Monday is here and that can only mean one thing: it's time to prepare for new comics! This Wednesday, a whole stack of fresh issues will drop and narrowing down your options isn't always an easy task. There's a lot of very promising material coming out this week, so we're here to help you out. We've looked at the list of this week's new releases and we've each picked a few that we're really excited to dive into. Hopefully after reading this feature, you'll be tempted to give a couple of them a chance, too.
Are you buying any of the comics we've listed or does your list of essential comics look a bit different? Don't be shy, let us know below.
Some previews may be in reverse order.
Tony's picks
INHUMANITY #1
It's time for the Inhumans to take the spotlight. If you've read INFINITY (yes, I finally got caught up), there's no way you'll want to miss this. As a result from INFINITY, we're seeing some big changes for the fate of the Inhumans. This will set the tone for the Marvel Universe for the foreseeable future.
If that wasn't enough, this issue is written by Matt Fraction and has art by Olivier Coipel. Those two are more than enough of a reason to check this out. With these big changes coming to the Marvel Universe, this issue will play a big role in keeping up with everything.
VELVET #2
Ed Brubaker, Steve Epting and Elizabeth Breitweiser introduced us to a new and great comic universe in the first issue. Brubaker is no stranger to the world of espionage. It's great seeing the twist on the genre by not having your typical male secret agent character.
What we have is our lead character on the run and a murder mystery on her hands. In the first issue, we just caught a tiny glimpse into who Velvet is. Seeing these secrets unfold along with the fast paced action is what makes this an exciting read.
BATMAN/SUPERMAN #6
Last issue with Brett Booth joining Greg Pak, we were treated to an interesting, and sort of weird story, told in a different format. Batman wasn't in the best situation and it looks like things are only going to get worse as Mongul is ready to cause major problems on Earth.
This is the charm of the series, seeing Batman and Superman team up against each other foes. The idea of Batman going up against Mongul is not something we'd immediately think of. Pak has been doing some interesting things in fleshing out the relationship between the two and having Booth's art on this arc will make the action that much better.
Visit UPROXX for a couple more previews pages.
Honorables: GREEN LANTERN #26, MARVEL KNIGHTS SPIDER-MAN #3
Mat's picks
CATACLYSM ULTIMATES LAST STAND #2
The first month of Cataclysm was really awesome. As a huge fan of the Ultimate universe, I was a bit worried about everything that was going to happen and a little bit about the treatment of the characters. I was presently surprised with how great this event turned out with the main story, as well as the tie ins. This upcoming issue is the main story of this event, and it's the battle of the Ultimate heroes against Galactus. What I really love about the first issue, as a whole, was that is had Bendis writing and Bagley on art, the team that started the Ultimate line. This first issue was a complete blast and the creative team has me roped in. If this book continues to deliver, then you'll see each issue on this list, every week.
GHOSTED Volume 1
Can an essential be a trade? I'd say so. Listen, there's a ton of great issues coming out this week, and the rest of the Comic Vine staff has that covered. However, the first volume of GHOSTED is a book you seriously consider picking up. It's the first story arc of this new series by writer Josh Williamson and Goran Sudzuka. It's one of my favorite new series. It's one part Oceans 11 and one part supernatural horror.This is a story that you could easily be read in one sitting. There's lots of mystery here and you'll be sucked in. At least for me, it was a bit harder to come across the single issues for this puppy, and although I eventually got to read them all, this is a book worth of my shelf. If you pick up any trade this month, make sure it's GHOSTED Vol 1.
Gregg's picks
GREEN ARROW #26
Now that Count Vertigo is out of the picture, it's time to see what The Outsiders War is all about. Jeff Lemire's been doing awesome work creating a whole new mythos for Oliver and, now that many of the key components have been introduced, we're moving full speed ahead with it.
Lemire's solid and thoroughly entertaining writing is always worth checking out, but as if that wasn't enough, the book also has some of the best visuals you're going to find. Artist Andrea Sorrentino and colorist Marcelo Maiolo have been doing exceptional work here, delivering a consistently phenomenal set of pages. When Lemire gets the action going, these two make sure it's always a real treat for your eyes and tend to lay it out in a creative manner. And seeing as the title has "war" in it and involves groups who specialize in different types of weaponry, it seems pretty safe to say there's going to be quite a bit of fighting.
