Welcome to a new series I hope to keep up throughout the year where I count down the 10 Best Comics for a given week. Starting off this year we have what I would consider an overall light week to be honest. With New Comic Book Day falling the day after New Years seems like a lot of publishers were holding back especially some like Valiant that did not release any books this week. With that said I still have a strong list of ten I am very happy with.
One thing to keep in mind with this list is that it is solely based on my own personal takes. So if my take on a title differs from an official review from Comic Crusaders that is why.
Writer: Mark Waid, Brian Augustyn
Artist: Peter Krause
Publisher: Archie
Description: Archie is headed into action while the world watches and waits. Meanwhile, times are tough at home in Riverdale, while shortages are leading to impending rations, tensions are mounting. However, despite an uncertain future, unexpected relationships begin to form.
Why it Made the List: I am continuously impressed with the ways Archie as a publisher finds new ways to utilize their original properties. Now with Archie 1941, we have a series that is retroactively looking back at the very year the series debuted. Of course, this time taking a much more dramatic take on the major issues. It is because of that legacy this series works as well as it does. It showcases how much the Second World War transformed the home front and the kids who took up arms to save the world. With this issue, Archie gets his first tale of real action and it has him reflecting on his many mistakes that still haunt him. That paralleled with this rising tensions at home as rationing has begun has caused an idyllic community to become fractured. Based on the way this issue ends it appears things are going to get much worse before they get better.
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Clay Mann
Publisher: DC Comics
Description: Wonder Woman versus”¦Booster Gold?! Diana finds out the hard way that Booster can be a formidable opponent when his back“s against the wall. Of course, being the prime suspect in a superhero massacre and exposing a secret trauma hospital for metahumans will do just that. Meanwhile, Batman and the Flash combine their detective skills to investigate what went awry at Sanctuary and uncover a serious glitch in the system””not to mention an explosive, spoiler-ific secret!
Why it Made the List:Â (Full Review) Now I know listing this series will cause some to scoff and click out of the article right away. We have not seen a polarizing series like Heroes in Crisis in some time. I have had my misgivings with the series thus far, but even with my issues, I cannot deny I am continuously intrigued. This issue was perhaps the strongest so far with the additions of characters like Batgirl and Blue Beetle. The interaction between Beetle and Booster Gold were especially welcome as they added moments of levity in a series that was otherwise devoid of it thus far. As has been the case thus far we are given more questions than answers. Perhaps some indirect clues where given especially with numerous parrels to Watchmen, but personally what has kept me intrigued are the deeper thematic threads that have not yet been fully explored. It is a series that is trying to find itself and if it does it could be something special.
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Jesus Hervas
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Description: Chaos descends on the Kerry family“s neighborhood as the mysterious cult known as the Whisper Oracles engages in a full-fledged assault to “save”“ their mother.
Why it Made the List: (Full Review) I wrote a full review for The Empty Man #3 that you can read to see my full thoughts. As a fan of the original run of this series, I was excited to see it finally come back and it has yet to miss a beat. It has maintained its dour atmosphere and with this issue, we get a new take on a home invasion as an everyday American town is turned into a literal bloodbath. It may not be the book that will put a massive smile on your face, but if you are looking for a series that explores the many avenues the genre of horror provides The Empty Man does just that. There may not be a better writer in comics at crafting horror tales within comics than Cullen Bunn. He has a strong understanding of the genre which allows him to misdirect expectations as well as find new ways to approach classic ideas.Â
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Ryan Zook
Publisher: DC Comics
Description: The Red Cloud sets her sights on someone close to Superman, but how can the Man of Steel stop a villain he can“t touch? As the invisible mafia controlling Metropolis“ underworld steps more into the light, its leader finally stands revealed with a secret that will have massive implications for Superman and Clark Kent!
Why It Made the List: It took some time but I have finally come around on Brian Michael Bendis“s run on Superman. He has settled in over the last few months and found a way to make his voice work for the first ever superhero. Bendis has a lot of strengths as a writer and one of his greatest is finding ways to make time for small moments. Specifically, in this issue, Clark Kent is attempting to make his transformation to the ‘Man of Steel’ in a side ally only to stumble upon a small child. The way the scene plays out serves as a reminder of why Superman has worked as a superhero for generations. There are other moments within this issue that work as well. I never thought Superman fighting a cloud would be something I would care to see but I was proven wrong.Â
Writer: Christopher Sebela
Artist: Ro Stein
Publisher: Image Comics
Description: Trapped with the psychopathic streaming superstar Trotter on one side and all of Los Angeles carrying a weapon and a two-million-dollar-dream on the other, Charlie and Vita have only each other””and a few of the secrets they“ve been keeping from each other””to rely on for their survival.
Why It Made the List: Crowded has been a frenetic fun series that has utilized the age-old odd couple recipe to full effect. That along with its prolonged chase setup has made it one of the best-paced series of last year. This issue the showdown that has been building over the last few issues finally occurs as Charlie and Vita fall into Trotter’s extremely intricate designed trap. If you ever wanted to see an allegorical stand-in for annoying YouTube celebrities get their comeuppance this will be ultra satisfying. There may not be a comic on stands today that has more happening in one issue than Crowded. As one major scene ends something more dynamic is right around the corner.Â
Writer: John Allison
Artist: Max Sarin
Publisher: Boom! Studios
Description: A thief is targeting the Dark Nebula comic book shop where Esther works, and it“s up to Susan to put her amateur detective skills to work”¦ emphasis on amateur.
