TOP 10 PUBLISHERS
NO. 1: MARVEL COMICS
IMPERIAL
As I said with Nova: Centurion last week, I'm on the fence on the titles emerging from Jonathan Hickman's "Imperial." In fact, I somehow missed Black Panther: Intergalactic #1 and Planet She-Hulk #2, and had to go back for them. Haven't read 'em yet, though.
BLACK PANTHER: INTERGALACTIC #2, $3.99
PLANET SHE-HULK #3, $3.99
ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM
CAPTAIN AMERICA #6, $4.99
Writer: Chip Zdarsky
Penciller: Frank AlpizarDelio Diaz Cespedes
Cover Artist: Frank AlpizarDelio Diaz Cespedes
The aftermath of ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM — and a violent incursion by Thunderbolt Ross — have brought Latveria to the brink of civil war! Captain America deploys to protect civilians and investigate rumors of a weapons stockpile, but when Nick Fury's unpredictable new version of S.H.I.E.L.D. joins the mission, it becomes clear that everyone wants a piece of Latveria-no matter the cost. With warring factions tearing the country apart and a squad of unconventional S.H.I.E.L.D. agents pursuing unknown agendas, can Captain America hope to bring peace to Latveria? And is that even what his own handlers want?
Captain America has joined the post-Doom titles, but it might have always been there. Chip Zdarsky told a story in the first five issues about Cap right out of the ice (moved up considerably from 1964), which I did not read. But it turns out his first adventure involved Latveria, and the black ops America was conducting there was instrumental in Cap's understanding of the modern world and his place in it. The new storyline, launching in this issue, also involves Latveria. So it's a sequel of sorts to both the first five issues and "One World Under Doom."
Sadly, I thought I missed this issue and ordered one from an online retailer. I say, "sadly," because with shipping it cost two-three times what it would cost for me to buy it at the LCS this week. Grrr. I do tend to get ahead of myself, what with posting all the PR and writing these things as far in advance as I can.
FANTASTIC FOUR #7, $3.99: Not part of post-Doom. Yet.
ULTIMATE
ULTIMATE BLACK PANTHER #24, $4.99
Writer: Bryan Edward Hill
Penciller: Stefano Caselli
THE EPIC FINALE! T'Challa vs. the Progenitors in a final showdown for control of not only vibranium and Wakanda, but the whole world. And what role will the mysterious "Child of Light" play in all this? Don't miss the thrilling finale that brings this epic series to a close!
Final issue. All of the "Ultimate" books are going to end with issue #24, except late-comer Ultimate Wolverine, which ends with #16. I think Black Panther is the first to hit the magic number. Ultimate Spider-Man should have been the first, but it's been delayed.
X-MEN
The return from "Age if Revelation" continues, with a couple of first issues.
INGLORIOUS X-FORCE #1, $4.99
Writer: Jordan BlumTim Seeley
Penciller: Michael Sta. Maria
Cover Artist: R.B. Silva
INGLORIOUS VENGEANCE! CABLE returns from the future with a handful of clues…and gaping holes in his memory. An assassination is at hand, and it's up to HELLVERINE, ARCHANGEL and his former teammate BOOM-BOOM to follow Cable's lead into the fire. But who are they after, and what secret does Cable's faulty memory hide? Be here for the ground floor of the mystery and strap in for the most extreme thrill ride in X-dom, as an all-new X-FORCE blazes into battle!
Not sure where this is going, but I won't be along for the ride anyway. I always thought Angel needed an upgrade, but when they did it (in the original X-Factor), "Archangel" wasn't to my taste. And Hellverine is one of those things that, in Jeff of Earth-J's immortal words, makes one embarrassed to be a comics fan.
I do kinda like Boom-Boom, though. They don't even try to make her likable so, perversely, I like her.
PSYLOCKE NINJA #1 (OF 5), $4.99
Writer:Tim Seeley
Penciller: Nico Leon
Cover Artist: Artgerm Lau
BETSY BRADDOCK: MUTANT, X-MAN...NINJA! Flashback to a time when Psylocke was reborn into the ultimate killing machine. What sacrifice did Betsy make to save the X-Men? Why did the Hand choose Psylocke to be their weapon? And what does it have to do with their former assassin...Elektra?! Discover the answers to these questions and more in a lost story from the X-Men's past!
I assume this is the Asian one, not the English one. TBH, I don't care about either. Kwannon seems more a collection of gimmicks than a character. I care even less for the other one, who swiped her schtick (Captain Britain) from somebody else.
