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It has happened again. I try really hard not to fill this list with tons of #1 issues. My hope with this article is to bring attention to books I believe deserve it and often those books that have been consistent for a long time can be forgotten. This week though it was hard to hold back. Sometimes weeks like this happen where the stars align and so much new is released. I guess that is a good problem to have because that just means more to enjoy.
(Editor’s Note: Solicitations are provided by the respected Publishers)
Writer: Melissa Flores
Artist: Francis Portela
Publisher: Oni Press
Solicitation: MARS! MICE! MOTORCYCLES! The next epic chapter of the Nacelleverse starts NOW with an ALL-NEW, ALL-ADRENALINE ADVENTURE for the free-wheelin’, butt-kickin’ animation icons who ride the Red Planet’s hardest roads! Rocketing out of the pages of NacelleVerse #0 . . . the ‘90s cartoon sensation is back in a brand-new comic book series from red-hot writer Melissa Flores (Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers, Spider-Gwen: Smash) and Eisner Award–nominated artist Francis Portela (Green Lantern)!
Why it Made the List: Oni Press is trying to make the Nacelleverse work. But will it? Biker Mice from Mars is the only cartoon series in that world I have any connection to so the success of this series is the true test for me. Will it just be another one on the pile of current comics based on previous cartoons like Thundercats or will it stand out? One thing it has going in its favor is that, unlike something like Transformers, not much has been done with the property. There’s plenty of room to tell new stories and take them in a direction that never existed. Melissa Flore has done good work with the world of Super Massive in books like The Dead Lucky. Francis Portela is also a veteran artist who has worked for nearly everyone. Also, Taylor Esposito doing letters is a relief because often with books like this, the lettering can ruin everything. Esposito is one of the best in the game currently.
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: Bruno Redondo
Publisher: DC
Solicitation: TOM TAYLOR AND BRUNO REDONDO’S FINAL NIGHTWING ARC CONTINUES! Everything Dick Grayson has built is crumbling around him. His life is spiraling out of control and Heartless is at the center of all of it. Now Nightwing must leave his city. Can he take back the power he’s lost? Or will Blϋdhaven and its citizens be lost to Heartless forever?
Why it Made the List: Issue #115 of Nightwing was one of my favorites of the series for some time. This series works best when Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo are working together. I am happy to see with this final arc the team has reunited. As cheesy as it may sound when the last issue ended I was left with that all-important question, “How is Nightwing going to find his way out of this one?”. Obviously for this story to work he will find a solution but it will not be easy. It is easy to forget the place Nightwing was in before this run began. This run has brought him back and it appears before they leave Dick Grayson has one more massive challenge to overcome.
Writer: Gerard Way, Shaun Simon
Artist: Chris Weston
Publisher: Dark Horse
Solicitation: Loo is a nurse at the most bizarre care-center in the universe. The staff are not entirely human, and the cases downright unearthly. Aliens, ghosts, superheroes, and more creatures plague its hallways as both doctors and patients and the hospital itself seems to be somewhat self-aware. Loo believes that despite a recent failure at her job she’s been given some sort of higher calling in this mysterious place, and decides to rise to the challenge. Along the way she must fight her way through corrupt staff members, powerful theme park cults, and her own personal demons and trauma to meet this challenge and discover what secrets the gardens hold.
Why it Made the List: Comics must be cool again because so many celebrities are making them lately. Just last week we had comics written by Whoopi Goldberg, Patton Oswalt, Kid Cudi, and Slash. Now this week we are getting a book by Gerard Way the lead singer of My Chemical Romance. At this point though Gerard Way is as much of a comic book writer as he is a musician. He of course has had tons of success in the industry with series like Doom Patrol and The Umbrella Academy. So when he has a new series coming out there is reason to be excited. Plus the art team on this is really strong with both Chris Weston and all-time colorist Dave Stewart. No doubt this will look amazing.
