Top 10 Comics for the Week of 5/22/2019

With May being a five week month I figured we would have a week or two that would be on the lighter side and this was it. Still, there were some books I really enjoyed that made doing the top 10 quite easy. Also due to some life events, I am writing this article much later than I normally do so it may come out later than normal.

As always this list is based solely off of my opinion so may differ from other reviews on the site…

10. Assassin Nation #3

Writer: Kyle Starks

Artist: Erica Henderson

Publisher: Image Comics

Description: Our surviving hitmen go into full-on kill mode as they try to take down the leader of the Merda Morra gang and maybe finally put this whole thing to bed. Though, you know, it IS a whole gang they“ll have to fight, and they WILL have to take down current No. 1 hitman Taipan to get the job done. Want to take bets on how many get out of this issue alive?

Why it Made the List: As someone who greatly enjoyed Kyle Starks work on Kill Them All and now Assassin Nation it is clear he has an affinity for the absurdity of the action genre. His knack for dialog and inventive gags makes both work to great effect. That paired with Erica Henderson“s cartooning and you have a series that is built to provide a pure shot of entertainment straight to the cranium. Three issues in and this book lives up to its name. Any character can die at any time, and despite the massive cast list you have a sense of who most of the major players are and right when you think you have a sense of where it may be going a massive explosion of action changes that.Â

9. Detective Comics #1004

Writer: Peter J. Tomasi

Artist: Brad Walker

Publisher: DC Comics

Description: The face behind the mask is revealed! Who“s taken up the mantle of the Arkham Knight? What“s their endgame? And what“s the shocking secret that Batman never knew about a part of his life he“d taken for granted?

Why it Made the List: Going into this issue I was not expecting to like it at all. I have never been a major fan of building a narrative around the hidden identity of a character. You end up with a story full of red herrings for the single purpose of misdirection. In addition, when the identity of the Arkham Knight was revealed in the last issue my initial reaction was concern as it appeared we were getting another character whose motivation was reactionary to Batman instead of inherent in their own needs. When you are wrong you are wrong as this issue proved. Arkham Knight“s origin is ridiculous but in the right way for a Batman villain or foe. One built-in tragedy reflective of Batman himself without being repetitive. When it comes to new characters you never know when one will stick or fade into obscurity. If this issue is any hint into what the future holds I would think the Arkham Knight may be one of those characters that will stick around for some time.

8. Dial H for Hero #3

Writer: Sam Humphries

Artist: Joe Quinones

Publisher: Wonder Comics

Description: Teen daredevil Miguel and runaway Summer travel to the hime of the flash in Central City to steal back the H-Dial as a secret former weilder of the powerful device swears to do anything to becomes a hero again – including handing the dial to Mr. Thunderbolt, the villanous entity working to steal the Dial. But it’s hard to work together when you can’t trust your partners… so it’s time for the mysterious Summer to reveal her past to Miguel!

Why it Made the List: Looking at the Wonder Comics imprint their mantra appears to be taking that indescribable element of the medium that sparks imagination and pure emotion and build stories around that. This issue of Dial H for Hero specifically homages the world of Vertigo comics and their groundbreaking approaches to the artform. It was an impressive display of knowledge and craft, and major credit needs to go to artist Joe Quinones. There is not an artist who has had to infuse so many different styles into a series only three issues in. The Dial H concept does not seem like something that would work in today“s world but so far it has been a way for these creators to dive into the type of variety this medium can offer.

7. Avengers #19

Writer: Jason Aaron

Artist: Ed McGuinness

Publisher: Marvel Comics

Description: WAR OF THE REALMS TIE-IN! Avengers Mountain is under siege as the last stronghold of Earth“s heroes is the subject of an all-out assault by the forces of Malekith!

Why it Made the List: With this issue of Avengers Jason Aaron tapped into one of his best skills as a writer and that is building character in a clean and concise manner. He did it with Scalped, Southern Bastards, and now Avengers. Here we get a story focused on Gorilla Man and it was wonderful. As the book nears its end he has you almost convinced he is the type of character that could carry his own series, and his perspective gives us insight to the world of the Avengers you do not get from an A list hero that has been on the team forever. Beyond that, this was an issue that tied into the current War of the Realms storyline without derailing the current momentum of the title as it looped back to previous arcs on the title. A lot was balanced in a very short bit of time.

6. Mary Shelley: Monster Hunter #2

Writer: Adam Glass

Artist: Hayden Sherman

Publisher: Aftershock ComicsÂ

Description: Mary discovers not only that their mysterious host is a surgeon intent on reanimating the dead, but also that she’s a woman. Banished from a career in medicine because of her sex, Dr. Victoria Frankenstein has decided to create a manservant devoted to her success in a mysoginystic world. The only thing she needs is a partner. Mary quickly sees the potential to carry on her late mother’s feminist work, but agreeing would mean betraying her closest companions, and becoming an accomplice to murder…

Why it Made the List: I love those comic book issues where it feels like you are getting one massive story to read instead of a small piece of a much larger whole. Adam Glass and Hayden Sherman“s Mary Shelley: Monster Hunter is retelling one of fiction“s greatest stories, which is a lot of responsibility to take on for any creative team. It works in large part due to how much it still feels like classic literature. From the cadence of the dialog to the way Hayden Sherman renders this world never does it come across like a story forcibly modernized for today“s audience. If it did the general concept would cease to work.

