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.
Mr. H
Top Pick: Captain America: Steve Rogers #2 (Marvel Comics) – With all the controversy over the ending of issue one, how could it be anything but? Is Cap really a HYDRA agent? Or is there something much larger at play? I love anything that gets us fans talking and draws attention to our joy. So depending on how this is written it could be a good thing. I remember when Brubaker brought Bucky back as the Winter Soldier and now, he’s absolutely beloved. I refuse to believe this is our Steve but I am looking forward to finding out more.
Dark Knight III: The Master Race # 5 (DC Comics) – Well this comic and I are completely love hate. I hate that it’s always late, but I love the train wreck that unfolds in the pages. I’ve long decided that Miller’s master work is the Dark Knight Returns and he will never top it. These attempts at trying just get even more ridiculous. As a die hard Superman fan, it’s a macabre curiousity at seeing what ol’ Frank is going to do to tear down the Superman legacy even more every time he touches the character since it highlights how out of touch he is. Plus I love cranky Bruce Wayne and Carrie Kelly. After this Frank needs to stay the Hell away from DC Heroes. He just can’t write them, and obviously Azzarello is taking his cues from Miller. If not, it’s a bigger cluster than when Singer made Superman Returns to honor Richard Donner. I know it’s awful but it’s almost satirically bad that I can’t wait to see it even worse. Remember folks, Jersey Shore was popular for a spell there too. Sometimes you just have to enjoy the insanity.
Cryptocracy #1 (Dark Horse) – What’s this? A non DC or Marvel book on my list? That’s right true readers. This one caught my eye. Nine clandestine families that secretly control and manipulate reality? Hmmmm sounds interesting and I’m getting in on the ground floor. Seems cool enough to give it a shot, but I am not expecting anything world bending here.
Alex
Top Pick: 4 Kids Walk Into A Bank #2 (Black Mask Studios) – The first issue was a brilliant start to a crime caper about four kids walking into a bank. A charmingly intelligent comic that deserves your attention, the first issue was amazing, and if you can find it you should snap it up. I’ve been waiting for the second issue for awhile, and I am so excited for this.
Lobster Johnson: Metal Monsters Of Midtown #2 (Dark Horse) – Lobster Johnson is one of those characters that evokes the feel of the pulp heroes from the late 30’s, which is already something I’m a fan of, and then when you add in the fantastic period art work and the steampunkish element of the Metal Monsters and you have a miniseries that is right up my alley.
Will Eisner’s The Spirit #12 (Dynamite Entertainment) – This has been one of the most entertaining series of the last year, hands down. Every week this comic comes out is a good week.
X-O Manowar #47 (Valiant Entertainment) – Pound for pound, Valiant have the best superhero universe out there, but when the premier title in the Valiant universe is coming to a close with an explosive story… I can’t wait to see where this is going. Plus, there’s a bonus print with the physical comic, so that’s also cool.
Anthony
Top Pick: 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank #2 (Black Mask Studios) – Matthew Rosenberg already knocked it out of the park with We Can Never Go Home and returns with another series for Black Mask Studios with Tyler Boss’s imaginative and playful artwork. The first issue was an amalgamation of so many awesome things (with an array of wonderful movie poster-inspired variants) and proved to be one of the most endearing reads of the year so far. This is a must buy.
East of West #27 (Image Comics) – Jonathan Hickman is a long form, comic book version of a mad scientist. His titles are consistently well crafted and can take their time to manifest, but when they do bloom, it is certainly worth the wait. East of West is Hickman at his best with the striking visuals of Nick Dragotta to put to life this futuristic American backdrop. Things have been really heating up as tensions continue to rise between the numerous factions.
Jupiter’s Legacy Vol. 2 #1 (Image Comics) – Mark Millar and Frank Quitely return to Jupiter’s Legacy! Millar has done a pretty solid job at deconstructing the superhero genre with recent titles like Huck, Jupiter’s Circle and the first volume of Jupiter’s Legacy so it will be interesting to see the direction that the creative team will be taking in this sequel series. Frank Quitely’s art will surely be worth the price of admission alone.
Bloodshot Reborn #14 (Valiant Entertainment) – Jeff Lemire has continued to present a more nuanced, emotional and humanized tale of Bloodshot that proves the character is more than just a government controlled killing machine. The new arc entitled ‘Bloodshot Island’ sounds like a Doctor Moreau-esque storyline that will feature Mico Suayan’s incredibly detailed line work and Valiant’s reliable colourist David Baron.
