New comic book day is nigh! This Wednesday, a whole lot of new issues will go on sale and deciding how to distribute your cash can be a pretty big challenge. Luckily for you, we're going to point out the comics we're especially excited about. We've reviewed the latest list of new releases and each of us have picked some issues that have us pretty pumped. We'll explain why we're looking forward to reading them and hopefully that'll make your decisions a little easier on Wednesday. When you're through seeing what we've selected, feel free to share your own list of essential comics.
*Some previews may be in reverse order*
Tony "G-Man" Guerrero's picks
MOON KNIGHT #4
This has been a great series so far. Warren Ellis has been giving us self-contained issues with some crazy adventures for our hero. In this issue, we’ll see the Mr. Knight costume once again, along with his regular one, as Moon Knight takes a wild trip to the “Mushroom graveyard planet.
Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire have been doing wonders with the art and color. This is exactly what Moon Knight fans have been wanting. Unfortunately it seems this creative team’s days may be limited but we’re for sure going to enjoy and devour each and every issue with them that we can.
TINY TITANS: RETURN TO THE TREEHOUSE #1
Aw yeah! The moment I’ve been waiting for since March 2012 is finally here. Tiny Titans are back. What everyone should realize and think about is the previous volume last FIFTY issues. How many other series these days even comes close to that? Of course we also had SUPERMAN FAMILY ADVENTURES that ran for twelve issues.
This may be an all-ages book but if you’re passing it by, I feel sorry for you. This is the sort of comics we need to see along with the other types. We need more books that are funny and just simply fun. Art and Franco are hilarious, check out our latest interview with them to get an idea what you can expect in this series.
THE WAKE #9
This is good and bad, we only have two more issues to go! Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy have done some crazy things in this series and have set up a crazy and amazing new world that we’ve only gotten glimpses of. With just two issues left, we’re due to get some answers to the big questions.
We’ll have an interview with Scott and Sean go live (most likely on Tuesday) and they’ve hinted at some of the big crazy scenes that Sean drew for the issue. Plenty of action and more of Dash, the dolphin!
NAILBITER #2
Joshua Williamson introduced us to the freaky world of serial killers last issue. In a small town in Oregon, sixteen serial killers have spawn from the same place. Just when an investigator figured out why this has been happening, he disappears just after calling his buddy, Nicolas Finch, a former Army interrogator. Finch just cares about finding his friend but is finding himself getting pulled into this dark world.
Williamson is joined by his MASKS AND MOBSTERS artist, Mike Henderson, who perfectly sets up the mood and atmosphere.
This is a nice suspenseful comic that doesn't rely on the cheap theatrics of normal horror stories. It's a smart comic and you'll find yourself hooked as soon as you start reading.
Honorable Mentions: IRON FIST: THE LIVING WEAPON #3
Mat "Inferiorego" Elfring's picks
MILES MORALES: THE ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #2
If you missed out on the first issue of this series, then stop reading right this second and go buy it. Have you bought it? Ok, now read it. I'll wait... Great. So how about that insane last page? It was awesome/shocking/amazing/ridiculous. This is the way to start a new series, or rather to reboot a series. Bendis set up a lot of threads in the last issue and I, for one, cannot wait to see how it all plays out. This is going to be THE Ultimate series you're going to want to follow. It's everything you loved about the first volume featuring Miles Morales, whom I love more than Ultimate Peter Parker, by the way, plus a whole lot more.
RAI #2
I originally picked this first issue up because Clayton Crain was drawing the book. What I found is that I fell in love with the story. Valiant really has a way of grabbing the attention of readers from the get-go and never letting go. Writer Matt Kindt does a fine job at relaunching this character and putting him into a story that is interesting. Can Rai find out who committed the first murder in Japan in 1000 years? While I love this story, a part of me can't wait for Rai to meet the Eternal Warrior as well. The future is bright for this character and book.
THE SUPERIOR FOES OF SPIDER-MAN #12
Just because SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN has ended (ignoring the fact we'll be seeing a couple more issues in the near future) doesn't mean the SUPERIOR FOES OF SPIDER-MAN has to end. This book is a stand out in its own right. It's a ton of fun and has its own great style. What I love more than anything is that it highlights some great, B-List Spider-Man villains. Nick Spencer and Steve Lieber have taken an idea that sounded a bit weird and made it into one of my favorite on-going series at Marvel.
Gregg "k4tz" Katzman's picks
GREEN ARROW #32
The Outsiders War was absurdly fun and did a great job expanding Oliver Queen's supporting cast. However, every time writer Jeff Lemire would chime back in on Seattle, I couldn't help but get extremely anxious to see what'll happen with that story. Now Ollie's heading back to the United States and it's time to get incredibly excited for the book's next big storyline.
