HOT FIVE (ish): Week Of November 7, 2018

Welcome to Comicosity’s Hot Five(ish). 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.

BATMAN #58
Written by Tom King
Art by Mikel Janin (Pencils) & Jordie Bellaire (Colors)
Published by DC Comics – $3.99

The Dark Knight waddles into a turf war with the Penguin! Still reeling from the attacks on his Bat-Family and reputation, the Caped Crusader looks to track down the mysterious operator lurking behind the scenes in Gotham City. As the hunt rages on, Batman runs “a fowl” of Oswald Cobblepot. But the Penguin is on Batman’s side for once, and the crime boss sees dangerous things on the horizon. How can he convince the Caped Crusader he’s on the level?

Why It’s Hot: Tom King and Mikel Janin finally get to one of the last top tier Batman villains that this run hasn’t covered, and it doesn’t disappoint. Oh, and there’s a phenomenal splash page that I really want hanging on my walls that is alone almost worth the price of admission.

DISNEY AFTERNOON GIANT #1
Written by Warren Spector & Ian Brill
Art by Leonel Castellani & Jose Massaroli
Published by IDW Publishing – $5.99

It’s the first issue of a brand-new series featuring stories from your favorite Disney Afternoon shows! It’s a blast from the past in the present as we feature classic DuckTales, Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers, and Darkwing Duck stories, all together in one place for the first time!

Brand-new title featuring your classic Disney Afternoon TV favorites: DuckTales, Darkwing Duck, and Chip ‘n’ Dale Rescue Rangers!

Bi-monthly issues featuring rotating serialized content that will have you hooked from the start!

Classic tales from beloved characters that will appeal to readers of all ages!

Why It’s Hot: Now THIS is some pure, pure 90s nostalgia for 90s kids everywhere. I know we’ve seen these stories in comic book form before, and I’m not one to usually include reprints, but to see them together under this banner makes me all sorts of giddy. I made an exception here because this is a brilliant way to package this material.

DEATH OF THE INHUMANS #5
Written by Donny Cates
Art by Ariel Olivetti (Pencils) & Jordie Bellaire (Colors)
Published by Marvel Comics – $3.99

THE FINAL STAND!
The Royal Family has been broken. Now, something new and terrible rises from its ashes. Who is Vox? Where are the Inhumans he’s killed? And what lies ahead for a king without a kingdom?

Why It’s Hot: Is this the end of The Inhumans? Is this the end of one of Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s great creations? We’ve seen how brutal (in a good way?) Cates has been in the events of the previous four issues, so it will be exciting to see how it all ends.

DOCTOR WHO: THE 13th DOCTOR #1
Written by Jody Houser
Art by Rachael Stott (Pencils) & Enrica Angiolini (Colors)
Published by Titan Comics – $3.99

The Doctor regenerates into her most thrilling incarnation yet – played by Jodie Whittaker, and traveling alongside three brand new companions: Graham (Bradley Walsh), Yasmin (Mandip Gill), and Ryan (Tosin Cole)!

Experience mind-blowing challenges and dynamic adventures through time and space – right alongside the Doctor and her friends!

A new series for a new era on the TARDIS, from a creative team of astounding women – Eisner-nominated writer Jody Houser (Faith, Mother Panic, Star Wars: Rogue One, Spider-Man: Renew Your Vows, Orphan Black, The X-Files: Origins), art by Rachael Stott (Doctor Who, Motherlands, Star Trek/Planet of the Apes) and colors from Enrica Angiolini (Shades of Magic: The Steel Prince, Warhammer 40,000)!

Commemorate this once-in-a-lifetime regeneration with thirteen variant covers, from a variety of astounding women comics artists!

Why It’s Hot: A new era of Doctor Who usually comes with a new comic book series, and that’s not exception this time around. As Jodie Whittaker leads The Doctor into the future on screen there’s a great group of women leading the charge on the comic book page. Now that’s pretty darn cool if you ask me.

THE GREEN LANTERN #1
Written by Grant Morrison
Art by Liam Sharp (Pencils) & Steve Oliff (Colors)
Published by DC Comics – $4.99

Superstar writer Grant Morrison (Batman, All-Star Superman) returns to DC alongside red-hot artist Liam Sharp (The Brave AND the Bold, Wonder Woman) to launch a new, ongoing series: THE GREEN LANTERN!

