I rant about the DC and Marvel November solicitations, part 1.

This worked so well last month I decided to do it again. I'm starting with Marvel:

ULTIMATE ORIGINS #1 (of 6)
Written by BRIAN MICHAEL BENDIS
Penciled by BUTCH GUICE
Cover by SIMONE BIANCHI
Variant Cover by TBA
This is it: The story that finally reveals the conspiracies behind the entire Ultimate universe! "Everything is connected." That was the mysterious statement uttered by Bruce Banner to Spider-Man when they first met. Now it's time to discover the jaw-dropping secrets that men have fought and died to protect. From the dark days of World War II to the frightening present, journey through history to learn what's really behind the Super Soldier and Weapon X programs–and how heroes such as Captain America, Nick Fury and Wolverine have more in common than codenames and costumes. The dream team of Brian Michael Bendis and Butch Guice unite for the first time for the Ultimate series of the year! Plus: Check out that cover by Simone Bianchi!
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

• "The dream team of Brian Michael Bendis and Butch Guice..."? Bendis I can see. He's probly half of a lot of people's dream team. But Butch Guice? He most recently of the soon to be cancelled Aquaman: Sword of Atlantis? And before that of the now defunct CrossGen comics? I like Guice's work, but, let's get real. George Perez or Steve McNiven he's not. Maybe is trying to go with a whole "Rock 'N Roll High School" thing here. That movie treated the Ramones like they were the Beatles. Maybe that is what Marvel is trying with Guice?
• BTW, TBA is one of my favorite, up and coming artists.

ULTIMATES SAGA
As told by Tony Stark (with help from C.B. CEBULSKI and MINDY OWENS)
Based on stories by MARK MILLAR
Art by BRYAN HITCH
New Cover Artwork by MARK BROOKS and Interior Pages by TRAVIS CHAREST
Recapping the entire series to date, the ULTIMATES SAGA will be told by their new leader, Tony Stark. As America's premier super-hero team, the Ultimates have been forced to face more trials and tribulations than anyone ever expected during the course of their short time together: a Skrull infiltration, the trial of the Hulk for his murderous rampage, betrayal from within and the invasion of America. Now, no longer under the auspices of S.H.I.E.L.D., Tony Stark is forced to face the reality of his team's newfound freedom. Having gotten his hands on Nick Fury's personal files, Tony sifts through the information Nick has collected about the Ultimates’ adventures and discovers there's been a lot more going on with his team than he ever anticipated. This 32-page special will also include an extra four-page section featuring an all-new story by C.B. Cebulski and superstar Travis Charest.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

• I wonder if the will cause a rift amongst readers of Ultimates 3 when (or if) it comes out? "I spent 5 years of my life reading two, 13-issue series that led up to this and you consider yourself an Ultimates fan after just reading Ultimates Saga? Don't make me laugh!"

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #545
Written by J. MICHAEL STRACZYNSKI
Pencils & 50/50 Cover by JOE QUESADA
50/50 Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
“ONE MORE DAY” PART 4
The riveting conclusion to the most-talked about -- and controversial -- comics event of the year. Brought to you by J. Michael Straczynski and Joe Quesada. Brace yourself, Spidey fans, after this, nothing will be the same for Peter Parker!
The stakes have never been higher. At his darkest hours -- and he's had plenty -- Peter has always had one shoulder to lean on, one person who'd remind him who he is, who he was, and who he can be. Now he's about to lose that person. What will he do...what would you do, if you only had "One More Day?”
48 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

• I love all the controversy that was started when the cover to this issue was released a few weeks ago with the tagline "End of an Era". People were all up in arms about it. "Peter and Mary Jane are going to get divorced!" "They're killing off Mary Jane!" A) I thought it was a picture of a gloved hand (which my friend Jeff says is Daredevil.) ripping a picture of Peter and MJ  to reveal a happier picture of the two. Upon further review, the gloved one is holding a shard of a broken picture. B) JMS has been writng ASM since 2001. that could be the era that they are talking about ending.

