HOT FIVE: Week of April 22, 2015

Welcome to Comicosity’s Hot Five. Hot Five is a short list of the top books we think you’ll want to be checking out. Be they new title launches, key issues or just continuing stories from some of the industry’s most acclaimed books, this list is your guaranteed gold in the comic market!

What a week for comics we all have to look forward to. Not only are several of the biggest issues of the month, even year coming out, but there’s the North American release of Avengers: Age of Ultron. Then, of course, Saturday is Free Comic Book Day, or as I like to call it, our favorite holiday around these parts. I hope you all enjoy what is sure to be an amazing several days.

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AVENGERS #44/ NEW AVENGERS #33
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Kev Walker & Stefano Caselli (Avengers) Mike Deodato Jr. (New Avengers)
Published by Marvel Comics – $4.99 (Each)

FINAL ISSUES!

TIME RAN OUT!

This April, the Avengers and the Illuminati face down their final hours. The clock is winding down and the final incursion is upon us.
Superstar writer Jonathan Hickman along with blockbuster artists Mike Deodato and Kev Walker bring to a close the epic saga of the Avengers, the Illuminati, and a Marvel Universe on the brink of extinction. The Incursions from parallel Earths from other dimensions have taken their toll on our heroes, and the battle worn Avengers stand ready to face utter decimation.

Before the highly-anticipated SECRET WARS begins in May, close out Jonathan Hickman’s epic Avengers and New Avengers saga with these two, oversized final issues! What changes await Earth’s Mightiest Heroes? Be there when TIME RUNS OUT this April in AVENGERS #44 and NEW AVENGERS #33!

Why It’s Hot: It’s the end of an era, as time finally runs out on the Marvel Universe. Over the past several years Jonathan Hickman and company have produced one of the greatest comic book runs of all time. Split between Avengers and New Avengers, Hickman has crafted an interweaving story that ranks among the most epic stories this business has ever seen. It all ends this week, as Mr. Hickman destroys the Marvel Universe to pave the way for the biggest Marvel event of all time. It doesn’t get much bigger, badder, more awesome than this, until maybe the first issue of Secret Wars next week. Even then, it’s going to be sad to not have an Avengers title with Hickman’s name on the cover, so savor it while you can!

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BATMAN #40
Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Greg Capullo & Danny Miki
Published by DC Comics – $4.99

The finale of “Endgame” is here! Batman risks everything against The Joker! Who will laugh last?

Why It’s Hot: You may have heard the news, you may have seen Batman’s new look, but you haven’t seen how how it all goes down. It’s Batman vs. The Joker with everything on the line, as Endgame comes to an end in one of the biggest comic books of the year. This is one that will leave everyone talking!

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FANTASTIC FOUR #645
Written by James Robinson & Various
Art by Leonard Kirk & Various
Published by Marvel Comics – $5.99

THE MOST CONTROVERSIAL FANTASTIC FOUR STORY CONCLUDES IN AN EXTRA-SIZED SPECIAL!

•  Will the Fantastic Four defeat The Quiet Man and the corrupted forces of the Heroes Reborn universe?
•  Will the Johnny get his powers back? Will Reed and Sue be a family again?
•  Will this be the end or will this be 4ever?!

Why It’s Hot: There’s no telling how long it will last, but for now this week marks the final issue of Fantastic Four. The characters will still be around, playing huge roles in titles such as Secret Wars and Uncanny Inhumans, but this is still bittersweet. For the first time in my life, and I want to say since the team was created over fifty years ago, Marvel won’t be publishing a title called Fantastic Four. That straight up sounds sad, yet it is bittersweet because the creative team of James Robinson and Leonard Kirk look to send the team out in the most deserving way possible. Add some farewell stories from the likes of Jeff Parker, Karl Kessel, Louise Simonson, and Tom DeFalco, and this is a historic farewell issue that you don’t want to miss.

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JUSTICE LEAGUE #40
Written by Geoff Johns
Art by Jason Fabok
Published by DC Comics – $3.99

The prologue to this summer’s upcoming JUSTICE LEAGUE event – “THE DARKSEID WAR”! It’s been building since JUSTICE LEAGUE #1. Now, Batman, Superman, Wonder Woman, Green Lantern, The Flash, Aquaman, Cyborg and the rest of the DC Universe will come face to face with the two most powerful and dangerous entities in existence when both come for Earth. But why? To what lengths with the League have to go to survive? And what secrets about the League will be revealed?

Why It’s Hot: The biggest event in the DC Universe this Summer isn’t the usual miniseries with a whole bunch of tie-ins. It’s The Darkseid War – a self contained mega story arc starting with a special prologue issue this week in Justice League. Two of the biggest threats in DC history at war with one another with the Justice League caught in the middle. This is a story that the Geoff Johns has been building towards for quite awhile, with clues and hints hidden throughout his work since the relaunch back in 2011. Artist Jason Fabok has proven to be a great fit for the title, and in addition to his marvelous work some huge names like Kevin Maguire, Phil Jimenez, Jerry Ordway, Scott Kollins, Dan Jurgens, and Jim Lee join in on art duties. This is a big one, and if you don’t believe me maybe Johns and Fabok can convince you themselves in Comicosity’s interview HERE

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THE MULTIVERSITY #2
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Ivan Reis & Joe Prado
Published by DC Comics – $5.99

Every event in the history of the DC Universe has been leading to this! The final chapter of the greatest adventure of all time is here!

Issue #1 artist Ivan Reis reteams with mastermind Grant Morrison to end THE MULTIVERSITY and bring together the greatest and bravest heroes of the DC Multiverse to fight one last battle. But more than just some cabal of super-villains, they face the greatest evil that ever existed. An evil so massive, they actually may not stand a chance!
Who are the mystic Justice League of Earth-13 and what role does their leader Super Demon play in the crisis rising all around them? What shocking secret motivates the dark, nightmare henchmen known as The Gentry? And what is the final fate of Nix Uotan – the Super-God?!

You cannot miss this final, stunning chapter of Grant Morrison’s ultimate super hero epic!

Why It’s Hot: The great Grant Morrison has teamed up with some of the greatest, most iconic artists in the industry today to take readers on a tour through the revamped DC Multiverse. The Multiversity has been a comic literally years in the making, and one that has lived up to the considerable hype. It has been praised by critics and fans alike. It has been nominated for Eisner Awards. It has been every bit as special as one would hope. What was once a far off dream for many readers ends this week. I can all but guarantee that Morrison goes out with a bang!

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