Why it Made the List: Giant Days is a series that never gets nearly as much love as it should. For one it is rare to see a series today get to issue forty-six before ending, and even more rare to see it remain as consistently good as it has. This issue was especially fun as Esther tries to solve one of the most important crimes–shoplifting at the local comic store. Especially loved the choice to interject some classic noir style to give it some extra flair. Going as far to utilize black and white color style to push the concept on a meta level. It works as a spoof without being overtly self-aware. It simple goofy fun. What this series has excelled at since the beginning. If you never read a Giant Days issue before this is a good one to pick up. It is a great self-contained story that does not require you to read anything prior John Allison’s strength is his character interactions. Within this opening conversation, you will have a solid understanding of who these characters are and their relationships to one another.Â
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Mahmud Asrar
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Description: Robert E. Howard“s creation returns to comics, in an epic tale as only MARVEL could bring you! Â Conan“s travels have brought him to the far reaches of the unkown, from his birthplace in Cimmeria to the kingdom of Aquilonia and all in between. As his fighting prowess allows him to carve his way through life, so too does it attract the forces of death!
Why it Made the List:  Conan the Barbian is finally back at Marvel. You have to feel bad for Dark Horse as so many of their major properties are being taken away from them like Star Wars, Firefly, Buffy, and now Conan. Similar with Star Wars Marvel has chosen Jason Aaron to take over the title. It makes sense as his work on titles like Thor and The Goddammned. This first issue does not disappoint as it has all the sword and sorcery action on could ask for. It works as a first issue without feeling like another origin story. I have always enjoyed Mahmud Asrar’s work but never been impressed with it. That changed with this issue. He has seemed to step up his game to another level and the assist of Matt Wilson’s colors did not hurt either.Â
Writer: Peter J. Tomasi
Artist: Jaime Mendoza
Publisher: DC Comics
Description: Alfred Pennyworth”¦attacked at the Wayne mansion! Who“s hunting those closest to Batman? The monstrous shadow creature plaguing Gotham City gains the upper hand when two of the Dark Knight“s most ardent allies fall prey to the violent vendetta. Will those tragedies send Batman over the edge? Good thing he“s on his way to Arkham Asylum””but will he investigate a murder, or get incarcerated in a padded cell?
Why it Made the List:Â (Full Review) Â Peter J. Tomasi has wasted little time with this run on Detective Comics bringing the fight to Batman. So far he has been laser-focused on Bruce Wayne“s inability to let go. First with a murder eerily similar to his parents and now by threatening to take another life important to Bruce Wayne. Personally, the Joker Toxin was never something I took seriously so seeing its effects never caused alarm. Here we get a scene that demonstrates how disturbing it can be when you so badly wish to scream out in pain but all you can do is smile. Tomasi is leading his arc tension first which is a bold strategy. So far it is working.
Writer: Bryan Hill
Artist: Juan Ferreyra
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Description: BULLSEYE ON THE KING! “Killmonger”“ is more than a chosen name. Erik learned the art of murder as a mere child, trained in mercilessness by Ulysses Klaw himself. But next to Bullseye ”” the Kingpin“s right-hand killer, the plague of Daredevil, the deadliest assassin in New York City ”” Killmonger is a lamb up for slaughter.
Why it Made the List: Wow is this series seriously impressive. For those who think this is nothing but a book trying to cash in on the box office success of Black Panther please know it is so much more. Easily one of the strongest character studies Marvel has done in some time. Juan Ferreyra“s work is transcendent. His page that depicts the showdown between Bullseye and Killmonger was perhaps the best moment all week in comics. He even gets the smaller moments down as well. Shortly after that brutal encounter, we get a moment of pure intimacy that is just as effective for massively different reasons. We are only one month into the new year but I feel safe in saying this will go down as one of the best mini-series of the year.
Writer: Al Ewing
Artist: Joe Bennet
Publisher: Marvel
Description: “HULK IN HELL”“ PART ONE! Jackie McGee is in hell. Carl Creel is in hell. Walter Langkowski is in hell. Eugene Judd is in hell. Carl Burbank is in hell. Los Diablos is in hell. Shadow Base is in hell. New Mexico is in hell. Planet Earth is in hell. We are all in hell”¦”¦and so is the IMMORTAL HULK.
Why it Made the List: The Immortal Hulk was easily Marvel“s best series last year and for its first issue of the new year Al Ewing and Joe Bennett have step things up to another level yet again. Also, have to give major credit to the inks of Ruy Jose and colors of Paul Mounts. Their work is key in making the body horror moments work as well as they do. There is something ultra unnerving about an emaciated Hulk. Within this issue, Hulk has begun to face the very force that has been behind his sudden change. Al Ewing has put together a script that is able to balance that horror tone along with this lofty exploration into the relationship between humanity and divinity. He uses the Hulk as a vessel to examine some complex and difficult questions. Ewing has always been an ambitious writer and with The Immortal Hulk he has found a way to utilize that ambition in a groundbreaking way. With the risk of sounding hyperbolic this series is developing into one that would go down as a landmark for this current generation.
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- A fan of all things comics. Growing up on a healthy diet of 90's Batman and X-Men cartoon series ignited a love for the medium that remains strong today.
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