H5*: HOT FIVE (ish) – Week Of November 28, 2018

Welcome to Comicosity’s Hot Five(ish), a.k.a. The Flagship Of H5*. Hot Five(ish) is a short(ish) list of the top books we think you’ll want to be checking out. Be they new title launches, key issues or just continuing stories from some of the industry’s most acclaimed books, this list is your guaranteed gold in the comic market.

ACTION COMICS #1005
Written by Brian Bendis
Art by Ryan Sook (Pencils) & Brad Anderson (Colors)
Published by DC Comics – $3.99

The murderous mystery of the Red Cloud uncovered! Clark Kent draws closer to revealing a secret crime family that has operated for years in Metropolis, but the family’s enforcer-the mysterious Red Cloud-proves she’s a match for even the Man of Steel with an attack that leaves Superman breathless. Don’t miss the last-page shocker as we reveal the true face of the Red Cloud!

Why It’s Hot: Bendis’ run on the two primary Superman titles have been great. I personally didn’t think Bendis would be able to live up to what Jurgens had been doing with Action Comics, but I’ve been changing my tune as of late. This issue in particular is going to answer a big question, and introduce an even bigger one that will leave quite a few fans very happy.

AQUAMAN/JUSTICE LEAGUE: DROWNED EARTH #1
Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Francis Manapul & Howard Porter (Pencils), HI-FI (Colors)
Published by DC Comics – $4.99

“DROWNED EARTH” finale! Aquaman faces the truth behind Atlantis’ past and must find a way to reclaim the power of his birthright or watch the floodwaters drown everything he has ever loved! With the world at stake and the Justice League on their last sea legs in their battle against the Ocean Lords, Arthur makes the ultimate sacrifice to return balance to land and sea!

Why It’s Hot: The big Aquaman/Justice League Drowned Earth event comes to an end this week. Given the release schedule and lean nature of the tie-in situation this event just soared on by. That doesn’t mean the work from this all star group of assembled talent should be overlooked. With that Aquaman movie on the way here in a few weeks this story has been a perfect warmup for what lies ahead.

DAREDEVIL #612
Written by Charles Soule
Art by Phil Noto
Published by Marvel Comics – $4.99

• The whirlwind adventure of the fall ends here, in an oversized and overwhelming DAREDEVIL epic as only Charles Soule and Phil Noto could deliver it.
• Face forward, True Believers, this one’ll have you talking for MONTHS!

Why It’s Hot: Charles Soule’s run comes to an end with an oversized issue that promises the Death Of Daredevil… in the words of The Man, “‘Nuff Said!”

DEAD MAN LOGAN #1
Written by Ed Brisson
Art by Mike Henderson
Published by Marvel Comics – $4.99

DEAD MEANS DEAD.
The writing’s been on the wall for months now… Logan is dying. And he ain’t getting any better. Sick from the Adamantium coating his skeleton, his search for a cure has led to nothing but dead ends. But for once he’s actually trying to leave this world with some unfinished business… Can Logan take his last breath without slaughtering the X-Men again? Not if Mysterio has anything to say about it…
Superstar creative team ED BRISSON (OLD MAN LOGAN, UNCANNY X-MEN) and MIKE HENDERSON (DEADPOOL VS. OLD MAN LOGAN), with covers by DECLAN SHALVEY (MOON KNIGHT), is putting this old dog out of his misery with a bang!

Why It’s Hot: When Marvel killed off the original Wolverine nobody expected the combination of X-23 and Old Man Logan to fill the void as well as they did. Laura became THE Wolverine while OML fed fans of the original character the types of stories they craved, but with a twist. Now with Normal Man Logan in the midst of an epic return the aptly titled “Return Of Wolverine” OML has become redundant. Laura has gone back to being X-23 while maintaining the same type of stories that had fans in love, but there’s nowhere for OML to do the same. So now it’s time to send OML out in a blaze of glory with a 12 issue maxiseries that promises to be as bloody as we’ve come to expect from this character. If you haven’t been reading since the Lemire/Sorrentino days now is the time to jump on and say goodbye. If you’ve never read an OML comic now is the possíbly the last time to get in early and experience a OML comic. I can’t wait to see the sendoff Brisson and Henderson give this character that shouldn’t have worked, but ended up surprising almost all who gave him a chance.

