On the previous must-read new comic books list, DC Comics’ Barbara Gordon: Breakout No. 1 makes an impressive debut with a banger of an issue, and Marvel makes the top ten with Magik and Colossus No. 4. However, it was Image Comics that ruled the week with Transformers No. 32, Blood and Thunder No. 13, W0rldtr33 No. 20, and Ghost Pepper No. 11.
This week, Image shines again with some incredible titles. Among them is the beginning of a new series. Despite that, DC Comics may have had the best comic book of the week. Let’s begin with that.
Absolute Green Arrow No. 1
- Writer: Pornsak Pichetshote
- Artist: Rafael Albuquerque
- Colors: Marcelo Maiolo
After seeing what Hawkman did to Oliver Queen in Absolute Evil, I couldn’t wait to read Absolute Green Arrow. And while high expectations can ruin a project, it wasn’t the case here. The action, mystery, and brutality in the artwork were all fantastic and will continue the allure and need for the continuation of the Absolute Universe.
X-Men United No. 3
- Writer: Eve Ewing
- Artist: Tiago Palma
- Colors: Brian Reber
Eve Ewing showed a part of American history that people either don’t know about or neglect to discuss, and that’s the experimentation of Black men in the military (the Tuskegee Syphilis Study). It clearly wasn’t the same thing, but highlighting the bad parts of history is one of the ways we don’t repeat it. This was brilliantly done, and the battle was won with a conversation rather than violence.
Wonder Woman No. 33
- Writer: Tom King
- Artist: Daniel SampereÂ
- Colors: Alejandro Sánchez
You could tell that Wonder Woman: The Wonder War was going to be a grim story. It started with the death of the Amazons and then most of the Justice League. Thankfully, within all of the bleak storytelling, Tom King added some levity and heart. You're also seeing a more aggressive and determined Wonder Woman, who did something desperate to save the world.
Fantastic Four No. 11
- Writer: Ryan North
- Pencilers: Serge Lapointe and Pat BoutinÂ
- Colors: Brittany Peer and Edgar Delgado
Whenever Ryan North writes a story that follows Ben Grimm’s thoughts, you can trust that it will be special. In this case, the Ever-Lovin' Blue-Eyed Thing helped create something that will affect the world going forward, and he did it by using his heart and how he sees potential good in the world. In a long run of beautiful stories, this was one of his best.
Invincible Universe: Battle Beast No. 9
- Writer: Robert Kirkman
- Artist: Ryan Ottley
- Colors: Annalisa Leoni
Invincible Universe: Battle Beast No. 9 didn’t give readers an epic final fight between Battle Beast and Juggernaut of Emsiu, but that wasn’t the point of this issue. It was to build up to something better: the fight between him and Conquest. Their first interaction was perfect and must have gotten fans pumped for the first punch thrown.
Smile: For the Camera No. 3
- Writer: Hannah Rose May
- Artist: Miriana Puglia
- Colors: Dearbhla Kelly
This quickly went from a horror comic book to one with a mystery. There’s something nefarious and disgusting going on with the guys in the fashion industry, and it looks like Ivy Monroe (the lead character) will be the one to help stop a monster. The part you may not realize is that the monster in question isn’t the Smile Parasite. That's a completely different problem altogether.
Powers 25 No. 9
- Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
- Artist: Michael Avon Oeming
- Colors: Nick Filardi
The way Brian Michael Bendis has developed these new characters has been great. For example, in Powers 25 No. 9, readers see that Detective Moebius Moon is not afraid of being outnumbered by people with powers and can throw down in a fight. It was a question that needed answering since he hadn’t been in a real brawl until now.
Absolute Flash No. 15
- Writer: Jeff Lemire
- Artist: Nick Robles
- Colors: Adriano Lucas
It’s amazing how writer Jeff Lemire has continued to add new characters to Absolute Flash without making the story too confusing. For example, issue No. 15 introduced Rick Flag Jr., Silas, Victor Stone, and more. What's even more impressive is that each of the characters mentioned has a storyline that will eventually tie back to Wally West.Â
Odin No. 1
- Writers: James Tynion IV and Marguerite Bennett
- Artist: Letizia Cadonici
- Colors: Jordie Bellaire
I had no idea what to think going into this series. Nevertheless, being a fan of writers James Tynion IV (W0rldtr33) and Marguerite Bennett (Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Beyond the Grid), artist Letizia Cadonici (It Killed Everyone But Me), and colorist Jordie Bellaire (Exquisite Corpses) meant I was all in.
The introduction of the characters was superb, as was how the comic’s theme was explained. It also has an unpredictable and brutal ending, fitting for something about Odin and Norse Mythology. However, we don’t even know if their journey will lead them to the All Father or if this is just a ridiculous story believed by horrible people.
Deathstroke: Terminator No. 3
- Writer: Tony Fleecs
- Artist: Carmine Di Giandomenico
- Colors: Ivan Plascencia
I love a good backstory when it’s well-done, and that is the case here. Tony Fleecs takes readers on a journey into how the DC Comics’ assassins created a more civilized system. It was a great look at how they rarely walk over each other or kill one another. It's not surprising that Slade Wilson (Deathstroke) was part of the reason this happened. He may be the most professional assassin ever.
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