Comic books and characters to watch out for in 2024
By Mark Lynch
Comic book companies always have big things planned for the year. Recently, to get readers excited, they've updated their promotion by using stop-motion trailers to promote upcoming projects. A good example was DC Comics Dawn of DC. They promised changes and new things during the teaser and they delivered.
2024 will be no different. The New York Comic Con announced a lot of projects for Marvel, DC, and beyond. The upcoming comic books and characters in this article are the ones to pay close attention to during this year.
Characters
Wolverine
Logan is kicking off his 50th anniversary with Marvel Comics fighting multiple variants of his nemesis Sabretooth and the 616 version as well. This is on top of defending the universe against Orchis. Part 1 begins with Sabretooth's team killing Logan's son Akihiro using his severed body parts to spell “Happy Birthday”.
It's easy to see this story will be important beyond the 50th anniversary. Marvel Comics will publish two issues of Wolverine a month. The conclusion will have repercussions for Logan's long life. That’s unless Marvel throws a curveball and kills Wolverine at the end of the series.
Amanda Waller
Amanda Waller wants metahumans gone and she’ll risk the world to make it happen (read Titans: Beast World for more on that). It’s doubtful that this is her only plan. The events of Beast World are probably step 1. Even if it is her only move, the cabal she spoke with (Dark Crisis conclusion) still wants metahumans jailed or dead.
Thanos
Thanos is back and he’s attacking Fresno looking for a civilian named Roberta (read Thanos by Christopher Cantwell for this story). When Dr. Strange, Emma Frost, Blue Marvel, Iron Man, and Reed Richards show up to stop Thanos without their teammates, you know there's a secret being kept.
The end of issue No. two hints at Roberta being the love of the Mad Titans’ life, Death. If this is true, the entity’s return could be different. Going from a cosmic being to a human changes the way they think (just ask Thor). Whether that's good or bad remains to be seen. An entity like Death shouldn't have too many human emotions.
Nightwing
Nightwing’s first world-shattering (Titans Beast World) event as the leader of Earth’s premiere superteam isn’t going well. Even when the world is saved, his leadership will be in question. How he bounces back will be important. Dick Grayson has to prove that the Justice League made the right decision leaving him in charge. Since confidence isn’t something he lacks, this shouldn’t be a problem. However, let's see how Amanda Waller spins things.
Erica Slaughter
Erica Slaughter lost her ability to see monsters. The whole point of her leaving the Order of St. George was to protect kids instead of killing them. If she can’t do that, it was all for nothing. Thankfully, Erica is resourceful. She’ll find a way to regain her vision through seedy back channels.
Five comics
Batman
Batman’s life keeps getting worse, but that has to change at some point. I think 2024 will be the year when things start to look up for the Dark Knight. The problem is the tragic story isn't over yet.
As bad as things have gotten, he hasn’t hit rock bottom yet. Don’t forget, there’s a random burglar who knows his secret identity. Don't be shocked if Bruce's identity being revealed becomes the best thing to happen to him.
Wonder Woman
Wonder Woman is going up against the world to prove that the Amazons weren't responsible for a murder. Meanwhile, the wielder of the Lasso of Lies is using the President of the United States and the media to make her look like a murderer and a threat to the American way. The conclusion to this will have permanent ramifications for all of the Amazons.
Everything in the Energon Universe
Skybound took two of the most popular cartoon franchises of the 1980s and retconned them. A genius move since most of the people who watched those shows are now adults with disposable income (this writer included). The best part is they aren’t like the cartoons. The comics are more mature. It’s violent, bloody, and deals with adult content.
G.I. Joe, Duke, Cobra Commander, Void Rivals, and the Transformers will be the most talked about comic books at the end of 2024.
The Ultimate Universe comics
Jonathan Hickman is being charged with returning the Ultimate Universe to its previous glory. So far, he’s done a flawless job and he’s just getting started. Watch as the Ultimates, Black Panther, an adult Peter Parker, and more change everything we know about the Ultimate Universe. Hopefully, it will become the entertaining universe it once was.
Anything with the X-Men
At the end of Fall of the House of X No. 1, Xavier is trying to reset the world so that the Krakoa Era never happens. He believes stopping this will prevent the rise of the machines. If he succeeds, the entire Marvel universe will feel the vibrations. If that doesn’t happen, there will still be effects on everyone involved.
Will Cyclops be the same after being under arrest? Magneto was in Xavier’s mobile chair in a possible future (read Timeless by Collin Kelly and Jackson Lanzing for more on that). Does he become the newest leader of the X-Men? Will Iron Man and Emma Frost stay together? After getting close, it would be a shame if they didn't work out.
If you pay attention to one comic book-related thing, it should be the X-Men.
feed