X-Men: Before the Fall – Heralds of Apocalypse #1
(W) Al Ewing (A) Luca Pizzari (CA) Pepe Larraz
Rated T+
In Shops: Jun 28, 2023
SRP: $4.99
THE ORIGIN OF ARAKKO! In ancient days, Genesis turned back the hordes of Amenth. In ancient days, Genesis forced Annihilationin to a parley. What words were spoken in her mind? Now, finally, Apocalypse will know and the echoes of those words might destroy him and Arakko with him.
Murderworld: Moon Knight #1
(W) Jim Zub, Ray Fawkes (A) Luca Pizzari (CA) Paco Medina
Rated T+
In Shops: Feb 15, 2023
SRP: $3.99
Under the harsh light of the moon there is no escape, and with only a handful of contestants left, anything can happen! Murderworld is a life-or-death game of treachery and tragedy brought to you by Jim Zub (Conan the Barbarian, Avengers: No Surrender), Ray Fawkes (One Soul, Constantine) and, illustrated by Luca Pizzari! Arcade and his schemes have been a punchline in the past, but this contest is no joke. Each issue ups the ante, and this penultimate chapter has some of the biggest twists yet. Don’t miss it!
Mutantkind’s next evolution is on the horizon. “Fall of X” will be an overarching storyline impacting every X-Men title and the Marvel Universe as we know it. “Fall of X” represents a crucial chapter of the Krakoa era, which began in Jonathan Hickman’s seminal House of X and Powers of X. The current age of X-Men has been so revolutionary that the question on every fan’s mind has been, “Can Krakoa last forever?” “Fall of X” will answer that question and many more but first, four key one-shots will set the stage for what’s to come. Starting in May, these Before the Fall titles will tie up long-simmering plotlines, reintroduce major players, and put all the pieces in place for the dramatic events of the third annual Hellfire Gala. In addition to being the official start of “Fall of X”, this year’s Hellfire Gala will also reveal the outcome of this year’s X-Men Vote, which fans can participate in starting tomorrow.
Witness a battle between two titans of the X-Universe in X-Men: Before the Fall – Sons of X #1, written by Si Spurrier and drawn by Phil Noto. A man of innumerable personalities and powers vs. the most powerful artificial intelligence in this universe: Legion vs. Nimrod! With Nightcrawler in Orchis’ clutches, David Haller and his allies will have to confront the mastermind who destroyed Warlock and nearly took Krakoa with him. But Nightcrawler is not himself… and Legion’s allies aren’t all they seem to be either.
It’s the long-awaited return of Apocalypse in X-Men: Before the Fall – Heralds of Apocalypse #1, written by Al Ewing and drawn by Luca Pizzari. Not seen since the shocking ending of X of Swords, Apocalypse and his family have battled for survival in the harsh land of Amenth. Do they rule over this twisted world or do its demonic inhabitants rule them? And how has Apocalypse felt about the choices the Quiet Council has made in his absence? Featuring a cover by Pepe Larraz.
It’s a mutant mystery for the ages in X-Men: Before the Fall – Mutant First Strike #1, written by Steve Orlando and drawn by Valentina Pinti. A deadly mutant attacks an innocent small town but nothing is what it seems. Jean Grey, Cyclops, and Bishop are tasked with a routine mission but as they dig deeper, they uncover a hidden truth that will send shockwaves through mutantkind. It features a cover by David Baldeón.
And four Sinisters plot their next move in X-Men: Before the Fall – Sinister Four #1, written by Kieron Gillen and drawn by Paco Medina. In the aftermath of Sins of Sinister, all four Sinisters have been unmasked. They’ve gotten a taste of universal control but their true plans for mutantkind are just beginning… With a cover by Lucas Werneck.
Check out all four covers now!
On November 16, Jim Zub and Ray Fawkes put the “murder” back in MURDERWORLD! Teaming up with an exciting lineup of all-star artists, the two writers have penned a pulse-pounding epic that begins later this month in Murderworld: Avengers #1 and comes to a crashing end in March’s Murderworld: Game Over #1! Across five one-shots, readers will witness Arcade at his darkest as he unleashes the full terror of Murderworld on an all-new cast of characters.
Two hundred contestants. One hundred million dollar prize. One winner. And to survive, they’ll have to endure a series of brutal tests in Arcade’s brand-new Murderworld. Arcade’s circus-style contests have been a punchline in the past, but this game is no joke and the body count will rise with each twist and turn. Has Arcade finally found success? Enter Paul Pastor, the extraordinary young documentarian who hopes to expose it all but he can’t do it alone. Luckily, the Black Widow has a personal grudge to settle with the Murderworld mastermind – but how many will die before she can put a stop to this wildly violent scheme??
