Mail Call is a roundup of cool things we’ve received in our mailboxes from comics creators, publishers and more. Hit the links for more information.
Back in the early 1990s Wolverine, Spider-Man, Ghost Rider and Hulk had a brief team-up in the pages of Fantastic Four while the actual Fantastic Four were out of town. It was a fun story by Walt Simonson and Art Adams that only last a few issues. But now Marvel will revisit that team — and time period — in The New Fantastic Four, a limited series by Peter David and Alan Robinson.
“Although their original stint was extremely short-lived, the alternate version of the FF has had its fans for years, including myself,” David said. “I am fortunate Marvel has given me the opportunity to revisit with them and take their battles to new heights in a new location with new allies and new enemies.”
Like Maestro and X-Men Legends, this story takes place in the past, shortly after the quartet’s first appearance.
Here’s the description:
Wolverine, the Hulk, Ghost Rider, and Spider-Man have reunited to investigate a surge of violence in Las Vegas. And with demonic masterminds pulling the strings, they’re going to need some extra help… This all-new adventure will feature surprise guest stars aplenty, including the original FF and a series of mystery villains that you’ll never see coming!
The first issue arrives in May.
Comics Day on Substack brings free comics
“Comic Day on Substack” brought not only a batch of new newsletters, a new Black Hammer graphic novel and a bunch of announcements from James Tynion IV earlier this week, but also several comic releases from other creators in the platform. These include:
- The first chapter of Shadoweyes for Good by Sophie Campbell, the continuation of the story she started in several previous graphic novels.
- The first issue of 20 Degrees Past Rigor, a new comic by Rodney Barnes and Maan House.
- Ruins, a new comic from Jonathan Hickman’s 3 Worlds / 3 Moons collective, featuring artwork by Mike del Mundo and Mike Huddleston.
- A preview of Vanish from Donny Cates, Ryan Stegman and the folks at KLC; they also announced a new companion series called The Golden War by Kenny Porter and Ryan Lee.
- Chip Zdarsky released the first issue of Public Domain to everyone; previously it was a subscribers-only comic.
I should note all these posts are free to read for everyone, not just paid subscribers.
Obi-Wan solo miniseries coming in May
Jedi Master Obi-Wan Kenobi will star in a solo miniseries that kicks off in May, courtesy of Marvel. Written by Christopher Cantwell with art by Ario Anindito, the five-issue series will span the character’s “entire life as a guardian of peace and justice, including his days as a Jedi Initiate, Padawan missions, experiencing the Clone Wars as a Jedi Knight, and facing new threats as a Jedi Master.”
Iron Man will propose to Hellcat this May
Speaking of Cantwell, he and artist Angel Unzueta have plans — wedding plans — for Tony Stark and Patsy Walker, who has co-starred with Iron Man in his latest solo series. Stark will ask her to marry him in issue #20.
“Since Issue #1, bringing Patsy Walker/Hellcat into this story just felt right,” Cantwell told Marvel.com. “She was the perfect kind of grounded presence in Tony Stark’s hyper-octane world that I believed could help bring more balance to his life. Patsy Walker’s best super-power in my mind has always been her ability to be human and sincere. And like Tony, she has had her share of demons in the past (some literal in her case). “
Iron Man #20 comes out May 30 with a cover by Alex Ross and (below) a variant by Betsy Cola. Marvel also teases that an iron man/Hellcat Annual is coming this summer — so could we have a June wedding date?
Milligan + Artecida unleash ‘Dogs of LOndon’
AfterShock Comics has announced Dogs of London, by Peter Milligan and Artecida, which is colored by Valentina Bianconi, lettered by Rob Steen and features a main cover by Andy Clarke and Jose Villarrubia, and a variant cover by Dave Johnson. The British crime tale goes on sale May 4.
Kate Betaon’s Ducks coming this fall
Drawn and Quarterly will publish Kate Beaton’s next graphic novel, Ducks, in the fall. It’s about Beaton’s time working in Fort McMurray during Alberta’s oil rush.
