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: Southern Bastards #12 (Image Comics) – There’s lots of solid comics out this week, but it’s a no-brainer to suggest the top comic on the market right now. This Southern noir comic delivers with each and every issue focused on a small town filled with racists, drugs, and football. There’s not much I can say yet about this issue other than it’s a special one written and drawn by Jason Latour.
Carnage #1 (Marvel) – Out of all of the comics announced by Marvel for their reboot, this one was low on my list. After the Point One comic released a month back, it immediately shot up the list. I’m intrigued by the premise which seems to follow Carnage on a killing spree and the man tasked to bring him in. It has a more Silence of the Lambs vibe than superhero.
Descender #7 (Image Comics) -Jeff Lemire is one of the best comic writers out there, and this new issue also starts a new arc. The comic is just an amazing character story that has vibes of the movie A.I., but done right.
Illuminati #1 (Marvel) -The Red Hood gets a band together to take on the good guys. I’ve liked some of the recent comics that have focused on Marvel’s villains and writer Joshua Williamson has shown he can do awesome action and twisted with Nailbiter and Birthright.
Letter 44 #21 (Oni Press) – This one shot illustrated by Ryan Kelly takes us back to the recruitment drive for the Clarke astronauts. The series mixes sci-fi and politics, and is awesome.
Elana
All-New Wolverine #1 (Marvel) – I haven’t read a straight up Wolverine comic in a lifetime. But promise me an all new Wolverine – – his teenage clone Laura Kinney, formerly X-23 and I’m ready for some snikt.
Central to my interest is her character design. Her street clothes are realistic street clothes for a young woman and she’s wearing her father’s old costume– not a bathing suitificaition of it. This design respects her as an individual and doesn’t turn her into cheesecake. The usual cheesecake treatment would have had nothing to do with her personality and therefore would have been sexist.
Catwoman #46 (DC Comics) – This issue concludes one of the most interesting story arcs in DC comics in ages and marks the departure of the awesome creative team: (W) Genevieve Valentine — who we’ve interviewed (A) David Messina (CA) Kevin Wada.
Selina is Catwoman once more and Eiko Hasigawa, her “it’s complicated” and temporary Catwoman, is now taking over as a crime boss after her father’s assassination at the hands of Black Mask. The emotional stakes are high and the status quo is changing.
Constantine the Hellblazer #6 (DC Comics) – Easily one of the finest comics out by the big two publishers. I came into reading the series primarily familiar with the character from his appearances in Swamp Thing, the TV show and general cultural awareness. The comic is definitely welcoming to fans both new and old. There is a blend of dark humor, self destructive lust and relatable melancholy that’s required in a Constantine comic. Yet, the stories and art feel all new.
The Wicked + The Divine #16 (Image Comics) – Fans of the series joke about how we are tortured by favorite characters getting offed all the time. This makes sense since while the comic appears to be about popular culture it is also about mortality and youth. It has held a relentless pace of complex mystety and character and gorgeous, innovative art– guest artists included. Gillen is also one of the only men who consistently writes women characters so well that I can’t tell.
Wolf Vol. 1 TP (Image Comics) – One of the most interesting urban fantasy stories I’ve seen. Ales Kot is a promising innovator in storytelling. The LA the characters inhabit feels real to me.
Kenny
Top Pick: Catwoman #46 (DC Comics) – In the last few months, Catwoman has become possibly favorite offerings from DC. The crime drama is hitting all the right keys and is setting up for a great crescendo for the story arc conclusion.
Carnage #1 (Marvel) – This is my hopeful pick of the week. I still hold a soft spot in my heart for Carnage from the 90s. Even if, he hasn’t done anything to thrill me since then. But, for some reason, I still get excited whenever the evil symbiote comes around.
Rebels #8 (Dark Horse Comics) – Few comics embrace American mythos as well or as entertainingly as Rebels. Each issue is full of great stand alone stories making all of them a great jumping on point for history lovers.
Tyson Hesse’s Diesel #3 (BOOM! Studios) – Diesel has been an endlessly fun ride. With the mini-series picking up momentum, there is no better time to catch up on the story so far. This comic is just good and needs your attention.
Mr. H
Top Pick: Batman #46 (DC Comics) – Capullo, Snyder. Y’all know the drill. Buy this book or the GCPD will boot your door in.
Secret Wars #7 (Marvel Comics) – More than 3/4 through and we still live under Doom. I can’t wait to see the Thing cut loose too! It’s Cosmic clobberin’ time!!!
Superman: American Alien #1 (DC Comics) – I’m very intrigued with this one for sure. Not quite sure if I want young Clark Kent to be a lawbreakers bad ass but I’m willing to take the hayride and see where it goes.
The Walking Dead #148 (Image Comics) – After last month’s talk fest, I’m looking forward to getting back to the blood and guts that makes this title so great. Kind of hoping Carl gets it too.
Paul
Top Pick: All-New, All-Different Avengers #1 (Marvel) – Thor, Captain America and Iron Man…new mantles, new heroes, new Avengers. I will admit, I am hesitant after reading Uncanny Avengers and The New Avengers (my reviews will explain why); this All New Marvel has left me with luke warm feelings. But I’m digging the line up of this team and I am just hoping this is an Avengers title I can finally get on board with.
Top Pick: Thors #4 (Marvel) – The concluding issue of what, to me, has been THE best book of Secret Wars. I’m sorry to see this one go, and I hope it ends on the thunder clap this series deserves.
All-New Wolverine #1 (Marvel) – I almost didn’t add this to my list, but I have to admit I am curious to see X-23 picking up the mantle of Wolverine. I really hope we get a story exploring Laura in her new role and not just a hack and slash story with a female Wolverine.
Ultimates #1 (Marvel) – This is a very interesting roster of heroes brought together to stop cosmic level threats. Black Panther, Captain Marvel and Ms. America are enough to get me excited….but if this cover is any hint that Galactus is part of the team? I am ALL in!
Hollywood screenwriter and Eisner Award nominee Max Landis joins forces with top comics artists including Jock, Francis Manapul and Jae Lee to bring us Superman: American Alien, a 7-issue miniseries chronicling the life of Clark Kent and his development into the archetypal hero he will eventually become. But these are not the stories of the iconic “Superman” as you know him, but of the soft-spoken, charming, often-funny Kansas farm-boy behind the Man of Steel.
