Marvel Previews Picks: November 2021
Above-the-Board Recommendation:
Star Wars: Life Day #1
The existence of this comic shows that either Marvel is completely shameless when it comes to exploiting the “Star Wars” license, or utterly fearless about doing the same. For those of you who are either too young to remember or have blocked it from your mind until now (and if you’re just remembering it now, then you’re welcome) “Life Day” is a Wookie holiday that was originally introduced in the infamous “Star Wars Holiday Special.” Infamous for its 70’s song, dance, and skit presentation, none of which were very good. As far as I know, this represents the holiday’s most prominent presentation since said special. “Life Day” itself is an anthology comic, featuring work from “High Republic” writer Cavan Scott, “Thrawn” and “Tie Fighter” writer Jody Houser, Justina Ireland and Steve Orlando. Only Ivan Fiorelli is mentioned as an artist, which likely means that only one of the stories had been illustrated at the time of the comic’s solicitation. That this is going to be better, or at least far less embarrassing than the TV special is without doubt. As to whether or not this will be good enough to make “Life Day” comics an annual tradition at Marvel, I guess we’ll just have to trust in the Force for that.
Hulk #1: I thought that Donny Cates had to be a little crazy for wanting to follow Jason Aaron’s legendary run on “Thor.” Now I know that he’s certifiable because he’s also going to follow up another legendary run: Al Ewing and Joe Bennett’s on “The Immortal Hulk.” Which is kind of funny now that I think about it because Ewing is co-writing “Venom” following Cates’ similarly defining run. That doesn’t mean Cates is going to disappoint when it comes to writing stories about Ol’ Jade Jaws. His first two volumes of “Thor” were pretty good, after all. My only concern is that the writer might be spreading himself thin between that title, this one, “Crossover” and “Redneck” over at Image, and his upcoming Substack work. We’ll see if that’s the case in a year or so. Still, Cates’ track record is such that I’ll continue to be buying “Hulk” comics for a while yet. That the writer is being joined by Ryan Ottley as the main artist for this series is really just the gravy, as they say.
The Thing #1 (of 6): Walter Mosely, writer of celebrated noir novels like “Devil in a Blue Dress,” doesn’t seem like the kind of guy you’d expect to be a comics fan. Yet here he is, making his comics-writing debut, with artist Tom Reilly, by telling a story about the Ever-Lovin’ Blue-Eyed Thing. Appropriately titled “The Next Big Thing,” it has Ben Grimm having a chance encounter that sends him from the back streets of Manhattan to the furthest regions of the cosmos to battle old foes and new. Though this may be coming from a respected novelist, Moseley is also one who I don’t have a lot of familiarity with. This could be great, or a huge mistake no one will speak of after it’s published. I think I’ll wait to see which of those turns out to be the case before checking it out.
Hawkeye: Kate Bishop #1 (of 5): Did you know that Kate is going to be in the upcoming “Hawkeye” series on Disney+? That’s likely the main reason we’re getting this new miniseries from bestselling writer Marieke Nijkamp and artist Enid Balam. The setup is that Kate is prepared to head back home to New York, but feels like she needs some extra confidence before she makes the move. So she gets involved with a jewel heist at a resort that is so totally not a trap. This sounds good enough, though, I’m reminded that I have yet to finish reading Kelly Thompson’s run on the character’s solo title from a few years back. I think I’ll catch up on that before I give this a look.
Captain America/Iron Man #1 (of 5): Derek Landy and Angel Unzueta team up to give us this story about another team-up. Cap and Iron Man are both after a Hydra agent who staged a daring breakout on her way to prison once they realize they each have a connection to her. Which I hope will prompt them to work together without fighting each other for once. Because after plenty of stories that end with the two at each others’ throats I’d like to read a Cap/Iron Man team-up where they don’t do that and actually get along for the duration of the story. That’s something which would really surprise me.
X-Force: Killshot Anniversary Special #1: In which the team’s 30th anniversary is celebrated by Rob Liefeld, illustrating and co-writing with Chad Bowers, who launched the series, with co-writer Fabian Nicieza, way back in the day. How is the mighty Robster going to celebrate it? By having Cable round up five different X-Force teams throughout time on a final mission to kill Stryfe ONCE AND FOR ALL! While I’d normally say that you already know if this one-shot is for you, such is the appeal of Liefeld’s style, there’s a catch here. When the solicitation text mentions five different X-Force teams, does that mean one of them is going to be the Milligan/Allred version? Because if it does, I think I’d read this just to see Liefeld and Bowers’ take on them. Oh, and while we’re talking about Mr. Liefeld…
X-Men Legends #9: …I just want to say that Kaare Andrews’ variant cover for this issue is 90’s AF in the best way.
Cable by Gerry Duggan vol. 1 HC: I don’t know why there’s a “Vol. 1” in the title of this collection as this collects the entirety of the “Cable” series from the writer — minus the “X of Swords” tie-in issues. Moreover, why isn’t this titled “Cable by Gerry Duggan and Phil Noto” since the artist illustrated all of the issues collected here. I guess Duggan had the better contract. Anyway, this collection wraps up the saga of Young Cable in one big collection. I’d say I’d give it a look, except all of the issues will likely be available on Marvel Unlimited by the time this hits print.
Immortal Hulk vol. 11: Apocrypha: If you were wondering if the tie-in issues that Ewing wrote for events like “Absolute Carnage” and “King in Black” were ever going to be collected in their own volume… now you know. In case the title didn’t clue you in, this is definitely one for the completists. Still, if the “Absolute Carnage” and “Immortal She-Hulk” issues collected here are anything to go by, this will still make for an entertaining read. Just not one that is essential to the story of “The Immortal Hulk.”
Avengers by Jason Aaron vol. 9: World War She-Hulk: I think the title speaks for itself, don’t you? For those of you who need a bit more, this storyline sees She-Hulk being declared a global menace, and the Winter Guard being tasked with bringing her in. Which they do… to the Red Room. If you’re wondering what the best Soviet brainwashing and training can get you these days, then prepare to be impressed by the Winter Hulk. This collection includes the extra-sized issue #50 from these solicitations, wherein we’re also promised the story of the purpose behind the Avengers of One Million B.C. and the Ghost Rider’s multiversal quest that will change the future of the team.
Gamma Flight: Ewing can’t quit the Green Goliath just yet, though he’s teamed up with co-writer Crystal Fraser and artist Lan Medina for this story about the team that was tasked with bringing the Immortal Hulk under control. It’s not that they failed to do that. They just realized that he was in the right all along and now Puck, Absorbing Man, Titania, Doc Sasquatch, and Dr. Charlene McGowan are now on the run from every agency under the sun. When you’ve got that much heat on you, there’s no length certain parties will go to see you brought in. Lengths that may involve a certain Hulk villain that Ewing didn’t get around to writing in the pages of “Immortal Hulk.” Even if he’s just co-writing this, I liked what the writer did with the characters here, so I’m all in for seeing where he has them wind up in the wake of that series’ finale.