Marvel Preview Review for July Part 2 of 3

Still more...

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #666
Written by Dan Slott Penciled by Stefano Caselli
Cover by Mike Del Mundo
The Spider-Man Story Of The Decade Begins With Ths “Spider-Island: Prelude”Super-star writer Dan Slott and fan-favorite Spidey artist Stefano Caselli are back! New York has been infested and the web grows as it gets ready to explode into Spider-Island! Normal people are getting Spider-Powers! But not all of them realize that with great power must also come ….you know the rest. Okay, sure we often say Peter Parker’s life will never be the same. But listen, pal, we’ve never been more serious. Heroes and villains are crawling all over Manahttan and no one knows why. This will change everything for Pete, for Spidey…and possibly for You! Look at it this way…If Everyone’s a Spider-Man… then no one is. 40 PGS./ $3.99
SPIDER-ISLAND SPOTLIGHT
Written by John Rhett Thomas Cover by Humberto Ramos
How the Census missed a city full of eight million spider-people is beyond us — but now the word is out that Manhattan has been transformed into a veritable Spider-Island, and Spotlight is on hand to cover the big news! What does it mean for our hero that NYC is now a bustling burg full of people with powers just like his? Only Dan Slott and Humberto Ramos, they who ushered Spider-Man into the Big Time, have the answers! We’ll check in with them, take an up-close look at Spidey’s tenure as a member of Jonathan Hickman’s FF and let loose our own amazing spider-people to deliver the goods on all things Peter Parker! Join us for Spider-Island Spotlight, but bring your bug repellent! 48 PGS./ $3.99
Lee: If I remember correctly, Bendis turned the entire island of Manhattan into Venom land a couple of years ago, so turning everyone into Spidey Lites makes perfect sense. I have low expectations for this because it sounds so silly but if anyone can make it work, it’s Slott.
Greg: Venom Manhattan is fine, but an island full of Spider-Men is pretty cool, kinda like Shark Rider. I've liked everything Slott's done and its some of the best Spidey we've seen in years, but there's something keeping me from loving this book. I dunno. Its good, but Ultimate Spider-Man is still Marvel's best Spider book.

DEFENDERS: FROM THE MARVEL VAULT #1
Written by Fabian Nicieza & Kurt Busiek
Pencils & Cover by Mark Bagley
A Marvel Masterpiece from deep inside the treasure vaults can now be told! The original team of Doctor Strange, The Hulk, Silver Surfer and Namor are together again for a hidden adventure! But why was this tale lost? What happens in other dimensions stays in other dimensions, so what unspeakable secrets of the The Defenders are to be revealed? Find out at last in these pages with the illustrious words of Kurt Busiek and the incomparable artwork of artist Mark Bagley! 32 PGS./ $2.99
Lee: I love the Defenders and it seems like they get a new mini series every 3 yrs or so. But, I really like Nicieza, Busiek, and Bagley so I am willing to take a chance. Actually, it’s pretty low risk because I bet it will be good.
Greg: Because the late 90's demanded it!

DAREDEVIL #1
Written by Mark Waid
Penciled by Paolo Manuel Rivera And Marcos Martin
Cover by Paolo Rivera
Variant Covers by John Romita Sr., Neal Adams, Marcos Martin
Blank Variant Cover also available
This Summer, The Devil Is Reborn. Renewed. Ressurected. With new enemies, new friends…and that same old “grinnin’ in the face of hell” attitude, The Man Without Fear is back in a double-sized first issue and leading with his face! Mark Waid joins neo-legendary artists Paolo Rivera and Marcos Martin for a new spin on Daredevil that will leave you gasping for air. Having turned his world upside over the past several years, Matt Murdock realizes that justice may not be blind to his past and villains may not be the only ones looking for answers. Bring it on. If Matt Murdock could see what he was doing…he’d be terrified. 40 PGS./ $3.99
Lee: I think Jim and Greg and maybe even Thomm went over this in detail, and over it some more, and then once more for good luck a couple of months back. Personally, I am not sure I am ready for a colourful, let’s have fun, DD but Waid’s a good enough writer that I will give benefit of the doubt.
Greg: I am super pumped for this book. That is an all-star art team and their preview art looks amazing. And while I love gritty Daredevil, its been a while since we've had a writer not participating in the Matt Murdock Death Pool Sweepstakes. So this'll be a nice change of pace. Its like this Lee, I love Ghost Rider on a bike, but sometimes its nice to seem him on a shark. Just to change things up.

WOLVERINE & BLACK CAT: CLAWS 2 #1 (of 3)
Written by James Palmiotti
Pencils & Cover by Joseph Michael Linsner
James Palmiotti, Justin Gray and Joseph M. Linsner return to right where their classic “Claws” storyline left off to bring us an all-new tale of action, intrigue and razor-sharp appendages. Two of Marvel’s most beloved and be-clawed heroes, Wolverine and Black Cat, have barely had time to catch their breath from defeating the villainous mastermind Arcade and his sidekick White Rabbit when the two evil schemers find an escape from their exile in The Savage Land, and an entryway into revenge! Watch the fur fly as these four fight it out in an all-new, no-holds-barred Claws adventure! 32 PGS./ $3.99
Lee: I love Marvel because at least once a month I get to say “introducing the series that NO one demanded!" Go ahead Greg, I'm ready, hit me with the 'No guys it really was good.'
Greg: Surprise, surprise, I'm with Lee on this one. Who the hell wanted this? Was there really demand for a sequel?

WOLVERINE: THE BEST THERE IS #8
Written by Charlie Huston
Penciled by Juan Jose Ryp Cover by Bryan Hitch
Hot off the heels of suffering the nightmarish experiments of the man called Contagion, Wolverine is confronted by renegade spacemen Monark Starstalker and Paradox, who have their own set of test they’d like to run on him. But anyone preparing to stick Logan with needles of techno-organic viruses should be prepared to feel the sharp sting of adamantium claws in the gut. It’s Wolverine: The Best There Is Vs. Rogue Galactic Bounty Hunters And Their Robot Falcon! Thunderdome! 32 PGS./ $3.99
Lee: I can’t help it, I am continually intrigued by this. I’ve heard that it’s wordy. I’ve heard it doesn’t make sense. But these are the same things that were said about Huston’s Moon Knight stories and those were fantastic when read as a trade. I might have to take a chance.
Greg: The first issue of this was horrific. But that is one of the most amazing solicitations I have ever read. I may actually pick this up.

X-MEN #14 & 15
Written by Christopher Yost
Penciled by Paco Medina & Dalibor Talijic
Covers by ED Mcguiness Issue #14 & 15
Variant Covers by Paco Medina
“First To Last” The battle fought in two time-periods comes to a climactic conclusion! The X-Men are the only thing that stand between the Evolutionaries and the complete annihilation of the human race. On top of that, learn secrets of Emma Frost’s past and what she had to do with the original Brotherhood of Evil Mutants. 32 PGS.(each) / $3.99 (each)
Lee: It's been awhile since we've seen a really, really gratitious cover from Marvel. Luckily the draught is over. Careful consideration shows Emma Frost (assuming it's her) in a straight jacket... basically naked or at least not wearing panties. Luckily the jacket is jjjuuusssstttt loose enough so there is plenty of cleavage to be seen. They couldn't even give her pants???
Greg: She's Emma Frost. What do you think?

The conclusion someday soon...