Milo, aka “Bane of Kings”, runs down the Top Marvel Comics to look out for that are hitting shelves this month. 

With All New Marvel Now books being announced left right and centre we could find ourselves forgetting about the books that we already have hitting our shelves right now – this month in particular is very important to be following because not only does this look at the aftermath of Battle of the Atom – but also we see the wrap up of Infinity. However – we’re not done with events yet though – for Cataclsym, a brand new Ultimate Comics Event – kicks off this month that could see the end of the Ultimate Universe. One thing’s for sure – it’s certainly something to keep an eye on. Also – hitting shelves today is the brand new Amazing X-Men series from Jason Aaron – something that’s certainly worth a read if you’re a fan of Nightcrawler in particular. Aside from the first two weeks there is no guarentee that these will be the exact date of the release of these comics – I’m going by ComicList’s Extended Release Forecast so if you’re expecting a comic later this month it might be a good idea to double check with your local comic store or elsewhere online its exact release date. Now without further ado, let’s talk comics!

6 NOVEMBER

AMAZING X-MEN #1

Story: Jason Aaron | Art: Ed McGuinness | Price: $3.99

An AMAZING new era for the X-Men starts here! Ever since his Nightcrawler’s death in X-MEN MESSIAH COMPLEX, the X-Men have been without their heart and soul. After learning that their friend may not be gone after all, it’s up to WOLVERINE, STORM, BEAST, ICEMAN, NORTHSTAR and FIRESTAR to find and bring back the fan favorite fuzzy blue elf! Super star artist ED MCGUINNESS (HULK) joins master X-Writer JASON AARON (WOLVERINE AND THE X-MEN, X-MEN: SCHISM) to bring you the most exciting comic on the stands!

WHY? X-Men! Nightcrawler! Jason Aaron! Ed McGuinness! That should be enough to sell you on this book but regardless, the team line-up looks pretty awesome as well. Whilst there may be the obligatory inclusion of Wolverine, we also get a few other characters that I haven’t encountered before -Northstar and Firestar in particular, but I’m familiar with Storm, Beast and Iceman. It’ll be interesting to see whether or not this issue finds itself bogged down by the aftermath of Battle of the Atom though – but one thing’s for certain, we won’t have long to wait in order to find out as it hits shelves tomorrow.

CAPTAIN AMERICA #13

Story: Rick Remender | Art:  Nic Klein | Price: $3.99

LOOSE NUKE PART 3  The main event! Captain America vs Nuke with the lives of thousand, and a nation’s future, on the line.  The Iron Nail rises again! The first appearance of Captain America’s newest arch-nemesis is not to be missed! 

WHY? A consistently fun pulpy tale featuring Captain America himself, this series is one of my favourites at Marvel and I can’t wait to see how it delivers here. Remender is consistently brilliant and this current arc is no exception – this really is a must read series.

CATACLYSM: THE ULTIMATES LAST STAND #1 (of 5)

Story: Brian Michael Bendis | Art: Mark Bagley, Andrew Hennessy | Price: $3.99

THE BIGGEST ULTIMATE EVENT YET! MARVEL’S GALACTUS VS. THE ULTIMATES. AGE OF ULTRON ripped a hole into the Ultimate Universe. GALACTUS came through… Hungry.  Is this the last stand of the Ultimate heroes?

WHY? Whilst I haven’t ordered a copy of this from my LCS due to the fact that this is a pretty full week for me, and I still haven’t read Cataclysm yet – I’m still somewhat interested in seeing the last stand of the Ultimates in this mini-series – Certainly worth keeping an eye out for.

COLLECTIONS

HAWKEYE VOL. 1 HC

Story: Matt Fraction | Art: David Aja | Price: $34.99

The must-read, sleeper-hit book of 2012!

Clint Barton–a.k.a. the self-made hero Hawkeye, breakout star of the Avengers film, fights for justice. . .and good rooftop BBQs! And with Young Avenger Kate Bishop by his side, it’s double the Hawkeye and double the trouble as they battle Superstorm Sandy, digital doomsday, dog detectives, lady problems, murder for money, tracksuited killers and more!

It’s cars, guns and videotape as Matt Fraction and David Aja (IMMORTAL IRON FIST) reunite for this exciting, adventurous reinvention of the arrowed Avenger!

Plus: Relive Kate’s first meeting with Clint as she learns wanting something can be miles away from actually earning it. And most important, Pizza Dog gets his own story! Can he solve the grisly murder that shocked Team Hawkguy? Who knows! He’s a dog!

WHY? My favourite series at Marvel is getting a Hardcover collection that sees the reunion of Matt Fraction and David Aja. It’s certainly worth checking out if you’re one of the few that hasn’t read this book already, as Fraction and Aja are doing an incredible job on this series. Must-read stuff here.

