New comic book day is almost here and with it comes a huge flood of brand new issues. There's a lot to choose from, but what's worth your attention and cash? Well, we've got your back, loyal reader. The Comic Vine staff has reviewed this week's list of new releases and we've each highlighted a couple or more issues we're excited to pick up. We'll even tell you why we're anxious to read 'em; that way you'll hopefully be able to tell whether the issue is something you'd likely appreciate as well. Once you're done seeing what we've selected, feel free to chime in with your own list.
Tony "G-Man" Guerrero's picks
BATMAN #29
This is it. We’ve been waiting for the conclusion to the Dark City storyline since we had (the very cool) BATMAN ETERNAL spoiler issue last month. Greg Capullo used that extra time to complete Scott Snyder’s 40-page finale.
It’s Batman vs Riddler to determine the fate of Gotham City. We can likely expect more insight into Batman’s early days as well as Bruce Wayne. There are some questions we’re still waiting to be answered so this would be a great place to get them.
The other thing to keep in mind, this may be the finale to Dark City but it’s not the end of Zero Year. After this we get Savage City. Is there really any way you can think about not picking this up?
You can check out the preview over at Hero Complex.
SECRET AVENGERS #1
SECRET AVENGERS has been a fascinating title. The idea of secret missions and plain old subterfuge in the Marvel Universe. Nick Spencer and Ales Kot have been building up the action and mystery in the previous series and now we’re an All-New Marvel NOW relaunch.
Joining Kot on art duties is Michael Walsh (ZERO, THE X-FILES, COMEBACK). With Hawkeye, Black Widow and Spider-Woman on board, you know we can expect some cool things. We’ll also get more action with Nick Fury Jr and Agent Coulson. It appears we can expect more M.O.D.O.K. as well. What more could you ask for?
Honorable Mentions: COFFIN HILL #6, STRAY BULLETS: KILLERS #1
Mat "Inferiorego" Elfring's picks
NIGHTWING #29
Time to find out what what is in store for Nightwing! While this isn't the last issue of the book, which will be ending at issue #30, this is the last issue for series writer Kyle Higgins, who has done some remarkable things with this character, since the beginning. Alongside him is artist Russell Dauterman, who did nothing short of an amazing job on the last issue of this series. This is an incredible creative team that I would have loved to see continue on this book. However, all good things must come to an end, so let's send this book off with a blast!
SUPERIOR FOES OF SPIDER-MAN #9
Here comes the broken record train, coming around the bend. I could tell you how hilarious or cool this book is or how the art by Steve Lieber is the cat's pajamas. And I haven't even gotten to the fact that this series' story, but the marvelous Nick Spencer is pretty dang awesome. Who doesn't want to see a bunch of B-List villains fumble their way around a book? Anyway, this issue continues the Crime of the Century story line. There's a lot of craziness going on in this book, and I'd be really sad if we couldn't share the awesomeness that is SUPERIOR FOES OF SPIDER-MAN together.
Gregg "k4tz" Katzman's picks
DEADPOOL 25.NOW
If you read the last issue there's a roughly 0% chance you won't want to pick this up (that figure's based on a legitimate scientific study, too). The situation with Agent Preston has been "resolved," yet it's opened the door to a whole new problem. Co-writers Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn are doing a brilliant job turning this volume into a very character-driven experience. Sure, there's plenty of laughs and chaos, but ultimately, it's all about how Wade Wilson's coping with everything and what kind of an impact it leaves on him. Plus, it has a rematch between Crossbones and the Merc with a Mouth, so that alone is quite awesome. To top it all off, it answers a question that everyone has been wondering about for decades now: does Brock Rumlow wear boxers or briefs? Ladies and gentlemen, the preview finally reveals the answer.
TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #32
Oh hell yes, Leo is back! The team has spent several issues trying to pick up the pieces after the events of City Fall, but now the team is now back in full force and it's just in time for a throwdown with a new mutant and some insanely cool Foot assassins. Based on the preview, it's looking like this is going to be a crazy exciting issue and the story has certainly earned the action-packed development. Ninja fighting? Check. Gorgeous character work by Ross Campbell? Check.
The book's slowly moving the team back to New York City and you can bet I'm stoked to see how Tom Waltz and the minds at IDW plan to shift the team back into the Big Apple. This book continues to rock, so if you're a TMNT fan, do yourself a huge favor and jump right into it.
UNITY #5
Valiant's blockbuster book returns with an all-new arc! As a "new" Valiant fan (I dove in when they did their big relaunch), I have literally no idea what to expect as Dr. Silk and Webnet enter the fray. What I do know, however, is that Matt Kindt has been delivering and then some on this book and always manages to make it a hugely epic and engrossing experience. As if every issue feeling like a big budget action movie isn't enough, Ninjak is now leading the team. That's right, MORE NINJAK! Feast your eyes on the preview to get a little taste of dude in action.
Honorable Mentions: SUPERMAN/WONDER WOMAN #6, BLOODSHOT & H.A.R.D. CORPS #20
Corey "Undeadpool" Schroeder's picks
AVENGERS UNDERCOVER #1
They're baaaaaaaaa-ack. Not just the roster, but the creators of last year's ultra-controversial Avengers Arena return for the follow-up to the title that made them (in)famous. As a huge fan of their take-no-prisoners style of storytelling, particularly where their own creations were concerned, I think this title has a metric TON of potential. Drafted to infiltrate the new Masters of Evil, but suffering from unknowable trauma, it's doubtful they'll all be able to hold to the straight-and-narrow. Particularly if they're working with others who tried to kill them previously. I cannot WAIT to see the new developments for these characters.
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #29
VAAAAAN Jensen and Bernard Chang keep on keepin' on with my favorite book covering the Durlan attacks on the Green Lantern Corps and last issue revealed a chilling final image that kept me counting down to when this book was coming out all month. I don't know how they do it, but they make juggling such a massive roster of absolutely fascinating and diverse characters look easy, and as much as I love Stewart and Fatality, my eyes are squarely on the new characters. The recruits are getting less and less new every issue, and I love how they've been developing. Here's to hoping we get plenty more of them.
Visit uproxx to read the rest of the preview.
ALL-NEW X-FACTOR #4
Last issue saw the return of one of the X-Men's most enigmatic enemy/friend/kinda enemy again, and from the looks of it, she'll be joining the ranks of X-Factor, but of course there'll be a few hurdles to overcome first. Peter David's revival of the team he made famous has, thus far, done a phenomenal job of defining the new team members and redefining well-known ones. I've said it before, I'll say it again: I can't remember when Gambit was this interesting. With Carmine Di Giandomenico having only exhausted 1% of his total facial expressions, I'm anxiously awaiting seeing who's next on the roster and what awaits them. This blurb brought to you by Serval Industries.
INVINCIBLE #109
Did you READ last issue?! DID YOU?! WHY NOT! WHAT'S THE MATTER WITH YOU?!?! THE TRADE IS OUT AND EVERYTHING! MAT READ IT! BE AWESOME LIKE MAT!...okay, are you back? RIGHT?!?!?! Robert Kirkman keeps finding ways to top himself over and over, he's the undisputed master of the "final image" issue that ends a story arc on the absolute perfect image. Of course that image is brought to life by Ryan Ottley and those two having their names on the book is really enough, isn't it? This has been one of the most consistently fantastic series of the last decade, and I can NEVER wait to see where it goes next.
Honorable Mention: JUSTICE LEAGUE 3000 #4