This week’s Top Comics to Buy for August 21 is headlined by a couple of action-heavy takes on old characters, specifically Destro and Wolverine. Past that, we have a pretty fun grab bag of other strong books, with some horror stories as well as…well, whatever wonderful weirdness you’d consider Paranoid Gardens. Check out my five picks below, along with the usual lists … enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for August 21, 2024
Destro #3
Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Andrea Milana
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics – Skybound
Stranded in the mountains without any weapons, Destro must survive Chameleon’s wrath. But who is Chameleon? And why do they want Laird Destro dead?
Why It’s Cool: I am just blown away by this book’s ability to come up with badass explanations for this goofy character, who has a metal face and was pretty obviously named by dropping one letter from the word Destroy. This issue tackles the aforementioned metal face, making it not only plausible but a compelling character moment. I love it.
Price: $3.99
Epitaphs From The Abyss #2
Stories By: Matt Kindt & Klaus Janson; Tyler Crook; and Jason Aaron & Jorge Fornes
Colorist: Michelle Madsen
Letterers: Richard Starkings and Tyler Smith
Publisher: Oni Press
In this month’s terrifying festival of fright: Three ALL-NEW tales of depraved intention and traumatic tension-culled from the fingertips of death-addled writers Jason Aaron (Thor, Southern Bastards), Matt Kindt (BRZRKR, Mind MGMT), and writer/artist Tyler Crook (Harrow County), and forever wedded to the bloodstained brushstrokes of artists Klaus Janson (The Dark Knight Returns) and Jorge Fornes (Batman)!
Why It’s Cool: Last month when I recommended the first horror anthology from this new EC Comics revival, I noted that I thought this entire project had a very hard road in front of it. Well, I’m happy to report that I actually enjoyed this second issue even more than the first, especially the final story, which felt like the best modernization of EC’s legacy yet. Also, be warned, the second story is a heartbreaker, really well done.
Price: $4.99
Paranoid Gardens #2
Writers: Gerard Way and Shaun Simon
Artist: Chris Weston
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Nate Piekos
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
An all-new surreal comic book experience that’s ER meets Doctor Who on acid. As Loo continues to be plagued by mysterious dark visions, she pushes forward to tend to the care center patients while discovering some of the more murky plans behind other staff members.
Why It’s Cool: Simply put, Paranoid Gardens is my new weird comics obsession. It’s a book that defies any sort of genre box, which makes it feel supremely unpredictable from page to page. Also, the team of Chris Weston and Dave Stewart is a powerhouse. Don’t miss this comic.
Price: $4.99
Something Crawled Out #1
Writer: Son M.
Artist: MadCursed
Colorist: Vittorio Astone
Letterer: Jim Campbell
Publisher: Vault Comics
Something wicked crawled out screaming.
Edith “Eddie” Miller has no grand plans or great prospects. She spends her days sleeping in and her nights working shifts at a gas station. But when her younger sister fails to come home, Eddie unearths a web of missing girls and rotting bodies. The police prove useless, so Eddie teams up with her best friend, Rainer, in a desperate hunt to find her sister. The only thing is-Eddie believes her best friend might be the Devil himself.
Why It’s Cool: I’ve been saying it for years and it’s no less true today than it was a while back, but a new #1 from Vault Comics is always a big deal. Something Crawled Out #1 is no exception, another subversive and fascinating take on horror. I mean, just look at that cover.
Price: $3.99
Wolverine Revenge #1
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Penciler: Greg Capullo
Inker: Tim Townsend
Colorist: FCO Plascencia
Letterer: Cory Petit
Greg Capullo makes his grand return to Marvel Comics storytelling as he and Jonathan Hickman pit WOLVERINE against a cadre of foes who will turn his world upside down! He’s been beaten! He’s been bloodied! And LOGAN only has one thought on his mind: REVENGE! Don’t miss this prestige miniseries, set to become one of the defining tales in Wolverine’s storied legend!
Why It’s Cool: Well, for short it’s Hickman and Capullo doing Wolverine…and not only that but an anything goes action set piece comic starring Wolverine that also has to do with the Cold War. Sure, it feels like this comic was maybe a little bit requested to star some of the principal characters from a recent film, but it’s no less excellent for it. This is just some of the most talented creators in the industry cutting all the way loose with one of the most enduring superhero characters of all time.
Price: $4.99
Others I Enjoyed
Batman / Superman – World’s Finest #30- Blow Away #5
- Briar #8
- Crocodile Black #4
- Get Fury #4
- Joy Operations 2 #3
- My Bad – Escape From Peculiar Island #4
- Self-Help #3
- Ultimate Spider-Man #8
- Usagi Yojimbo – The Crow #5
New #1s and One-Shots
Giant-Size Thor #1- Jenny Sparks #1
- Miles Morals Spider-Man Vol. 2 Annual #1
- Night Club 2 #1
- Patra #1
- Power Rangers Infinity #1
- Predator vs. Black Panther #1
- Rick and Morty – Youth in Rickvolt #1
- Standstill #1
- Venom War: Carnage #1
- Venom War: Venomous #1
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
A Phone Call Away GN- Ash’s Cabin TP
- Godzilla Monster Island Summer Camp GN
- Hunt For The Skinwalker TP
- Killadelphia Deluxe Edition Book 2 HC
- Ministry of Compliance Vol. 1 TP
- Pearl HC
- Satellite Sam Compendium TP
- Slow Burn TP
- Space Junk GN
- Sunny-Luna Travelling Oracle GN
- Swamp Thing By Nancy A. Collins Omnibus HC
- Swamp Thing by Rick Veitch Book 1 Wild Things TP
- Thanos: Return of the Mad Titan TP
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
