In October, Marvel begins the turnover from the All-New, All-Different lineup into the new Marvel Now. Therefore, we at Critical Writ began a process of deciding which of the released series were the best. We ended up deciding on a Top 10, and we'll start revealing it next. First, though, let's honor the remaining comics that were voted upon, but didn't end up among the best of the best.
Nighthawk - David F. Walker, Ramon Villalobos
This might be one of the most important comics Marvel released this year. Written by David F. Walker (who is also writing the extraordinarily fun Power Man and Iron Fist), it focuses on Kyle Richmond – the version of the character that debuted in 2005's Supreme Power: Nighthawk (as part of the MAX imprint). Richmond has been a part of ANAD Marvel's Squadron Supreme – a team of refugees from realities destroyed in the aftermath of the buildup to Secret Wars. Here he keeps himself busy trying to fight crime on both sides of the law in a Chicago divided by racial tensions. I intend to write more following the title's finale in October, so I'm just going to say that it's a crucial and smartly-written comic that should be much more talked about than it is. (Dominik)
Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: cancelled (ends in October)
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The Punisher is notable for being currently Marvel’s only male-led series to be written by a woman which is, to be frank, kind of depressing. Either way, after his popular debut in the Netflix series Daredevil, people want more of Frank Castle, and this comic definitely delivers. It forgoes complex plots and characters for the straight-up action and violence you’d expect from a Punisher comic, which is all you’d really want from it. (Aranwe)
Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: ongoing
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I have a soft spot for characters who are lost in their own time period, so to speak. After being trapped in a bunker for several years, Silk is dazzled by the current decade, still living in a version of the nineties. She’s basically Kimmy Schmidt if Kimmy had superpowers (instead of the super-strength implied in the show. Additionally, I enjoy seeing new and old supporting characters in fresh roles. Silk’s new coworkers are fun to read about: Bobbi Morse is a recurring character, and we even see J. Jonah Jameson in a new light. Despite all the hardships that Silk has gone through, she is optimistic, and that’s the heart of the series. (Zachary)
Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: ongoing
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Forget the moping, brooding Silver Surfer of the sixties and seventies—this is the all-new, all-different happy Silver Surfer! What, you think a Silver Surfer title can’t be joyful? Think again, my friend! Dan Slott’s Silver Surfer run is essentially a Doctor Who comic book, based on my extremely limited knowledge of the program. Silver Surfer, an alien with immense cosmic abilities and knowledge, adventures with Dawn, a normal Earthling, and together they go to all kinds of worlds. It’s a gleeful romp throughout the cosmos, and I just love the creativity shown in the different planets. Plus, I could totally see Zooey Deschanel as Dawn in a film adaptation. Dan’s writing is impeccable and Mike is the perfect person to bring his unique visions to life. (Zachary)
Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: ongoing
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From the minds that brought you the stories that gave Deadpool his definitive personality, it’s an ongoing team-up with Spider-Man! For years, the relationship between the Merc With A Mouth and the Webhead has been rocky. When Deadpool’s not trying to kill or seriously hurt Spider-Man, he’s pestering him with jokes and pleas for team-ups. Now, we get a look at the pair with stories that actually have more than a smidgen of continuity. Apart from being a loony buddy-cop scenario, it’s also a compelling character study of Spider-Man and Deadpool. We get to see how Spidey reacts when he’s forced into Deadpool’s company and how Deadpool is encouraged to be a better person when he’s around Spider-Man. Adding the raucous humor and some fascinating teases of a past Spider-Man storyline into the mix, it’s really no surprise that the issues keeps being reprinted. (Zachary)
Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: continues in October/November
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Spidey is a typical case of having your cake and eating it too. If having the Peter Parker of the main Marvel universe live it up as the CEO of a major corporation is a fresh new take on the character, it also means bidding the simple high school days of Peter Parker farewell.
Or, apparently not—Spidey is a wonderful homage to the Marvel comics of old, drawn in a simplistic but color-popping art style, completely standalone, and telling simple stories with a lot of heart. Whether you’re a long-time comics fan or a relatively new one, I highly recommend checking it out. (Aranwe)
Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: not in the lineup, likely ends
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Spider-Man is my absolute favorite superhero in Marvel, so there's no reason for me not to love a series full of similar characters, since I enjoyed the heck out of 2014’s Spider-Verse storyline and Web Warriors is a spinoff. I am a huge fan of not only seeing alternate universes showcasing “what could have been”, but also seeing those heroes interact with each other. And that’s not even going into the alternate Electros! Where else but in this series could we see Spider-Gwen exploring Spider-Ham’s bizarre world or the various Spider-heroes using the sixties cartoon hero’s homeworld as a training ground? Not only does Web Warriors feature several classic heroes fighting crime, but also some new ones. Being a fairly new fan of steampunk young adult novels, I would have to say that Lady Spider is my personal favorite out of the newer characters in the book. For the creativity, overarching plots, and sense of humor and joy, Web Warriors is one of the best Spider-Man Family books out there and I’ll be sad to see it go. (Zachary)
Marvel NOW! 2.0 status: cancelled in June
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And that's it for this week and for our honorable mentions! Next time, we begin revealing our best of the best of ANAD Marvel. We'll see you then!
Aranwe Quirke is a totally real, definitely not made up name. No, you may not see the birth certificate.
Dominik Zine is a nerdy lad from northeastern Poland and is generally found in a comfy chair with a book in hand.
Zachary Krishef is an evil genius. Do not question his knowledge of Saturday Night Live trivia or Harry Potter books.