FANTASTIC FOUR #4
Written by Dan Slott
Art by Stefano Caselli (Pencils)
Published by Marvel Comics – $3.99

Meet the Marvel Universe’s New Fabulous Foursome: THE FANTASTIX!
• Wait. What?! Who are these imposters? Why are they in the Baxter Building?!
• And how is it that they own the lease?!
• A strange new turn in the Fantastic Four’s legacy!
• A secret side mission for the Thing!
• All this and a special appearance by one of the FF’s oldest foes!

Why It’s Hot: I decided yesterday that as of November 26, 2018 the Fantastic Four comic currently being written by Dan Slott and published by Marvel Comics makes me just as happy as any comic currently being published. The first three issues have been a love letter to the past, present, and future of Marvel’s First Family. Dan Slott knows that fans have been waiting several years for Reed, Sue, and the kids to return, and almost every page has a moment that reminds you why. Now that the team has found their way back to Earth will everyone make it back? Why is the Baxter Building occupied by a familiar looking new superhero team? Where is the family going to live? This comic is well on its way to living up to the “World’s Greatesr Comic Magazine” moniker.

THE FLASH #59
Written by Joshua Williamson
Art by Rafa Sandoval (Pencils), Jordi Tarragona (Inks), Tomeu Morey (Colors)
Published by DC Comics – $3.99

“FORCE QUEST” part two! Next stop: Gorilla City! The Flash’s next destination on his new training mission is the stomping grounds of his longtime foe Gorilla Grodd. But instead of a primate paradise, he finds the kingdom in ruins! Flash must use his CSI skills to uncover who destroyed Gorilla City, but the discovery of a brand-new villain means Barry isn’t the only person researching the true origins of the Speed Force.

Why It’s Hot: The Flash has been really good under the stewardship of Joshua Williamson. The series has been one of the best since DC’s Rebirth initiative started in 2016, but it’s almost been too consistent. That doesn’t really make sense, but neither does starting to overlook a comic that’s been really good just because it’s been really good for a lot of issues. Now with a multiverse spanning adventure and Rafa Sandoval on art duties the comic has somehow gotten even better with the Force Quest arc. Barry and Iris on an adventure to learn more about the forces introduced in Justice League is a pleasure to read, as Iris shines brightest. Now the new dynamic duo need to figure out what happened in Gorilla City, who slaughtered its citizens, and if the knowledge about the forces that was destroyed with the city can ever be recovered.

HELLBOY & THE BPRD: 1956 #1
Written by Chris Roberson
Art by Yishan Li, Mike Norton, Michael Oeming, Dave Stewart
Published by Dark Horse Comics – $3.99

Pressure is mounting within the bureau to uncover the Soviets’ secret plans, but a suspicious cover-up leads one agent off the radar in search of answers. Meanwhile, demonic Soviet occult leader Varvara pushes her team to follow her own whims, and Hellboy is sent on the mission that would lead to his infamous misadventures in Mexico. But even more clandestine plots are at work-both inside the B.P.R.D. and out.

Why It’s Hot: A great creative team working on a new Hellboy & The BPRD series with three parallels stories is all I need to say about why this is a must read. Although, if you’re intrigued by the talk of the new movie there’s no better place to start reading than a the first issue of a new story. Other than the very beginning of course, and while you definitely should go read some classic Hellboy jumping on with this new prequel mini is easier for the time being.

HEROES IN CRISIS #3
Written by Tom King
Art by Lee Weeks & Clay Mann (Pencils) & Tomeu Morey (Colors)
Published by DC Comics – $3.99

Tragedies deepen as more secrets behind the “superhero hospital” called Sanctuary are revealed! What compelled Batman, Superman and Wonder Woman to create it in the first place? How was it built? And if the hospital truly is alive via A.I., who – or what – is the brain of “Sanctuary?” Another layer peeled back in the biggest mystery woven through the entire DC Universe.

