Forward Thinking: Marvel Comics for May 2006

Civil War arrives in May, but Brian Warmoth and I managed to get through Marvel’s solicitations without killing each other.

ULTIMATE EXTINCTION #5 (of 5)
Tom: Admittedly, I haven't been following this series of miniseries, but if it's the last issue and Big G has just unleashed the planet-eaters, doesn't that kind of indicate a follow-up?

Brian: I was thinking the same thing reading the description, but I was pretty sure this story was a trilogy. Must be a heckuva one issue climactic überbattle.

ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #95
Tom: If Ultimate Morbius is on the horizon, I bet Ultimate Four Extra Arms Spidey isn't far behind.

Brian: I like vampire stories. I like Bendis. This has the makings of a great addition to the Ultimate Universe.

SHE-HULK #8
Tom: Dan Slott will have to walk quite the tightrope, balancing Shulkie's normal dose of funny with "Civil War's" rule-rewriting. Looking forward to this issue, especially with Paul Smith on art.

Brian: Yeah, I was thinking the same thing. I really enjoy the tone of this book. This is going to be one of those books I pick up off the rack and give it exactly 4 pages to convince me Slott understands he can't change voice of his book midstream.

FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN #8
Tom: "Break out your back issues" sounds like "we're going to make you angry, but this time we did more research."

Brian: If the old foe is either Chameleon or the Jackal, I may not be held responsible for what I leave flaming on the doorsteps of Peter David and/or Joe Quesada.

FANTASTIC FOUR - A DEATH IN THE FAMILY
Tom: I notice there's no regular issue of FF solicited this month, so I guess this takes its place. Of course I'm skeptical about the lasting implications of this story, especially given the title. The last "Death in the Family" guy looks pretty healthy so far....

Brian: Yeah, I'm not touching this unless I find out a year later that it has had a significant effect on things. My guess is we'll never know the difference. This is just based on intuition and the cliché title though. Yet another comic book story title I wish someone would do an historical headcount on.

NEXTWAVE #5
Tom: Look, Nextwave, you had me at Fin Fang Foom. Don't get cute with the promos now.

Brian: These all sold out at my comic book shop and I have yet to read it,
so I'm going to have to take a gimme on this one.

HAUNT OF HORROR: EDGAR ALLAN POE #1 (OF 3)
Tom: Sounds pretty decent, and not just because black & white makes everything seem all artsy.

Brian: This brings to mind Jason Ascala's POE from Cheese Comics like 10 years back. If it passes the creepy Poe comics bar set there, it'll still have a long way to go.

SPIDER-MAN/BLACK CAT: EVIL THAT MEN DO Hardcover
Tom: For all of you who waited for the collection....

Brian: Yeah, the last chapter was definitely not worth the wait.

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: THE FANTASTIC FOUR VOL. 10
Tom: I might not get this in May, but I will be getting this. Reprinting the entire Lee/Kirby run of FF in full color has been one of Marvel's best ideas, if not outright obligations, and I hope they stay in print perpetually.

Brian: This is definitely on my "eventual" list.

WOLVERINE CLASSIC VOL. 3
Tom: Peter David wrote a Wolverine story? I may have to check this out.

Brian: Definitely do. I loved this arc.

ESSENTIAL DR. STRANGE VOL. 1 - NEW PRINTING!
Tom: Glad this is available again. This wouldn't have been high on my list, but I've since heard lots of good things about these early issues.

Brian: I was screaming for one of these two summers ago. Glad to see Marvel finally answered my fist shaking.

Tom’s Odds and Ends
MARVEL LEGACY: THE 1970s HANDBOOK: I skipped the '60s handbook (at least for now), but I've got a big soft spot for '70s Marvel. Even if the '80s and '90s volumes are on the way, this may be the only one I get.

Brian’s Odds and Ends
ANNIHILATION: NOVA #2 (of 4): I'm really much more stoked about Annihilation than I am Civil War. Drax is the only word they need to drop. This book's already in my pocket.

ANNIHILATION: RONAN #2 (of 4): Two old Infinity Watch members back in one month? I must have earned some good karma somewhere. Reading down the list here, I can only wish loudly and repeatedly that Pip pops up in Silver Surfer.

CAPTAIN AMERICA #18: Brubaker's got me hooked. Though I still refuse to buy that this was really Bucky. I'm holding out for vindication, so reading this will be a necessary measure.

CIVIL WAR #1 (of 7): Here it is finally. If anyone can do an epic event in the Marvel Universe that I want to read right now, it's Millar. I need seven issues of violent snark to get excited about some of these characters again.

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