Jade Street Protection Services #1 (Black Mask Studios) – If Black Mask Studios is releasing a new series, it is an absolute must buy. The publisher has been releasing a steady flow of confident, gritty and fun titles over the last couple of years and Jade Street Protection Services looks to aim to be among those books. Judging by the solicitations, Fabian Lelay’s illustrations with Mara Jayne Carpenter’s colours are going to provide a vibrant, manga-like pop to the words of Katy Rex.
Paul
Top Pick: Extraordinary X-Men #11 (Marvel) – It’s a throw down with the X-Men fighting in the future against Apocalypse’s horsemen. The Apocalypse Wars have been a fun read, and I’ve been really enjoying this title exploring another possible future, with the younger students grown into X-Men. Nothing earth shattering happening, just a fun read.
Captain Marvel #6 (Marvel) – A Civil War II tie in…and Carol is pissed! She has clearly chosen her side in this new civil war, and the stakes are getting high. It’s going to be interesting to see how far she’ll go to for what she believes in.
Mockingbird #4 (Marvel) – This is just a guilty indulgence for me, being a long time fan of Bobbi’s. The missions are exciting, the humor is fun and this issue she’s off to save her ex, Hawkeye. It’s also interesting to see her check ups and monitoring of her health after receiving the infinity formula and the super soldier serum. I’m just waiting to see something big happen. Fun all around.
Uncanny X-Men #9 (Marvel) – Magneto and Psylocke are trying to save Archangel from being taken over by Apocalypse; Sabretooth and M are exploring the Morlock tunnels and come across a ghost from M’s past. Again, nothing earth shattering happening here, just a fun read with decent action. Psylocke and Fantomex meeting up should be good.
Javier
Top Pick: 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank #2 (Black Mask Studios) – The first issue was amazing, and I wasn’t the only one to think so. It has a large and well-deserved mass appeal.
Jade East Protection Services #1 (Black Mask Studios) – So far Black Mask’s line of books have failed to disappoint. There’s already a lot of buzz out there, I hope it lives up to the hype.
Indoctrination #1 (Z2 Comics) – Another indie title with possibilities. It has all the apocalyptic themes I’m into.
East of West #27 (Image Comics) – Even more end times lore, set in a dystopian alternate timeline.
Brett
Top Pick: 4 Kids Walk Into a Bank #2 (Black Mask Studios) – It says something when so many of us have this series as our top pick. The first issue was absolutely amazing and was a damn near perfect set-up with characters that are some of the most relatable in comics. It’s been a bit since that first issue, but that doesn’t diminish my excitement for this second issue.
Chum #3 (ComixTribe) – I’m a sucker for a good noir/crime story and this surf crime comic has been entertaining for the first two issues.
DC Super Hero Girls: Finals Crisis (DC Comics) – Am I the demographic this graphic novel is aiming for? Probably not, but that hasn’t stopped me from enjoying my advance review copy. It’s a solid debut comic that’s perfect for the audience intended, younger kids.
Indoctrination #1 (Z2 Comics) – I read the first issue some time ago and it’s a weird mix of X-Files and occult story. Really good and can’t wait to check out future issues.
Jade Street Protection Services #1 (Black Mask Studios) – A new series from Black Mask? Yes please! All ages badassness? Yes please!
With the weekend almost here, who’s seeing a certain Spider-Man movie? While you wait to go to the theater, here’s some comic news and reviews from around the web in our morning roundup.
Jupiter’s Legacy 2 #1 is part heartfelt family story as Chloe (the daughter of the now dead world’s greatest hero Utopian), Hutch (the son of his greatest foe), their extremely powerful son Jason, and a host of blink and miss cameos battle a superpowered dictatorship helmed by Walter Sampson (Utopian’s brother) and Brandon Sampson (Utopian’s son). Mark Millar’s writing is uneven as he quickly introduces a whole new cast of heroes and villains (Including a lesbian superhero with the Atom’s powers), a chase scene with a connection to Jupiter’s Circle (The prequel to Jupiter’s Legacy), and smaller scenes with protagonists and antagonists planning and bonding.