ROGUE #1 (OF 5), $4.99
Writer: Erica Schultz
Penciller: Luigi Zagaria
Cover Artist: David Nakayama
YOU CAN'T OUTRUN THE PAST! Rogue has an idyllic life with her sweet Remy LeBeau, but there are still skeletons in her closet...ones that come out when she least expects it. Rogue has worked so hard to leave her villainous past behind. Unfortunately, the past doesn't stay in the past. What happens when it slams you right in the face? What past sin would make Rogue leave Haven House? Do Mystique and Destiny hold the answer?
I have little to say about this, as I have never been very interested in Rogue. Or Gambit. Or, as you'd expect, Rogue & Gambit, or as I like to call it, "Bad Accent Theatre." At least she's got all her clothes on this time. (As opposed to her Savage Land turn.)
Now, you may be asking yourself, "Self, does Cap like any X-Men?" Which, honestly, isn't something you should spend a lot of time thinking about. But since the issue has been raised, by me, the answer is, "Yes. Cap likes many X-Men." Just not a lot of those introduced after about 1980.
Am I an old curmudgeon? Yes. Yes I am.
X-MEN #24, $4.99: Issue #23 (Jan. 7) already brought this book back from Age of Revelation. It features the villain group 3K, which I first assumed was a reference to Factor Three, but turns out to mean the year 3,000. The only members I recognize are Joseph and Cassandra Nova. And the one in the Professor X get-up is someone we already know. Do you want to know? If you don't, skip over the spoiler space below.
SPOILER
SPOILER
SPOILER
It's the Krakoa Beast, the Hank McCoy who went all "ends justifies the means" on us. Not Dark Beast, who is also bad. And not the current Beast, who is time-displaced, young and innocent. But it's Krakoa Beast, thought dead, who made the trip to the dystopian "Age of Revelation" future, and came back wanting to make it come true.
END SPOILER
END SPOILER
END SPOILER
X-MEN OF APOCALYPSE #2 (OF 4), $4.99: The Age of Apocalypse X-Men fight the Silver Age X-Men, because Marvel has to shake every story out of every concept, and then shake a few more times.
MORE MARVEL COMICS
ALIEN VS. CAPTAIN AMERICA #3 (OF 4), $4.99
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #20, $4.99
CIVIL WAR #6 (FACSIMILE EDITION), $4.99
DAREDEVIL/PUNISHER: THE DEVIL'S TRIGGER #3 (OF 5), $3.99
HULK MODERN ERA EPIC COLLECTION VOLUME 7: CODE RED TP, $49.99
HULK SMASH EVERYTHING #2 (OF 5), $3.99
INCREDIBLE HULK VOLUME 6: MONSTER ROAD TP, $17.99
NEW AVENGERS #8, $3.99
SPIDER-MAN '94 #5 (OF 5), $3.99
SPIDER-MAN AND WOLVERINE #9, $3.99
SPIDER-MAN AND WOLVERINE VOLUME 1: THE JANUS DIRECTORY TP, $17.99
STAR WARS #9, $3.99
THING: THE KING OF YANCY STREET TP, $17.99
THOR #6, $4.99
ULTIMATE X-MEN OMNIBUS VOLUME 3 HC, $125.00
VISION AND THE SCARLET WITCH: FEAR THE REAPER TP, $17.99
WICCAN: WITCHES' ROAD #2 (OF 6), $3.99
X-MEN EPIC COLLECTION VOLUME 20: BISHOP'S CROSSING TP, $54.99
NO. 2: DC COMICS
DC FINEST: THE DOOM PATROL — THE DEATH OF THE DOOM PATROL TP, $39.99
If you got the first DC Finest: Doom Patrol, this book finishes off the Silver Age title with Doom Patrol #103-121. Then it tippy-toes into the Bronze Age with Showcase #94-96, and stories from Superman Family #191-193. (The Paul Kupperberg version is introduced in Showcase, and guest stars in a three-part Supergirl story in Superman Family.)
I have the original comics, and I have the omnibus. But I'll still get this, because my nostalgia for Silver Age Doom Patrol is off the charts, and it'll be nice to have it in an easy-to-read format.
NEW HISTORY OF THE DC UNIVERSE HC, $29.99
Since we've already got a thread on this (which I can't find at the moment), I've nothing further to add. Especially since I still haven't read most of it.
