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.
AVENGERS #10 (700)
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by David Marquez, Ed McGuinness, Frazer Irving, Adam Kubert, Andrea Sorrentino (Pencils), Justin Ponsor, Erick Arciniega, Frazer Irving, Matthew Wilson, Giada Marchisio (Colors)
Published by Marvel Comics – $5.99
THE EARTH’S MOST HATED HEROES?!
After 700 issues of saving the world, you’d think the Avengers would be due some celebration. But instead the whole world seems to be gunning for them, especially Namor’s fearsome new Defenders of the Deep and the reimagined Russian Super-Soldiers of the Winter Guard. And that’s not to mention the shocking surprise the U.S. government has in store for our heroes. Plus: The all-new Agents of Wakanda! The mystery of the Avengers of 1,000,000 BC deepens! A key revelation concerning the resurrection of Wolverine! And the next startling new Avenger is revealed!
Why It’s Hot: 700 issues of Earth’s Mightiest Heroes are celebrated with some of the biggest names in all of comics. This supersized anniversary issue has a lot going on with plenty of surprises in store. Just look at that lineup of artists!
BITTER ROOT #1
Written by David Walker & Chuck Brown
Art by Sanford Greene, Rico Renzi
Published by Image Comics – $3.99
In the 1920s, the Harlem Renaissance is in full swing, and only the Sangerye Family can save New York-and the world-from the supernatural forces threatening to destroy humanity. But the once-great family of monster hunters has been torn apart by tragedies and conflicting moral codes. The Sangerye Family must heal the wounds of the past and move beyond their differences… or sit back and watch a force of unimaginable evil ravage the human race.
DAVID F. WALKER and SANFORD GREENE, the creative team of Power Man and Iron Fist, along with indie veteran CHUCK BROWN (Trench Coats, Cigarettes and Shotguns) bring you 24 action-packed pages of monsters, mayhem, and family dysfunction in a brand-new ongoing series.
Why It’s Hot: From the moment this book was announced the anticipation has been through the roof. The fan favorite creative team of Marvel’s Power Man and Iron Fist are reunited with this brand new creator owned endeavor. It’s the 1920s Harlem Renaissance and supernatural forces are afoot. This comic is what happens when diverse voices are given the spotlight to tell their stories in the manner they choose to. Despite what some people out there want people to believe this is a very good thing. If the first issue is any indication the potential of this series is enormous.
ELECTRIC WARRIORS #1
Written by Steve Orlando
Art by Travel Foreman (Pencils) & HI-FI (Colors)
Published by DC Comics – 3.99
A new tale of the future DC Universe, set in a previously unexplored timeline-the Cosmic Dark Age!
Years after the Great Disaster, the Earth has started to rebuild and rejoin the universal coalition. In order to prevent a galactic war, different worlds throughout the known cosmos have created a new system of competitive combat to give each participating planet their own voice in the intergalactic struggle. Each world has one diplomatic gladiator, chosen to possess the Electric Seed and fight for their homeland as the Electric Warrior! Each fighter forsakes their personal life in the name of peace.
So what happens when Earth can’t choose a single combatant and sends two instead? The bruiser War Cry represents the humans of Earth, while Deep Dweller, a shape-shifter from the Octopus Tribe, represents the animal kingdom. Can they maintain one common goal, or will they tear Earth’s tenuous coexistence to shreds and destroy the rest of the universe with it? Oh, and War Cry also has a powerful relic from Earth’s past: Superman’s cape!
Why It’s Hot: Steve Orlando is one of the best writers currently working for DC Comics, and a large part of his success comes from his deep love and respect for the DCU. With Electric Warriors, the scribe and artist Travel Foreman get to explore a time period that’s never been explored before. Orlando takes that aforementioned love of DC and throws it completely into building an entire new slice of the universe for readers to explore. With the beautiful art from Foreman and HI-FI this is a familiar yet foreign side of the DCU that fans should be eager to explore.
FIREFLY #1
Written by Greg Pak
Art by Dan McDaid (Pencils) & Marcelo Costa (Colors)
Published by BOOM! Studios – $3.99
BOOM! Studios, along with visionary writer and director Joss Whedon (Buffy the Vampire Slayer, The Avengers), presents an all-new era of the pop culture phenomenon Firefly , as one of the most demanded stories in the franchise’s history is revealed for the first time! Captain Malcolm “Mal” Reynolds, a defeated soldier who opposed the unification of the planets by the totalitarian governed Alliance, will undertake any job-legal or not-to stay afloat and keep his crew fed. Find out now how his story began as BOOM! Studios delves into Malfs past, how he met his first mate Zoe and the real truth about the War of Unification.the intergalactic civil war that divided friend and family alike. Focusing on family, loyalty, identity, and the price of redemption, writer Greg Pak (Mech Cadet Yu, Totally Awesome Hulk) and artist Dan McDaid (Judge Dredd: Mega City Zero) take you back to the battleground where Mal’s journey began.
Why It’s Hot: Firefly is back, has a new home, and is being written by the great Greg Pak. Need I say more?
