5 Most Exciting Marvel Comics Of December 2016

It’s almost December, and a new month means new issues of your favorite Marvel Comics.

Marvel Comics is publishing a lot of comic books these days. That means deciding which issues are worth a reader’s hard earned cash and attention can be a challenge.

That’s where ComicBook.com comes in. We’ve studied Marvel Comics’ entire December 2016 solicitations and narrowed them down to the five most exciting issues the publisher will release during the month.

With the Marvel NOW! launches still rolling out, many of the most exciting issues Marvel is releasing make for perfect jumping-on points for new readers. Take a look at our top five recommendations.

More Marvel Comics: Marvel February 2017 Solicitations / Marvel Trolls Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice Again / EXCLUSIVE: Marvel’s Sana Amant On Captain Marvel, Ms. Marvel, And Hawkeye’s Marvel NOW! Future / EXCLUSIVE: Charles Soule Talks Death of X Twist Ending / Death of X #4 Reveals Cyclops’ Fate / 5 Inhumans Vs. X-Men Fights We Want To See / 5 Villains Who Need Their Own Series / Civil War II #7 Could Be The End Of [SPOILER] / X-23 Essential Reading / Venom Finds A New Host / Black Bolt Series Announced / Rob Liefeld’s Inhumans vs. X-Men #1 Variant / Marvel Announces Inhumans Royal Family Series

Guardians of the Galaxy #15

Guardians of the Galaxy #15 begins “Grounded,” the final storyline from writer Brian Michael Bendis, who has been writing the series since the 2012 relaunch. In the wake of Civil War II the Guardians find themselves stranded on Earth and forced to adapt to life less cosmic. After years writing the characters, Bendis is sure to want to close his run in style.

The ramifications of “Grounded” can also be felt in the Marvel NOW! launches of new Gurdians of the Galaxy solo series for Star-Lord, Rocket Raccoon, and Gamora in December.

Guardians of the Galaxy #15
OCT160817
(W) Brian Michael Bendis (A) Valerio Schiti (CA) Arthur Adams

GROUNDED!

• The Guardians of the Galaxy are stuck on Earth!

• They’re also not necessarily a team anymore.

• What’s an urban spaceman supposed to do?

Rated T
In Shops: Dec 14, 2016
SRP: $3.99

 

USAvengers #1

Al Ewing has been writing for Marvel Comics for years now and he may be the publisher’s bets current writer. Ewin is joined by artist Paco Medina for his latest series, USAvengers, a successor to his excellent run on New Avengers.

The new series sees Sunspot taking his formerly rogue Avengers Idea Mechanics legit under the sponsorship of the United States government. Joined by Squirrel Girl, Red Hulk, Danielle Cage, Pod, a new Iron Patriot, and Sunspot’s old pal Cannonball, the USAvengers are ready to become the most patriotic superhero team of all time.

USAvengers #1
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(W) Al Ewing (A/CA) Paco Medina

In a world beset by danger, the United States of America needs a team of heroes they can rely on. Welcome to… American Intelligence Mechanics! A.I.M. will dare any danger – no matter how awesome that danger might be – to save their nation from the wildest, weirdest threats of all! The most patriotic super-group ever is here to save the day. And they’ll do it all looking tried and true in the red, white & blue! Can you live without… the U.S.Avengers?

Rated T+
In Shops: Jan 04, 2017
SRP: $3.99

 

Nova #1

The moment Nova fans have long been waiting for has finally arrived. The original Nova, Richard Rider, is back from the grave and ready to resume his cosmic adventures.

He’ll be joined by current Nova Sam Alexander for a new series co-written by Jeff Loveness and artist Ramon K. Perez. But now that Rider is back, what does the universe have in store for the Novas?

Nova #1
OCT160811
(W) Jeff Loveness, Ramon K. Perez (A/CA) Ramon K. Perez

CLASSIFIED IS BACK!

CLASSIFIED makes his roaring return to the Marvel Universe! How will Sam Alexander cope with this unfathomable homecoming? It’s the return you’ve all been waiting for. Or is something…else? Strap in True Believer, you’ve never seen a NOVA book like this before!

Rated T
In Shops: Dec 07, 2016
SRP: $3.99

The Unworthy Thor #2

If Eisner Award-winning Thor writer Jason Aaron teaming with fan favorite Thor artists Olivier Coipel wasn’t enough, how about adding in the return of fan favorite Thor ally Beta Ray Bill?

The Odinson and Beta Ray Bill are brothers in arms dating back to some of Thor’s most beloved stories. That Bill has returned during the Odinson’s quest for redemption, which includes seeking out the Ultimate Marvel Universe’s Mjolnir, means big things coming.

Add the original Nick Fury, now known as the Unseen, into that mix and a clash with the Collector and this is one to anticipate. 

The Unworthy Thor #2 (of 5)
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(W) Jason Aaron (A/CA) Olivier Coipel

• The Realm of Old Asgard has vanished, taking with it Odinson’s hope for redemption.

• But good tidings from Beta Ray Bill might breathe new life into the quest. For Bill knows the fate of the Realm Eternal.

• To win back Odinson’s honor, the brothers in arms must infiltrate the fortress of THE COLLECTOR.

Rated T
In Shops: Dec 07, 2016
SRP: $3.99

 

Inhumans vs. X-Men #1

It is here at last: The next big Marvel event, and the story that the last 18 months worth of X-Men and Inhumans stories have been building up to.

Uncanny Inhumans writer Charles Soule teams with Extraordinary X-Men writer Jeff Lemire to bring everything to a head. They’re joined by artist Leinil Francis Yu, someone who knows how to draw a good superhero fight scene.

The Earth’s atmosphere is finally becoming so saturated with Terrigen that it will soon be entirely uninhabitable by mutants. The X-Men are left with no choice but to act. So begins a full-scale war between the X-Men and the Inhumans.

After the big twist that ended Death of X, who can say what will happen next?

In December, IvX also spills over into tie-in issues Extraordinary X-Men #17 and Uncanny X-Men #16.

Inhumans vs. X-Men #1
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(W) Charles Soule, Jeff Lemire (A) Leinil Francis Yu (CA) Kenneth Rocafort

THIS IS IT!

The X-Men and Inhumans have been on a collision course since the link was proven between the Inhumans’ precious Terrigen Mist and the sickness and death of many mutants. When Beast discovers that the mutants have only two weeks before the planet is uninhabitable for them, an Inhuman/mutant war is unavoidable. Co-written by Charles Soule (Uncanny Inhumans, Daredevil) and Jeff Lemire (Extraordinary X-Men, Moon Knight), IVX delivers sensational set pieces, gargantuan grudge matches, all drawn by the sensational Leinil Francis Yu! Whether you’re for the X-MEN or the INHUMANS, IVX promises to shatter the Marvel Universe as you know it!

Rated T+
In Shops: Dec 14, 2016
SRP: $5.99

Honorable Mentions

These issues were in consideration for the top five, but didn’t make the cut:

• The Mighty Captain Marvel #0 – Carol Danvers begins life after Civil War II.
• Hulk #1 – Jennifer Walter is back and more savage than ever.
• Spider-Man/Deadpool #12 – The guest creative team of writer/comedian Paul Scheer, Nick Giovannetti and todd Nauck present holiday hijinks.
• Gwenpool Holiday Special Merry Mixup – More Marvel holiday fun
• Foolkiller #2 – Following a great first issue, Foolkiller turns his attention towards Red Skull-sympathizing skinheads.
• Thanos #2 – After the first issue’s big reveal this is hard to pass up.