2020 should have been a big year for the comics, and for Marvel Comics in particular, but things are happening and plans are changing. While we’ve apparently gotten past the worst, there are still several things that Marvel has planned, announced, and in some cases even started taking orders, which for one reason or another remain on “hiatus” without really understanding. if and when they will return.
In the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, several announced Marvel comic series have been suspended. Many eventually resumed publication, or the publisher explained why the series would not be released. But there are four Marvel titles that are floating in some sort of purgatory, without our knowing whether or not they are happening.
That’s not to say that these particular Marvel titles have no possible reason to be MIA. COVID-19 has had a chilling effect on the comic book industry, and for a while people have openly questioned if the comics would resume, instead of when. But in May, all major comic book publishers resumed their releases, and many postponed series were rescheduled and reissued.
But not these.
These four Marvel limited series have been absent from Marvel’s post-COVID-19 shutdown schedule and have not been mentioned in any publisher’s announcements for almost two years.
And while we don’t have all the answers, we’ve put together all of the current information in one place – including some comments from the individual creators involved – on these titles to remind you what they are, who’s involved, and, in some cases this is happening at.
Since this originally took place in December, some Marvel MIA titles have reappeared on the calendar (such as The Xcellent, Darkhold, Dark Ages, and Spider-Man’s WEB), and one has been confirmed canceled (Nebula), but these four remain mysteriously absent.
Gwen Stacy # 3 – # 5
This one is a little weird, as Gwen Stacy launched in February 2020 and a second issue came out… then, nothing more. The last three issues of Christos Gage and Todd Nauck were solicited and then scuttled during the halt in distribution caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
While most of the other ongoing and limited series shot in the middle of an arc have finally been picked up – some only digitally, but still completed – Gwen Stacy stands out in her absence.
Sources at Marvel tell Newsarama that all five issues in the series have been written and drawn, but they don’t have a clear idea of when the book will be in demand.
The publication date of a collected edition, titled Gwen Stacy: Who is this girl?, was recently re-dated for January 13, 2023 via Amazon. Assuming that’s correct, Marvel could release the unpublished issues in 2022 before that.
New warriors
As a married person, I can tell you that you never forget an anniversary – and Marvel Comics didn’t with their plans for New Warriors’ 30th anniversary. But then the pandemic happened.
Originally announced in January for its April 2020 debut, the limited series New Warriors by writer Daniel Kibblesmith and artist Luciano Vecchio planned to introduce new New Warriors, with the original team playing the role. mentors.
The series was intended to be part of the “Outlawed” crossover event, and like New Warriors, this was delayed but eventually released – just minus that New Warriors title.
Neither Marvel nor the creators would have commented on the show’s status and its future.
How To Read Comics The Marvel Way
How to Draw Comics the Marvel Way is an iconic piece of Marvel history, and in 2020, the publisher planned to revisit it in a refreshing and friendly series for new readers, How to Read Comics Style. Marvel way.
Writer Christopher Hastings and artist Scott Koblish planned to give comics an introduction to comics and the unique visual language they use, then get into a little comic book history lesson and of Marvel’s role in its growth.
This limited series was supposed to launch in April, but like everything on this list, it fell off the calendar due to the pandemic and has not been seen or heard since.
Neither Marvel, the creators, nor Newsarama have an update on this title – but Amazon has updated the release date of a collected edition of How To Read Comics The Marvel Way until December 31, 2023. Take that with a grain of salt though, given how far it is more that it’s a Sunday too – Marvel doesn’t typically release comics or collections on Sundays.
The Punisher vs. Barracuda
While the Marvel Max lineup is still in the cold room at the publisher, a five-issue “prestige” Punisher series of Marvel Max was locked and loaded for its April debut until distribution ceased.
Writer Ed Brisson and artist Declan Shalvey were teaming up to bring the Barracuda created by Garth Ennis out of the alternate continuity and into the main Marvel U with this book. The series had been in talks for years, and we’re told it was a bit of a passionate project for both writers.
At least four of the five issues are completely drawn according to our sources, but with the hiatus, Shalvey has moved on to other projects. Since the break, Brisson’s “exclusive” agreement with Marvel has expired and he has started working with other publishers.
We hope the series will finally see the light of day, but we haven’t heard of any plans to complete the project.
When (or if) these comics finally go on sale, they will be available in both print and digital versions. Check out our list of best digital comic readers for Android and iOS devices.
