Here are some books likely to ship Aug. 13, 2025.
EVENTS
20TH CENTURY FOX/MARVEL
Predator Kills the Marvel Universe #1 (of 5, $5.99): I don't understand the poularity of a series where everyone dies. I don't want to see my favorite characters die! Is there something wrong with me?
“BRING ON THE BAD GUYS"
Bring on the Bad Guys: Red Skull #1 ($4.99): I haven't read any of these yet, but I'm looking forward to it. the good news, from my perspective, is that each of these stories take place in the past, where they can use someone like Red Skull without resurrecting him. (I'm sure they will eventually, but I prefer him dead for as long as possible, and Marvel doesn't need him complicating "One World Under Doom.")
‘ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM”
Fantastic Four #2 ($3.99): I like writer Ryan North's take on this title, and the current story is really good. (The FF are separated in time, and even though Reed Richards anticipated this, his failsafe has some holes.) But I wish Marvel would get an artist whose work I enjoy. Mainly, the artist has to get the Thing right. When he or she doesn't, it spoils the whole book for me. My two favorite Things are late 1960s Jack Kirby and 1980s John Byrne, so the closer you get to one of those two, the better.
“SUMMER OF SUPERMAN”
Action Comics #1089 ($4.99): Mark Waid's Superboy series continues, and I continue to follow. When I was growing up in the '60s, Superman was DC's most popular character, and the Big Red S was everywhere: Action Comics, Adventure Comics, Justice League of America (sometimes), Superboy, Superman, Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane, Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen and World's Finest Comics. Now it's Batman everywhere, and Superman has only one title, and Superboy has Action Comics. It's only thanks to the movies that we have Supergirl and Krypto (a miniseries). Action, Supergirl and Superman are all good titles currently, but where's my Legion of Super-Heroes title? Jimmy Olsen and Lois Lane? Oh, right, they don't sell well enough any more, and haven't for decades.
Sorry. The movie has me feeling a little nostalgic.
Supergirl #4 ($3.99): Somehow I ended up with two copies of Supergirl #2 and no copies of Supergirl #3. Collecting comics is hard!
Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum #1 (of 5, $5.99) is by W. Maxwell Prince, Martín Morazzo and Chris O’Halloran. It's a Black Label book, which means I'll probably get it. It features Superman meeting every variety of kryptonite.
“We’ve developed a reputation for pretty left-of-center experimentation, with respect to comics storytelling,” said W. Maxwell Prince, “and this is basically what we’re doing over the 5 issues of Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum: using our unique voice in comics to tell a Supes yarn that’s both strange and timeless — out there and also totally grounded. You might know what Green, Red and Black Kryptonite does to Superman, but what about Purple? Or Cobalt? Or Speckled?”
“Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum is a story about new types of Kryptonite, and the effect those new types have on Kal-El and his world,” said DC group editor Paul Kaminski. “The series offers an opportunity to unleash the acclaimed Ice Cream Man creative team on the DCU, with episodic tales that play with storytelling styles. These tales are often warped, suspenseful and occasionally horrific, and lean into the rich stylings of the silver age Superman franchise.
“Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum is art-pop storytelling with Superman by a creative team that makes as much of a statement about the book as its contents,” continued Kaminski. “This book stands out as a statement that the Man of Tomorrow is still looking toward the future for the kinds of talent and creativity that will feed the franchise for its next 85 years.”
“Paul’s not wrong,” said W. Maxwell Prince, “But Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum isn't just about the new Kryptonites and the wacky things they do to Supes. Martín, Chris and I want to tell a bonkers story that also explores real, human problems. These Kryptonite shards are, in fact, pieces of Kal-El's home. It's his own home that hurts him. This idea that ‘home hurts’ can also be applied to Batman, Wonder Woman, et al. So, we're exploring that idea inside this framework of our usual experimental storytelling. Home can be traumatic — and yet there’s no place quite like it, as Dorothy reminds us. We’re interrogating all this stuff within the bookends of something decidedly wacky, and full of make-your-jaw-drop Man of Tomorrow moments. It’s what we do best: an admixture of sad, funny and strange. (And, because it’s Superman, HAPPY!)”
Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen: Who Killed Jimmy Olsen? The Deluxe Edition HC ($49.99): I think I read this and don't remember it. That's not a good sign. OTOH, maybe I didn't read it, and that's why I don't remember it. Do I risk $50 to find out? Do I love Jimmy Olsen that much? Well, I might. I might.
