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This is it. This is the biggest week of comics since I started doing this list. Clearly all the major publishers saw it was San Diego Comic Con week and wanted to remind the fandom what great comics look like. Some of the biggest releases of the entire year are happening this week, but let’s not also forget those books that have been here doing their thing for some time. So with that, I tried to cover the entire spectrum with the books on this week’s list.
(Editor’s Note: Solicitations are provided by the Respected Publishers)
Writer: Joe Henderson
Artist: Lee Garbett
Publisher: DSTLRY
Solicitation: NEW SERIES DEBUT from the Eisner-nominated creative team of SKYWARD! Owen and Carlie are the Bonnie and Clyde of the 21st century – a smooth, slick duo who pull off impossible heists, and have the time of their lives doing it. But when justice finally catches up to them, they think it’s all over. Until the Devil himself offers them a deal – their freedom for their very SOULS. But they soon find that without their souls, their love is missing too. So they set out to recruit a crew of the damned for the ultimate heist: break into Hell and steal their souls back. Joe Henderson (SKYWARD, SHADECRAFT, Netflix’s Lucifer) and Lee Garbett (SKYWARD, LOKI, UNCANNY SPIDER-MAN) invite you on a thrilling journey to a Hell you’ve never seen before. A place perfectly designed to give people hope, so that the devil can torture them with it when he takes it away. Again and again. That’s right, Hell is a CASINO. And even with the greatest team of thieves, the house always wins. For fans of OCEANS 11, INCEPTION, LUCIFER, OUT OF SIGHT
Why it Made the List: I have had a number of DSTLRY comics on these lists in these past few months and I tend to mention how impressive the creative teams are for all of their series. They have collected a group of some of the biggest names in comics. I was a big fan of Joe Henderson and Lee Garbett’s Skyward and although it did not receive as much regard also rather enjoyed their other series together Shadecraft. Based on those two series and this book they are not interested in repeating what they did before. Major credit for that because even the best creators tend to stay within the same lane comic to comic. I also love a heist story, and it can be even more fun when you place a heist within another genre. For example, the series Kaiju Score placed a heist in the middle of a monster battle. Looking forward to what this team can do with an idea like that.
9. Resident Alien: The Book of Life #2
Writer: Peter Hogan
Artist: Steve Parkhouse
Publisher: Dark Horse
Solicitation: As his status quo takes another major shift, alien-in-hiding Harry Vanderspiegel unknowingly exposes himself to the Feds again! His old pursuers are far from his mind, however, as he and his new family move into a new home. In the latest mesmerizing Resident Alien story arc from writer Peter Hogan and artist Steve Parkhouse, Harry hasn’t seen the last of his human pursuers-or his home planet!
Why it Made the List: There are a lot of big and exciting books this week so I am happy for a series like Resident Alien that is based in human drama. Yes, a series that stars an alien is one of the most human books I am currently reading. I have gone all in with this series as I went back to the beginning. Currently I am going through the entire book once again as there has been plenty I have forgotten over the years. That has made the experience of reading this even richer. am making it seem like it is a story void of tension which is not the case. It’s just not the selling point. For those who want comics with characters that develop and change, I would fully recommend this book. If you have enjoyed the show give this a shot. The execution is very different but at their core, they are telling similar stories.
Writer: Jeremy Adams
Artist: Will Conrad
Publisher: Mad Cave
Solicitation: Flash awakes on a secret prison planet somewhere in the galaxy. Upon learning that Dale Arden is the subject of an assassination plot, he’s forced to break out and make his way across the galaxy to save her. Along the way, he encounters old friends, new threats, and a greater mystery surrounding WHO is pulling the strings of this universe. The first exciting issue in an all-new ongoing series!
Why it Made the List: So many classic characters are making their return to the world of comics this year. Dick Tracy for example has come back and has another book this week. Now it is Flash Gordon’s turn. I did get a chance to read the New Comic Book Day issue and despite never reading or watching Flash Gordon before I really dug the vibe. Jeremy Adams has become a name I will check out no matter he was doing. Before it ended his run on Flash was one of the purest superhero stories we had going. His follow-up with Green Lantern has also been a treat. Seems like that experience should help when telling a story like this. Will Conrad is a veteran artist as well so it should look great. What is old is new again. (A big theme for this week)
Writer: Michael Moreci
Artist: Nathan Gooden
Publisher: Vault Comics
Solicitation: Barbaric’s most brutal arc concludes! Battle lines are drawn, the real enemy is exposed, and Owen discovers a new path that may lead to the secrets of his curse.
