The All-New, All-Different Women of Marvel

The adventures of Doreen Green will continue after Secret Wars! Squirrel Girl will be up to her usual shenanigans: taking on Marvel’s most powerful bad guys, hanging out with her friends Tippy-Toe (squirrel) and Nancy (human, not superpowered), and studying computer science. If you’re looking for a hero with a glass half-full outlook, a book that is packed to the brim with jokes, and bright, bold art that perfectly matches the tone and story, check this one out.

Spider-Gwen by Jason Latour and Robbi Rodriguez (November 4)

Spider-Gwen takes place in an alternate universe in which Gwen Stacy, not Peter Parker, was bitten by a radioactive spider; Matt Murdock is a crime boss; and Frank Castle is a New York police captain. The universe isn’t the only thing that’s different–the art in Spider-Gwen isn’t like anything else I’m reading, either, utilizing a color palette similar to that of the Misfits from Jem, but without Jem’s overall lightness. Give this one a try if you’re ready to shake it up a bit.

Hawkeye #1 by Jeff Lemire and Ramon Perez

All-New Hawkeye by Jeff Lemire and Ramon Perez (November 11)

Lemire and Perez had some big shoes to fill after Matt Fraction and David Aja’s run on Hawkeye and I’m not quite convinced yet, but All-New Hawkeye #5 ended on a twist that will have me picking this up just to see where it goes. For Kate and Clint, the post-Secret Wars jump into the future may be a little more than eight months, after a long estrangement. What happened? What have they both been up to? I have to know.

The Mighty Thor by Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman (November 18)

The first arc of Thor was all about Thor adjusting to her new role as…well, Thor, and on the mystery of just who it was wielding the hammer. After the big reveal that the new Thor is Dr. Jane Foster, this arc will focus on Jane’s battle with a foe she can’t swing Mjolnir at–cancer.

Ms. Marvel by G. Willow Wilson, Takeshi Miyazawa, and Adrian Alphona (November 18)

So what is it going to mean for Kamala Khan now that she’s been called up to the majors and joined the Avengers? That’s what we’re going to find out in the continuation of her solo title, but I suspect Kamala will be grappling with the fact that with greater power comes greater fame, greater danger and…well, you know.

Silk by Robbie Thompson and Stacey Lee (November 18)

Like your fight scenes with a side of witty, self-deprecating commentary? Need more J. Jonah Jameson in your life? Interested in reading about a young woman who’s finding her way in the world after spending ten years locked away from it? Want all of that depicted in concert with Stacey Lee’s incredible art? Then you’ll want to see Cindy Moon team up with criminal Felicia Hardy, aka Black Cat, to find her missing family when Silk returns later this fall.

Spider-Woman by Dennis Hopeless and Javier Rodriguez (November 18)

I tend to prefer superhero stories that are grounded in the real world so I love what Hopeless has been doing with Spider-Woman and her career change from Avenger to private investigator. I do have some concerns about making Jess eight months pregnant when the story picks back up this fall, but, if done well, stories about a pregnant superhero/P.I. or a single mom and same could be really interesting and I am all for Marvel’s continued efforts to reflect a wide range of human experiences on their pages. Fingers crossed.

A scene that perfectly captures Jessica’s appeal as a P.I.

A-Force by G. Willow Wilson and Jorge Molina (December 2)

I gave up A-Force and several other comics, including Runaways, pretty early on because the entire Battleworld premise made my eyes roll uncontrollably. I’m ready to jump back in with A-Force after the Secret Wars dust has settled, though. Wilson is a great writer and there’s no way I can resist an all-lady superhero team led by She-Hulk for long.

Captain Marvel by Tara Butters, Michele Fazekas, and Kris Anka (December 2)

This will be the first issue of Captain Marvel without Kelly Sue DeConnick at the helm, but I for one think Carol is in damn good hands with Agent Carter showrunners Tara Butters and Michele Fazekas. I think it’s safe to say that Butters and Fazekas know how to write compelling stories for a tough-as-nails, badass lady hero. Volume 9 has Carol setting up her new headquarters in space, so expect lots of great SF action and adventure.