5. The Goon #2

Writer/Artist: Eric Powell

Variant Cover: Artist: Alex Ross

Publisher: Albatross Funnybooks

Description: Â The Goon’s return to Lonely Street is off to a bumpy start. And it’s about to get bumpier when he crosses paths with up and coming crime lord Vinnie Nosferatu.

Why it Made the List: I was extremely late to the world of The Goon, but luckily with this latest series, a brand new jumping on point has been created. Even going as far as introducing a brand new villain this issue that ties into one of the greatest fictional characters ever created. As someone who enjoys Old School Hollywood especially the Universal Monster era, there is so much to love with Eric Powell“s art style, although to simply associate it with just does it a disservice as he brings his own originally to this as well. For a character to last as long as Goon as it is a small miracle, and not only last but still be welcoming to a new generation of readers is nearly unheard of in today“s world.

4. Ghost Tree #2

Writer: Bobby Curnow

Artist: Simon Gane

Publisher: IDWÂ

Description: Brandt discovers more about his family’s past as he reels from a surprise return of someone that played a pivotal part in his life. Meanwhile, a malevolent creature begins to stalk the departed denizens of the Ghost Tree… From writer Bobby Curnow (Ward’s Valley, TMNT) and artist Simon Gane (They’re Not Like Us, Godzilla). Character-based drama with heart!

Why it Made the List: Ghost Tree is working its way to being one of the best surprises of the comic world this year. There is a level of sweetness to it that is understated but ever-present. Underneath that there is this level of creepiness as you are dealing with actual ghosts who are stuck on this plane for different reasons. They have taken this supernatural concept gets boiled down to deep conversations on being able to let go and accept one“s own fate.

3. Road of Bones #1

Writer: Rich Douek

Artist: Alex Cormack

Publisher: IDWÂ

Description: In 1953, the Siberian Gulag of Kolyma is hell on Earth-which is why Roman Morozov leaps at the chance to escape it. But even if they make it out, Roman and his fellow escapees still have hundreds of miles of frozen tundra between them and freedom. With the help of a mysterious being straight out of his childhood fairy tale stories, Roman just might make it-or is the being simply a manifestation of his brutal circumstances driving him insane?

Why it Made the List: (Full Review) Even if the domovik is real that does not mean the series is lost as it will all come down to execution. For some having that piece may even increase their overall enjoyment of the book. Either way, this does exactly what a first issue should. Enough context is given to understand what concept this story is built upon and within that story is a character with an intriguing tale to tell. Having a unique setting and time also separates it from a crowded comic book field and the art provides an ideal sense of place and atmosphere. All this makes Road of Bones #1 one of the best first issues that has been released this year.

2. Middlewest #7

Writer: Skottie Young

Artist: Jorge Corona

Publisher: Image Comics

Description: Just as the chance for a new life was starting to come together, Abel spirals out of control again and his adoptive family gets caught in the storm.

Why it Made the List: I have always greatly respect Skottie Young as a comic creator but with this series, I feel he is showing a side to him as a writer he has not shown in the past. The deep and traumatic turmoil deep-rooted in this story is so well handled and well thought out it is as if this story has been one he wanted to tell for ages. Jorge Corona“s art is perfect for this book as it has a mature fairytale-like quality to it fits both the setting and emotional pull of the story. This issue again provided insight into the circle of abuse that occurs and how those who have suffered the worst often are unable to find the very help they need. How those we trust the most can hurt is in less obvious ways that sting just as much.Â

1. War of the Realms Strikeforce: The Land of Giants #1

Writer: Tom Taylor

Artist: Jorge Molina

Publisher: Marvel ComicsÂ

Description: Â The God of Thunder in the land of ice and snow.”¦And it“s up to Captain America to rescue him before all is lost! Taking up Thor“s ax, Jarnbjorn, Cap and his team””Spider-Man, Wolverine, Luke Cage and Iron Fist””invade the Frost Giant realm in search of their fellow Avenger. But this rescue mission will cost far more than they expect”¦

Why it Made the List: This was a week where I had no idea what I would choose for number one even as I was writing this article. It kept flipping back and forth but ultimately when it came down to the issue that had the biggest impact on me it was War of the Realms Strikeforce: The Land of Giants #1. I have been enjoying War of the Realms a good amount but this may be the best thing to come out of it so far, and honestly much of that is due to one of the best jokes I have read in comics in forever. Not to ruin it but it involves horse talk. Those laughs echoed loud enough to drown out some of the whimperings that came as this issue ended. Tom Taylor is having himself a year and if there is any doubt he is one of the best comic writers today these last few weeks with this and series like Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man has erased all that.

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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.