Wednesdays are new comic book day! Each week hundreds of comics are released, and that can be pretty daunting to go over and choose what to buy. That’s where we come in!
We’re bringing back something we haven’t done for a while, what the team thinks. Our contributors are choosing up to five books each week and why they’re choosing the books.
Find out what folks think below, and what comics you should be looking out for this Wednesday.
Alex
Top Pick: Ninjak #7 (Valiant): Over the past few months I have been devouring anything that Valiant has been producing, and pretty much all of it has been as good as I hoped it would be. I quite enjoyed the last issue’s (slightly) slow build up, and I can’t wait for this issue.
Batman #44 (DC Comics): Although I think it’s only a matter of time before Bruce Wayne dons the cape and cowl again, I’m looking forward to seeing Jock take on the Dark Knight. The only thing stopping this issue from being my top pick this week? The $4.99 price tag.
Unity #22 (Valiant): I’m actually looking forward to this for a slightly different reason; I haven’t been reading Unity – yet – because the comic has been in the middle of a story arc. This issue marks the finale of that arc, so I’ll be able to pick it up in trade form, and begin reading Unity with issue #23. Oh yes. More Valiant.
Brett
Top Pick: Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Shattered Empire #1 (Marvel) – It begins here! Bridging the gap between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens, this series takes us past the destruction of the second Death Star into a world with a shattered Empire. Courtesy of writer Greg Rucka!
Bitch Planet #5 (Image Comics) – After a hiatus that was too long, this series that tackles social issues in the form of a prison exploitation story is back. Hopefully the break has not diminished it’s excellence, but it’s near the top of my “to read” pile for the week.
Rebels #6 (Dark Horse) – Writer Brian Wood continues to bring us an entertaining and gripping look at the Revolutionary War, mixing in a bit of the philosophy behind it.
Starve #4 (Image Comics) – The world is messed up and the television show Starve mixes a celebrity chef cooking competition with excess. The characters are fascinating, and the underlying message of the series could be debated about for some time. A big middle finger to the Food Channel and all of the cooking competition shows out there.
TET #1 (IDW Publishing) – Eugene Smith is desperate to leave Vietnam behind, and begin a new life with the woman he loves. But when a fellow Marine is brutally murdered, Eugene’s plans are thrown away, forever. All’s fair in love and war, right? This crime/romance story set at the height of the Vietnam War and the decades that followed sounds too interesting to not read.
Elana
Top Pick (tie): Bitch Planet #5 (Image Comics) – Probably the most important comic being made today in terms of the issues it explores like social enforcement of gender roles, racism and the prison system. In some ways it’s been a slow burn developing the story (in part because of the pace of the releases, not that it hasn’t been worth the wait). Yet the worldbuilding already feels so fleshed out. That’s probably because this dystopia is far too much like the real world of today. No wonder the series has such a loyal following.
Top Pick (tie): Phonogram the Immaterial Girl #2 (Image Comics) – Music is magic in Phonogram. Creators Gillen and McKelvie are masters at building fantastical metaphors for growing up and developing your sense of self that feel more real then any more “realist” or literal narative could ever be.
Our protagonist, Emily used her powers to exile her depressed teenage psyche to the netherverse beyond the mirror. While this gave her the hard exterior to become the Poptomistisn embracing maven she is today it also makes her past self her own worst enemy.
Last issue ended with Emily’s sad old self dragging her into Aha’s legendary “Take On Me” video video behind the screen of her TV. How will she escape? (Read my review of issue 1. A new essay is on its way)
Catwoman #44 (DC Comics) – Last issue ended on a huge cliffhanger. Will either of the series’ two Catwomen- Eiko and Selina survive? That was a serious fall. And have you seen the stunning Kevin Wada cover of our two Catwomen tangoing? Meow.
Gotham Academy #10 (DC Comics) – Easily one of DC comics’ best books. The cast of characters and art are utterly charming. But the story also delves into real emotional turmoil that kids will recognize (& older readers will look back on and remember). The book is perfect on the perifery of the Bat world but requires no knowledge of Batman related comics to enjoy.
