What We Learned From MARVEL COMICS' July 2017 Solicitations

From crazy team-ups to returning villains and old threads being tied off, July is a big month for Marvel. Newsarama has all the things you need to know right here in our breakdown of what we learned from Marvel’s July 2017 solicitations.

What’s more, the solicit reveals the new creative team of writer Joshua Corin and Will Robson, though it’s unclear how long they’re scheduled to be on the title.

Taking things a step further, missing entirely from the solicits are Elektra, Kingpin. As always, it is unclear if these titles are canceled or merely on a skip month hiatus. Marvel has not offered any confirmation on these titles, though Nova and Star-Lord have both been confirmed as cancelled by the creative team.

Taking things back the other direction, Dan Slott and Mike Allred’s Silver Surfer #13 marks the title’s return after a self-imposed hiatus due to delays.

First off, Edge of Venomverse #2 and #3 feature a pair of Venom mash-ups, including “Host Rider,” in which Robbie Reyes gains a symbiote, and a Venom-possessed Gwenpool. Gwenompool, maybe?

Then, in Jessica Jones #10, Maria Hill turns to Jessica for help. Then, in Jean Grey #4, Jean teams up with Odinson to learn to resist the Phoenix Force.

America #5 has Gabby Rodriguez teaming up with Hawkeye writer Kelly Thompson for a mini-Young Avengers reunion between America and Kate Bishop.

In Doctor Strange #23, Strange and Wilson Fisk team up to take on Baron Mordo, whose dark magic has overrun Manhattan, while Moon Girl & Devil Dinosaur #21 introduces Lunella Lafayette to Devil Girl and Moon Dinosaur.

Could it be a seeKreet? (Sorry!)

Then, over in Black Bolt #3, the alien bounty hunter Death’s Head will show up. Death’s Head was featured in those post-Secret Wars teasers that highlighted important upcoming characters – but no indication of what the plan for Death’s Head might have been has ever materialized beyond a few minor guest appearances.

But the X-Cutioner isn’t the only surprise name in X-Men: Gold #8, as the cover is drawn by none other than recently-dismissed artist Ardian Syaf.

It is likely that the cover was complete prior to Syaf’s release from his contract, though Marvel has not responded to Newsarama’s request for confirmation.

On the other hand, several multi-generational team-ups are starting in July – just without the “Generations” branding. Mighty Thor #21, Thor, Odinson, and the still mysterious War Thor will join forces, while the cover of Infamous Iron Man #10 has Doom and Riri Williams coming together. And of course, the much-hyped Spider-Men II which brings Peter Parker and Miles Morales back together also launches in July.

Could these be Generations just without saying it? That's not normally how Marvel marketing works.

The solicitation for Astonishing X-Men #1 mentions an “ancient evil attacking the world’s most powerful minds” – Shadow King, anyone?

Then, in Generation X #4, the team’s old enemy Emplate returns, while “Club Fenris” gets a mention in Black Panther #16. Could that be a reference to another pair of old-school X-Men foes the Strucker twins, collectively known as Fenris - who themselves have long familial ties to Hydra?

While that answers one question, it asks a deeper one – what does this mean for Captain America (and more specifically Steve Rogers) when Secret Empire is done? Will there continue to be two Captains America?

And if not – which one of them will be left wielding the shield?

In Secret Empire: Brave New World #3, Namor has a truce with Hydra – however, it’s apparently on shaky ground.

Then, in Avengers #9, Thor is trapped far from the Secret Empire takeover, lost somewhere in space and time.

The situation was avoided, and the prophecy left unfulfilled, but it looks like Miles may not have escaped his destiny yet.

The solicitation for Secret Empire #7 just lays it out, saying “It’s time for Miles Morales to kill Captain America.” But we’re betting there’s a final twist for that story.