WONDER WOMAN #29, $4.99: It's been something of a Wonder Woman renaissance for me lately, with both Wonder Woman and Absolute Wonder Woman in my current top 10. Absolute is truly a wonder, re-imagining Diana as, literally, a princess from Hell. She's also an accomplished magic-user, something "our" Diana hasn't mastered. All of which is very cool, but since they were starting from scratch (more or less), it just underscores how well Tom King is knocking it out of the park on the regular book, which is tied (more or less) to a status quo. He's not writing this issue (or the next), but he'll be back with Wonder Woman #31 to launch the "Wonder War," which he's been building up to for some time.
ABSOLUTE
ABSOLUTE FLASH #11, $4.99
DC K.O.
GREEN LANTERN: GALACTIC SLAM #1 (ONE-SHOT), $5.99
TITANS #31, $3.99
MORE DC COMICS
ABSOLUTE PROMETHEA VOLUME 2 HC (2026 EDITION), $100.00
BATMAN #676 (FACSIMILE EDITION), $3.99
BATMAN: GOTHAM BY GASLIGHT TP (DC COMPACT COMICS EDITION), $9.99
BATMAN SUPERMAN: WORLD'S FINEST #47, $3.99
CATWOMAN #83, $3.99
GREEN LANTERN BY ROBERT VENDITTI OMNIBUS VOLUME 2 HC, $100.00
INVISIBLES COMPENDIUM TP, $59.99
NIGHTWING #134, $4.99
NIGHTWING (2024) VOLUME 2 DEATH TRAPS HC, $29.99
RESURRECTION MAN: QUANTUM KARMA TP, $17.99
SUPERMAN #75 (FACSIMILE EDITION), $3.99
SUPERMAN UNLIMITED #9, $4.99
YOUNG JUSTICE OMNIBUS VOLUME 2 HC, $125.00
NO. 3: IMAGE COMICS
ASSORTED CRISIS EVENTS #8, $4.99: I know there are some fans of this series on the board, so here's a preview.
MORE IMAGE
So, Image is constantly launching interesting-looking sci-fi books, and I always think, "I'll have to try that." But then I don't right away, and the next thing I know, there's a dozen Image books I've been meaning to try. There's maybe half a dozen in the list below. I'll probably never sample them all, so if anybody has recommendations, give me a starting point!
ALTAMONT HC, $24.99
DARKNESS (2025) #2, $3.99
DEATH TO PACHUCO #4 (OF 5), $3.99
EVERYTHING DEAD AND DYING #5 (OF 5), $4.99
EXQUISITE CORPSES #9, $4.99
GHOST PEPPER #7, $3.99
GOOD AS DEAD #5 (OF 6), $7.99
I HATE FAIRYLAND #47, $3.99
KAYA VOLUME 5 TP, $14.99
NIGHTS #17, $3.99
OIL AND WATER: THE PAINTINGS OF BRIAN J. HABERLIN HC, $50.00
POWER FANTASY #15, $3.99
RAT CITY #21, $3.99
REDCOAT #16, $3.99
ROGUE SUN #32, $3.99
UNCHOSEN VOLUME 1: THE TOWER TP, $16.99
WALKING DEAD DELUXE #129, $3.99
WITCHBLADE #18, $3.99
NO. 4: IDW PUBLISHING
STAR TREK: SHAXS' BEST (& WORST) DAY TP, $8.99
Writer: Ryan North
Artist: Derek Charm
See the battle to stop the fascist, god-killing clone Kahless II from declaring war on nonfollowers across the galaxy through the eyes of the man, the myth, the legend, Lieutenant Junior Grade Shaxs! See the Bajoran’s beast-mode brawl showcasing all the behind-the-scenes Klingon-zealot butt-kicking in full animated glory!
Then, Shaxs had his best day, but now that the universe has been rewritten by the mad android Lore, he’s about to have his worst. Starfleet has been distorted into a machine of oppression antithetical to everything it once stood for, and Shaxs has been made into the one thing he despises most in the universe: a fascist. Once he's free of Lore’s hold over his mind, it will be up to Shaxs to revert everyone in Starfleet back to their old selves and save the cosmos.
I think I read one of these already, and enjoyed it. I never imagined I'd enjoy something like Lower Decks, but here we are.
