Each week, CBR has your guide to navigating Wednesday's new and recent comic releases, specials, collected editions and reissues, and we're committed to helping you choose those that are worth your hard-earned cash. It's a little slice of CBR we like to call Major Issues.
If you feel so inclined, you can buy our recommendations directly on comiXology with the links provided. We'll even supply links to the books we're not so hot on, just in case you don't want to take our word for it. Don't forget to let us know what you think of the books this week in the comments! And as always, SPOILERS AHEAD!
BATMAN: THREE JOKERS #1 (DC)
Although Geoff Johns, Jason Fabok, Brad Anderson and Rob Leigh's Batman: Three Jokers arrives after being built up with years of hype, the first issue of the DC Black Label miniseries is a surprisingly straightforward Batman story. While it's built around some of Batman's most iconic tales, it's a refreshingly grounded story that eschews the cosmic heights of the DC Universe for the grimy streets of Gotham City.
After being alerted to the existence of three separate Jokers years ago, this comic follows Batman, Red Hood and Batgirl as they try to stop the three Jokers from unleashing their next plan on an unsuspecting Gotham. Fabok delivers some of the best work of his career throughout the book, and Johns' clever script packs in enough nods to every era of Batman history to reward multiple readings. With a compelling cliffhanger in its final moments, Three Jokers seems destined to be the next essential Batman story for the ages. VERDICT: BUY
X-MEN #11 (MARVEL)
Jonathan Hickman, Leinil Francis Yu, Sunny Gho and Clayton Cowles' X-Men #11 might be billed as part of Marvel's ongoing Empyre crossover, but it's really more of a standalone spotlight on Magneto that shows why he's still one of Marvel's most powerful mutants. After settling into a role as more of an elder statesman for the past several months, Magneto jumps into action in this issue, where he leads an effort to repel an alien invasion.
With a solid mix of action, humor and ingenious pairings of Marvel's mutants, X-Men #11 is one of the better issues of Marvel's flagship X-title in recent months. While it quietly introduces a few ideas that could be a part of the grand plan for the X-Men's Krakoa era, it's also a satisfying chunk of story in its own right, and it gives Yu and Gho the chance to let loose on some pin-up worthy fight scenes that how scary the Master of Magnetism can be at full power. VERDICT: BUY
FANTASTIC FOUR: ANTITHESIS #1 (MARVEL)
Thanks to his work on characters like Batman and the X-Men, Neal Adams is one of the most influential and celebrated artists in mainstream superhero comics. Even though he's been working for well over half a century, Adams had never really worked on the Fantastic Four. However, that changes with Fantastic Four: Antithesis #1, where he's working alongside Mark Waid, Mark Farmer, Laura Martin and Joe Caramagna.
The first issue of this four-part series is imbued with the retro charm of the superheroic quartet in their most iconic form. Outside of a few panels where the Thing's features have been contorted past the point of recognition, Adams' figure work and layouts still have more than a little bit of the dynamism that made him one of comics first superstar artists. While a few of the Human Torch's punchlines don't quite land, Waid's grasp of the Fantastic Four remains as strong as ever, and the issue also sets up a compelling cliffhanger. VERDICT: BUY
THE FLASH #760 (DC)
Writer Joshua Williamson has penned The Flash since the title relaunched as part of DC Rebirth in 2016. As he nears the end of his epic run on the title, The Flash #760, by Williamson, Christian Duce, Scott Kolins, Luis Guerra, Hi-Fi and Steve Wands, is another brick in what's shaping up to be a pitch-perfect final story. While Barry Allen trapped in the Speed Force and Reverse-Flash in control of his body, the Flash's allies step up to face the evil speedster and his Legion of Zoom.
With an expansive cast of heroes and villains, this comic feels like a celebration of the Flash's history and an edge-of-your-seat thrill-ride. Although this issue covers a lot of ground, the proceedings never feel rushed, and the dual art teams do a solid job of giving the Speed Force and the real world their own distinct looks. Although this may just be another step towards Williamson's finale, "The Finish Line" already feels like a celebratory victory lap. VERDICT: BUY
BATMAN: THE ADVENTURES CONTINUE #11 (DC)
Over the past few months, Batman: The Adventures Continue has returned to the world of Batman: The Animated Series to explore the untold tales of the DC Animated Universe. And in Batman: The Adventures Continue #11, Paul Dini, Alan Burnett. Ty Templeton, Monica Kubina and Josh Reed continue to unravel the history of Jason Todd, Batman's second Robin.
While an adult Jason has jumped back into Batman's life, this issue, like the one before it, is built around a lengthy flashback to Jason's days as a brutal Robin. While the overall plot deviates enough from Jason Todd's established comics history to keep things interesting, Templeton's impeccable art and clever nods to Batman lore make this a worthwhile inheritor to the legacy of Batman: The Animated Series. VERDICT: BUY
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