Hello again my Marvelous Media Maniacs and welcome to June which as you will see down below, looks to be a great month for cool first issues and special edition premieres care of the mighty House Of Ideas. So before I begin this rundown I am curious as to how many times you have seen “Avengers: Endgame” by now. Initially, my plan was to have seen it at least three times by now because the matinee in my area is only $6 on a Wednesday and there is no beating that but sadly the flexible time had escaped me with night before shows and a few conventions. As a matter of fact, as you read this narrative I will be making my way over to Greenpoint for the Five Points Festival and then tomorrow over to the Javits Center for Book Con. Earlier in the week I was at Book Expo so as you can see a very busy week but I digress. Let’s get on down to business and see the overview of what is coming our way care of press information and images from Marvel themselves. I will be closing up as per usual with additional Editorial pontification.

BLACK CAT #1: SPINNING OUT OF THE PAGES OF AMAZING SPIDER-MAN! ALL-NEW ONGOING SERIES! The Black Cat is back and starring in her first ever ongoing series! Felicia Hardy has a taste for the finer things in life and a certain set of skills that can get her into any mansion, vault or museum to…procure said finer things. But due to her actions in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN, Felicia’s not only on the run from the police but also by the New York Theives Guild and their boss ODESSA DRAKE! High-octane heists, climactic chases and twist after twist that will keep you on the edge of your seat like a cat on a perch. IN THIS ISSUE: Find out a secret from Cat’s past in a bonus story that sets a foundation for the future! All this and an all-new MARVEL MEOW short story by Nao Fuji!

JED MACKAY (W) • TRAVEL FOREMAN (A); Cover by J. SCOTT CAMPBELL

SILVER SURFER: BLACK #1 (OF 5): Spinning out of GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1, almost the entire galaxy’s defenders have been blown through a black hole, including the Silver Surfer! But the story doesn’t end there… In order to fight back the oblivion, Surfer will have to fight to save his own soul and not lose himself to the void. Follow the Sentinel of the Spaceways on a journey that will change him forever! From superstars Donny Cates (VENOM, GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY) and Tradd Moore (ALL-NEW GHOST RIDER, VENOM)!

DONNY CATES (W) • TRADD MOORE (A/C)

INCREDIBLE HULK: LAST CALL #1: HULK LEGENDS, PETER DAVID & DALE KEOWN REUNITE! In his twelve-year stint on THE INCREDIBLE HULK, Peter David redefined the Green Goliath for generations of fans and creators. Artist Dale Keown drew some of that run’s most beloved and influential issues. Now the pair return to their incredible collaboration for a special oversized one-shot issue! Bruce Banner is tired of being the Hulk. Heck, he’s tired of being. But just when he’s about to lose all hope, a miracle occurs: a fight worthy of the Incredible Hulk.

PETER DAVID (W) • DALE KEOWN (A/C)

MARVEL TALES: SPIDER-MAN #1: Spider-Man swings into onto the stage as we celebrate the 80th Anniversary of the House of Ideas with the era-spanning MARVEL TALES! This anthology series shines a spotlight on fan-favorite characters, features timeless stories, and highlights some of our most impressive talent from the past eight decades. First, Spidey faces the mind-bending madness of Mysterio in a classic showdown from the boundless imaginations of Stan Lee, John Romita Sr. and Don Heck — the villain’s special effects have never been bigger than in AMAZING SPIDER-MAN (1963) #66! Then meet Jessica Drew, the startlingly different Spider-Woman in in MARVELSPOTLIGHT (1971) #32 — to know her is to fear her! And finally, with the webslinger missing, the Black Cat steals the spotlight! Can frantic Felicia Hardy find her Spider — or will she find adventure? Surprises are in store in SPECTACULAR SPIDER-MAN (1976) #90!

STAN LEE, ARCHIE GOODWIN & AL MILGROM (W); JOHN ROMITA SR., DON HECK, SAL BUSCEMA & AL MILGROM (A); COVER BY JEN BARTEL

SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL #1: – FEATURING SPIDER-HAM!: When Spider-Gwen’s dimension-hopping web-watch falls into the wrong hands, it’s up to everyone’s favorite wisecracking web-slinger, the wily waddler known as SPIDER-HAM, to save the day! From the same creative minds that brought you INTO THE SPIDER-VERSE and Spider-Gwen creator JASON LATOUR, you won’t want to miss this interdimensional epic!

