10 new comic books to watch out for this week (and one classic pick you need to read)

It’s the first week of the month and DC, Marvel, and Image Comics don't disappoint with their new releases. X-Men: From the Ashes drops another No. 1, DC's Absolute Power continues to affect heroes and villains across the universe, and another tie-in to the Energon Universe is being published.

Since these are only some of the great comic book issues being released, let's dive into all of what we can expect this week (and let's get right into it with the pick of the week!).

Uncanny X-Men No. 1 (pick of the week)

• Writer: Gail Simone
• Artist: David Marquez

I’ve been waiting for this issue since it was announced. Writer Gail Simone is responsible for classic stories for characters like Deadpool and Batgirl. Uncanny X-Men will be another feather in her ever-growing classics hat.

She's taking well-known X-Men such as Rogue, Gambit, Jubilee, Nightcrawler, and Wolverine, leading them into new adventures. Grab this issue to be on the bandwagon for Marvel’s newest X-Men run during From the Ashes.

Batman No. 151

• Writers: Chip Zdarsky and Tini Howard
• Artist: Mike Hawthorne

Batman and a thief (most likely Catwoman) go to an island to find something key to Amanda Waller’s plan. The cover of the issue shows Bizarro Superman. Is he what they're looking for?

Waller may need Bizarro because he's connected to magic (read Jason Aaron’s Superman for that story). Maybe this is from Joshua Williamson’s Superman when Doctor Pharm and Graft were experimenting on Bizarro. Either way, we'll see Bizarro Superman interact with Batman.

Scarlett No. 3

• Writer: Kelly Thompson
• Artist: Marco Ferrari

When we last saw Scarlett, she was (literally) diving head-first into a mission she wasn’t meant to survive. Of course, she’ll complete her task because she’s that good. That isn't the concern. We need to know what she's stealing, what happens after she succeeds, and how this connects to the rest of the Energon Universe.

Absolute Power No. 2

• Writer: Mark Waid
• Artist: Dan Mora

Since Absolute Power No. 1, the heroes have been doing their best to survive and avoid being captured. Amanda Waller’s plan seems to have worked perfectly, but nothing is flawless.

During the Absolute Power: Task Force VII mini-series, her Amazos started thinking freely. Waller didn’t expect them to develop personalities after taking powers and she's unaware that this is happening. This could be where Task Force VII turns against her.

Space Ghost No. 4

• Writer: David Pepose
• Artist:  Jonathan Lau

Jan was the driving force behind Space Ghost issue No. 3's mission and helped Space Ghost trust her and Jace more than ever. Now Robo Corp knows things won’t be as easy as they thought.

Issue No. 3 ends by saying, “Next: Cult of Zorak.” That means one of Space Ghost's most popular antagonists will appear. Will he be like the original cartoon, sarcastic like Space Ghost: Coast to Coast with deadly tendencies, or something different altogether?

Avengers No. 17

• Writer: Jed MacKay
• Artist: Valerio Schit

Storm wasn’t on the Avengers long enough for her tenure to be ranked among the all-time greatest. Thankfully, Jed MacKay is here to rectify that. Even if Storm’s time with Earth’s Mightiest Heroes is short (again), it’s easy to guess it will be memorable and it starts with issue No. 17.

Venom War No. 1

• Writer: Al Ewing
• Artist: Iban Coello

Eddie Brock has had a big five years that will continue with Venom War. It’s father (Eddie Brock) vs son (Dylan Brock) and the winner will be *the* Venom. I may not be a Venom fan, but this seems more than worth checking out for that reason alone.

Gotham City Sirens No. 1

• Writer: Leah Williams
• Artist: Matteo Lolli

Sometimes you want a fun comic book and Gotham City Sirens is that. However, Leah Williams' involvement means it will be a great read too. She's never failed to deliver a fantastic comic book.

As this writer previously reported, on top of Poison Ivy, Catwoman, and Harley Quinn, newcomer Punchline will join the fray, along with cowboy henchmen the Nasty Boys, and fellow newcomer White Rabbit.

Daredevil No. 12

• Writer: Saladin Ahmed
• Artist: Aaron Kuder

Daredevil is beaten, almost broken, and Bullseye has one of the kids he’s supposed to protect. If that isn't enough he has to fight a demon-possessed Wilson Fisk to get to Bullseye. There’s no way this doesn’t end with something tragic happening.

Doctor Strange No. 18

• Writer: Jed MacKay
• Artist: Pasqual Ferry

The future of Stephen Strange is up in the air. For most of his adult life, he’s been the Sorcerer Supreme. That title now belongs to Dr. Doom. What’s next for Doctor Strange and how will Clea respond to what Stephen did? It saved the world, but it was reckless.

Older Pick: Sex Criminals

• Writer: Matt Fraction
• Artist: Chip Zdarsky

This is a situation where you shouldn’t judge a book by its cover. Yes, this involves sex, crime, and sex criminals. However, there’s a deep story about mental health, love, and trauma. It’s easily one of the best comic books of the last twenty years.

What comic books are you going to buy this week? Is there a particular issue you're looking forward to? Let us know on the Bam Smack Pow Instagram and Twitter.