Marvel's upcoming X-Men event expands with four one-shot preludes, GlobalComix begins beta testing its brand-new app and DC celebrates International Women's Day with a stunning variant cover series in our new weekly comics news round-up.
Join us in our brand-new weekly round-up section as we take a look at some of the biggest and most exciting stories that have the comics community buzzing. Here's a look at what's been happening over the past seven days...
- GlobalComix is launching a brand-new app that is now open for closed beta testing. The testing is designed for feedback, fixing issues and optimizing performance as fans explore a new way to read and enjoy comics. Space is limited and not all entries for the testing are guaranteed enrollment; however, additional rounds of testing will follow at later dates. Click here for information on how to sign up.
- As the year-long "Dawn of DC" event officially began with Action Comics #1051, the newly released DC Power a Celebration promises fans more Vixen and Batwing stories are coming later this year. The character's story featured in the one-shot anthology indicates the character's adventures will continue in "Dawn of DC," though the publisher has not yet announced if this means they're getting their own book or will appear in someone else's title.
- Don't forget to vote in the Marvel election to decide who will get to join the X-Men this year at the Hellfire Gala. This year's nominees are Jubilee, Juggernaut, Dazzler, Frenzy, Cannonball and Prodigy. Voting ends at 11:59 p.m. ET Feb. 3, 2023, and can be found by clicking here.
DC, Marvel and Skybound Unveil Bold New Variant Covers
- DC is celebrating International Women’s Day on March 8 with a variant cover series starring some of the most powerful women in the DC universe. The series includes variants for Action Comics #1053 (by Eleonora Carlini, available March 28), Batgirls #16 (by Lynne Yoshi, available March 14), Catwoman #53 (by Qistina Khalidah, available March 21), Harley Quinn #28 (by Cathy Kwan, available March 28), Justice Society of America #3 (by Maria Laura Sanapo and Laura Martin, available March 7), Poison Ivy #10 (by Skylar Patridge, available March 7), WildC.A.T.s. #5 (by Rebekah Isaacs and Carrie Strachan, available March 14) and Wonder Woman #797 (by Jasmin Darnell, available March 21).
- Marvel revealed three new Infinity Saga variant covers that will go on sale in March and April. The new additions to the series include variants for Black Panther #15 (by Ken Lashley, available March 15), Captain Marvel #47 (by Peach Momoko, available March 15), Doctor Strange #1 (by Steve Skroce, available March 22), Thor #32 (by Mahmud Asrar, available March 29), Captain America: Cold War Alpha #1 (by Steve McNiven, available April 12) and Guardians of the Galaxy #1 (by Aaron Kuder, available April 12).
- David Nakayama is also celebrating the MCU with a new WandaVision-themed variant for Scarlet Witch #3, which releases March 8 from writer Steve Orlando and artist Sara Pichelli.
- Marvel released Rachael Stott's exciting new variant cover starring Darth Vader's Inferno Squad Star Wars: Bounty Hunters #32. The issue, written by Ethan Sacks and featuring art by Alessandro Miracolo, goes on sale March 8.
- Skybound Entertainment showed off a handful of connecting variant covers for The Walking Dead Deluxe created by artist Francis Manapul. The final three covers in the set appear in The Walking Dead Deluxe #58-60, while the full connecting set begins with The Walking Dead Deluxe #55.
Marvel's X-Men "Fall of X" Event Expands With New One-Shot Preludes
- Marvel's upcoming "Fall of X" event is set to launch later in 2023; however, prior to that, the publisher will put out four separate "Before the Fall" one-shots. Releasing May 3, 2023, X-Men: Before the Fall — Sons of X #1 comes from writer Si Spurrier and artist Phil Noto. The description reads, "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."
- X-Men: Before the Fall — Heralds of Apocalypse #1 follows in June from writer Al Ewing, artist Luca Pizzari and cover artist Pepe Larraz. The synopsis reads, "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?"
- Also coming in June is X-Men: Before the Fall — Mutant First Strike #1 by writer Steve Orlando, artist Valentina Pinti and cover artist David Baldeón. Marvel said of the one-shot, "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."
- Rounding out the quarter is July's X-Men: Before the Fall — Sinister Four #1 by writer Kieron Gillen, artist Paco Medina and cover artist Lucas Werneck. The description reads, "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…"
Invisible Collective Celebrates Black History Month With Baseball-themed Series
- Invisible Collective's Justin Polk, Carl Jones and animation studio Martian Blueberry launched a new original series exploring the history and legacy of the Major League Baseball's (MLB) Negro Leagues, Undeniable - Stories from the Negro Leagues. Celebrating Black History Month, the series is the MLB's first-ever animated series.
- The first three episodes of Undeniable will debut on YouTube and MLB's website throughout February, with "Women of the Negro Leagues" having already launched on Feb. 1 (featuring Toni Stone, Connie Morgan and Mamie "Peanut" Johnson). "International Impact" follows on Feb. 8 and "Jackie Robinson & Monte Irvin" on Feb. 15. Watch the first episode by clicking here.
- Polk said of the announcement, "This project was important to me in so many ways: as a baseball fan, as a supporter of the history of the Negro Leagues, and as a Black man. I'm so proud that Major League Baseball and the Negro League Museum put their trust in Invisible to share these remarkable stories."
Marvel Announces a New Scarlet Witch, X-Men Villain
- Marvel will introduce a brand-new version of Scarlet Witch/Wanda Maximoff in Peach Momoko's Demon Wars: Scarlet Sin. Releasing May 3, the one-shot marks the final chapter in Momoko's Demon Wars, a saga that blends traditional Japanese folklore with some classic Marvel Comics storylines. Borrowing elements from House of M (by Brian Michael Bendis and Olivier Coipel), the description reads, "The yokai are at war, and Mariko Yashida, descendent of the Oni King, has to choose a side. The fates of the spirit world and the human world hang in the balance. But things just got complicated thanks to the appearance of a mysterious yokai with incredible power. This yokai has a scheme of her own, and she wants to paint the world…scarlet."
- Laura Kinney is also getting a brand-new arch-nemesis in her upcoming solo series, X-23: Deadly Regenesis. Officially launching in March from writer Erica Schultz and artist Edgar Salazar, the five-issue series will introduce readers to Haymaker/Jordan Gastin, who can be seen in Jan Bazaldua's character design variant cover.
Source: Marvel, DC, Skybound, GlobalComix, Invisible Collective