Zub and Fawkes murderous vision is being brought to pages by Jethro Morales, Farid Karami, Carlos Nieto, Luca Pizzari, Netho Diaz, and more. Each issue features covers by Paco Medina.
Step right up to the deadliest game in the Marvel Universe when Murderworld: Avengers #1 hits stands on November 16!
A new bounty hunter character will be making their first appearance on July 21st in Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters – Jabba the Hutt #1. Created by writer Justina Ireland and artist Iban Coello, Deva Lompop will be recruited by Jabba the Hutt to succeed where Boba Fett has failed and bring him Han Solo! Equipped with an array of unique weaponry and sporting a killer design, Deva is set to have a major impact on the action-packed crossover and will appear in all four upcoming War of the Bounty Hunters one-shots.
And while Deva may be new to fans, she’s been causing trouble in the Star Wars galaxy for a very long time. A member of the alien species known as the Shani, Deva’s long lifespan has allowed her to operate in the underworld since the High Republic era, and readers can expect to see her in works set during that time in the near future!
Don’t miss the debut of Deva when Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters – Jabba the Hutt #1 hits stands on July 21st! Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters – Jabba the Hutt #1 is written by Justina Ireland with art by Luca Pizzari and Ibraim Roberson, colors by Giada Marchisio and Edgar Delgado. It has variant covers by Iban Coello with colors by Jesus Aburtov and Bernard Chang.
Throughout the week a series of teasers spotlighting the major players of the highly-anticipated Marvel crossover, Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters have been revealed! Drawn by artist Giuseppe Camuncoli, these headshot images will also serve as variant covers for upcoming tie-in issues of the event that will see Darth Vader, Princess Leia, Doctor Aphra, Boba Fett, the galaxy’s deadliest bounty hunters, and more on a collision course for the greatest prize of all: Han Solo! The final teaser was unveiled today and revealed that Jabba the Hutt, the infamous Tatooine crime lord, will also be joining the hunt in a special one-shot.
Jabba the Hutt is one of the most powerful and ruthless gangsters in the galaxy—and Boba Fett, his most trusted bounty hunter, has failed him. How will Jabba deal with betrayal and what does this have to do with a bounty hunter with ties to the High Republic? Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters — Jabba the Hutt #1 by writer Justina Ireland and artist Luca Pizzari will be the first of four action-packed “War of the Bounty Hunters” one-shot tie-ins about the criminal underworld’s most notorious hunters and scoundrels, all told by the best Star Wars writers and illustrators in the galaxy.
Check out all six teasers and the main cover for Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters — Jabba the Hutt #1 by Mahmud Asrar. And don’t miss the start of this pulse-pounding epic when War of the Bounty Hunters Alpha #1 by Charles Soule and Steve McNiven hits stands on May 5th!
On Sale in July!
The expansive tapestry that makes up the world of Heroes Reborn continues to be revealed! Jason Aaron and Ed McGuiness’ incredible new take on the Marvel Universe where the Avengers never assembled and the Squadron Supreme took their place as Earth’s Mightiest Heroes starts in May. But that’s only the beginning. On sale in June, this unpredictable story marches to its startling climax in Heroes Reborn #5-7 as the history and future of this new world is unveiled. The issues feature covers by Leinil Francis Yu.
In Heroes Reborn #5, witness a riot at the Ravencroft Asylum! Nighthawk must descend alone into a realm of madness, surrounded by the most deranged members of his notorious rogues’ gallery, including his archenemy, the maniacal Goblin. Featuring additional art by R.M. Guera.
Heroes Reborn #6 will turn the spotlight on the fabled daughter of Utopia Isle known as Power Princess. She’s defeated the All-Gog, Gorr the God Butcher and the King in Black, but now she must venture into the ruins of Asgard, where something unexplained is stirring in the graveyard of the gods. It features additional art by Erica D’Urso.
And the matchup you’ve been waiting for arrives in Heroes Reborn #7! Together they ended the Kree/Skrull war, defeated Dr. Doom in his Secret War, and even endured their own civil war between Hyperion and Nighthawk, but now the Squadron Supreme of America faces their greatest challenge yet: a mysterious new group of troublemakers called the Avengers. Aaron Kuder provides additional art.
June will also bring a series of new Heroes Reborn one-shots from all-star creative teams!
This is the Squadron’s world, and the age of vigilantes is over. Police Commissioner Luke Cage has one job: Find the scum and eliminate them – before ambition takes them beyond the city streets. Backed by the Squadron Supreme, Commissioner Cage takes care of criminals who’ve escaped justice in Heroes Reborn: American Knights by writer Paul Grist and artist Christopher Allen. Chris Sprouse provides the cover.
