ADVANCE PICK OF THE WEEK
BATMAN #1 (DC, $4.99) is by Matt Fraction and Jorge Jiménez. I assume this will sell pretty well.
“I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for Batman," Fraction said. "It was the first comic I ever read. Jorge and I have a very superhero-forward kind of take on Batman. We’ve got a new Batmobile, we’ve got a new costume, we’ve got new characters, and we’ve got a lot of old ones too — good and bad; all the stuff that makes Batman the coolest character in comics. We want to celebrate it all.”
“As a DC artist, I have to say this is something I’ve always dreamed of, and getting to do it alongside someone as amazing and talented as Matt is just incredible for me,” said Jiménez. “As for my work on Batman, the artistic side, I’ve poured years of hard work into this series. Over time, I’ve had to adapt to different styles and paces alongside James and Chip, learning and enjoying every step of the way. I’ve explored Gotham City from multiple angles, but more importantly, I’ve gradually built up more and more artistic tools that have led me to the current synthesis of my style.
“For this new chapter, we’re crafting a revamped aesthetic, bringing back Batman’s blue suit in a definitive way,” said Jiménez. “It’s a small shift meant to feel both classic and fresh, subtly evolving while staying true to the original design we’ve used in recent years. At the same time, I’m working on Gotham City’s visual identity, giving it a fresh approach that sets it apart from my previous takes. I’m aiming for a slight pop influence, something that subtly nods to classic stories while keeping the dark and ominous feel of contemporary Batman.
“Part of the reason Batman has lasted as long and has resonated as loudly as he has as character is that he’s incredibly resilient,” said Fraction. “He can be all kinds of things to all different people all at the same time — whether that’s in the comics or in animation or in movies.”
ABSOLUTE COMICS
ABSOLUTE GREEN LANTERN #6 (DC, $4.99) is by Al Ewing and Jahnoy Lindsay. I'm falling a little behind on this, whether it's because there are too many mysteries or because I don't care for the direction, or some combination. I'll continue to #12, as I will with all Absolutes, but if it doesn't become something I like, I'm gone.
ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #11 (DC, $4.99) is by Jason Aaron and Rafa Sanbdoval. I like this one better, but it's taking its sweet time coming to any sort of status quo. Superman just seems to be eternally on the run. Maybe that IS the status quo.
"IMPERIAL"
IMPERIAL WAR EXILES #1 (One-Shot, Marvel, $4.99) is by Steve Foxe (Dark X-Men), Jonathan Hickman andFrancesco Manna (Giant-Size House of M). Following up on "Search for Xavier," where Prof. X and a revived Lilandra went to Shi'Ar space.
“Mutantkind has looked to the stars since the 1970s, so there was no way we could leave the X-crew out of the Imperial master plan,” Foxe said. “Watching Jonathan build this intergalactic conspiracy was its own storytelling master class, and he built launch pads for all of us to tell some of the biggest stories possible on this new cosmic stage.”
Regarding the team’s roster, Foxe explained, “This is a crew of Exiles in the truest sense of the word — a ragtag band of royals, aliens, scoundrels, robots, and furballs thrust together under dire circumstances. And at the heart of it all is a family we’ve never really seen together in one place: Charles Xavier, Lilandra Neramani, and their daughter, Xandra. But make no mistake — this is a breakneck space-chase story first and foremost, and Francesco Manna is knocking it out of the galaxy. Which is good, because if these Exiles slow down for too long … they’ll be exterminated!”
"ONE WORLD UNDER DOOM"
AVENGERS #30 (Marvel, $3.99) is by Jed MacKay and Farid Karami. This book doesn't actually appear to be part of the Doom crossover any more. But you just know it will be at the climax. How can you depose Doctor Doom as emperor of the world without the Avengers? So I'm keeping up with it.
Meanwhile, what's happening in this book is a return to the ruins of Battleworld. And zombies. Because zombies always come back. It's sort of their thing.
