J. Michael Straczynski returns to Marvel this fall to write ‘Captain America’

Jesús Saiz joins the writer for a story set in Steve Rogers’ past and present.

After more than a decade writing for other publishers, J. Michael Straczynski will return to Marvel to write Captain America in September.

Artist Jesús Saiz will join Straczynski on the title, which will feature Steve Rogers. In an interview with io9, Straczynski said he’ll focus both on current-day Steve Rogers as well as a younger, pre-World War II Cap prior to gaining his super powers.

“One thing about Steve Rogers that’s never really been addressed is the period between when his parents died, and when he became Captain America,” Straczynski said. “We’re talking about a sickly, skinny 17 year old kid, trying to survive on his own for because he’s stubborn and independent, on the street for several years, hustling for any gig he can get, even if it’s bigger than he is, trying to afford food and a place to stay. So we will counterpoint a present-tense story in which Captain America faces off against a new villain of supernatural origin, with a story about his younger self, with both stories tightly interwoven.”

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Kelly, Lanzing + Carnero’s final Captain America story arrives in August

‘Captain America Finale’ follows ‘Cold War’ and wraps up the conflict with the Outer Circle.

Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing and Carmen Carnero’s time on Captain America will come to an end in August in Captain America Finale #1, which follows the Captain America: Cold War story currently running through Marvel’s two Captain America titles.

Finale will address, according to Marvel, the “explosive aftermath” of Cold War, which features Steve Rogers, Sam Wilson and friends battling the Outer Circle and its newest member, Bucky Barnes.

Kelly, Lanzing and Carnero are the creative team for Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty, which seems to be ending, but the story on Marvel.com does not address the future of its sister title, Captain America: Symbol of Truth. My first thought was, “Is Steve Rogers dying again?” but we know he’s in the upcoming Uncanny Avengers, so I don’t think that’s the case.

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NYCC: ‘Cold War’ puts the heat on the Winter Soldier + Nomad next year

Marvel reveals more details + art from their Captain America-centered crossover that’s coming in 2023.

Marvel announced its first crossover between its two Captain America titles earlier this year — Cold War will feature both Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson, not to mention Bucky Barnes, Ian Rogers, the White Wolf and more.

At New York Comic Con this week, Marvel revealed a few more details about the event, which will run through both Captain America: Sentinel of Liberty and Captain America: Symbol of Truth — not to mention the requisite tie-in one-shots. Speaking of which, Marvel revealed some variant cover art for Captain America & the Winter Soldier Special #1, which was announced last month. Here’s Carmen Carnero’s variant:

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Can’t Wait for Comics | Two Captains America, a new Slayer and Kaijumax’s conclusion

Check out new comics + graphic novels this week from Zander Cannon, Benjamin Percy, Adam Kubert, Grace Ellis, Hannah Templer, Sarah Gailey, Irene Flores and more.

Welcome to Can’t Wait for Comics, your guide to what comics are arriving in comic book stores, bookstores and on digital this week.

I’ve pulled out some of the highlights below, but for the complete list of everything you might find at your local comic shop and on digital this week, you’ll want to check out one or more of the following:

As a reminder, things can change and what you find on the above lists may differ from what’s actually arriving in your local shop. So always check with your comics retailer for the final word on availability.

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Captain America + Iron Man team up in a new mini by Landy + Unzueta

The first issue of five arrives in November.

Marvel has announced Captain America/Iron Man, a new five-issue miniseries by Derek Landy and Ángel Unzueta that will debut in November.

According to Marvel.com, the miniseries will take the two Avengers “on an epic adventure that will explore the pair’s fascinating dynamic and history as they go up against a mysterious new threat from Hydra.”

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Can’t Wait for Comics | Milestone Media’s revival finally kicks off with ‘Static: Season One’ #1

Check out new comics this week from Tom King, Bilquis Evely, Jason Aaron, Aaron Kuder, Gerry Duggan, Pepe Larraz, Peach Momoko, Stan Sakai and more.

Welcome to Can’t Wait for Comics, your guide to what comics are arriving in comic book stores, bookstores and on digital this week. This week brings new comics and graphic novels from Marvel, DC, AfterShock Comics, Milestone Media, Fantagraphics and more.

Check out a few highlights below, or visit Diamond’s website for this week’s almost complete list of new comics arriving in stores — you can visit Lunar Distribution’s home page to see DC’s release — and the comiXology new releases page for what’s available digitally.

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Marvel announces a new ‘Amazing Fantasy’ series by Kaare Andrews

Versions of Black Widow, Spider-Man and Captain America from different points in history come together in this new miniseries.

