Graphic Policy’s Top Comic Picks this Week!

HOWARD001_COVWednesdays 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: Howard the Duck #1 (Marvel) – Chip Zdarsky is generally hilarious. Just search for his history with Applebees. His writing Howard the Duck hopefully will be half as funny. I’m expecting it to be just insane, and beyond entertaining.

Bill & Ted’s Most Triumphant Return #1 (BOOM! Studios) – Hopefully this comic series based off of the two films is excellent and not heinous. While I somewhat expect the latter, I love the first Bill and Ted film, so hoping for the best.

Ninjak #1 (Valiant Entertainment) – Valiant is the best superhero universe out there right now. They consistently put out fantastic comics with great art. This series puts the focus on Ninjak, the sometime MI-6 and Unity team member. It’s an awesome first issue, with amazing art, another solid debut from Valiant.

Mouse Guard: Legends of the Guard Vol. 3 #1 (Archaia/BOOM! Studios) – Mouse Guard is consistently a fantastic series with a beautiful story and art to match. A new volume is always something to celebrate, especially since the series is perfect for kids and adults alike.

Southern Cross #1 (Image Comics) – NOW BOARDING: Southern Cross, tanker flight 73 to TITAN! Alex Braith is on board retracing her sister’s steps to the refinery moon, hoping to collect her remains and find some answers. The questions keep coming though—how did her sister die? It’s science fiction meets a murder mystery.

 

Edward

Top Pick: Thor #6 (Marvel) –  Neither gods nor readers yet know the identity of the new Thor.  Answers are unlikely here, but the path to finding out has been pretty fun so far.

Ant-Man #3 (Marvel) – The first issue was a gem, and the second was a bit of a dud. Which will the third issue be?

Postal #2 (Top Cow Productions/Minotaur Press) – The first issue of this mystery series from Image was compelling, combining unexpectedly engaging characters with a one-of-a-kind setting.

Spider-Gwen #2 (Marvel) – After a near frenzy of excitement over the alternate universe Spider-Woman/Spider-Gwen, the first issue somewhat failed to capitalize on it with a good story.  It will be interesting to see if they are going to.

Wonderland #33 (Zenescope) – Calie and the Cheshire go on another quest to rid Wonderland of madness. The first was pretty great, so the second arc looks promising.

 

Elana

Top Pick: The Humans TP (Image Comics) –  My top pick of the year. 1970 outlaw bikers: they are animals! The animals are us! Literally. Tom Neely and color artist Kristina Collantes’ art puts others to shame. Mind blowing scenes of insanity with period-accurate costumes (I’d know) and bikes (they tell me) composed by an artist with the best chops around. It feels like a real underground comic from 70 but more accessible, action-heavy yet character driven. It is living proof of the value of hand lettering. It has an online soundtrack of garage punk/metal/ “is this a john carpenter movie?” soundtrack. https://m.soundcloud.com/the-humans-soundtrack

Oh and it’s by the Henry and Glenn crew. This has a cult-like following. One of us!

Adventure Time: Marceline Gone Adrift #3 (KaBOOM!/BOOM! Studios) – I haven’t read this yet but I need to. She’s a remarkable creation and I’m glad they keep making series with her in the lead. Do you know a kid that digs this series? Let me know in the comments.

Ms. Marvel #13 (Marvel) – Some day your kids will ask you “Parent, did you read Ms Marvel when it was coming out? I learned it revolutionized the industry and was utterly charming.” And you will say yes, or you will be ashamed. SHAMED!

Silver Surfer #10 (Marvel) – I’m no expert Whovian but this book is less Doctor Who then I expected. It’s more something of its own and I think that’s because Surfer’s voice is unique. At times Dawn feels too childlike. But with art this fun I’ve got to keep buying it.

Southern Cross #1 (Image Comics) – The panels from this that have been trickling out on social media are stunning. Colleen Doran’s art is dark and beautiful. I don’t even know the concept. I’m getting it anyway

 

Nevada

Top Pick: Roller Girl (Dial Books) – Junior high school was a really difficult time for me so I can relate to Roller Girl’s challenges as she navigates that minefield. Wish I would’ve had roller derby—can’t wait to see Roller Girl in action!

Artist & Models: The Glamour Art of Kent Steine (Binary Publications) – Love the cover of this volume and look forward to perusing the pages filled with glamour art & photographs as well as commentary by Mr. Steine.

Constantine #23 (DC Comics) – I’m a big fan of the show and new to the comic so I look forward to giving this a look to see Constantine on the page. Love his attitude and supernatural noir sensibility.

Juxtapose #171 (High Speed Productions) – I always feel so in the know and cutting edge when I read Juxtapose, with its up to the minute art and graphic news and lavish layouts; this Underground Art issue looks like one not-to-be-missed.

Lisa Simpson Figurine (Monogram Products) – I love Lisa and share many of her interests and concerns, so I’ll have to get this figurine for my desk to inspire me when I’m feeling somewhat misunderstood—just keep playing that sax, Lisa! Also it makes me want to listen to jazz music.