HOT FIVE: Week of March 20, 2013

Every week, Comicosity brings you our Hot Five, 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.

AC_Cv18_dsACTION COMICS #18
Written by Grant Morrison and Sholly Fisch
Art by Rags Morales, Chris Sprouse, and more

Published by DC Comics — $4.99

The lead story, written by Grant Morrison with art by Rags Morales, Brad Walker, Cam Smith and Andrew Hennessy, is destined to be a milestone in The New 52 – and that’s all we can say about it for now! Plus, in the backup story, written by Sholly Fisch with art by Chris Sprouse and Karl Story, learn how Superman’s battle against the Little Man has some very far-reaching consequences.

Why It’s Hot: Grant Morrison’s run on the Man of Steel is finally at its end — for good or bad — and it’s time to see how the main man wraps it all in a bow. So much of Morrison’s mainstream work reads better in collection, so this moment has been long anticipated, but for those who have been reading month to month, it’s certain to have answers and details pointing back to earlier stories aplenty!

 

CONST_Cv1_varCONSTANTINE #1
Written by Jeff Lemire and Ray Fawkes
Art by Renato Guedes
Published by DC Comics — $2.99

The star of JUSTICE LEAGUE DARK is unleashed in his all-new ongoing series! Liar, cheater, manipulator…John Constantine is all of these, and yet he uses these skills and more to protect the world from the darkest corners of the DC Universe. What Constantine learns in this first issue will shake the very foundations of the New 52…and only he knows how to deal with it!

Why It’s Hot: The move to relaunch John Constantine into an ongoing title in the New 52 in lieu of continuing his longstanding Vertigo title, Hellblazer, was quite controversial. But with the writing team behind Justice League Dark on the book, it’s bound to be enjoyable and feel cohesive with John’s appearances in the New 52 to date. We talked to co-writer Ray Fawkes about the series a month ago and were excited with what we heard. The question is, will it measure up for longtime fans, find an entirely new audience, neither, or both?

Take a Sneak Peek.

 

STK525087MEMORIAL: IMAGINARY FIENDS #1
Written by Chris Roberson
Art by Rich Ellis
Published by IDW Publishing — $3.99

Return to the world of Memorial in “Imaginary Fiends,” an all new 3 issue series! The fantasies and fears that seem so real to children are often forgotten in adulthood. But after the events of the first Memorial miniseries, forgotten memories are being recovered all over the world. Can those lost fears and fantasies be far behind? Brought to you by Chris Roberson (EDISON REX, iZOMBIE), Rich Ellis (STARS BELOW, TWILIGHT ZONE), and Grace Allison (WANDER).

Why It’s Hot: Hot creator Chris Roberson, the mastermind behind MonkeyBrain Comics, returns to the magical world he created in Memorial. The early issues of that series are hard to find in print today, so it’s not unreasonable to expect this series could be just as popular. Don’t miss out!

Take a Sneak Peek.

 

XO3X-O MANOWAR #11
Written by Robert Venditti
Art by Cary Nord
Published by Valiant Entertainment — $3.99

PLANET DEATH has arrived! X-O Manowar’s one-man invasion of the Vine’s alien homeworld starts here! At long last, Aric of Dacia will take his revenge on the alien race that have pursued him at every turn. As his Visigoth forefathers sacked Rome, so too will Aric of Dacia bring a devastating assault to the doorstep of his oppressors. Taking the battle directly to the Vine planet of Loam, he will decimate their armies, he will level their cities – and he will not stop until the whole of their empire is reduced to ash. But when one man declares war on an entire world, what painful consequences will he reap for himself – and for the whole of human race?
Featuring the return of superstar penciller Cary Nord, PLANET DEATH is THE event that will define X-O Manowar’s place in the Valiant Universe. Don’t miss this juggernaut of a storyline when X-O Manowar descends on PLANET DEATH in March!

Why It’s Hot: The perfect jumping on point for the title from last year’s revitalized Valiant Entertainment line that everyone is talking about! And the subject of a Comicosity interview (if you are so inclined)! And those curious about the man inheriting the ring from Geoff Johns (when Robert Venditti takes over Green Lantern with issue #21 in June) should look no further!

Take a Sneak Peek.

 

XTERM2013001_DC11_LRX-TERMINATION #1
Written by David Lapham
Art by David Lopez

Published by Marvel Comics — $3.99

THE X-TERMINATION EVENT STARTS HERE! Joining together the teams from ASTONISHING X-MEN, AGE OF APOCALYPSE and X-TREME X-MEN, and spinning out of the pages of UNCANNY X-FORCE. AOA Nightcrawler just wants to get home…and he doesn’t care if he takes out our world to get there. Wolverine versus Nightcrawler!

Why It’s Hot: The latest X-Men crossover begins here, but this time, the series involved are none of the big names, but rather, three of the lowest selling X-titles — two of which are approaching their last issues. It will be curious to see if this event draws any extra eyes, but more importantly, this event will be a fun, raucous swan song for those readers loving Age of Apocalypse and X-Treme X-Men.

Take a Sneak Peek.

 

So, those are ours, but what are your Hot Five for the week? Sound off below, shout out to us on Facebook or on Twitter to @Comicosity!

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