New comic book day is just around the corner and we want to make sure you're prepared for all of the glorious new issues it'll offer. We've reviewed the latest list of new releases and we'll tell you which ones stood out to us and why we're excited to check 'em out. Once you're done seeing what we recommend, be sure to chime in with your own list of essential comics.
Tony "G-Man" Guerrero's picks
MOON KNIGHT #7
It’s “season 2” of MOON KNIGHT. While pretty much all of us loved the first six issues by Warren Ellis and Declan Shalvey, it’s time to accept when a creative team moves on. The truth is, Moon Knight is a great character. I’ve always loved the layers to the character. Now we have Brian Wood stepping up to continue his adventures.
Brian Wood is no rookie when it comes to writing. It’s going to be exciting to see this next chapter for Mr. Knight. Joining Wood is Greg Smallwood handling the art duties. From the preview, we can see we have something to look forward to. Having Jordie Bellaire stay on as colorist will help make the transition a smooth one.
If you’ve been digging the series and are a Moon Knight fan, there really isn’t any way you miss this one.
HAWKEYE VS DEADPOOL #0
It’s time for things to get a little crazy. Hawkeye and Deadpool are two characters with an…interesting way of looking at things. This will be, as writer Gerry Duggan put it in an interview, “…like Lethal Weapon with two Riggs.” Duggan’s been doing a great job on the ongoing DEADPOOL series and Fraction has cranked up the humor in HAWKEYE. Duggan should be able to handle the humor and action this series will require with no problem.
We seem to have had a taste of these two together recently in the pages of SECRET AVENGERS #7. Hopefully this will pick up on that and give us exactly what we’d want.
DEATH OF WOLVERINE #1
How long has Wolverine been dying? If we’re being honest, it feels like it’s been going on and on for much too long. Wolverine lost his healing factor and that has thrown a monkey wrench into the way he operates. As a fighter, he’s had no problem jumping straight into the thick of the action with no need to worry about any damage he might receive. That isn’t the case any more. The recent series had some interesting aspects but didn’t really hit the mark with what we were expecting. Now that the the end is truly in sight, Charles Soule is cranking things up.
With the opportunity to read the issue before it goes on sale, it can be said this issue exceeds our expectations. Soule brings in some aspects that felt like were purposely avoided in the last twelve issue series. Now, we get to see Wolverine deal with the actual consequences of his missing healing factor on different levels. This will also much more than just a much too long fight between Wolverine and Sabretooth.
It should also be worth noting that this issue includes a lot of "special features" to justify the cover price. We get to see sketches and Steve McNiven's penciled work along with some commentary. There's also an interview with Wolverine creator, Len Wein.
Check out our early review here.
Honorable Mention: UNCANNY X-MEN #25
Mat "Inferiorego" Elfring's picks
SUPERIOR FOES OF SPIDER-MAN #15
My heart is still broken because this book is cancelled and we're winding down to the finale. The pain is only made worse by the solicit which says "Still not CANCELLED! " Well, it is the start of a new arc, which I'm really excited about, since every arc prior has been a giant blast. Spencer and Lieber have done a phenomenal job with the series and not only does it look great because of Lieber's awesome art, but it's a downright hilarious book. Join in on the fun before it's too late and you live a life of regret.
NAILBITER #5
How about that last page from issue #4? Pretty amazing, right? Seriously, this book is disturbing and one hell of a read. Writer Joshua Williamson has crafted this fantastic story and world that merges horror and a mystery. All of the characters within this story, even the ones that are murderous, are incredibly intriguing. Easily, this is one of the most engaging series at Image. Plus, the artwork from Mike Henderson is fantastic.
Honorable Mention: BIG TROUBLE IN LITTLE CHINA #4
Gregg "k4tz" Katzman's picks
GREEN ARROW FUTURES END #1
Ladies and gentlemen, this issue unfortunately marks the end of writer Jeff Lemire and artist Andrea Sorrentino's time with Green Arrow's series. Even if you're not following FUTURES END -- and let's face it, many of us aren't current with it -- this is still something fans of Lemire/Sorrentino's run just can't miss. Come on, it's their last piece of work with the Emerald Archer... or at least his mantle! Still, I'm beyond anxious to see how they'll say goodbye to DC's most famous archer and what the future has in store for the legacy of Green Arrow. Will Emiko or Diggle carry on the Green Arrow name? Or will it be someone else? It's a sad, sad moment for fans of the excellent run, but at least they've left us with so many good memories and hopefully this wraps everything up on a very strong note.
ROBOCOP #3
BOOM! Studios' new series reintroduced us to RoboCop's gritty world in the first issue and the second one gave us a good look at the new antagonist, so now it's time to see how this story will unfold! Writer Joshua Williamson's had just two chapters with the iconic movie character and he's already won me over and then some. The writer's proved he's a great fit for this violent, dark, and morally twisted city and this feels like a true follow-up to the original movie. Throw in Carlos Magno's more than fitting artwork and you can bet I'm really looking forward to the next issue.
Honorable Mention: DEADPOOL VS. X-FORCE #4
Corey "Undeadpool" Schroeder's picks
BATMAN ETERNAL #22
Last issue resulted in a startling reveal that has re-energized my interest in this weekly title. Though the quality may vary (as is natural for such a frequent release schedule from so many different creators), it's been generally, some might say surprisingly, high. There's one reveal last issue that's getting the lion's share of attention, and rightly so, but there were a couple of others that are just about as intriguing and interesting and this issue looks to capitalize on at least one of them. There are too creators to list (and the solicitation doesn't list them all) but as long as it's the same names we've been seeing, it'll be some of the minds behind the creation of this character, and it's those minds that should bring him back into the fold.
SHE-HULK #8
Marvel does a generally great job of keeping their continuity straight, possibly owing to the fact that they've always had their characters share one world. So when a major change befalls a character, say the depowering of Captain America, it's great to see it reflected in other titles. I can't say what legal grievance Cap might have (something tells me suing Arnim Zola for custody of Ian isn't in the cards) but it'll apparently involve the Man Without Fear as well. Charles Soule's sleeper hit has been one of my favorite monthly books since it began and the humor balances so well with the strange, surreal visuals of Javier Pulido that, regardless of what the plot brings, it'll be entertaining.
BLACK WIDOW #10
Black Widow and Hawkeye's books have been sharing some interesting parallels, but been very different overall. This was given a sly wink and nod to when Clint appeared for two panels being hit by a car in one of BLACK WIDOW'S few moments of levity. Nathan Edmondson continues the extremely compact storylines and, apparently, is bringing Hawkeye along for the ride this time. Whether he'll show up as support or as an antagonist (as is the wont of a Marvel team-up) has yet to be seen, but with Phil Noto continuing to provide visuals (have I mentioned that he's ALSO the series cover artist??), there's no reason to think the book will falter now.
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