Last week, Marvel Comics dominated our best of the week list with Emma Frost: The White Queen, Mortal Thor, and two tie-ins to the intergalactic crossover, Imperial. This week, things look a bit different.
Let’s start with the best new comic book of the week.
Uncanny X-Men No. 20 (comic of the week)
- Writer: Gail Simone
- Artist: Luciano Vecchio
- Colors: Matthew Wilson
Gail Simone continues her 20-issue streak of flawless issues of Uncanny X-Men by balancing action, comedy, and deep moments. One particular scene was so heavy that I found myself tearing up because the feelings Ransom was going through felt familiar.
While this series is 20 issues in, you could pick this comic up and know everything you need to. That’s how brilliant this story and the writer are. Not to mention Luciano Vecchio and Matthew Wilson make everything look beautiful.
Batman No. 1
- Writer: Matt Fraction
- Artist: Jorge Jiménez
- Colors: Tomeu Morey
There’s always a lot riding on No. 1 issues, but it’s heightened when you’re talking about a hero like Batman. People will judge this series harshly because it’s a new creative team, Hush 2 is changing things for the Dark Knight, and DC Comics promoted this hard. Thankfully, Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez more than delivered. They made this feel like their run would be something groundbreaking.
Moon Knight: Fist of Khonshu No. 12
- Writer: Jed MacKay
- Artist: Domenico Carbone
- Colors: Rachelle Rosenberg
I say this monthly, but Jed MacKay’s run of Moon Knight (that started in 2021) is perfect. That said, this was something else. He challenged Marc’s morals and what is and isn’t a debt. And, at the end of the episode, readers get a surprise appearance that will challenge Moon Knight in more ways than one.
Birds of Prey No. 25
- Writer: Kelly Thompson
- Artists: Cliff Richards
- Colors: Adriano Lucas
It’s doubtful that anyone is having more fun than Kelly Thompson on Birds of Prey. Every issue has a healthy dose of goofy moments, perfectly placed, that fit the character and the story. This issue was no different. The highlight may have been in the beginning when Barda and Batgirl are crushing rocks at a quarry.
Absolute Wonder Woman No. 11
- Writer: Kelly Thompson
- Artist: Hayden Sherman
- Colors: Jordie Bellaire
Absolute Wonder Woman has been a thrill-ride and the best part of it all is seeing Diana in her element. She was compassionate and loving in a way that her Earth Prime counterpart is. Also, like Wonder Woman of Earth-Prime, you do NOT want to take her kindness for weakness, and that’s perfectly shown in this issue. Kelly Thompson continues to make this a must-read series.
Star Trek: Red Shirts No. 2
- Writer: Christopher Cantwell
- Artist: Megan Levens
- Colors: Charlie Kirchoff
The title and cover art let you know that a lot of characters are going to die. However, you don’t know who, what order, or how. That will lead to a lot of suspense throughout the issue. And, issue No. 2 shows that the Red Shirts aren’t the only expendable characters in this series.
Absolute Superman No. 11
- Writer: Jason Aaron
- Artists: Carmine Di Giandomenico and Clay Mann
- Colors: Ulises Arreola Palomera
It’s unbelievable how Jason Aaron made Absolute Brainiac creepier and more devious than his first appearance. In some ways, he’s more vile than his Prime Earth counterpart due to the torture he put Kal-El through.
The art of Carmine Di Giandomenico and Clay Mann, and colorist Ulises Arreola Palomera, made certain that readers understood that this universe is more monstrous than we can ever conceive. It's like an A24 movie had a baby with Saw, and it was glorious.
Captain Planet and the Planeteers No. 4
- Writer: David Pepose
- Artist: Emmanuel Casallos
- Jorge Sutil
Four issues in, and I’m still amazed at how creative the Planeteers are with their power rings. It’s like watching the X-Men in action. More importantly, they’re still flawed. Regardless of how good they are, each of them is still new to using their abilities. It makes the drama of the series realistic.
Wolverine No. 13
- Writer: Sladin Ahmed
- Artist: Martin Coccolo
- Colors: Bryan Valenza
As a big fan of Logan, some of my favorite stories are the ones when he’s not an X-Man. This was one of those tales.
Saladin Ahmed showed that Logan always pays his debt, while artist Martin Coccolo and colorist Bryan Valenza drew Logan drunk, beaten, and, somehow, looking handsome in a suit. A great standalone issue before the X-Men crossover Age of Revelation begins.
Absolute Green Lantern No. 6
- Writer: Al Ewing
- Artist: Jahnoy Lindsay
- Colors: Jahnoy Lindsay
This issue of Absolute Green Lantern changed everything you know about the light spectrum. At first, it seems confusing. Thankfully, Al Ewing and Jahnoy Lindsay explained it perfectly. It will make readers want to know more about what each color represents.
Another great thing about this series is how much it connects things to the absolute universe and the characters they introduce. For example, Mogo is coming, and he’s not on the side of good. However, what does it mean to be "good" in the sense of the light spectrum in this universe?
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