Why It’s Hot: Love or hate it, Tom King and Clay Mann’s (among other artists) murder mystery has been the talk of the comic book world, and issue three begins to go beyond the mystery driven nature of the first two issues by giving a glimpse into the inner workings of Sanctuary. There are a few scenes featuring popular characters that fans were expecting to see in the first issue. Throw in a final panel that could potentially have far reaching implications for the story and you have an issue that seems to be setting the book on the right path. The comic by its very nature will still be divisive, and while I get why people feel one way or another, It’s going to be one tough wait until the next issue for your’s truly.

IRONHEART #1
Written by Eve Ewing
Art by Kevin Libranda, Luciano Vecchio, Matt Milla
Published by Marvel Comics – $4.99

THE FORMER STAR OF INVINCIBLE IRON MAN HEADLINES HER OWN SOLO SERIES!
When a group of world leaders is taken hostage by one of Spider-Man’s old foes, Riri Williams will have to step up her game. And she’ll be stunned when someone from back in Sweet Home Chicago enters her life… CHAMPIONS artist Kevin Libranda joins award-winning poet Eve Ewing, as Ironheart steps boldly out of Tony Stark’s shadow to forge her own future!

Why It’s Hot: RiRi Williams finally gets a comic that is truly her own, that features her own code name on the cover, and no need to share a comic with the long casting shadow of Tony Stark. Marvel adds another extremely talented writer to the mix with award winning poet Eve Ewing writing the book with the eye catching Kevin Libranda providing the art. This comic should be good, and given all of the manufactured, bullshit controversy surrounding this comic I hope it lives up to all the potential while selling through the roof.

MARVEL ACTION: SPIDER-MAN #1
Written by Delilah S. Dawson
Art by Fico Ossio
Published by IDW Publishing – $3.99

Readers of all ages can get tangled up in these all new adventures of Spider-Man and his astonishing friends! Peter Parker has thrown down with deadly villains and legendary heroes, but high school life might be his greatest challenge yet. Luckily, he has a shot at making the grade with a little help from his new friends… Miles Morales and Gwen Stacy! A Marvelous new era begins here!

Why It’s Hot: Marvel has been working with IDW on a multitude of projects from the amazing Artist Edition oversized hardcovers to a series of all ages Star Wars books that don’t fit in line with Marvel’s line. The relationship must be working well, because Marvel has given IDW access to THE flagship character from their stable of characters. Yes, IDW is now Publishing an all ages Spider-Man comic featuring a high school Peter Parker, Miles Morales, and Gwen Stacy. With all three of those characters apparently playing a big role in the upcoming (whoa, this is actually happening here in a few weeks) animated Spider-Man: Into The Spider-Verse this comic *should* be big. There’s a good chance that when kids walk into a comic shop looking for Spidey comics after seeing the movie that this is the comic they’re handed, and it’s not published by Marvel.

ALSO AVAILABLE THIS WEEK:

* Amazing Spider-Man #10
* Black Panther #6
* Black Panther Vs. Deadpool #2
* The Books Of Magic #2
* Catalyst Prime: Incidentals #14
* Catalyst Prime: Kino #11
* DC Nuclear Winter Special #1
* Die! Die! Die! #5
* Faith Dreamside #3
* Fence #12
* Hex Wives #2
* Jim Henson’s Labyrinth: Under Spell #1
* Justice League Odyssey #3
* Man-eaters #3
* Marvel Two-In-One #12
* Mighty Morphin’ Power Rangers #33
* Oh S#!t It’s Kim & Kim #4
* Old Lady Harley #2
* Princeless: Find Yourself #1
* Return Of Wolverine #3
* Scarlet #4
* TMNT #88
* Redneck #17
* Sex, Death, Revolution #2
* The Silencer #11
* Spider-Girls #2
* Spider-Gwen: Ghost Spider #2
* Stranger Things #3
* Stray Bullets: Sunshine & Roses #40
* The Terrifics #10
* Uncanny X-Men #3
* The Warning #1
* Wonder Woman #59

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