HOT FIVE (ish): Week Of September 5, 2018

Welcome to Comicosity’s Hot Five(ish). Hot Five(ish) 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 in the comic market.

ASGARDIANS OF THE GALAXY #1
Written by Cullen Bunn
Art by Matteo Lolli (Pencils) & Fedrico Blee (Colors)
Published by Marvel Comics – $3.99

Spinning out of the events of INFINITY WARS comes an epic space opera from DEADPOOL veterans Cullen Bunn and Matteo Lolli!

Angela, the not-so-beloved half-sister of Thor. The hotheaded Valkyrie – and the human who shares her form, Annabelle Riggs. Skurge the Executioner, freshly returned from Hel. Throg, the mightiest frog of thunder. Kevin Masterson, the boy who took his father’s mace to become the hero Thunderstrike. And the Destroyer, the Asgardian armor built to take down Celestials – its wielder unknown. The events of INFINITY WARS set NEBULA off on a quest to rule the galaxy – wielding an Asgardian weapon even Thor would fear – and it’s up to this team of gods, assassins, frogs and heroes to stop her.

Why It’s Hot: The spiritual successor to the cult hit Fearless Defenders is here! Cullen Bunn is finally writing Valkyrie and Annabelle Riggs again. Throw in an awesome lineup of characters that includes the return of Angela, and you have a comic that fans should get excited about.

AVENGERS #7
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Sara Picheli (Pencils) & Justin Ponsor (Colors)
Published by Marvel Comics – $3.99

FEATURING GHOST RIDER 1,000,000 BC!

If you thought you knew the beginnings of the Marvel Universe, you were wrong! Odin and his Prehistoric Avengers represent a period of Marvel history that’s never been explored. That exploration begins this issue with the origin of the very first Ghost Rider, one who rides a flaming woolly mammoth and battles a savage and familiar foe!

Why It’s Hot: Jason Aaron tells the story of the very first Ghost Rider with the superstar art team of Sara Pichelli and Justin Ponsor dropping by for an issue. Jason Aaron and Sara Picheli diving into the history of the Marvel Universe? A flaming mammoth riding Ghost Rider? Sign me up!

BATMAN #54
Written by Tom King
Art by Matt Wagner (Pencils) & Tomeu Morey (Colors)
Published by DC Comics – $3.99

Dick Grayson-the original Robin-gets to spend some quality time fighting crime with his mentor for the first time since Batman popped the question to Catwoman. It’s a walk down memory lane as Bruce Wayne helps Dick get over the loss of his high-flying acrobat parents, which in turn led to his crime-fighting career. Guest artist Matt Wagner (Mage, TRINITY) jumps on board for this special issue!

Why It’s Hot: The legendary Matt Wagner joins Tom King’s already legendary Batman run for this special issue focusing on the relationship between Bruce Wayne and Dick Grayson. With signs pointing towards a big status quo change for the man known as Nightwing this look at his relationship with his adoptive father could prove to be important in the months to come.

BORDER TOWN #1
Written by Eric M. Esquivel
Art by Ramon Villalobos (Pencils) & Tamra Bonvillain (Colors)
Published by DC Comics – $3.99

Don’t miss the start of this all-new ongoing Vertigo series by writer Eric M. Esquivel (Gregory Graves, Ricanstruction) and artist Ramon Villalobos (Nighthawk, America).
When a crack in the border between worlds releases an army of monsters from Mexican folklore, the residents of Devil’s Fork, AZ, blame the ensuing weirdness-the shared nightmares, the otherworldly radio transmissions, the mysterious goat mutilations-on “God-dang illegals.” With racial tensions supernaturally charged, it’s up to new kid in town Frank Dominguez and a motley crew of high school misfits to discover what’s really going on in this town torn between worlds.

Why It’s Hot: This comic has gotten a lot of pre-release buzz, some good, some bad, all because of the perceived content. Well, it’s safe to say that this comic lives up to the hype. For as political as the subject matter may be it’s everything else alongside of that stuff that makes this issue special. Esquivel is able to balance the important parts of the story with the goofy ridiculous, brutal, weird parts. Then you have the amazing team of Villalobos and Bonvillain making sure this is one of the best looking comics around.

COVER #1
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by David Mack
Published by DC Comics – $3.99

Years in the making, from the award-winning team of Brian Michael Bendis and multimedia sensation David Mack, comes a brand-new graphic novel experience. And it’s all kind of based on a true story. Sort of…

Deep in the American intelligence community, someone realizes that comic book creators, who travel all over the world to sell their wares, might make the perfect cover for operatives in the dangerous, topsy-turvy world of intelligence and counterintelligence…and that’s when all hell breaks loose. This is the story of the time the world of comics and the world of international spywork smashed together-with unexpected results!

Artist David Mack, follows his Emmy nominated work on Jessica Jones, and his critically acclaimed video work for Dashboard Confessionals and Amanda Palmer, brings another completely unique vision to this driving comedic spy story that is also a beautiful Valentine to all those creators who sit alone and make beautiful stories.

Why It’s Hot: Bendis and Mack are reunited, and the result is arguably the best first issue ever for a Jinxworld title, and one of the best comics Bendis has written in years. Oh yeah, did I mention David Mack interiors? Well, David Mack is doing interiors and is still a genius. If you are able to pick up only one comic book this week make sure it’s this one. It’s that good.

