2011 is looking like it will be a great year for comic books. We’ll enjoy the release of several comic book–themed movies and video games, more comic-book-to-television adaptations in the works, and some great new titles and crossovers from several publishers. This year should offer more variety for some titles and more continuity and surprises for others.
Here are a few of the comics titles that we are most excited about for Febuary 2011:
Marvel Comics
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #654.1 + #654: Written by Dan Slott, Art by Stefano Caselli, Colors by Garcia
Issue #654.1 is a companion to issue #654 and is one you won’t want to miss. Things will never be the same for the wall crawler after this. Even something with his powers will change! Guest starring the New Avengers and the debut of the all-new Venom you’ve never seen before leading up to a new Venom title all his own. This is the end of the Revenge of the Spider Slayer story arc. Stefano Caselli did a great job on the artwork for this arc and his beautiful action-packed sequences will be missed.
INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #500.1 + #501: Written by Matt Fraction, Art by Salvador Larroca, Variant Cover by Marko Djurdjevic
Issue 500.1 is a companion to #501. We all know Tony Stark has a heart, but in this issue Iron Man is going beyond the boundaries of helping humanity. Will he be recieved as a friend or something else? Stark Resilient continues to see Tony trying to outdo himself with the possible threat looming from a familiar force of power. Fraction’s writing and Larocca’s artwork have kept fans satisfied with this title which has showed us how far Stark will go to achieve what he wants and protect his friends in the process. This series won an Eisner Award for best new series when it first began.
ONSLAUGHT UNLEASHED #1 of 4: Written by Sean McKeever, Art by Felipe Andrade with covers by Humberto Ramos, Variant Covers by Rob Liefeld
Roxxon Energy Corp tries once again to meddle with things beyond their understanding and lets loose a creation so unstoppable the Marvel heroes can’t be contained. Onslaught is coming. What will happpen to Nomad? Does she feel partly responsible? The Secret Avengers and The Young Allies will be there to help her.
FORMIC WARS: BURNING EARTH #1: Written by Orson Scott Card & Aaron Johnston, Art by Giancarlo Caracuzzo, Cover by Salvador Larroca, With a #1 Variant Cover by Bryan Hitch
This is part of the prequel to Ender’s Game. Humans come in contact with a powerful race, known as the Formics, with advanced technology. It’s up to a group of miners millions of miles away on an asteroid to warn us. Fans of Ender’s Game should definitely give this title a look.
ORSON SCOTT CARD’S SPEAKER FOR THE DEAD #2 of 7: Creative Director Orson Scott Card, Written by Aaron Johnston, Art by Pop Mahn, Cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli
Ender Wiggin is summoned to another planet to give his take on what may have happened to a scientist killed by an unknown alien race. In his quest for truth, he discovers that the whole planet may be in danger.
IRON MAN 2.0 #1+2: Written by Nick Spector, Art by Barry Kitson, Covers by Salvador Larroca, Variant Covers by Marko Djurdjevic + Dheeraj Verma
Lt. Col. James Rhodes is back in an all-new continuing storyline. There’s trouble from the start as Rhodey faces an opponent he may not be built to disassemble, destroy, or even see. He may have to resort to new weapons and tactics that make him a one-man army of the future!
HULK #30: Written by Jeff Parker, Art and Cover by guest artist Ed McGuinnes
A powerful enemy from the Hulk’s past returns and the only thing that may be able to take it down is a compound Hulk. Don’t miss this issue from the artist who gave us such great fight sequences as the Red Hulk vs Thor. This cover features a Hulk that’s half red and half green. Will Banner and Ross put their differences aside and join together to destroy this old threat? A collector’s item not to be missed.
KICK-ASS #2 & 3: Written by Mark Miller, Art by John Romita Jr.
From the same team who brought you the New York Times best seller Kick-ASS (now a major motion picture), Kick Ass 2 continues the adventures of high school dweeb Dave Lizewski. Completing his first mission with his new team “Justice Forever,” Dave is feeling pretty good about himself until the Red Mist returns. And what will happen to Hit-Girl?
