February of 2022 had some crazy and important comic book moments. These are the ones that will affect the future of comics.
The month of February has been full of unforgettable moments.
Wilson Fisk finally remembered Daredevil’s real identity (Devil’s Reign No. 4). Wolverine traveled back and forth through time to save Krakoa and Mutantdom from destruction (X Lives of Wolverine and X Deaths of Wolverine). Thor became even stronger (Thor No. 22). Batman Inc. betrayed Bruce Wayne (Batman No. 120).
Those are only some notable comic book moments from February 2022. Here are more that must be mentioned.
8. A new Iron Fist
Comic book: Iron Fist No. 1
Danny Rand gave up his powers of the Iron Fist (Iron Fist: Heart Of The Dragon) in order to save the world. This writer thought the power would be going to Shang Chi since his solo movie was just released. That was until Marvel Comics released Iron Fist No. 1. We find out that the new Iron Fist is Lin Lie formerly, known as Sword Master.
Why is this important?
In this issue, Danny Rand catches up with Lin Lie and sees his former power being used. Instead of jealousy, Danny wanted to help the new Iron Fist. So far, Lin Lie has declined. With Lin having shards in his hands and zero experience with the Iron Fist powers, look for Danny Rand to become a mentor. Danny knows all about learning that the Iron Fist is good for more than punching people.
7. Nightwing and Superman team-up
Comic book: Nightwing No. 89
This comic book begins by telling a story of when Batman and Nightwing went to help Jon Kent when he was a kid. He got lost and ended up alone in a cave. The reason Jon was helped was due to Dick Grayson (Nightwing) realizing that Jon was a scared kid.
Next, we see Jon in the present dealing with the pain of not having his father around for help. He’s been struggling with being Superman and has no one to talk to. After a few superheroes were murdered, Nightwing and Superman team up to try and find out who’s been killing people with powers.
Why is this important?
This is the first team-up since becoming Superman that Nightwing has teamed up with Jon. With Jon having doubts about how well he’s doing, Dick is the right person to help him. He’s full of positivity and knows how to help someone get over insecurities. Plus, this shouldn’t be the last time they team up.
We could be looking at the future. Nightwing won’t be Batman again, but Jon will be Superman. Hopefully, the Superman: Son of Kal-El and Nightwing crossover will lead to more of this. Maybe a comic book like Batman/Superman. Especially if Tom Taylor is writing it.
6. Alana given an ultimatum
Comic book: Saga No. 56
Alana’s goal has always been to protect her daughter Hazel. A job that she takes more seriously than anything in the universe. This leads her to make decisions that may be illegal. Saga No 56, writer Brian K. Vaughan put Alana in another dangerous position.
In issue No. 55, Alana, Hazel, Squire, and Alana’s new business partner Bombazine are captured in space by a giant ship shaped like a Jolly Roger. Your assumption is correct. They’re pirates of sorts. Things start off bad until Alana and the pirate’s captain get friendly. Then, it goes horribly wrong.
Their captain hates winged beings because his people (horned) are in a seemingly never-ending war. He demands she shows him that she doesn’t have wings. Alana refuses. The captain then says show him or he’ll rape the children to death in front of her.
Why is this important?
As dark and messed up as that ending was, Hazel said something weird in her journal. She says it’s some of the best times being on their skull ship. Does that mean that everything was great? Absolutely not. However, this means that her mother isn’t forced to see or do something horrible to stay alive.
The big question is how she gets away with it. Alana may not have her wings anymore. Two issues in and we haven’t seen them. Or, maybe the Captain’s mind changes when he sees that Hazel is the daughter of his race and another
5. Synch erased Urich’s mind
Comic book: X-Men No. 8
Gerry Duggan’s comic book run of X-Men started with superstar reporter Ben Urich questioning the death of Jumbo Carnation. In X-Men No. 5, Ben Urich flat out calls Cyclops out for mutants being resurrected. With this information, the world would come after mutants and Krakoa harder than ever.
In issue No. 6, we find out that Ben Urich somehow doesn’t remember Scott Summers (Cyclops) or getting information on the Resurrection Protocols. In issue No. 8, Cyclops tells Synch that he knows that Synch erased Ben Urich’s mind. Synch feels bad and says that he needs to leave the X-Men. Scott tells Synch he’s done when Captain Krakoa (Scott) says he’s done.
Why is this important?
First, when does this come back to bite the X-Men in the butt? They’ve been well received by the public since moving back to New York. No way this stays like this. Ben Urich’s mind being erased could be what does it. Or, maybe it’s Scott Summers being exposed as Captain Krakoa.
Second, there’s a mysterious person who gave Ben Urich the resurrection information in the first place. They’re not going to give up because Ben Urich doesn’t remember. Plus, that same person is the one who killed Cyclops in public (X-Men No. 7). A lot will come out of this in the future.
4. Sabretooth in Hell
Comic book: Sabretooth No. 1 (of 5)
Way back in House of X No. 6, one of the X-Men’s worst enemies Victor Creed (Sabretooth) was the first mutant of Krakoa to receive punishment for breaking the laws of the land ( Make more mutants, Murder no man, Respect the sacred land of Krakoa). His crime was killing humans. For that, he was exiled to The Pit. A place deep within Krakoa. For how long, no one knew. However, it seemed like forever.
