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The start of a new month brings new beginnings in the world of comics. So I once again struggle to not just have a list of new #1s dominating this list. To counterbalance the new series we have some other books heading to their conclusions. It’s going to be an emotional week as we say goodbye to one of the most ambitious eras in recent Marvel history. What that, let’s check on this week’s list.
(Editor’s Note: Solicitations are provided by the respected publishers)
Writer: Peter Milligan
Artist: Raúl Fernández
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Solicitation: Solving murders in Los Angeles is the daily bread of private detective Will Profane, but something is strange about his latest case.
When every clue points toward a famous detective novelist at the center of this mystery, Will’s world will transform into something truly unreal.
Discover a new mind-bending thriller from legendary writer Peter Milligan (Hellblazer, X-Statix, Shade, The Changing Man) and veteran artist Raül Fernandez (Detective Comics, Justice League Dark) about the precariously thin line between reality and fiction-perfect for fans of BANG! and Newburn.
Why it Made the List: This book is right up my alley. I love classic noir with a traditional Private Investigator trying to uncover a mystery that just keeps getting bigger. Peter Milligan and Raúl Fernández are two industry veterans so it gives this series a high floor regarding its quality. Also anytime we get more Javier Rodríguez art I am in favor of it even if it is just covers. With Newburn recently over and Criminal not on the shelves anymore I am always looking for a book that can fill that void. Hopefully, this can do just that.
Writer/Artist: Juni Ba
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: JASON TODD TAKES CENTER STAGE IN JUNI BA’S DC BLACK LABEL MASTERWORK! Jason Todd is the exile prince of Batman’s kingdom, stalking Gotham’s darkest alleys and eternally turning his face from the light of day — all because he cannot quench the burning flame of anger and retribution that consumes his heart. Can Damian learn from Jason’s mistakes? Or is the reflective mask of the Red Hood doomed to be a mirror held up to his own future?
Why it Made the List: The first issue of The Boy Wonder was such a nice surprise. Juni Ba has an artistic style I would not associate with DC so I love that they are taking more chances and it gives more purpose for an imprint like Black Label. It is not just a place for more mature stories that are too dark for normal continuity. Damian is not a character I have gravitated to in the past so for a comic about him to have me this interested you know it is well crafted. Now with the focus being on Jason Todd, it has me interested in the direction this will take.
Writer: Deniz Camp
Artist: Juan Frigeri
Publisher: Marvel
Solicitation: THE ULTIMATES RETURN TO GREATNESS! Spinning out of Jonathan Hickman and Stefano Caselli’s ULTIMATE UNIVERSE #1, rising stars Deniz Camp (CHILDREN OF THE VAULT, 20th Century Men) and Juan Frigeri (INVINCIBLE IRON MAN) assemble an all-new team of ULTIMATES in a series that kicks off the next chapter of the new Ultimate line. Six months ago, Tony Stark sent Peter Parker a radioactive spider to set him back on the course to become Spider-Man. Since then, Iron Lad (Stark), Captain America, Doom, Thor and Sif have begun to do the same for other lost heroes, building a network of super-powered heroes hungry for change… Now they must band together to destroy the Maker’s Council and restore freedom and free will to a world ruled from the shadows!
Why it Made the List: I have no idea what to expect with this issue and a big part of me loves that. So far this new Ultimate Universe feels a bit disconnected as if none of the books exist within the same universe. Part of that is a good thing that allows each series to stand on its own, but it does make me wonder where a team book like this fits into that world. I am a big fan of Deniz Camp as a writer due to series like 20th Century Men but that does not always translate to working with Marvel or DC. If it does though it will make the Ultimate line even stronger which is something Marvel needs right now.
7. Canto: A Place Like Home #1
Writer: David M. Booher
Artist: Drew Zucker
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Solicitation: Hang on to your helmets! The Shrouded Man saga rushes toward the final battle…
The tiny clockwork knight returns after making the ultimate choice to save his people above all else. He has amassed allies in the war against the Shrouded Man, but even an army may not be enough to stop the evil sorcerer’s quest to conquer Canto’s people. Fighting to save New Arcana won’t be easy, but nothing ever is for the brave Canto!
