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I am pretty open when I look at the week of comics and it is stacked with amazing book after amazing book. That was not this week. Feels like the calm before the storm as we only get one major Bloodhunt book this year and DC has yet to dive deep into their summer event. Now there are plenty of books to be excited about but I did not have nearly as many books to consider as some of the strong weeks.
With that said let’s get to this week’s countdown
(Editor’s Note: Solictions are provided by the respected Publishers)Â
10. X-O Manowar: Invictus #1
Writer: Becky Cloonan, Michael Conrad
Artist: Fernando Furukawa
Publisher: Valiant
Solicitation: X-O MANOWAR’s unyielding quest for justice drives him to the heart of Nova Romanus to rescue the enigmatic Soothsayer, unveiling an odyssey that tests power, loyalty, and the essence of heroism. Amidst the chaos, Shanhara, the sentient armor, falls silent, shrouding the bond between warrior and armor in mystery. As X-O MANOWAR battles on multiple fronts, the arrival of the cosmic wanderer Ivar adds a layer of complexity to the intricate tapestry of fate.
Why it Made the List: Sadly I have had a mixed response to the recent slate of Valiant comics. This was meant to be their resurgence but the recent books have not hit the heights I was hoping for despite the promise. All that can be whipped away if this book hits my expectations. X-O Manowar is akin to the Superman of his universe in my eyes so a good run on his series can propel the entire line. The list of creators is solid so I have hope that can happen.
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Rafa Sandoval
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: HOUSE OF EL VERSUS HOUSE OF BRAINIAC! Superman and Lobo have their hands full with Brainiac’s Lobo army, so it’s up to Supergirl and Conner Kent to stop Brainiac himself! It’s an impossible battle, but they are joined by some unexpected and deadly allies!
Why it Made the List: When it comes to the events this year for Marvel and DC the goal seems to be to create the most over-the-top action possible. Blood Hunt has been a good time and so far House of Brainiac has been as well even with Lobo being a major part of it. The special that filled in the breaks was not my favorite but the issues of Action and Superman have been a joy. Can it last? A big part of me worries this will flame out sooner rather than later. Stories this big can rarely be sustained. Joshua Williamson has the experience though to make it work.
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Bryan Hitch
Publisher: Image ComicsÂ
Solicitation: THE UNNAMED’S REDCOAT IS JUST GETTING STARTED! It is 1892! The year of Coca-Cola, the first public basketball game, and Lizzie Borden picking up an axe! It’s also the year that immortal mercenary and former British Revolutionary War soldier Simon Pure finds himself the target of a mysterious cult. One that seems to know everything about him. And now Simon must do something he’s never done before—accept help. Help in the form of the most unlikely of allies: a 12-year-old Albert Einstein obsessed with unlocking the secrets to Simon’s magic!
Why it Made the List: I am glad Ghost Machine decided to space out their books after that first week when everything came out together. Makes doing this list a little easier. Redcoat was the series I was most looking forward to out of all three and it lived up to my expectations. It was not exactly what I was expecting but what we got works too. I like how this will hit on different historical events as we are seeing the start of both Baseball and Coca-Cola. The historical aspect was a big reason I was looking forward to this book and appreciate it is going into that piece in full force with this issue. The main character is intriguing as well as he is rather unlikeable but in a compelling way. This does not feel like a Geoff Johns book and I am all for that.Â
Writer/Artist: Peach Momoko
Publisher: MarvelÂ
Solicitation: THE MYSTERIOUS MAYSTORM, REVEALED! Maystorm’s origin! Mei Igarashi was a regular girl until she discovered her unusual abilities and her hair changed from brown to white… And how she came to idolize a mysterious freedom fighter in Africa who also harnesses the power of the storm!
Why it Made the List: This has become my favorite book out of the entire Ultimates line. While I enjoy Spider-Man a good deal it is a bit limited in the story department, which is the first time I have ever said that about Jonathan Hickman’s comic. Peach Momoko has taken this opportunity to do something brand new for what we consider an X-Men story and has packed so much into every issue. The last time we got an Ultimate X-Men team it just did what the X-Men did previously but tried to go darker and darker until it imploded within its own self misery. This has darker elements but there’s purpose there, and more importantly, there is balance. Also, you get amazing Peach Momoko art with every issue. No idea how long this can last so for now just going to enjoy it while it exists.Â
Writer: Ed Brisson
Artist: Luca Casalanguida
Publisher: Boom! StudiosÂ
Solicitation: In the penultimate issue, the survivors are in their most desperate situation yet, exposed to the elements with nowhere left to go.
In the midst of a grim realization between two survivors seeking hope elsewhere, one of their own is getting sick, and the inevitable is to be expected.