JASON LATOUR (W) • DAVID LAFUENTE & JASON LATOUR (A); COVER BY DAVID LAFUENTE
VARIANT COVER BY RON LIM

“Spider-Man”: Reptilian Rage” #1[/caption]

SPIDER-MAN: REPTILIAN RAGE #1: PETER PARKER’s got a real shot – a chance for a spot in a competitive Empire State University program as a high school student. Nothing’s going to keep him from his goal…unless the old Parker luck strikes again! And a crime boss’s interference with an experiment of DR. CURT CONNORS threatens to do just that, as an unexpected run-in heralds the return of the deadly LIZARD! But if SPIDER-MAN is going to save the day, does that mean Peter Parker will have to sacrifice his future? A tale of great power and the cost of responsibility in the mighty Marvel manner! ONE-SHOT.

RALPH MACCHIO (W) • CHRISTOPHER ALLEN (A) • Cover by TODD NAUCK

GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY ANNUAL #1: Since the Black Order’s attack on the galaxy’s greatest defenders, the cosmos has been wtihout its heroes. Find out what really happened to Nova, Quasar, Adam Warlock, and Darkhawk! And who better to tell this story than Cosmo, the Spacedog?

Donny Cates, Al Ewing, Tini Howard, Zac Thompson & Lonnie Nadler (W)
Yildiray Cinar, Ibrahim Moustafa, Felipe Andrade & more (A); Cover by Giuseppe Camuncoli

HOWARD THE DUCK #1 FACSIMILE EDITION: He’s a refugee from Duckworld, trapped in a world he never made! He’s Howard the…Barbarian?! That’s right — sword in hand, Howard the Duck is storming the castle of Pro-Rata, would-be Chief Accountant of the Universe! Can Howard survive a run-in with Pro-Rata’s Cosmic Calculator, save the imprisoned Beverly Switzler and avoid becoming dragon food? Find out in the astonishing first issue of the solo series that established Howard the Duck as the satirical smash hit of the ’70s! Waugh! It’s one of the all-time-great Marvel comic books, boldly re-presented in its original form, ads and all! Reprinting HOWARD THE DUCK (1976) #1. ONE-SHOT

Written by STEVE GERBER; Penciled by FRANK BRUNNER; Cover by FRANK BRUNNER

WOLVERINE: EXIT WOUNDS #1: WOLVERINE LEGENDS, Chris Claremont, Larry Hama & Sam Keith REUNITE! He goes by many names… Patch…Weapon X…Logan…but most just call him THE WOLVERINE. Join Marvel’s greatest storytellers for three brand-new untold tales of the X-Men’s deadliest member. Blood, broads, and blades… you asked for it, bub!

Chris Claremont, Larry Hama, Sam Keith (W); Salvador Larroca, Sam Keith, and more! (A)
Cover by Ryan Stegman

STAR WARS: AGE OF REBELLION – DARTH VADER #1: YOUR HUMBLE SERVANT VADER! DARTH VADER may be the most feared man in the galaxy. But to the proud Grand Moffs of THE EMPIRE, he’s just the Emperor’s apprentice – below them in the hierarchy. But what fury burns in the heart of a SITH with such overwhelming rage when a mere Moff dares command him? And at what point does Darth Vader show them his true power? ONE-SHOT.

GREG PAK (W) • MARC LAMING (A) • COVER BY TERRY & RACHEL DODSON

STAR WARS: AGE OF REBELLION – LUKE SKYWALKER #1: THE FIRST TEMPTATION OF LUKE SKYWALKER! After learning the true identity of his father, LUKE continues his training and prepares for the inevitable showdown, determined never to follow the path of VADER. But when a rebel general’s mistakes lead to disaster and Luke must seize command, the DARK SIDE tempts him as never before. Featuring the eerie influence of THE EMPEROR! ONE-SHOT.

GREG PAK (W) • CHRIS SPROUSE (A) • COVER BY TERRY & RACHEL DODSON

CONAN THE BARBARIAN VOL. 1: THE LIFE AND DEATH OF CONAN BOOK ONE TPB: The greatest sword-and-sorcery hero of all returns to Marvel! From an age undreamed…hither came Conan the Cimmerian, black-haired, sullen-eyed, sword in hand, a thief, a reaver, a slayer, with gigantic melancholies and gigantic mirth, to tread the jeweled thrones of the Earth under his sandaled feet. Conan’s travels have brought him to the far reaches of the unknown, from his birthplace in Cimmeria to the kingdom of Aquilonia and all in between. But as his fighting prowess lets him carve his way through life, so too does it attract the forces of death! And few are more deadly than the Crimson Witch. Robert E. Howard’s legendary barbarian stars in an all-new ages-spanning saga as the destiny of Conan — and King Conan — are forever changed! Collecting CONAN THE BARBARIAN (2019) #1-6.