THE DREAMING #1
Written by Simon Spurrier
Art by Bilquis Evely (Pencils) & Mat Lopes (Colors)
Published by DC Comics – $3.99

From the upheaval of THE SANDMAN UNIVERSE #1 rises THE DREAMING-a kingdom in chaos. There is a place where stories are born. Today its walls lie slashed and bleeding. Dream has abandoned his realm, and until he is found, its residents must protect its broken borders alone. But the most senior storysmiths are tormented by invasive secrets, the warden Lucien is doubting his own mind-and beyond the gates something horrific waits with tooth and talon. Only Dora, the monstress, finds opportunity in madness, stealing dreams for the highest bidder. But she has no idea how deep the danger lies. Meanwhile, in Dream’s gallery, something new is growing…

Why It’s Hot: Sandman is back! Following the events of last month’s The Sandman Universe #1 The Dreaming is in a very different situation than we are used to seeing it in. Now with Dream missing it’s up to the other residents to keep things together.

JAMES BOND: ORIGIN #1
Written by Jeff Parker
Art by Bob Q
Published by Dynamite Entertainment – $3.99

“CHAPTER ONE: THE GREATEST DAYS”
At last, the definitive account of James Bond’s exploits during World War II!
MARCH, 1941: Seventeen-year-old James Bond is a restless student in Scotland, an orphan, eager to strike out and make his mark on the world. But a visit by an old family friend coincides with THE CLYDEBANK BLITZ, the most devastating German attack on Scotland during the War. James will fight through hell to survive, coming out the other side determined to make a difference. He’ll find his calling in a new British government service, secret in nature…

The ongoing epic kicks off, by JEFF PARKER (Future Quest, Thunderbolts, Batman ’66) and BOB Q (The Green Hornet)!

Why It’s Hot: Dynamite has been doing a stellar job with the James Bond license over the past few years. They’ve been able to bring in top level talent to tell their ideal 007 stories. This week kicks off the publisher’s most ambitious project with the property, as Jeff Parker and Bob Q set out to tell the origin story of the world’s most popular spy. This first issue takes Bond back to his school days during World War II, and begins to tell the tale of how the character goes from student to serving his country. It will be interesting to see the reactions to this story from longtime fans, as prequel stories like this are often quite difficult to get right. With that said, Jeff Parker and Bob Q seem to be off to a solid start that has me excited to see them evolve James Bond from an orphaned private school kid into the character we know today.

JUSTICE LEAGUE #7
Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Jim Cheung (Pencils), Mark Morales (Inks) & Tomeu Morey (Colors)
Published by DC Comics – $3.99

It’s wall-to-Source-Wall Justice League action as artist Jim Cheung rejoins writer Scott Snyder! Hawkgirl takes wing against Legion of Doom leader Lex Luthor; John Stewart faces off with old foe Sinestro; the Flash must run down the Still Force-empowered Gorilla Grodd; and Wonder Woman tackles the tag team of Black Manta and Cheetah-underwater, no less!

Why It’s Hot: The first six issues of the series have made the Hot Five, so why not make it seven to finish off the series’ first arc? It’s not as if the issue doesn’t deserve this spot on its own merits though, as Scott Snyder and his collaborators have crafted a near perfect Justice League story, and the final issue only confirms it. This issue sees each member of team gets a chance to shine during the League’s attempt to stop the Legion Of Doom and save the world. The returning Jim Cheung makes these moments that much better with his always stellar work. With the arc wrapping up, Snyder is sure to let us readers know this isn’t the end with a pair of bombshells that set the course for the next phase. This series is team super hero comics at some of its best, and every DC fan should be checking this one out.

OUTPOST ZERO #3
Written by Sean Kelley McKeever
Art by Alexandre Tefenkgi (Pencils) & Jean-Francois Beaulieu (Colors)
Published by Image Comics – $3.99

The Outpost enters emergency protocols in order to survive through the night. But that won’t stop Alea from uncovering Sam’s secret.

Why It’s Hot: This comic seems to be flying a bit under the radar. There was a time when McKeever headed up the adventures of Marvel’s teen heroes. Between his work on Spider-Man Loves Mary Jane, Gravity, Young Allies, and Sentinel (among several others) there was nobody better at writing young heroes. This series marks the scribe’s return to the spotlight, and I’d put this work up against any of the aforementioned Marvel stuff. Let this week be the week where you stop sleeping on Outpost Zero.

THANOS LEGACY #1
Written by Don Cates & Gerry Duggan
Art by Brian Level & Cory Smith (Pencils), Jordan Boyd & Ruth Redmond (Colors)
Published by Marvel Comics – $4.99

“THANOS WINS”…AGAIN?
Rising star Donny Cates returns to the Mad Titan to bring the story bridging the gap between his best-selling “Thanos Wins” and the world-shattering INFINITY WARS! How did Thanos’ journey back from the future lead to the events of INFINITY WARS PRIME? Now it can be told!
Rated Parental Advisory

Why It’s Hot: How does Donny Cates’ instant classic Thanos Wins story arc connect with the wild events of Infinity Wars? Find out here in this special one shot extravaganza. The best Cosmic Marvel event in years meets one of the best Thanos stories ever. Throw in a huge tease for the future of one of Marvel’s premiere set of characters and how can this be anything but hot!?

ALSO AVAILABLE THIS WEEK:

* Astonishing X-Men #15
* Black Science #38
* Bully Wars #1
* Captain America #3
* Cosmic Ghost Rider #3
* Deadpool #4
* Death Of The Inhumans #3
* Deathstroke #35
* Green Arrow #44
* Harley Quinn #49
* The Immortal Hulk #5
* The Last Siege #4
* Leviathan #2
* New Lieutenants Of Metal #3
* Nightwing #48
* Paper Girls #24
* Silver Surfer Annual #1
* Transformers: Unicron #4
* United States Vs. Murder INC. #1
* The Walking Dead #183
* War Bears #1
* WWE NXT Takeover: The Blueprint #1

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