13 NOVEMBER

ALL NEW X-MEN #18

Story: Brian Michael Bendis | Art: Stuart Immonen | Price: $3.99

The X-Men are shaken to the core by the Battle of the Atom. So much that we can’t show you the cover of ALL-NEW X-MEN #19! Kitty Pryde is particularly is shaken by the events of the X-Men crossover. With her students gone, what is Kitty to do?  

WHY? I won’t spoil the ending of Battle of the Atom here, but let’s just say that whilst I was not happy with Kitty Pryde’s decision in the last Epilogue – I remain open as it should project an interesting shakeup for the X-Books  in these coming months. Hopefully this series cannot linger on the aftermath of the X-Men’s latest event for long – and move onto something fresh. Also, hopefully this can give Bendis the chance to return All New X-Men to the quality that it was displaying in the first Volume that made this series a regular mainstray in my Top 5 before it was knocked off its perch by Brian Wood’s X-Men.

CATACLYSM: ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #1 (of 3)

Story: Brian Michael Bendis | Art: x | Price: $3.99

MILES MORALES learned the meaning of having great responsibility and put his costume back on after mourning the tragic death of his mother. Now he stands to lose his entire world as a cosmic threat descends on earth. Can SPIDER-MAN and his friends, CLOAK & DAGGER and SPIDER-WOMAN make a difference in the face of apocalypse?

WHY? I haven’t been keeping myself up to date with the Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man series having only read the first Volume of Miles Morales’ adventures. However, I think it’s easily the best work that I’ve seen Brian Michael Bendis produce from Marvel and whilst this mini-series, like The Ultimates Last Stand – isn’t on my list of confirmed books to read – I will certainly check it out when I can.

SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #21

Story: Dan Slott | Art: Giuseppe Camucoli, Humberto Ramos | Price: $3.99

Stunner is back and wants revenge for the only man she ever loved – Otto Octavius! How will she avenge him? By killing the Superior Spider-Man!     

WHY? This series is a consistently fun book and I look forward to each new issue. Dan Slott really knows how to work magic with this book and whilst some fans may still be wanting the return of Peter Parker, I for one am loving this series and would love to see this book breach at least the 50 issue mark. This is certainly an awesome series, regardless – and one that everyone should do their best to check out, especially as Volume 3 comes out the following week.

THOR: GOD OF THUNDER #15

Story: Jason Aaron | Art: Ron Garney | Price: $3.99

The hunt for Malekith the Accursed continues! Thor and his newfound compatriots in the League of Realms chase the Dark Elf marauder across the Nine Realms: From the exotic fairy gardens of Alfheim to the frozen mountains of Jotunheim, where giants dwell. But when one of the League falls…will it mean war for all Realms?    

WHY? This week is shaping up to be the most packed week of the month for me comics wise when you take into account all the DC and Independent books that I’ll be reading alongside the Marvel ones but Thor is a comic that I can never see myself dropping as long as Aaron keeps up the stellar form that he’s in, and even though Esad Ribic is no longer on artistic duties Ron Garney does a decent job as a replacement and I’m looking forward to seeing where this series goes. I’m still yet to see Thor: The Dark World though so it’ll be interesting to see how it unravels.

COLLECTIONS

X-MEN: LEGACY VOL. 3:  REVENANTS

Story: Simon Spurrier | Art: Tan Eng Haut, Mike Del Mundo | Price: $15.99

Legion travels to the UK to preemptively extinguish a threat to the reignited mutant race – but Pete Wisdom, head of Britain’s paranormal intelligence agency, won’t stand for crimes in the name of mutantkind on his turf! Who will win this game of superhuman spy vs. spy?

Then: Legion meets with his mother, Gabrielle Haller, to sort out their complicated relationship once and for all! How will this visit affect the monsters that haunt David’s mind? Should some old memories remain buried?

Finally, David and Blindfold confront the man who killed his father, Professor X–but Cyclops won’t take their attack lying down! Can the son Xavier neglected and the man he adopted as his protégé find common ground? Or does the river of resentment between these two “brothers” run too deep?

WHY? I’ve only read #1 of X-Men: Legacy and this Collection totally earned my attention mainly due to the inclusion of Britain’s Paranormal Intelligence Agency and the fact that Legion is in the UK. Being UK based myself, I’ll read anything that the big two publishers set here – one of the main reasons why I’m so excited for Revolutionary War in January Next Year, and why I’m interested in this book. It certainly looks interesting and people whose opinions I trust on Twitter have been saying good things about it so I just may have to take the plunge and catch up on the previous two volumes before delving into this.

20 NOVEMBER

AVENGERS #23

Story: Jonathan Hickman | Art: Leinil Francis Yu | Price:$3.99

    INFINITY TIE-IN – ‘AVENGERS UNIVERSE: VI’ The Avengers versus the Black Order. The battle for Earth moves planetside. Thanos takes center stage.    

