Uncanny X-Men, Absolute Flash, G.I. Joe, and the best new comics of the past week

Last week, Transformers No. 24 was easily the best comic book of the week. It was full of action, drama, and it ended Daniel Warren Johnson’s run perfectly, while setting up for Robert Kirkman to take over.

This time around, you’ll see some familiar titles and a few surprises on our list as we count down the very best comics of the week. Let's begin with this writer's pick of the week.

Uncanny X-Men No. 21 (pick of the week)

• Writer: Gail Simone
• Artist: Luciano Vecchio
• Colors: Matthew Wilson
• Letters: Vc Clayton Cowles

Gail Simone has given each of the Outliers a mentor that fits their personalities so they can grow as people and characters. This issue showed that perfectly with Wolverine and Ransom’s excellent adventure. You can’t help but smile at the way Logan defended Valentine when his own father wouldn’t.

Ultimates No. 16

• Writer: Deniz Camp
• Artist: Juan Frigeri
• Colors: Federico Blee
• Letters: Vc Travis Lanham

One of the great things about this series is that you don’t need the Ultimates to be the focal point of an issue. For example, this story follows a teenage girl and her refusal to stop fighting back against fascism and tyranny. Even after horrific things were done to her and the people she cares about, she wouldn't back down. It’s a great message for today’s world.

Absolute Flash No. 7

• Writer:  Jeff Lemire 
• Artist: Travis Moore
• Colors: Adriano Lucas
• Letters: Tom Napolitano

I say this monthly with Absolute Flash, but this series has gotten better with every issue. What made this one a top ten was seeing the Rogues be one of the few constants in DC Comics. Even in a world this messed up, they still have morals. Plus, there’s the question of what happens next.

Ultimate Black Panther No. 20

• Writer: Bryan Edward Hill
• Artist: Carlos Nieto
• Colors: David Curiel
• Letters: Vc Cory Petit

This is the T'Challa we’ve been waiting to see. The one who knows his mission and is aware of how good he is. More importantly, he understands that the Black Panther is the only thing that stands between him and the safety of not just Wakanda, but all of Africa.

The aliens coming should be worried. T'Challa may be the most dangerous being they've ever faced.

G.I. Joe No. 11

• Writer: Joshua Williamson
• Artist: Andrea Milana
• Colors: Lee Loughridge
• Letters: Rus Wooton

As much as I enjoy issues with plenty of dialogue, sometimes reading something with a bunch of action is just as good. Especially when it furthers the storyline. That’s what happens here. What’s even better is that G.I. Joe No. 11 brings readers one step closer to the war coming in the Energon Universe.

Invincible Universe: Battle Beast No. 5

• Writer: Robert Kirkman 
• Artist: Ryan Ottley
• Colors: Annalisa Leoni
• Letters: Rus Wooton

Like the previous issue, this outing of Invincible Universe: Battle Beast wasn’t just about the violence. Robert Kirkman dives deeper into the past life of Battle Beast and why he’s so ruthless. Once you understand that he’s constantly in pain and fighting back the bloodlust within him, you may start to feel sympathetic to him. At the very least, understand his mission to find someone to beat him.

Incredible Hulk No. 21

• Writer: Phillip Kennedy Johnson
• Artist: Daniel Earls
• Colors: Matthew Wilson
• Letters: Vc Cory Petit

Phillip Kennedy Johnson has been telling the story of the Mother of Horrors for a couple of years, and the reasoning behind it all was finally revealed, and it’s horrific. Not only that, you get more of the backstory to Gamma, why it has become more supernatural than scientific, and how it’s connected to the One Below All.

Captain Planet and the Planeteers No. 5

• Writer: David Pepose
• Artist: Eman Casallos
• Colors: Jorge Sutil
• Letters: Jeff Eckleberry

The creative team of Captain Planet and the Planeteers put together a great example of what the Planeteers can do with their rings. Gi surfed water, Ma-Ti used his heart powers to make his enemies confront their fears, Linka punched a hurricane, and Kwame made a Hulk Buster out of the earth. It was incredible.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Casey Jones No. 1

• Writer: Alex Paknadel
• Artist: Amancay Nahuelpan
• Colors: Luis Antonio Delgado
• Letters: Darran Robinson

I didn’t know what to expect, but this was a fun start to this TMNT series. Casey Jones, still dealing with the injuries he sustained in Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles No. 5, will help make things even better. He’s at half strength and will be fighting someone stronger and faster than him at 100%.

Fantastic Four No. 3

• Writer: Ryan North
• Artist: Humberto Ramos
• Colors: Edgar Delgado
• Letters: Vc Joe Caramagna

Doctor Doom has been beating the Fantastic Four and the other heroes for the last year, and we now know how. Writer Ryan North brilliantly combined Doom’s knowledge of magic and science to have him win all of his victories. Thankfully, Emperor Doom was defeated by someone, and no one saw it coming.

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