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Merry Christmas to all those who celebrate! Hope you have a wonderful holiday. The good news is all comic fans get a gift this week with New Comic Book Day and Christmas landing on the same day. Hopefully, no books this week will be the comic book version of getting coal. Apparently, some publishers took this week off as a number of them are not releasing books this week. Hopefully, their staff are getting a well-deserved break.
Last Week’s Top 10
With that said let’s take a look at this week’s books.
(Editor’s Note: Solicitations provided by Respected Publishers)
10. Timeslide #1
Writer: Steve Foxe
Artist: Ivan Fiorelli
Publisher: Marvel
Solicitation: WHAT IS THE FATE OF THE MARVEL UNIVERSE? An X-Man from the future arrives in the present with a dire warning: One of mutantkind’s most hyper-advanced foes is eating his way through time, trying to stop the X-Gene from ever evolving in the first place.
Only two X-Men can stop this chronal predator from achieving his goal — if they can tolerate working together long enough. Join BISHOP and CABLE on a trip through futures past, present and beyond. Your first look at the most unforgettable stories of 2025 begins here!
Why it Made the List: Cable was my first favorite Marvel character. Growing up I was a huge G.I. Joe fan and watching X-Men he was like a G.I. Joe character meshed with the Terminator. What’s not to love? So since then, I will always give a new Cable series a chance.
Now this isn’t JUST a Cable series though as it includes Bishop as well and boy do they have a history. I remember when they were trying to kill each other over the fate of Hope. Clearly they both got over it. Despite X-Men being known for time travel stories there probably have been far more bad time travel stories than good. Time travel is simply hard to do right. I like the idea here though so at least they are starting with a good concept. I do not know these creators well so that is also a bit of an unknown. Hoping Marvel trusts them for a reason and we get a good book here.
9. Mystique #3
Writer/Artist: Declan Shalvey
Publisher: Marvel
Solicitation: A strategic stop in Madripoor turns into an international incident as Mystique prepares her endgame against S.H.I.E.L.D.! But what is the mother of mutant terrorism after in Lowtown? And what have her enemies sent to deal with her?
Why it Made the List: Two Marvel books back to back? That does not happen a lot on this list. Maybe a sign they are starting to turn the corner. I have been enjoying the approach Declan Shalvey has been taking with this title. The framework is similar to a classic spy thriller but within the world of Marvel. So instead of the C.I.A., we have S.H.I.E.L.D., and the person they are chasing just happens to have the power to change into anyone at any time. A smart idea that has been executed very well by Shalvey. Marvel does not allow a lot of Writers/Artists to create books on their own. No doubt they had a lot of trust in Shalvey to make this series work. Looking at his career with Marvel cannot blame them. He’s given us some of some great Marvel comics over the years and one of the most iconic costume redesigns with what he did with Moon Knight. Also appears we are getting a bit of a crossover with with The Senentials taking action. Not sure if we will get some of the characters from The Senentials series, but that is another series from the current X-Men line that has been rather enjoyable.
8. Metamorpho: The Element Man #1
Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Steve Lieber
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: To know him is to love him — that fab freak who can change himself into any element in the human body! He’s the one and only Rex Mason, alias Metamorpho… but can even he win out against Cy.C.L.O.P.S., the hairy eyeball of crime that gazes from the top of the pop charts to the lowest depths of evil — and even into the far-off, far-out Ra-Realm?
To find out, the Element Man must survive a hand-picked assassin who can match him change for change… and that’s just the first issue! Join us for this covalent bond of friends and foes in the brand new ongoing series from superstar team Al Ewing and Steve Lieber!
Why it Made the List: Are we in the Metamorpho Renaissance? He was in last week’s issue of Action Comics, he appeared in the new Superman Trailer, and now he is getting his own series. Hoping this is just the start of some really great things for the character. I cannot say I am a huge fan of the character but happy to see him anytime he appears. Plus this is one packed creative team.
Steve Lieber is legitimately one of the most underrated artists of all time. I would put him on all the comics. Now he is teaming up with Al Ewing, who is a writer I am very hot and cold on. Sometimes his work really works with me, but others I simply cannot click with it. He’s not done a ton of DC work so I am interested to see what he can do with a book like this. In my mind, I do not think this would have a tone like Immortal Hulk, but with Immortal Thor Ewing has shown he has a comedic side as well. Maybe this will be somewhere in the middle.
