Batwing: Luke Fox
- Written by Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Gray
- Art by Various
- Published by DC Comics
A whole new crop of fans is being introduced to Luke Fox each week, thanks to Camrus Johnson’s portrayal of the character on The CW’s Batwoman. This week’s Batwing: Luke Fox collection provides the best collection yet of Luke’s comic tenure, and of the epic and profound chain of events that led to him taking on the mantle of Batwing. It’s a globetrotting run that’s underrated and absolutely entertaining, and one that new and old fans alike should add to their collection. — Jenna Anderson
Home Sick Pilots #12
- Written by Dan Watters
- Art by Caspar Wijngaard
- Lettering by Aditya Bidikar
- Desing by Tom Muller
- Published by Image Comics
Home Sick Pilots has been a trip since the word go, and it has only gotten stranger as it has progressed. Dan Watters and Caspar Wijngaard are blending ’90s punk rock, ghost stories, and mecha anime into a potent blend that has knocked readers on their asses with practically every new issue. And don’t forget about Aditya Bidikar’s creative and colorful lettering and Tom Mueller’s DIY-zine design sensibility that brings it all together into a brilliant, singular, innovative package. As of Home Sick Pilots #12, the fate of the world rests on tracking down a haunted toilet seat. If you haven’t been reading, get caught up now. — Jamie Lovett
Howard the Duck by Zdarsky & Quinones Omnibus
- Written by Chip Zdarsky
- Art by Joe Quinones
- Published by Marvel Comics
Outside of the cult-classic 80s movie, Chip Zdarsky and Joe Quinones’ Howard the Duck run is responsible for my love of Marvel’s foul-mouthed fowl. This week will finally see the duo’s run on Howard reprinted in one omnibus volume — and it’s one that fans of any of Marvel’s weirder ephemera need to have in their collection. All at once, this Howard run is hilarious, profound, and unabashedly creative, with a laundry list of endearing and clever character cameos, and a ton of moments that deserve to be memed over and over again online. I already own almost all of this run in single issues, but this omnibus absolutely is a collector’s item that I just might add to my collection. — Jenna Anderson
Iron Fist #1
- Written by Alyssa Wong
- Art by Michael YG
- Colors by Jay David Ramos
- Letters by Travis Lanham
- Published by Marvel Comics
While the Iron Fist concept is well-loved by many Marvel fans, it has been on the back burner ever since the heat wore off of the Netflix television series based on the character. Now Iron First is back, but not the familiar Danny Rand. While Danny is a part of this new series from writer Alyssa Wong artist Michael YG, a brand new hero is wielding the power of Shao-Lao the Undying. For years, there have long been calls to modernize the Iron Fist concept, and casting a new hero in the role with two talented creators at the helm seems like a step in the right direction. We’re excited to see what it yields (you can see a preview here).
Joe Hill’s Rain #2
- Story by Joe Hill
- Adaptation by David M. Booher
- Art by Zoe Thorogood
- Colors by Chris O’Halloran
- Letters by Shawn Lee
- Published by Image Comics
To be very honest, the second issue of Rain is the comic I’ve been looking the most forward to all year thus far and while it’s only been a month since the debut issue, it’s a wait that feels like forever because Rain is just that good. I’m a sucker for apocalyptic stories, but with Rain adding a bit of horror to the tale and with the first issue having left on a devastating heartbreak, Rain #2 is set to start the reader on the journey of picking up the pieces as Honeysuckle deals with the “What’s next?” of the sky opening up and essentially raining nails. With the first issue being an absolutely knockout, you have to check out Rain #2 and be prepared to feel all the feelings. — Nicole Drum
Primordial #6
- Written by Jeff Lemire
- Art by Andrea Sorrentino
- Colors by Dave Stewart
- Letters by Steve Wands
- Published by Image Comics
Andrea Sorrentino and Jeff Lemire have outdone themselves at every step of Primordial, and that’s saying something for a collaborative duo who have already accomplished so much individually and in collaboration. The story of Earth’s earliest astronauts with an extraterrestrial twist has become one of the most considered reflections on animal perspectives (and their rights) since We3 was on shelves, not to mention the artwork in Primordial is every bit as inventive and detailed. Sorrentino’s mind-altering depictions of faster-than-light travel and alien technology are only matched by their deft ability to portray canines and primates alike as lively and expressive beings without relying on anthropomorphization. Their story has soared across time and space to defy genre conventions and tell an altogether unique narrative. Now that the end has arrived, I cannot imagine another comic arriving this week for which I am more excited. Primordial has felt like a gift from the very first issue and with its conclusion here tomorrow, it’s a gift I anticipate passing along to others. — Chase Magnett
Putin’s Russia: The Rise of a Dictator
- Created by Darryl Cunningham
- Published by Drawn & Quarterly
It’s unfortunate, but Darryl Cunningham’s newest comics history could not have arrived at a more appropriate time. As tensions soar in eastern Europe and talk of the United States and Russia at war seems more likely than at any time since the Cold War, it’s worth considering who the man governing and shaping modern is and that’s exactly what Putin’s Russia: The Rise of a Dictator sets out to do. Cunningham’s comics always aim for clarity, examining complex figures and topics with clear timelines, graphics, and an abundance of research. This volume is focused on a singular figure – a man who climbed from the ashes of the KGB to effectively become Russia’s dictator for the past two decades and one of the wealthiest oligarchs on the globe. Amidst all of that secrecy and money, Cunningham finds everything he can to plot Putin’s rise and how he steered his country in a direction to match his own vision. Despite the dark historical materials he reviews, Cunningham also ensures readers will be kept engaged with a dry sense of wit and a knack for historical storytelling. His ability to connect specific figures with wider trends, especially the alignment between growing wealth disparity and too-powerful individuals seen in Cunningham’s last comic Billionaires. Whether you’ve always been curious about who exactly Vladimir Putin is or are just looking to catch up on foreign affairs, it’s likely Putin’s Russia will prove to be an invaluable and surprisingly entertaining starting point. — Chase Magnett
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #8
- Written by Tom King
- Art by Bilquis Evely
- Colors by Matheus Lopes
- Letters by Clayton Cowles
- Published by DC Comics
While I’ve held from the first issue that Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow is an imperfect comic, it’s still one that I’ve found enjoyable and that a lot of people have loved so recommending the final issue in the series is a natural choice for me this week. Of course, my biggest reason for the suggestion is the book’s absolutely impeccable art and colors from Evely and Lopes. Truly, this series is one that I could enjoy over and over without a single word on the page and it’s worth investing some time in this week. — Nicole Drum