The fan-favorite comic fantasy continues with the miniseries Canto: A Place Like Home by Eisner and GLAAD nominated writer David M. Booher and fan-favorite artist Drew Zucker!
The finale series to the Shrouded Man Saga Begins at Dark Horse Comics!
An All-ages modern fairytale of epic proportions.
Why it Made the List: Canto is back after two years with a new publisher. Dark Horse appears to be the place to go as both Usagi Yojimbo and The Goon have returned as well. Canto was previously with IDW and I have been a fan of the series since the beginning. For new readers, this may prove to be a difficult starting point considering the history you are jumping into. Hopefully, work is done to catch you up as there’s plenty in this world to enjoy. If anything hopefully it prompts new readers to try the series from the start. Canto has a character that is like taking the earnestness of Frodo and combining it with the loyalty and resolve of Samwise. It makes Canto the ultimate hero to root for throughout this journey. Similar to a lot of fantasy stories it is about the journey. In Canto’s case, that journey occurs in and outside the book.
6. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Alpha #1
Writer: Jason Aaron, Tom Waltz
Artist: Chris Burnham
Publisher: IDW
Solicitation: What’s the world like without the TMNT? Since their time-spanning victory over Armaggon, the Turtles have started to pursue other interests, leaving a void in New York among humans and mutants alike. This special issue explores the effects this change has on those connected to the brothers, from Old Hob to Jennika, across the five boroughs and all the way through Mutant Island. It’s hard to tell how important someone is until they are gone. And who better to write such a story than Tom Waltz, the man who scripted the first 100 issues of IDW’s series and the co-writer of The Last Ronin, and resign TMNT artist Gavin Smith!
Also, get your first glimpse of what is coming in a special prequel to the new TMNT #1, written by superstar scribe Jason Aaron (Scalped, Batman: Off-World) and drawn by white-hot artist Chris Burnham (Batman, Inc., Die!Die!Die!). Donatello has had a hard time since he came back from the future, and he’s found himself in an unexpected place.
Why it Made the List: I am eager for Jason Aaron to take over The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. Since he left his exclusivity with Marvel he has found new life as I have rather enjoyed his work with DC with his run on Action Comics and his Batman mini-series. I am not sure what to expect with this issue, however. It seems like a ‘What If?’ storyline they added a preview to at the end to create excitement for the new run. Tom Waltz has written some great Turtles stories so I have hope the heart of the issue will still be strong. There has been a lot of great Turtles content this year to celebrate their 40th anniversary and I hope this is another solid addition to that pile and not just an overextended ad.
Writer: Zac Thompson
Artist: Daniel Irizarri
Publisher: Oni Press
Solicitation: THE FINAL LEVEL! The King of Sleep awaits as Birdie, Wilson, and Enid ready themselves for the final battle to save Pik. But the outcome may not be what anyone expected in Zac Thompson (Hunt for the Skinwalker) and Daniel Irizarri’s (Holy West) kinetic, heart-pounding conclusion to 2024’s genre-defying sci-fi/horror hybrid!
Why it Made the List: I have read a lot of Zac Thompson comics but none quite like this. I tend to enjoy the complexity and surreal nature of his books but this has been much more straightforward as it is clearly designed to appeal to a wider audience. With that transition, quality has not been lost. One of the strongest features is how well the kids are written. There are a lot of great comic writers who struggle to write kids in a believable way, especially if they exist in another time and/or dimension. Forcing in awkward slang just so you know they are kids is the norm. That has not happened here. Everything is far more natural. Perhaps since so much of it takes place in a video game it flows better. Sad to see this series end as it’s been a treat each month. Although this is another book I could see getting a second life somehow. That would be fitting considering the concept.
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Marco Ferrari
Publisher: Image Comics
Solicitation: Shana “Scarlett” O’Hara is about to take on the most dangerous black ops mission of her career: infiltrating the mysterious rising power in Japan known as the Arashikage Clan. Her one lead is her former partner—Jinx—turned Arashikage enforcer. Now, Scarlett must use her operative skills to survive undercover… and discover a shocking weapon that could change the balance of power on Earth.