"SUMMER OF SUPERMAN"
ADVENTURES OF SUPERMAN: BOOK OF EL #1 (OF 12, DC, $3.99) is by Phillip Kennedy Johnson and Scott Godlewski. Concluding the "Future State" Superman. I'd be more excited if I could remember the "Future State" Superman. But what strikes me as funny as that a 12-issue series will continue to next summer, which will presumably be the Summer of Somebody Else. Supergirl, perhaps.
ULTIMATE COMICS
ULTIMATE X-MEN #19 (Marvel, $4.99) is by Peach Momoko. Armor vs. Shadow King on the astral plane.
INTERESTING STUFF
ADVENTURES OF LUMEN N. #1 (OF 4, Dark Horse, $4.99) is by James Robinson (Starman, Los Monstruos), Phil Hester (G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero, The Wretch), Marc Deering (Black Panther, Hunt.Kill.Repeat) and Bill Crabtree. The granddaughter of Captain Nemo on a steampunk adventure in 1901.
"I am utterly thrilled to join forces with Phil, Marc and Bill in bringing The Adventures of Lumen N. to life,” said Robinson. “It's an idea I've had for a long time, and I'm grateful for the talents of these wonderful creators in helping me bring her to life. Lumen's story is a rollercoaster of steam-punk excitement as she evolves from a young, slightly unsure girl into a two-fisted adventuress, and I know you'll enjoy the ride."
Hester added, “I've been wanting to work with James for what seems like a lifetime, especially on a book like Lumen N. Not since my time working on Batman: The Animated Series have I contributed to a project that, while clearly all-ages, is well-made enough to appeal to even the most sophisticated audience. James, Marc, Bill & Jim are all at the top of their games, brining a book unlike any other to the market. Fun, scary, smart, light, thrilling, historical, and witty, each page turn plunges you into a different genre and mood. Lumen N is a book meant to be shared, and I hope you will let us share it with you.”
And Deering said, “I am incredibly lucky to be teamed with 3 of comics greatest, James, Phil and Bill, on such an awesome book. I've been having the time of my life working on Lumen N. I can't wait to do more.”
AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #11 (Marvel, $7.99) is by Joe Kelly, Pepe Larraz and John Romita Jr. It's "a tale of two Spideys," with one in space, and presumably an imposter in New York meting out brutal justice. This is the beginning of a long-term storyline.
"I love really grounded, Manhattan-based Spider-Man stories, and I also love when he's in 'fish-out-of-water' mode. You don't get much farther from the pond than deep space. But why choose? Why not have ... both? Hence, this Tale of Two Spider-Men,” Kelly shared. “On either track, Spider-Man is facing down his personal demons in the wake of Hellgate's brutal debut, because no matter where Spider-Man goes he brings inner turmoil with him. There are a lot of pyrotechnics in this arc, new characters and threats, but also a ton of heart as Peter and those closest to him try to move forward with their lives in the aftermath of a devastating event."
ANCESTRAL RECALL #2 (of 5, Ahoy, $4.99) is byJordan Clark (Aquaman) and Atagun İlhan (Poison Ivy). Ahoy alert! "Painter Melvin Waring sets out to find his missing wife June — armed with the literal power of Black history, and aided by a smart but awkward teenage friend. But the futuristic Modern Living Corporation has other plans for June."
ARTIFICIAL #1 (OF 4, IMAGE, $3.99) is by Maria Llovet (Crave, Violent Flowers, All The Things We Didn't Do Last Night). A fashion stylist uses an android dating service, but gets more than she bargained for. I love Llovet's work! It's just so, so, so ... naughty.
"Artificial is part sci-fi thriller, part toxic romance. It’s a twisted love story for the age of AI — and I can’t wait for readers to lose themselves in it," said Llovet.
CLOSER #1 (ONE SHOT, Image, $3.99) is by Kieron Gillen (The Wicked + The Divine, The Power Fantasy) and Steve Lieber (The Fix, Jimmy Olsen). Collects the story of cosmic horror first serialized in the Image! Anthology issues #7-9.
