – Given what a famous villain Klaw is, I’m looking forward to how T’Challa rises to the challenge. Plus all the heroes on the cover have me hyped for this arc! I’m a big fan of unusual team-ups that uncover more of the characters’ past and relationships.

HAWKEYE #14

Kat – The excellent family drama continues, except things become even more interesting with Clint thrown into the equation.

Tatiana – Kate’s search for her mother has been the most intriguing part of the current Hawkeye run, and now they’re roping Clint back into the story? This is guaranteed to get me excited!

Jay – If Eden is Kate’s mom or sister (that she never knew about) I don’t know what.

TALES OF SUSPENSE #101

Louis – I was on the fence about picking up the previous issue but now that it’s only five issues long I’ll definitely add it to my pull list.

Jay – A weird way of bringing back this title which is just for the Legacy of it but this story could be awesome or a bust.

SPIRITS OF VENGEANCE #4 (of 5)

Jay – I liked the first part of this story and interested in seeing where it goes.

FALCON #4

Jay – I was so pumped for this title but man after I read the first part I am so disappointed. Marvel stick to comic writers.

MOON GIRL AND DEVIL DINOSAUR #27

Jay – Lunella solving a mystery? I am in! I love mysteries, I love the Fantastic Four, and I love Moon Girl!

MOON KNIGHT #191

Louis – Moon Knight is becoming one of my favorite Marvel Characters. The idea that one of Marc Spector’s other identities kept a secret is very intriguing.

Jay – I have been wanting Moon Knight to go back to being a hero and have an opposite number and it looks like the stars have aligned for me in this series. Fingers crossed.

X-MEN GOLD ANNAUL #1

Kat – YES GIVE ME KITTY IN HER SHADOWCAT COSTUME!!

Jay – I always said X-Men Gold is a combo of Giant-Sized X-Men and Excalibur which I love so to see the team reunite, and for the birth of a child is just an awesome Annual. Gotta love Kitty’s poor fashion choices over the years LOL.

X-MEN GOLD #19-20

Jay – This story sounds really cool it gives them a familiar type of story, but we get a nice twist with the scenery. Just please do not kill any of the team, I want to have an X-Men run where NO ONE DIES!

X-MEN BLUE # 19-20

Louis – Yay! Another time travel story for the original X-Men (rolls eyes).

Jay – Professor X of the Past I bet. I hope by the end of this arc the rest of the X-Men know that this group are from another reality as well as the past. I also can’t wait to see them interact with their younger counterparts! And Time has BEEN Broken and it WAS THEIR FAULT!

X-MEN BLUE ANNUAL #1

Kat – This seems like a weird team up.

Jay – I know the Poisons weren’t going to be gone too long, but man so soon?

ALL-NEW WOLVERINE #29

Jay – Tom Taylor is a genius! I love his run so far and I can not wait for this!

ICEMAN #9

Jay – Uggg

GENERATION X #86

Jay – Is it bad that I kind of forgot about this title? But I am looking forward to seeing the original team again.

WEAPON X #13

Jay- Weapon X is surprisingly better than I thought it would be looking forward to seeing what Legacy has in store for us.

X-MEN: GRAND DESIGN #2 (of 2)

Jay – I am prepared for the text heavy book.

MARVEL’S AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR PRELUDE #1 (OF 2)

Jay – These are never Preludes, these are adaptations of older movies.

RUNAWAYS #5

Kat – The band is back together, and the drama is already kicking in.

Jay – Rowell is a Rainbow indeed! She is a bright pleasant beacon on this title I am just loving Runaways again she makes you forget about the 3rd volume and fall in love with them all over again.