7. Justice League Unlimited #2
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Dan Mora
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: INTO THE NEST OF THE PARADEMON! As the Justice League grapples with the ramifications of the Atom Project, a strange alert brings the team to the jungles of South America… and a horrific discovery. Can the elite Justice League strike force save a village from total slaughter? Plus… the mystery of the Darkseid heir deepens, and dissension in the ranks forces Batman’s hand.
Why it Made the List: DC has been on quite the roll as of late. I know I mentioned this week has a lot of Publishers not putting out books but even on a stacked week more and more DC books are making this list. I had a lot of hopes for this series and I enjoyed the first issue for the most part.
I have enjoyed the work Dan Mora and Mark Waid have done on World’s Finest and was hoping it would hit a similar level to that. Maybe unfair expectations because writing this is an entirely different beast since it not only takes place in normal continuity it will no doubt be the driving force of the DC universe. We have already seen several books that are branched off of it in some way. Having such a large team though does give you so many opportunities for each issue. What characters will be taking part? Who will show up? What dilemma will they be facing? There are so many options compared to other team books. Sometimes too many options can be a bad thing if creators are indecisive. Do not think that will be an issue with this team.
6. Dust to Dust #1
Writer: Phil Bram, J. G. Jones
Artist: J. G. Jones
Publisher: Image Comics
Solicitation: A tormented Oklahoma sheriff and a scrappy photojournalist hunt a serial killer at the height of the dust-choked Great Depression.
Comics’ all-star artist, J. G. Jones (Wanted), presents the first suspense-filled issue of his new Giant Generator limited series. Jones, teaming up with co-writer, Phil Bram, spins an unforgettable yarn of desperation, murder, and resilience in this beautifully hand-painted story of Americana in the primal grip of brutality.
In the darkest days of the Great Depression, death stalks the Dust Bowl. As towering dust storms blast the parched Oklahoma panhandle, farmers try to flee the failing town of New Hope, but no one gets far. Battling his own demons, Sheriff Meadows teams up with Sarah, a traveling photojournalist, in a desperate fight to stop a serial killer on the loose — the Death that rides the Dusters.
Why it Made the List: Often a first-time comic book writer would make me worry. Comics are not easy to write even if you have experience in another place like novels, TV, or movies. I am not concerned here because industry veteran J. G. Jones is also writing, and this is a Giant Generator book. For those that do not know that is Rick Remender’s imprint for Image and so far it’s been great. I look at a book like The Tin Can Society because it also has a first-time comic book writer and it has been one of the best superhero stories of the year. Remender knows what he is doing and knows how to pick out great talent. Also, I am fascinated with this time and place in history. We do not get a lot of comic books that exist during this era so happy any time we get one. Cannot wait to see what J. G. Jones does with a story set in the Dust Bowl. Should look great.
5. X-Men #9
Writer: Jed MacKay
Artist: Ryan Stegman, Federico Vicentini
Publisher: Marvel
Solicitation: Rogue and Cyclops come to blows as emotions come to a head, pitting the two groups of X-Men against one another in a place where their only chance for survival is to stand together. Xavier’s dream lies shattered — and broken edges always draw blood.
Why it Made the List: Hey look at that! A third Marvel title makes the list. That might be a record now that I think of it. This X-Men series is my current favorite X-title so it is not uncommon it makes this list. Now with the ‘Road to Graymalkin’ we are in the middle of an X-Men crossover event. So far, so good for me. Does it feel like Marvel is forcing a crossover far too soon in order to boost sales? Yes, yes it does. Does that mean it is bad? No, not it doesn’t. I do wish Marvel would have let this book develop further before we got this event, especially with the news this week regarding another X-Men crossover in December.
I get comics are a business but personally feel stuff like this can drive away fans in the long term. Maybe I am wrong. Either way, when making this list I am just considering the quality of the books. So based on that and what we have gone thus far it was easy to make this a top pick this week. Seeing the two main X-Men teams cross paths has given us some standout moments already. There’s this clear level of tension between everyone but not the the point where people are being ridiculous. Hopefully it stays that way.
4. Geiger #9
Writer: Geoff Johns
Artist: Paul Pelletier
Publisher: GHOST MACHINE/ Image Comics
Solicitation: Trouble brews within the last civilized town in America. The cause: Tariq Geiger, who attracts too many bounty hunters wanting the enormous sum for his corpse. But when Geiger loses control, will he ultimately become this town’s protector… or its doom? Plus, the return of Junkyard Joe’s creator and enemy, The Custodian. But what are his ties to Geiger? And Redcoat?