Why it Made the List: I love a good mystery but the challenge with mystery comics is trying to keep it going. How do you believably maintain the mystery, give enough to have an emotional attachment, but not too much it telegraphs exactly where it is going. It’s not easy to do and often a great comic book mystery can get lost within itself by the third issue. So far Displaced has avoided the normal pitfalls and with only two issues left there’s a good chance it can stick the landing. Luca Casalanguida is another artist who does not get the credit he should. His style can work with so many genres and this story has a lot of out there concepts that are not easy to draw. He has made it work.Â
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Jeff Lemire, Shawn Kuruneru
Publisher: Image Comics
Solicitation:Â Helen Dupuis continues looking for answers about what happened to her son, Paul, with the guidance of a psychic medium. Her desperate attempt for information sends her on an epic journey through the dark past of Belle River, with thrilling guest art by SHAWN KURUNERU (Cave Grave).
Why it Made the List: When I saw there was a guest artist on this book I was a bit disappointed. My favorite Jeff Lemire books tend to be the ones he writes and draws, which has been the case for this book. The balance of surreal and real-life melancholy has been the greatest strength of this book. So with a guest artist can that be maintained? I hope so. I do not know much about Shawn Kuruneru’s art but Lemire is not going to just put anyone on his book so I would assume it will work with this series. Also if the art is amazing that is another artist to look out for in the future. Was this a choice of necessity to help this book get out or was this the plan the entire time? No idea what the answer as both are rather plausible. This series has had a sporadic release schedule so I am just happy we are getting another issue. We are nearing the end so I expect some major events occurring with this issue.
Writer: Josie Campbell
Artist: Alessio Zonno
Publisher: Boom! StudiosÂ
Solicitation: Mid-series mayhem unfolds as the team faces not just their own challenges with cooperation, but a brand new goalie… one more outrageous than they ever expected. Team building is what they need, but what exactly does Coach Blood have in mind? Will his… quite frankly, unhinged methods bring the results they’ve been looking for?
Why it Made the List: This book is such a joy. That may be weird for a series that takes place in a dystopian future but life is what you make it even when the world is over. Here the best way to past the time is by playing the classic game of Screaming Pain Ball. It is as joyous as it sounds. I love sports stories but they tend to check the boxes of expected cliches. (Although I am still a sucker for a good training montage) This is kind of doing that but the setting makes all the difference. Plus the art of Alessio Zonno has been a revelation. It’s a style influenced by manga which is happening more and more in today’s comic landscape. This series is better for it as it keeps the energy going.Â
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Sanford Greene
Publisher: MarvelÂ
Solicitation: IN THE NEAR FUTURE… DOOM ALONE MUST SAVE THE MARVEL UNIVERSE! Legendary creators Jonathan Hickman (ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN, G.O.D.S.) and Sanford Greene (Bitter Root) send Doctor Doom on a journey unlike any he has undertaken before! With Valeria Richards at his side, Doom goes on a quest to harness more power than any human has ever wielded before in order to try to stop Galactus from bringing about the death of the universe!
Why it Made the List: When looking at the creative team of this series the name that will probably get the most attention is Jonathan Hickman, which I understand. He’s a huge name and has written some of my favorite comics of all time including East of West. He’s written a great Doom before in his highly acclaimed Fantastic Four run and Secret Wars. What I am really excited about is more Sanford Greene art. Loved his previous work in series like Power Man and Iron Fist and of course, the Eisner-winning Bitter Root. So we have a great writer, a great artist, and a great character. That should make for a great comic.Â
Writer: W. Maxwell Prince
Artist: Martin Morazzo
Publisher: Image ComicsÂ
Solicitation: “DECOMPRESSION IN A WRECK,” Part One
In this first part of a two-parter (which does not require reading of either part), we see how slow time can go when your bumper is making its way toward your trunk.
Why it Made the List: Ice Cream Man is back! It’s been a few months since the last book and I wondered if it would be the last time we would see this series. Not only is that not the case but we are getting a multi-part arc. In most series that would be the norm but this book has been about the one and done since the beginning. Its success had led to an entirely new slate of horror anthology books that followed a similar story trajectory. I worry this change of pace will get away from what has made this book so good from the start. Hopefully, this will be an example of the positive impact of change. Also just looking at that description makes me wonder what tricks this team has up their sleeves. They are always playing with the format of comic book storytelling so will this be another example of that? Since the start they have taken chances and that is what I respect most about them.Â
Writer: Tony Fleecs
Artist: Dave Wachter
Publisher: Boom! StudioÂ
Solicitation: As the mystery of Oliver’s origins continues to unfold, the literal cartoonish realism of his existence has to somehow be connected to his mother’s origins in Burbank, California. And with his uncanny powers setting him apart from the other kids, what will Oliver do to make his own way in the world? Especially considering that there are sinister forces at play, watching from the other end of a portal…
Why it Made the List: When looking at this week’s slate of books the one I was most excited about was easily Uncanny Valley. When I put the first issue on this list I mentioned that it felt like there was something special about this book and the first issue solidified that thought. First, the art of Dave Wachter was spectacular in the lushish world he created as well as how incorporated the language of animation into the medium of comics. Both tend to borrow from each other a great deal but seeing the rules we associate with things like Looney Tunes play out in a real-world setting elicits immediate intrigue. You can see the influences of this series but it is also not trying to be anything else beyond its unique creation. It’s only one issue but it just feels fresh and new compared to mostly everything else I am reading right now.Â