MORE IDW
BEST OF TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES COLLECTION VOLUME 6 TP, $29.99
MICHAEL RECYCLE GN, $11.99
STAR TREK: THE LAST STARSHIP #4, $4.99
STARSHIP GODZILLA #4 (KAI-SEI ERA), $4.99
TALES OF THE TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #3, $4.99
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES BATTLE NEXUS #3, $4.99
NO. 5: DARK HORSE
AMERICAN CAPER #3 (OF 12), $4.99
I AM THEIR SILENCE HC, $24.99
MISS TRUESDALE AND THE RISE OF MAN #2 (OF 4), $4.99
POWERS 25 #5 (OF 12), $4.99
TOUCHED BY A DEMON #1 (OF 4), $4.99
VAMPIRE HUNTER D OMNIBUS VOLUME 10 TP (VOLUMES 28-30), $24.99
NO. 6: BOOM! STUDIOS
BRIAR: NIGHT'S TERROR #2, $4.99
DUNE: HOUSE HARKONNEN VOLUME 2 TP, $19.99
MIGHTY MORPHIN POWER RANGERS/TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES III #4, $4.99
MOUSE GUARD: DAWN OF THE BLACK AXE HC, $24.99
VR TROOPERS #6, $4.99
VR TROOPERS/POWER RANGERS FLIPBOOK FACSIMILE EDITION #5, $4.99
NO. 7: DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT
ELVIRA IN HORRORLAND HC, $24.99
ELVIRA IN HORRORLAND TP, $19.99
KING KONG THE GREAT WAR TP, $19.99
STITCH #5, $4.99
SUPERNATURAL #4, $4.99
NO.8: VIZ MEDIA
MAGILUMIERE MAGICAL GIRLS INC., VOL. 11
RED RIVER (3-IN-1 EDITION), VOL. 6
THE WAY OF THE HOUSEHUSBAND, VOL. 15
NO. 9: ONI PRESS
ADVENTURE TIME (2025) #9, $4.99
BIKER MICE FROM MARS (2025) #8, $4.99
PLAGUE HOUSE TP, $19.99
RICK AND MORTY 10TH ANNIVERSARY OMNIBUS VOLUME 2 HC, $75.00
NO. 10: TITAN COMICS
ATOM: THE BEGINNING VOL. 13
Format: Manga
(W) Osamu Tezuka and Masami Yuuki
(A) Tetsuro Kasahara
Publisher: Titan Manga
SC, 176 pages, B&W, $12.99
Discover the thrilling prequel to Tezuka’s Astro Boy, where the future of robotics is forged in the fires of innovation and intense mecha battles. Experience a gripping journey into the origins of this series, based on the iconic anime streaming on Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, and Crunchyroll.
The countdown to a new era begins in ATOM: The Beginning Volume 13 as the team at Laboratory No. 7 prepares to complete A108, a revolutionary robot powered by the Omega system, the most advanced version of the Bewusstein system. With the dawn of the “robot era” rapidly approaching, the emergence of robots that are more sophisticated than ever before threatens to change the world forever.
As the final stages of A108’s creation unfold, the stakes rise to unprecedented levels. The boundary between man and machine blurs as these robots gain capabilities once thought impossible. But with this new power comes new dangers – ethical dilemmas, rival factions, and the question of whether humanity is prepared to handle the consequences of their own creations. With Laboratory No. 1 under the influence of Haido, and the looming threat of more powerful robots in the world, it becomes clear that the balance between human control and robotic autonomy is shifting.
Volume 13 is a pivotal chapter in this thrilling prequel, blending high-tech mecha action with complex philosophical themes about consciousness and autonomy. The advancements in robotics reach a critical juncture as the Omega system takes center stage, creating a tension-filled environment where each breakthrough brings both excitement and uncertainty.
Fans of the Astro Boy legacy and mecha-themed sci-fi, this volume dives deeper into the intricate world that Tezuka first envisioned. With stunning action sequences, rich storytelling, and thought-provoking questions, this series a must-read for fans of futuristic action and philosophical exploration.
DARK SOULS: MOTHER OF MOURNING #2 (OF 4)
Format: Comic book
(W) George Mann
(A) Maan House
COVER A: RAYMOND GAY
COVER B: ANDREY GARIN
COVER C: SEBASTIAN CABROL
COVER D: RAYMOND GAY FOIL TRADE ($14.99)
COVER E: RAYMOND GAY VIRGIN
FC, 32pp, $4.99
BUILDING ON THE ACCLAIMED HIT VIDEO GAME DARK SOULS!
WRITTEN BY BESTSELLING NOVELIST GEORGE MANN!
Hope is a fleeting feeling for the Knights of Mourning. But the knightly order are willing to bet everything on their last chance of salvation.
In search of a hero to rekindle the flame, these knights turn to the Mother of Lilies, a soulless mummified saint with legends about her ability to restore balance to the world.
