2022 will be another great year to be a comic book geek as beloved heroes return and new characters jump from page to screen. This is the year of multiple Batmen, Wonder Women, a new Thor and Super-Pets! If you’re a devoted or casual fan here’s a timeline, my picks and guide to comic book content for the year ahead.
LET’S GO TO THE MOVIES:
MORBIUS
Jared Leto plays the scientist turned monster in this film based on the Spider-Man villain. Dr. Michael Morbius turns to bats to cure himself but it transforms him into a new twist on the vampire. One of Spidey’s most tragic enemies from comics joins the Sony Spider-Man films following the success of Venom. January
THE BATMAN
Robert Pattinson is Bruce Wayne set in his early years as The Dark Knight. Zoe Kravitz is Catwoman/Selina Kyle, Colin Farrell is The Penguin and Paul Dano is The Riddler. Batman tracks a serial killer and a conspiracy in Gotham City leading back to his own family. March
DOCTOR STRANGE IN THE MULTIVERSE OF MADNESS
Benedict Cumberbatch is back as the Master of the Mystic Arts following the events of AVENGERS: ENDGAME, LOKI and SPIDER-MAN: NO WAY HOME. Strange turns to Wanda Maximoff (Elizabeth Olsen now in full-on Scarlet Witch role and costume after WANDAVISION) in his fight against a rival sorcerer and threats from other universes. The new film will introduce young hero America Chavez. In the comics she’s known as Miss America, a powerhouse hero from an alternate universe. She can kick holes into other realities – just what the Doctor may need as the Multiverse becomes a greater part of the Marvel Comics Universe. May
DC LEAGUE OF SUPER-PETS
Yes, Superman as a super dog! In this animated feature, Krypto the Super Dog (voiced by Dwayne Johnson) recruits a team of pets (including Ace voiced by Kevin Hart to rescue the Justice League when Lex Luthor captures them. May
THOR: LOVE AND THUNDER
Chris Hemsworth and the director of THOR: RAGNAROK reunite but there’s a new Thor? Natalie Portman returns as scientist Jane Foster. Based on the stellar comic run of Jason Aaron, Jane becomes Thor but what happens to the Odinson? Tessa Thompson is back as Valkyrie. Watch out Asgardians, this film introduces the Olympian Gods to the MCU with Russell Crowe as Zeus, King of the Greek Gods. All of them better watch out as super villain Gorr The God Butcher (played by Christian Bale) makes his MCU debut. JULY
BLACK ADAM
Dwayne Johnson plays the DC Comics supervillain turned anti-hero in this SHAZAM spinoff. Black Adam aka Teth-Adam is an ancient Egyptian once given the same powers as Shazam. As if that’s not big enough, this film introduces The Justice Society including Hawkman, Atom-Smasher and Pierce Brosnan as Dr. Fate! July
SPIDER-MAN: ACROSS THE SPIDER-VERSE, PART ONE
The sequel to the animated smash sees Miles Morales swinging back into action with other Spider-Men and Women from different realities. Miles and Gwen Stacy are back and joined by Miguel O’Hara, the Spider-Man of 2099 (voiced by Oscar Issaac) and one of my all-time favorite characters – Jessica Drew (voiced by Issa Rae) aka Spider-Woman who later joined the Avengers!
THE FLASH
The DC Comics Scarlet Speedster finally get his own solo movie but with TWO yes TWO BATMEN?! Ezra Miller suits up again as Barry Allen, The Fastest Man Alive and reunites with the Batman of his verse (Ben Affleck) but when he tries to speed across time to change history…enter Michael Keaton – the Batman from the Tim Burton directed films. July
BLACK PANTHER: WAKANDA FOREVER
The sequel will focus on characters introduced in the Marvel blockbuster. Lupita Nyong’o as Nakia, Shuri Wright as T’Challa’s sister Shuri and Danai Gurira as Okoye, leader of the Dora Milaje are all back. Could this mean a woman will assume the role of Black Panther? T’Challa’s sister took over the title in the comics. The other exciting aspect of this sequel is how it could introduce future Marvel heroes and villains given Black Panther’s comic book connections to Storm of the X-Men, Doctor Doom and the Fantastic Four and Namor the Sub-Mariner. We do know Dominique Thorne is playing Riri Williams – a young genius inspired by Tony Stark who builds her own suit of armor and becomes Ironheart. November
AQUAMAN AND THE LOST KINGDOM
Jason Momoa is back as Arthur Curry aka DC Comics hero Aquaman. No official word on the plot but villains Black Manta and Ocean Master are back.
LET’S STREAM SUPER SHOWS:
Disney+ will introduce new Marvel heroes in upcoming series:
MS. MARVEL brings fan-favorite Kamala Khan to the screen. The teen hero was the first Marvel character of Muslim faith to lead her own book. Kamala took the former code-name of her idol Carol Danvers after she became Captain Marvel. Kamala was co-created by Seattle based writer G. Willow Wilson.