OZMA OF OZ #4: Written by Eric Shanower, Art by Scottie Young
Shanower and Young won an Eisner Award for their take on the Wonderful World Of Oz.
Ozma of Oz, Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman, and the Cowardly Lion continue their adventures together. After freeing Dorothy and Tik-tok from Princess Langwidere, their goal is to liberate the slaves of the mysterious Nome King. A tale for all ages.
UNCANNY X-FORCE #5: Written by Rick Remender, Art by Esad Ribic
At first it was hard to know how successful this title was going to be. But after a few issues, it’s really taken off and is flying off the stands. The Uncanny X-Force must face an army of Deathlocks made up of versions of Spider-Man, Elektra, Captain America, Venom, Cyclops, and more!
ULTIMATE CAPTAIN AMERICA #2: Written by Jason Aaron, Art by Ron Garney
The art in this book is great. Their take on Captain America is a lot tougher and grittier—he’s got a machine gun in one hand and his shield on his back. He’s ready for war. This is a title for mature readers only.
DC Comics
BRIGHTEST DAY #19 + 20: Written by Geoff Johns + Peter Tomasi; Art by Ivan Reis, Patrick Gleason, Adrian Syaf, Scott Clark, and Joe Prado; Covers by David Finch and Scott Williams; Variant Covers by Ivan Reis.
As this fantastic series comes closer to the end, expect more secrets to be revealved. Something of catastrophic proportions threatens the world and it will take a special kind of strength in our heroes to band together and stop this event from happening.
DEUS EX #1: Written by Robbie Morrison, Art by Trevor Hairsine, Cover by Jim Murray
Deus Ex makes the leap from video game to comic book as the main star Adam Jensen, an employee of Sarif Industries and possessing enhanced superhuman cyborg parts, finds himself in a world full of covert espionage, betrayal, and opposition. Jensen is sent to recover the niece of the founder of Sarif Industries. The mission takes him on a journey into his past and all over the world. Trevor Hairsine’s art is top notch and this will be a title to be remembered.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #54: Written by James Robinson, Art by Brett Booth, Variant Cover by David Mack
The great lord of darkness himself is back in The Rise Of Eclipso. The last time the JLA fought him, the life of the Red Tornado was changed forever. Who will Eclipso target this time? Will it be all the members of the JLA? Expect to see some great art from Brett Booth on this one.
BATMAN: EUROPA #1: Written by Brian Azzarello & Matteo Casali, Layouts by Giuseppe Camuncoli, Painted art by Jim Lee, Diego Latorre, and Jock
This 4-issue mini-series finds the Dark Knight infected with a virus that has no cure. Or does it? Batman’s only hope is none other than the Joker himself—the one who infected Batman. In an act of desperation the Joker leads the Dark Knight on a trip across Europe. This could be the revenge the Joker has been plotting since they became enemies. Expect to see some beautiful and extravagant panels with a lot of attention on the emotions and the settings that the Dark Knight and the Joker find themselves in.
BATMAN: THE DARK KNIGHT#2: Written by David Finch, Art by David Finch
Hopefully you caught our article on this big release and went and got the one-shot and The Dark Knight #1 already. The art is fantastic—some of the best stuff we’ve seen from Finch. His Batman costume has to be the coolest one up to this point. It’s good to see the Bat with the yellow symbol on his chest as well. It’s also great to see all the other Bat-team members involved. Kudos to Dave Finch for taking on double duty on this title.
These are just a few of our picks for this month. If you have a title you would like to share, leave us a comment. Don’t forget to friend us on Facebook so you can get up-to-date releases on comic books each month. (NOTE: Some titles are subject to change their release without notice.) Some titles are not yet rated so be sure to call your local comic book shop. To find the nearest comic book shop near you call 1-888-266-4226.
