Last Fall, Marvel Comics released a set of 50th Anniversary variant covers on a number of their titles shipping between October and December. As expected, the 50th comes just two years after the publisher’s 2009 “70th Anniversary” as they combined their history as Marvel, Atlas and Timely Comics. The variant covers associated with that celebration featured individual characters from across their publishing line and can be found in some of our earliest posts (in parts one, two, and three). The theme for the 50th Anniversary covers pays homage to iconic covers from the publisher’s history by putting characters from other franchises into the place of the originals.

Look inside and we’ll line up the new take along with its inspiration for what amounts to a fun set of covers even if they’re not particularly visible on shelves. A complete gallery and list of issues can be found below.

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Even though I dislike all the renumbering Marvel does, I’m a sucker for their manufactured milestone issues. While I’m not a huge fan of the title character, last Wednesday’s Wolverine #300 was another fun read from another aggregated landmark. Jason Aaron and a team of artists bring a big story that includes the return of a major Wolverine villain, a new path for another, and a new Silver Samurai along with most of Logan’s Japan-based supporting cast. Aaron has said this will be his last arc on Wolverine (though he’ll still write the character in the pages of Wolverine and the X-Men) and he’s clearly planning to go big before going home.

Spoilers for Wolverine #300 will follow.

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The final series in Marvel’s X-Men line to reach the Regenesis rebranding might be the most difficult one for me to review. I’m an unapologetic fan of Peter David, X-Factor, and Havok so  I had high expectations going in. I can honestly say that X-Factor #230 took me a bit by surprise with its approach and I should never have doubted how David would handle his book being a little more connected to the rest of the X-titles after several years of making its own way.

Spoilers for X-Factor #230 will follow.

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The latest chapter in Jeph Loeb and Ed McGuinness’ Avengers: X-Sanction series centering on the return of the X-Men’s Cable hit stores last Wednesday and it’s right in line with issue #1: lots of action, little explanation, and some confusing bits thrown in for good measure. It’s a book that’s gotten it’s fair share of publicity as well as criticism, and we’re back for a look at Avengers X-Sanction #2.

Spoilers for the issue and series that’s touted to lay the groundwork for this Summer’s Avengers vs. X-Men will follow.

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The latest issue of Geoff Johns and Jim Lee’s “New 52″ Justice League series appeared on shelves and screens around the world yesterday and ratchets up the action for the team’s first adventure. Aquaman is featured on the cover this month and gets some great panel time within, but once again a fair amount of attention is given to Cyborg. The new team, their new threat and all of their interpersonal conflicts really start to come together here as two top creators look to take DC’s top heroes to new heights.

Spoilers for Justice League #4 will follow.

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