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.
Alex
Top Pick: Old Man Logan #1 (Marvel) – To say I’m looking forward to this book would be like saying Thanos isn’t a nice person. Aside from All-New Wolverine #1, which was a great first issue (although the series quickly lost my interest after that) it’s been a long time since I’ve picked up a comic featuring one of my all time favourite characters. I’m excited to see what’s in store for the old coot now that Secret Wars has brought him back around (although I’m still not convinced we won’t see the younger version back sooner or later), and I have been counting down the days until this debut issue is going to be released. Can. Not. Bloody. Wait.
Bloodshot Reborn #10 (Valiant) – Thirty years from now, something apocalyptic has happened, and water is a precious commodity. The beginning of new arc is always touted by Valiant as a new jumping on point, and they’re not wrong here. If you’ve ever been curious about the nanite infested super soldier, this is as good a place as any to jump onto the ongoing series.
Faith #1 (Valiant) – If you had superpowers you’d enjoy them, right? Faith does. She’s a brilliant, fun character that originated in another Valiant series (that I haven’t read yet), and despite her backstory you don’t need to know it all. Valiant are extremely good about giving you only what you need to know to get to know the character and nothing more (so when you read that other series it won’t be spoiled for you). A superb comic. Why isn’t it on your pull list?
Negative Space #3 (Dark Horse) – This series has been on my radar since I got the first issue in a Comic Block some months ago. It’s a beautifully crushing look into the effects of depression, and a very compelling story. You NEED to read this book – honestly in any other week this would be my top pick, but my inner Wolverine fanboy wouldn’t shut up.
Benjamin
Top Pick: Prophet Earth War #1 (Image Comics) – From Brandon Graham and his crew, loved the relaunch of prophet when it started and still do. This book makes me feel like singing Sinead O’Connor, Nothing compares 2 U, when prophet is on a hiatus, or Brandon is doing other projects i count the days it is missing. The harmony between writers and artists is such a relief, they all on the same page with this and it’s fantastic.
Hip Hop Family Tree #6 (Fantagraphics) – Ed Piskor has basically perfected his style here, the fact that this resonates with the individuals portrayed is testament to its greatness. Do you really need more reason to pick up the best hip hop inspired comic on the stands?
Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #3 (Marvel) – I really want this book to succeed and then DD take over the marvel cinematic universe. Also my kids love dinosaurs, as they should.
Old Man Logan #1 (Marvel) – I can’t follow why this version of Wolverine is now in the main universe and Jeff Lemire can be hit or miss but with Andrea Sorrentino art? Gotta check it out and see what the story is.
Saga #33 (Image Comics) – I’m not a regular reader, just love looking at Fiona Staples artwork from time to time, but I don’t care for her Archie comics thing at all.
Brett
Top Pick: Faith #1 (Valiant) – This first issue is fantastic as Valiant’s breakout star gets her own ongoing series. Faith as a character is positive and finding her place in the world, and that’s on top of the fact she’s not the skinny unrealistic shape of so many other comic characters. Relateable in so many ways, Faith is going to be huge in 2016.
Dreaming Eagles #2 (Aftershock Comics) – Garth Ennis’ latest war comic just caught me by total surprise. It’s was so high quality, and really looking forward to seeing what the second issue is like.
Old Man Logan #1 (Marvel) – I loved the original “Old Man Logan” storyline. The return was kind of meh. Now, this older version of Wolverine gets his own series. His inclusion in the new Marvel U doesn’t make a whole lot of sense, but the character itself captures the broken down western hero that fits the character so well.
Southern Bastards #13 (Image Comics) – The best comic on the stands, hands down.
Superman: Lois and Clark #4 (DC Comics) – If you want the look and feel of a more classic Superman, here you go. This comic has delivered with every issue and it’s one of the comics I look forward to the most each month from DC.
Elana
Top Pick: Monstress #3 (Image Comics) – Few comics have made a major artistic statement as quickly as Monstress has. Dense, lush, beautiful, terrifying and bloody– it is the best fantasy comic of the year. In it, a young woman wrestles with both the monster within her and the monstrous society she faces. Hear our interview with writer Marjorie Liu.
