Forward Thinking: Marvel Comics for July 2006

There's no peace in the Marvel Universe come July -- be the galaxy local or far, far away -- but that will never stop Tom Bondurant and I from scouting ahead for you on the front lines and delivering our quick hit reports to you on what lies ahead.

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ULTIMATE X-MEN #72

Tom: Wait, don't tell me – the Magician is really Magneto, right? Either that or Princess Projectra....

Brian: I'd put even money on it turning out to be Xorn if I Marvel had a sense of humor about these things. But being that I don't know that to be the case, I'm guessing Magneto as well. I miss Vaughn.

BLACK PANTHER #18

Tom: Two words for this cover: awk-ward...

Brian: I'm so happy Cap and Tony finally gathered up the courage to admit their true feelings to each other.

Tom: At least we resisted the obvious "Brokeblack Panther" joke.

CIVIL WAR #3 (OF 7)

Tom: I will buy any issue of Civil War that features a Judean People's Front/People's Front of Judea joke. Because I am that much of a nerd.

Brian: Assuming as I'm sure I may that this stroke of lighting will be bringing Thor back into the picture, this is a can't miss issue for me. And if Millar's screws up his return, I will hold it against him for the rest of my natural life.

BEYOND #1 (OF 6)

Tom: Is this Secret Wars 4 or 5?

Brian: First of all, how is this also going on amid CIVIL WAR and ANNIHILATION? Second, why is Spider-Man back in his reds and blues? Will this book answer either of these questions or even care? I doubt it.

Tom: It must take place the week after SEVEN SOLDIERS.

MARVEL ADVENTURES SPIDER-MAN #17

Tom: Kind of surprised to see PAD writing an Adventures story, although I'm sure it will be good.

Brian: Sounds fun. It will be good. I won't read it because I don't read the Adventures books. But I'm sure it will be fun and good if David's writing it.

NEXTWAVE: AGENTS OF H.A.T.E. CRAYON BUTCHERY VARIANT

Tom: I really, really like the idea of this book. There are worse things in life than coming home after a hard day at work and relaxing with some crayons and a fresh page of Nextwave.

Brian: I have to wonder if the book unleashes adverse reactions upon the reader who doesn't follow Ellis's instructions and uses magic marker.

MARVEL MASTERWORKS: CAPTAIN AMERICA VOL. 3

Tom: Kirby and Steranko! How can I resist?

Brian: Again, now in regards to the Masterworks, I don't buy them because they are $50 a pop and I want to buy nearly all of them. But that doesn't mean I wouldn't want to buy this Cap collection featuring the " incomparable trio of talents—Stan Lee, Jack Kirby and Jim Steranko."

AVENGERS ASSEMBLE VOL. 3 HC

Tom: I'm surprised this material hasn't been collected previously. I'm also pleasantly surprised it includes the very funny Roger Stern/Bruce Timm Avengers 1 1/2.

Brian: It's definitely a great package of stories. I'm going to wait in hopes of a softcover though.

BLACK PANTHER BY JACK KIRBY VOL. 2 TPB

Tom: I liked the first paperback a lot, and there's only one non-Kirby issue in this one, so it should be good.

THE THING: IDOL OF MILLIONS TPB

Tom: I'm a little freaked out that this reprints issues that haven't been published yet. Also, the regular Thing book doesn't seem to be on this month's schedule. Was all Slott's pleading for naught?

Brian: I react likewise. Did they forget edit this out of their release schedule, or was all the red alerting about THE THING's demise enough to save it?

CAPTAIN AMERICA: RED MENACE VOL. 1 TPB

Tom: As with the Thing paperback, here's a book reprinting issues I just read a few weeks ago, along with one that's not out yet.

Brian: I've been missing out on this story and am quite content to see that it's already slated for release, thus absolving me of the burden of tracking down back issues I know sold out at my local shop.

JACK KIRBY'S GALACTIC BOUNTY HUNTERS #1

Brian: This book sounds like enough fun to make me pick up a couple issues and possibly see it through to the 6th. Also, the Jack Kirby cover looks great. It makes me realize how no one draws good lurching poses anymore. Save maybe Rob Liefeld; but I don't think he usually draws them intentionally.

SHE-HULK #10

Brian: I can't get enough of these covers. Greg Horn did an amazing job. Really, this should be at the top of your list unless you absolutely hate humor and pretty colors.

ANNIHILATION: NOVA #4 (of 4)

Brian: This is so far my favorite of the Annihilation books. If you are unfamiliar with Nova or a long time fan, I recommend picking this up so long as the set up doesn't deflate over the next two issued.

ANNIHILATION: SUPER-SKRULL #4 (of 4)

Brian: Thank you for Marvel publicity for spoiling this mini for me up until its finale. Now I know which Annihilation book I don't have to read. This promo makes me think that all summaries on Marvel solicits should be made with all back story summarized like this month's solicit for NEXTWAVE: AGENTS OF H.A.T.E. #7.

NEXTWAVE: AGENTS OF H.A.T.E. #7

Brian: I wish I could recommend this book based on something more than word of mouth and my unwavering support of Warren Ellis. But it keep selling off the racks before I can pick it up.

Tom: I'm one of those people beating you to the racks every week, I guess. It's a very fun book, mostly attitude and action. The cynic in me wonders how long Ellis and Immonen can keep it up, but I don't see them running out of steam anytime soon.

NEW EXCALIBUR #9

Brian: I always liked Chamber a lot; so this story has my intentions solidly locked. Also, I like the story title.

UNCANNY X-MEN #475 & #476

Brian: Wow, there is more going on in that spread than I can possibly ever figure out. Deadly Genesis has been great, and this looks like a reason for me to finally take a step back into the X-books.

Tom: Brubaker would be the reason for me, since I have not read Deadly Genesis, nor any X-book since the end of Astonishing's Season 1. Honestly, it may come down to this book or a gallon of gas -- and this book may be cheaper....