WHY? Infinity has been excellent so far and all its tie-ins have been impressing just as well – or at least, the Avengers books that I’ve read as I’ve only read one New Avengers tie-in. Jonathan Hickman is a stellar author and each cover looks jaw-dropping, so this is going to be a must read for me.

CATACLSYM: THE ULTIMATES #1 (of 3)

Story: Joshua Hale Fialkov | Art: Carmine Di Giandomendico | Price: $3.99

NICK FURY has defied the odds all his life and is no stranger to extinction level events o It’s time to save the world again…at any cost! 

WHY? Nick Fury! This looks set to be focused on Nick Fury as part of the Cataclsym event judging from this solicit and I’m totally up for that – it’ll be interesting to see how everything unfolds.

SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #1

Story: Christos N. Gage | Art: Javier Rodriguez | Price: $4.99

This ain’t no regular Annual, buck-o! This one counts!

BLACKOUT is back, and he wants to re-establish his reputation by killing the toughest guy in town… Spider-Man!

He plans to force Peter Parker Spidey into a trap. Blackout’s leverage? Aunt May!

The world will never look at Superior Spider-Man the same after this. BE THERE!   

WHY? More Superior Spider-Man per month is always awesome and an Annual will be great especially as it’s technically my second Marvel Annual since Hawkeye Annual #1. One interesting thing that this issue states is that this one “Counts” towards the main plot rather than Annuals in the past, which have – from DC Comics at least, not contributed to the main storyline. But it’ll be interesting to see how it unfolds.

UNCANNY X-MEN #14

Story: Brian Michael Bendis | Art: Chris Bachalo | Price: $3.99

The effects of X-MEN: BATTLE OF THE ATOM are felt!

Magneto goes off on personal mission that sets him at odds with much of the X-Men and Marvel Universe.

The new Xavier School has changed, but how?   

WHY? This is pretty  much the same thing to be said here as what has already been said in All New X-Men. Out of the two I’m probably enjoying this series just a bit less but it’ll be interesting to see how Bendis handles the aftermath from Battle of the Atom – but hopefully he won’t linger on this for too long.

X-MEN #7

Story: Brian Wood | Art: David Lopez | Price: $3.99

The six-part ‘Muertas’ arc kicks off with the return of Lady Deathstrike!  Can a new Sisterhood be far behind? Meanwhile, the X-Men regroup following the Battle of the Atom – and a new member joins the team!       

WHY? Currently my favourite X-Book, X-Men #7 sees the start of the longest arc yet in the series featuring Lady Deathstrike, a character who I’ve never encountered before but could pose an interesting opponent to the main team. We’ll certainly see how this goes though.

YOUNG AVENGERS #12

Story: Kieron Gillen | Art: Jamie McKelvie | Price: $2.99

The Young Avengers versus ‘The Young Avengers’. The stakes? What have you got? Loki’s scheme reaches its final twist. Expect the team’s jaws to just hit the floor and lie there, twitching for the rest of the comic. A tempting offer for Noh-Varr may get an arrow through his head. Other romance based drama too, as kissing is the new planetary extinction event.       

WHY? Young Avengers, like X-Men above, fits in my Top 5 current favourite Marvel Comics. I’m loving what Kieron Gillen brings to the table each issue and I’ll be interested to see how Loki’s scheme plays out. Certainly count me in for it.

COLLECTIONS

SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN VOL. 3: NO ESCAPE

Story: Dan Slott | Giuseppe Camuncoli, Humberto Ramos | Price: $17.99

The Spider-Slayer is scheduled for execution, and Mayor J. Jonah Jameson has called in the one man he can trust to oversee everything: the Superior Spider-Man! But when the Raft goes into complete shutdown, Spidey, Jonah, Glory and Norah are trapped inside with practically all the villains the Superior Spider-Man has brutalized during his short career! Now it’s time for payback!

Then: The Superior Spider-Man takes down Shadowland. All of it. To the ground. And what’s it like to be a villain once the Superior Spider-Man sets his sights on you? Find out from Phil Urich’s point of view in what might be the final days of the Hobgoblin.

Plus: Who’s been helping the Tinkerer? And how is he, of all people, the reason everything in Spider-Man’s life will be changed forever?

WHY? Superior Spider-Man is a consistently fun series and I’ve loved the events that have unfolded in this Volume, and hopefully – those of you who have enjoyed the first two and are tradewaiting will find something to love here – this is just as awesome as what has happened before.