Written by JASON AARON; Penciled by MAHMUD ASRAR & GERARDO ZAFFINO
Cover by ESAD RIBIC

IRONHEART VOL. 1: THOSE WITH COURAGE TPB: Riri Williams steps boldly out of Tony Stark’s shadow to forge her own future! When one of Spider-Man’s old foes holds a group of world leaders hostage, Ironheart must step up her game. But she’s thrown for a loop when an old acquaintance from Chicago re-enters her life! Caught between her need for independence and her obligations at M.I.T., Ironheart needs to make some tough decisions! Luckily, Riri has a will of steel, a heart of iron and a new A.I. on her side! Unluckily, the search for a kidnapped friend will send her stumbling into an ancient power — and it’s deadly! Plus: When Miles Morales goes missing, who better to search for him than his fellow Champion, Riri — who he’s never actually gotten along with that well! Collecting IRONHEART #1-6.

Written by EVE L. EWING; Penciled by KEVIN LIBRANDA, LUCIANO VECCHIO & BEAULIEU GEOFFREY; Cover by AMY REEDER

CHAMPIONS BY JIM ZUB VOL. 1: BEAT THE DEVIL TPB: The world still needs heroes — and there are heroes all over the world! A new era begins as the Champions go global! Under Ms. Marvel’s leadership, an army of young adventurers is saving people and improving lives across the planet — but something sinister lurks beneath the surface. A dark secret that could destroy the team and everything they stand for! When the dream is at stake, what would you be willing to sacrifice to keep it alive? One of the Champions makes a choice that will haunt them for the rest of their days, and now the villain behind that decision has everything they need to shatter the next generation of heroes! Is this the ultimate sacrifice or the ultimate betrayal? Ms. Marvel will find out the truth, even if it kills her. Collecting CHAMPIONS (2019) #1-4.

Written by JIM ZUB; Penciled by STEVEN CUMMINGS; Cover by KIM JACINTO

FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN VOL. 1: SECRETS AND RUMORS TPB: Spider-Man is the worst neighbor ever! There are always crazy villains and property damage and drama and…and he catches those villains. And he tries to fix the damage. And he helps carry your groceries. And actually that property damage keeps the rents down. You know what? Spider-Man is the best neighbor ever, and this book will give you a closer look at Spider-Man’s (and Peter Parker’s) neighborhood than any before it! But it wouldn’t be a Spider-Man adventure without a threat that could destroy not only Spider-Man, but also all his friendly neighbors — and it’s going to take him far from home, to a part of the Marvel Universe you’ve never seen before! Plus: Aunt May has a shocking secret that could change everything for Peter and his family! Collecting FRIENDLY NEIGHBORHOOD SPIDER-MAN (2019) #1-5.

Written by TOM TAYLOR; Penciled by JUANN CABAL, MARCELO FERREIRA & YILDIRAY CINAR
Cover by ANDREW C. ROBINSON

WOLVERINE: THE LONG NIGHT TPB: Marvel’s hit scripted podcast comes to life on the printed page! Following a string of mysterious deaths in Burns, Alaska, Special Agents Sally Pierce and Tad Marshall investigate — but soon find more going on than meets the eye! A rundown cabin in the middle of nowhere. Feral children lurking in the trees. A sinister cult worshiping in a cathedral of night. And a serial killer on the loose. Everyone has their own suspicions about the culprit, but the evidence keeps pointing investigators back to a certain clawed loner. As the body count climbs and the small town spirals further into chaos, one man — one monster — sits at the center of it all! It’s a Logan story like no other! Collecting WOLVERINE: THE LONG NIGHT ADAPTATION #1-5.

Written by BENJAMIN PERCY; Penciled by MARCIO TAKARA; Cover by RAFAEL ALBUQUERQUE

BLACK WIDOW: NO RESTRAINTS PLAY TPB: Jen and Sylvia Soska — the Twisted Twins — tell a story of vice, violence and vengeance! Natasha Romanoff was trained to kill. For years now, she’s tried to overcome that programming to side with the angels — to be a hero. And where did that get her? Killed. By one of the few true friends she allowed herself to have. Now the Black Widow is back from the dead, angry as hell and finding those better angels harder and harder to hear. Natasha cuts a swath through the island underworld of Madripoor, and she has a party to crash — one filled with ruthless villains. But soon Natasha will be trapped in someone else’s dark web! The true enemy is revealed. Lines are crossed. There is no turning back! Collecting BLACK WIDOW (2019) #1-5.