“THUNDERCATS/POWERPUFF GIRLS”
ThunderCats/The Powerpuff Girls #2 ($4.99)
“Giant-Size X-Men”
Giant-Size X-Men #2 ($4.99): I've got most of this series of one-shots, which pops Kamala Khan into important moments in X-Men history. I confess I haven't read any yet, because I'm kind of dreading whatever retcon is being perpretrated here. This is the last of the series, so I guess it makes sense now to just wait until I have it all, and then read the whole thing at a sitting. Like pulling off a Band-Aid.
ULTIMATE COMICS
Ultimate Spider-Man: Ultimate Incursion #3 (OF 5, $4.99) is by Deniz Camp, Cody Ziglar and Jonas Schar. Miles confronts the Maker's Council.
Ultimates #15 ($4.99) is by Deniz Camp and Von Randal. "The Ultimates return to the site of their untimely deaths at the hands of the Hulk and encounter a young boy who has been starting his own insurgency!" I have no idea what that means. The Ultimate died? But now they're not? Or what?
INTERESTING STUFF
Black Kiss Omnibus HC ($39.99): I got a few issues of this back in the late '80s, but not many, because distribution was erratic. But, boy howdy, was it ever filthy! I was only about 19 or 20, and was a bit shocked. (This was, of course, before you could see any sort of filth you could imagine on the internet.) I might get this book to finally read the whole story, but OTOH, I might be too embarrassed to have it on my bookshelf.
Blood Type #3 (of 4, $4.99): Of course I'm getting this.
Conan The Barbarian #23 ($3.99): Titan still doing a good job.
DC Finest: Blue Beetle Blue — Beetle Challenges the Red Knight TP ($39.99): This collects Blue Beetle (1964) #1-5 and Blue Beetle (1965) #50-54, which are all the Blue Beetle stories between the mid-1950s and his re-invention as Ted Kord in 1966. IOW, all the "Dan Garrett" stories. I have most or all of these as individual issues, and I think I read them all in the Action Heroes Archives from DC. But I can't resist. Especially since they're including the early Kord stories from Captain Atom #83-86, Blue Beetle (1967) #1-5 and Charlton Bullseye #1. Yes, I have most or all of those, too, in one format or another. But all in one place? For $40? Nope, can't resist.
Fantastic Four by Waid and Wieringo: Unthinkable TP ($24.99): This is the one where Victor does something absolutely irredeemable, which shocked even me. It’s probably one of the top five Doctor Doom stories. I probably have it in a couple of formats, but I might pick it up again in this one, for easy reading.
Lost Marvels Volume 2: Howard Chaykin Volume 1 — Dominic Fortune, Monark Starstalker and Phantom Eagle HC ($49.99): The first Lost Marvels volume seemed to be a hit, so I expect this one will be welcome. Chaykin did a lot of stuff before American Flagg! made him famous, Black Kiss made him notorious, and Blackhawk made him mainstream. Here is some of it.
Space Ghost Volume 2 #1 ($4.99): He's back.
Toxic Avenger Comics #2 ($4.99): Ahoy Comics alert!
Trinity: Daughter of Wonder Woman #3 (of 6, $3.99): I’m getting this, because the backup stories in Wonder Woman featuring Trinity, Damian and Jon were so entertaining. I haven’t read the first two issues yet, but not due to lack of interest. I'm just never in a hurry to start a miniseries. I know from experience that the later I start, the better I enjoy it. And reading the whole thing at once is the best, if I can hold off that long.
Uncle Scrooge: Earth's Mightiest Duck #1 (of 4, $4.99): Jason Aaron pens a tale of Uncle Scrooge battling aliens. Where's Super-Goof when you need him?
“Scrooge McDuck is one of the greatest heroes in the history of comics, bar none,” Aaron said. “It was a thrill to get to write him in the pages of Uncle Scrooge & the Infinity Dime, as we took him on a journey across the multiverse. With this new series, I knew we'd have to go bigger, not just by incorporating more Marvel artists into the mix, but by sending Scrooge on the most epic story of his career, as he fights to save the one thing more precious to him than gold or any exotic treasure: his own memories of a life of adventure.”
MORE STUFF
All-New X-Men by Brian Michael Bendis Omnibus HC ($125.00): I hated the very idea of this book when it was announced, and execution didn’t save it. YMMV.
