In the previous must-read new comic book article, Image Comics’ Geiger No. 22 led the charge. Along with that title was another banger from Kelly Thompson's Absolute Wonder Woman (DC Comics), Erica Schultz’s Rogue (Marvel), and Dan Watters’ Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder (IDW).
This week had another group of fantastic new comic books. Let’s start with another brilliant issue from an amazing creative team.
Daredevil No. 1
- Writer: Stephanie Phillips
- Artist: Lee Garbett
- Colors: Frank Martin
Daredevil No. 1 may be the most anticipated comic book of 2026, and it doesn’t disappoint. A fan of the Man Without Fear will get everything that they want and more right from the beginning. This proves that the creative team knows the character and is raising the bar for people coming in after them.
From the very first page, Stephanie Phillips hits readers with a monologue of dark poetry, while Lee Garbett and Frank Martin bring a beautiful and dark visual. Then, after the Daredevil opening, we see Professor Matt Murdock, and it’s glorious. The essence of the character’s intelligence, understanding, and attraction to strong women is on display.
Batman No. 8
- Writer: Matt Fraction
- Artist: Ryan Sook
- Colors: Tomeu Morey
Matt Fraction does it again. This time, we see a part of Batman that’s rarely seen. The humble one with a fun personality. He made jokes, talked to Alan Scott with a ton of respect, and drank a cup of coffee in his costume. If you can’t smile at that, I’ve got nothing.
Absolute Superman No. 18
- Writer: Jason Aaron
- Artist: Rafa Sandoval
- Colors: Ulises Arreola
Jason Aaron’s writing fails to get readers emotionally invested in a character. In this case, there’s Absolute Teth Adam, who started as a slave and escaped his torment only to be captured by a maniac named Brainiac. Then, the issue ends with readers seeing what his tormentors' experiments turned him into.
Poison Ivy No. 43
- Writer: G. Willow Wilson
- Artist: Jaime Infante
- Colors: Arif Prianto
When Dr. Pamela Isley became the mayor of Gotham City, I wondered how long it would take before she killed someone. I should have bet the under, because it only took two issues of Poison Ivy.
G. Willow Wilson continues to make Ivy shine by keeping her the character that people know and love. But it’s also why her being mayor is a gift and a curse. She’s going to do some good, but people will die in the process. The question now is how many people will be killed and how long she will be in office.
Captain Marvel: Dark Past No. 1
- Writer: Paul Jenkins
- Artist: Lucas Werneck
- Colors: Rod Fernandes
Whenever I read comic books like this, I wonder why more people aren’t fans of Carol Danvers. She’s powerful, is willing to sacrifice her well-being to protect others, and is undeniably smart. Plus, she has a sense of humor. It may be a bit dry, but she has moments that are downright funny.
Hopefully, people will read Captain Marvel: Dark Past No. 1 and see what I’ve noticed since Kelly Sue Deconnick, Kelly Thompson, and Alyssa Wong have written her. And that's because Carol Danvers has been an elite superhero for decades.
Magneto pinup. @MarvelComicsHQ pic.twitter.com/q12eFrgJ9q
— Netho Diaz (@nethodiazz) December 6, 2024
X-Men No. 28
- Writer: Jed MacKay
- Penciler: Netho Diaz
- Inkers: John Dell and Sean Parsons
- Colors: Arthur Hesli
Jed MacKay has created new and brought in random villains throughout his run of X-Men, but this group may be my favorite. They’re obsessive, evil, and good at what they do. That’s why the X-Men’s eventual comeback will be great. It will show how Marvel’s Mightiest Mutants aren’t dead and gone until you’ve confirmed the kill. Even then, that doesn’t mean they’re out of the fight.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Casey Jones No. 6
- Writer: Alex Paknade
- Artists: Amancay Nahuelpan and Max Raynor
- Colors: Luis Antonio Delgad
It’s unfortunate that this series is ending. Alex Paknade gave fans of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles a mini-series that showed the depth of Casey Jones and the lengths he’ll go to for the people he cares about. And not just the Ninja Turtles and April O'Neil. He almost got himself killed helping a young mutant find their father.
Venom No. 256
- Writer: Al Ewing
- Artist: Carlos Gómez
- Colors: Frank D'Armata
I may be the only comic book fan who didn’t want Paul to die. Was he ever going to get his own series? Absolutely not, but he provided an annoyance that’s needed in comic books. Not everyone can be an all-star superhero or host to a symbiote. And while some may celebrate his death, I truly believe his absence will be felt in a few months.
Speed Racer No. 7
- Writer: David Pepose
- Artist: Davide Tinto
- Colors: Jão Canola
The previous issue of Speed Racer was intense. Losing wasn’t the biggest part of the story. Speed was outclassed by the son of his father’s rival, Carl Cranem. So that wasn't just a defeat...it was personal. Thankfully, Speed Racer No. 7 comes with redemption.
Whenever a hero loses, you hope that they can learn from their defeat and come back better. Speed did that in two ways. First, he overcame the anger from being beaten, and then mended the relationship with his father. It’s the kind of growth you want in a comic book, and it was wonderfully done.
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