“I had this book in mind for many years before I brought it to Drawn & Quarterly, and it took me that many more to create it,” she said. “It has lived in my mind for a long time. Of course, it is my own memories, so it has lived with me since they have existed, but my time in Fort McMurray had such an impact on me that I think I have been subconsciously sorting those memories into panels before I even knew I was doing it as a way of catharsis or release—it is the comic artists’ natural exercise.”
Ducks will join seven other graphic novels as a part of D+Q’s fall line-up, which includes projects from Tom Gauld, Keiler Roberts, Lynda Barry and more.
IDW celebrates 40 years of the Rocketeer
IDW will celebrate 40 years of Dave Stevens’ Rocketeer with the release of The Rocketeer: The Great Race, four-issue miniseries by Stephen Mooney.
“Writing and drawing a Rocketeer book has long been somewhat of a bucket-list item for me. I grew up on Dave Stevens’ unique blend of swashbuckling derring-do and pulpy adventure with Cliff, Betty and Peevy, and those seminal issues still stand today as one of my favorite series of all time,” said Mooney. “It’s incredibly daunting and yet also fantastically thrilling and a real challenge. Let’s take to the skies!”
The first issue will feature covers by Gabriel Rodríguez and Mooney, as well as back matter by Kelvin Mao detailing the history of the Rocketeer.
IDW will also release a new printing of Dave Stevens’ The Rocketeer Artist’s Edition in April, as part of the character’s 40th anniversary.
Strange Academy goes on break in April
The students in Skottie Young and Humberto Ramos’ Strange Academy will get an early summer break of sorts, as issue #18 in April marks the end of the current series. But don’t worry — Marvel promises it will be back later this summer.
“This book is so close to my heart. We created so many brand new characters and brought each one to life in such a unique way,” Young said. “Working alongside my brother Humberto over these last 18 issues has been such a special thing to me. I’m just glad we have more Strange Academy stories to tell and can’t wait to get them in your hands!”
Image announces Declan Shalvey’s Old Dog
Image Comics will kick off a new series written and drawn by Declan Shalvey in June, titled Old Dog. It’s about a former CIA operative who heads out for one final mission.
“I’m so unbelievably excited to let Old Dog off its leash. For a long time I’ve been itching to develop my own solo series from scratch; one that I write, draw, colour, design and it feels great to finally be doing so with Clayton Cowles as my right-hand man on letters,” said Shalvey. “This feels like the next creative step for me, one which is both terrifying and exhilarating. Anyone who was a fan of the kinetic, done-in-one storytelling I employed on Moon Knight will enjoy this series. It’s full of mysteries, conspiracies and every now and then, someone gets a serious beating, often the main character.”
Image announces The Secret History of the War on Weed
Brian Posehn, Gerry Duggan and Scott Koblish will team up for a new one-shot called The Secret History of the War on Weed, which Image Comics will publish in April. The story is set in the 1980s and features the First Lady unleashing Scotch McTiernan, seen above, on weed farmers in California.
“I am always game to stir up some comic book silliness with Koblish and Duggan,” said Posehn. “With our 4/20 adventures of Scotch McTiernan, we might have outdone ourselves. Eighties references, ultra violence, and high jokes per page rate is our wheel house. We leveled our wheel house this time. Check it out!”
The Vampire Slayer launches in April
Writer Sarah Gailey and artist Irene Flores will team up for The Vampire Slayer, a miniseries that shows the consequences of using chaos magic on your chosen vampire slayer. When Buffy loses her memory, a new Slayer arises.
“I am thrilled and honored to be writing stories in the universe of Buffy the Vampire Slayer! This iconic property helped to draw me and many of my peers and colleagues into the worlds of action and horror, and I hope my run will continue pushing the boundaries of what a monster-fighting story can be,” said Gailey. “I can’t wait to bring a whole new set of adventures to Buffy fans everywhere.”