"Regular readers may have noticed that I tend to go on about pop singles a lot," said Gillen. "It's been a long time since I got to do one — get together with a small band of friends and put down a track together. That's what Closer is — a pop (as in, popular art) single (as in, single comic) and I want people to open it and hear the little apocalypse romance Steve, Tamra, Clayton and myself have come up with. There's not enough singles in comics, and I'm so glad we've got to do one."
Lieber added: "It was such a pleasure to work with Kieron, Tamra, and Clayton on this weird, wonderful story, watching the world end while a perfect pop song plays."
CONAN ILLUSTRATED: THE TOWER OF THE ELEPHANT HC (Titan, 56 pages, $24.99) is by Robert E. Howard and Valetin Sécher (Michael Moorcock’s Elric). Looks nice.
CRUEL UNIVERSE 2 #2 (OF 12, Oni Press, $4.99) features work by Chris Condon, Melissa Flores, Dave Wielgosz, Sami Kivelä, Claire Roe and Riley Rossmo.
DC FINEST: BATMAN — RED SKIES TP (DC, $39.99) is by Doug Moench (Moon Knight, Deathlok), Roy Thomas, Gene Colan, Dick Giordano, more. These stories take place during Crisis on Infinite Earths, which explains the title. None of the runs of DC books of 1985-86 are among my favorites, because all of it felt like running in place until the new status quo launched. But everyone here seems to love DC Finest books, so here's a heads up.
Collects Batman #388-400, Batman Annual #10, Detective Comics #554-567 and Secret Origins #6.
DOCTOR STRANGE #450 (One-Shot, Marvel, $4.99) is by Derek Landy, Roger Stern, J. Michael Straczynski, Christian Ward,Ron Lim, Ivan Fiorelli more.
“For 62 years, Stephen Strange had guided readers through the magical realms of Marvel, steering us from one mind-bending horror to the next. As a writer, to be given the chance to turn the tables, to be a part of this milestone issue and, within it, to steer the good doctor towards the dark adventures that await him, is a thrill beyond measure,” Landy shared.
EVERYTHING DEAD AND DYING #1 (OF 5, Image, $4.99) is by Tate Brombal (Batgirl, Black Hammer, House of Slaughter) and Jacob Phillips (That Texas Blood, Enfield Gang Massacre, Newburn). It's "a rural character piece" set during a zombie outbreak.
"Everything Dead & Dying has been in my brain marinating and rotting since the summer of 2020, now five years later it is finally emerging in all of its undead glory," said Brombal. "I had never read a zombie story like this, so I pushed up my sleeves and decided to write it myself. I'm so excited to be working with my good friend, Jacob Phillips, who has never been better, and I'm incredibly proud that this story will be published by Image Comics—the publisher that revitalized zombie stories for an entire generation. This comic is an ode to everything that came before—and everything that refuses to die."
Phillips added: "A BITING tale full of BRAINS and GUTS. We’ve poured BLOOD, sweat and tears into this comic that will leave you HUNGRY for more. But seriously. It’s been an absolute joy to build and inhabit this world of the undead with Tate, Pip and Aditya. We cannot wait for you to experience this story in all its GORY."
HAWKMAN OMNIBUS BY GEOFF JOHNS HC (2025 EDITION, DC, $100.00) is by Geoff Johns, James Robinson,Rags Morales, Patrick Gleason, Don Kramer, more. I think I'm going to get this to re-read it with my JSA omnibuses, and maybe understand Hawkman a little better. Or at all. Has Hawkworld and the first spin-off title ever been collected together? I should probably re-read that, too.
Collects Hawkman #1-25 (fourth series), JSA #56-58 and Hawkman Secret Files.
SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH: MAGIC UNLEASHED #1 (ONE-SHOT, Archie, 30 pages, $4.99) is by Craig Boldman and Steven Butler. "Sabrina's greatest foe, the evil witch Mother Striga, is back and this time she's enlisted the aid of the wicked scientist Mad Doc Doom and his daughter Medusa!"