The Michael Moorcock Library Volume 2: The Sailors on the Seas of Fate HC Vol. 2 (Titan Comics) – This is not Conan. This is not Red Sonja. This is trippy as hell! This is the second volume of a brand new reprinting of Roy Thomas, P. Craig Russell, and Michael T. Gilbert’s take on Michael Moorcock’s fantasy epic, Elric of Melniboné. While the story is quintessential 70s psychedelic sword and sorcery if you haven’t delved specifically into Moorcock’s works before it will feel utterly new to you. The work that was inspired by it is not like it. So treat yourself to this beautiful volume.
Kenny
Top Pick: Tyson Hesse’s Diesel #1 (BOOM! Studios) – The fantastical sky pirating world of Diesel has had me excited to read it since I first heard about it weeks ago. Now, that I finally have the chance to get my hands on it I could not be more thrilled.
Batman #44 (DC Comics) – The safest pick coming out of DC right now is Batman because it has been so constantly good in the hands of Scott Snyder. And, adding one of my favorite artists Jock into the mix makes this a must read.
Catwoman #44 (DC Comics) – Catwoman has been one of the pleasant surprises of the last few months, creating a really intriguing and exciting crime drama. I cannot stop myself from watching Selina’s criminal empire crumble and after the events in issue 43 I have to know what comes next.
Holy F*cked #1 (Action Lab – Danger Zone) – If you just want some utterly ridiculous fun while reading comics then you need to check out Holy F*cked. It is an absolute blast.
Mr. H
Top Pick: Batman #44 (DC Comics) – Snyder and Jock team reunited for a one off that shows Bruce back in the cowl and gives us an insight to the origin tale of Mr. Bloom. Yes I may miss Capullo for one month but this should be great!
Action Comics #44 (DC Comics) – Truth comes to an end. Will all the answers set us free? Only Kuder and Co. know.
Amazing Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows #5 (Marvel Comics) – I am very pumped for this one. Now that they got through the prodding first few issues, last month really turned up the heat. We get Spidey and Annie May side by side fighting for survival of their world. I cannot wait! Let’s see that Parker luck in full force!
TMNT Color Classics Series 3 #9 (IDW Publishing) – Turtles. Color. Classics. Always there.
Paul
Top Pick: Siege #3 (Marvel) – One of my favourite titles to come out of Secret Wars. Abigail Brand is front and center, defending the SHIELD in a never ending battle from the hordes that would lay waste to Battleworld. Issue #2 ended with Abigail seeing a familiar face leading the charge against her…can’t wait to see this go down.
A-Force #4 (Marvel) – A mysterious new ally! A traitor in their ranks! And the Thors are on their way to uphold the laws of Doom. She-Hulk has fought hard for Arcadia…is she about to lose everything? Looking forward to finding out! This has been a fun book from the start that hasn’t disappointed.
Civil War #4 (Marvel) – Issue #3 showed us a third party pulling strings in this civil war…and the Punishers are just too damn cool. Iron Man and Captain America are getting desperate…will either one stand victorious? This has been a surprise hit with me; I’ve really enjoyed seeing these characters in what seems like a ‘What If?’ story. It doesn’t feel like a tie in book, but more of a fast forward if the war went on. If you’re not reading this one, what are you waiting for?
Growing up watching movies with my Dad and uncles, they introduced me, to the movies of their era, which they loved, and back then I did not know, they were considered “grind house”. The only thing I knew is that I was in love with Pam Grier, in just about everything she did back then, from Foxy Brown to Greased Lightning, as she was this screen siren, which I still have an affinity for. The movies I believe most men my Dad’s and Uncle’s ages are the “women in prison “ movies that were a staple of 70s movies. There were so many during that era, and many of them objectified women, with mostly highly unrealistic plotlines in third world countries.