Angela Queen of Hel #4 (Marvel) – One of Marvel’s best. Painted art by Stephanie Hans is the most beautiful on the stands. Our narrator Sera is worldly, funny, fourth-wall breaking but not at all in the Deadpool way we’ve grown bored of and she’s a trans woman of color and in love with Angela. Sera is the best new Marvel character since Kamala Khan.
Black Magick #4 (Image Comics) – They call it a Witch Noir. Rucka is an ace writer of complex female detectives. The art is Nicola Scott’s best and the story stands very well on its own as an interesting mystery. Here’s what I said about issue 1.
Cry Havoc #1 (Image Comics) – I’m not usually in to war comics. But lesbian werewolf musician war comics?! That’s at least worth a first issue.
Ryan Kelly is a really accomplished comics artist and the kids seem to like Simon Spurrier too. The buzz has been strong.
Faith #1 (Valiant) – Meet the first plus-sized super-heroine to star in her own comic! And it’s a lot of fun! Even if you’ve never read a Valiant comic book before this is a welcoming read. This mini-series works great on it’s own and stars a comics geek. Fantasy sequences drawn by Marguerite Sauvage are especially beautiful. It’s great to see a character who is drawn as big and beautiful. Listen to our interview with writer Jody Houser.
Jason
Island #6 (Image Comics) – Even with the ever so slightly reduced page count, you can still count on Island to be the greatest anthology out there in terms of casting its net far and wide to bring attention to new and unheard of comics talent on a monthly basis. The highlight this month is the story “Badge of Pride” featuring a group of young anthropomorphic guys as they navigate the social minefield of their local Pride event. Having followed his work on and off for years now it’s thrilling to see Onta’s work shown to a more mainstream audience and I was fortunate enough that he had time to answer a few of my questions last week about his new, more personal and story driven outing for Island.
This month also presents work from Gael B as well as a recolored, reprinted sci-fi classic in the form of Fil Barlow’s Zooniverse.
Saga #33 (Image Comics) – Thirty Three issues in and Vaughan and Staples sci-fi epic shows no signs of slowing down as it continues to shock, thrill and delight in equal measures. Staples beautiful cover shows that the adorable journalistic couple Upsher and Doff are back after being warned off reporting on the story of Marko and Alana way back in the books second arc. While only briefly touched upon I look forward to seeing how Vaughan develops the relationship between the pair as they become embroiled deeper in conflict and conspiracy. It’s been briefly hinted that the pairs society doesn’t look kindly on same sex couples and it will be fascinating to see what the writer has to say on the subject in a series that really pulls no punches with its social commentary.
Javier
Top Pick: Southern Bastards #13 (Image Comics) – I love southern fried chicken, so it’s no surprise I’ve taken a liking to Jason Aaron’s and Jason Latour’s complex, bleak, and brutal self proclaimed “Southern Fried Comic.” The writers are taking their sweet tea time fleshing out each installment.
Cry Havoc #1 (Image Comics) – With a tagline that reads … “this is not the tale of a lesbian werewolf who goes to war. Except it kind of is” … you have to check out what it’s about.
Deadly Class #18 (Image Comics)– It’s finals week at Kings Dominion School for the Deadly Arts. Rick Remender’s dark depressive writing pulls you in deep into the violence.
Six #3 (451 Media) – In the last issue we took a step back to get the background story on Sarah’s coffee business, so I’m excited to hopefully see the team in action in this issue. The tension is building up slowly.
Wild’s End: Enemy Within #5 (BOOM! Studios) – I really hope they make this into an animated sci-fi feature. It’s H.G. Wells’ War of the Worlds in a Watership Down bucolic setting, with a wide cast of animal characters.
Madison
Top Pick: Monstress #3 (Image Comics) – If you, like me, are trying to diversify your reading this year, Monstress would be a great start. Image’s website describes it as “steampunk meets kaiju,” and both the story and the art are absolutely beautiful.
Black Canary #7 (DC Comics) – I absolutely adore Annie Wu’s art, and I’m always here for kick-butt lady characters. Black Canary is always one of the first comics I read on Wednesdays.