NEW SERIES

Angela: Queen of Hel by Marguerite Bennett, Kim Jacinto, and Stephanie Hans (October 21)

This one is only technically “new,” as it does continue the story from Angela: Asgard’s Assassin. Angela’s companion Sera is trapped in Hel and a little death and eternal damnation won’t stop Angela from trying to save her. I gave up on Angela: Asgard’s Assassin pretty early on, but given my recent enjoyment of Bennett’s work on DC Bombshells, I’m thinking of giving this one a try. If you’re into Norse mythology and still haven’t picked up any of the books featuring Asgardians, you might give this a go.

All-New Wolverine by Tom Taylor and David Lopez (November 11)

Wait. First it was Thor. Now you’re telling me that Wolverine is a lady, too? Yassssss. Laura Kinney, also known as X-23, is not just any lady. She is a clone of original Wolverine Logan, making her at least the second female clone of a male superhero in the Marvel universe. The scientists at Marvel have a very different understanding of cloning than I do, but I’ll take creative license if it puts more ladies on the pages of my comics. Anyway, Laura was a bad guy, but then Logan took her under his wing. Now that he’s “dead,” she’s taking up the mantle.

Tom Taylor and David Lopez introduce the All-New Wolverine.

Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur by Amy Reeder, Brandon Montclare, and Natacha Bustos (November 25)

If nothing else, this is the best title on this list–Jack Kirby really knew how to appeal to an audience of me when he created a red T. Rex sidekick–but the premise is pretty great, too. Lunella Lafayette is a pre-teen supergenius and an Inhuman. Growing up in Marvel’s Manhattan is hard enough without Terrigenesis, so Luna’s on a mission to prevent it from happening to her. Though Marvel’s been careful not to bill this as an “all-ages” comic, certainly they are reaching out to a slightly younger audience in making a preteen girl the lead. As a professional book-pusher, I’m excited for books that allow me to introduce younger readers to the joy of comics and this looks like a good one.

Gamora by Nicole Perlman (December 2)

Peter, Rocket, and Groot all have their own books already. This fall, Gamora and Drax will join them. Not too surprising given the success of the Guardians of the Galaxy movie. Personally, I’m still holding out for a Gamora/Angela action/comedy/romance series (c’mon! They totally had chemistry in the GOTG comic!), but this could be good, too. While my problems with the movie are well-documented, I’m certainly intrigued by the choice to hire screenwriter Nicole Perlman in her comic-writing debut.

Patsy Walker, AKA Hellcat cover by Brittney Williams

Patsy Walker A.K.A. Hellcat by Kate Leth and Brittney Williams (December 2)

This is the debut I’m most looking forward to. Two years ago, I wouldn’t have known Hellcat from Tigra from Black Cat, but thanks to Charles Soule’s She-Hulk, I now count myself among Patsy Walker’s fans. While I will probably always mourn the end of that series, it’s exciting to see Patsy take center stage, especially in the hands of the very funny Kate Leth. Plus, editor Wil Moss described it as a “superhero version of Trainwreck.” If Patsy Walker A.K.A. Hellcat is half as funny as LeBron James was in that movie, we’re in for a treat.

Scarlet Witch by James Robinson (December 2)

It took two years for Natasha Romanoff to get her own comic after the first Avengers movie, so I’m happy to see Wanda Maximoff getting her own series so soon. I’ve long been fascinated by Wanda–She’s the mother of one of my favorite Young Avengers and she once single-handedly wiped out mutantkind with a single sentence. So.–but my impression supports writer James Robinson’s assertion in this interview that people know more about the things Wanda has done than they know about her. I can’t wait for that to be corrected!

Didn’t see your favorite Marvel lady on this list? That doesn’t mean she’s not part of Marvel’s post-Secret Wars universe. She might be appearing on a team instead of going solo like most of the women listed above. Among my favorites who are appearing in, but not headlining, series this fall are Mary Jane Watson in Invincible Iron Man, vol. 2; Miss America Chavez in Ultimates, vol. 2; and Anya Corazon in Web Warriors. Check out the full line-up here to see where to find your favorites this fall.