Another edition of new comic book day is almost here and we want to make sure you're ready for it! The Comic Vine staff has reviewed the latest list of upcoming releasesand each of us are going to tell you what we're really, really anxious to read. We'll tell you why you should consider checking the issues out and provide a preview for each of 'em as well. Once you're all set seeing what we recommend, go ahead and tell the world what your list of essential comics is in the comments below. You just may motivate someone else to try a new comic!
Tony "G-Man" Guerrero's picks
SUPERIOR IRON MAN #3
This series continues to be a delight. We’re getting Tony Stark as, pretty much, a grade A jerk. He’s done some questionable things now but because if the Inversion Spell in AVENGERS & X-MEN: AXIS, his darker side has come out. You can’t necessarily call him a villain. Or can you?
That’s the fun in the series. He’s now doing what he wants and thinks is best for himself. This put him up against Daredevil. Last issue it really looked like Daredevil managed to get the upper hand over Tony but Stark managed to turn things around in a fascinating way. It seems like Tom Taylor and Yildiray Cinar are having fun on this book and it’s showing.
SECRET AVENGERS #11
All the pieces are falling into place. This series has a lot going on. The aspect of a smaller and secret group of Avengers working with S.H.I.E.L.D. is always an interesting topic. By continuing the story from the previous volume with M.O.D.O.K. defecting to S.H.I.E.L.D. has had obvious ramifications. This series makes it feel like everything that’s happened so far since issue #1 does matter. We’re still seeing seeds sprout that were planted back then. Despite this being a team book, we’ve been getting to see several different scenarios involving the different characters and this is where it all starts coming together.
Ales Kot brings different tones to this series. We get a nice mix of action and story with the occasional bits of humor thrown in. Michael Walsh always gives us a wide variety in layouts and panel structure that put you in awe. Remember that great (and gorgeous looking) scene in the rain with Hawkeye and Coulson at a standoff? It continues here and it appears we’ll be getting more updates on the other characters too.
ALL-NEW X-MEN ANNUAL #1
Did you read UNCANNY X-MEN ANNUAL #1? Brian Michael Bendis and Andrea Sorrentino continue the amazing and hidden time-traveling adventure featuring Eva Bell, one of Cyclops’ new X-Men. She was a character that didn’t immediately stick out for me among the other new characters. We didn’t get too many opportunities to see who she was or what she was about but the first part of this story really opened our eyes.
There’s still a lot of questions going on about the character and the years (for her) she’s been away. Hopefully the fact that no one really noticed she aged (or at least didn’t say anything right away) and the telepaths didn’t bring anything up will be addressed. Sorrentino’s art is making this story quite the visual journey.
DEATHSTROKE #3
Tony Daniel is delivering a thrilling new adventure with Deathstroke. This is the kind of series we’ve been waiting for. With the discovery that he’s missing some memories over a recent mission and the transformation he just went through, we’ve been getting almost non-stop action as Slade tries to get to the bottom of things.
Tony Daniel is handling the writing and art duties with great results. Each issue gives you the impression he continues to push himself further to give us the best art we could want. There’s been some pretty crazy and over the top action scenes. That’s exactly what we want with Deathstroke. But the issues have shown this isn’t just gratuitous and mindless action. There’s a fascinating story that keeps you coming back as you await for more pieces of the puzzle to be revealed.
Check out Man Cave Daily for one more preview page.
Honorable Mention: BATMAN ANNUAL #3
Mat "Inferiorego" Elfring's picks
GOTHAM BY MIDNIGHT #2
That first issue was awesome. It's one of the cooler things to come out of the New 52, and one of the best first issues writer Ray Fawkes has done during his time over at DC Comics. What really got e on board with this series was the fact Ben Templesmith was doing the art. This book will be showing us the more dark and mystic side of Gotham, with Jim Corrigan leading the way. Everyone else on the team is new, so it's actually a really great book for new readers to jump on because we're all essentially in the dark on this one. This has the potential to be one of the best books at DC because it's such a far step away from everything else and that first issue was just so dynamite. Check out GOTHAM BY MIDNIGHT for sure.
Go to IGN for another preview page.
RASPUTIN #3
We all know how I feel about historical fiction. I've been praising MANIFEST DESTINY for about a year now. Currently, I have a new favorite piece of historical fiction called RASPUTIN. The character's mythos is so cool and both the first and second issue made it into each month's Top of the Pile. Writer Alexander Grecian and artist Riley Rossmo have something really special here as each month, we learn a little bit more about the mad monk and those who are closest to him, who are actually trying to kill him. RASPUTIN is a lot of fun and a beautiful book. You need to check it out.
CBR has one more preview page.
Honorable Mention: DEATH OF WOLVERINE: THE LOGAN LEGACY #7
Gregg "k4tz" Katzman's picks
ROBIN RISES: ALPHA #1
This is the moment so many of us have been waiting for. If you're still behind (tsk-tsk) and don't want a spoiler that was officially released months ago, skip to the next highlight!