The knights believe that her lost soul will resurrect her and bring them their sought-after champion to guide them to solace. But madness looms in every knight’s mind and this long-awaited goal might not be what it once seemed…
DOCTOR WHO: THE PRISON PARADOX #3 (of 4)
Format: Comic book
(W) Dan Watters
(A) Sami Kivelä
COVER A: V.V. GLASS
COVER B: PHOTO
COVER C: SAMI KIVELÄ HOMAGE COVER
FC, 32pp, $4.99
Something more terrifying than mere criminals lurks within the space prison of Panotoplis.
Can the Doctor and Felik be saved from possession by an evil alien entity and how can a lone Adipose defeat an invisible enemy?
SCAVENGERS: ANOTHER SKY VOL. 1
Author: Ryo Furube
Publisher: Titan Manga
SC, 214 pages, B&W, $12.99
In this thrilling manga, treasure hunters venture into a deadly parallel world for riches—but a vengeful entity will stop at nothing to claim their lives.
In a hidden research facility known as the “Bus Stop,” a fearless crew of treasure hunters—Scavengers—embarks on dangerous missions into the Black Parade, a mysterious parallel world filled with untold riches. Their mission: to gather valuable loot and earn a million dollars for their freedom. But there’s a deadly twist. The Black Parade is home to a vengeful entity determined to protect its treasures at any cost.
With weapons drawn, the Scavengers face high-octane action, paranormal threats, and mind-bending mysteries in this thrilling sci-fi adventure. As they explore an eerie world full of bizarre creatures and unexplainable forces, they must rely on their wits, weapons, and teamwork to survive. But the deeper they go, the more they realize that the true cost of their mission might be more than they ever expected.
Created by Ryo Furube, Scavengers: Another Sky delivers the ultimate high-stakes adventure, packed with intense action, intriguing characters, and a plot full of twists as treasure and terror collide. Will the Scavengers earn their freedom—or will the Black Parade claim them first?
OTHER PUBLISHERS
ARCHIE COMIC PUBLICATIONS
ARCHIE’S VALENTINE‘S SPECTACULAR (ONE-SHOT), $4.99
The OFFICIAL COMIC BOOK OF VALENTINE’S DAY returns with a BRAND NEW STORY! A-POP is a vibrant world fueled by music and love—and when Sabrina, Betty, Veronica, and Josie form a band (managed by Archie!) to spread joy and compassion, they catch the eye of a dark spirit that’s threatened by their positivity. Can they rise above his dark influence? Find out in this fun KPOP DEMON HUNTERS-style story, along with even more romance-filled tales than ever!
Script: Holly G!
Pencils: Steven Butler
Inks: Lily Butler
Letters: Jack Morelli
Colors: Glenn Whitmore
Main Cover: Dan Parent
Retro Variant Cover: Dan DeCarlo, Alison Flood
32-page, full color comic
$4.99 U.S.
CLASSIC REPRINT
DRAWN AND QUARTERLY
MOOMIN CHAPTER BOOKS VOLUME 3: THE MEMOIRS OF MOOMINPAPA HC, $25.00
WRONG PLACE HC, $30.00
FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS
DISNEY MASTERS COLLECTOR'S BOX SET #12 (VOLUMES 23 & 24), $69.99
LOVE AND ROCKETS VOLUME IV #17, $6.99
PASS HC, $24.99
UNCLE SCROOGE LEGACY #464 THE MCDUCK JOURNALS AND THE KLONDIKE YEARS, $5.99
TWOMORROWS PUBLISHING
BACK ISSUE #164, $10.95
CRYPTOLOGY #7, $10.95
Replies
It features the villain group 3K,
They should call themselves "Mutant Special Team 3000", I'm sure that there'd be a good initialism for that.
Chip Zdarsky told a story in the first five issues about Cap right out of the ice (moved up considerably from 1964), which I did not read.
I read it, and I liked it at the time. I took it as a reboot, but I'm having second thoughts about it now. I dropped it after the first storyline.
"Archangel" wasn't to my taste.
My thought at the time was that the Shi'ar should clone a new body for him. Professor Xavier is a clone (or was at the time, if that's still in continuity).
Since we've already got a thread on this (which I can't find at the moment)...
HERE it is.
...it just underscores how well Tom King is knocking it out of the park on the regular book
King wrote the lead story in last week's Wonder Woman Black & Gold 2026 Special. the King story was good, but the rest didn't appeal to me.
...so if anybody has [Image] recommendations, give me a starting point!
Looks as if this is going to be a light week for me (unlike last week).