The Top Comics to Buy for December 21 is the last edition of this column before the holiday, and there are some big releases hitting shops, specifically from DC Comics. We’ll be doing a deep dive on those releases for tomorrow’s DC Round-Up column, but as you can see by this list, both Batman Vs. Robin #4 and Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7 are strong titles. They are joined by a few other selections, rounding out our usually lists for the week, all of which you can find below…enjoy!

Top Comics to Buy for December 21, 2022

Batman Vs. Robin #4
Writer: Mark Waid
Artist: Mahmud Asrar & Scott Goldewski
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Steve Wands
Publisher: DC Comics
As the final battle erupts between Batman and Robin at the heart of Lazarus Island, a strange tremor rocks the combatants to their senses… This isn’t an island at all–it’s a volcano! With the Devil Nezha pulling the strings and unbelievable transformative power about to explode out into the world, our heroes have no choice but to do the unthinkable–fall back! A battle between father and son goes global as the Earth enters into the Lazarus Planet…
Why It’s Cool:
Again, if you’re at all interested in this book, you’re going to want to check back to the site tomorrow for our DC Round-up roundtable about it (as well as later in the day for an interview with writer Mark Waid). I’m just here to tell you now that this issue is not to be missed, especially if you’re at all interested in the stories DC Comics plans to tell in 2023.
Price:
$5.99

Dark Crisis on Infinite Earths #7
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artists: Daniel Sampere, Jack Herbert, Giuseppe Camuncoli, Cam Smith, and Rafa Sandoval
Colors: Alejandro Sanchez, Alex Guimarães, Romulo Fajardo Jr., and Matt Herms
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Publisher: DC Comics
WITNESS THE BIRTH OF THE NEW DC MULTIVERSE! Spinning out of the pages of The Flash, the heroes have learned the secret of Pariah’s new worlds-but at what cost does this knowledge come, and what can they even do with this information-or even worse, perhaps Pariah and the Great Darkness want them to know…? On Earth-Zero, Deathstroke continues to move forward with his plans to erase legacy heroics once and for all, while Jon Kent, Nightwing, and the ragtag group of youngsters rally to step up to the increasing number of challenges. The event of the year rages on! Dark Crisis is in many ways the direct sequel to the original Crisis on Infinite Earths by Marv Wolfman and George Perez. In this issue Pariah’s attempt to restore the infinite Multiverse reaches a breaking point! 
Why It’s Cool: Again again, don’t miss the DC Round-Up tomorrow for an in-depth discussion of this one, but in brief, this issues absolutely sticks the landing for what is one of the best DC Comics events in recent memory. 
Price: $5.99

Hitomi #3
Created and Written By: HS Tak
Art: Isabella Mazzanti
Layouts: Nicoletta Bea
Colors: Valentina Napolitano
Letters: Rob Jones
Publisher: Image Comics
Hitomi’s lessons under Yasuke result in a trial by fire when the mismatched warriors agree to rid a village of its “witch” problem. The pair soon learns the village hides a much darker and more evil secret than the occult…
Why It’s Cool: Hitomi really feels like a refresh on the classic Lone Wolf and Cub concept, and that’s meant to be a compliment. This book clearly draws inspiration from some of the best manga ever, but it also works hard to make a story of its own, introducing ripples that feel timely and compelling to the nature of the involved characters. Oh, and it also looks gorgeous doing it.
Price: $3.99

Comics to Buy for December 21Kroma by Lorenzo De Felici #2
Writer/Artist: Lorenzo De Felici
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics/Skybound
Discover the most visually stunning comic of the year!
After last issue’s shocking final page, Kroma ventures beyond the Pale City into a jungle ruled by gigantic beasts. However, one man lives among them, and he may hold the answers to Kroma’s mysterious past.
Why It’s Cool: I’ve really been blown away by the artwork in both over-sized issues of this book so far. On top of that, I think the story conceit that has to do with bright colors having power is a clever one that works especially well in comics. It’s not quite a metafictional idea, but there is a bit of formulism to it that I’m finding interesting as this book continues to unfold.
Price: $7.99

Traveling to Mars #2
Writer: Mark Russell
Artist: Roberto ‘Dakar’ Meli
Colorist: Chiara Di Francia
Letterer: Mattia Gentili
Publisher: Ablaze Publishing
From Eisner award-winner Mark Russell and hot new talent Roberto Meli comes a compelling new sci-if series…
Why It’s Cool: As I wrote in that week’s (inaugural) Wednesday Comics column, I absolutely loved the first issue of Traveling to Mars, which felt like a more personal sort of comic from writer Mark Russell. This second issue really pushes that feeling further, getting to some very emotional places. If you like tragicomedy even a little bit, you need to be reading this book.
Price: $3.99

Others Receiving Votes

  • Avengers Forever #12
  • Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #10
  • Black Panther #12
  • Catwoman #50
  • Deadliest Bouquet #5
  • Eve: Children of the Moon #3
  • The Flash #789
  • GCPD: The Blue Wall #3
  • Gold Goblin #2
  • Highball #3
  • I Hate Fairyland #2
  • Junkyard Joe #3
  • Namor the Sub-Mariner: Conquered Shores #3
  • Stargirl: The Lost Children #2
  • Voyagis #2

New #1s and One-Shots

  • All-New Firefly: Big Damn Finale #1 (one-shot)
  • Dark Web: Ms. Marvel #1
  • Dead Seas #1
  • Groo: Gods Against Groo #1
  • Jennifer Blood Presents Giulietta Romeo Hitwoman #1 (one-shot)
  • Mary Jane & Black Cat #1
  • My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic 10th Anniversary Edition #1 (one-shot)
  • Savage Tales: Winter Special #1 (one-shot)
  • Star Trek: Strange New Worlds – Illyrian Enigma #1
  • The Witcher: The Ballad of Two Wolves #1
  • X-Men Vol. 6 Annual #1

Trade Collections and Graphic Novels

  • Absolute Swamp Thing by Len Wein and Bernie Wrightson HC
  • Batman/Catwoman HC
  • Batman: Killing Time HC
  • Batman: The Silver Age Omnibus Vol. 1 HC
  • Bladerunner 2029 Vol. 1 – 3 Box Set
  • Books of Magic Omnibus Vol. 3 HC
  • Captain America Symbol of Truth, Vol. 1 Homeland TP
  • Catwoman: Lonely City HC
  • Death of Superman 30th Anniversary Deluxe Edition HC
  • The Department of Truth, Vol. 4 The Ministry of Lies TP
  • Fantastic Four Life Story TP
  • Harley Quinn (2021) Vol. 1 No Good Deed TP
  • King Tank Girl TP
  • Knights of Pendragon Omnibus HC
  • Nubia: Queen of the Amazons HC
  • Rogues HC
  • Strange Adventures TP
  • Superman Birthright Deluxe Edition HC

Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!