Top 10 Comics for the week of 5/20/20

Comics are back! Well, mostly. This week marked the first week that Diamond Distributors starting shipping comics again so I felt it was a perfect time to bring back the Top 10 Comics of the week. By no means are things back to normal but a small step like this can help especially when there were some solid gems to read this week. Bear in mind this list is based on my opinion so it may differ from other reviews you see on the site.Â

10. Kill Whitey Donovan #5

Writer: Duncan Sydney

Artist: Natalie Barahona

Publisher: Dark Horse

Description: As Atlanta burns around her, Anna finally tracks down and confronts “Whitey” Donovan. But men like him aren’t easy prey, as she and Hattie will soon discover. Blood will be shed and their lives forever changed-all in the name of revenge.

Why It Made the List: One of my favorite films last year was The Nightingale that centered on a woman“s search for revenge after the brutal murder of her family. Reading Kill Whitey Donovan I could not help but see parallels between both narratives not only based on their central story but how both delved into massive mistreatment and dehumanization of people based on race. Although I do not feel this series has as many nuanced layers as The Nightingale the points it hits are very effective. How this unlikely partnership turned friendship makes that desire to see supposed justice more complicated, and how achieving it may not lead to the satisfaction one seeks. I hope more eyes get on this series because we need more comics in the historical fiction genre.Â

9. Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars – Battle Tales #1

Writer: Michael Moreci

Artist: Arianna Florean

Publisher: IDWÂ

Description: This exciting weekly series explores a time of great upheaval in the galaxy-the Clone Wars! While Obi-Wan Kenobi, Anakin Skywalker, and other Jedi Knights confront Count Dooku, two Republic squadrons must hold their position against an encroaching droid army of the Separatists. Pinned down for the duration, Commander Cody, Captain Rex, and other clones swap war stories that feature your favorite characters from The Clone Wars animated series, such as PadmÃ© Amidala, General Grievous, and many more!

Why It Made the List: The world of comics needs more series like this. Books that center on a property very much in the zeitgeist that is aimed at younger readers. With The Clone Wars just recently wrapping up in epic fashion getting any chance to return to that world is welcome. Star Wars Adventures: The Clone Wars – Battle Tales #1 is a mouthful of a title but also captures much of what made the cartoon series such a fan favorite. One of the series best attributes was how it humanized the Clone characters making them more than cannon fodder. By keeping the story straightforward it allowed room for the characters to display their personality. Anakin Skywalker“s relationship and back in forth with Captain Rex is notably pitch-perfect. How they have this deep-rooted respect for one another despite their different methodology in how they complete their mission. I could see this being a type of gateway comic that kids who do not normally read comics. If they pick up they will see the level of fun storytelling that exists in the pages of a comic can be similar to any film or cartoon.Â

8. Plunge #3

Writer: Joe Hill

Artist: Stuart Immonen, Dan McDaid

Publisher: DC ComicsÂ

Description: The long-lost crew of the Derleth emerges from the wind-scoured stones and twisted pines of the Sinnikik atoll, looking not a day older than when they disappeared 40 years before. They come bearing impossible, dizzying gifts for their rescuers. But at what price?

Why It Made the List: Hill House Comics had two big releases this week and unfortunately I was not able to catch with The Dollhouse Family prior to this list. Luckily Plunge is only three issues into its run so I was able to see what this series has to offer in full. Plunge is a very full comic in the amount of story on the page and the plethora of characters being built. What is refreshing in the way Joe Hill and his different creative teams craft their horror stories is that people act rationally. When the crew of the Derleth creepily emerge from the shadows the answer to that is not just blunt violence but a conversation. A conversation that is eerie and has you sit on edge thinking chaos is only a wrong answer away–but still a conversation. For fans of the horror genre you could not ask for a better time than right now. The Hill House line is proving to be guaranteed quality and other series like The Ice Cream Man from image have done wonders for the genre.Â

7. Year Zero #1

Writer: Benjamin Percy

Artist: Ramon Rosanas

Publisher: UpshotÂ

Description: Ben Percy (Wolverine) and Ramon Rosanas (Star Wars: Age of Resistance) team up to present an epic tale that offers a global look at the Zombie Apocalypse. A Japanese hitman, a Mexican street urchin, an Afghan military aide, a Polar research scientist, a midwestern American survivalist – five survivors of a horrific global epidemic who must draw upon their unique skills and deepest instincts to navigate a world of shambling dead. Year Zero wrestles with the weighty moral and theological questions posed by the pandemic and investigates its cause and possible cure.

