Welcome to this week’s Top Comics to Buy for April 1, which obviously has the dubious distinction of landing on April Fools’ Day, the worst day to do or read anything on the Internet (heavy news days withstanding). Fortunately for you, I will be making no April Fool’s Day jokes in this space. Not one. Be the change you want to see in the world, etc.
And now, let’s get onto my top five favorite comics from the past week, as well as the usual sets of new #1 and graphic novel release lists … enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for April 1
The Autumn Kingdom: Wraithbound Queen #3
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Christopher Mitten
Colorist: Francesco Segala
Color Flatting: Sabrina Del Grosso
Letterer: Taylor Esposito
Publisher: Oni Press
Sommer and Winter remain separated in the unforgiving expanse of the Autumn Kingdom, where they are forced to confront surprisingly familiar foes in the desperate race to find their dad before it’s too late. Trusting only in their love for each other, their family, and the lessons of the Wraithbound Queen, the sisters are faced with one final option: sacrifice.
Why It’s Cool: Portal fantast as a micro genre is arguably a bit overdone in comics, but when it’s done as well as it is in The Autumn Kingdom, it doesn’t even matter. This book just does everything right, from the art to the characters to the suspense/pacing. It’s gorgeous and immersive, and it has real emotional stakes. Don’t sleep on this fantastic comic.
Price: $4.99
Briar: Night’s Terror #4
Writer: Christopher Cantwell
Artists: Alex Lins & Bruno Bull
Colorist: Mar Silvestre
Letterer: AndWorld Design
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
Briar, Spider, and the rest of the gang reach Grendrid’s Crooked Castle as the Norrish Horde invades. It’s time for daughter to confront mother in a final showdown to determine the fate of the world! Will Briar have the strength to make the choice she needs to secure victory?
Why It’s Cool: This issue marks the conclusion of one of comics truly excellent fantasy series, Briar. It’s been a long-time coming, and I don’t want to spoil anything, so I’ll just say that this issue delivers such a satisfying ending to this epic tale.
Price: $4.99
Poison Ivy #43
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artist: Jaime Infante
Colorist: Arif Prianto
Letterer: Hassan-Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: DC Comics
Mayor Pamela Isley investigates the state of her old stomping grounds, the Gotham City sewer system, and makes some unpleasant discoveries about what lies beneath. Meanwhile, a certain feline felon makes her long-awaited return to Ivy’s life.
Why It’s Cool: Poison Ivy is one of those long-running comics that is so good and so consistent, it could land in my recommendations any week it comes out. But it’s also hit that rarefied air where we as weekly comics sickos tend to take it for granted a bit. This week, though, it’s one of my two favorite new releases, pushing its plot into such excellent new territory as it also increasingly integrates with the other Batman family comics. Simply put, this is just great long-form superhero storytelling.
Price: $3.99
Royals #1
Story: Derek Kirk Kim
Art/Letters: Jacob Perez
Publisher: Image Comics
Twin brothers Paul and Castor have crafted the perfect poker hustle using their uncanny telepathic connection. But they might have finally met their match when they risk it all against the leader of the Bloody Cocks, the most ruthless criminal syndicate in Seoul.
Why It’s Cool: There are some story ingredients that just lend themselves to interesting plotting: casinos as a setting, gambling as a tension point, sibling relationships as a thematic heart, and this week’s new series launch, Royals, combines all of the above. Add to that telepathy, and you’ve got a fun, well-done comic of the highest order here.
Price: $4.99
Toxic Avenger Comics #8
Writer: Matt Bors
Artist: Fred Harper
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Rob Steen
Publisher: AHOY Comics
Meet Doctor Planet, an environmentally conscious hero for our age—upstanding on the outside, embittered on the inside. When he teams up with the Planet Teens for a massive brawl vs. Toxie on the streets of Washington, DC, monuments will fall! And characters will die! Which, you have to admit, is cool. Characters dying, I mean.
Why It’s Cool: This current Coupe arc of Toxic Avenger has been must-read comics for me, such a great fit for the character and the creators involved. And each issue has been great on its own merits too, with this one being no exception.
Price: $4.99
10 Other Comics I Enjoyed This Week
Absolute Superman #18- Arcadia #4
- Batman #8
- Daredevil #1
- Kaya #34
- MAD About DC #1
- Sacrificers #20
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Casey Jones #6
- Venom #256
- Wonder Man #1
New #1s and One-Shots
Alien King Killer #1- Bizarro Year None #1
- Captain Marvel Dark Past #1
- Daredevil #1
- Deadpool April Pool’s Day #1 (one-shot)
- Eternals 50th Anniversary Special #1 (one-shot)
- Ghost Machine The Official Guidebook #1
- G.I. Joe – A Real American Hero: Sssilent Missions Baroness #1 (one-shot)
- Groo The Prophecy #1
- Kilroy Is Here #1 (one-shot)
- Magic, The Gathering: Untold Stories – Jace #1
- MAD About DC #1 (one-shot)
- Marvel Rivals Duel of Kings #1 (one-shot)
- Royals #1
- Tyler Rake: An Extraction Story #1
- Wonder Man #1
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. Omnibus HC- Avengers Epic Collection Vol 14 Absolute Vision TP
- Batman Beyond Unlimited Compendium TP
- Batman Dark Patterns TP (read our review!)
- Batman R.I.P. Absolute Edition HC
- Blake & Mortimer Vol 30 GN
- Blood Type TP (EC Comics)
- Bronze Faces TP
- The Court Charade A Graphic Novel HC
- DC Finest Justice League of America Starro the Conqueror TP
- Dick Tracy Deluxe Edition Vol 2 HC
- G.I. Joe Vol 3 Dreadnok War TP
Girl Who Draws on Whales GN- Green Arrow Vol 5 Crimson Sands TP
- Invincible Omnibus Vol 1 HC
- Last Witch Blood and Betrayal TP
- Lavender Jack Vol 1 TP
- Lights of Niteroi TP
- Nights Season 2 Part 1 TP
- Pop Kill: Killing Your Thirst HC
- Quick Stops Vol 3 HC
- Star Wars Legacy of Vader The Reign of Kylo Ren Vol 2 TP
- Supergirl Vol 1 Misadventures In Midvale TP
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles IDW Collection Vol 9 TP
- TexArcanum TP
- Ultimate Wolverine Vol 2 Logan TP
- The Undertaker Vol 1 The Gold Eater and Dance of the Vultures HC (read our review!)
- Uri Tupka and the God’s: Another Story From Lands Unknown HC (read our review!)
- Witcher Vol 10: The Bear and the Butterfly TP
- X-Men Age of Krakoa Dawn of X Omnibus Vol 2 HC
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
And check out the Beat’s most recent comics reviews!
