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The dreaded fifth Wednesday. For those that do not know when there are five Wednesdays in a month traditionally you get a week of leftovers and annuals since most months have four. We have some annuals this week, but with the number of publishers that exist now it is not as much of an issue as it used to be and after making this list I am grateful for it.
With that said let’s move on to this week’s countdown…
(Editor’s Note: Solicitors are Provided by the Respected Publishers)
10. Batman / Superman: World’s Finest 2024 Annual
Writer: Mark Waid, Cullen Bunn, Christopher Cantwell, Stephanie Williams
Artist: Jorge Fornés, Rosi Kämpe, Edwin Galmon
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: A WORLD TOUR OF THE WORLD’S FINEST! It’s the world’s finest annual! As the battle against Magog rages on Earth-22, Batman and Superman discover a surprising secret by way of the 5th dimension! Meanwhile, Metamorpho’s story picks up after the events of the Elementary arc as our hero journeys deep within an ancient tomb that may have a hidden, deadly connection to his secret origin! Plus, Batman recruits the Challengers of the Unknown for a top-secret mission, and a special, sizzling story stars the Teen Titans’ most buzzworthy member, Bumblebee! It’s a world tour of the World’s Finest in this first-ever series annual, curated by World’s Finest architect Mark Waid!
Why it Made the List: Typically World’s Finest would be much higher on this list but with annuals, you never know what you are going to get. Here we will be getting an anthology issue focusing on several different characters within the World’s Finest line. There is certainly a lot of major talent involved looking at that list, but writing a good short story in only a few pages is difficult even for the best. Still, I am happy to see other characters like Bumblebee get a chance to shine along with some of the biggest characters in DC comic history.
Writer: Mathieu Gabella
Artist: Fernando Dagnino
Publisher: ABLAZE
Solicitation: While the incident in the subway remains foggy to her colleagues, Rhym just knows there’s more than meets the eye. She’s always been able to trust her intuition, but this time it leads her into deeper waters than she was prepared for. When she bites off more than she can chew, she meets Sebastian, a member of a mysterious organization tasked with keeping and using arcane knowledge. He’s instructed to recruit her, but for what purpose? What makes Rhym so special?
Why it Made the List: Ablaze is a publisher that should get a lot more attention than it does. Both for their original series as well as the books they get from other countries and release in the US for the first time. I am not sure where this series falls but I dug the first issue. It has all the ingredients of a cop procedural with a bit of a science fiction twist. Plus it looks great. I have a feeling this will be one of those under-the-radar books I try to recommend to as many people as possible throughout the year.
8. The Devil That Wears My Face #4
Writer: David Pepose
Artist: Alex Cormack
Publisher: MAD CAVE STUDIOS
Solicitation: Framed for murder by the demonic Legion, Father Vieri must survive a deadly chase through the streets of Rome in order to escape the Inquisition. But as he possesses Vieri’s body, Legion unveils terrifying new ways to spread his corruption across the Vatican. Can Vieri find a way to turn the tables on the unholy adversary that wears his face? Or will this haunted exorcist find his last hopes extinguished by the Devil himself?
Why it Made the List: Things are picking up with this series. Every time I think they have a chance of stopping Legion he only ends up becoming more powerful. When I look at the concept of this book part of me wonders how it works as well as it does. Meshing Face-Off with the Excorist makes a wonderful combination. Not something I thought would be the case. With this being the penultimate issue I can only imagine the chaos this will lead us toward. For fans of exorcist stories this is a must-read.
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Daniel Acuña
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Solicitation: With the clock ticking to New Year’s Day, and the world against him, CAPTAIN AMERICA must build an army to save America! Will his surviving friends sign up, or is he going to have to lead the ragtag group called THE DEFENDERS against the expert military marksman known as BULLSEYE?
Why it Made the List: This is out already? That was my reaction to seeing this on the list for this week’s new books. I enjoyed the first issue thoroughly especially due to the great art of Daniel Acuña. I figured with Acuña on art duties we would get a book a month if that. Perhaps they knew what they had and have most of it done already which is a great sign for things to come. We have gotten a ton of alternate-history superhero stories, but as long as they are well-executed I cannot get enough. This has some intriguing ideas and you can see how today’s world influences the direction of this series. The first issue was a setup and now we are getting an older Steve Rogers to show what he can do now that he is a super solider once again.
Writer: Becky Cloonan
Artist: Tula Lotay
Publisher: DSTLRY
Solicitation: Set amidst the terrifying backdrop of the witch hunts in a quiet 1600s English village, SOMNA follows one woman’s erotic escape from the confines of her puritanical world.
No one is above suspicion when the relentless Witch Hunter Roland draws his net around someone close to him as this darkly sexual thriller races towards its gripping conclusion!
From the masterful minds of Becky Cloonan (BY CHANCE OR PROVIDENCE) and Tula Lotay (BARNSTORMERS) comes an intoxicating blend of history, eroticism, and the supernatural. This series will transport readers to a world where passion and spirits intertwine, captivating your senses to leave you craving more.
