Milo, aka “Bane of Kings”, runs down the Top Marvel Comics hitting December 2013.

The month before the beginning of All New Marvel  Now! sees some pretty awesome books in store for Marvel. The Quest for Nightcrawler continues, Inhumanity ripples out throughout the Marvel Universe and Superior Spider-Man battles Venom! Should be a fun month for Marvel fans so this will be very interesting to see what happens indeed. I’ve actually read Inhumanity #1, Superior Spider-Man #23 and Young Avengers #13 already – and can say that they’re all pretty solid reads. Now though – here’s my list of the books that I should be picking up digitally or in print this month. Looks like a cracker.

DECEMBER 4

Amazing X-Men #2

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

The X-Men, on the search for Nightcrawler, find themselves separated!

Wolverine and Northstar are mysteriously in . . . heaven?!

But where does that leave the rest of the team?

Why is this on the list: Whilst this shouldn’t really be a new book it’s still a pretty cool one with Jason Aaron impressing on the first issue. I didn’t manage to pick up this issue this week but have it reserved for next time around so it should be fairly interesting – McGuinness is an impressive artist and more Nightcrawler is always awesome so this will be one book that I’m going to be looking forward to getting my hands on.

Avengers Annual 2013 #1

Story: Kathryn Immonen | Art: David Fuente | Cover: David Fuente | Price: $4.99

It’s Christmas Eve in Avengers Tower. Everybody’s got somewhere better to be and Cap’s all alone on Tower-sitting duty. Or is he?

Outside all is calm, all is quiet, but inside it’s an avalanche of mayhem as an intruder turns the Avengers’ own tower against them!

And introducing Zamira! She’s Meryl Streep with a vengeance! Or maybe just a hormonal teenager . . . WITH OUT OF CONTROL SUPER POWERS! 

Why this is on my list: Infinity has ended and Kathryn Immonen takes over writing duties for the first Avengers Annual since the beginning of Marvel Now. After all the grimdarkness of Infinity this should be a fun annual that I’ll be looking to try and get a digital copy of – so it should be quite entertaining indeed.

Cataclysm: The Ultimates Last Stand #2 (of 5)

Story: Brian Michael Bendis | Art: Mark Bagley | Cover: Mark Bagley | Price: $3.99

The ULTIMATES discover where GALACTUS has come from If they send the WORLD DESTROYER back to where he came from all that will do is create more destruction and havoc!  MILES MORALES is headed to the Marvel Universe.

Why this is on my list: I enjoyed last issue and Brian Michael Bendis should be able to deliver the second issue of Cataclsym: The Ultimates Last Stand. Miles Morales is heading to the mainstream Marvel Universe from the looks of things in what looks set to be a pretty awesome issue -I can’t wait to see how Miles adapts to the new universe, especially in a world where Peter Parker is still living and breathing – and actually none other than Doc Ock himself! Now that could be an interesting conflict if Miles was allowed to appear in Superior Spider-Man at any point – so I’m certainly down for that.

Guardians of the Galaxy #9

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

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

Why this is on my list: My favourite ongoing by Brian Michael Bendis at the moment and with some stellar artwork by Francesco Francavilla – this series should be very awesome indeed. What seems to be unique about this book is that it still seems to be tying into Infinity even though it wrapped up last month – should be interesting to see how it plays out then.

Inhumanity #1 (of 1)

Story: Matt Fraction | Art: Olivier Copiel | Cover: Olivier Copiel | Price: $3.99

After INFINITY, the Marvel Universe has changed.

The Avengers find themselves face to face with Karnak who has discovered the secret of the Inhumans that will shake the Marvel U to its core.

Why this is on my list: Matt Fraction is a kickass writer of Hawkeye right now and Inhumanity #1 was superb. I’ve read this issue earlier today and really enjoyed what I saw – it’s a great one shot and now has me on board for Inhuman - his new series coming Spring next year, so it should be quite fun indeed.

Superior Spider-Man #23

Story: Dan Slott, Christos Gage | Art: Humberto Ramos | Cover: Humberto Ramos | Price: $3.99

DARKEST HOURS Part 2 of 4: “Complications”

As Otto Octavius takes another big step in his life as Peter Parker . . . could a big part of Flash Thompson’s life be coming to a close? Will he be . . . VENOM NO MORE?!

More with MJ! More with Carlie! More with the Green Goblin! And, after half a century, one of the most cringe-worthy moments in ALL of Spidey-history! You do NOT want to miss this one!

Why is this on my list: Just in case you thought Marvel forgot about Superior Spidey in a month with multiple Amazing Spider-Man books – think again. The Darkest Hours storyline continues in full force and whilst I’m not a huge fan of Humberto Ramos’ art, Slott and Gage are knocking it out of the park on this book and this issue is no exception. Can’t wait for more.

Young Avengers #13

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

This periodical plans to include an above-industry average amount and standard of drama, conflict (both internal and external), action set-pieces.

It will include 20 pages of comic art. It prominently features heroic attempts to save the world and kissing.

“The best comic I’ve ever written. Called Young Avengers #13.” – Kieron Gillen. 

