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Do I go big time? Maybe. I could not help it this week. So when I do this list I am conscious of not just feeling it with Marvel and DC titles. Now I do not dislike those publishers but I see this as a chance to promote those smaller creatorowned books that could use the attention more. At the same time, I want to be honest. So this week has far more books from Marvel and DC than normal. The good thing about that is it means both are putting out books that are worth anticipating. We can all win with that.
(Editor’s Note: Solicitations are provided by the Respected Publishers)
Writer: Joe Casey
Artist: Sebastián Piriz
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Solicitation: YOU CAN’T GO HOME AGAIN… OR CAN YOU?
Get ready to climb aboard the Sea Quest and embark for adventure once more! Legendary boy explorer JONNY QUEST is back, along with his intrepid scientist dad Dr. Benton Quest, bodyguard “Race” Bannon, adopted brother Hadji, and all the rest of the beloved cast from the classic animated series!
Launching out of its issue #0 prelude story in Dynamite’s 2024 Free Comic Book Day release, this action-packed new title begins where the show left off in 1964, but things quickly take a turn for the uncanny as they team returns from an experiment at sea to their home base in Palm Key, only to discover that the once-familiar landscape is now strangely, disquietingly different!
Why it Made the List: So many classic characters are making their way back to comics. We have Dick Tracey and Flash Gordon, this week includes the Defenders of the Earth, and also this week’s number ten Jonny Quest. I was a fan of The Real Adventures of Jonny Quest as a kid so interested in jumping back into that world once more. Joe Casey is a great choice as a writer for this book as his style should fit quite well. Big year for Casey as he is taking over The Amazing Spider-Man soon as well. Have also enjoyed Sebastián Piriz’s work in the past with what he has done on the Canto books as well as the current Deadweights series that made this list last week. Hoping he and Casey can make some magic with this series.
Writer: Gail Simone
Artist: Eddy Barrows
Publisher: DC Comics
Solicitation: SUPERMAN STANDS BETWEEN TWO GALACTIC EMPIRES! WRITTEN BY ALL-STARS GAIL SIMONE AND RAINBOW ROWELL! Things go COSMICALLY wrong as Superman finds himself the champion in a galactic battle between TWO alien empires! The entire EARTH is held hostage as Superman fights to save CONTINENTS from utter destruction! Loads of guest stars, but as you haven’t seen them in a VERY LONG TIME! All this and LOTS MORE in part two of SUPERMAN AND THE CHALLENGE FROM THE STARS! Plus, Lois Lane, Editor-in-Chief, sidelines reporter Clark Kent. Will their marriage survive tough love?
Why it Made the List: We are getting the second issue of this arc and this is the perfect reprieve for those who need a break from all the Events going on in Marvel and DC right now. This is a throwback story through and through. Not only does it seemingly take place during the ’60s/’70s, but the style and craftmanship fit that era as well.
It even had classic thought balloons which have long been a thing of the past. The commitment to the bit was something I admired plus it was a fun story about Superman trying to save the world from aliens. Gail Simone has the voice down of Superman, Lois, and all their pals. The work of Eddy Barrows is stellar as well. Also, the backup story written by Rainbow Rowell gave you two good stories for your money. I know people tend to skip backup stories and often for good reason. This one is not to be missed.
Writer: Matt Kindt, Margie Kindt
Artist: Matt Kindt
Publisher: Dark Horse
Solicitation: A classic whodunit murder mystery that spans the globe from Paris to Hawaii to Montenegro as we hustle to keep up with the most unlikely murder-solving duo in the history of murder-solvers.
Sam, who is in his early twenties, is an orphan, taken in when he was younger by his well-off Aunt Merry who has an eccentric taste for antiques and travel.
Together, Sam and Merry have solved some of the most notorious murders in the world. And true to form, their Parisian vacation is cut short when they stumble upon a murder scene so bizarre that only a raging psychopath could have produced it.
But to solve the crime, they have to wrestle with jewel thieves, art forgers, gun-runners, a lost puppy, and a master French detective who may just solve the crime before they do.
A brand new series by New York Times bestselling creator Matt Kindt!
A 64 page giant-sized special launch issue!