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Paulina Ganucheau
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Solicitation: Superstar creators KELLY THOMPSON (Birds Of Prey, Scarlett, Black Widow) and PAULINA GANUCHEAU (Wonder Woman, She-Ra) join forces for a bold, adorable (boldorable?) new take on everyone’s favorite super-trio!
SUGAR! SPICE! AND EVERYTHING NICE! These were the ingredients chosen to create the perfect little girl! But Professor Utonium accidentally added an extra ingredient to the concoction… CHEMICAL X! Thus, the POWERPUFF GIRLS were born! And ever since, BLOSSOM, BUBBLES, and BUTTERCUP have dedicated their lives to fighting crime and the forces of evil using their ultra-super powers!
Why it Made the List: As mentioned with Biker Mice from Mars we are getting a lot of series based on previous cartoon series and here’s another one with The Powerpuff Girls #1. I did enjoy the Powerfull Girls show when it was out but I probably would have skipped right over this if not for the fact Kelly Thompson is the writer. The more I think about that the more that makes so much sense. The first time I remember hearing about her was with the Jem and The Holograms series. She made those books so much better than anyone could have imagined. So she has proven her ability to take a licensed property and make something meaningful out of it. No reason to believe that won’t happen again with this series.
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Paul Davidson
Publisher: Marvel
Solicitation: War rages beneath the waves, from the lost cities of the Secret Seas to the fathomless depths where the Elder Whales reign. Seven kings, old and new, fight to rule the watery realm. But where is Namor, the once mighty Sub-Mariner? He’s sitting behind bars on the surface, with no intention of ever setting foot in the seas again. So begins an oversized Atlantean event that will forever reshape the landscape of the undersea world while at last laying bare the dark history of Atlantis and its fiercest, most infamous defender. An epic that will redefine the King of the Seas in the manner of Jason Aaron’s PUNISHER series!
Why it Made the List: As mentioned in the opening this is one of those weeks with a ton of new series debuting. Although Namor #1 is a bit misleading considering he has existed as long as Marvel comics. (Actually longer since Marvel comics didn’t become Marvel Comics til the 60s) 2024 is also gearing up to be the year of Jason Aaron. He’s doing work in DC, taking over the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles shortly, and is still doing work for old faithful Marvel. Despite his long career at Marvel, I cannot think of many stories he has written where Namor was the lead or even supporting character. Considering his skill for writing Thor I think he’ll have no issue getting Namor’s voice down. When Namor is written right he can be one of Marvel’s best characters. Also an example of the power of an intring cover. Seeing Namor on a hospital bed with what appears to be a prison jumpsuit raises a lot of immediate questions. Looking forward to seeing those questions answered.
Writer: Josie Campbell
Artist: Alessio Zonno
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Solicitation: Tyrants, battle royals, and bubble cities galore as Trini and her teammates struggle to survive during their final hour in post-apocalyptic America.
But they’ve grown to be far more than just a team, and what they must do will threaten to tear them apart-or worse!
Why it Made the List: When this series came out I wondered how successful it was going to be. Based on the fact we learned this is now becoming an ongoing one would assume it is doing pretty well. As someone who has greatly enjoyed this series, I could not be happier. Sometimes there is worry when that happens that they will stretch a concept too far. With this being based on a futuristic sport there is plenty of opportunity for future tales. Plus its Manga influence is rather apparent so I get the sense they had a plan since the beginning. Alessio Zonno has been the breakout star for me with this book. Her style is so energetic and her storytelling is fluid and easy to follow. If you are the type of person who prefers Manga over things like Marvel or DC this is a must-read. Much of what you find with that style will be found here.
4. The Rocketeer: Breaks Free #1
Writer: Stephen Mooney
Artist: Staz Johnson
Publisher: IDW
Solicitation: The Rocketeer storms the City by the Bay! With Betty about to start work on a new film, Cliff and Peevy join the aspiring starlet on a trip to San Francisco, where they liaise with fellow pilot and friend (and government operative) Debbie Seville. As always, trouble seems to follow Cliff, who gets caught up in a cable car accident! But at least it’ll be all smooth sailing after that, right? Not if the Rocketeer’s luck stays true to form!