AVENGERS: THE INITIATIVE ANNUAL #1
Written by DAN SLOTT
Penciled by TBA
Cover by JIM CHEUNG
AUTHORIZED PERSONNEL ONLY!
You have been granted clearance to Camp Hammond's most sensitive files.
For the first time anywhere, witness the hidden origins of the GAUNTLET, ARMORY, MVP, and HARDBALL. Also, learn some of the Initiative's most hi-tech secrets. And meet the team from America's 2nd State, Pennsylvania, as they battle FLAG SMASHER and the forces of ULTIMATUM! How will Philly react to the Initiative's all-new take on the LIBERTY LEGION?
Jump on here for the next chapter in Marvel's big breakout series!
48 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

• TBA's drawing this one too! Wow, he's getting a lot of work!

GHOST RIDER ANNUAL #1
Written by STUART MOORE
Pencils & Cover by BEN OLIVER
Meet the mysterious Mister Eleven -- a powerful player with a unique place in the battle between Heaven and Hell! But is he an angel, a demon, or something else entirely? Ghost Rider and Lucifer may find out -- if they survive an epic battle in a snow-covered, deserted amusement park! This story by Stuart Moore (NEW AVENGERS/TRANSFORMERS, MARVEL COMICS PRESENTS) and Ben Oliver (ULTIMATE X-MEN) stands alone, but also introduces an important new character into the Ghost Rider mythos!
48 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

• You know, I'm not that crazy about picking up the regular Ghost Rider series. Don't foist an annual on me too.

HOUSE OF M: AVENGERS #1 (of 5)
Written by CHRISTOS GAGE
Pencils & Cover by MIKE PERKINS
Return to the world of the hit House of M series, where mutants rule the earth and familiar heroes lead shocking, unfamiliar lives!  See the history of this alternate reality revealed for the first time!  Follow Luke Cage as he goes from wrongly-convicted prisoner to super-powered fugitive...and assembles the band of rebel freedom fighters who will come to be known as the Avengers!  Featuring Hawkeye, Iron Fist, Moon Knight, Tigra, Mockingbird and more than a few surprises!  The team behind the acclaimed Union Jack, Christos (World War Hulk: X-Men) Gage and Mike (Captain America) Perkins, reunite to bring you Marvel's heroes and villains in a world where anything can happen...and does!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• I am totally Marvel's bitch when it come to the Avengers. Stick that name on anything and I'll buy it.

INCREDIBLE HULK #112
Written by GREG PAK & FRED VAN LENTE
Penciled by KHOI PHAM
Cover by ART ADAMS
CLASSIFIED
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

• Oooh! Classified! Maybe they're going to kill off Captain America again!

MARVEL ATLAS #1 (of 2)
Written by MICHAEL HOSKIN, STUART VANDAL, ANTHONY FLAMINI & ERIC J. MOREELS
Penciled by ELIOT R. BROWN
Cover by STAZ JOHNSON
Walk through Marvel's Earth with the first-ever official atlas! In the first half of this indispensable guide, travel through Europe, Asia and the Pacific with digestible in-depth features including: the splendor of Dr. Doom's Latveria! The wonders of Muir Island! The glory of Silver Sable's homeland Symkaria! The urban squalor of Madripoor! The underwater marvels of Lemuria! From the shores of Ireland to the ocean's very depths, it's all mapped out for you courtesy of handbook legend Eliot R. Brown (PUNISHER ARMORY, IRON MANUAL)!
64 PGS./Rated A …$3.99

• This is a totally pointless book but I am totally going to buy it.