Why it Made the List: If you are a comic book and fantasy fan you are living well right now. So many great fantasy books and Barbaric is near the top for me. There has been great action, amazing characters, and consistently entertaining since the beginning. At this point it is neck and neck with Wasted Space as my favorite series Vault has ever published. The one common factor between both of those series? Michael Moreci–a name in the world of comics that needs more admiration than he gets. Have to also call out the art of Nathan Gooden that is clean and fresh. When you have a story filled with crazy characters and imaginative worlds a lot is placed on the shoulders of the artist to make it work and he has done a tremendous job. If I am a major publisher I am trying to put him on a big book as soon as possible. Just let him finish this first.
Writer: Garth Ennis
Artist: Becky Cloonan
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Solicitation: Horror fans rejoice in cadaverous delight, because Hello Darkness is a brand new monthly anthology series featuring what BOOM! Studios is known for – the best in modern Horror, Fantasy, and Mystery, not to mention the darkest stories yet from an all-star cast of creators!
With a spine-tingling lineup of industry legends including Garth Ennis, Becky Cloonan, James Tynion IV, Werther Dell’Edera, Brian Azzarello, Vanesa R. Del Rey, John Arcudi, Ryan Sook, and more, everything from primal fears to modern political horrors will be awakened, in the classic style of Creepy and Eerie and the contemporary chills of Black Mirror.
Fans can also expect stunning main covers by Paolo Rivera, variant covers by Jenny Frison on every issue, and a guest artist variant on every issue!
In addition, a deadly new Something is Killing the Children story unfolds in the first 6 issues, along with a bone-rattling new serialized tale by Garth Ennis and Becky Cloonan for the first 7!
Why it Made the List: What a creative team! Garth Ennis and Becky Cloonan working together should produce something special. Horror anthologies have made a major comeback over the last few years and few have had the comic book creator star power that this series does. Garth Ennis has proven to be quite the writer when it comes to the power of the one-issue tale. Trying to tell a complete story within one issue is not easy so having proven talent gives it a leg up on other series. We do not get enough Becky Cloonan art so when that happens it is also a reason to celebrate. I mentioned with Barbaric how healthy fantasy fans are eating right now in the comic book world. The same could be said for horror as well. More on that later…
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: André Lima Araújo
Publisher: Image Comics
Solicitation: Bestselling artist, ANDRÉ LIMA ARAÚJO, joins THE SACRIFICERS to tell the tale of Princess Soluna’s fall from grace. After a reversal of fortune tests her resilience, she’s brought face to face with unimaginable horrors in a search for refuge in a seemingly godforsaken world.
Why it Made the List: The first word that comes to my mind when thinking of this book is satisfying. The journey and transformation of this series have been something else. In the past few installments, it has become the equivalent of God of War as a wronged individual has looked to kill gods due to the pain and horror they have put people through. Vengeance on a mythological scale. What I also appreciate is the nuance of some of these gods as well. They are clearly evil but some do care about their worshipers. However, do they simply care because they love being admired? I have said it before but it is worth repeating how impressive the range Remender has shown throughout the years. André Lima Araújo has also come alive as the violence and epic nature has expanded rapidly.
Writer: Tim Seeley, Tony Fleecs
Artist: Tim Seeley, Tony Fleecs
Publisher: Image Comics
Solicitation: Local Man is reunited with his former archenemy just in time to meet this new one. THEIR new one.
Now, Jack and Inga have to rescue the one man that hates them more than they hate each other to confront a villain who will change the future of the Image Universe by remaking its past.
Why it Made the List: I am running out of things to say about this book. Anytime it comes out it will be one of my most Anticipated books so I want to include it. Plus I think it is important to award consistency. Sure we all love the shiny new number one’s but the industry needs a strong ongoing series like this to survive. Also, the Solicitation has me intrigued. Who exactly is the villain of this arc? I get the sense something major is going to be revealed which may completely recontextualize everything that has come before. Anything is possible with this book as we have already seen several different characters from across the landscape of Image Comics history show up. Will that be it? Or will it be a completely new creation? Anything is possible and I love that.
3. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #1
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Joëlle Jones
Publisher: IDW
Solicitation: NEW SERIES PREMIERE! NEW JUMPING-ON POINT!