In this debut issue, when Earth’s space cop, Hal Jordan, encounters an alien hiding in plain sight, it sets off a chain of events that rocks the Green Lantern Corps-and quite possibly the Multiverse at large-to its very core. There’s an inter-galactic conspiracy afoot, as well as a traitor in the GL Corps’ ranks, so strap in for more mind-bending adventures in this masterpiece in the making.

Why It’s Hot: My favorite writer to ever write a comic book makes his big return to superhero comics, and it’s not even the biggest talking point around the issue. Liam Sharp and Steve Oliff have produced one of the most unique, beautiful issues of comic book art that I’ve seen in an American superhero comic. Add that to the G.O.A.T. returning with his signature craziness, and you have an absolute must read comic book.

INFINITY WARS #5
Written by Gerry Duggan
Art by Mike Deodato Jr. (Pencils) & Frank Martin (Colors)
Published by Marvel Comics – $4.99

Introducing… Loki’s Cosmic Avengers!

Why It’s Hot: Loki’s Cosmic Avengers take on Requiem with the fate of two universes hanging in the balance, as Duggan and Deodato’s event reaches its penultimate issue. What is Loki’s plan, and will it work? This is a fun one with twists, turns, and action galore.

JAMES BOND 007 #1
Written by Greg Pak
Art by Marc Laming (Pencils) & Triona Farrell (Colors)
Published by Dynamite Entertainment- $3.99

The ODD JOB epic begins in a new ongoing James Bond comic series by superstars GREG PAK (Planet Hulk, Mech Cadet Yu) and MARC LAMING (Star Wars, Wonder Woman)! Agent 007 tracks a smuggler into Singapore to secure a dangerous case, contents unknown. But a Korean mystery man wants the case as well, for very different reasons. And if Bond and this new rival don’t kill each other, the ruthless terrorist organization known as ORU will be more than happy to finish the job.

Why It’s Hot: Greg Pak and Marc Laming (coincidentally both involved in separate Planet Hulk projects) team up to bring us a brand new James Bond ongoing series. Dynamite has been putting out quality 007 material for a bit now, and this is the next step. A comic written by Greg Pak that reimagines Odd Job with great art from Laming seems like a good place to start.

 

MARVEL KNIGHTS #1
Written by Donny Cates
Art by Travel Foreman (Pencils), Derek Fridolfs (Inks), Matt Milla (Colors)
Published by Marvel Comics – $4.99

In celebration of the legendary imprint founded by Marvel’s CCO Joe Quesada, a new crop of talent stands poised to tell a groundbreaking story across the Marvel Universe!
In the cemetery, the blind man does not know who he is, or why he has come to this particular grave at this moment.

He doesn’t know the burly police officer with the wild story who has approached him.
Or the strangely intense man who sits in the rear seat of the patrol car, his eyes flashing green.
But all of that is about to change.

Because Matt Murdock is beginning to remember…

In a colorless world without heroes, the spark of light…must come from the dark…

Why It’s Hot: Twenty years ago Joe Quesada and Jimmy Palmiotti’s Marvel Knights imprint changed comic books forever. I’d go as far as saying that it helped “save” comics but I’ve noticed Quesada doesn’t like it being out that way. Since then some of the biggest names in comics have produced amazing work through the imprint. Bendis/Maleev Daredevil? Jenkins/Lee Inhumans? Ennis/Dillon Punisher? Morrison/Lee Fantastic Four? Priest’s Black Panther? Just a few of the beloved projects from the imprint. Now Marvel has enlisted arguably their biggest young writer to take the imprint to the future. This should be fun.

OUTER DARKNESS #1
Written by John Layman
Art by Afu Chan
Published by Image Comics – $3.99

Sci-fi and horror collide in this new series from the co-creator of CHEW!

Mankind has colonized the galaxy, but during our interstellar travels, we discovered a terrifying secret out in the Outer Darkness of space. Join Captain Joshua Rigg and the crew of the starship Charon as they encounter demonic possessions, hauntings, cosmic horror, and more!

All-star writer JOHN LAYMAN (CHEW) and artist AFU CHAN (Immortal Iron Fists) are ready to let you know that outer space is terrifying.

Why It’s Hot: This creative team is good. This creative team working on a Sci-Fi/Horror comic that lives up to the promise of said creative team is even better. We need more comics like this, so let’s try and make sure there are more comics like this.

