Can you hear that? That's the sound of new comic books quickly approaching. A whole bunch of them will go on sale this Wednesday and we understand choosing which ones are worthy of your time and money isn't an easy decision. Well, luckily for you the Comic Vine staff is here to help you out. We reviewed the latest list of new releases and each of us picked some new issues that we believe are worth considering and we'll even tell you why. Once you finished seeing what we recommend, travel to the comments section and let the world know what you suggest picking up this Wednesday.
Tony "G-Man" Guerrero's picks
BLACK SCIENCE #8
BLACK SCIENCE has been and amazing adventure issue after issue. The basic idea is we’re seeing a group traveling through different realities. Due to possible sabotage, we’ve seen lots of risk and death as the worlds hold extreme levels of danger. What pushes the story over the top is the fact that you never really know what’s going to happen next or who is going to die next. If you think someone has a crucial role to the story, that doesn’t mean they’re safe. I’m still in disbelief over the death the of a character in the first arc and we might have seen a couple more last issue.
Rick Remender is on a roll at Image. His story along with Matteo Scalera’s art and Dean White’s colors will blow you away. As soon as you read an issue you find yourself eagerly awaiting the next. If you haven’t read this yet, pick up the first trade along with issues 7 & 8. This is good stuff.
LOW #2
Speaking of Rick Remender at Image, there is another title out this week. LOW is another journey to a new world, courtesy of Remender and Greg Tocchini. In this futuristic world, the surface of Earth is no longer inhabitable. We’ve seen some of the residents of an underwater world along with the dangers that lurk in the depths.
This is another case of being on the edge of your seat. I found myself immediately interested and concerned for the safety of the characters we just met. Tocchinnni’s art and colors will dazzle you for sure.
If you missed the first issue, there is a second printing available this week as well. Or you can buy a digital version. It’s always fun to read a new series with a new world.
Just keep in mind, LOW and BLACK SCIENCE are not all-ages titles.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #18
Oh man. This is the moment many of us have long been waiting for. What the heck happened to Richard Rider? How come Star-Lord and Thanos returned front the Cancerverse but Nova didn’t? Sam Alexander, the current Nova, may be growing on us more and more but that doesn’t mean we can’t have Richard Rider return, right? Unless this issue is the final nail in his coffin.
Brian Michael Bendis has the task to tell the story we’ve been waiting for. It’s been going on for too long with no explanation and a lot of dancing around the truth. Ed McGuinness will handle the art. This is an issue I’m both anticipating and fearing at the same time. While we can’t guarantee we’ll all be happy with the results of the “truth,” it’s definitely an issue we can’t miss.
You can also read our early review here.
Honorable Mention: JESSICA JONES PULSE COMPLETE COLLECT TPB
Mat "Inferiorego" Elfring's picks
OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA #3
OUTCAST BY KIRKMAN & AZACETA is incredibly interesting. Originally, I picked it up because Kirkman (of Kirckman & Azaceta) was writing it and he's the guy that got me back into comic books (Thanks BATTLE POPE and Funk-O-Tron!). This is a haunting book, and I'm addicted. This issue seems to deal more with Kyle's past. The work with characters and this world is fantastic. Azaceta has some dark and gritty art that really fits this series and as a team, I can't wait to see where they are taking this book.
SAGA #22
I call this current arc of SAGA "The mission to break all of our hearts." As you may or may not know (I hope you know), this is going to end with Marko and Alana splitting up. None of us are happy about this, but this book is such a fabulous epic that it doesn't matter. The solicit gives nothing to readers because the book speaks for itself and you know you're going to get it anyway. BKV and Fiona Staples are magical and if you don't believe me, then you're not reading SAGA correctly.
THE WALKING DEAD SERIES 3 RICK/ANDREA 2-PACK
That's right... toys are essential too. I'm a lover of the comic book style of Walking Dead figures. Now, normally, I only collect the color versions of these figures. I have a few B&W ones, but I have all of the colored ones, including a handful of exclusives. While I'm totally stoked for a Rick figure with his hand cut off, with a sweet beard, I'm more excited about FINALLY getting an Andrea figure. Now, can we have a Dale figure so I can have them hugging in my display already?
Gregg "k4tz" Katzman's picks
TMNT: TURTLES IN TIME #3
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles vs. pirates. That alone is enough to make you want to read this, right? Writer Erik Burnham has earned my faith and then some with his TMNT work (SECRET HISTORY OF THE FOOT CLAN and micro issues) and his last chapter of this limited series did an impressive job balancing humor, heart, and a serious narrative very well. Now, the heroes in a half shell are taking on pirates and, like stated above, how could I possibly resist seeing that?! We've had two incredibly enjoyable issues in a row and it's looking like this third one will be a very good time, too. As if that wasn't tempting enough, it also brings back former TMNT ongoing artist Ben Bates. TMNT: TURTLES IN TIME is a delight.
