Hot Five Extended Edition: Week of January 8th, 2014

Welcome to Comicosity’s Hot Five. Hot Five is a short 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 for the week in the comic market!

Don’t forget that at the start of every month we bring you an extra sized Extended Edition of the Hot Five meant to highlight new first issues to keep an eye out for as you’re putting together your comic budget this month. These books can be found immediately following this week’s picks.

ANMNPOINTONE2014001_DC11_LR_Page1ALL-NEW MARVEL NOW! POINT ONE #1
Written by Dan Slott, Al Ewing, James Robinson, Nathan Edmondson & Nick Spencer
Art by Michael Allred, Lee Garbett, Steve Pugh, Phil Noto, & Rags Morales
Published by Marvel Comics – $5.99

• Here we go again! It’s your one-stop entry point to the world of ALL-NEW MARVEL NOW! Loki embarks on a mission for Asgard! The Silver Surfer and Dawn experience the cosmic rays of Nautikos! A Kree Pursuer and her Special Forces team prepare to invade the Earth! The Black Widow goes undercover in Russia! And can even the Indestructible Hulk survive the aid and assistance of fellow Avengers Cannonball and Sunspot?

• Features completely new LOKI: AGENT OF ASGARD, SILVER SURFER, BLACK WIDOW, ALL-NEW INVADERS and AVENGERS WORLD lead-in stories!

Why It’s Hot: All-New Marvel NOW! kicks off with this special one shot! The original Marvel NOW! was a critical and commercial smash, and now “The House of Ideas” is at it again with a brand new initiative meant to inject some energy into their entire line. Pick up this 56pg one-shot and behold the beginning of the future of Marvel Comics with new stories featuring Black Widow, Loki, and the Silver Surfer by the talented creative teams behind their upcoming ongoing titles.

AVENWORLD2014001_DC11_LR_Page1AVENGERS WORLD #1
Written by Jonathan Hickman & Nick Spencer
Art by Stefano Caselli
Published by Marvel Comics – $3.99

“TROUBLE MAP”

Earth’s Mightiest Heroes have returned from the stars– but on the world they left behind, new threats have emerged, and The Avengers will be tested like never before. In one cataclysmic day, the face of the Marvel Universe will change forever– and the fight for Earth’s future will begin. A globe-spanning epic of empires and armies, and the brave few who stand between them and us.

Why It’s Hot: After the events of Infinity, it is an Avengers World and we are all just living in it. The Avengers have grown so big that two titles can’t contain them, as Hickman enlists Nick Spencer to give “Earth’s Mightiest Heroes” a third core title. Avengers World promises to be a globe spanning, ass kicking, must read addition to Hickman’s Avengers epic with an added emphasis on some of the newest members of the team to be introduced over the past year.

BWIDOW2014001_DC11_LR_Page1BLACK WIDOW #1
Written by Nathan Edmondson
Art by Phil Noto
Published by Marvel Comics – $3.99

“The Finely Woven Thread”

You’ve seen Black Widow as an Avenger and even an Agent of Shield. But on her own time she searches for atonement for her past as a KGB assassin—in ways of which those teams just wouldn’t approve. From the darkest corners of the Marvel Universe, Nathan Edmonson (Who is Jake Ellis?) and Phil Noto (Thunderbolts, X-23) bring you a new ongoing series as gorgeous and mysterious as Nastasha Romanov herself!

Why It’s Hot: Natasha Romanov becomes the final character from the 2012 smash hit Avengers movie to get an ongoing title just in time to help kick off All-New Marvel NOW! Master of espionage Nathan Edmondson is joined by artist extraordinaire Phil Noto to bring us the adventures of Marvel’s premiere female character. Whether it be spycraft, mystery, action, and espionage, Black Widow will deliver it! Don’t miss the boat on what will almost assuredly be one of the best new comics of 2014!

detective-comics-27-cover-bDETECTIVE COMICS #27
Written by John Layman, Scott Snyder, Paul Dini, Brad Meltzer, Gregg Hurwitz & Peter J. Tomasi,
Art by Jason Fabok, Neal Adams, Dustin Nguyen, Gullem March, Frank Miller & others
Published by DC Comics – $7.99

DC Entertainment presents this mega-sized issue featuring an all-star roster of Batman creators past and present!