Why it Made the List: Looking at this comic a few things stand out right away. First is Matt Kindt who is a creator I will always check out especially when he is writing and drawing the comic or partnered with Tyler Jenkins. The other part is seeing this as a whodunit murder mystery. That’s not a genre we get enough of in comics and feel like this creative team could pull it Making this first issue extra long is a smart move to help develop both the story and the mystery which can be a challenge in just twenty-two pages. Honestly, I completely missed this was coming out until looking ahead to this week’s books. Hopefully, this list can shine a light for others who may be interested but missed its announcement like me.
7. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Nightwatcher #1
Writer: Juni Ba
Artist: Fero Peniche
Publisher: IDW
Solicitation: After making a dark debut in the Free Comic Book Day special, fans have one burning question: Who is the Nightwatcher? Violence and discrimination against mutants is running wild, and a new vigilante will rise up to combat it… but who is this fearsome armored fighter standing bravely against the criminals who wish to harm mutants?
From the brilliant mind of writer Juni Ba and astonishing artist Fero Pe comes an action-packed ongoing series that spins out of the pages of TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES to delve into the grim reality of New York City after the Mutagen Bomb and unveil the secrets behind the mask.
Why it Made the List: The Year of The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles keeps going strong with a brand new series this time focusing on a new character. The world of TMNT has grown so much that I am glad it is getting a chance to expand outside of just its titular heroes. Juni Ba has been doing some great work already this year with the series The Boy Wonder so he has some experience writing a character who is a vignette hero. Fero Peniche has done good work in this universe already including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles x Stranger Things which was so much better than it should have been. I did get the chance to read the Free Comic Book Day issue and it did what it needed in getting me excited for this first issue. Hopefully, the real thing will be just as good.
Writer: Zack Kaplan
Artist: Fico Ossio
Publisher: Dark Horse
Solicitation: A Viking always answers the ruthless, vicious call of war in the name of their clan and their kin. Now, as immortal Viking Frey Asvald journeys to her family’s mysterious Nordic homeland for ancient secrets, she must decide whether she will embrace her killer instincts to challenge her family. Succession meets John Wick… with immortal Vikings.
Why it Made the List: I was excited about this series based on the premise and thought the first issue did a good job of providing a hint of what they had in store. It worked well as a cold open as we get an idea of what it would be like if the world had immortal Vikings who had to operate in a corporate structure. So board meetings but far more people getting hit in the head with axes. Honestly, that is a major improvement in most meetings. Although I don’t think you will get the ‘This axe murder could have been an email’ messages doing it that way. Now with the second issue coming out, I am anticipating diving deeper into this concept in order to get a sense of the major drama at play. You see a lot of comics with those taglines, “It’s like this mixed with this”, and rarely does it feel like what was promised. With Kill All Immortals the tagline seems apt thus far.
Writer: Mark Russell
Artist: Bob Quinn
Publisher: Marvel
Solicitation: FAME, FORTUNE, MUTANTS! From the ashes of Krakoa, a new mutant arms race sweeps the globe! International governments are building their own mutant armies. But only America’s X-Factor has the most powerful, most patriotic, most marketable mutant heroes to stem the tide and make the world safe for democracy! Join Angel, Havok, Frenzy, Feral, Pyro and more as they go from one death-defying mission to another. Who will die? Who will fall in love? Who will be the first to sell out? Like, comment and subscribe to find out!
Why it Made the List: When all the new books for this era of X-Men were announced the one that caused me to raise my eyebrows the most was this title. For one I am a massive fan of Mark Russell and seeing he is teaming up with Bob Quinn again I got megiddy. The first book they worked on together was The Lone Ranger and that run was so darn good and not talked about enough. Then during Mark Russell’s run on Red Sonja Bob Quinn was an artist for many of those issues, and the run was at its best when his name was on the cover.
Seeing them getting the chance to work together on anything has me excited. Love that they have the chance to do something for Marvel and it makes me wonder what exactly they have in store. I don’t think this is going to be your typical X-Factor book. Something tells me they have a different plan in store. I would not be surprised if this ends up being the best book out of the entire current run of X-Men titles.
Writer: Deniz Camp
Artist: Juan Frigeri
Publisher: Marvel
Solicitation: INTRODUCING… THE SHE-HULK! The Ultimates search for a means of destroying the Maker’s most powerful pawn, the Hulk! And in the process they uncover an army of Hulks hidden away from the world… with She-Hulk at the helm!