Complete classic story (wait, Holly G is considered classic now? I must be getting old.)
SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN #10 (Titan, $6.99) is by Jim Zub, Dough Braithwaite, Mike Rooth and Robert De La Torre. Scourge of the Serpent is a new Conan miniseries coming up in a few weeks, but apparently there's some sort of prologue here.
STAR TREK: REDSHIRTS #2: I haven't started yet, but I do mean to read this.
STAR TREK: VOYAGER — HOMECOMING #1 (IDW, $4.99): I watched Voyager and Deep Space Nine avidly when they were on, but I can't really tell you if they were any good. And I haven't ever been motivated to do a re-watch, which kinda tells me what's buried inside. But they were Star Trek, so I was gonna watch 'em. But having been made before the era of "prestige TV," they probably don't hold up very well. OTOH, they were probably better than TNG, where I kinda expected a group hug at the end of every episode. (Sorry, TNG fans.) And they've got to be better than Star Trek: Discovery.
“As the age-old saying goes, ‘When two comic series end, three more begin!’ joked Group Editor Heather Antos. “From celebrating nostalgia with the fan-favorite crew of Voyager, to going boldly to the fearsome depths of a Lovecraftian planet in Strange New Worlds, to taking a decades-long question of ‘if the color of a uniform makes a man’ and spinning it on its head… we're showing that IDW is not yet done producing the very best STAR TREK comics possible. Get ready for take-off, folks, 'cause where we're going, you're definitely gonna wanna pre-order for your pull lists!"
“We're so incredibly excited to be writing STAR TREK: VOYAGER — HOMECOMING! As lifelong fans, we're delighted to be part of Voyager's thirtieth anniversary celebration. We can't wait to give Janeway and crew one last adventure ... will everything go smoothly? Well, this is Voyager ... who's to say (we are, but we're not gonna spoil it, where's the fun in that?). We all spent seven years getting to know and love this crew, and it's an absolute honor to be part of the team that brings them home.” — Tilly and Susan Bridges
“I’ve been working on STAR TREK projects for many years and I’ve had the opportunity of participating in incredible stories and being part of exciting adventures. I’m sure this is going to be one of those special moments that will be part of the wonderful history of Voyager, and it is an honor for me to be part of it." — Angel Hernandez
WONDER WOMAN BY JOHN BYRNE OMNIBUS HC (DC, $100.00) is by, duh, John Byrne. Not my favorite WW run, but probably an important one.
MORE STUFF
ADABANA VOLUME 1 GN (Dark Horse, $14.99) is by NON (Harem Marriage, Delivery Cinderella).
"After the gruesome murder of two small-town residents, a ramen shop owner and a local student, the community is left shocked. Mizuki Aikawa, the best friend of one of the victims, confesses to the brutal crime. However, nothing is as it seems, and Mizuki's public defenders believe there has to be more to the story. When the truth unravels, they discover a tale of class, exploitation and the deeper struggles of meeting family expectations."
Here's a PREVIEW.
AQUAMANATEE HC (DC, $12.99) is by Ben Clanton and Cassandra Federman. This is haunting my dreams, and now it will haunt yours.
"THE NEXT GREAT AQUATIC ADVENTURE FROM THE CREATOR OF NARWHAL AND JELLY! Marlow the manatee isn't exactly superhero material. He sleeps a lot, eats a lot, toots a lot, and has never ventured out of his safe saltwater bay. And yet the sweet, bumbling Marlow dreams of adventure, of derring-do, and of making a difference. When a series of impossible events leads to Marlow having superpowers and not only meeting his favorite hero but getting to team up with Aquaman himself...suddenly Marlow isn't so sure he's ready for his dreams to come true. Could an awkward, blundering super-powered manatee be the best manatee for the job?"
BLADE RUNNER TIMELINE
I haven't been following the Blade Runner spinoffs for a while, but the way this is marketed kinda excites me. A chronology, a continuity, things to collect ... yep, that's my jam. How did they know? I'm not quite sold, so if anyone out there wants to chime in, feel free.
