This Wednesday sees Batman dominating the newsstands with several new releases. From the gritty world of Frank Miller’s Dark Knight Returns to the grounded detective story by the team behind The Authority, there’s enough Caped Crusader for everyone. And the yin to Bruce Wayne’s yang, the Man of Steel continues to feel fresh under the tutelage of Brian Michael Bendis and Ivan Reis.

Ahoy Comics! continues their smart, funny, and inventive superhero comics about dual realities and the ethos of masked heroes. And Marvel Comics’ “Dawn of X” gets personal as the X-Men’s mutant strike team make a stand against malicious forces looking to eradicate their kind.

5 Dragonfly & Dragonflyman #2

By: Tom Peyer, Peter Krause, Andy Troy, and Rob Steen

COMIXOLOGY

Don’t let the silly title fool you. Dragonfly & Dragonflyman is one of the most creative and wryly funny superhero comics currently on the shelf. Focusing on a pair of characters who inhabit the same role in wildly different universes, the titular Dragonfly & Dragonflyman come to terms with the actions of the versions of their respective arch nemeses, Devil Man.

As bonds between heroes are tested, the story of these mirrored heroes gets stranger and is punctuated with classic superhero comic action. Of course, all of that is just set dressing for the larger commentary writer Tom Peyer and artist Peter Krause put forth, bridging the gap between the modern age and the comics of yesteryear.

4 The Batman’s Grave #3

By: Warren Ellis, Bryan Hitch, Kevin Nowlan, Alexi Sinclair, and Richard Starkings

COMIXOLOGY 

No comic writer can weave modern day anxieties into a comic book narrative quite like Warren Ellis. What is often seen as “tin foil hat” ideas about technological advancements and their potentially devastating implications, Ellis turns into a major plot point, one that the characters in his story either fear or utilize to their advantage.

Ellis, along with Authority co-creator and artist Bryan Hitch, have incorporated the theme of digital paranoia in the most recent issue of their consistently stellar limited series The Batman’s Grave. Filled with tech jargon and a heavy dose of word bubble-free pages of brawling, The Batman’s Grave #3 continues being the most compelling Batman title currently running, which is impressive, given the surrounding pedigree.

3 Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child #1

By: Frank Miller, Rafael Grampa, Jordie Bellaire, John Workman, Deron Bennett, and Pedro Cobiaco 

COMIXOLOGY

Frank Miller has once again revisited the world of The Dark Knight Returns in the harrowing and politically charge, Dark Knight Returns: The Golden Child. The country is in turmoil as a contentious election pits people against each other, and the person behind it is none other than Darkseid.

With gorgeous art from Brazilian artist Rafael Grampa (Mesmo Delivery), The Golden Child picks up three years after The Dark Knight III: The Master Race and turns its attention to the next generation of superheroes. As the comic proudly proclaims: “The Future is Young.”

2 Superman #18

By: Brian Michael Bendis, Ivan Reis, Joe Prado, Alex Sinclair, and Dave Sharpe

COMIXOLOGY

There are very few superhero titles being published that feel as classically grandiose and operatic while still maintaining a sense of modern day relevance as Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Reis’ Superman. The flagship title from DC Comics continues to be a place where whirlwinds of snappy dialogue collide with classic superhero action and positive aspiration.

In Superman #18, we follow Clark Kent as he goes on something of an “unveiling tour,” forcing his secret identity to give up the ghost. It’s bold, sweet, and often funny. Of course, it wouldn’t be a Superman comic without some villainous legacy scheming in the background. Superman #18 is a prime example of what Bendis and Reis are capable of when they handle The Man of Steel with this level of care and respect.

1 X-Force #3

By: Benjamin Percy, Joshua Cassara, GURU-eFX, VC’s Joe Caramagna, Tom Muller, Dustin Weaver, and Edgar Delgado

A mysterious black ops strike team has attacked the sovereign mutant nation of Krokoa, leaving several dead it its wake including Professor X. With Wolverine and Kid Omega hot on the killers’ trail, they stumble onto something truly terrifying in a secret laboratory, which leads to the daring rescue of Domino, who has been a victim of diabolical experiments (which really are nothing more than horrific mutilations).

X-Force #3 has finally made this series feel like it’s worthy of its namesake. The righteous vengeance the X-Men feel for the gross transgressions enacted again them is palpable on the page. Once again writer Benjamin Percy and artist Joshua Cassara have produced one of the best titles under the “Dawn of X” banner.

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