Last week, DC Comics dominated our list of the best of the new comic books with issues like Justice League: The Omega Act Special No. 1, Absolute Superman No. 12, and Absolute Evil No. 1. It looks like Image Comics took that personally as they only went and produced four of the best new comic books of the past week. Chief among them is the first one on this list
With that in mind, let's dive right into this week's round-up!
The Power Fantasy No. 12
- Writer: Kieron Gillen
- Artist: Caspar Wijngaard
After the way that the previous issue of The Power Fantasy ended, I couldn’t wait to see what Kieron Gillen and Caspar Wijngaard would do in the next issue. What they did was make one of the most powerful people in the world more interesting and devious. It's even more impressive how they made him sympathetic while showing him to be a monster.
Transformers No. 25
- Writer: Robert Kirkman
- Artists: Jorge Corona and Dan Mora
- Colors: Mike Spicer
I may be a Robert Kirkman fan, but I was still curious as to what Transformers would look like under his pen. It took a couple of pages to realize that this would be fantastic. You knew that Robert Kirkman would treat this franchise right and, after the last couple of pages of this issue, it was clear that he was indeed the perfect choice.
Batman: Dark Patterns No. 11
- Writer: Dan Watters
- Artist: Hayden Sherman
- Colors: Triona Farrell
There’s a moment in this issue of Batman: Dark Patterns where Batman is talking about the big Gotham City fire that was weirdly poetic. He didn’t speak about the tragedy as if it were good, but there was still some beauty in his words. As captivating as that was, Hayden Sherman and Triona Farrell helped capture the moment with awe-inspiring art and colors.
World of Revelation No. 1
- Writers: Al Ewing, Steve Foxe, Ryan North
- Artists: Adam Szalowski, Agustin Alessio, and Jesús Merino
- Colors: Cris Peter
When dealing with an alternate reality or future, knowing the stories of other characters is always interesting. Getting elite writers like the ones in this issue is even better. If you’re reading Age of Revelation, don’t miss this issue. It’s worth it despite the story being sad.
Captain Planet No. 6
- Writer: David Pepose
- Artist: Eman Casallos
- Colors: Jorge Sutil
This was the comic book people needed. The heroes come out looking great because of what they believe in and stood their ground despite the risk of death. Yes, Captain Planet has incredible power, but, as he tells Captain Pollution, the people are where he gets his strength from.
The Unchosen No. 4
- Writer: David Marquez
- Artist: David Marquez
- Colors: Marissa Louise
David Marquez’s The Unchosen completed its first volume with clarity on who the villains are. However, that one answer leads to more questions. Among them is why some people in the Tower (the antagonist’s school/base of operations) stay when they’re clearly doing bad things. Overall, this was a great ending to the beginning of something special.
Absolute Batman No. 13
- Writer: Scott Snyder
- Artist: Nick Dragotta
- Colors: Frank Martin
Another amazing issue from what may be the comic book of the year. At the very least, Absolute Batman is the best character of 2025. But the star of this issue was Absolute Catwoman. As well as her being great, there's the reveal of the leader of the Red Hood Gang, Harley Quinn, and Batman telling all of Gotham who he is and that he's coming for a rematch with Bane.
Laura Kinney: Sabretooth No. 1
- Writer: Erica Schultz
- Artist: Valentina Pinti
- Colors: Rachelle Rosenberg
Erica Schultz was killing it in Laura Kinney: Wolverine, and she’s continuing that greatness in a tie-in to the X-Men crossover, Age of Revelation. You see an adult Laura Kinney and get an explanation for why she’s changed her codename. Part of it is due to her former husband, the other could be because of a colder Logan that Laura doesn’t recognize.
Binary No. 1
- Writer: Stephanie Phillips
- Artist: Giada Belviso
- Colors: Rachelle Rosenberg
While we don’t know how Jean Grey died, it’s made clear that she gave Carol Danvers (Captain Marvel) the powers of the Phoenix Force before her death. And while Carol has had the power of a god for a long time, it was never anything like this. She’s understanding the lesson of great power and responsibility more than ever, thanks to some upset townspeople that she’s trying to keep safe. Nevertheless, at some point, keeping people trapped for their own safety is still wrong.
Blood and Thunder No. 6
- Writer: Benito Cereno
- Artist: E.J. Su
- Colors: Msassyk
It was only a matter of time before Bledsoe and Thunder talked with the prisoner they’re tracking. And, as expected, the criminal they’re chasing is more than just someone who is seemingly unkillable. He appears to need to help disenfranchised people. The problem is that his methods are extreme. That being said, he feels they are justified because of what’s been done to him and his people.
Best of the week by category:
- Comic book of the week: The Power Fantasy No. 12
- Hero of the week: T’Challa (Ultimate Black Panther No. 21)
- Villain of the week: The Child of Fire (Batman: Dark Patterns No. 11)
- Fight of the week: Captain Planet vs Captain Pollution (Captain Planet and the Planeteers No. 6)
- Team of the week: Black Panther, Killmonger, and the Dora Milaje (Ultimate Black Panther No. 21)
- Moment of the week: Joker eliminates Batman (DC KO No. 1)
- Writer of the week: Scott Snyder (DC KO No. 1 and Absolute Batman No. 13)
- Artists of the week: David Marquez and Marissa Louise (The Unchosen No. 4)
- Cover of the week: Dark Patterns No. 11 (Hayden Sherman)
- Funny moment of the week: Killmonger admitting that he wanted to sleep with Okoye (Ultimate Black Panther No. 21)
- Underrated comic book of the week: Blood and Thunder No. 6