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Let’s count down this Week’s Top 10 Most Anticipated Comics. This might be the strongest list of comics yet when it comes to the top half. Some of my favorite comics in comics right now all coming out in the same week. Fun times.
Editor note: All Description portions come directly from their respected publishers
Writer: David Pepose
Artist: Dave Wachter
Publisher: Marvel
Description: Is this the return of Frank Castle—or the start of something else? Frank Castle has disappeared, but evil will always need to be punished. With all-new threats rising to claim innocent victims, criminals will need to beware of a dangerous vigilante hunting them from the shadows. Who is the new Punisher? What put him on his path of vengeance? And when the smoke clears, will he even make it out alive? It’s John Wick meets The Fugitive
Why it Made the List: I believe in not dismissing something simply based on concept alone. Something may seem like a bad idea on paper and turn out great. For example, I thought it was a horrible idea to remake Planet of the Apes yet again but then it led to one of the best film franchises of the last decade. The idea of making someone new The Punisher does make me scratch my head but I look at the creative team and it gives me hope. I do like the fact it is a brand new character rather than just making someone established to take up the role. Let’s see how it plays out.
Writer: Rob Williams
Artist: Pye Parr
Publisher: IMAGE COMICS
Description: JUMP STRAIGHT INTO THE NON-HUMAN RACE WITH 42 ROBO-GORGEOUS LAUNCH-ISSUE STORY PAGES! In a climate crisis-ravaged future metropolis, an old, grumpy, obsolete, smoke-belching, cigar-chomping, HOTROD-RACING ROBOT is one 12-year-old girl’s only hope. Together, can they outrace the chasing Robo-Cops with an invention that might just save humanity?
Why it Made the List: There are a lot of different reasons to get excited about a new series in the case of Petrol Head the concept is what got me. A lot of series can be condensed by combining two well-known properties into one. For example, “It’s Walking Dead meets Game of Thrones”. (Usually, it is one of those two with something else) With Petrol Head it does not appear to be that easy, which allows for much more originality and ingenuity within the comic series. Two things I can never get enough of within the world of comics.
Writer: Mark Evanier, Sergio Aragonés
Artist: Sergio Aragonés
Publisher: Dark Horse
Description: Groo the Wanderer tries to figure out the dumb way human beings attempt to co-exist with animals on this planet and how to make things better. One thing is probable, though-he’s going to make things worse! And if Rufferto can’t save the main story, at least we have his solo back cover strip!
Why it Made the List: Can we take a moment and appreciate just how big of a badass Sergio Aragonés is? The man is 86 years old and still going strong putting out one of the most consistent comics in the history of the medium. Stan Sakai has been brought up on these lists a lot and he first got his start working for Sergio Aragonés, and both have yet to lose a step. Groo stories are not the most complex, yet their silliness and dedication to being fun have made them so timeless. If you miss that feeling you would get reading the Sunday Morning funnies and want it back this is the perfect series to read.
7. Midlife (or How to Hero at Fifty!) #2
Writer: Brian Buccellato
Artist: Stefano Simeone
Publisher: Image Comics
Description: The story of the world’s oldest new superhero continues! A confused but empowered Ruben navigates the discovery of his special ability and must choose who to confide in and how to express himself in a meaningful way. But at the age of fifty, is it too late to seize this new gift as an opportunity to become a hero…and reclaim his self-worth? And more importantly, can he even integrate this monumental responsibility into his everyday life without hurting—or worse, pissing off—his family?
Why it Made the List: We recently received news that Ultimate Spider-Man will change things up a bit and make Peter Parker middle-aged with a family rather than a typical High School or College student. Well, Midlife has done it first and is shaping up to be a tough act to follow. It’s odd considering how many superheroes we have gotten over the years yet I cannot think of a time when we had this idea explored. Maybe it’s due to the fact that I’m heading into my last year in my thirties but this hits home rather hard, but even if you are on the younger side there’s plenty to enjoy. Good stories are good stories.
Writer: Christopher Cantwell
Artist: Luca Pizzari
Publisher: Marvel
Description: THANOS VS. THE ILLUMINATI! The Mad Titan descends upon Earth to retrieve something he has lost. And the Illuminati must band together to stop him, because they’re the ones who hid it from him!
