Top 10 Comics for the Week of 1/9/2019

What an amazing week of comics. I am not sure if it is just by coincidence or because so many publishers held books back because of the holidays. Whatever the reason there were plenty of books this week that I assumed would make the top 10 that didn’t make it. Books like Young Justice #1, Die #2, Batman #62, Justice League #15, Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man all get major honorable mentions. Overall DC killed it this week, and 2019 is shaping up to be a great year based on the number of strong debuts. A reminder that this top 10 is based solely on my thoughts but if you want to hear others I will link to the site’s reviews. With that said let’s get to the countdown.

10. Miles Morales: Spider-Man #2

Writer: Saladin Ahmed

Artist: Javier Garron

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Description: Miles is getting closer to solving the mystery of the thievery ring plaguing Brooklyn, but the Rhino has complicated matters quite a lot. Rhino doesn“t usually have minions preferring to charge alone. What“s behind this change of methodology? Plus, meet a new antagonist who may just become Miles“ most dangerous foe!

Why it Made the List: I never knew I needed Spider-Man webswinging across the city with Rhino but I am sure glad to have it. With his second issue, Saladin Ahmed does what Spider-Man does best. He gives him a team-up! Rhino may not be the most obvious choice but that is what makes it work. Rhino as this seasoned veteran teaming up with the young and upcoming Spider-Man. Two people with a shared mission and more importantly a shared bond. It all makes for an issue full of fun and heart.

9. Faith: Dreamslide #4

Writer: Jody Houser

Artist: MJ Kim

Publisher: Valiant

Description: Â A nightmare dressed like a daydream! A young girl’s soul hangs in the balance as Faith Herbert and Doctor Mirage take on the terrifying demon Belu, who seeks to break through the Dreamside barrier into our world! Will Faith find it in herself to reignite her dream of becoming a hero – or will humanity be doomed to sleepless nights forever?

Why it Made the List: This issue marks the end of this series and it is a finale full of emotion, humor, and heart–the exact makeup that has made Faith such a compelling character. Jody Houser has crafted an inspiring tale about overcoming your demons by facing them directly to diminish the power they hold over you. Mj Kim continues to grow as an artist. Her style has a manga aesthetic that works well with a character like Faith. It is like designing the book to look exactly like the character would like it.

8. EuthanautsÂ #5

Writer: Tini Howard

Artist: Nick Robles

Publisher: Black CrownÂ

Description: Thalia has learned that you don’t get to the afterlife without breaking a few eggs and planting a few seeds. In this issue-people die. Some of them stay quiet about it. When the ego is destroyed, what remains? Find out in the final issue of our first arc, Ground Control.

Why it Made the List: Tini Howard and Nick Robles have created quite the inventive series with Euthanauts. One filled with massive imagination that approaches the one topic we so often avoid–death. As has been the case since the start Nick Robles panel designs for the exploration of the world of death are magnificent. This final issue is one that takes you on a journey. Beginning with a somber opening of a family working through the death of a loved one and ending with being able to accept what life has to offer. Hopefully, this is not the final end for this series but if it is it surely went out on a high note.

7.Thor #9

Writer: Jason Aaron

Artist: Michael del Mundo

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Description: MEET EARTH“S NEWEST DEFENDER: ROZ SOLOMON!Â With S.H.I.E.L.D. gone, Roz Solomon has been left adrift in a world full of homeless gods and mislaid hammers. Now this Asgardian ally is about to take on a surprising new role ”” and make a million new enemies. For the War of the Realms is coming”¦and the invasion of Earth may have already begun. Cue the Frost Giants!

Why it Made the List: You know a writer has a lot of confidence in their current run on a title when they have an issue that barely features the titular character. Thor #6 sees the focus not on Odinson but the former Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. now Agent of Wakanda Roz Solomon. Clearly, with one eye to the future, Aaron is setting up Solomon to be an even bigger player with the War of the Realms quickly approaching. This issue alone shows she has a lot of potential as a character and is developing into one of Aaron“s best creations. Â

6. The Wrong Earth

Writer: Tom Peyer, Paul Constant

Artist: Juan Castro, Gary Erskine, Jamal Igle

Publisher: Ahoy ComicsÂ

Description: On Earth-Alpha, sidekick Stinger loses faith in the grim Dragonfly as villains take control of their secret crime-fighting headquarters! On Earth-Omega, Dragonflyman befriends a member of the murderous Number One’s gang! Plus, a gritty Dragonfly flashback! EXTRA! More illustrated prose stories!

Why it Made the List: Â There is more than one way to skin a cat (for some reason) and there is more than one way to write a character. There is a lot I love about The Wrong Earth but the biggest is how it demonstrates each take on a character like Batman has legitimacy. Showing how the ingenuity of an Adam West type of Batman would prove to be quite useful even in a Frank Miller esc world, or how being earnest can lead to effecting tender moments despite how cynical a character may be. Plainly put this is a series that has taken a fantastic concept and used every bit of itsÂ inherit potential to full effect. Â Â Â

5. Murder Flacon #3

Writer/Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson

Colorist: Mike Spicer

Publisher: Image Comics

Description: The reunion tour of Brooticus gets off to a rough start as Magnum Khaos unleashes his monstrous minions on Chicago. Only the mighty musical attack of Murder Falcon and the band can turn the tide”¦ but where is Jake when his friends need him the most?

