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.
Brett
Top Pick: Raputin #6 (Image Comics) – The end of the first story arc caught me off-guard as it left Rasputin dead from being shot. Fast forward 100 years, and the mad monk is now working as a political aide for a Presidential Candidate. Wait, what!? The first arc was solid, this second one starts off with a bang. If you missed that first arc, the trade paperback is out this week too!
Fight Club 2 #2 (Dark Horse Comics) – The first issue was fantastic, and this second one is a world wind in madness. Chuck Palahniuk continues Tyler Durden’s story, and so far it’s amazing.
Legacy of Luther Strode #2 (Image Comics) – Give me some of that good ole ultraviolence. The kung-fu action is over the top, and over the top bloody, and beyond entertaining too.
Material #2 (Image Comics) – Ales Kot’s first issue got me to think. I’m expecting more of the same for the second issue as things hopefully become clearer and the various stories begin to merge in some way. A comic that’s socially conscious and relevant.
Transformers: Windblade #4 (IDW Publishing) – A new lost colony has been found, and Starscream and Windblade vie to make them part of the new Transformers world. Who will win out, and who will gain influence? This series focuses on Windblade’s effort with absolutely beautiful art that makes it stand out from the other Transformers series.
Edward
Top Pick: Mulan Revelations #1 (Dark Horse Comics) – Although it comes off looking a bit like Image’s Lazarus, this futuristic dystopian cyberpunk uses an unlikely heroine for its lead as the actual historical character is transported through time to the future of China.
Batgirl #41 (DC Comics) – The new Batman didn’t really go over all that well as the story arc to follow after End Game, but Batgirl has been running as one of the best quality comics for a few months now. What happens when the two meet?
Grimm Fairy Tales Presents the Little Mermaid #5 (Zenescope) – Although it has been a little up and down in terms of its story telling, this miniseries is likely to launch the Little Mermaid back into relevance as one of Grimm Fairy Tales main heroines. What that means is decided here.
Jem and the Holograms #4 (IDW Publishing) – The subject matter has not been very deep, but neither has there really been any misstep in this entire series thus far. This is a series for those that can let their comics be fun and not only about superheroes.
MODOK Assassin #2 (Marvel) – The first issue of this series was unquestionably the biggest surprise of the Secret Wars tie-ins thus far and undoubtedly one of the most fun as well (and violent). Whether it can carry on this momentum will be interesting to see.
Elana
Top Pick: Secret Six TP Vol. 2: Money for Murder (reissue) (DC Comics) – This TP contains the rightfully legendary panels in which Dick!Batman punches Catman saying “If you must know…I had a burrito!”
This is peak Gail Simone and it’s some of the best comics ever.
This TP is a reissue of “Unhinged” and some subsequent issues, which is really the 3rd volume of Gail Simone’s groundbreaking series in the 00s that started with Villains United. All if it is a must-read.
This series is about a team of bad men and bad women learning to take care of each other. If you like complex but funny characters, like your humor dark and enjoy laughing while you are being gutted by metal claws (metaphorically), your heat-strings played upon by deranged masked killers — and who doesn’t– then you need to buy this book to survive.
Top Pick: Fight Club 2 #2 (Dark Horse) – This series is smart and fun. If you loved Fight Club (like I do) and your the right kind of fan (you know, the good kind, that appreciates the story as an examination of the crisis of masculinity and as a queer text) then you need to be reading this series. It is a continuation of the original book taking place some years into the future and written by Palahniuk himself. The art is first-rate too.
Batgirl #41 (DC Comics) – I was sure that we were about to get a new Oracle in the form of Frankie, Bab’s awesome coder roomate (who also uses crutches). But now I don’t know! Based on last night’s podcast where we interviewed writer Brenden Fletcher I’m now calling this issue Schrödinger’s Oracle. It may not happen. Open the box.
Kaptara #3 (Image Comics) – I’m just getting into this unprecedentedly creative space opera/comedy. Nothing else like it out there. The art style has a look thats somewhat psychedelic. Our lead character is a gay scientist of indian descent who drips sarcasm and insecurity and is a pleasure to read.
Material #2 (Image Comics) – Writer Ales Kot is doing something completely unique in comics. This book feels a bit like post modernist literary fiction. Except its a comic. And unlike literary fiction these days I actually enjoy it. A lot. Smart and political and worth your attention. He was our guest on the podcast a few weeks back. Have a listen.
We Are Robin #1 (DC Comics) – I want to like this. The youth of Gotham unite and declare themselves Robin. That sounds like a sentiment I can get behind. I don’t know the creative team. Will have to check it out!
Johnny with Comixstravaganza Live
Top Pick: We Are Robin #1 (DC Comics) – I’ve never been a huge Batman fan, so I’ve never actively read or collected any bat titles. But this concept of the collective youth of Gotham adopting Robin as their symbol is intriguing. I’ll be picking this one up just to see how it is executed.
Ant-Man: Larger Than Life (Marvel) – I’m a little shocked that this book stars THE Ant-Man, Hank Pym instead of Scott Lang. As a long time Hank Pym fan, this has me hopeful about his character in the upcoming film and MCU as a whole, but more than that, could this be signaling a change in direction for Pym? Recent storylines suggest he sacrificed himself to stop Ultron in Rage of Ultron, but could this book be signaling a new return of Pym? Probably not, but I like to hold out hope.
