Last week, Image Comics had an amazing assortment of awesomeness with titles like The Power Fantasy, Transformers, The Unchosen, and Blood and Thunder. This week, Marvel Comics came through with mayhem as they dominate the best of the newest comic books.
One that note, let's see how dominant they are while also seeing what else is on the must-read list.
Captain America No. 4
- Writer: Chip Zdarsky
- Artist: Valerio Schiti
- Colors: Frank Martin
Chip Zdarsky is writing the Captain America comic book with the inspiration that the world needs. He stood up to a tyrant (Doctor Doom) in front of his people and defended a country that wasn’t his because he saw innocents getting hurt. It was classic Cap.
Even with that victory, the ending shows that there is another battle for Steve Rogers to fight. Unlike the other one with Doom, it will take more than fists and shields to win. He'll have to explain what it means to be Captain America.
Amazing Spider-Man No. 14
- Writer: Joe Kelly
- Artists: Todd Nauck and Ed McGuinness
- Colors: Marcio Menyz
Despite Norman Osborn’s change of attitude happening for years, it’s still weird. But in a good way. He still has a long way to go, but seeing him recognize his past mistakes and how hard Spider-Man works (even though it seems like a lost cause) is incredible. Hopefully, this is Norman’s permanent personality. Like Juggeranut, he’s a more interesting hero than villain.
Nightwing No. 131
- Writer: Dan Watters
- Artist: Dexter Soy
- Colors: Veronica Gandini
Dan Watters’ run on Nightwing started with a new antagonist named Olivia Pearce, who is working with a mysterious villain named Zanni. While they’ve been the main concern for the last thirteen issues, this is the comic where things truly kick off. There are additions to the story, a ton of action, and an ending that may shock readers.
Ghost Pepper No. 4
- Writer: Ludo Lullabi
- Artist: Ludo Lullabi
- Colors: Adriano Lucas
When people look back at this series, this will be the issue that started the momentum. The first three comics were always among the best every week, but this was special. Readers get a chance to see what the lead character Ash is truly made of. And it's not just his superior strength; there's more to him, and writer (and artist) Ludo Lullabi shows it.
Rogue Storm No. 1
- Writer: Murewa Ayodele
- Artist: Roland Boschi
- Colors: Neeraj Menon
Storm is one of the gentlest heroes in all of comics. A woman who’s looked at as a god by other deities. In the first issue of Rogue Storm, we see what happens if Ororo Munroe becomes an angry god, and it isn’t pretty.
There weren’t a lot of details on what turned Storm into a killer, but that’s more than okay. This was the setup for a mini-series that’s going to rock. However, you can also tell it will be heartbreaking.
One World Under Doom No. 8
- Writer: Ryan North
- Artist: R.B. Silva
- Colors: David Curiel
The comic book world finally saw what Victor Von Doom is capable of when he’s unleashed. He’s more than a regular character. Doctor Doom is a force of nature that destroys superhumans, mutants, and Gods. Sadly, the price he paid for his victory may not have been worth it.
G.I. Joe No. 12
- Writer: Joshua Williamson
- Artist: Marco Foderà
- Colors: Lee Loughridge
New characters from the original G.I. Joe cartoon keep getting added. Here, the best marksman on Earth was introduced, and her name is Shooter. Beyond making an impossible shot, she seems to have one of the coolest and calmest demeanors in the Energon Universe.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder No. 2
- Writer: Dan Watters
- Artists: Sid Kotian and Michele Bandini
- Colors: Marco Lesko
For the uninformed (like me), seeing Oroku Saki be the vicious, smooth, and mysterious character he’s said to be is amazing. In Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder No. 2, he does that brutally by turning someone’s myth into a fact.
Incredible Hulk No. 30
- Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
- Artist: Nic Klein
- Colors: Matthew Wilson
Writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson and artist Nic Klein said a new Hulk was coming, but I kept hope that it would still be the primary Hulk. Sadly, no. After a devastating loss and ego-breaking loss, PKJ and Nic Klein are bringing an age of Monsters to the Marvel Comics Universe, and there will be blood.
Iron & Frost No. 1
- Writer: Cavan Scott
- Artist: Ruairi Coleman
- Colors: Yen Nitro
The consequences of the Age of Revelation event may not be permanent, but they will be remembered. With someone like Emma Frost, the fallout will be major. After everything she’s experienced in this issue (and likely throughout this mini-series), don’t be shocked if she becomes a better leader in X-Men: The Shadows of Tomorrow.
Best of the week by category:
- Comic book of the week: Captain America No. 4
- Hero of the week: Steve Rogers (Captain America No. 4)
- Villain of the week: Doctor Doom (One World Under Doom No. 8)
- Fight of the week: The Hulk vs Eldest (Incredible Hulk No. 30)
- Team of the week: Justice League Red (Justice League Red No. 3)
- Moment of the week: The death of Valeria Richards (One World Under Doom No. 8)
- Writer of the week: Chip Zdarsky (Captain America No. 4)
- Artists of the week: Travis Moore and Adriano Lucas (Absolute Flash No. 8)
- Cover of the week: Iron & Frost No. 1 (Ryan Brown)
- Funny moment of the week: “You could hurt yourself with a move like that.” - Ash in Ghost Pepper No. 4
- Underrated comic book of the week: Absolute Flash No. 8
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