Carlyle School For Kings TP ($19.99): In this D&D-type world, the scions of nobles battle to be king at the titular school. I read the first couple of issues, was pretty sure I knew where it was going, and drifted off. Now that it's in one package, I may try again.
Conan the Barbarian: The Original Comics Omnibus Volume 6 HC ($125.00)
Conan the Barbarian Volume 5: Twisting Loyalties TP ($17.99)
Mercy Sparx: Daddy Issues #1 (of 3, $5.55): New Mercy Sparx series, for those who read it.
Midst: Tales from the Cosmos HC ($29.99) is a new hardcover volume collecting three comic tales from the world of Midst, the space Western podcast.
“These three standalone stories illuminate new aspects of the Midst cosmos: the historic origins of the titular islet itself, the everyday struggles of average working-class Trust citizens, and a transformative disruption to an isolated deep-Fold community," said Third Person. "We’re so honored and impressed by the amazing talent of everyone who helped bring these stories to life, and we can’t wait to share them in the form of a handsome hardcover collection – with beautiful new cover art by Will Kirkby!”
Powerpuff Girls Supervillain Summer Spectacular #1 ($5.99): Not for me, but perhaps for thee.
Quick Stops Volume 3 #1 (of 4, $4.99): I never got into Jay and Silent Bob, but Dark Horse did send me a nice preview, Dark Horse promises, "Kevin Smith delivers a few hard-earned life lessons with a heavy dose of signature levity. This volume of Quick Stops will stick with you long after the laughs stop."
Super Science Volume 1 Premiere Edition HC (Lab Press, $49.99): "Super Science Vol. 1 is a sci-fi/comedy original graphic novel about a world where the limits of human imagination have become real and a global phenomenon grants ordinary people extraordinary scientific powers."
Transformers #23 ($3.99)
Valiant: Beyond Bloodshot #1 ($3.99): I feel obliged to mention every attempt at a Valiant revival, because it was once an important indie line. I miss those days, when the likes of Valiant could thrive.
Welcome To Ghost Mansion Volume 2 TP ($12.99)
Replies
I don't understand the poularity of a series where everyone dies.
Sometimes it's a mercy killing. I know what you mean, though. There's currently a mini-series titled The Death of the Silver Surfer. Why would I want to read that?
...the 5 issues of Superman: The Kryptonite Spectrum...
I might have bought this had it been a one-shot.
You might know what Green, Red and Black Kryptonite does to Superman, but what about Purple? Or Cobalt? Or Speckled?
This displays the same level of "creativity" as the "League of Rainbow Lanterns" (or whatever it was called).
I think I read this and don't remember it. That's not a good sign. OTOH, maybe I didn't read it, and that's why I don't remember it. Do I risk $50 to find out? Do I love Jimmy Olsen that much? Well, I might. I might.
Well, I read it and I do remember it and I did like it. Having said that, though, I don't need a $50 hardcover. AFAIAC, it was one of the few times I have liked Jimmy Olsen and/or found him relevant. I think a tpb would be worth the risk, but I woldn't spring for the HC.
Black Kiss Omnibus HC: I don't recall seeing this solicited nor do I recall pre-ordering it. I probably would have, if just to shelve with Satellite Sam, Time2, etc. It is pretty filthy, though.
DC Finest: Blue Beetle Blue: None of the Dan Garrett stories are in the Action Heroes Archives, although I do have them in Gwandanaland Comics #1285. I'll be buying this volume, anyway, for a couple of reasons: first, I expect the DCU reproduction to be better, and second, I always buy the "official" version of something I bought as a public doman publication or bootleg, and that includes recordings. If the publisher/artist doesn't want to release a work for whatever reason, I have no qualms about buying it on a secondary market, but don;t blame me for "loss of sales" if/when it's released "legitimately."
Ahoy Comics alert! - I like AHOY! Comics, but I don't understand why the Toxic Avenger needs three titles!
I don't understand the popularity of a series where everyone dies. I don't want to see my favorite characters die!
Beleive it or not, some people do enjoy that sort of thing. There's a whole subgenre of fanfic devoted to that sort of thing. ( I don't recommend seeking it out.) To my mind, though, it's going to take an implausible amount of writer's fiat for the Predator to last five seconds against the FF. Maybe he could hold up against some low-level types like Hellcat, but anyone who's held their own against Victor Von Doom isn't going to sweat the Predator.
Is there something wrong with me?
You mustn't feed us straight lines like that, Skipper.