Richard Dragon's New 52 debut has most certainly left an impression and the last issue's cliffhanger has me thrilled to see what'll come next. Plus, it'll focus more on Oliver's relationship with Diggle, and that's something every Arrow fan should be curious about. And who could possibly forget Andrea Sorrentino and Marcelo Maiolo's consistently brilliant visuals? Do yourself a favor and buy this issue.
Go to USA Today for more.
TMNT #34
Metalhead! The lovable robot is finally entering IDW's TMNT universe and the little dude's reveal -- located in the preview below -- had me smiling like such a goofball. The latest story arc is shuffling quite a few plot threads, but that's by no means a bad thing. Overall, the tale is about the team being back in New York and attempting to defeat Shredder's forces, but the last issue focused on the difficult dynamic between Casey Jones and Hun. And, based on what we've seen, this one shifts gears to focus on April and Donatello as they try to learn more about the Technodrome.
No matter what the issue's focused on, Tom Waltz, Bobby Curnow, and Kevin Eastman have more than proven they'll be able to make it pretty awesome. Meanwhile, Mateus Santolouco and colorist Ronda Pattison's artwork never fails to impress. TMNT fans, you really need to follow this series.
FIVE WEAPONS #9
Jimmie Robinson's FIVE WEAPONS has been a real joy. Whenever a new issue of this Image series drops, I can always rely on it to be creative, pleasant, and filled with delightful visuals.
Robinson has kept me guessing with each and every issue, and the storytelling tactic has yet to get old. The fact he's now added some major additions to the overall narrative is a huge bonus, too. There's a lot going on in this volume and I'm legitimately curious to see how Robinson will handle these multiple plot points. FIVE WEAPONS is consistently enjoyable and I can't recommend it enough.
Honorable Mention: THE PUNISHER #6
Jen "MissJ" Aprahamian's picks
THE WOODS #2
High school is difficult enough to navigate, but an unexplained teleportation makes things even more intense for the students and faculty of Bay Point Prep. This character-driven sci-fi horror series debuted with a diverse ensemble cast and delightfully unpredictable narrative, and I can't wait to see what happens next. James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas keep things human amidst alien horror, and this month's issue takes a look at the emerging struggle for authority.
CBR has additional preview pages.
SUPERANNUATED MAN #1
As the resident connoisseur of books that are best described as "weird-good," I'm constantly on the lookout for books that take "not at all mainstream" to the next level. SUPERANNUATED MAN falls into that category -- it's an extraordinarily different take on the dystopic future genre, featuring mutated animals, a really, really, really old guy, and black-and-white illustrations with a crafted, almost woodcut aesthetic. Ted McKeever is totally delivering my brand of weird with this book, and it's a six-issue miniseries (which is great for readers whose pull lists are getting a little on the heavy side -- no long-term ongoing commitment!).
Corey "Undeadpool" Schroeder's picks
CYCLOPS #2
The debut issue may've sidelined the other Starjammers but Papa Summers and Cyclops from the Past have plenty of potential for adventures in space in their own rights. This is one of the more interesting uses of time travel I've seen in any medium, and it has a ton of potential for both uplifting and depressing tales. Greg Rucka's proven himself fantastic at both, and this is a tremendous opportunity for some hitherto unseen cosmic Marvel stories with characters both familiar and different. Russell Dauterman's art was fantastic last issue, and I feel like it's only going to get better as more and more characters and situations are explored.
BLACK WIDOW #7
It looks like a new beginning for Natasha as she heads to the City by the Bay. Last issue ended with the tying up of several loose ends being tied up and several more being unraveled, but I'm definitely ready for a new storyline. Nathan Edmondson has, thus far, demonstrated absolutely incredible ability to write not just her, but characters both new and old. I have no idea what he can possibly get up to with this issue, but I know it'll be something great. Phil Noto is STILL on the art, and that is something I am completely shocked by. He's done nothing but top-notch art without any delays for seven issues now, something almost unheard of in modern comics, particularly since he is the sole artist on the title. Long may he draw!
ALL-NEW X-FACTOR #9
Another month, another arc begins! I wasn't the biggest fan of last storyline as compared to the ones prior, but this book is still one of my favorites on the shelf. If the cover is any indicator, and with this book it always is, we're going to see the spotlight back on Gambit AND the saucy Cajun falling back into some of his more well-known habits. I've loved how Peter David writes the character, so I am ready to read more of his development. Carmine di Giandomenico returns for his linework and that's always welcome. He's done fantastic work establishing the tone and tenor of this lighthearted, but often dramatic, story and to see him continue to do so is great news.
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