27 NOVEMBER

ALL NEW X-MEN #19

Story: Brian Michael Bendis | Art: Brandon Peterson | Price: $3.99

Marvel is pleased to present your very first look at All-New X-Men #19, from the blockbuster creative team of Brian Michael Bendis and Brandon Peterson! The fallout from the events of the critically acclaimed Battle of the Atom crossover have shaken the X-Men to their very core – but there’s no time to rest now! The mutant-hunting Purifiers are back, out to exterminate a mysterious mutant girl! Who is this mystery mutant, and what is her connection to the All-New X-Men? The answer may surprise you! Don’t miss the start of an all-new era for the All-New X-Men this November in All-New X-Men #19!

WHY? I couldn’t find the main cover for All New X-Men #19 so I had to go with the Agents of SHIELD version, but things are looking interesting indeed. Whilst there’s no Stuart Immonen on artistic duties hopefully Peterson can impress as he and Bendis will hopefully propel the All New X-Men back into the Top 5 list of my favourite Marvel series.

CATACLYSM: ULTIMATE X-MEN #1 (of 3)

Story: Joshua Hale Fialkov | Art: Alvaro Martinez | Price: $3.99

The mutants just survived a war between themselves that almost destroyed both sides! As GALACTUS threatens to eat the world, a secret weapon is put in place to stop him. But will it be the thing that finally wipes all of mutant kind out of existence?

WHY? Pretty much the same for all of the Cataclysm mini-series, only with added X-Men. I’ll be interested to see how this plays out.

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #9

Story: Brian Michael Bendis | Art: Francesco Francavilla | Price: $3.99

INFINITY TIE-IN The Infinity adventure continues as Thanos’s rise might lead to the Guardians’ fall.

WHY? Guardians of the Galaxy is a very fun series and now with the possible continued addition of Angela on the Guardians team this allows for an interesting and fresh dynamic. Looking forward to more, and it’ll be interesting to see how this ties into Infinity. This is the best Bendis-written series from Marvel right now – and with an added bonus of Francesco Francavilla on the art, what more could you want?

HAWKEYE #14

Story: Matt Fraction | Art: Annie Wu | Price: $2.99

THAT THING THAT HAPPENED TO KATE IN THE ANNUAL IS TOTALLY FOLLOWED UP ON!

This one has it all! Characters! Plot! Story! Dialogue! Theme! Meaning! Message! Action! A little exposition! Fire! Arrows! Criminals! Neighbors! Large bodies of water! Clients! Cops who don’t care! A system that victimizes the victims! The dog!

In a broken town where cynicism and apathy has its claws around the throat of the good and decent, LADY HAWKEYE is the only hero you can trust! 

WHY? Lady Hawkeye, Kate Bishop – has become one of my favourite Marvel Female Characters over the course of this series, and after the events that played out in the Annual this’ll be certainly fun to see how this thread develops. Looking forward to it!

INFINITY #6 (of 6)

Story: Jonathan Hickman | Art: Jim Cheung | Price: $5.99

All roads lead to this!  The over-sized conclusion of the Marvel Summer event! The heroes of Earth versus the forces of Thanos!    

WHY?  And we reach an end of Infinity at last. I can’t wait to see this draw to a conclusion as on a whole, I’ve enjoyed it a lot more than I have Battle of the Atom. Can’t wait!

SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #22

Story: Dan Slott | Art: Humberto Ramos | Price: $3.99

 The first issue in THE DARKEST HOUR – the Spider-Event of the year! Flash Thompson, the Secret Avenger known as Venom, is back in town for his first run-in with the Superior Spider-Man! Will their first encounter be friendly, or will Flash sense something perilous about Peter Parker’s presence?       

WHY? Three Superior Spidey comics in one month? Awesome! Count me in for this.

COLLECTIONS

GAMBIT VOL. 3: KING OF THIEVES

Story: James Asmus | Art: Diogenes Neves | Price: $15.99

Gambit is once again the premier thief in the Marvel Universe. But when you’re at the top, there’s nowhere to go but down! Pete Wisdom, unable to go to MI13 for help, calls in a favor and asks Gambit to recover a stolen enchanted artifact. To save those dear to him, Gambit must attempt the impossible – and he’ll need all his skills to succeed! Then: Who is Gambit’s friend Fence? How did they meet? And what secrets is he hiding? Torn between being a mutant hero and master thief, Gambit is forced to make a choice between the two, with major consequences either way! But he’d better choose fast when he finds himself trapped at the center of a deadly super-villain riot – because a few of them have scores to settle with Gambit himself! Collecting GAMBIT (2012) #13-17.       

WHY? Like I mentioned with the Legion trade, Gambit sees the character interact with Pete Wisdom and any Marvel UK-centric threads I’m certainly down for. Whilst this series has been cancelled and the character looking set to join the cast of All New X-Factor in January – now might be the perfect time to jump into this series and catch up on the previous three Volumes.