Kelly Thompson’s Birds of Prey concluded with a 10/10 finale last week, which had us in complete awe. In Image Comics’ G.I. Joe, Duke and Cobra Commander were defeated by a new and ruthless enemy. Meanwhile, in Marvel Comics, Wiccan: Witches’ Road debuted and was better than this writer could have hoped.
But now it’s another week of new comic books. So who made our Top 10 list this time around? Let’s start with something… amazing.
Amazing Spider-Man No. 17
- Writer: Joe Kelly
- Artist: Pepe Larraz
- Colors: Marte Gracia
Writer Joe Kelly has been using old lessons Uncle Ben taught Peter Parker to help him be a better superhero. Not only has that been successful, but this series is continually showing how great a man his uncle was.
Now, in Amazing Spider-Man No. 17, Peter tells Raelith about someone in his past who did something horrific, sparing the readers of the details. The story was enough to motivate Raelith to stand up for herself. An incredible moment that every Spider-Man fan will love.
It Killed Everyone But Me No. 4
- Writer: Ryan Parrott
- Artist: Letizia Cadonici
- Colors: Alessandro Santoro
Four issues in, and It Killed Everyone But Me is becoming one of the best horror comic books I’ve read. Not only is it brutal and gory without overdoing it, but the dark humor from the Heathen is spot on. I love that writer Ryan Parrott is making the villain likable, but only because he’s funny.
Ultimate Spider-Man No. 23
- Writer: Jonathan Hickman
- Artists: David Messina and Marco Checchetto
- Colors: Matt Wilson
This is the moment we’ve been waiting for. Readers get to see what months of training, torture, and ups and downs have done to Ultimate Spider-Man. And, when the issue ends, it leads to the big finale where Peter will likely give Wilson Fisk the receipt he’s owed.
Absolute Batman No. 15
- Writer: Scott Snyder
- Artist: Jock
- Colors: Frank Martin
Scott Snyder didn’t disappoint fans with the origin of Absolute Joker. It wasn’t just horrific in terms of the horrific things he physically did to people, it was worse as you realise that he’s worked with some of the worst people in history and did it with a smile.
Unbreakable X-Men No. 3
- Writer: Gail Simone
- Artists: Davide Tinto, Luciano Vecchio, Mario Santoro, R. B. Silva, and Tiago Palma
- Colors: Espen Grundetjern
In a world where doom, death, and destruction are around every corner, this mutant family comes out unbreakable. And unlike many of the Age of Revelation tie-ins, this concludes with a happy ending. I doubt you’ll be able to read this issue without realizing that the future of mutants is in good hands.
Ultimate Black Panther No. 23
- Writer: Bryan Hill
- Artist: Carlos Nieto
- Colors: David Curiel
Rarely have I read a comic book that builds up a fight so quickly, without anything being rushed. Bryan Hill made the heroes understand the severity of the situation without the drama that normally comes. It was fantastic, and I have no idea how he tops this issue going into Ultimate Black Panther’s finale.
Ultimate Wolverine No. 12
- Writer: Chris Condon
- Artist: Alessandro Cappuccio
- Colors: Bryan Valenza
This issue of Ultimate Wolverine was an example of why this series is a must-read. It has all of the action, quips, and deep moments you’d expect from a series starring Logan. It also adds to the theme of this new Ultimate Universe in which people are fighting back against oppression.
Blood and Thunder No. 8
- Writer: Benito Cereno
- Artists: E. J. Su
- Colors: Michele Assarasakorn
This was the funniest issue of Blood and Thunder so far. It still had all of the political and social commentary that I want from the series, but readers also get a more light-hearted version of it, especially from Akeldama "Blood" Bledsoe. And with the story ending with the promise of a fight, I can’t wait to see the snarky remarks from Bledsoe as she’s using her new knives.
Aquaman No. 12
- Writer: Jeremy Adams
- Artist: John Timms
- Colors: Rex Lokus
I figured at some point someone would win their DC KO fight without losing, and I also assumed it would be this battle. But I didn’t expect Aquaman to dominate the way he did. It makes sense since Arthur Curry got a power upgrade. But, still, this was domination on a level that’s rarely seen.
DC K.O.: Wonder Woman vs. Lobo No. 1
- Writer: Joëlle Jones
- Artist: Cary Nord, Daniel Bayliss, and Jason Howard
- Colors: Tamra Bonvillain and Daniel Bayliss
As expected, this was a fight to remember. This was so good that three normal rounds weren’t enough. The Princess of Themyscira and the Scourge of the Cosmos needed a third round with multiple battles in between. It ends how you’d expect, but something within it may have affected the loser’s future.
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