We live in an age of amazing story telling featuring top talent writers and artists. This leads everyone to a problem: What comics are some of the top books to pick up? Well, we have that answer for you. The staff of Comic Vine picks out their personal essential books, every week, and lets you know what you should keep your eye out for.
Tony's Picks
A-FORCE 1
(Marvel)
In last week’s SECRET WARS #2, we got a glimpse into the new Battleworld and some of the regions. This week we get to explore some of these areas more closely. With A-FORCE, it’s a clear reminder of just how many great female characters exist with Marvel. Too often they are overlooked, mixed in books jam-packed with other characters, or simply forgotten. The idea of a book highlighting these characters in their own “world” is fascinating. With G. Willow Wilson and Marguerite Bennett at the helm, I cannot wait to see what they have planned.
From the previews, we’ve seen what Jorge Molina has coming. His art captures the feel of each character despite this not being a typical Marvel story. We’re seeing different versions of the characters from different time periods and that makes the story even more interesting.
Click here for the solicit. The preview is below.
WYTCHES 6
(Image Comics)
It’s the conclusion to the first arc. Scott Snyder has cranked up the suspense as we see the life of Sailor Rook and her father are on the line. Charlie entered the heart of the Wytches territory and even though he was somewhat prepared, this is a Scott Snyder story we’re talking about. Also with this being the end of the arc, you can only imagine how explosive things are going to get. Who knows how far Snyder is willing to go and how at risk the characters are.
With the art by Jock and colors by Matt Hollingsworth, each issue has been a creep-fest with many horrific moments. This is the stuff that’s ripe for your nightmares. Between the visuals and the situations that come up, you’ll feel a big sinking feeling in the pit of your stomach.
STAR WARS 5
(Marvel)
This issue may just have the moment I’ve been long waiting for. I always found it a little brash of Luke to feel he was practically a Jedi in Empire Strikes Back based on his tiny amount of time training with Ben. We know there’s a period of three years in between that movie and A New Hope so the question is, what sort of further training or guidance was Luke able to get? Having him go back to Ben’s old place is something I’ve always imagined. There’s a lot of possibilities with what could be hidden and waiting for Luke. Of course there’ll be trouble waiting too.
Speaking of trouble, Han and Leia are supposed to be going on some secret mission as well. Yeah, that’s going to be choke full of trouble and good times for us.
Jason Aaron has been doing a great job capturing the essence of the Star Wars universe. You can’t help but get excited with each issue.
Click here for the solicit. The preview is below.
ARCHIE VS PREDATOR #2
(Dark Horse Comics)
The first issue was a little unexpected.
With a mix of the traditional ARCHIE comics and the more serious nature of AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE, ARCHIE VS PREDATOR gives us a little of both worlds. It has the look of the original comics but the subject matter is obviously more mature. This is a comic where these classic characters are going to come face to face with a Predator. It’s going to be nuts.
The first issue did show us that there will be deaths and there will be plenty of blood. Having glanced at the first few pages of this second issue, all I will say is…oh my goodness.
MAD MAX FURY ROAD NUX & IMMORTAL JOE #1
(DC)
Have you seen Mad Max: Fury Road this past weekend? If so, you’re probably hungry, heck, you’re probably starving for more. Vertigo released the INSPIRED ARTISTS book last week but this week we’re getting some prequel comics focusing on some of the different characters.
First up is Nux and Immortan Joe. Yeah, we did see plenty of them in the movie but, as I said, I just want more. I want as much more as possible. Movie-related comics are sometimes iffy but this is one you’ll want to look for, unless you haven’t seen the movie or just didn’t care for it, for whatever reason.
Honorable Mention: DEADPOOL SECRET SECRET WARS #1, DONALD DUCK #1
Mat's Picks
ULTIMATE END #1
(Marvel)
If you've been a regular to this site for more than 5 seconds, then you know I'm a Ultimate Universe guy and I was insanely hearthbroken with the announcement of this book. Ultimate END? You're killing me, Marvel!
Anyway, the 1610 survived Ultimatum, survived Cataclysm, so maybe there's a chance it will survive its end? Anyway, that's not what I'm recommending this. You need to read Ultimate End because chances are it's going to be incredibly awesome. The two creators who brought the Ultimate universe to Marvel are returning. Brian Michael Bendis and Mark Bagley are doing this book and I can't be more excited.