"Titan Comics and Alcon Publishing are excited to reveal the Official Blade Runner comics universe chronology, detailing for fans old and new where in the universe each critically-acclaimed comic series sits, from the birth of the Blade Runner unit in Blade Runner: Origins to the Off-World colonies in Blade Runner: Tokyo Nexus and Blade Runner: Black Lotus, and the dystopian rain-soaked streets of Los Angeles of the Ash saga in Blade Runner: 2019, 2029 and 2039 — which are soon to be released in a highly anticipated, deluxe hard-back Omnibus format. Written by screenwriter of the Blade Runner 2049 movie, Michael Green with Mike Johnson, and illustrated by artist Andres Guinaldo, with colors by Marco Lesko. Each new omnibus edition comes with two covers including a special direct market edition and will be available at all good bookstores, comic shops and Forbidden Planet for UK & Europe."
BLADE RUNNER 2019 THE COMPLETE SERIES OMNIBUS HC (Titan, 352 pages, $49.99) is by Michael Green, Mike Johnson and Andres Guinaldo. Collects Blade Runner 2019: Los Angeles, Blade Runner 2019: Off-World and Blade Runner 2019: Home Again, Home Again.
"Los Angeles, 2019 and LAPD’s best Blade Runner and detective, Aahna ‘Ash’ Ashina, has been assigned to investigate the mysterious disappearance of Isobel and Cleo Selwyn, the wife and daughter of business tycoon, Alexander Selwyn, a close personal friend of Eldon Tyrell. Ash’s search will take her on a journey from the crime-ridden underbelly of a rain-soaked, environmentally damaged Los Angeles to the promised land of the Off-World Colonies and back home again as she uncovers a terrible secret and a desperate conspiracy that forces her to confront her own hatred for Replicants – the synthetic humans that she hunts with such vengeance."
BREAD AND WINE: AN EROTIC TALE OF NEW YORK HC (UPDATED EDITION, Fantagraphics, 72 pages, B&W, $19.99) is by Samuel R. Delaney and Mia Wolff. It's a biographical account of how Delaney met his partner, a homeless man named Dennis. Not many romance stories involve homeless people. Or famous science fiction writers.
"Written by black, gay science-fiction writer, professor, and theorist Samuel R. Delany, and drawn by multi-media artist and cartoonist Mia Wolff, Bread & Wine is a graphic autobiography that flashes back to the unlikely story of how Delany befriended Dennis, and how they became an enduring couple—Delany, a professor at Philadelphia’s Temple University, Dennis, an intelligent man living on the streets. For casual readers and fans, Bread & Wine is a moving, sexually charged love story, with visuals informed by Wolff’s sensitive portrayal of the couple’s physicality. Her black-and-white, pen-and-ink work not only expressionistically represents the characters’ “body language” and the bustling New York setting but is also filled with impish art references and visual puns. The scholarly potential for the book, based on the poem “Bread and Wine” by the German lyric poet Friedrich Holderlin, not only encompasses queer, African American, and graphic novel studies, but also exploration in the literary and paraliterary academic fields."
Here's a PREVIEW.
BREATHTAKER COLLECTION HC (Titan, $29.99) is by Mark Wheatley and Marc Hempel (Titan, 256 pages, $29.99). This seems like it's been around for a while. In fact, I think I may have read it some years ago. Titan says it's "remastered," so I guess that's new.
"In Breathtaker, all love withers and dies ... but for Chase Darrow, it is literally the kiss of death!"
HANSEL AND GRETEL BY STEPHEN KING AND MAURICE SENDAK HC (Harper Collins, $26.99). "The haunting tale of two brave children lost in a dark and dangerous forest is reimagined by literary legends Stephen King and Maurice Sendak in an all-new picture book."
Here's a PREVIEW.