Why it Made the List: So no this is not the issue of The Ultimates that will explain why Robert Downey Jr. is returning to The MCU. That will be the next issue. If you have no idea what I am talking about well I would refer you to this video. Now, despite that fact, I would highly advise giving this a shot if you are a fan of any Marvel universe. I know there have only been two issues but I feel safe in saying this is my new favorite book in the current Ultimate line. I was worried at first this was just giving us another Avengers book but after the second issue, the story has greatly changed.
For one, I love the voice Deniz Camp has for these characters, especially Captain America. I hope one day he gets placed on that title. This is also expanded the scope of the current Ultimate world by showing us a bunch of new characters and really interested in seeing their take on She-Hulk. Out of all the Ultimate books thus far this feels like the one that is trying the most to make this new Universe mean something to this new generation of readers.
Writer: Darcy Van Poelgeest
Artist: Ian Bertram
Publisher: Image Comics
Solicitation: Max is betrayed by someone close to him as the Disciples of Twelve ramp up their mission to rid the world of “old flesh” — pushing Max to revisit the Temple of Twelve and journey deeper into the unknown.
Why it Made the List: For anyone who thinks comics today are lacking in series that push the boundaries of storytelling or need to have more imagination, I give you Precious Metal. Seemingly inspired by classics like The Incal this is a series that has no qualms telling a complex and epic story that challenges the reader at every turn. Honestly, I do not fully understand the intricacies of everything that is happening, and usually, that would frustrate me to no end. For some, this has immersed me so much that I am simply along for the ride, and honestly, anytime I am confused I sit back and admire the visual artistry on display. I do think this is the type of story that will read better in trade, but at the same time appreciate the experience of reading it from month to month.
Writer: Daniel Warren Johnson
Artist: Jorge Corona
Publisher: Only Optimus Prime can save Earth and Cybertron.
But will all of the Autobots stand with him?
Solicitation: Only Optimus Prime can save Earth and Cybertron.
But will all of the Autobots stand with him?
Why it Made the List: You know what I love about comics? We can have complex and intricate stories like Precious Metal but in the same week we can get a kick-ass story about giant Robots fighting each other and both can be great in their own way. This current arc started a bit slow but with the last few issues has hit high gear once again. Honestly, if the last issue was just all the backstory on Beachcomber I would not have complained. Seeing him pop up at different moments across history was quite fun, and despite not knowing anything about him before that issue I have become an instant fan of his character.
Two issues are left in this current arc and after the events of the last issue get the sense that things are only going to get even more serious for these characters. While still remaining extremely entertaining to read. Also have to give Jorge Corona credit because with each issue he seems more and more comfortable with this world. I was worried when David Warren Johnson was leaving art duties but Corona has brought something special as well. Now I am sad he is leaving after issue twelve but here is hoping Jason Howard will keep the streak going. At least colorist Mike Spicer and Letterer Rus Wooton are staying on so those bases are still covered. Cannot diminish the consistency they bring to the series as well.
1-The Sensational She-Hulk #10
Writer: Rainbow Rowell
Artist: Andrés Genolet
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Solicitation: What is the fate of SHE-HULK and JACK OF HEARTS?! Their love has blossomed over the last two years of this She-Hulk story, but this issue will define it for the future!
Why it Made the List: Let me start with an odd remark. I wish I was not anticipating this comic as much as I am. Why is that? That is because this sadly marks the end of this run. I have greatly enjoyed what Rainbow Rowell and Andrés Genolet have done with their time on She-Hulk. I am not too surprised it wasn’t able to find an audience because this has been a different type of superhero story. One that is big on relationship dynamics with the action bits lightly added in throughout. As a person who enjoys character-focused stories, it was my jam as She-Hulk and Jack of Hearts became one of the most interesting couples in Marvel comics since Luke Cage and Jessica Jones. Although their dynamic is quite different than those two. But let’s look at the positive.
With this issue, we are getting twenty-five issues when counting that last volume. Twenty-five issues these creators should certainly be proud of despite it ending before it should. I have the feeling this is going to be one of those stories that only gets better and more attention with age. While it may not appeal to your Wednesday warrior that wants more and more punching there is a big audience out there that would appreciate it. If you have not gotten the chance to check it out it is never too late. Do not worry I will not get too mad at you for causing us to lose a good thing. Tis the business of comics. Here’s hoping both Jennifer and Jack get the ending they deserve.
