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.
NEW AVENGERS #1
Written by Jonathan Hickman
Art by Steve Epting
Published by Marvel Comics — $3.99
To prevent the collision of our universe with another, the Illuminati, led by the Black Panther, must assemble NOW! It’s the most powerful and brilliant team in the Marvel Universe–The Black Panther, Iron Man, Doctor Strange, Black Bolt, Mister Fantastic, Namor the Sub-Mariner and The Beast–against an infinite legion of parallel realities.
Why It’s Hot: The darker companion book to last month’s successful Marvel NOW! relaunch of the Avengers is finally here! Billed as night to the other book’s day, New Avengers is taking the original idea of a classic team breaking from the past and turning it on its head. And with new additions Hank McCoy (taking the place of the late Professor Xavier) and the Black Panther, the Illuminati are sure to be as much at odds with each other as with the villains of the Marvel Universe. All that, plus beautiful Steve Epting art, makes New Avengers a book that cannot be missed!
TEEN TITANS #15
Written by Scott Lobdell
Art by Brett Booth and Norm Rapmund
Published by DC Comics — $2.99
A “DEATH OF THE FAMILY” tie-in! Red Hood and Red Robin team up against The Joker! Will Arsenal take over the Titans? Guest-starring Batgirl!
Why It’s Hot: The Batman epic that has rocked comic shops the last few months has now come to Tim Drake’s door. Fans wanting Tim to be more involved in his former mentor’s universe are getting their wish — just be careful what you wish for! If Death is coming to the Batman Family, there’s plenty of targets to paint on extra Robins. We all know how the Joker loved his Robins.
Want a Sneak Peek? http://www.comicvine.com/news/exclusive-preview-teen-titans-15/145720/
THE RED TEN #1
Written by Tyler James
Art by Cesar Feliciano
Published by Comixtribe — $3.99
When Red, the world’s greatest detective, is violently murdered by her nemesis, the Oxymoron, the nation’s foremost super team and her former sidekick band together to bring the villain to justice. However, the mission goes terribly wrong, and before the night is out, each of the ten “heroes” will pay dearly for past transgressions. The Red Ten is a superhero spin on Agatha Christie’s classic whodunit And Then There Were None.
Why It’s Hot: The Red Ten may have started out as a Justice League story gone wrong, but Tyler James has managed to get the comic market to sit up and take notice. Released earlier in 2012 to a select few comic shops, the book is now available from ComixTribe through widespread Diamond distribution — which means everyone now can see what the Oxymoron has planned for his longtime opponents.
Want a Sneak Peek? https://www.comicosity.com/preview-the-red-ten-1/
FATALE #11
Written by Ed Brubaker
Art by Sean Phillips
Published by Image Comics — $3.50
The first of four standalone FATALE FLASHBACK issues, and a perfect place for new readers to jump on board. Welcome to 1930s California, a hard place to be for a girl on the run. Witness Josephine’s early days with the Femme Fatale curse, and see some of her elusive secrets revealed.
Why It’s Hot: Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips have woven quite the combination in Fatale… a crime noir story steeped in deep horror and Lovecraftian intrigue. If you haven’t checked this book out (or any of Brubaker’s non-Marvel Comics work), now is the time to give it a shot. You won’t be sorry.
Want a Sneak Peek? https://www.comicosity.com/preview-fatale-11/
YOUNGBLOOD #75
Written by John McLaughlin
Art by John Malin
Published by Image Comics — $4.99
It’s been twenty years in the making, but YOUNGBLOOD reaches its 75th issue with an oversized story! And who can blame them?! In this issue Jeff Terrell returns to the team, Cougar realizes that as impossible as it seems, he might actually be in love. We get one more clue as to the fate of Badrock, and Die Hard and Vogue discover there is more “there” there than they every suspected. All this and a battle worthy of the world’s greatest superhero team!
Why It’s Hot: One of the properties that made Image Comics a name in the 1990s is back and hitting a milestone. 2012 was quite the high profile year for original creator Rob Liefeld. What better way to ring in 2013 than a celebration of some of his most famous creations?
Want a Sneak Peek? https://www.comicosity.com/preview-youngblood-75/
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!