As usual, Marvel's freshly released March 2015 solicitations contained plenty of new information to contemplate in the interim months before these comic books are actually out in the world. Along with the news that had already been released -- like Gerry Conway returning to "Amazing Spider-Man" for the "Spiral" story running alongside the main series, or Cullen Bunn and Ron Ackins taking on "Moon Knight -- there's still more to be discovered, and here are highlights.

Conway's Return Sends "Amazing Spider-Man" Into an Underworld "Spiral"

  • Along with the "Princess Leia" series by Mark Waid and Terry Dodson debuting with two issues in March, more notable "Star Wars" news comes in the solicitation text for "Darth Vader" #3 by Kieron Gillen and Salvador Larroca, which is set to introduce a new character to the mythos: "Meet Aphra-the galaxy's foremost raider of lost weaponry!" Given the emphasis of how Marvel's new "Star Wars" comics "count," Aphra may be one to watch for multimedia potential.
  • A new round of "Women of Marvel" variant covers is planned for March 2015, with artists including Faith Erin Hicks, Afua Richardson, Sara Pichelli, Stacey Lee, Ming Doyle, Janet Lee and Erica Henderson all billed as participating (and more to be announced).
  • As "Fantastic Four" continues to head towards its series finale (for the time being, at least), the solicitation text for "Fantastic Four" #644 by James Robinson and Leonard Kirk raises the stakes a bit and promises "The "Most Controversial Fantastic Four Story of the Century," something sure to get fans talking.
  • And in more FF-related news: Invisible Woman is slated to be revealed as S.H.I.E.L.D.'s "most secret agent" in "S.H.I.E.L.D." #4 by Mark Waid and Chris Sprouse, but it looks to be a short-lived development -- the issue is also said to be her "last case."
  • Speaking of things ending, "Nightcrawler" #12 sure sounds like a last issue: "In this issue-the finale of Chris Claremont and Todd Nauck's uninterrupted NIGHTCRAWLER saga." CBR News has reached out to Marvel for clarification on the status of the series.EXCLUSIVE: Bunn Guides "Moon Knight" Down Marvel's Mean, Supernatural Streets
  • Writer Gerry Duggan looks to merge his Marvel worlds in March: The Hulk shows up in the "Nova Annual" #1, and Deadpool guest stars in "Hulk" #13.
  • "Rocket Raccoon" #9, by Skottie Young and Jacob Parker, contains an intriguing one-word phrase sure to entice fans, however it's manifested: "GROOTZILLA."
  • Marvel reaches the end of "The Original Writer" era on "Miracleman" in March, hitting #16 of its remastered reprints -- the last issue written by Alan Moore.
  • Though "All-New Ultimates" ends at #12, seems that the Ultimates themselves won't be gone for long, according to the solicitation text for "Miles Morales: Ultimate Spider-Man" #11 by Brian Michael Bendis and David Marquez: "Thanks to MILES, the ULTIMATES are back!"
  • Is Doctor Octopus making a post-"Superior Spider-Man" (and post-"Spider-Verse") comeback? The solicitation text for "Silk" #2 by Robbie Thompson and Stacey Lee reads, "Silk fights a familiar foe with metal tentacles!" That's certainly where Marvel wants the mind to go, but remember that misdirection is kind of the point of a lot of solicitations -- it could also be the second Doc Ock, Carolyn Trainer (or something totally different!). [UPDATE: Twitter user VenomMelendez has pointed out that the character on the "Silk" #2 cover looks like it may be Luke Carlyle, created in 2002 by J. Michael Straczynski and John Romita Jr.]