Why is this on my list? The best issue of Young Avengers yet really impresses and like a few titles above I’ve already read them. It lives up to the hype from Gillen and in short, it’s a kickass read – and I’ll be really sad to see this title end later this year. It’s been a great read regardless, though. Worth going back and reading all 13 issues of this one.

DECEMBER 11

Captain America #14

Story: Rick Remender | Art: Carlos Pacheo | Cover: Carlos Pacheo | Price: $3.99

LOOSE NUKE PART 4.

Falcon and Captain America in the fight of their lives!

The Iron Nail’s revenge takes form.

No more greed. No more pollution. No more you. No more me. From here out there is only us! What is Nuke’s true mission?

What does it have to do with the Weapon Minus program? 

Why is this on my list? Captain America is superb pulpy fun and I can’t wait for more. Great stuff, this. Recommended.

Uncanny X-Men #15.INH

Story: Brian Michael Bendis | Art: Kris Anka | Cover: Kris Anka | Price: $3.99

INHUMANITY TIE-IN!

The ladies of the Uncanny X-Men go out on the town and find themselves face-to-face with the effects of INHUMANITY.

Wait, is that Kitty Pryde with the Uncanny X-Men?!?!

Rising star KRIS ANKA (covers of UNCANNY X-FORCE, ALL-NEW X-MEN SPECIAL) comes in as guest artist for this special issue!

Why is this on my list? An Inhumanity tie in should be quite fun indeed. At the moment it’s the better of the two X-Men books written by Bendis so this should be quite fun to read. Looking forward to it.

DECEMBER 18

All New X-Men #20

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

The fallout of X-MEN: BATTLE OF THE ATOM continues!

X-23 is back and kissing . . . WHO IS THE MYSTERY MAN??! 

Why is this on my list? The weaker of the two X-Men Bendis-written books on my list, but still very much entertaining – I’ll be looking forward to seeing how this plays out.

Daredevil #34

Story: Mark Waid | Art: Chris Samnee | Cover: Chris Samnee | Price: $2.99

Daredevil’s become New York’s most dangerous man–the self-appointed prosecutor of the Sons of the Serpent, the secret clan who owns and operates the city’s justice system!

The odds are against DD–and that’s just how he likes it! 

Why is this on my list? Daredevil is my favourite Marvel series at the moment and is a must read as far as I’m concerned. Great stuff from Mark Waid here.

Superior Spider-Man #24

Story: Dan Slott, Christos Gage | Art: Humberto Ramos | Cover: Humberto Ramos | Price: $3.99

DARKEST HOURS Part 3 of 4: “Complications”

The birth of a new Goblin! The return of Cardiac! MJ’s greatest fear!

And the one question everyone will be asking: “Who is THE SUPERIOR VENOM?!”

Good luck, Superior Spider-Man! You’re gonna need it! 

Why is this on my list? Can’t wait for more Darkest Hours following the conclusion of #23. Should be pretty good indeed.

Thor: God of Thunder #16

Story: Jason Aaron | Art: Ron Garney | Cover: Esad Ribic | Price: $3.99

The penultimate chapter of THE ACCURSED!

Death comes to in the mountains of Jotunheim . . .

. . . and there is a traitor among Thor’s newly formed League of Realms!

As Thor prepares to execute one of his own comrades, Malekith stages his final bloody raid . . . on Earth. 

Why is this on my list? I’m starting to slowly lose faith in this series and whilst Jason Aaron is telling a decent storyline it’s mainly Ron Garney’s fault – his artwork has been below par and not as great as Ribic’s which is a real shame. But I’m looking forward to it nonetheless.

X-Men #8

Story: Brian Wood | Art: Terry Dodson | Cover: Terry Dodson | Price: $3.99

Part 2 of MUERTAS

Lady Deathstrike discovers the identity of a foe the X-Men thought they had beaten, and will stop at nothing to track it down!

Without her tech, Karima struggles to remember who she was.

And introducing . . . Monet! 

Why this is on my list: More fun female X-Men. I wasn’t too impressed by the last issue but hopefully my current favourite X-Men book can do enough to keep it as my favourite X-Men book. Looking forward to seeing how this plays out.

Young Avengers #14

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

RESOLUTION (1 of 2)

We gather in a night club, and have a string of connected and overlapping stories starring our cast. It’s a completely and unprecedented approach to a story in comics history. There are no parallels. We refuse to accept it.

Team Young Avengers are joined by an all-start cast of some people we really like. Each individual section gets one individual artist. It’s a metaphor, probably.

It’s been one hell of a year. In two episodes, one before and one after the new year, the Young Avengers get resolution. You guys do as well.

Why is this on my list? Double shipping Young Avengers. Yeah. I’m totally down for this.

24 DECEMBER

Avengers #24.NOW

Story: Jonathan Hickman | Art: Esad Ribic | Cover: Esad Ribic | Price: $3.99

“ROGUE PLANET” Part 1 of 5

Captain America and Iron Man plan for the next version of the Avengers. A runaway planet is on a collision course with Earth. A visitor from the future helps save the day.

Avengers #24.NOW = Avengers #1 IN ALL-NEW MARVEL NOW! 

Why is this on my list? Rogue Planet? Esad Ribic? Jonathan Hickman? New Jumping on point for readers? Sign me up. Should be a great read.