Okay, I'll assume they're gone and say I'm beyond excited to see how Peter J. Tomasi plans to conclude Robin Rises. In the last issue, Damian was brought back to life and, thanks to some spoilertastic marketing, we also know he's now sporting some nifty super-powers! As if he wasn't arrogant enough already, the little dude is now going to be physically superior to his father, Batman, and he's returned from the dead! Stronger than before and he's defied death? This is sure to have a huge impact on his ego and I can't wait to see how it's all handled. Prepare yourselves for some amazingly rude and hilarious banter and more jaw-dropping action! You know, after we get all of the heartfelt father and son moments that Tomasi does so very well.
According to Channel 52, it looks like we'll get to see the lovable Robin test out his new might against Kalibak. Man, Darkseid's son isn't having a good year, is he? Damian is back and it makes me want to throw some confetti. Seriously, Robin Rises has been a total blast and I'm confident its conclusion will be more than worthy of your attention.
Go to USA Today if you want to read another page.
TMNT/GHOSTBUSTERS #3
This is a team-up I've been waiting over 2 decades to see. Obviously, that raised my expectations pretty high and thankfully, IDW's limited series has been every bit as fun and exciting as I hoped it would be. The story may not be all that thought-provoking (just yet, that is!), but man, it's clear Tom Waltz and Erik Burnham are having such a good time working with the character dynamics and capitalizing on all of the amusement this kind of team-up could generate. Throw in Dan Schoening's amazingly animated art (along with Luis Antonio Delgado's consistently enjoyable coloring) and this is a limited series that demands to be read by any TMNT and Ghostbuster fan. Come on, this issue has Donatello rocking a Proton Pack. What more do you need to know?
DEADPOOL #39
Yes, it's a bummer big events keep flooding into Wade Wilson's world -- something the writers have cleverly addressed in this arc -- but the creative team is rolling with the changes and it doesn't stop them from producing amazingly entertaining issues. At this point, co-writers Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn have more than proven they're the perfect writers to handle Wade's crazy world. Either that statement upsets you -- if so, stop buying the comic? -- or you agree they've been doing some tremendous work and can't wait to read yet another issue by them. Even when the bigger storylines from the 616 universe come crashing into Deadpool's story, the two writers find a way to add something significant to it instead of making it forgettable and filler chapters. I'm so glad we're seeing more of the FauX-Men and this is bringing about new drama in his marriage -- something I really hope that'll begin to receive even more attention.
With this issue, it's looking like it may be a little bit of a jarring experience if you're not following AXIS, but the intro page has you covered, so that really shouldn't be much of a problem. The co-writers continue to do an awesome job balancing heart, humor and action and Mike Hawthorne's style continues to be an equally awesome fit for this book. All in all, DEADPOOL puts a smile on my face and makes me care more and more about the Merc with a Mouth and his evergrowing group of friends. Give this a shot if you think Wade's nothing more than a reference-spewing clown.
SUPERMAN #37
How could you possibly miss another chapter of Geoff Johns and John Romita Jr's first story on SUPERMAN? Okay, I'm sure some of you out there have your reasons, but for everyone else, this is looking like it'll be gripping. The arc has done a solid job offering an insight into the Man of Steel and left us wondering about what Ulysses' true intentions are. Will it impact the way Superman views humanity or possibly even the way humanity views itself? So many people are rushing for the opportunity to leave this planet and go to a "better" place. How will the world respond upon seeing it's most likely a trick? And will we see Superman give Ulysses' some well-earned punches to the face? I certainly hope so! Even if it's devoid of action and spectacle (which seems pretty unlikely), Johns' handling of Superman and the narrative is absolutely worth the $3.99 cover price.
Uproxx has an additional preview page.
Honorable Mention: DAWN OF THE PLANET OF THE APES #2
Corey "Undeadpool" Schroeder's picks
UNCANNY X-MEN #29
At LONG last the reading of Charles Xavier's will can come to pass with what I am SURE are no further delays, interruptions or massive revelations that require immediate action. Sure. Just like how superhero weddings always go off without a hitch. Brian Bendis has managed to prolong this storyline without hyperextending it or making it feel like it's dragging on and on, but I'm very interested in seeing how he finally ties it all together. Chris Bachalo's art has always been a pleasure to look at and amazing at telling a story, so it feels right that he be on this particular issue of a series he's helped define the current look and feel of so much.
DAREDEVIL #11
There's apparently some manner of NEW Daredevil in town, this one more of the Evel Knievel variety. Matt Murdock's had plenty to deal with over the last several issues, and it now seems that he'll have plenty more, both in terms of new players in town AND dealing with his newly opened old wounds after a particularly emotional run-in with the Children of Purple Man. Mark Waid and Chris Samnee haven't steered this ship wrong once, and I have no reason to believe they'll start here. It's odd for a superhero book, but I'm actually looking forward to the emotional content far more than any of the action or villains.
SHE-HULK#11
Ever since Jennifer Walters' relocated, mysteries about both her new digs and new co-workers have abounded and it looks like we're finally going to get to the bottom of at least one, if not more, of them. Charles Soule and Javier Pulido have crafted a singularly unique and interesting book, both in terms of the writing qualities and the visual aesthetic that's allowed for storytelling that is both grounded and incredibly surreal without sacrificing either or giving the reader a sense of cognitive dissonance. These enduring mysteries have been kept up for a long time, and it's good that we're finally getting some answers.
Honorable Mention: CATWOMAN ANNUAL #2
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