Don’t miss a modern-day retelling of The Dark Knight’s origin by the incredible team of writer Brad Meltzer and artist Bryan Hitch! Plus, all-new stories by Scott Snyder and Sean Murphy, Peter J. Tomasi and Guillem March, Paul Dini and Dustin Nguyen, Gregg Hurwitz and Neal Adams, new art by legendary Batman writer/artist Frank Miller and more!

Also in this issue, John Layman and Jason Fabok kick off the new storyline “GOTHTOPIA”! It’s a bright, shiny, happy place where dreams come true…as long as you don’t look at things too closely.

Why It’s Hot: The first time Detective Comics #27 hit the stands the year was 1939, and with it the world was introduced to what would become one of the most popular fictional characters ever created, Batman. This time around the folks at DC have gathered an all-star roster of creative talent to celebrate The Dark Knight. Come for the celebration, and stay for the start of the next big Batman story, Gothtopia, that will be featured in the next few months of Detective Comics, and crossing over into most of your favorite Bat-Family titles!

YNGAVN2013015_DC11_LR_Page1YOUNG AVENGERS #15
Written by Kieron Gillen
Art by Jamie McKelvie, Becky Cloonan, Ming Doyle & Joe Quinones
Published by Marvel Comics – $2.99

• After the saving the world, there’s the after party. And after the party, it’s the hotel lobby. And around issue 15, we have to clear the lobby and then head to our rooms and do something jolly rude.
• MIC-DROP!

Why It’s Hot: Laugh, cheer, and cry as Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie say goodbye to Young Avengers with the final issue of their critically acclaimed and much beloved run.

 

EXTENDED EDITION BOOKS:

ANXFACT2014001_DC11_LR_Page1ALL-NEW X-FACTOR #1 & 2
Written by Peter David
Art by Carmine Di Giandomenico
Published by Marvel Comics – $3.99
Release Date: January 8th (Issue 1)

“NOT BRAND X” Parts 1 & 2

X-FACTOR IS BACK…LIKE NEVER BEFORE! Serval Industries, one of the world’s most trusted names in electronics and leader in cutting-edge internet and weapons technology, has just unveiled their newest contribution to society…the All-New X-Factor. Led by mutant mistress of magnetism, Polaris, the team uses its corporate backing for the betterment of society. With her half-brother Quicksilver, notorious thief, Gambit, and more by her side, can Polaris trust that her corporate masters really have good intentions?

Why It’s Hot: For years, Peter David’s X-Factor was consistently one of the best comic books put out by Marvel or any company. After wrapping up the story of X-Factor Investigations, David is back at it with All-New X-Factor, a book that gives X-Factor a new role and purpose in the Marvel Universe. Featuring the ever consistent writing of Peter David, and a mix of his favorite and fan favorite characters this is the perfect time to find out why Peter David and X-Factor go so well together!

deadly-class-01DEADLY CLASS #1
Written by Rick Remender
Art by Wesley Craig & Lee Loughridge
Published by Image Comics – $3.50
Release Date: January 22nd

It’s 1987. Marcus Lopez hates school. His grades suck. He has no money. The jocks are hassling his friends. He can’t focus in class, thanks to his mind constantly drifting to the stunning girl in the front row and the Dag Nasty show he has tickets to. But the jocks are the children of Joseph Stalin’s top assassin, the teachers are members of an ancient league of assassins, the class he’s failing is “Dismemberment 101,” and his crush, a member of the most notorious crime syndicate in Japan, has a double-digit body count.

