This is a column that focuses on something or some things from the comic book sphere of influence that may not get the credit and recognition it deserves. Whether that’s a list of comic book movies, ongoing comics, or a set of stories featuring a certain character. The columns may take the form of a bullet pointed list, or a slightly longer thinkpiece – there’s really no formula for this other than whether the things being covered are Underrated in some way. This week: Comics not in Diamond’s top 400 sellers for June 2019

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This week we’re going to be looking at a list of comics that are all pretty good, but don’t get the attention that they deserve. Now I’m not even going to pretend to have a definitively exhaustive list of underrated comics here, because we’re hoping  that you decide to check at least one of these series out next time you’re looking for something new either online or at your LCS, and giving you a huge list to check out would be counter productive to that. Instead, you’ll find four to six comics that are worth your attention that failed to crack the top 100 in sales. The only hard stipulation for this week: not one of the comics made it into the top 400 (yeah, I went for books that hardly any of you have read for whatever reason) for this month’s comic sales, according to Comichron, which is why they’re Underrated.

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Banjax #1 (Action Lab)
Sales Rank/Units Sold: 319/2,730
Why You Should Read It: A story about a hero who hit rock bottom, struggling with addiction and falling out of favour after a very brutal public murder, who has recently been diagnosed with a cancer caused by the use of his powers. So what does a fallen hero with nothing to lose do when faced with a very finite time left on this world? He decides to go out in a blaze of glory.

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Beasts Of Burden: Presence of Others #2 (Dark Horse)
Sales Rank/Units Sold: 264/4,276
Why You Should Read It:  The second part of a two part story that helps flesh out one of the most charmingly disturbing worlds; Evan Dorkin’s story about the animals of Burden Hill and the surprising supernatural adventures they get involved in to keep their corner of the world just a little safer. A comic from this series is always a highlight of my week

The Life And Death Of Toyo Harada #4 (Valiant)
Sales Rank/Units Sold: 250/4,850
Why You Should Read It: A character who can easily be seen as either hero or villain depending on whose story you’re reading, Joshua Dysart’s current Valiant project pulls to a close the writer’s time with the Harbinger villain as we witness his fall from power. I truly think this is a masterpiece in waiting.

TMNT: Urban Legends #14 (IDW)
Sales Rank/Units Sold: 241/5,404
Why You Should Read It: I often feel that IDW’s TMNT comics are often written off as kids stories. While some are targeted to a younger audience, I’ve yet to read one that I didn’t enjoy. Give ’em a chance when you next see one on the racks.

Punk Mambo #3 (Valiant)
Sales Rank/Units Sold: 219/6,304
Why You Should Read It: A snarky British magic practitioner, Punk Mambo has been pulled into a world she doesn’t really care about in order to help save the Voodoo gods. She’s more pissed because the villain stole something from her, and makes no secret of her disdain for the old ways. Think Constantine, but angrier.

The Crow: Hack Slash #1 (IDW)
Sales Rank/Units Sold: 199/8,163
Why You Should Read It: As a huge fan of The Crow, I’m usually the first in line to grab any new story set in O’Barr’s universe, and this is an enjoyable entry point. It may not be the best comic in your pile this week, but I enjoyed the hell out of it.

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Unless the comics industry ceases any and all publication look for a future installment of Underrated to cover more comics that aren’t cracking the top 100.