Each week, a whole slew of comic books come out and it can be hard to know what to buy. Luckily, the fine folks of Comic Vine let you know, each week, what books you need to keep your eye on when you head to comic shops on Wednesday. Here are the books that are essential reading!
Tony's Picks
CAPTAIN AMERICA: SAM WILSON #2
(Marvel)
Written by Nick Spencer
Art by Daniel Acuna
The first issue caught us off guard. As a big fan of Steve Rogers as Captain America and Sam Wilson as Falcon, I’ve been going along with the recent change, waiting for things to eventually return to the status quo. Sam, as Captain America, hadn’t really done too much that was impressive. Unfortunately one of his biggest adventure when just coming into the role as during AXIS: AVEGERS VS X-MEN. He was a bit of a jerk there because everyone kind of was a big jerk when the heroes and villains switched their way of thinking.
In the first issue, Nick Spencer showed us the new direction for Sam along with Misty Knight and Dennis “D-Man” Dunphy. By letting his political views known, the country, and SHIELD, have turned on him. Now alone, without any government funding or assistance, he’s about to face the Sons of the Serpent. Nick Spencer and Daniel Acuna gave us a great first issue and a great way to kick off a new series.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #51
(IDW)
Written by Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz
Art by Ken Garing
Have you read TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #50 yet? If not, you need to do so right away. With a big fight that started with the death of one of their own, the Turtles found themselves in an epic fight, known as the Gauntlet, against Splinter and his faction. This was to be the fight to end all fights. Unlike most big comic book fights, something actually happened. There were some big repercussions in that issue.
Now is the aftermath. What happens after that fight. What do those remaining do from here. It’s a new direction for them. The repercussions will have to be looked at and explored. Things are changing and it’s great to be able to see the characters allowed to evolve and grow some.
BLACK MAGICK #1
(Image)
Written by Greg Rucka
Art by Nicola Scott
Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott. What more do you need to know? When we first heard about this book at Image Expo, it was hard to focus on what they were talking about because just the idea of these two working together was incredible. The two have an impressive track record and the fact that they’ll be pouring their energies into a creator-owned book at Image is a great thing.
The story focuses on Rowan Black, a robbery/homicide detective who has a deeper mystery behind her. With the title, you can imagine what that mystery may involve. The first issue is a great introduction to a new world with plenty of suspense along with gorgeous art. This is going to be a fun series to watch unfold.
GRAYSON #13
(DC)
Written by Tim Seeley, Tom King
Art by Mikel Janin
Even though Dick Grayson seems to be spending a lot of time in Gotham City these days, it looks like he’ll still have plenty of time and adventures with Spyral. The big mystery has been with Agent Zero. We’ve caught glimpses of her and there is clearly more to her than we know or thought. We’re also going to see Tiger Shark here who Dick has fought before during Scott Snyder’s Black Mirror run.
Tim Seeley, Tom King, and Mikel Janin have been consistently solid on the series from the beginning. It keeps getting better and better. It will be interesting to see what the balance will be with Spyral and Dick’s heavier involvement in Gotham. More importantly, I want to know more about Agent Zero.
JUSTICE LEAGUE DARKSEID WAR BATMAN #1
(DC)
Written by Peter Tomasi
Pencils by Fernando Pasarin
Inks by Matt Ryan
Colors by Gabe Eltaeb
Batman is a god? Since sitting on the Mobius Chair, Batman gained the knowledge of everything. With the current situation in the Darkseid War in the pages of JUSTICE LEAGUE, Batman figures his time and part in that mission is over. It’s time for him to return to Gotham City. With his new abilities and knowledge of everything, he’s determined to be the Batman he feels Gotham City deserves.
The idea of these separate one-shots could be a mixed bag. Yes it means more books for us to buy but it's a great way for the changes from last week's JUSTICE LEAGUE to be explored without slowing down the actual story. Getting the chance to see Batman, in this form, in Gotham will be cool. The question is, what about that reference to Joker when he first sat on the chair?
HOWLING COMMANDOS OF SHIELD #1
(Marvel)
Written by Frank Barbiere
Art by Brent Schoonover
This isn’t the Howling Commandos you’re used to. With many Marvel comics, we’ve been getting a lot of Avengers, Inhumans, and even Spider-related titles. It’s great to get a series that’s going in a slightly different route. Since we found out the ‘truth’ about Dum Dum Dugan, we’re now seeing him back in action with a new team of Commandos. The main thing is this allows a look at a different corner of the Marvel Universe. We can likely assume we won’t see the team taking on regular mainstream adventures. The team may be a bit of an underdog without any Avengers or X-Men but it’s great getting a chance to read a different kind of comic.