MOON KNIGHT ANNUAL #1
Written by DUANE SWIERCZYNSKI
Pencils by JEFTE PAOLO
Cover by DAVE WILKINS
“DATE NIGHT”
Some people come to New York City looking for a knight in shining armor. Or just a warm body who can help you through the lonely hours.  Be careful what you look for.  Hot crime novelist Duane Swierczynski (“The Blonde”) and Jefte Paolo bring you the story of three women whose lives intersect in strange and deadly ways, two predators who stalk the city streets at night, and one shock ending you won’t see coming.  No matter how many bad dates you’ve had.
48 PGS./Rated T+ …$3.99

• Another annual? This is like 4 this month! I guess Marvel has to counter act all the Countdown crossovers DC has by giving their fans more stuff not to buy. And I don't know how "hot" Duane Swierczyski is. Not that I'm a big fan of the crime novel genre, but I'd think I'd notice a name like Swierczynski on book store shelves (watch, now I'll ALWAYS see his name whenever I'm in a book store.)

PUNISHER WAR JOURNAL #13
Written by MATT FRACTION
Pencils by CORY WALKER
Cover by ARIEL OLIVETTI
“HUNTER/HUNTED,” Part 1 of 3
The reintroduction of a classic, brutal, and bloodthirsty Kraven the Hunter. A bank robbery goes violently wrong, leaving the Rhino on the lam, running from the long arm of the law and, of course, the Punisher. As Frank Castle looks to settle the score with an old foe, the Hunter stalks the same prey, building himself the ultimate menagerie -- a living, breathing super-human zoo! Add Spider-Man into this mix as the lone voice of sanity and super-special guest artist Cory Walker (THE IRREDEEMABLE ANT-MAN, Invincible) and you've got chocolate and peanut butter with bullets dipped in it. Delicious! Violent! Explodey!
32 PGS./RATED T+ ...$2.99

• Reintroduction of Kraven? Didn't he eat the business end of a shotgun? I'd like to see how someone comes back from that!

THUNDERBOLTS: BREAKING POINT
Written by CHRISTOS GAGE
Pencils by BRIAN DENHAM
Cover by MARKO DJURDJEVIC
Songbird.  Moonstone.  The two longest-serving members of the Thunderbolts...but that's practically all they have in common.  Songbird has vowed not to let Moonstone corrupt her team, while Moonstone schemes to kill Songbird in the field.  This special issue follows the pair of heroes as they head inexorably toward confrontation...on a collision course that may tear the Thunderbolts apart!
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• Answering the question, "When is a fill-in not a fill-in?" When it is a one-shot special inbetween issues of the regular series.

UNCANNY X-MEN #492
Written by ED BRUBAKER
Penciled by BILLY TAN
Cover by DAVID FINCH
Variant Cover by MARC SILVESTRI
MESSIAH COMPLEX – PART 2 of 13
The biggest mutant event in a decade continues here! Following the Messiah Complex one-shot, the X-Men scramble to search for the missing mutant newborn. But they’ll need to tackle the Acolytes before they get any answers.
32 PGS./Rated T+ …$2.99

• Whoa, whoa whoa! Mutant baby? I thought mutant powers generated at puberty? I hope they explain this or I'm going to want a refund on 30 years of X-Men buying!

X-MEN: DIE BY THE SWORD #3 (of 5)
Written by Chris Claremont
Penciled by Juan Santacruz
Cover by JELENA KEVIC DJURDJEVIC
As Roma’s forces are swarmed by the evil Jaspers and his army of Furies, the Exiles struggle to help the gravely injured Captain Britain. A decision to enlist the help of an unlikely ally may be the heroes’ only hope for victory! And the reunion of Longshot and Dazzler goes horribly wrong.
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

• SPOILER ALERT: Longshot says Dazzler looks fat in her uniform. Man, that lead to an uncomfortable car ride to the battle.

X-MEN: FIRST CLASS #6
Written by JEFF PARKER
Penciled by ROGER CRUZ
Cover by ERIC NGUYEN
"Hey Cyclops, you seen my powers anywhere?"
"Naw."
"Ay-ay, where my wings go at?"
"Dag, I'm all havin' to lift up my coffee with my HANDS, yo."
"Dang. We cold done lost our powerz."
32 PGS./Rated A …$2.99

• The only way this solicitation could have been redeemed is if that last one was done in the form of a LOLcat.

More later...