Written by JEN & SYLVIA SOSKA; Penciled by FLAVIANO; Cover by CLAYTON CRAIN

X-MEN MILESTONES: DARK PHOENIX SAGA TPB: The biggest and best adventures of Marvel’s mighty mutants — these are the X-Men Milestones! It doesn’t get any more iconic than this tale of triumph and tragedy! The X-Men have fought many battles, embarked on galaxy-spanning adventures and defeated enemies of limitless might — but none of it prepared them for the most shocking struggle they would ever face. One of their own, Jean Grey, has gained cosmic power beyond all comprehension — and that power has corrupted her absolutely! Now the X-Men must decide between the life of the friend they cherish…and the possible destruction of the entire universe! This touching tale of ultimate power and the triumph of the human spirit has been a cornerstone of the X-Men mythos for decades. Relive the saga that changed everything! Collecting X-MEN (1963) #129-137.

Written by CHRIS CLAREMONT & JOHN BYRNE; Penciled by JOHN BYRNE; Cover by JOHN BYRNE

NOT BRAND ECHH: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION TPB: When Stan Lee set the tone for the Marvel Age of Comics, it came with a healthy dose of humor. And when fans demanded more Marvel mayhem, Stan — along with Jack Kirby, Gene Colan and the Bullpen’s mistress of mirth, Marie Severin — turned the dial to 11 and let loose! Presenting the masterpiece of Silver Age satire, packed with Marvel’s greatest talents taking a sideways look at the heroes they made famous (and even some they didn’t). Charlie America, Scaredevil, the Revengers, Sore: Son of Shmodin, the Sunk-Mariner and the one and only Forbush Man are coming at you. Duck! Collecting NOT BRAND ECHH (1967) #1-13; NOT BRAND ECHH (2017) #14; and material from AMAZING SPIDER-MAN ANNUAL (1964) #1 and #5, DAREDEVIL ANNUAL (1967) #1, FANTASTIC FOUR ANNUAL #5, SGT. FURY ANNUAL #4 and AVENGERS ANNUAL #2.

Written by STAN LEE, ROY THOMAS, GARY FRIEDRICH, ARNOLD DRAKE, MARIE SEVERIN & MORE; Penciled by MARIE SEVERIN, JACK KIRBY, GENE COLAN, TOM SUTTON & MORE; Cover by MARIE SEVERIN

PETER PORKER, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-HAM: THE COMPLETE COLLECTION VOL. 1 TPB: Go whole hog with the Spectacular Spider-Ham’s animal antics! What started as a porcine parody one-shot soon became a hilarious ongoing series full of anthropomorphized adventurers! Peter Porker is a photographer for J. Jonah Jackal’s Daily Beagle — but when danger strikes, he fights crime alongside hirsute heroes such as Hulk Bunny, Captain Americat and the Fantastic Fur! Can Spider-Ham triumph over fearsome foes like Ducktor Doom, Bull-Frog, the King-Pig and the Bee-yonder — while keeping the young Beagle Brigadiers out of trouble and still managing to bring home the bacon? Plus: Thrr, Dog of Thunder stars in “Tails of Arfgard”! Here comes Deerdevil, Mammal Without Fear! Nick Furry, Agent of S.H.E.E.P.! Goose Rider! The invincible Iron Mouse! Croak and Badger! The astonishing Ant-Ant! And more zoological puns! Collecting MARVEL TAILS #1 and PETER PORKER, THE SPECTACULAR SPIDER-HAM #1-17.

Written by TOM DEFALCO, STEVE MELLOR, STEVE SKEATES, MICHAEL CARLIN & MIKE MELLOR
Penciled by MARK ARMSTRONG, STEVE MELLOR, JOSE ALBELO, FRED HEMBECK, TONY SALMONS, ART NICHOLS & MORE
Cover by JOSE ALBELO

MARVELS: EYE OF THE CAMERA TPB (NEW PRINTING): The sequel to the award-winning publishing sensation that made Kurt Busiek and Alex Ross into stars! News photographer Phil Sheldon is back to provide the man-on-the-street’s perspective on the larger-than-life heroes, villains and big events of the Marvel Universe — from the Avengers, the X-Men and the Secret Wars to Dracula and Werewolf by Night! But this time, Phil’s world is about to be rocked not just by superhuman battles and cosmic events, but also by something far more personal. Featuring the stunning work of artist Jay Anacleto, whose gorgeous, photorealistic pencil renderings bring the Marvel Universe into sharp focus — and offer a glimpse of what it would be like to actually live there. Collecting MARVELS: EYE OF THE CAMERA #1-6.