Meet Nightbird in Heroes Reborn: Night-Gwen by writer Vita Ayala and artist Farid Karami. By day, Dr. Gwendolyn Stacy is Ravencroft Asylum’s leading psychiatrist. But by night, she dons the guise of the vigilante known as Nightbird! But how did this happen? Why did this happen? And what does Kyle Richmond, the Nighthawk, have to do with it? It features a cover by David Nakayama.
Writer Tim Seeley and artist Dan Jurgens bring you a tale from the Squadron’s past in Heroes Reborn: Marvel Double Action! Years ago, Nighthawk and his trusted partner, the Falcon, patrolled the streets of Washington, DC, from the vile criminals that lurked in the dark. But that all changed one fateful night… Re-presenting for the first time ever: the Night Sam Wilson Died! With a cover by Dave Johnson.
Elektra leads a team of the world’s deadliest heroes and villains in Heroes Reborn: Squadron Savage written by Ethan Sacks and drawn by Luca Pizzari! There are some threats that require a more savage approach than the Squadron Supreme of America can offer. For those missions, the Department of Defense has put together a team consisting of Elektra, the Punisher, Crossbones, Cloak and the enigmatic new character, Murder Hornet. The cover is by Stephen Segovia.
Finally, the Squadron Supreme protects and defends the interests of America but where does that leave a country like Canada? Who will stand up and protect them from the supremacy of the Squadron? Meet Weapon X & Final Flight by Ed Brisson and artist Roland Boschi. They’re the best there is at what they do! Featuring a cover by Tony Daniel.
See all the covers now and stay tuned for even more exciting Heroes Reborn news coming your way, including the reveal of the epic double-sized finale issue!
Conan the Barbarian #18
(W) Jim Zub (A) Luca Pizzari (CA) E.M Gist
Parental Advisory
In Shops: Jan 27, 2021
SRP: $3.99
CONAN UNLEASHED!
• The Tooth of the Nightstar has warped Conan’s perception of reality, driving him to berserker madness he can’t control!
• But who will fall to his deadly blade, and how will this alter this quest for Khitai?
• You’ve never seen CONAN like this!
The first season of the epic Right Stuff on Disney+ is more than good television. The show gives us a behind the scenes look at some iconic figures, astronauts. Hearing these names growing up, and especially in school, we tend to give them a reverence that makes them infallible. The series shows them as very much human. It also showed what made them so heroic, embracing that indomitable spirit that we all aspire to. ROM: Dire Wraiths uses those iconic space explorers for a new twist on history.
Going into space seems so farfetched for so many of us that we often tether it to science fiction stories. We often think about aliens and unidentified flying objects. This is often met with skepticism and never really with actual thought. In ROM: Dire Wraiths we get a story that uses the real-life events of the Space Race and asks what if “we ran into a dangerous alien race while exploring space?”
We’re taken to 1969, where three astronauts are on the Adventure One, a secret mission that monitors alien life when they detect traces of life on the Moon, which looks to be more than they could ever imagine. Wraith soldiers are holding camp and look to send a message to any humans from Earth, as they ascend on the astronauts right before they plant the flag. From there, a battle with ROM and other forces begins in a battle to end the Wraith threat.
Overall, ROM: Dire Wraiths is a nice story that is an interesting prequel to a well-established hero. The story by Chris Ryall has echoes of Harlan Ellison and Richard Matheson, which is both exciting and scary. The art by the creative team is gorgeous. Altogether, a story that should bring this character a bigger fan base.
Story: Chris Ryall Art: Sal Buscema, Guy Dorian Sr., Ron Joseph, and Luca Pizzari
Story: 9.0 Art: 9.0 Overall: 9.0 Recommendation: Buy
IDW Publishing provided Graphic Policy with a FREE copy for review
Purchase: comiXology – Amazon – Kindle – Bookshop
Rom: Dire Wraiths
(W) Chris Ryall (A) Guy Dorina Sr., Sal Buscema (A/CA) Luca Pizzari
In Shops: Jan 20, 2021
SRP: $15.99
July, 1969. Neil Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin are about to become the first humans to set foot on the moon, but something inhuman is waiting for them!
Seeking to conquer everything in their path, the Dire Wraiths wield powerful dark magic and can infect other creatures transforming them into more of their kind. The only thing powerful enough to oppose them is Rom the Spaceknight. But, with Rom nowhere in sight, can even the Earth Corp help prevent one giant leap for Wraithkind or is there no way to stop an invasion of Earth? Only the crew of Apollo 11 and some unexpected guest-stars stand in their way! Plus, a special back-up story with art by Guy Dorian, Sr. and Rom legend Sal Buscema!