SIDEWAYS ANNUAL #1
Art by Will Conrad & Ibraim Roberson (Pencils), HI-FI (Colors)
Written by Dan DiDio & Grant Morrison
Published by DC Comics – $4.99

Sideways unleashes his “super” secret weapon against Perrus in an effort to free the oppressed people and escape to his home dimension. He’ll get some additional help from the newly discovered Seven Soldiers, but only if someone makes a heroic ultimate sacrifice. Plus, a bonus backup story in which Sideways meets the Unseen!!

Why It’s Hot: Sideways is a wild comic that doesn’t get enough love. Maybe a little Grant Morrison will help. The Seven Soliders, and New 52 Superman? Whaaaaaaaaat? Make sure you read and find out!

SPIDER-GEDDON #3
Written by Christos Gage
Art by Carlo Barberi (Pencils), José Marzan Jr. (Inks), & David Curiel (Colors)
Published by Marvel Comics – $3.99

REVENGE OF THE SPIDER-VERSE!

• One SUPERIOR SPIDER is willing to do whatever it takes to defeat the Inheritors!
• Will Miles and his team have to stop him before he goes TOO FAR?
• Stand together or fall separately – isn’t that how it goes?

Why It’s Hot: I’ve talked about the timing of this series being essentially a gap between the video game and movie. I’ve talked about the size and scope of the story. I don’t know how much more I can say outside of this is just a really good event comic with really good tie-in issues. It’s good ‘ol Spidey on a grand scale.

TRANSFORMERS: LOST LIGHT #25
Written by James Roberts
Art by Jack Lawrence (Pencils) & Joana Lafuente (Colors)
Published by IDW Publishing – $3.99

MORE THAN MET THE EYE. The quest is over, the dust has settled, and everything has changed-forever. But before the fond farewells, before the parting of ways, before the unkept promises to stay in touch, there’s time-surely, there’s time-for one last drink…

Extra-long final issue! Tying together and putting a bow on stories from the last 13 years!
The final fate of the whole Lost Light crew revealed!
From the Death of Optimus Prime to now: 85 issues of the Lost Light cast!

Why It’s Hot: I’m going to be honest here. I don’t read this comic, and never have. I saw some people on Twitter preparing themselves for the end of this series, and of this Transformers era. As I kept digging I discovered a fandom that was devoted to these characters in ways that most pop culture properties strive for. So this entry is for those fans out there whose first read on Wednesday will be to say goodbye to an era they’ve followed for thirteen years, and a cast they’ve loved for eighty-five total issues. I hope you all enjoy it!

THE WICKED + THE DIVINE FUNNIES #1
Written by Kieron Gillen, Kate Leth, Larissa Zageris, & Kitty Curran
Art by Jamie McKelvie Hamish Steele, Erica Henderson, Chip Zdarsky, Margaux Saltel, Larissa Zageris, Kitty Curran (Pencils) & Matt Wilson (Colors)
Published by Image Comics – $3.99

Every ninety years gods are reborn as dogs. They are good dogs. They are very good dogs. In two years, they may have learned how to sit, which is one of several (count ’em!) stories in this special. As THE WICKED + THE DIVINE prepares for its final arc, we invite a bunch of friends over, pass out the fizzy pop and sherbet and have a lovely time. Join us!

Why It’s Hot: This should be a fun way to get ready for the final arc of WicDiv. We should probably get our laughs in now before Gillen, McKelvie, and Wilson destroy us with their final few issues. On top of that this is a really cool lineup of outside creators working on this special.

ALSO AVAILABLE THIS WEEK:

* Asgardians Of The Galaxy #3
* Battlestar Galactica Classic #1
* Blackbird #2
* Border Town #3
* Catalyst Prime: Noble #13
* Champions #26
* Crowded #4
* Dead Rabbit #2
* Death Orb #2
* Deathstroke #37
* The Dreaming #3
* The Empty Man #1
* Farmhand #5
* Giant Days #44
* Harley Quinn #53
* Iceman #3
* Immortal Hulk #8
* Justice League #11
* Kick-Ass #9
* Leviathan #3
* Redlands #8
* Runaways #15
* Seven To Eternity #12
* Shatterstar #2
* Sparrowhawk #2
* Suicide Squad: Black Files #1
* Typhoid Fever: X-Men #1
* The Walking Dead #185
* WWE #22
* Wrong Earth #3
* X-23 #3
* X-Men Red #10

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