The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have all left New York to pursue their own interests, but there are forces gathering that will pull them back together—whether the bad guys like it or not. First up: Raphael! But why is everyone’s favorite brawler in prison?! When a surprise attack behind bars puts Raph’s position in jeopardy, he needs to figure out how to get out of jail and warn his brothers that trouble is coming.
Superstar writer Jason Aaron (The Mighty Thor, Batman: Off-World) teams up with Joëlle Jones (Lady Killer, Catwoman) for the first issue of a new TMNT series that will start a bold new era, celebrating the TMNT’s 40th anniversary while setting them up for the next 40 years to come!
Why it Made the List: Speaking of shiny new toys we have a new start for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. IDW has done some great things with the Turtles and the hope is this will be added to that list. Jason Aaron is having quite the year which continued last week with Namor #1. Also, Joëlle Jones doing the Turtles? I would never have picked her but I love that choice. Her work on a series like Lady Killer showed she is fully capable of rendering action in exciting and inventful ways. I also love the idea of having these first four issues focus on a specific Turtle. A good way to ease readers into this new run. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles may be the oldest teenagers in history but when you find ways to keep their franchise fresh it is easy to see why they are so beloved.
Writer: Tony Fleecs
Artist: Dave Wachter
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Solicitation: Cartoonish chaos ensues as Oliver finds himself in danger during an action-packed cacophony, but a maternal protector isn’t far behind.
But the clearing smoke makes room for a sinister figure, ready to make a sacrifice…
Why it Made the List: If you were to randomly ask me what my favorite comic is right now my answer would be Uncanny Valley. The answer for some time has been Local Man, which remains great, this just appeals to my subjective fandom more. I love the art of animation so the way this has approached combining the language of cartoons to comic books brings me so much joy. It celebrates the imagination of Saturday Morning Cartoons in so many creative ways. The last issue included a Kung Fu Master that could transform into a Buggy. How do you not smile when you see that on a comic book page? Dave Wachter does wonders in making this all work. His ability to render multiple styles on the same page is special. This is the type of book that makes me so happy to be a comic book fan because few other mediums could pull this off on this scale.
Writer: Brian Azzarello, Chris Condon, Jason Holtham, Stephanie Phillips
Artist: Jorge Fornés, Peter Krause, Phil Hester, Vlad Legostaev
Publisher: Oni Press
Solicitation: From the publisher that drove Tales from the Crypt, Vault of Horror, Haunt of Fear, and many more into the depraved hearts of an unsuspecting world, the immortal EC COMICS returns on July 24th with its first BOLD AND BLOODY NEW series in nearly 70 years! In partnership with William M. Gaines Agent, Inc., Oni Press is proud to reveal the complete line-up of “all-killer” writers, artists, and cover artists behind EPITAPHS FROM THE ABYSS #1 – a 40-page testament to terror ushering in the full-scale resurrection of comics’ most infamous and influential publishing house…
In our first extra-sized, 40-page dose of fear, witness shocking tales of torment and tension in the immortal EC tradition—as wrenched from the grave by the vile intentions of acclaimed writers Brian Azzarello (Batman: Damned, 100 Bullets), Chris Condon (That Texas Blood, Night People), J. Holtham (Night Thrasher, Hulu’s The Handmaid’s Tale), and Stephanie Phillips (Harley Quinn, Grim) and realized into bloody reality by “all-slaughter” artists Jorge Fornes (Rorschach, Danger Street), Phil Hester (Family Tree), Peter Krause (Irredeemable), and Vlad Legostaev (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles).
Why it Made the List: When it came to choosing number one this week I had to go with this for several reasons. For one look at the creative team. More importantly, this feels like a historic moment as EC Comics has returned. Considering what EC means to the history of the industry I feel this is a good thing. Hopefully, this means more people will check out their past work and we will get some more printings of classic tales. I do wonder though is there a place for EC to return to in today’s market. EC was the place for Horror and Science Fiction tales but it is not like we have a shortage of those. This is not even the only Horror anthology book on this week’s list. Ultimately what will matter is if it lives up to the EC name with the quality of stories these issues tell. As mentioned they have cultivated a great deal of talent already as major creators seem interested in placing their name on a comic with an EC moniker. One hopes that also means everyone brought their A-game. If this is successful it is a major win for all of comics.
