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.
SIDEKICK #1
Written by J. Michael Straczynski
Art by Tom Mandrake
Published by Image Comics — $2.99
WITNESS A MODERN HERO’S FALL FROM GRACE!
The Cowl and Flyboy: renowned superhero and sidekick despite dopey names. They were famous, popular, and happy until the Cowl’s assassination. Now, no one takes Flyboy seriously. Follow his trajectory from barely tolerated hero to figure of ridicule, and witness his slow descent into madness, darkness and crime.
Why It’s Hot: Another new number one arrives from J. Michael Straczynski as the writer returns to monthly comics in a big way! Ten Grand has already been racking up major press for JMS, and there’s little doubt Sidekick will do the same. Add in fan favorite artist Tom Mandrake of Spectre and Martian Manhunter fame, and you’ve got some guaranteed comic market gold!
TRILLIUM #1
Written by Jeff Lemire
Art by Jeff Lemire
Published by DC Comics/Vertigo — $3.99
It’s the year 3797, and botanist Nika Temsmith is researching a strange species on a remote science station near the outermost rim of colonized space. It’s the year 1921, and renowned English explorer William Pike leads an expedition into the dense jungles of Peru in search of the fabled “Lost Temple of the Incas,” an elusive sanctuary said to have strange healing properties. Two disparate souls separated by thousands of years and hundreds of millions of miles. Yet they will fall in love and, as a result, bring about the end of the universe. Even though reality is unraveling all around them, nothing can pull them apart. This isn’t just a love story; It’s the LAST love story ever told.
Trillium is an 8-issue series that combines rich historical adventure and mind-bending science fiction into a sprawling, unconventional love story by Jeff Lemire (SWEET TOOTH, CONSTANTINE, ANIMAL MAN). This amazing miniseries kicks off with 28-pages of story in a flip-book with two covers and two separate but connected stories!
Why It’s Hot: Jeff Lemire left a giant hole in my heart when his creator-owned series Sweet Tooth reached its gorgeously perfect conclusion. Now is the time to fill back up with a new series written AND drawn by the man my pals refer to as a Canadian Treasure. I get national jealousy just thinking about it.
ROBOCOP’S LAST STAND #1
Written by Frank Miller and Steven Grant
Art by Korkut Öztekin
Published by BOOM! Studios — $3.99
FRANK MILLER’S VISION FOR ROBOCOP’S FINAL CHAPTER REVEALED!
Frank Miller’s incredible unproduced screenplay has been brought to life in this hardhitting Steven Grant (2 GUNS, PUNISHER: CIRCLE OF BLOOD) penned the adaptation. With all the brains, guts, and bullets that made the first film an instant classic, this is a comic event not to miss. The police force has disbanded. The people of Detroit have been evicted from their homes. ED209s and OCP officers run the streets. With OCP’s vision for Delta City well underway, Robocop may be his city’s last hope. This is Robocop’s last stand, as it was always intended to be. Ask your retailer about the striking Mondo incentive variant cover by Jay Shaw!
Why It’s Hot: Frank Miller has been all over the map the last few years, but there’s no question he’s got totalitarian sci-fi down pat. If you are a fan of the writer, or a fan of the film series, this book will likely be equally thrilling to you. And if you’re just an innocent bystander looking for a crazy ride, you probably can’t get better than this.
KEVIN KELLER #10
Written by Dan Parent
Art by Dan Parent and Rich Koslowski
Published by Archie Comics — $2.99
“A Kiss isn’t Just a Kiss!”-We’ve all heard of PDA (public displays of affection), and how sometimes it’s appropriate, but other times it goes too far. When Kevin gives Devon a simple goodbye kiss, reactions ignite in peculiar fashion. And when one person overreacts, the debate begins: what’s appropriate and what is not. What’s even more surprising is who’s on Kevin’s side of the debate – and it’s not someone who you would think! So pucker up, and enjoy the next chapter of Kevin’s adventures in Riverdale!
Why It’s Hot: Inspired by the failed boycott instituted against Archie Comics by the organization One Million Moms for their support of an out gay teenage character and his future wedding, this issue of Kevin Keller is bound to be on everyone’s radar this week. And it should be. This title is exceptionally well-written and drawn, a true testament to the belief that all-ages can mean many things. Go, Kevin!!
LADY RAWHIDE #1
Written by Eric Trautmann
Art by Milton Estevam
Published by Dynamite Entertainment— $3.99
Lady Rawhide returns in an all-new adventure! This time, she faces not only the corrupt forces of the government — bent on cowing the populace through privation and cruelty — but also a new team of vigilantes: The Sisters of the White Rose. The Sisters, inspired by Lady Rawhide’s actions, have taken up the struggle against tyranny. Although she supports the Sisters’ aims, Lady Rawhide is forced to stand against their bloody methods.
Why It’s Hot: With last month’s overwhelming success in relaunching Red Sonja, it could be Dynamite is on a roll. Writer Eric Trautmann is determined to remain faithful to the original good girl look and feel of the 90s Lady Rawhide, and we could all use a little swashbuckling fun, no?
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!
