‘Thunderbolts’ And ‘Unbeatable Squirrel Girl’ Celebrate Anniversaries In 2017 [NYCC 2016]

Unbeatable Squirrel Girl and Thunderbolts will both celebrate major anniversaries in 2017 with oversized specials that bring back the characters' original creators to work alongside their current teams. It's both a pretty cool way to observe these anniversaries, and a sign of just how much Marvel today is tied to what was going on in the '90s!

In January comes Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #16, celebrating 25 years since Squirrel Girl's first appearance in Marvel Super-Heroes #8. Of course the thing about Squirrel Girl is that she was co-created by Steve Ditko, who's now unwilling to work for Marvel. But her other co-creator, writer Will Murray, is back to team with series artist Erica Henderson, who will also illustrate a story with series writer and regular collaborator Ryan North. The cover of Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #16 features a whole cross-time gathering of Squirrel Girls, which I for one am hoping actually happens in the story.

In February, Thunderbolts #10 celebrates 20 years since the first Thunderbolts #1 with a story by the original creative team of Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley. And of course that's in addition to a story by the current team of Jim Zub and Jon Malin. The book also features a return appearance by Jolt, the teenage girl who joined the team thinking they were real super-heroes, when at the time they were just pretending not to be evil. It was just another step in the long process of the original Thunderbolts learning not to be bad guys.

Check out the solicitations, courtesy of Marvel:

SQUIRREL GIRL 25^th ANNIVERSARY

When: January 2017, in THE UNBEATABLE SQUIRREL GIRL #16

Who: Ryan North (writer), Will Murray (writer) and Erica Henderson (artist)

What: It's the 25th anniversary of Squirrel Girl! Twenty-five years ago THIS MONTH, she made her first appearance in MARVEL SUPER-HEROES vol. 2 #8, way back in January 1992! Then nothing really happened with her for like a decade until 2005 when she appeared in -- wait, what am I, Wikipedia? Wikipedia has all this stuff, and people don't read comic solicits for a HISTORY LESSON: they read them for some SWEET SPOILERS on what will be in their comics several months from now! So let's spoil some comics, huh?? SPOILERS BEGIN. In celebration of 25 years of Squirrel Girl (SEVERAL of which actually featured the publication of comics starring her), we’ve brought back Squirrel Girl's co-creator, Will Murray, to write only his SECOND Squirrel Girl story ever! It's Squirrel Girl's 15th birthday, and she's gotten the greatest present of all: a run-in with THE INCREDIBLE HULK?? Also your regular Squirrel Girl team is here to also tell a story, so that's cool too (Erica’s drawing both!) Two stories, two writers, one artist, and one quarter of a century with a character! It's a special one-shot you won't want to miss!! SPOILERS OVER. Now try to act surprised when you read it, okay??

20 YEARS OF THUNDERBOLTS

When: February 2017, in THUNDERBOLTS #10

Who: Jim Zub (writer) & Jon Malin (artist), Kurt Busiek (writer) & Mark Bagley (artist)

What: Celebrate 20 years of “Justice Like Lightning” with this oversized anniversary issue! The all-new story arc “Return of the Masters” starts here! Once upon a time, they were the Masters of Evil. Today, they’re Thunderbolts. You might even call them heroes, depending on the day. But when an old foe makes a shocking return, will these one-time criminals be tempted to return to their villainous ways? It’s high time Bucky and his band of outlaws decided just which side they’re on. But that’s not all! This oversized anniversary issue also features an all-new story from original Thunderbolts creators Kurt Busiek and Mark Bagley! Witness the long-awaited return of fan-favorite character Jolt!