Welcome to the most brutal high school on Earth, where the world’s top crime families send the next generation of assassins to be trained. Murder is an art. Killing is a craft. At King’s Dominion High School for the Deadly Arts, the dagger in your back isn’t always metaphorical, nor is your fellow classmates’ poison.
Join writer RICK REMENDER with rising star WESLEY CRAIG (Batman) and legendary colorist LEE LOUGHRIDGE (Fear Agent) to reminisce about the mid-1980s underground through the eyes of the most damaged and dangerous teenagers on Earth.

Why It’s Hot: More Rick Remender is always a good thing, but more Rick Remender creator owned is always a GREAT thing. After the launch of the awesome Black Science last month, the A-list writer is at it again with Deadly Class. It may only be January, but this book is one of the most anticipated launches of the year. The high concept combined with the stylings of Craig and Loughridge make this book a MUST READ!

INJUSTICE_YEAR_TWO_1INJUSTICE YEAR TWO #1
Written by TOM TAYLOR
Art by BRUNO REDONDO
Published by DC Comics – $2.99
Release Date: January 15th

The best-selling prequel to the hit videogame picks up right where it left off! Year one is over—now, year two begins. The death of one of their own has divided Earth’s protectors as hero turns against hero. As Superman’s iron grip on the world tightens, at the edge of the galaxy, fear approaches…

Why It’s Hot: The digital first Injustice was one of the surprise smash hits of 2013, and helped writer Tom Taylor prove himself as one of the top up and coming writers in comics. Injustice Year Two picks up right where the first volume left off, and promises just as much mayhem, and just as many surprises as Superman’s rule over Earth continues. Jump on with this issue for one of the craziest comic books where anything goes and anything can happen to all of your favorite DC characters.

REVOWARA2014001_DC11_LR_Page1REVOLUTIONARY WAR: ALPHA #1
Written by Andy Lanning & Alan Cowsill
Art by Rich Elson
Published by Marvel Comics – $3.99
Release Date: January 8th

Part 1 of “Revolutionary War”

• Marvel UK’s greatest heroes come together for the first time in 20 years to face a threat that could destroy the world.

• Featuring Captain Britain, Pete Wisdom, Death’s Head II, Motormouth and Killpower, the Warheads and a host of British heroes.

Why It’s Hot: For years Marvel UK was a fertile breeding ground for some of the best creators Britain has to offer. Together they created characters that were beloved the world over, and after almost 20 of lying dormant, the band is getting back together! Revolutionary War: Alpha is the start of Revolutionary War, a Marvel UK event nearly 20 years in the making! Take some of the top British talent in comics (some of whom worked on the original Marvel UK titles years ago), combine them with the characters that made the imprint such a success, and you have the makings of a red hot event! Revolutionary War: Alpha kicks things off, but make sure to follow the story into Revolutionary War: Dark Angel and Revolutionary War: Knights of Pendragon later in the month!

XFiless_Conspiracy_01ATHE X-FILES: CONSPIRACY #1 (of 2)
Written by Paul Crilley
Art by John Stanisci
Published by IDW Publishing – $3.99

The event of the year begins here! When The Lone Gunmen discover files from future, they learn that a plague will soon wipe out most of humanity. With Agents Mulder and Scully working one lead, the Gunmen must spring into action and investigate several urban legends: a group of ghost-hunters, mutant turtles that live in the sewers, shape-changing alien robots, and a vengeful spirit from beyond the grave!

The event of the year sees characters from The X-Files interact with the Ghostbusters, Transformers, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, and The Crow!

Why It’s Hot: In a story that can only happen in the world of comic books, The X-Files crosses over with several of the other properties currently being published by IDW. Ever wonder what would happen if Mulder teamed up with Optimus Prime, or if Scully matched wits with April O’Neil? I can’t imagine you have, because the concept of the X-Files crossing over with the Transformers or TMNT is so farfetched, but thanks to the wonder of comic books there are no limits to the team ups we may witness! Sit back and enjoy as the X-Files are taken to the next level!

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