New comic book day is something we can't wait for, but our wallets absolutely fear it. Dozens of new issues will go on sale, and sticking to your budget will likely become a difficult feat as more and more issues hit our eyes with very tempting covers. Luckily for you, Comic Vine has your back and wants to help you narrow down the options. We've reviewed the list of this week's new releases and we've each selected a couple or more new comics that we believe will likely be worthy of your time and cash. Once you're done seeing what we recommend, don't forget to sound off with your own list of "essential comics."
Tony "G-Man" Guerrero's picks
DETECTIVE COMICS #30
A lot of people like Batman. There's a lot of different Batman titles. It makes sense. But what makes this particular issue different is we have a new creative team. Coming off their recent run on THE FLASH, Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato have packed their bags and moved to Gotham City.
We did talk to Brian at Emerald City Comicon. You can watch the video interview HERE. I straight out asked how this title would be different from other Bat-titles. He mentioned they want to focus more on the detecting part and try to be more self-contained.
He also Instagramed a picture of his advanced copies last week. I'm not saying he did or didn't have any copies at the show.
USA Today has the full preview.
MOON KNIGHT #2
Any week there's a new Moon Knight comic is a good week for me. Any week there's a Moon Knight comic by Warren Ellis, Declan Shalvey, and Jordie Bellaire, it's a great week.
The first issue was everything I could've wanted, as a long time fan. Others loved it as well. It's an exciting time. I got to talk to Declan at Emerald City briefly.
Some have been intrigued by his new suit-look from the first issue. If you've seen the preview for the second, you know he does wear something closer to his traditional costume. But the cool thing is, even that's been tweaked a little. I'm pretty sure this is another self-contained story. It's kind of refreshing to get issues like that.
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN FAMILY BUSINESS OGN
I don't often buy hardcover graphic novels with my weekly comic purchases. On occasion I'm compelled to. Usually it's a separate purchase at another time. An original graphic novel with Spider-Man could be really cool or it could be just okay, especially if it's geared towards non-regular comic readers that buy books at regular bookstores.
This one is a little different. It's written by Mark Waid and James Robinson. If that wasn't enough, it has art by Gabriel Dell'otto. That right there is enough of a reason to get it.
The book was announced LAST JUNE. It is Peter Parker/Spider-Man and a little out of continuity. There was mention of Peter possibly having a sister in it. The big question is, will this sister coming into play in the regular Marvel Universe? Will this be part of Original Sin later? Or is this just going to be a nice crazy self-contained Spider-Man adventure. Either way, it sounds and looks cool.
Here's the first look from last year.
Honorable Mention: STARLIGHT #2, BLACK SCIENCE #5
Mat "Inferiorego" Elfring's picks
ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #200
Not only was this week's ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN the 400,000th issue added to our wiki section here at Comic Vine, but it's also an issue you're going to want to pick up because it's the 200th issue of the series, kinda.
The issue, featuring various artists, but all written by Brian Michael Bendis, is the anniversary of Peter Parker's death, so expect a bit of an emotional roller coaster when reading this one. On top of that, this is the first issue of the series since Cataclysm, so it's gonna be a tough run for the characters in this book. Can they have no peace and justice?
Understandably, this may not appeal to everyone because it is a landmark issue, but rest assure, ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN is a dynamite series and Miles Morales is the best Spider-Man. Yep, I just said that.
MAGNETO #2
The first issue of this series really blew me away. It's very different from the wide selection of books Marvel is putting out. It's a bit disturbing and a whole lot of awesome. Magneto isn't your typical hero in his on-going series, he has no problem replacing the fillings in your teeth with road signs. Yes, that happened, and yes, that will for sure kill you.
Writer Cullen Bunn really surprised me on the first issue and I'm completely invested in the story after only one issue. Gabriel Walta's art fit the tone and story so well. It's a darker book featuring one of Marvel's coolest villains/heroes. This is a train you need to jump on now before it's too late!