Why It Made the List: Launching a new comic publishing line is hard enough in the best of times to try to do it in the middle of a global pandemic has to be impossible. I truly hope they can push through because so far each first issue from Upshot has been solid. Year Zero #1 has a worldwide scope as the zombie apocalypse is set to begin. Is there life left in the zombie genre? Possibly as this setting the stage for a zombie story that will cover the entire world, and to its credit is not rushing to show us the face munchers right away. What is most appealing is the variety of different stories this will be telling not only in location but in the type of character. From an orphan surviving by a great deal of luck to a highly trained assassin.Â

6. Youth #2

Writer: Curt Pires

Artist: Alex Diotto

Publisher: Â Comixology

Description: In the aftermath of the events of issue one, the kids reel to piece together what“s happened to them. And then a government death squad shows up. $hit pops off.

Why It Made the List: One of the benefits of not having new comics is it does force you to try new things in new places. I have not read the majority of the Comixology original stories but the few I had were rather solid and Youth may be the best thing to come from this market so far. At first it appeared this was going to be a type of slice of life book about some teenagers rebelling against a system that clearly was not working for them. At the end of the first issue there is a major change that brought in some supernatural aspects into the mix. This issue continued that focus as these characters emerged from a major accident with crazy superpowers. An old fashioned model is seen through a new lens and it works. As a major fan of the film Chronicle, this captures a similar type of tone. One that makes the aspect of superpowers feel super and no way the norm. If you are a member of ComiXology Unlimited the best part is this issue is free and if you are not the price is quite reasonable as well. Price does not impact the quality of a book but if you are interested in trying something new it is good to know you can dip your toe in without breaking the bank.

5. Hawkeye: Freefall #5

Writer: Matthew Rosenberg

Artist: Otto Schmidt

Publisher: MarvelÂ

Description: Hawkeye“s relationship with Ronin has even his friends turning against him. He“s been lying about a lot of things. But you can“t lie to Captain America. Meanwhile, his war with the Hood is beginning to spin out of control as the people close to him are put in real danger. Having to deal with the Hood was bad enough, but now Clint finds himself in the sites of another former Hawkeye. No. Not her… Enter BULLSEYE.

Why It Made the List: Although Marvel did not ship books this week they did release a few that are digital-only. As a big fan of this series, it is disheartening the final two issues will not be getting a physical release. This is one of the best series Marvel put out this year and deserves much more fanfare. Matthew Rosenberg may be the best person in superhero comics today when it comes to the dialog as this issue demonstrates. It is funny, heartfelt, and downright depressing often within the same conversation. Otto Schmidt is an artist we need more of in comics. As simplistic as it sounds his art is just fun to look at. For the first time in a long time we have a Hawkeye series that is doing so much more than trying to recapture the same magic of the Fraction/Aja run.

4. Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen #10

Writer: Matt Fraction

Artist: Steve Lieber

Publisher: DC ComicsÂ

Description: Jimmy continues his world tour, risking his life for more of your sweet retweets, likes, and faves! Plus, the mastermind behind Jimmy“s assassination is revealed”¦ and the insidious secret he“s willing to kill for will upend everything everywhere forever, assuming by “everything”“ you mean “everything in the pages of just this comic.”“ Also…you“ve heard of Arm-Fall-Off-Boy? Get ready to meet the entire Fall-Off-Family. What connection do they have to all this nonsense? Probably not much, but hey, you never know.