THE FLASH #58
Written by Joshua Williamson
Art by Rafa Sandoval (Pencils), Tomeu Morey
Published by DC Comics – $3.99
“FORCE QUEST” part one! Following “Flash War,” Barry Allen remains the Flash, but he’s no longer the Fastest Man Alive! With Hunter Zolomon on the run, and new forces such as the Strength, Sage and Still Forces unleashed on the Multiverse, Barry must leave Central City behind and travel the world to learn the secret history of the Speed Force.
Why It’s Hot: For months the DC Universe has been rolling out the concept of forces beyond the Speed Force that powers The Flash. We’ve seen glimpses in not only this series, but in the flagship Justice League title as well. Now it’s time for Barry Allen to piece together the mystery of these new forces, as Force Quest gets underway!
MISTER MIRACLE #12
Written by Tom King
Art by Mitch Gerads
Published by DC Comics – $3.99
It’ll be a miracle if you can get through this mind-bending conclusion with your sanity intact! After his epic battle with Darkseid, Scott Free sees life a whole new way: he’s the new Highfather of New Genesis, and he’s madly in love with his wife and child. But what if it’s all a lie? Did Mister Miracle really escape death way back in issue #1? No one really knows but Tom King and Mitch Gerads!
Why It’s Hot: The best superhero comic of 2018 comes to an end with one of the very best issues of the year. Tom King and Mitch Gerads have completed one of the most personal, and down right human stories ever produced by either of the Big 2. I fully expect this issue to be the talk of comics this week, and it just might end up being just a bit divisive. Will you fall in my camp in thinking this is a perfect end to a masterpiece, or will this conclusion leave you a bit cold?
UNCANNY X-MEN #1
Written by Ed Brisson, Matthew Rosenberg, Kelly Thompson
Art by Mahmud Asrar, Mirko Colak, Ibraim Roberson, & Mark Bagley (Pencils), Andrew Hennessy (Inks), Rachelle Rosenberg (Colors)
Published by Marvel Comics – $7.99
THE CHILDREN OF THE ATOM ARE BACK!
New ongoing series kicking off with a 10-part weekly epic, the flagship X-Men series that started it all is back and better than ever! Starting with a mysterious and tragic disappearance, the X-Men are drawn into what might be…their final adventure?! X-Fan favorite writers Ed Brisson (EXTERMINATION), Matthew Rosenberg (PHOENIX RESURRECTION) and Kelly Thompson (MR. & MRS. X) and all-star artists Mahmud Asrar (X-MEN RED), R.B. Silva (X-MEN BLUE), Yildiray Cinar (WEAPON X) and Pere Pérez (ROGUE AND GAMBIT) join forces to bring you…X-MEN DISASSEMBLED?!
Why It’s Hot: The flagship X-Men series is back, and three of Marvel’s hottest writers are joining forces to bring it to us. This oversized spectacular kicks off the weekly X-Men Disassembled with four different stories. If you’ve been looking for a good time to join the adventures of Marvel’s Merry Mutants this is the issue. The stakes are high, the roster is packed, and a new era begins right here… hope you survive the experience!
WONDER WOMAN #58
Written by G. Willow Wilson
Art by Cary Nord (Pencils) Mick Gray, Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Published by DC Comics – $3.99
“THE JUST WAR” part one! A new era of Wonder Woman begins as best-selling writer G. Willow Wilson (Ms. Marvel) makes her return to DC with art star Cary Nord (Conan, THE UNEXPECTED) joining the series!
Far below Themyscira, Ares, the God of War, has been imprisoned for generations, repenting his past sins. But his new cellmate Grail may have an unexpected effect on him…and the plan they’ve come up with will change Themyscira-and the world- forever! When Wonder Woman rushes to Eastern Europe to rescue Steve Trevor from a mission gone wrong, she’ll find herself face-to-face with a very new, very different God of War!
Why It’s Hot: The highly anticipated Wonder Woman debut of G. Willow Wilson and Cary Nord is here. Wilson making her return to DC Comics to write the premier female superhero with Cary Nord and his fantasy bonafides in tow should have superhero fans everywhere excited.
ALSO AVAILABLE THIS WEEK:
* Amazing Spider-Man #9
* The Black Order #1
* Bloodshot: Rising Spirit #1
* Captain America #5
* Catwoman #5
* Cemetery Beach #3
* Cosmic Ghost Rider #5
* Daredevil #611
* Domino #8
* Euthanauts #4
* Exiles #10
* Fantastic Four #3
* Friendo #2
* Gideon Falls #8
* God Of War #1
* Hawkman #6
* House Of Whispers #3
* Infinite Dark #2
* James Bond Origin #3
* Life Is Strange #1
* Murder Falcon #2
* Plastic Man #6
* Rainbow Brite #2
* Star Trek Vs. Transformers #2
* Supergirl #24
* Superman #5
* Thor #7
* Vault Of Spiders #2
* Venom #8
* William Gibson’s Alien 3 #1