Honorable Mention: AQUAMAN AND THE OTHERS #1
Gregg "k4tz" Katzman's picks
Deadpool vs. Carnage #1
Cullen Bunn, thank you for blessing our planet with this upcoming limited series. Only time will tell whether it's as awesome as I hope it'll be, but as a battles junkie and a huge fan of these two characters, this is a series I simply can't resist. Sure, it seems like a bit of an unfair fight since Carnage is way stronger and more durable than Deadpool (bullets and blades won't cut it with this symbiote), but who cares as long as the fights are fun and eventually creative, right?
Bunn has more than a fair amount of experience with symbiotes and Wade Wilson -- I absolutely loved NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEADPOOL -- so that gives me hope he'll give each character a proper amount of love and respect. Whoever wins... we will, too, because this is definitely looking like it'll be a blast and totally entertaining. Bring on the madness!
Green Arrow #30
Honestly, who out there wouldn't pick this issue up after reading #29's cliffhanger? I'm almost certain I know how writer Jeff Lemire plans to explain the shocking conclusion, but I'm still beyond stoked to see how it'll play out and what'll follow. This book has been exceptional issue after issue. Lemire's making some big expansions to Green Arrow's world and he always makes sure each issue has tight pacing and gripping developments.
Then there's Andrea Sorrentino and Marcel Maiolo's consistently stellar artwork. I'm always anxious to see how these two will fill my eyes with joy and they've managed to do so with each and every chapter so far.
GREEN ARROW is without question one of my favorite books from DC and I'll continue to recommend it until you decide to give it an honest shot.
CBR has the preview.
Corey "Undeadpool" Schroeder's picks
SHE-HULK #3
Charles Soule is is rapidly defining his style as one of equal parts humor and action-infused character development. It's a tough balancing act to keep, but so far he's done an incredible job at it with two great issues of She-Hulk under his belt (among many others from different titles across both major publishers).
I legitimately have no idea what's next for this title, but unlike UNCANNY AVENGERS' sense of dread and suspense, this lack of knowledge is much more of a delightful curiosity as the title also drips with strange, visual surrealism thanks to Javier Pulido's throwback-yet-modern visuals.
Latverian legalese appears to be on the horizon and anytime my favorite villain gets involved, the action is always more dire and the comedy always more hilarious.
STARLIGHT #2
While I was reading STARLIGHT #1, I kept waiting for the ultraviolence, the pornographic levels of sex or the string of expletives that would make Sam Jackson himself blush. Any of the hallmarks of a usual Mark Millar story. What I got instead was a thoughtful, deeply introspective story about getting old, losing the person who means the most to you in the world, and being adrift in a place you no longer understand. FROM MARK MILLAR!
I've always been a fan of Millar's bombastic work, but I've always accepted there's little depth to be found in it, but that is absolutely NOT the case here. Goran Parlov, an artist I've come to appreciate over the last several years, provides the visuals who murky, dark cartoonish look underscore the characters' pathos extraordinarily. They laid down an amazing foundation, let's see the house they build atop it!
BLACK WIDOW #5
As Hawkeye's solo title is what he's up to when he's not Avenger-ing (gotta be a better way to say that...but HOW?!), so too does Black Widow's. But rather than show her having delightful adventures with pizza-loving dogs and hilariously violent Russian mobsters, Widow is running dangerous covert-ops while trying desperately to hold together some semblance of an apartment life.
Nate Edmondson has given more of a unique, interesting voice to Natasha Romanov than she often gets. Phil Noto's art has reached new peaks with this title as well, with his jagged, harsh linework perfectly setting the tone.
Last issue gave us a glimpse at a bizarre, uniquely Russian foe as well as what appears to be our first recurring villain, meaning after some excellent establishing issues, we get a nice, meaty ongoing story.
Honorable Mention: Invincible Universe #12
73 Comments