In the first issue of Sabretooth’s mini-series, we see what Victor has been doing. He’s been having the time of his life. Creed escaped and was killing everyone who he felt deserved it. In actuality, it was all in his mind. At the end of the issue, more mutants are brought to The Pit where Sabretooth is king.
Why is this important?
Exiled mutants Nekra, Madison Jeffries, Oya, Melter, and Third Eye are about to find out their crime wasn’t equal to the punishment. If there was anyone that should be the king of mutant Hell, it’s Victory Creed. No one knows how to torture someone like Victor Creed. Even worse is he’ll enjoy it. The last thing Creed says is he’s going to practice on them and use what he learned on every mutant on Krakoa.
3. Maria and Marcus back together
Comic book: Deadly Class No. 51
Marcus Arguello is all grown up. He’s been spending his adult life using the skills he learned from King’s Dominion to be the world’s deadliest assassin. In Deadly Class No. 49 and 50, he helped Saya kill her brother. Marcus hoped Saya would leave with him after the job. Instead, she left him with a note and became the head of the Yakuza.
In Deadly Class No. 51, Marcus was hired by another one of the loves of his life, Maria. Maria wanted her husband killed so she could be the head of the Mexican Cartel. It didn’t work. Instead, it was the two of them against an army of killers. Thankfully, they escaped. Now, it looks like the two of them are back together.
Why is this important?
Marcus isn’t lucky enough for this to be his happily ever after. The two of them haven’t grown as people in their years. There’s no way the next issue of Deadly Class doesn’t end with them breaking up or Marcus killing her. The only reason this writer says he kills Maria is because Marcus is on the cover of a future issue of Deadly Class. And with the series coming to an end, it would only be appropriate for Marcus to kill one of the few people who loves him.
2. The Watchers’ first come for a Reckoning
Comic book: Fantastic Four: Reckoning War Alpha No. 1
When the universe was in its infancy, the Watchers tried to help move life forward. They gave beings their technology in hopes that it would help them evolve faster. Instead, they used the gifts for war. After that, the Watchers took an oath to never interfere. Their jobs were to watch and catalog important events. A rule that Uatu has broken constantly.
In Fantastic Four: Reckoning War Alpha No. 1, those beings came back for revenge. They gave weapons from Watchers to beings for nothing but the privilege to watch. All over the galaxy, there are wars being fought. Meanwhile, Earth took a major hit. One of the beings destroyed the moon.
Why is this important?
Something this major brought out all of the big guns. The X-Men, Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and more were protecting Earth from the pieces of the moon crashing to Earth. As if the moon being destroyed and pieces crashing to Earth wasn’t bad enough, there’s more going on. The Badoon are attacking with superior weapons and the Heralds of Galactus are fighting Asgard. It looks like they may be attempting to bring their former master back to life. Then, there’s poor Reed Richards.
1. Reed Richards has three days to live
Comic book: Fantastic Four No. 40
With everything going on in the universe, someone had to step up. The Fantastic Four answered the call like only they could. They jumped into a rocket ship and made their way to space. While there, they come across Nick Fury who explains everything he can. Reed sees something that holds all the information on the beings destroying the world. Nick Fury warns Reed that all the information in it was meant for the Watcher. Reed didn’t care. He absorbed the info and began working on a plan.
Reed went back to Earth, shaved his face (he said to give people a more familiar look), and then put people in positions to fight back. Reed was doing it and it seemed to be working. All the good it will do him personally. Reed tells Ben that all the information he absorbed will kill him in three days.
Why is this important?
Reed dying in a few days is up in the air. He could be telling Ben this so it’ll make him fight harder and get over a fear of the death he saw (read Fantastic Four No. 28 for more on that). Reed knows more than anyone in the world right now. That’s a possibility. Or, and this is a sad thought, Ben could be the one to kill him. In Fantastic Four No. 28 a future Ben Grimm told his past self that he’ll kill Reed and won’t think twice. It could be from whatever he does in Reckoning War.
Magik working with Madalyn Pryor
Comic book: New Mutants No. 24
The beginning of New Mutants No. 24, Magik is having a deep conversation with Rictor. They’re discussing ways that mutants could improve. Among the issues was communication. Magik says that mutants should have a deeper connection and wants something that would stop miscommunications. The end of the issue shows Magik and Madelyne Pryor becoming partners. Magik believes that the two of them could change mutants. But can Madelyne Pryor be trusted?
Captain Marvel getting weaker
Comic book: Captain Marvel No. 36
Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel) is one of the strongest heroes in comic books. She has the strength, energy blasts, and toughness to beat almost anyone. During Last of the Marvels, Carol created a being out of energy to help her escape. In Captain Marvel No. 36, Carol notices that creating the being (who’s calling themselves Binary) has made her weaker. It makes this writer wonder how this will affect her in the future and if this is permanent.
Is Superman the next Vampire
Comic book: DC vs Vampires No. 5
By the time Batman found out that vampires, Green Lantern was already turned. Instead of turning the Flash, he killed him and framed Batman for it. It turned into the Justice League vs Batman and Green Arrow. The duo escapes by the skin of their teeth. The last thing we see is a vampiric Green Lantern and Wonder Woman standing over an unsuspecting Superman waiting to lunge and turn him.
What do you think, readers? Are there other moments that should be on this list? Let us know in the comments below.