Summary
MarvelComics'“Trick-or-Read” program will return this fall, as the company is set to give away five free issues, featuring some of the publisher’s most exciting characters– fromStar Wars' Kylo Ren, to abrutish-looking version of Venom, to theDinosaur versions of classic Marvel figuresencountered by the Fantastic Four in one of their latest epic adventures.
Asannounced by Marvel, the free Halloween “Trick-or-Read” titles reprint some of the instant-classic Marvel tales from the the past several years. Together, these special-edition issues represent the scope of the company’s vast roster of iconic pop culture properties, from classic characters like Venom, to brand-new heroes such as Spider-Boy.
Described as “in the spirit of Free Comic Book Day,” Marvel’s “Trick-or-Read” is a perfectly seasonal incentive, one that allows fans to catch up on what they might have missed lately from Marvel Comics.
I Thought Disney ‘Rebooting’ Star Wars Canon Was a Horrible Mistake, But Marvel Has Made Me a Believer
I was one of many fans who found Disney’s new Star Wars canon controversial – but over the past decade, Marvel’s comics have justified the reboot.
The Dinosaur Fantastic Four#1;Spider-Boy: The Web-Less Wonder#1;Venom: Bedlam#1;Star Wars: Kylo Ren – Age Of Resistence #1;Spidey & His Amazing Friends#1
As much as they are a reason for readers to check out titles they might have been missing out on, “Trick-or-Read” – like the related, industry-wide “Free Comic Book Day” – is designed to incentivize fans' support of their local comic book retailers.
With their latest set of “Trick-or-Read” reprints,Marvel has curated a stack of pivotal issues featuring some of its most engaging stories, featuring iconic figures from Doctor Doom, to Venom, to second-generationStar Warscharacter Kylo Ren. One of the five titles,Spidey and His Amazing Friends, will also feature new stories aimed at fledglingSpider-Manfans, describing its intended age range at five-to-seven. In this way, Marvel seeks to make its “Trick-or-Read” incentive a family affair, appealing to comic readers from all age groups, across a diverse set of interests.
Ben Solo/Kylo Ren
The son of Han Solo and Leia Organa, Ben was manipulated by Palpatine through the Force for most of his life, influenced toward the dark side of the Force. A misstep by Luke Skywalker ultimately left Ben feeling he had no choice but to embrace the dark side, and he became Kylo Ren, a key figure in the First Order. Kylo Ren’s heart remained deeply divided, however, even after he ascended to become Supreme Leader of the First Order. He was ultimately redeemed by Rey, with whom he shared a remarkable Force bond, and by the love of his parents.
As much as they are a reason for readers to check out titles they might have been missing out on, “Trick-or-Read” – like the related,industry-wide “Free Comic Book Day”– is designed to incentivize fans' support of their local comic book retailers. This makes the initiative more than just a fun giveaway; it is a vital enterprise for the publisher, as Marvel hopes to contribute, as it can, to the project of revitalizing the brick-and-mortor comic shop experience. With the five titles offered, hopefully a new generation of fans will discover the joy of stepping inside their neighborhood comic book store.
Something For New & Returning Fans Alike
Marvel should continue to take every opportunity to make buying and collecting comics as exciting as the stories themselves, in order to ensure the long-term, sustainable health of the comic book industry.
In the announcement of this year’s “Trick-or-Read” program,Marvel described this as an ideal way for new and lapsed fans alike to discover – or return to – the joy of comic book storytelling.The stories assembled, from the Fantastic Four’s encounter with parallel-universe dinosaur versions of Marvel’s mightiest heroes, toan iconic Kylo Ren one-shot, make it clear that Marvel is as excited about work being done with some of its most memorable characters as fans have been over the past several years.
Similarly, theinclusion of Spider-Boy and Spider-Gwenin positions of prominence emphasizes that Marvel recognizes thecontinued upward trajectory of both heroes. In all, as exciting as each individual title announced for Marvel’s “Trick-or-Read” may be, the overall takeaway is how vital and worthwhile the project is in itself. It speaks to the fact that Marvel should continue to take every opportunity to make buying and collecting comics as exciting as the stories themselves, in order to ensure the long-term, sustainable health of the comic book industry.
Source:Marvel
Venom
Venom is a symbiotic alien entity bonded with various human hosts, notably Eddie Brock and later Flash Thompson. It grants superhuman strength, agility, and a shape-shifting black costume. Initially a Spider-Man villain due to its origins, Venom evolved into an antihero, battling both villains and his own dark impulses. The character embodies themes of duality and redemption within the Marvel Universe.