Why it Made the List: The Duke mini-series did wonders for the character of Duke so what happens with a comic focused on a character I already like? Kelly Thompson is one of my favorite writers in comics and putting her on this book is such a smart move. She excels with team books and although it is not technically a team book I can see it evolving into one. The entire Engeron Universe is one of the most exciting things in comics right now and there is little reason to believe it will stop with this series. The preview pages have been phenomenal so I cannot wait to see what Marco Ferrari has in store for the world of G.I. Joe. and Cobra. I appreciate that they are taking their time to build up this world rather than jumping right into everything. It will pay off now with great books and later the forming of the team will mean so much more.
Writer: David Pepose
Artist: Jonathan Lau
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Solicitation: “…They call it the Ghost Planet now.”
Jan, Jace, Blip and Space Ghost travel to the Ghost Planet, the mysterious headquarters of the even more mysterious Space Ghost. Leaving on an urgent mission, Space Ghost give explicit orders to: STAY. PUT. What could go wrong? Also featuring an unexpected flight of the Phantom Cruiser!
Over the next year, everything you know about Space Ghost, his companions and his enemies will be revealed as only Dynamite can!
Why it Made the List: The first issue of Space Ghost had an uphill battle to fight because many from my generation can only see the character as that wacky host of one of the strangest Talk Shows of all time. What I admired most about the first issue was that it did not try too hard to make this a more serious take. For example, making the violence extreme to show this is not the Cartoon Network Space Ghost. It found a good middle ground in tone that felt akin to an updated version of the original cartoon. It was a good showcase for the character for those who were coming into this world with zero background knowledge. Now I am looking forward to seeing the expansion of this narrative.
Writer: Darcy Van Poelgeest
Artist: Ian Bertram
Publisher: Image
Solicitation: Thirty-five years before the events of LITTLE BIRD, VOL. 1: THE FIGHT FOR ELDER’S HOPE, disillusioned mod-tracker Max Weaver’s routine hunt for a modified child takes a grisly and unexpected turn. Now, saddled with an unpredictable mod who may be the key to unlocking his missing memories, Max will soon find that he isn’t the only one interested in the child’s unique abilities—and if he wants to know more, it’s going to cost him everything.
Eisner Award-winning creative team DARCY VAN POELGEEST and IAN BERTRAM reunite for their gripping return to the dystopian American Empire.
Why it Made the List: As a huge fan of Little Bird I feel like a failure that I completely missed that this book was happening. At the same time was an awesome surprise when looking over the new books coming out this week. I can look at Ian Bertram’s art all day as it has influences from so many comic greats like Steve Dillon while maintaining its own unique style. As a series, Little Bird was one of the most inventive science fiction books I read in the last decade. I am not the biggest fan of prequels but there are so many directions they can take I can understand the desire to return to that world in this way. There is a strong possibility of this being one of the best series of the year if it follows through with its promise.
Writer: Kieron Gillen, Al Ewing, Gerry Duggan, and others
Artist: Sara Pichelli, Stefano Caselli, Jerome Opeña, and others
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Solicitation: THE END OF AN ERA — UNCANNY X-MEN #700! All good things must come to an end, and as good of a thing as the Krakoan era has been for mutantkind… its time has come at last. The tragedy and triumph of FALL OF THE HOUSE OF X, the madness and mystery of RISE OF THE POWERS OF X… they have all come to their end and led to this moment that will change the future of mutantkind for years to come. Written and drawn by an all-star cast of writers and artists who have shaped the Krakoan Age, this is one milestone no X-Fan will want to miss! Also featuring a story of family by X-Men master Chris Claremont… and a glimpse of things to come!
Why it Made the List: I know the Krakoa era had its fans and detractors but no matter what the ambition of this era was something to be admired. Before this era, the X-Men were trying too hard to relive what came before. If I had to read one more story about how this time the X-Men are going to be good because they are playing softball I was going to go crazy. This changed everything and redefined what you could do with these characters. Now it is ending. How exactly do you put a period at the end of this sentence? I am super curious to see how it is done, and although I am sad to see it end I am also excited for what’s to come.