Written by KURT BUSIEK & ROGER STERN; Penciled by JAY ANACLETO; Cover by JAY ANACLETO

TOMB OF DRACULA: DAY OF BLOOD, NIGHT OF REDEMPTION TPB: Experience Dracula’s terrifying return in this lavishly illustrated tale of horror! Supernatural dream team Marv Wolfman, Gene Colan and Al Williamson reopen the Tomb of Dracula in this prestige-format series for Marvel’s Epic imprint — collected for the first time! Dracula is dead — but his last living descendant, Frank Drake, is being manipulated by a shadowy occult investigator who plans to revive the lord of the vampires! But when Dracula comes roaring back to life, can Blade the Vampire Hunter be far behind? The vampire king is once again free to stalk the Earth, but the world has changed much in his absence. As Dracula targets Frank’s wife and concocts a gruesome scheme to obtain power via human sacrifice, can Drake, Blade and their ragtag band return him to his eternal grave? Collecting TOMB OF DRACULA (1991) #1-4.

Written by MARV WOLFMAN; Penciled by GENE COLAN; Cover by GENE COLAN

WEIRDWORLD: THE DRAGONMASTER OF KLARN TPB: Cover by An Epic quest! There’s nowhere weirder than Weirdworld — just ask elves Tyndall and Velanna and their dwarf ally Mud-Butt! When a powerful wizard turns the trio’s lives upside down, the troubled troupe is forced to undertake another deadly quest — in search of the magic blade known as the Glorywand! Goblins, dragons and the undead lie in wait as their journey across Weirdworld begins — but who is the Dragonmaster of Klarn? Plus: Relive Weirdworld’s debut and Tyndall’s fateful first meeting with Velanna when the out-worlder elf reluctantly undertakes a deadly mission to track down — and eliminate — the very heart of evil! Collecting material from EPIC ILLUSTRATED #9 and #11-13 and MARVEL SUPER ACTION (1976) #1.

Written by DOUG MOENCH; Penciled by JOHN BUSCEMA & MIKE PLOOG

ADVENTURES OF THE X-MEN VOL. 1 GN-TPB: Cover by Animated-style adventures from one of the X-Men’s greatest eras! Wolverine takes on the savage Hulk — but whose side are Havok and X-Factor on? And what does the gamma-powered Leader have to do with it all? Meanwhile, Beast and Gambit face the evil machinations of Mister Sinister — with a little help from Spider-Man! Things take an occult turn for Cyclops, courtesy of the demonic N’Garai and the Dweller-in-Darkness! And when Magneto and his Brotherhood commit an act of war, the X-Men must respond — but as the situation explodes out of control, it just might bring about the Apocalypse…with a capital ‘A’! Who will be left standing in the ultimate survival-of-the-fittest battle? Collecting ADVENTURES OF THE X-MEN #1-6 and ADVENTURES OF SPIDER-MAN #3.

Written by RALPH MACCHIO & NEL YOMTOV; Penciled by BEN HERRERA, MIKE MILLER, ROBERTO FLORES & ALEX SAVIUK

PiercingMetal Thoughts: I know what you are thinking, that is some kind of list and you’d be right to say that. This time around I decided to add a few more collected editions or trade paperbacks since they featured full storylines of some of the more recent items that I have enjoyed and some are even classic based such as the “Dark Phoenix” Saga. Remember that the film “Dark Phoenix” opens next Friday 6/7 and if you’ve missed any of my posts about it so far just click HERE to be up to speed. Right now I don’t know what issues or books I will be adding to the collection as May and June are tight financial months for the Media Command HQ. Lots of priorities to spend the not so disposable income on. Today I’ll be heading to the “Five Points Festival” and tomorrow “The Book Con” so a lot of cool posts to Instagram and Facebook for those who are following along as we explore the Media Field. Click on those highlighted texts to make sure you are in our corner. Be sure to let me know what is of most interest to you from this rundown in the comments section below.

PS: At the time of this posting, “Avengers: Endgame” is just shy of $100 million dollars to beat out 2009’s “Avatar” as the “Highest Grossing Film Of All Time”. If you have not yet seen the film for any reason or were planning a second or third go round that you still need to get to, the time to rally is NOW!!! Get on point my Marvel Metal Legions. Stand up to the challenge and help “Avengers: Endgame” take the crown from “Avatar”.

Official Website: http://www.marvel.com