Frank Barbiere and Brent Schoonover look like they’re setting up some cool things. There’s no telling where this series might go and that’s part of what gets me so excited. I love the idea of something that’s a little out of the box for Marvel.
Mat's Picks
BATMAN & ROBIN ETERNAL #4
(DC)
Story by James Tynion IV & Scott Snyder
Script by Steve Orlando
Pencils by Scot Eaton
Inks by Wayne Faucher
Colors by Gabe Eltaeb
It may be too early to say, but in my past experiences with weekly series, I lose interest quickly. Sometimes, it's just the fact the book is out each week and I miss an issue and feel so left out or the book just doesn't feel like it deserve to be weekly. BATMAN ETERNAL as solid but I fell off the wagon hard and early. BATMAN & ROBIN ETERNAL has me hook, line, and sinker, one month in.
What makes this book so great, so early, is that it ties into the current state of the Batman world so well. Bruce Wayne isn't Batman and the Bat-family couldn't be farther apart from each other. In the last issue, Bruce Wayne found himself in the clutches of a whole bunch of assassins, but there's no way to defend himself since he no longer remembers his Batman days or training. I'm pretty pumped to see what happens next and to see what MIDNIGHTER writer Steve Orlando brings to the table.
ART OPS #1
(Vertigo)
Written by Shaun Simon
Art by Michael Allred
Colors by Laura Allred
Full disclosure time! I got an early look at this issue when we interviewed Shaun Simon and Michael Allred about the series. I was pretty pumped to read it, since I have always enjoyed both Laura and Michael Allred's work, and I was no disappointed. Vertigo is hitting a home run with their new series so far, so this follows in line.
This book is about art and guarding art and stealing art, all wrapped up in a light-covert-ops story. It's strange, but something fitting to Allred's style. Shaun Simon is really presenting something pretty rad to start this book off.
Vertigo was the company that got me back into reading comics during my 20s and I feel like they've hit a brand new strive of cool and interesting premises, with books like ART OPS. Check this issue out, it's simply wonderful.
MANIFEST DESTINY #18
(Image)
Written by Chris Dingess
Art by Matthew Roberts
Colors by Owen Gieni
I feel like every issue of MANIFEST DESTINY has been on my essentials list since the start of the series. Ok, maybe one or two issues didn't make it on, but month after month, this is a consistently wonderful book that takes the story of Lewis and Clark's expedition and adds horrific monsters into the mix.
While it's quite a bit into the journey, you should still check out the trades. In the last issue, one of the crew ventured into the arcs and found themselves face to face with a horrible looking beast. Who's going to die this time?
Matthew Roberts and Owen Gieni do a phenomenal job with the character and creature design here and if you're looking for something new and different, just pick this series up already.
FLASH #45
(DC)
Written by Robert Venditti & Van Jensen
Pencils by Brett Booth, Vicente Cifuentes, and Ale Garza
Inks by Norm Rapmund
Colors by Andrew Dalhouse
What the heck happened with Wally West in the last issue? Well, we did ask Robert Venditti and Van Jensen about it at NYCC. Is something big going to happen to him here, in this issue? I'm very excited to see the progression of Wally West as a character
The big deal with this issue and story is that Flash is up against Zoom and a hand-picked group of villains who not only want to kill Flash but end his legacy as well. It's not about making him a martyr. It's about ruining his character before they kill him. Barry is trapped within this speed force dome. How is he going to escape? They only thing I'm a bit worried about is the fact there are numerous artists on this book.
BOOK OF DEATH #4
(Valiant)
Written by Robert Venditti
Art by Robert Gill, Doug Braithwaite
Colors by David Baron
Valiant does events right. The book doesn't bleed into other series, this is only four issues long, and the tie-in issues are stand-alones. It also helps that the book is really interesting.
Master Darque takes on the Geomancer and Eternal Warrior in this final issue of the story. What's going to happen next? What does the future hold for all of these characters?
Robert Venditti has done some wonderful things on the X-O MANOWAR series and shows that he can really handle Valiant characters that reside on Earth, as well as deliver some compelling stories featuring the mystic side of the Valiant Universe. This is a story you do not want to miss out on.
Honorable Mention: PREZ #5
That's what we're looking forward to this week. Let us know what you want to read!