Oh, and seeing this is the beginning of a new story, it's an ideal jumping on point. So, if you've been meaning to check out this book -- and you absolutely should -- then this is an issue you'll definitely want to pick up this Wednesday.
Got to CBR for two more preview pages.
TMNT VILLAIN MICRO-SERIES #8 - SHREDDER
City Fall has come to an end and now it's time to take what could possibly be the most detailed look yet into the bad guy behind it all: Shredder. The Micro-Series issues are tasked with expanding our interest in the growing cast of IDW TMNT characters and showing us there's far more depth to each of these individuals. So far, I'd absolutely say they've succeeded. Here, we're going to take a trip inside Shredder's mind and that's sure to be fascinating. We've seen his origin story (read SECRET HISTORY OF THE FOOT CLAN if you haven't already done so) and know about the 3 lives he's had, but he's always come off as a callous and power hungry man. This will presumably take away the armor (so to speak) and reveal his true colors.
The publisher has been doing stellar work recreating these familiar and classic characters, so hopefully this will show us why Saki's hardly a one-dimensional character and there's still much to learn about him.
DEADPOOL #20
The Good, The Bad and the Ugly is over and it was the first time Deadpool's newest volume hit us with a truly dark and completely absorbing plot. It was a gripping ride, but let's be honest, it took a toll major toll on the emotions. So, before we get to really see how Wade's handling the aftermath of his latest story, we're being treated to one of the "lost" issues. So far they've all been a huge amount of fun and, seeing as this one promises Deadpool causing "havoc on a cosmic level," it's sure to be absurd in the best way possible. I'm definitely looking forward to all of the laughs this issue's sure to bring on Wednesday.
Honorable Mentions: BURN THE ORPHANAGE #2, SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #23
Jen's picks
TRILLIUM #5
The fifth installment of Jeff Lemire's love story across time and space is called "Starcrossed," and its solicit invites us to "indulge in the romance and discover how the fabric of the universe will never be the same." Indulge away -- this essential pick is one of Vertigo's best titles right now (and its imminent conclusion makes us want to savor every remaining issue!). Lemire is a master of unconventional visual storytelling, and TRILLIUM gets more exciting with every turn.
Visit Comicosity for one more preview page.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #700.1
Peter Parker is...back? Spidey fans get the best of both worlds this week, as AMAZING SPIDER-MAN tacks a .1 onto its lengthy run and begins a flashback mini-series starring a pre-ASM #700 Peter. SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN also has an issue out this week, reminding us that Doc Ock is still very much a fixture in the current Marvel Universe, but fans nostalgic for the Amazing flavor of the series will find ASM #700.1's wintry flashback to be an absolute essential this week.
Corey's picks
INVINCIBLE UNIVERSE #8
It's fairly common knowledge that Invincible is the greatest superhero comic book in the universe. And I'm not just saying that because it's the book's tagline, it's also a well-known, physical law to be put into physics textbooks the MOMENT I buy that textbook printing facility. Any day now. It's so great that it couldn't be contained to a single title and Invincible Universe is everything a spin-off should be. Phil Hester and Todd Nauck are writing a title that can be enjoyed on its own, but also enriches and is enriched by the core title. I also love the standalone nature of the issues, allowing new readers to easily jump on in mid-stride.
AMAZING X-MEN #2
After a great first outing, I am ready to jump onto another X-Men title. Something that Marvel's been doing an amazing job at is not just differentiating the roster of their various X-titles but the tone and setting (compare Uncanny X-Force to All-New X-Men to see what I mean) and so far Jason Aaron and Ed McGuinness are on-track to keep that up. With McGuinness' exaggerated, cartoonish visuals and Aaron's first notion to take his mutant cast to the gates of the Afterlife definitely takes them to some unexplored territory (seeing as how Limbo is more of a demonic realm as opposed to an actual, mortal spirit plane), and while it's only issue 2, these are creators with a very solid track record.
EARTH 2 #18
Tom Taylor proved himself capable of taking up the torch on this title to the point that I'm actually highly anticipating how this arc ends. It also looks to take on the well-worn territory of Superman VS Batman from the different perspective of a more hard-edged Batman and a flat-out villainous Superman in the service of interdimensional warlord Darkseid. The story of how this all came together seems like an entire arc in and of itself, but first we need to take care of this whole "all-out conflict against an unstoppable force." Nicola Scott continues bringing her signature look to the series she defined is always worth looking forward to as well.
Visit Newsarama for their exclusive preview.
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