This may be the last time I get to see a lot of my favorite Ultimate characters, but that's fine. Now.... where's Machine Man?
Click here for the solicit. The preview is below.
CONVERGENCE GREEN LANTERN CORPS #2
(DC)
Once again, CONVERGENCE, as whole, has been a mixed back and it's hard to find something that really stands out because everything melds together under this specific formula.
However, there were two books that really stood out because they told compelling and brilliant stories about the characters from a specific time period. The first book was THE QUESTION, which stands far and above everything else. The second book was GREEN LANTERN CORPS.
While the second issue isn't out, the first issue really gave readers a look into the mind of Guy Gardner during a very specific time period. David Gallaher did an awesome job at giving readers just a wonderful story about quite the under-rated member of the Green Lantern Corps. Check this issue out for sure.
GHOSTED #20
(Image Comics)
What the hell happened in issue #19? Is Jackson Winters dead? Well, yes.... that's what the letter section says. The cover of issue #20 pretty much confirms it. So writer Joshua Williamson kills of Trick and now Jackson? He's trying to break our hearts, right?
Anyway, I've been a huge supporter of this book and loved the twists and turns the series took. Williamson was always 3 steps ahead of the reader, which made this book great to reread over and over again, so I can't wait to see what's in store here.
Laci's art has been different, but it fits the tone of this arc and Mrva has been doing some fantastic colors as well, so I can't wait to see how this story will end.
The preview is below.
BLOODSHOT REBORN #2
(Valiant)
I said this last time and I'll say it again. As a character, I have never been a fan of Bloodshot. Frankly, I found the character a little silly. However, the first issue of BLOODSHOT REBORN was one of the best books I've recently read. It was nutty-awesome.
Jeff Lemire, Mico Suayan, and David Baron have done something special: They've gained a reader to a book about a character they don't like, and that's saying a ton. We get a lot of insight to the man who was once Bloodshot and more importantly, this book was extremely new-reader friendly.
What about all that "Bloodsquirt" jazz? It's pretty weird, but I enjoy weird and this is another hit from Valiant. Plus, look at the quote on the cover. I bet the person who wrote that is a really cool to grab a beer and a burger with...
The preview is below.
Honorable Mention: SECRET WARS BATTLEWORLD #1
Corey's Picks
PLANET HULK #1
(Marvel)
Now that Secret Wars has kicked off fully, it's finally time to take a look at some of the locations, and people, of Battleworld. And why not start with the forbidden land where Hulks run wild.
PLANET HULK was one of my favorite surprise hits of the last several years and seeing Greg Pak return to the themes of that series, alongside Sam Humphries sounds like an amazing match.
I wasn't familiar with Marc Laming's work before seeing his name on this issue, but a quick search makes him look like a great artist to take on this series, alongside the ever-dynamic Takeshi Miyagawa.
Click here for the solicit.
The preview is below.
SPIDER-VERSE #1
(Marvel)
Fresh off their trip through the Multiverse, six Spider-Folk find themselves flung back together on a world desperately trying to make their own ways. The destruction of the Multiverse, particularly in the wake of having so many new and exciting characters newly introduced, felt especially sudden and tragic, so it's good to see that not all those characters are tossed aside.
Mike Costa's not done much in the ways of writing for Marvel, but his resume is impressive enough to have a good handle on a major side-story and Andre Araujo's artistic style should lend a sense of weird whimsy to the issue.
Click here for the solicit. The preview is below.
GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #27
(Marvel)
While The Black Vortex may have left me wanting, it's difficult to say no to a GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY finale written by Brian Bendis and drawn by Valerio Schiti. The team is on the rocks and with SECRET WARS looming for them, it seems like as good a place as any for a little bit of closure.
Even when an event is a letdown, the follow-ups and results of said event can bring satisfaction, and that's what I'm hoping for here as the dynamic of the team has been thrown into complete disarray, with people realizing their consciences AND priorities may be completely out of whack with one another.
Click here for the solicit. The preview is below.
Honorable Mention to CONVERGENCE: BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS #2
That's it for this week's edition of Essential Comics. Let us know what your books you're super-duper excited for this week in the comment section below!
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