Why it Made the List: I am always in the mood for a great Thanos comic. There have been plenty to choose from so it’s no surprise he keeps getting his own books. I am also a big fan of Christopher Cantwell and the work he has done with Marvel especially his work on Doctor Doom and Thanos. He has a knack for writing characters with a strong sense of bravado that fits perfectly for a character like Thanos. Having him go up against the ILLUMINATI is another exciting idea. No doubt we will get some great action sequences especially with Luca Pizzari doing the artwork.
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Gabriel Hernandez Walta
Publisher: Image Comics
Description: JEFF LEMIRE and GABRIEL HERNÁNDEZ WALTA’s hit series returns! Birdie and Dom find themselves searching through an abandoned road-side circus when they discover hints of…life. Elsewhere, Agent Weaver enlists Deputy Donnie to help piece together the frantic clues they have amassed so far.
Why it Made the List: After being gone for a number of months Phantom Road returns with a brand new story arc. Jeff Lemire and Gabriel Hernandez Walta have done some great work together like the Barbalien: Red Planet series. Despite that, it took me a few issues to be fully invested in Phantom Road. Perhaps my expectations were too high but by issue three the story began to click and my investment grew. Issue five did feel like a bit of an abrupt ending but it did leave me wanting more, and now that more has arrived.
Writer/Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Publisher: Skybound
Description: THE SMASH-HIT SERIES CONTINUES! The Decepticons have been unleashed! As Optimus Prime and Autobots regroup, Starscream terrorizes humanity. This issue features a surprising first Energon Universe appearance!
Why it Made the List: The first issue of Transformers brought with it so much hype. Sales and excitement were both high and as a very mild Transformers fan, I felt it lived up to all of those expectations. Daniel Warren Johnson having massive robots doing wrestling maneuvers is everything I could ever want in a book like this. It’s not throwing everything that came before away nor is it just doing the same thing with a shiny new coat of paint. It was a rather elegant mix of both new and old with a number of big surprises including a shocking death or two. Who knows if those will actually hold up, but it does make me excited to see where this new age of Transformers is heading.
Writer: Simon Spurrier
Artist: Charlie Adlard
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Description: The 500 Club has a new world order in mind, and Ellie is caught in the middle; she’s set up and without a prayer. Cillian will stop at nothing to induct Bloody El into his demonic hivemind, and Ellie will have to try something unconventional with Glasya Labolas to shake things up… but will it work as expected?
Why it Made the List: What a week this is turning out to be. The last two comics both topped this list in the past weeks. We are nearing the end of this current arc so things are clearly on the precipice of becoming completely unwound. I am really hoping this goes beyond twelve issues because it feels like a series that can go on for quite a long time, especially with the talent involved. If you are a fan of Vertigo this is like reliving those days all over again.
2. The Enfield Gang Massacre #4
Writer: Chris Condon
Artist: Jacob Phillips
Publisher: Image
Description: With a dangerous hurdle cleared, the Enfield Gang continues its battle with Capt. Ely while the deposed Sheriff Hardesty seeks answers to the question of who killed Bill Barley.
Why it Made the List: Speaking of series I would love to see go on for a long time we have the world of That Texas Blood. Clearly, The Enfield Gang Massacre has a narrative that can only take it so many issues, but I would love to continue to get more of these books that take place at different time periods. Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips have grown into one of the most consistent creative teams within comics. Jacob Phillips especially impresses me with his storytelling and use of color. If you want to witness great craftsmanship this is a great book to read.
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Leonardo Romero
Publisher: DC Comics
Description: THE FIRST MISSION FOR THE NEW TEAM! DESTINATION: THEMYSCIRA! The covert first mission of the re-formed Birds of Prey has established their beachhead…in Themyscira! What could be so important to Black Canary that she’d risk the wrath of the greatest warriors on Earth?!
Why it Made the List: Let me quickly run down what I love about this book…everything…every…single…thing. From the artwork to the use of color to the storyline to the character work, I have completely fallen in love with this series after only two issues. I also love the choice to take its time with this story. I thought after issue one we would jump right into what is happening in this issue, but instead it took a step back to showcase the impossibility of this mission. That also gave these characters a little more time to interact and grow as a unit before things went truly crazy. If this series can remain consistent with these next few issues this book will be something special. Read it!
Other Books I am Looking forward to that didn’t make the list: Shazam! #5, G.O.D.S. #2, Uncanny Spider-Man #3, Star Wars: The High Republic #1, Creepshow #3, Marvel Unleashed #4, Superman ’78: The Metal Curtain #1, Zawa + The Belly of the Beast #1, Mech Cadets #4
