Another Wednesday means another great day for comics (but what Wednesday isn’t great for comics?). DC continues two of their flagship books with exciting installments from some huge talent. We also get the beginning of what could be Wally West’s path to redemption in an all new miniseries.
Marvel Comics raises the bar in X-Men lore with the most recent addition to Jonathan Hickman’s wild relaunch of the mutant universe, and writer-director-producer superstar J.J. Abrams makes his mark on the Marvel canon with the start of a new series starring one of the most familiar superheroes around the world.
5 Aquaman #52
By: Kelly Sue DeConnick, Robson Rocha, Daniel Henriques, Sunny Gho, Clayton Cowles, Jason Paz, and Alex Sinclair
The third installment to Kelly Sue DeConnick and Robson Rocha’s current story arc, “Amnesty” in Aquaman #52 focuses on high octane action and dynamic character relationships set to the backdrop of deep mythology and family ties.
DeConnick has been doing amazing work in Aquaman by playing on the tropes of the character and recontextualizing them in a new method of storytelling. This run so far has read more like an Arthurian Legend than a traditional superhero story, and the book couldn’t be stronger for it. With gorgeous art by Robson Rocha, Aquaman continues to be one of the best offerings from DC Comics.
4 Batman #79
By: Tom King, Clay Mann, Seth Mann, Tomeu Morey, Clayton Cowles, and Tony S. Daniel
There is something wonderful about seeing Batman and Catwoman’s relationship begin to mend itself when they plot to take their city back. Batman #79 marks the warning shot to Bane and his legions of villains back home. The Bat and The Cat have licked their wounds and now it’s time to go home.
Tom King and Clay Mann’s Batman #79 feels like a turning point in the story arc “City of Bane.” For the last two issues we haven’t seen any of the titular city or villain, but this issue promises that will all change very soon. If nothing else, Batman #79 is a cool prelude to what we can only hope will be an epic showdown.
3 Flash Forward #1
By: Scott Lobdell, Brett Booth, Norm Rapmund, Luis Guerrero, ALW’s Troy Oeteri, and Doc Shaner
Is there a path to redemption for Wally West? The new six-issue miniseries Flash Forward, by journeyman comic scribe Scott Lobdell and Brett Booth attempts to face that question head on, but the answer may not be as clear cut as many of us think.
Booth kills it in Flash Forward #1 with fun and dynamic double splash pages and Lobdell’s story telling rests somewhere between an episode of the HBO prison drama Oz and a classic superhero conspiracy story, much like the series that started West’s current trajectory, Heroes in Crisis. This one is not to be missed for any Flash fan.
2 House of X #5
By: Jonathan Hickman, Pepe Larraz, Marte Gracia, VC’s Clayton Cowles, and Tom Muller
Every week, until this insane experiment is done, one of the two miniseries Jonathan Hickman is currently writing for Marvel Comics will be a must read on any list. It’s that good. House of X #5 sees the return of fan favorite characters, all of whom are utilized in very interesting way, and evidence that Xavier has a few tricks up his sleeve.
With power art by the always amazing Pepe Larraz, House of X #5 contains some incredible revelations that promise to change how X-Men comics will play out for years to come.
1 Spider-Man #1
By: J.J. Abrams, Henry Abrams, Sara Pichelli, Elisabetta D’Amico, Dave Stewart, and VC’s Joe Caramagna
J.J. Abrams is something of a ringmaster when it comes to pop culture. For better or worse, he has helped shape the look and tone of blockbuster cinema in some capacity. His prints are all over the current versions of franchises like Star Wars, Star Trek, and Mission: Impossible.
Now, his keen pop sensibilities and love for all things geeky to another massive icon, Spider-Man, with the simply titled, Spider-Man #1. Abrams, co-writer and son Henry Abrams and artist Sara Pichelli have given us a Spider-Man comic which sets itself aside from everything else on the shelf and it’s nothing short of wonderful.
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