In the previous must-read new comic books article, Marvel Comics fans saw what was supposed to be the end of the Ultimate Universe in Ultimate Endgame and Ultimate Finale. However, it looks like things could continue.
Also on the list was a banger of a first issue of Joshua Williamson’s Universal Monsters: Blood of the Wolf Man. The final issue of Justice League: Dream Girls ends with good news, and IDW’s Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Shredder No. 9 continues to be an amazing series.
This week is heavy with Marvel and DC Comics, but they’re all issues that should be read. Let’s begin with a series that concluded.
Absolute Martian Manhunter No. 12
- Writer: Deniz Camp
- Artist, Colors: Javier Rodriguez
Absolute Martian Manhunter No. 12 was the end of one of the best maxi-series ever written and illustrated. A series full of despair and negativity showed how even the worst times can lead to happiness. It also highlighted that it isn’t easy but is certainly possible.
Mortal Thor No. 12
- Writer: Al Ewing
- Artist: Jesús Saíz
- Colors: Matt Milla
Writer Al Ewing dropped a bomb in Mortal Thor No. 12 that no one saw coming. And, at the end of the issue, not even the God of stories, Loki, predicted that his games to save his brother could turn into the possible destruction of Midgard. Combine the genius writing with the beautiful art of Jesús Saíz and colors by Matt Milla, and you have one of the best comic books of the week.
Batman No. 11
- Writer: Matt Fraction
- Artist: Jorge Jiménez
- Colors: Tomeu Morey
Batman No. 11 was full of storylines crucial to the series’ future. For example, the Penguin attempts to start a criminal revolution against the Minotaur; Bruce Wayne learns that Doctor Annika Zeller wasn’t the Ōjō’s initial target (Batman No. 5); and a new character debuts on the final page. Thankfully, Matt Fraction’s Batman flowed smoothly despite having a lot to go over.
Poison Ivy No. 46
- Writer: G. Willow Wilson
- Artist: Leandro Fernández
- Colors: Arif Prianto
Janet Mitchell (aka Janet-from-HR) and Juhi Prakash journey to Throatcutter Hill to find Harkey Quinn in hopes that she can talk sense into Mayor Pamela Isley (Poison Ivy). On their way, Janet sees that Gotham hasn’t improved under Mayor Ivy’s reign. Ivy’s deal with Police Commissioner Vandal Savage and the Order of the Green Knight’s tactics have made the city more dangerous than normal.
This was a great issue that will continue to lead to the Batman story, Bad Seeds. If I had to guess, something dire will happen to Janet, and Ivy will be the cause. This will either force Ivy to see the error of her ways or become more aggressive.
She-Spawn No. 3
- Writer: Gail Simone
- Artist: Ig Guara
- Colors: Robert Nugent
Things were going too well for Jessica Priest (She-Spawn) in the last couple of issues, and her good luck appeared to be continuing here. She and Al Simmons managed to escape a racist cop and even got some money for a nice breakfast and comic books for Al. Sadly, the good fortune ends on the last pages of the issue. However, a classic Image Comics character may intervene in issue No. 4 of She-Spawn.
What If...? Secret Wars (2026)
- Writer: Alex Paknadel
- Artist: CAFU
- Colors: David Curiel
I was anticipating this issue, and I wasn’t disappointed. Writer Alex Paknadel gave readers the doom and sadness that fans of the OG Ultimate Universe (Universe 1610) remember. But with that came the hope that people who have read the new Ultimate Universe (6160) have enjoyed. It was brilliantly done.
Punisher No. 6
- Writer: Benjamin Percy
- Artist: Farid Karami
- Colors: Frank D'Armata
A quick but must-read issue of Benjamin Percy's Punisher, as Frank Castle comes across a despicable criminal called Collateral Damage. It initially seemed like he was going after criminals, but Collateral Damage turned out to be a monster who was looking to draw Frank out. Because when that didn’t work, innocent people were next.
Event Horizon: Inferno No. 3
- Writer: Christian Ward
- Artist: Robert Carey
- Colors: Xenon Honchar
If you’re a fan of horror, give all of IDW’s comic books a shot. That, on top of Christian Ward being a fantastic writer, is why I gave Event Horizon: Inferno a shot, and I’m glad I did. The first three issues introduced the story flawlessly, but No. 3 kicks things up to a ten. And, as a warning, the last page is nightmare fuel.
Amazing Spider-Man No. 32
- Writer: Joe Kelly
- Artist: Andrea Di Vito
- Colors: Marcio Menyz and Erick Arciniega
Amazing Spider-Man No. 32 had the perfect combination of comedy and depth. Peter made his normal jokes while fighting the Vulture (and even made a Wu-Tang reference), but Peter’s going through it. Learning that Aunt May has a son isn’t something that he’ll be able to shrug off. It doesn’t help that he also knows that Peter is Spider-Man.
Absolute Green Lantern No. 16
- Writer: Al Ewing
- Artists: Sid Kotian
- Colors: Prasad Rao
Some people online stopped reading Absolute Green Lantern earlier in the series, and that’s disappointing, because the series was building to something special. For example, in this issue, another DC Comics character made their debut, and they’ve become corrupt like many others in Darkseid’s twisted universe. However, considering the issues she had in DC Prime, it makes sense.
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