Welcome to Comicosity’s Hot Five. Hot Five 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!
ALEX + ADA #15
Written by Sarah Vaughn & Jonathan Luna
Art by Jonathan Luna
Published by Image Comics – $3.99
SERIES CONCLUSION
Why It’s Hot: Alex + Ada has been an absolute pleasure to read over the past year and a half or so. For many readers it came out of nowhere and instantly became a favorite. For others it took awhile, but the book grew on them. At this point I’d be surprised if this series isn’t a favorite of every single reader that reads it. However, all good things must come to an end, as this week marks the final issue of Vaughn and Luna’s masterpiece. Get your buckets ready, because if we can collect all the tears that will be shed we just might be able to end California’s drought. If you are one of the many that haven’t read Alex + Ada, now is the time to hit up your LCS or Comixology and binge read this gem. It’s well worth every dollar, and every moment spent with it.
BLACK CANARY #1
Written by Brendan Fletcher
Art by Annie Wu
Published by DC Comics – $2.99
Dinah Lance hits the road! After years as a soldier and vigilante, the LAST place Dinah saw herself is on stage…but she’s quickly learning she’d die to protect the gang of misfits she’s fallen into. And she just might have to – for some reason, the newly rechristened band Black Canary seems to be a magnet for trouble…and Dinah’s not gonna believe it when she finds out the reason why! Martial arts, super-spies, and rock ‘n’ roll combine, from Brenden Fletcher (BATGIRL) and Annie Wu (Hawkeye)!
Why It’s Hot: This book is going to be punk rock, and badass. Brendan Fletcher is one third of the creative team behind Batgirl, the title that changed the face of DC Comics. Annie Wu’s work on Hawkeye was nothing short of stellar. These two creators have proven that they have what it takes to turn Black Canary into one of DC’s next big series. Spinning out of the afformentioned Batgirl, Dinah has lost almost everything and now finds herself the lead singer of a rock ‘n’ roll band. This may not be the Black Canary you see on television every week, but this take on the character is going to kick all sorts of ass both figuratively, and literally. Get ready for some awesome Rock ‘N’ Roll superheroics that will be unlike anything else at the Big 2.
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #1
Written by Bryan Hitch
Art by Bryan Hitch
Published by DC Comics – $5.99
It’s massive widescreen JUSTICE LEAGUE action and adventure from superstar writer/artist Bryan Hitch! In this extra-sized debut issue, the League comes up against an armada of aliens heading for Earth that claims to be a peaceful religious tribe. But something sinister is lurking in their ranks…something with ties to ancient Krypton!
This amazing kick-off issue is available with seven different open-to-order variant covers by Bryan Hitch, each spotlighting one of seven core members of the JLA, plus an incredible 1:100 seven-panel foldout variant cover that presents all seven open-to-order covers together!
Why It’s Hot: When given enough time to work his magic, Bryan Hitch is one of the greatest artists of the 21st century. His work on titles such as The Authority and The Ultimates defined the term “Widescreen” when it comes to comic books. The art he has produced over the years have taken action to a whole new level, and has left an impression on an entire generation of both readers and creators. Now he gets his very own JLA book to tell huge stories to fit with his mindblowing art. He has been working on this title for quite awhile, and it shows. Without being shackled by the confines of continuity, Hitch has been tasked with taking his time to tell the best story he possibly can tell. If the preview pages are any indication we are in for a treat, because vintage Bryan Hitch is back in this super-sized debut.
SOUTHERN BASTARDS #9
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Jason Latour
Published by Image Comics – $3.50
NEW STORY ARC
The Summer of the Bastards begins with a new arc, as the Runnin’ Rebs are gearing up for the big homecoming game against arch-rival Wetumptka County.
Why It’s Hot: It’s been over two months since Aaron and Latour wrapped up the second arc of their critically acclaimed series, and those months have been long. Southern Bastards is a meticulously crafted comic book with a creative team churning out some of the finest work of their respective careers. There have only been eight issues, but readers have already experienced every emotion that could possibly come from a comic book, and that’s such a rare, but special feeling. There’s no telling what Aaron and Latour have up their sleeves next, and that feeling makes the start of a brand new story arc a beautiful thing.
THORS #1
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Chris Sprouse
Published by Marvel Comics – $3.99
• The Thors of every domain, together in one book! As cosmic cops!
• Whenever there’s trouble on Battleworld, the Thors answer the call. But a string of mysterious murders leaves some of them asking questions that may unravel all of reality!
• A hard-hitting Marvel Comics police drama. With hammers. Lots and lots of hammers.
Why It’s Hot: In a relatively short amount of time Jason Aaron has elevated himself near the very top of creators to ever take on the writing duties of The God of Thunder. After the shocking reveal in the pages of Thor #8, Aaron rolls right on through to Secret Wars, Marvel’s biggest event of all time. The most visible group of characters during the entire Secret Wars event so far have been the mighty Thor Corps. They are the law and order of Battleworld, and have been seen in almost every single title. Now it’s time for their story to be told. Thors looks to tell a cop story worthy of the hammer wielders. If Jason Aaron writing possibly every version of Thor ever in a murder mystery wasn’t enough, the writer is joined by the amazing Chris Sprouse on art. It’s very rare to see Chris Sprouse on a Marvel title, and the fact that it’s a Thor title with Jason Aaron makes it that much more special. This title has a chance to not only live up to the already high quality of the Secret Wars event as a whole, but could possibly end up one of the best titles to come out of the event period.