SHE-HULK
Jennifer Walters (cousin of Hulk/Bruce Banner) is an attorney who becomes a Jade Giant fighting for justice on the street and in the courtroom. We’ll see if Jen breaks the fourth wall and talks to the audience like she has done in her solo comic title. Tatiana Maslany stars and Mark Ruffalo is expected to guest star.
MOON KNIGHT
Oscar Isaac plays Marc Spector who becomes the vigilante Moon Knight. In comics a soldier is given powers of the Egyptian God of the Moon and Vengeance. Spector assumes different identities in his fight or is it all in his head?
SECRET INVASION
Samuel L. Jackson is back as Nick Fury along with Tom Mendelsohn as Talos the Skrull from CAPTAIN MARVEL. This new event series is based on the comic book epic in which shapeshifting alien Skrulls infiltrated every superhero team and conquered Earth. Emilia Clarke and Oscar winner Olivia Coleman join the MCU in undisclosed roles.
DC/HBO MAX:
PEACEMAKER
John Cena’s hilarious breakout performance in THE SUICDE SQUAD blockbuster leads to a solo series. See the origin of the hero going to extreme measures in name of peace.
LET’S GO TO THE COMICS SHOP:
MARVEL:
X LIVES OF WOLVERINE/X DEATHS OF WOLVERINE
Two series, two interlocked stories starring the fan-favorite X-Man. When Logan confronts his past and future it will shake up the status quo of his fellow mutants leading to….
X-MEN: DESTINY OF X
The evolution of Marvel’s mutants takes big twists. Mutants have their own nation and world! Kieron Gillen returns with IMMORTAL X-MEN focusing on the heroes and villains who rule the mutants. Storm is Queen of Mars! Yes, mutants have their own planet! Are the mutants about to clash with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes again? Marvel teased this year’s Free Comic Book Day will feature Avengers/X-Men! Will the story be an alliance or the first rematch since the huge AVENGERS VS X-MEN?
SPIDER-MAN 60TH
Celebrating six decades of Spidey! Peter Parker made his debut in AMAZING FANTASY #15 back in 1962. Marvel announced BEYOND AMAZING as the banner for upcoming books celebrating your friendly neighborhood Spider-Man and all the other heroes who have shared the Spidey title. Ben Reilly is currently Spider-Man but expect to Peter Parker to make a comeback for the milestone year.
IRON FIST
Marvel launches a new IRON FIST book but without Danny Rand who recently gave up the power to save the world. Writer Alysssa Wong will introduce a new character taking the title and powers. From the preview art, the new wielder of the Iron Fist will be of Asian descent in a newly redesigned costume.
DC COMICS:
JUSTICE LEAGUE VS LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES
DC’s biggest super group and the young heroes of the 30th century team up when reality is falling apart in the present and future in his six part mega-story by superstar writer Brian Michael Bendis. The teasers hint at the Gold Lanterns and a Great Darkness which could mean the ultimate big bad Darkseid.
TRIAL OF THE AMAZONS
2022 will be an epic year for the Wonder Women – yes Women. Diana ascended to a higher level role exploring afterlives on her way back to Earth, Queen Hippolyta (Diana’s mother) joined the Justice League, Amazon warrior Nubia stepped up to be Queen on Themyscira and a new Wonder Girl emerged in Brazil. In DC Fandome the publisher announced this major event expanding the books and redefining the future of Amazons in the DC Universe.
SHADOW WAR
A killer crossover with Batman, Damian Wayne aka Robin, Deathstroke and Talia Al Ghul aka Batman’s ex, Damian’s mother, Daughter of the Demon and ruler of The League of Shadows. When Deathstroke does the unthinkable, Talia declares war. The Dark Knight and son are caught in the middle of this multi-month crossover even written by Joshua Williamson.
MORE PUBLISHERS:
STAR WARS FROM DARK HORSE COMICS
Dark Horse Comics will once again launch new STAR WARS comics and graphic novels after a 7 year break when the rights went to Marvel.
IMAGE COMICS 30TH ANNIVERSARY
It’s been three decades since prominent artists built what could become a groundbreaking publishing powerhouse where creators owned their characters and books. The milestone new year sees the return of THE WALKING DEAD, SAGA and ASTRO CITY books.
EVENTS
FREE COMIC BOOK DAY
The first Saturday of May is like early Christmas! Free Comic Day is the industry’s way of saying thank you to fans, welcome new readers and support local comic book shops. There are stories for all kinds of fans. Marvel revealed Avengers/X-Men and Spider-Man/Venom titles. Boom Studios shared a celebration of 25 years of Buffy the Vampire Slayer book, Dark Horse Comics unveiled a STRANGER THINGS tile,
EMERALD CITY COMICON
Seattle’s homegrown turned major destination event will return August 18-21 to the Washington State Convention Center. No word yet on guests or when tickets go on sale.
ROSE CITY COMICON
Portland’s big con returns September 9-11 to the Oregon Convention Center. The first celebrity guest is a legend. Sylvester McCoy, the seventh Doctor Who and star of THE HOBBIT films heads to Rose City.
Thanks for reading. Have a happy new year ahead and enjoy the adventures on screen, page and in-person of the characters that thrill us, inspire and help us escape.