The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace, Zatanna, and the must-read comic books of the past week

Previously, the penultimate issue of Exquisite Corpses ended with a cliffhanger, Lex Luthor exposed his new team in Justice League Unlimited, and Powers 25 No. 8 gives readers the backstory of an important character. This week, there are must-read issues that will affect a lot of characters. Let’s begin with another contender for comic book of the year by Deniz Camp.

Ultimates No. 23

Writer: Deniz Camp
Artist: Stipan Morian
Colors: Stipan Morian

I’ve spoken about Deniz Camp being a wonderful wordsmith many times, but he outdid himself in this miraculous issue of Marvel’s Ultimates. The story was superb, but it was narrated from the maw of maleficent Loki in a way that only the God of Stories and Mythological Lord of Mendacity can. With perfect poetry and amazing alliteration that will astonish the audience.

The Exorcism at Buckingham Palace No. 2

Writer: Hannah Rose May
Artist: Kelsey Ramsay
Colors: Heather Breckel

Writer Hannah Rose May perfectly paces this issue, while artist Kelsey Ramsay and Heather Breckel add the demon into the background. On top of whatever is possessing the future King of England, Theo Belmont, England could be going to war. So this isn’t just a supernatural horror story. There’s realism in this, too.

Zatanna No. 1

Writer: Jamal Campbell
Artist: Jamal Campbell
Colors: Jamal Campbell

Apparently, Jamal Campbell’s Zatanna was just the warm-up act. Now he has an ongoing series, and he’s starting with Zatanna Zatara being the overseer of magics, the Prime Magus. As someone who enjoyed the 2025 mini-series and Jamal Campbell’s art and writing, it’s easy to guess that this will be a must-read series.

Planet She-Hulk No. 6

Writer: Stephanie Phillips
Artists: Aaron Kuder and Emilio Laiso
Colors: Sonia Oback

This six-issue run wasn’t enough! Stephanie Phillips created new characters and democracies, and ended this series with a cliffhanger. No one knows what's next for her intergalactic roommates while they're on Earth or what kind of shenanigans they'll get into. Nevertheless, while I’m sad this is over, I'm happy it happened. Who knows? Maybe this isn't the end.

Batman/Wonder Woman: Truth No. 1

Writer: Jeph Loeb
Artist: Jim Cheung
Colors: Jay David Ramos

One-shot stories of superhero adventures can sometimes seem like a cash grab. It wasn’t the case with Batman/Wonder Woman: Truth. The story shows the early days of Bruce Wayne and Diana’s relationship, and how this could have been one of the moments where they became more than teammates. Both heroes understood each other more, thanks to shenanigans from Catwoman, Harley Quinn, and Joker. A good read from comic book legends Jeph Loeb, Jim Cheung, and Jay David Ramos.

Captain America No. 10

Writer Chip Zdarsky
Artist: Valerio Schiti
Colora: Romulo Fajardo Jr.

This series continues to show why Steve Rogers understands what it means to be a hero. His actions remain selfless, but he also knows that the people in charge of the country that he loves can be hypocritical. Among those people is Thaddeus Ross (Red Hulk), who’s going to cause major issues in Avengers: Armageddon.

Justice League Intergalactic Special No. 1

Writers: Jadzia Axelrod and Nicole Maines
Artist: Travis Moore
Colors: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou

I’m late to the game with Dreamer, but now, if she’s in a comic book, then I’m all in. Thankfully, writers Jadzia Axelrod and Nicole Maines created this amazing one-shot to keep that thinking going. This was a fantastic, beautifully drawn intergalactic adventure. Justice League Intergalactic Special will leave readers wanting more from this team.

Punisher No. 3

Writer: Benjamin Percy
Pencillers: Jose Luis and Soares Pinto
Inkers: OREN JUNIOR and Jonas Trindade
Colorist: Frank D'ARMATA

I don’t normally add sections before I finish the issue. However, this deserved to be on the must-read list right from the start because Benjamin Percy knows how to get readers intrigued. In this case, he immediately hits readers in the heart with a sick kid and a violent criminal. And with Frank Castle’s issues, you don’t know where things would go. It was perfectly done.

Disney Villains: Ursula No. 3

Writer: Sherri L. Smith
Artist: Gabriele Bagnoli
Colors: Gabriele Bagnoli

Writer Sherri L. Smith’s backstory of Ursula shows her true villainy, but also her cunningness and power. As someone who loved Ursula more than Ariel, it’s been cool seeing the witch of the sea before her demise. If you’re a fan of original Disney Cartoons, you should be reading this series.

Doom 2099: Rage of Doom No. 1

Writer: Frank Tieri
Artist: Von Randal
Colors: Andrew Dalhouse

In an alternate universe, Victor Von Doom killed all life on Earth while he was the Sorcerer Supreme and ruler of Earth. This leads him to become desperate enough to find and use Ultron’s head to fix his time platform. I won’t say how it ends, but it leads to a battle worth reading.

Thanks for reading. Stay tuned to Bam Smack Pow and their social media sites, Bluesky, Instagram, and Twitter for more comic book, TV, and movie news, opinions, and rumors as they come out.

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