Marvel has announced a new five-issue miniseries, named after the classic series Amazing Fantasy, set on an island of high fantasy and featuring iconic versions of three of their heroes. Kaare Andrews of Spider-Man: Reign, E-Ratic and Iron Fist: The Living Weapon fame, will write and draw the series.

In the series, Red Room-era Black Widow, teenage Spider-Man and World War II-era Captain America find themselves on a dangerous “island of intrigue.”

“This is a story that combines not just different Marvel eras but different art styles to depict them,” Andrews said. “As a creator, sometimes you want to invent new heroes and villains to expand the universe into different places or ideas, but sometimes there is an even greater power in embracing what has come before. In telling fresh and passionate tales with heroes that an audience has already invested a lifetime in. There is a beating heart to these archetypes. And they need to live again!”

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Cantwell + Eaglesham defect to ‘The United States of Captain America’

New miniseries celebrates the 80th anniversary of the character.

Christopher Cantwell and Dale Eaglesham will reunite several former Captains America to find Cap’s stolen shield in The United States of Captain America, a new miniseries celebrating the character’s 80th anniversary.

“It’s an incredible gift and definitely a creative challenge to take on the character of Captain America, especially during these unprecedented times in our country’s history,” Cantwell told Marvel.com. “With this miniseries we’re hoping to explore what the idea of Captain America means at this precise moment—not just on the grand stage of the world—but to everyday and often overlooked communities throughout the United States.”

Steve Rogers will be joined by Bucky Barnes, Sam Wilson and John Walker — aka Winter Soldier, Falcon and U.S.Agent — on a road trip across America as they search for his iconic shield. Along the way, they’ll introduce new heroes who been inspired by Captain America, and who will be featured in back-up stories.

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Can’t Wait for Comics | ‘Infinite Frontier,’ ‘Nocterra’ and more

This week brings new comics by Keanu Reeves, Dan Rather, Scott Snyder, Tim S. Daniel, Chris Samnee, Peach Momoko, Kalinda Vazquez, Carlos Gómez, Tyler Boss and more.

Welcome to Can’t Wait for Comics, your guide each week to what comics are arriving in comic book stores, bookstores and on digital. This week sees a new one-shot setting up the return of DC’s regular titles, more King in Black tie-ins, new comics by Scott Snyder and Keanu Reeves, and much more.

Also this week I’m happy to welcome aboard Brigid Alverson, who will be helping to cover manga and other things she finds interesting each week.

Check out a few highlights below, or visit ComicList for this week’s full list of new comics arriving in stores, and the comiXology new releases page for what’s available digitally.

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Comics Lowdown | Special Nazi-punching edition

In an unprecedented week in American history, comics were all over the place.

After seeing a rioter in Captain America gear during the Jan. 6 insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, Neal Kirby, the son of Jack Kirby, has condemned the use of his father’s character by the far right. “Captain America is the absolute antithesis of Donald Trump,” he wrote, later adding “My father, Jack Kirby, and Joe Simon, the creators of Captain America and WWII veterans, would be absolutely sickened by these images.”

The problem with the Punisher: The Punisher’s elongated skull logo (and specifically, the version used in the 2004 film) has become an icon for white nationalists, Proud Boys and Blue Lives Matter enthusiasts. At Inverse, Eric Francisco offers a brief history of the alt-right’s use of the skull and Disney’s failure to assert its IP rights. At CBR, Cass Clarke summarizes the thoughts of Gerry Conway, who created the character. At SyFY Wire, Mike Avila calls on Marvel to retire the logo and “give the Punisher a makeover.” He also reached out to former Punisher writer Garth Ennis, who had this to say:

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Mail Call | Marvel celebrates 80 years of Captain America

A round-up of news and announcements from Marvel, DC, Top Shelf, Z2 Comics, AfterShock and more.

Mail Call is a roundup of the announcements we’ve received from comics publishers in our mailboxes recently that we haven’t already covered. Hit the links for more information.

Marvel will pay tribute to the 80th anniversary of Captain America next year with a special project involving John Cassaday, Alex Ross, Marguerite Sauvage, David Lapham, Declan Shalvey and many more. Captain America Tribute #1, coming from Marvel in March, will feature a bunch of current artists redrawing both Captain America Comics #1 and Avengers #4, with each page by a different artist.

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What Are You Reading? | ‘Amazing Spider-Man,’ ‘The Vain’ and more

See what the Smash Pages crew has been reading lately.

Welcome to What Are You Reading?, our weekly look at what the Smash Pages crew has been reading lately.

Let us know what you read this week in the comments or on social media.

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