The first issue in a four-issue miniseries written by fan-favorite writer Stephen Mooney (Rocketeer: The Great Race, Half Past Danger) and drawn by Staz Johnson (Robin, Catwoman)!
Why it Made the List: Another first issue that is not a first issue. Of course, there have been plenty of Rocketeer comics in the past plus Stephen Mooney has done a number himself recently. So far I have enjoyed what he has done with the character in books like The Great Race and Half Past Danger. The Rocketeer can be a tough character to get right. He was created to exist in the time of serial adventures and that requires a very specific type of tone. Mooney has been able to execute that tone quite well. Also, the landscape of San Francisco should provide an intriguing backdrop for the character.
3. Batman / Superman: World’s Finest #29
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Dan Mora
Publisher: DC
Solicitation: WILL DOOM-MITE DINE ON THE WORLD’S FINEST? The grand finale to “Impossible” is here, and it… well, it is as insane as you think it would be. First of all, we’ve got this big DOOM-MITE guy over here, check him out… he’s about to eat Batman and Superman! What would that even taste like? Let’s hope our heroes never let him find out, as the Man of Steel and the Dark Knight save the fifth dimension from IMPLOSION or die trying!
Why it Made the List: I have had so much fun reading this current arc of World’s Finest. Mark Waid and Dan Mora have created an arc where the entire DC universe has become their plaything they can do whatever they want with it. Dan Mora is one of today’s best artists so when you give him an opportunity to utilize his imagination magic happens. It has been this love letter to the Silver Age with a modern sensibility. We have gotten everything from Jimmy Olsen dawning the tights of Superman to Robin given superpowers as well. Oh, and Batman and Superman have traveled across multiple dimensions to try to stop this insanity. With the plethora of decompressed storytelling in today’s market I love getting a superhero story that packs in so much in such a short amount of time.
Writer: Clay McCormack
Artist: Ricardo López Ortiz
Publisher: ComiXology Originals
Solicitation: Reeling from shocking revelations and unsure of who to trust, Kris gets in over her head with some really bad dudes.
Why it Made the List: Even though ComiXology does not exist anymore yet we are still getting several great ComiXology Originals. Running on Fumes for example which ended last week is one of my favorite comics of the year. My other favorite series by them has been Hard Style Juice. I am a fan of both wrestling and comics so when they combine I could not be happier. We have gotten some great books out of this combination like Do a Powerbomb by Daniel Warren Johnson. Hard Style Juice is more true life than that series although this reality is ultra-stylized. The story has centered on a death in the ring and whether or not it was murder or just an accident. One of my favorite scenes of this book thus far is when a character uses a Death Match as a cover for an interrogation. How better to hide vicious violence than that type of match? There are plenty of great references and Easter eggs for wrestling fans in the background that let you know this is being made by fans of the sport. If you also enjoy both I would highly advise checking it out.
Writer: Jordan Thomas
Artist: Chris Matthews
Publisher: Mad Cave
Solicitation: As John races to save Alan from a bloody beating at the hands of Ian Woods and his goons, Harry comes under increasing pressure from the conniving and dangerous Albanian gang looking to move in on his territory. How much longer can John stay in the shadows in a town that sees everything?
Why it Made the List: Sometimes it can be hard to choose what will top this list each week. That was not the case here. No disrespect for any other book this week but I have been eagerly anticipated this issue for some time. The first issue of Mugshots is one of my favorite issues of the year thus far. This has stepped into the void left by series like Criminal but also brought with it its own specific retro sleek style. Specifically loved the use of whitespace in the first issue and the color choices in general. Jordan Thomas is quietly doing some of the most interesting things in comics today with series like Weird Work, Frank at Home on the Farm, and The Man From Maybe. All of those books have some similarities but all exist within their own unique genre. This is the first series I have read by Chris Matthew and I am amazed his list of credits is not double its size with the command he has of the medium. So considering all of this I had no choice but to place this at number one this week.