Why it Made the List: Hey look another Image imprint is making the list as Ghost Machine is represented with Geiger #9. Ghost Machine has been around a bit longer and put out more books so their hit percentage is not as high with me, but alas that is the nature of art. Geiger has grown on me more the longer this series continues. The last few issues have been some of the best from this series even without Gary Frank on art duties. Paul Pelletier has stepped in to replace Frank and done an admirable job. Frank is a tough act to follow so that is not an easy thing to do. Why this book has gotten better has to do with the expanding roster of characters this has been able to include. Geiger as a character is fine, but having other characters to play off of has given him room to develop. Also, a Redcoat sitting? Considering how well that character has been built up in his own book wondering how they will handle him here.
3. Absolute Wonder Woman #3
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Publisher: DC
Solicitation: ENTER: STEVE TREVOR! A Harbinger is but a messenger. It is The Tetracide that you must fear, for The Tetracide leaves nothing behind. Diana’s true enemy has been revealed — and it will take everything she has to save Gateway City from oblivion!
Why it Made the List: Now that every Absolute comic has had at least two issues I feel safe in saying Absolute Wonder Woman is my favorite of the bunch thus far. Why is that? Well for one I find the balance between back story and Wonder Woman facing a massive immediate threat has given us plenty of action and character development. Another big factor? The art of Hayden Sherman. Sherman’s page designs have been creative and worked to further some of that character growth.
Thinking of the last issue that was built on Wonder Woman looking down on a military leader who was trying to tell her how things were going to go only for Wonder Woman to take charge in only the way she could. Sherman designed the page to center on that moment as Wonder Woman looked down upon the individual who demanded respect without ever really earning it.
They are not forcing this version of the character to be so much different from what we normally get. Sure there are differences but it is not like she’s some mindless killing machine that is trying to do whatever looks cool. It is Wonder Woman for ADULTS! Feels like a way to tell a new Wonder Woman story without all the baggage of what came before and I cannot be angry about that. That will be a better recipe for long-term success instead of a way to grab quick headlines.
2. Superman #21
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Dan Mora
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: Following Doomsday’s fiery attack on Metropolis, Clark and Lois realize they have been so busy saving the world that they haven’t had time together, so they plan an epic date night! What could go wrong? Well, for starters, a massive alien armada is bearing down on Earth looking for revenge against… SUPERMAN?! What secret has Clark not told Lois about the future?
Why it Made the List: This is a series that has come out of Absolute Power even stronger. A big part of me really hates the idea of Lois Lane having superpowers. Just let normal human characters be normal human characters. (Looking at you Flash TV show) Anything can work if you do it right and so far it is working.
You can also see so many breadcrumbs being built for something major happening with Superman. We know Zod is on his way with destruction on his mind. Before we get there though we of course of a little issue of Doomsday to deal with and again love the direction they are taking that character. Would I love a simple issue of Lois and Clark going on a date with nothing bad happening? Of course, that sounds fantastic. Would other people enjoy that? Probably not nearly as much so chances are some bad things are going to happen before the night is done.
Also, we need to know how Dan Mora does it. Two books this week yet again? Last time both looked great to so unless he started working on these years ago I am convinced he has one of those rooms from Dragon Ball Z where time works weird so they can train for months in minutes. It is the only explanation.
1-Uncanny Valley #7
Writer: Tony Fleecs
Artist: Dave Wachter
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Solicitation: Oliver and his family are separated. He’s lost in a world he just found out existed while his mom and grandpa are trapped in the real world, trying desperately to get back to him.
This new world looks bright and beautiful but there’s a darkness creeping in. Can Oliver learn to tame the darkness?
Why it Made the List: This week’s list has a lot of big books on it from some major publishers. I am not against those books as I clearly enjoy them, but I was happy to end it with Uncanny Valley #7. Now, Uncanny Valley is a BIG book because it is filled with great ideas and vivid imagination.
I am so happy this did not stop with a mini-series because there is so much more of this world to explore. Dave Wachter has done such an incredible job meshing the language of comics with that of animation. It’s like watching a celebration of everything great about Saturday Morning Cartoons. Tony Fleecs, being an artist himself, has undoubtedly helped make this vision come alive. So happy this is back on the shelves after a few months away. Anytime a book like this can find any type of success it is better for all of comics. If you have yet to catch up with this series I implore you to do so. The trade collection is not out yet but it is worth it to go back to read the issues individually. When looking at the best books that came out this year this will no doubt be high on my list.