Why it Made the List: I became a major fan of Daniel Warren Johnson with his Extremity series and was excited to see what he would do next. Conceptually Murder Falcon is very different than his previous work as it revels in its ridiculousness. Johnson though balances that with an affecting story of redemption and forgiveness. Yes, this is an issue that has an anamorphic falcon fighting a massive monster by using the power of metal, but it also takes time to add some meaning to the madness. Plus it is a visual feast. Daniel Warren Johnson is one of the most exciting creators in comics right now. Also includes a shock ending that completely recontextualizes everything that came before.

4. Green Lantern #3

Writer: Grant Morrison

Artist: Liam Sharp

Publisher: DC Comics

Description: When the Earth goes up for sale on the alien black market, it“s up to the Green Lantern Corps to bust up “The Slave Lords of the Stars”“ in the latest space saga from Grant Morrison (MULTIVERSITY) and Liam Sharp (WONDER WOMAN)! With the Justice League frozen by Gamma Gong tech, Earth ends up on the auction block, and Volgar Zo hosts a menagerie of the universe“s deadliest despots and criminals: Steppenwolf, Queen Bee, the Dominators and much, much worse. Hal Jordan leads a squad of Lanterns into the fray””and someone“s going to pay the ultimate price before this case gets closed.

Why it Made the List: Grant Morrison is a writer I tend to have a very hot and cold relationship with. I tend to think his work is either the best story ever like with All-Star Superman or find I get lost in the weeds with his ever-growing plotting. I am still unsure where this series will ultimately fall but I have to say I am continuingly fascinated with this book. Just the sheer audacity of it is something to behold. Having this fallacy of a Space Cop arresting a god-like figure would be enough for most books, but this also incorporates commentary on everything from climate change to police brutality. Morrison has found the perfect muse to tell this story in Liam Sharp. This has been a book about breaking limitations and Sharp has done just that making pages that look like the best of Jack Kirby meshed with the best of 2001 A.D..Â

3. House Amok #4

Writer: Christopher Sebela

Artist: Shawn McManus

Publisher: Black Crown

Description: Dylan is sane again and trapped inside her family’s madness as it drags them all further across America and deeper down a rabbit hole full of delusions and murder. But as the attacks from the forces of the Elders begin to warp the world and even their own home on wheels, Dylan will have to choose between saving her family or saving herself.

Why it Made the List: Stories that exist within surrealism can often lack true stakes because the delusion of their concept can diminish any narrative impact. If something is lacking in realness is there reason to care? Christopher Sebela and Shawn McManus are able to avoid that issue by existing in both worlds. You can appreciate it on a strict narrative front or based on the subtextual elements such as what is saying about the delusion that exists within a toxic family. With a number of original series recently Black Crown has become the best Imprint in comics, and House Amok is probably the best series produced.Â

2. Criminal #1

Writer: Ed Brubaker

Artist: Sean Phillips

Publisher: Image ComicsÂ

Description: THE RETURN OF THE MOST ACCLAIMED CRIME COMIC OF THE 21ST CENTURY! Hot off their bestselling series KILL OR BE KILLED and their original graphic novel MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN JUNKIES, crime comic masters ED BRUBAKER and SEAN PHILLIPS finally return to their most-demanded title””as a new MONTHLY SERIES! In this double-sized (at no additional cost!) debut issue, Teeg Lawless is back in town. But he finds himself in more trouble than ever, thanks to his delinquent teenage son””and this time, fists and bullets may not be enough to solve his problems. A perfect introduction to CRIMINAL and its dark, exciting world, this series will also include back page art and articles to bring readers more fully into the noir experience.

Why it Made the List: To borrow a term from the world of sports entertainment I am a major mark for the creative team of Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. I mean how can you not be based on series like The Fade Out, Kill or Be Killed, and of course Criminal. This issue encapsulates everything that makes them work as a team. Sean Phillips is an artist that is more substance than flash. Great storytelling that does the small things well. WithÂ Jacob Phillips coloring his work is as pristine as ever. Ed Brubaker“s scripts are similar as you get a story that has nearly perfect progression. Not many could weave a tale quite like this in one issue. On a sheer value standpoint, you will not get more for your money this week.

1.Bitter Root #3

Writer: Chuck Brown, David F. Walker

Artist: Sanford Greene

Publisher: Image ComicsÂ

Description: With violence erupting on the streets of Harlem and his cousin possessed by a demonic force, Cullen Sangerye reaches out for help from an estranged family member. Meanwhile, in Mississippi, Ford Sangerye fights for his life at the gateway to Hell. BITTER ROOT Cover As by SANFORD GREENE will be connecting through the first story arc.

Why it Made the List: With this issue, Bitter Root became my favorite series in comics right now. I loved what David F. Walker and Sanford Greene did with their Power Man and Iron Fist series, and this has elements of what made that series work and so much more. Sanford Greene is doing career work with a style that is bold and fresh. With every issue, I am amazed by the work he is putting in. Bitter Root is the type of series that demonstrates why comics is such a fantastic medium. You can combine elements from fantasy, horror, and the 1920s, the Harlem Renaissance in a seamless fashion. If you are looking to begin the new year with a new series you cannot go wrong with Bitter Root.

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Daniel Clark

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.