Since all my nerd friends are asking me the same questions, I’m going to post what I know here on the blog. Marvel NOW is a creative re-shuffle taking place after Avengers vs. X-Men. It is NOT a reboot. It is NOT the New 52. Yes, many books will have new #1's, but the history is intact. It seems a whole bunch of Marvel creators were wrapping up runs at the same time, so Marvel is making this a big jumping-on event.
Marvel claims they will not be raising prices for this, but many of the titles involved are already at $3.99 now, of course, that includes the digital download code (instant trade program, I say).
A lot of books will be continuing without changes or reshuffles, that includes successful titles like Secret Avengers and Daredevil, or new launches like Captain Marvel and Hawkeye. Some books will be rebranded with the numbering intact, for example, (Red) Hulk will be re-titled as Red She-Hulk.
Here are a few of the creative teams we know about so far. (I'll update as new interviews come out.)
Uncanny Avengers by Rick Remender and John Cassaday. This is the launch book for the line, a combination team of Avengers and X-Men. The cover features Thor, Cap, Wolverine, Scarlet Witch, Rogue, and Havok. And they are fighting the Red Skull after he travels to the present from WWII to destroy mutants! I’m in!
Thor: God of Thunder by Jason Aaron and Esad Ribic. This looks like a winner too, with Aaron telling stories in three different eras of Thor’s life. In the past as a Viking god, in the present as an Avenger, and in the future as king of a decaying Asgard. Again, sold!
All-New X-Men by Bendis and Stuart Immonen features the original five X-Men arriving in the present of the Marvel U.
Avengers by Jonathan Hickman with various artists. It sounds like this is going to be a big cast, with up to 18 folks on the Avengers at once. I’m expecting the movie crew, plus Black Panther after Hickman powered him up in Fantastic Four recently. I’ve also heard rumors about Shang Chi, the Master of Kun-Fu. I do hope this is more Fantastic Four Hickman than Secret Avengers Hickman. But I'm in.
Indestructible Hulk by Mark Waid and Leinil Yu. Well, Waid says he's following the formula he used with Daredevil. More heroic lead, new villains like Attuma, Psycho-Man, and more. So how could we possibly pass this up?
Indestructible Hulk by Mark Waid and Leinil Yu. Well, Waid says he's following the formula he used with Daredevil. More heroic lead, new villains like Attuma, Psycho-Man, and more. So how could we possibly pass this up?
Captain America by Rick Remender and John Romita Jr. Easy sell, I'm in.
New Avengers by Jonathan Hickman with various artists. Most likely a "yes" for me.
Fantastic Four by Matt Fraction and Mark Bagley. I love Bagley's FF. Sold.
FF by Matt Fraction and Mike Allred. That’s a bit of guess work, the promos haven’t confirmed this title will be FF, but the creative team is a lock. I buy all Allred's mainstream work. Sold.
X-Men Legacy by Simon Spurrier and Tan Eng Huat. This looks like a relaunch of X-Men Legacy, but not one is positive right now. This will probably be a pass for me.
Deadpool by comedians Brian Posehn and Gerry Dugan, with art by Walking Dead’s Tony Moore. This one could have crossover appeal. I'm undecided, leaning "no." I'm a bit Deadpool'ed out.
I’m taking the opportunity to jump back in to Marvel’s books full-time. My pull-list hasn’t looked like this since I was 13.
5 comments:
Sounds exciting. Do you think this signifies a change from their event-to-event storytelling? Or is this just the next iteration?
A few of the creators have stated they are doing more done-in-one adventures. Iron Man in particular sounds like self-contained stories with different combinations of his modular new armor.
DC said they were going to sit out the event-to-event style thing (and they have for about a year, having revisited Watchmen to get them through) but if the competition is rolling in it with their events, Marvel can't be far behind.
I'm using this as a jump-off point. My budget can't sustain the double-shipped, $4 habit they want to make comic reading into.
Shame. Some of this sounds fun. Maybe the library is where it's at now?
Thank goodness Hickman is off Fantastic Four. I know a lot of people like his run, but I found it boring, to be honest. Hope Fraction does a good job, he's more at home with street-level characters but I'm willing to give him a chance.
I'm right with you on the $3.99 books, EXCEPT that I can justify it when I get a digital copy. I read most of my books on my tablet now, so I like that extra value.
Reno... you're right. It got real boring. (Although the recent Black Panther arc was intriguing.)
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