PIZZA WITCH GN (Image, $16.99) is by Sarah Graley (Glitch, Our Super Adventure) and Stef Purenins (Our Super Adventure). It's a YA adventure hosted on Webtoon, which is not my thing. But they sent me two press releases with different previews, so what the heck.
“Roxy knows that the way to a person’s heart is through their stomach,” said Alex Antone, Editorial Director at Skybound. “And with Pizza Witch’s digital-first strategy, perhaps we’ll find that the way to a person’s bookshelf is through their phone.”
ROMANIS MAGICAE #1 (OF 4, Mi Cambrian Comics, $4.99) is by Matthew Blair and Paul Peart Smith. A disgraced, drunken legionnaire stumbles into a deadly supernatural conspiracy. That's a pretty big deal! You'd think Tacitus or somebody would have written about it.
SILENCED VOICES: RECLAIMING MEMORIES FROM THE GUATEMALAN GENOCIDE GN (Harper Alley, $18.99/$26.99) is by Pablo Leon. "In this moving intergenerational tale perfect for fans of Messy Roots and Illegal, Eisner-nominated creator Pablo Leon combines historical research of the Guatemalan Civil War with his own experiences as a Guatemalan immigrant to depict a powerful story of family, sacrifice, survival, and hope." Sounds educational.
Here's a PREVIEW.
SKIN POLICE 2 #1 (OF 4, Oni Press, $4.99) is by Jordan Thomas (Mugshots) and Daniel Gete (Biker Mice from Mars). "Skin Police" are kinda like Blade Runners, a unit of law enforcement dedicated to ferreting out clones called "Dupes." I didn't read the first series, so I don't know if it's any good. If you did, and you liked it, here's another one!
SPIDER-MAN '94 #1 (of 5, Marvel, $4.99) is by J.M. DeMatteis and Jim Towe (X-Force). It re-visits Spider-Man: The Animated Series, which I did not watch. Heck, I was mid-30s.
“The 1990s Spider-Man animated series has become a beloved part of Spidey lore — it was the introduction to Peter Parker and his universe for an entire generation — and I’m delighted to be diving back into that universe,” DeMatteis told IGN. “We’re treating this as the next season of the show, which means introducing new villains, new challenges, new adventures for Peter — while doing our best to remain true to the creative spirit that John Semper and company established with the original show.”
STAR WARS: HAN SOLO — HUNT FOR THE FALCON #1 (of 5, Marvel, $4.99) is by Rodney Barnes (Star Wars: Ahsoka) and artist Ramon Rosanas (Star Wars). Han Solo searches for the Millennium Falcon in a story set between Return of the Jedi and The Force Awakens. I remember almost nothing about the sequel trilogy, so if I read this, I might learn something.
"Han Solo — Hunt for the Falcon is a dream come true,” Barnes told Newsarama. “Han, Leia, Chewbacca and Lando were my heroes when I was a kid. To write an adventure that includes that quartet (and more!) is truly an honor. One huge check off my bucket list!"
“Rodney is pulling all these characters who’ve had history with the Falcon and having them cross their deadly paths,” Paniccia explained. “It’s a very fun ride that captures the heart of who Han Solo is while throwing him into some ‘uncomfortable’ situations. And Ramon Rosanas is doing some of the best work of his career on this. This is a special project for him and the detail he brings to the ships and locations is magnificent.”
THE STRANGE CASE OF DR. JEKYLL AND MR HYDE HC (Oni Press, $24.99) is written by some guy named Robert Louis Stevenson. Must be new. The artist is Vincen Mallie.
THE WEIGHT GN (Drawn & Quarterly, $29.95) is by Melissa Mendes, "A rural family’s cycle of love, loss, and renewal, set against the beauty and adversity of mid-century America." Here's a PREVIEW.
WHITE HOUSE ROBOT ROMANCE #1 (DSTLRY, $8.99) is by Chip Zdarsky (Time Waits, Batman, Daredevil) and Rachael Stott (Doctor Who, Star Trek). "A sweeping adventure about two robots who defy their programming by going on the run to protect their new-found love!" Here's a PREVIEW.
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