Captain Midnight #24 (Dark Horse Comics) – It all ends here. This title has been for me the most satisfying monthly book over the last two years. Josh Williamson knows how to write these pulp-era characters, and this series has shown it in a big way!
Rasputin #6 (Image Comics) – Just when you though the story had ended, we jump forward 100 years to the present where the “Mad Monk” may still be alive? I’ve loved the way Alex Grecian portrayed Rasputin in a heroic way as a healer, and Rossmo’s art is absolutely gorgeous! If you missed issues 1-5 you can also pick up the collected TPB out this week too!
The Shadow #100 (Dynamite Entertainment) – My top pick! I got the preview copy last week and just fell over with the writing and art. This is an anthology issue with various creators, but most notable is Francesco Francavilla, and Howard Chaykin. I’ve always said Chaykin was born to draw the Phantom, but Francavilla’s work is unbelievable! He is definitely another artist who was born to draw The Shadow! I hope we see more Shadow from him soon!
Mr. H
Top Pick: We are Robin #1 (DC Comics) – Social Media Superheroes? This one sounds so intriguing just cannot pass up. A true team that is reflective of the world right outside our window.
Batgirl #41 (DC Comics) – The new Batman (Commissioner Gordon) encounters his (Batgirl) daughter. A can’t miss father/ daughter showdown!
Grayson #9 (DC Comics) – Dick Grayson: Secret Agent? Yes Please! DC Comics reimagining of one of it’s most beloved characters into a super spy continues after the long Convergence break. Plus adding Helena Bertenelli (Huntress) into the mix sounds fantastic!
Green Lantern: The Lost Army #1 (DC Comics) – Power Rings, survival journey and adventure along the way with everyone’s favorite cosmic cops? This one’s a no brainer. Can’t wait to see them light em’ up!
The Walking Dead #143 (Skybound/Image Comics) – It’s The Walking Dead. Can you ever get enough?
Paul
Top Pick: X-Men ’92 #1 (Marvel) – The X-Men from the 90s are back?? *Insert fanboy squeal here* I might be getting ahead of myself, not knowing how Secret Wars will be portraying my merry mutants, but I am so excited to see this line up back, just as I remember they looked when I would walk into my comic shop all those years ago eager to read their latest adventure. Here’s hoping myself and other fans are not disappointed.
E is for Extinction #1 (Marvel) – I’ve picked this title because I am a fan of all things X. Secret Wars, to me, has not been the earth shattering event it was promoted to be. But I am looking forward to a title devoted to the X-Men and what they’ve become in Battleworld. I like the premise described as mutants really being ‘homo SUPERIOR’ and look forward to seeing a world where they are idolized and not feared.
Loki Agent of Asgard #15 (Marvel) – I have loved this book from day 1. The journey of a twenty-something Loki, trying to escape his future self; finding a friend he actually cares about; finding himself doing the right thing (in his own special way) has been a Loki I easily got on board with. Things are changing for him however, and I for one can’t wait to see how it all goes down.
Pharoah
Top Pick: X-Men ’92 #1 (Marvel) – Definitely had my interest piqued when I saw it in Previews for this month’s solicitations. We take nostalgic look at X-Men, from 23 years ago, with none other than JIM LEE returning for this series!!!!!
Evil Dead 2: Beyond Dead by Dawn #1 (Space Goat Productions) – Horror comics seem to be what is all the rage, and the fact they have this comic which picks up where the movies end, this sounds like it will be fun, if anything it gives the average Evil Dead fan something to look forward to before the new show premieres on Starz.
Fight Club 2 #2 (Dark Horse Comics) – Chuck Palahniuk continues Tyler Durden’s story in this new series from Dark Horse, the first issue did not disappoint, so I am hoping Palaniuk has even more surprises in store in this issue.
Mulan Revelations #1 (Dark Horse) – Another interesting reboot, to a well told legend, this time the guys at Dark Horse tackle Mulan , but in the same way the anime , 7 Samurai, reboots Akira Kurosawa ‘s classic film, hoping the execution lives to the promise.
We Are Robin #1 (DC Comics) – From the DCYou reboot going on at DC, hundreds of teenagers all over Gotham, are adopting the ”R”, adding a new dimension to the Batman mythos.
“Do you know Dick?”
From here we switch the action into high-octane, through means of a flashback we find ourselves as spectators in a riveting rooftop train battle. The two men go back and forth until there is only one. One of the assailant murders the other with sticks (Escrima sticks to be exact) and this raises the question as to whom the ID of the murderer is. The man who was killed turns out to be an Agent of the secret organization SPYRAL. This action brings us the arrival of a very prominent female: Helena Bertenelli (aka the Huntress for fans of Arrow TV show)
This scene was greatly entertaining as it captured Dick’s personality perfectly. Even though he grew up as a child of privilege through Batman, he is still as down to Earth as any of us can be. From watching him struggle with the cuff links to having difficulty with the tie was quite hilarious. It’s through little moments like this that the book shines. The rest of the issue results in Dick using some good ole’ Grayson charm and sweeping a debutant off her feet (with ulterior motives of course) to a pretty cool chase scene involving Dick and Agent 1 and even more into The Stick Man Murderer (that’s what I’m calling him here). The issue ends on a cliffhanger that makes me can’t wait to pick up the next issue and even now I’m going back to pick up the first 8, just to catch up on what I might have missed.