Why it Made the List: One thing that is extremely rare in comics today is explorations in eroticism. It’s rare to even see characters kiss in mainstream comics. Odd considering the Comic Code of Authority is long gone, yet somehow there is less of it than ever. Enter a book like Somna to show what those types of explorations can yield wondrous results. This is a story that divulges into fantasies in more than one way. The dream sequences are where the story comes alive. Tula Lotay changes her style and Lee Loughridge enhances each moment with shimmering colors. Those sequences have this glimmering sheen that becomes hypnotic to bring you into the minds of the characters. It is an eloquent display of both lust and horror as these characters delve further and further into the taboo.
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Doug Mahnke
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: SUPERSTARS JASON AARON AND DOUG MAHNKE’S COSMIC BAT-ODYSSEY CONTINUES! Batman and his new deep-space allies take the fight directly to the War Storm, a spaceship the size of a city filled with highly trained alien killing machines. Can the young Batman complete his brutal, interstellar quest? Or do other cosmic threats lie in wait? Superstars Jason Aaron and Doug Mahnke continue to bring you a Batman tale unlike any other.
Why it Made the List: Sometimes a change of scenery can be a good thing. Jason Aaron seems to be revived since coming over to DC. I adored his first issue of Action Comics and have been greatly enjoying this as well. I love seeing Batman become Batman. We of course have stories like Year One but this is different. Batman is leveling up on a game that he mastered. After figuring out his planet he is trying to figure out the rest of the universe. We get into his mind to understand his desire to be the best. That drive has been fully on display since the start.
Writer: Kyle Higgins, Scott Mescudi
Artist: Marco Locati
Publisher: Image Comics
Solicitation: Superstar musician SCOTT “KID CUDI” MESCUDI makes his comics debut alongside Eisner Award nominated co-writer KYLE HIGGINS (RADIANT BLACK) and breakout artist MARCO LOCATI in the extra-length first issue of the biggest book of 2024! Ramon is ready for a quiet life. Whatever went wrong on that failed moon mission, whatever happened in the missing minutes the cameras didn’t capture, all he really wants is to settle down back home. But those missing minutes hold an Earth-shattering secret—and, with all eyes turned to him, Ramon will soon find himself becoming something the world has never seen before
Why it Made the List: Any time a celebrity is attached to a comic there is reason to be apprehensive. Is this just an attempt to cash in? Was this a movie script that got denied so comic seemed like the next best thing? I cannot say I am a fan of Kid Cudi but I am a fan of Kyle Higgins so that’s why I am excited about this. Considering everything Higgins is building with Radiant Black I am surprised he has time for anything else. One would think if he is going to dive into a new series there is a good reason for it.
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Tom Reilly
Publisher: Skybound
Solicitation: CODENAME G.I. JOE CONTINUES! Conrad Hauser, aka “Duke,” is on the run from the very government he trusted, investigating secrets that may be More Than Meets The Eye. Now, he’s about to meet the last person any G.I. JOE fan ever expected! Are they friend, foe, or in it for themselves?
Why it Made the List: I have been loving everything about the Energon universe. It has been able to capture the magic of the past series while finding new ground. With a Duke series, I was expecting a straight-laced soldier story showing why Duke is the best at what he does. Instead, we see that Duke is much more complicated. After coming in contact with a Transformer it has changed him in many ways. Seeing his fellow soldier killed by a plane-transforming robot has caused some major damage. Adding realism to G.I. Joe may seem like an odd choice, but when you go back to the original comic it was there as well. I am also becoming a big fan of Tom Reilly. His work during Superman: Knight Terrors was great and it continues here. Also helps when you have Jordie Bellaire on colors.
2. Alan Scott: The Green Lantern #4
Writer: Tim Sheridan
Artist: Cian Tormey,
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: CAN ALAN SCOTT STOP THE RED LANTERN? Alan Scott’s learned the Red Lantern’s dark secret! But even if the Green Lantern knows the truth, can he find the will to stop his enemy’s monstrous plans?
Why it Made the List: This has been quite the journey back into the Golden Age of DC comics but with a modern lens. They have been able to craft these characters that feel true to the time, but this is very much speaking to issues of today. Largely because they were issues of the past as well just ignored or met with hate and ignorance. Beyond that, there is a fascinating mystery surrounding the Red Lantern. I have enjoyed the slow burn allowing the narrative to linger before we hit our final act. Now as we enter act three we are heading for the clash that has been building since the book first began.
Writer: Tim Seeley
Artist: Tony Fleecs
Publisher: Image Comics
Solicitation: Jack knows it all. He’s a real damn detective, not just a washed-up 90s super-hero. But will he be able to accept a truth that will change the way he thinks about himself, his powers, his family, and the crappy town he’s chosen to protect? More importantly, will he able to escape the literal tidal wave rolling down Main Street?
Why it Made the List: Local Man has been one of Image’s best comics since it first debuted. Maybe the first comic ever that I could recommend to both those who love the extreme 90s Image books as well as comics like Grant Morrison’s Animal Man. This series has always had a meta element but it has hit a new level during this current arc. To the point we have the character interacting with dialog balloons and running into the end of panels. Now the question becomes if this is the final issue. I hope not because I feel like there is so much more this could explore. Either way, I cannot wait to see how this arc concludes.