RAI #4
Valiant's RAI continues to pull me into its high tech and totally crazy world. First and foremost, Matt Kindt has been doing some seriously engaging worldbuilding with this look at future Japan. Not only does he continue to flesh out this unique environment, but he's also doing a solid job making Rai's adventure a unique one and has established several interesting plot points. He has me legitimately questioning what'll happen next with Japan's protector.
Then there's Clayton Crain's jaw-dropping pages. This artist does a brilliant job bringing Kindt's script to life and creates some ridiculously immersive and thoroughly cool pages. Whether it's Rai strolling into a new neighborhood or slicing apart some goons, this book has some lovely artwork. RAI has an intriguing story and stunning art, so you can bet I'm picking this one up with high expectations.
TRANSFORMERS VS. G.I. JOE #2
Tom Scioli and John Barber's TRANSFORMERS VS. G.I. JOE is a wonderful surprise. Based on the title, some may expect some elaborate plot that's basically an excuse to unleash some slick and cinematic fights between the heroes and villains from these two franchise. Instead, we're given a series that delivers a massive dose of nostalgia and feels like a joyous trip back in time.
With Jack Kirby-esque art and a simplistic yet exciting plot, this book has been pure fun and comes off like a series that was created decades ago but it has only recently discovered and is now getting printed. If you liked the original cartoons and older comics, this huge serving of classic goodness should be a blast for you.
Honorable Mentions: GHOSTBUSTERS #19, THE LAST FALL #2
Jen "MissJ" Aprahamian's picks
C.O.W.L. #4
This month, the focus turns to Blaze, whose task of uniting an increasingly-splintered C.O.W.L. gets more difficult at every turn. Last month's table talk is over, and things are very much happening on-the-ground (and behind-the-scenes). Higgins, Siegel, and Reis continue to develop dimensioned characters, exposing flaws and virtues that make even the powered individuals of C.O.W.L. unquestionably human. Essential for Mad Men aficionados and superhero fans alike.
AND THEN EMILY WAS GONE #2
Last month's debut issue of this new horror-mystery series by John Lees and Iain Laurie might not have made it onto your list -- it's definitely one of those under-the-radar gems -- but it's not too late to immerse yourself in the creepy, surreal world and latch onto this compelling story. Monsters and mysteries aren't exactly rare in comics, but the execution here is so unique and smart that it's worth asking your retailer to order a copy (especially if your local shop doesn't stock a lot outside of the big publishers). Essential for detective and horror fans, and for people who want to be ahead of the trend on spotting great indie talent.
Check out CBR for two more pages.
Honorable Mention: FANTASTIC FOUR #9
Corey "Undeadpool" Schroeder's picks
ALL-NEW X-MEN #31
The continuing relationship between Warren and Laura deepened last issue, and while neither of them may know exactly what the draw is, they don't really need one at this moment. They both needed a getaway and they got one, both literal and figurative and I can't wait to see Brian Bendis has in store for the two of them in future issues. Meanwhile, there are still plenty of burning questions and last issue teased something having to do with the Ultimate Universe, and whether that will be involving the actual Ultimates line or take on another meaning, it'll be a good one. Mahmud Asrar steps in on art, and I've loved everything I've read of his in the past.
RED LANTERNS #34
Everything for over a year has been leading to this: Guy Gardner battles Atrocitus after the two of them have circled each other for the leadership of the Red Lanterns. Dissension and casualties within Gardner's ranks have thinned his numbers and his ranks, but Charles Soule isn't done with the Five Star Mustache (plus goatee). Guy Gardner's never been angrier and that's a dangerous state to face a Red Lantern in. Alessandro Vitti returns on art and I think it's only appropriate we see the man who defined the look of this arc be the one who ends it. The fact that he's incredibly talented is, of course, a great benefit.
Go to Ain't It Cool News for another page.
CYCLOPS #4
After last issue's shocking reveal turned out to not be so shocking, it'll be interesting to see where Greg Rucka takes this father/son bonding trip now that the air is clear on that count. Cyclops and Corsair are still stranded, but that won't become a major problem for...you know, awhile. And just how BIG can space be? In all seriousness, I'm glad that we get some time to focus on more character-building moments between the two of them in what has GOT to be the most surreal tale of father/son bonding in creation. New series artist Carmen Nunez Carnero may not have a ton of credits under her belt, but the ones she does have are impressive bunch and seeing her take on a totally alien world is something I'm very much looking forward to.
Honorable Mention: SINESTRO #4
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