The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #4 (Marvel) – I love Unbeatable Squirrel Girl partially because her narrative voice is very similar to how I speak in real life. I also love Unbeatable Squirrel Girl because it’s adorable (I mean have you seen Erica Henderson’s art? Have you seen it.), upbeat, and hilarious.
Mr. H
Top Pick: Superman: Lois and Clark #4 (DC Comics) – Out of all the post Convergence titles, this one has been the sleeper for me. An in continuity tale with the REAL Superman. Good to see the marriage in tact and not magically wished away to a demon. I like the idea of Clark working from the shadows but can’t wait till he meets the New 52 Kal-El at some point. For now a very fun book that has long time fans buzzing.
Old Man Logan #1 (Marvel Comics) – The old (literally now) Canucklehead gets his own series. He’s trying to write the wrongs of his past. It’s Logan channeling Clint Eastwood. Ummm count me in!
Superman #48 (DC Comics) – The journey for Superman to get his powers back continues. This time he resorts to.. kryptonite? Ok I’ll bite but Vandalia Savage has been the highlight here so far. Guess I need to see where it’s going. So it’s time to up up and glow?
Paul
Top Pick: Extraordinary X-Men #6 (Marvel) – Been loving this title from issue #1; great team, great art and a great ride so far. This issue has the team responding to a distress call from Weirdworld….sure ok. I only know of this Weirdworld from seeing solicits for the book, so this will be an interesting read.
All-New Inhumans #3 (Marvel) – I am liking this title; a ship of volunteers traveling the world offering inhumanitarian aid (clever, I know) to those affected by the terrigen cloud released by Black Bolt. The current storyline is a rehash; government taking advantage of the situation and using inhumans as weapons for their cause, but it works for this new climate. And I am really enjoying Crystal in this leadership role. I always thought she could be more bad ass, and she’s really showing it here, but also showing some of it is a front and she needs her family.
It’s a new week and we’re heading into New York Comic Con! There’s already been announcements and we’re sure more to come! What has you excited? What do you think looks good so far? Sound off in the comments!
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!
Dues Ex #1 (Titan) I’ve never played any of the Deus Ex games, but after reading the first issue of this comic, I’m probably going to find a copy. It’s a universe that looks like it’ll be an interesting place to spend a few hours, rife with some pretty powerful story options. Overall: 8 Recommendation: Read
Deadly Class #19 (Image)**: A terrific annoying-little-shit-bugging-the-record-store-clerk opening page gives way to 20 or so pages of the most balls-out, unhinged, ultraviolent action you’re ever going to come across — even in this series. Wes Craig’s art? Brilliant as always, of course, and Rick Remender does a nice job of interspersing the blood-soaked insanity with just the right number of “character beats” to keep things moving as far as each indvidual’s “arc” is concerned, as well. The twist at the end is handled pretty clumsily (which is certainly far from the norm for these creators, so we’ll cut them a bit of slack), but still provides a visceral exclamation point to the proceedings. If watching the shit hit the fan is your sort of thing, there’s probably not a better book out there for you right now. Overall: 7.5 Recommendation: Buy
Unfollow #5 (DC/Vertigo)** : How fucking addicting is this book, anyway? So apparently everyone’s been voted off the island — literally — in unison, and our cast is headed back home to either piss away their fortune, hope to stay alive as their “benefactor”‘s sick real-time experiment in Social Darwinism plays out — or, more than likely, both. Mike Dowling’s art is gorgeous, Rob Williams’ script is breakneck-paced and populated with intriguing characters, and things are really hitting that “sweet spot” we comics fans know when a writer and artist are in perfect synch. If you’re not picking this book up, you’re missing out on a thrilling and compelling read with a strong and deftly-handled social message that feels very much “in the now.” Plus, it’s always good to be reminded that rich people are, invariably, absolute bastards. Overall: 8.5 Recommendation: Buy
It was new comic book day yesterday! Did folks have luck picking up their new comics? Anyone impacted by the snow? For those that weren’t, what’d you like from this week’s releases? What was a clunker?