Why It Made the List: This the week to release series that are criminally underrated. First with Hawkeye and now with Superman’s Pal, Jimmy Olsen. With only two issues left hopefully this gains a new life in trade because it has been the most insane fun comics has had to offer since its debut. Taking the magic of the Silver Age and placing it into a story with the sensibilities of today. Not that it is all sizzle with no steak. In this issue the person who is behind Jimmy“s assignation attempts is revealed and it is a surprising twist on what you would expect. Anytime a story parodies Godfather II as well as this it deserves a list on the best books list.Â

3. Deadly Class #44

Writer: Rick Remender

Artist: Wes Craig

Publisher: Image ComicsÂ

Description: “BONE MACHINE,”“ Part Five Finals are here but Marcus“ plans haven“t gone as expected. Quite the opposite. While he was making plans for Kings Dominion, Master Lin was making plans for him. The fifth and final issue in the “Bone Machine” story arc promises many unexpected and shocking events.

Why It Made the List: When talking about Deadly Class a lot of attention tends to go to the work of Rick Remender and Wes Craig and deservedly so, but this issue is a giant reminder that Jordan Boyd“s colors are a major factor in the execution of this story as well. This issue opens with a flashback of a much happier time and Boyd uses this warm shade of blue that brings the feeling of those great times we wish we were still in. After that opening, the direction of the story takes a 180-degree turn as the violence and danger are at their peak. The color choices work the same way a great score does as it enhances the moment by placing you in the right mindset without you even realizing it is happening. Each sequence has a distinct color palette which also enhances the general storytelling as well so you are never lost with the sequence of events. When you add in Rus Wooton“s stylish letters you have one of the best art teams in all of comics.Â

2. Red Sonja #15

Writer: Mark Russell

Artist: Bob Q

Publisher: Dynamite EntertainmentÂ

Description: “To Cut And To Bleed” The epic continues. Sonja The Red can save her kingdom…by abdicating her throne. If she agrees to lead a man’s army, and kill indiscriminately, then her people will be fed.Â

Why It Made the List: There are those books you read because they are fun. There are those books you read because they take you on an emotional journey. Then there is a book like the current run of Red Sonja that I read because it oddly makes me feel like it can make me into a better person. That is partially in jest, but what is true is how this has become this enthralling dissertation on leadership and what it means to be a true leader. Often there is a moment or two that can burn down deep in your soul and it happens this issue during a conversation about the true horrors of starvation. As a fan of Mark Russell and Bob Q“s work on The Lone Ranger I am happy whenever they work together. One sequence that stood out was during a bridge collapse. Simply by changing the angle at the right moment the impact of that sequence was massive. As a novice to the world of Red Sonja I cannot say where this ranks among other runs but I could not imagine it not being near the very top.Â

1. DCeased: Unkillables #3

Writer: Tom Taylor

Artist: Karl Mostert

Publisher: DC ComicsÂ

Description: It“s the epic finale of the next chapter in the DCeased saga as heroes and villains collide with one epic purpose: to escape the coming of the infected population of Gotham City and a monstrous Wonder Woman! It“s time to ride the fury road one final time”¦to survival!

Why It Made the List: While this week had some solid comics when it came to naming the number one book the choice as obvious. DCeased has done something that I did not think was possible again. It has made death matter in superhero comics again. It does not matter if this does not take place in the main DC universe because you care about these versions of the characters, and by being in a separate universe the deaths mean more because they will in all likelihood stick. Now it is not just that this series kills people. That’s an easy way to gain attention. It is how well character is on display in each issue. It is all about the little moments that make those big moments mean more. Cheetah allowing a little girl to pet her and call her kitty which in turn has a devastating payoff later. Tom Taylor deserves a lot of credit for how well DCeased as turned out. Here though I may have been even more impressed with the work of Karl Mostert. An artist I am not super familiar with that is very much ready for the big time. If given the right properties Mostert has a massive career in the making.Â

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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.