This Wednesday may be Christmas Eve, but there’s still a pretty robust set of new comics hitting store, so I’ve got a set of pick for the top comics to buy for December 24. And actually, as it would have it, this week’s picks feature some of my favorite books of the year.
As a bit of logistics wrangling, I should note that next week’s column will also run, but rather than feature the top single issue releases, it will feature my five favorite comics to read in single issues for 2025. These are the books that I raced to read as soon as they hit my stack. So make sure to come back for that, but for now, I’ve got this week’s picks below along with the usual set of release lists … enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for December 24
Absolute Wonder Woman #15
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Becca Carey
Publisher: DC Comics
The first meeting of two Absolute heroes has arrived at last! The Mark of Hecate at a crime scene in Gotham draws Wonder Woman into Batman’s orbit in dramatic fashion. The world’s greatest detective and the world’s most famous witch must work together to solve a series of grisly and ambitious murders that threaten something much more dangerous coming for Gotham!
Why It’s Cool: Well, for starters this is the first time that two characters from the red hot Absolute Universe have teamed up. Personally, I admire the impressive restraint editorial has shown here in not doing it sooner. But this feels like the exact right spot, and watching it happen in this book was fantastic. Can’t wait for next month’s continuation in the pages of Absolute Batman.
Price: $4.99
Green Arrow #31
Writer: Chris Condon
Artist: Montos
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Buddy Beaudoin
Publisher: DC Comics
Trouble in the family! After an explosive domestic squabble between a working father and a teenage daughter boils into the streets, the Emerald Archer must reckon with his past choices and experiences in order to provide a path forward for the two… and himself.
Why It’s Cool: In brief, this is a perfect ending to what’s been an excellent Green Arrow run, telling a mostly contained story that also resolves the plot points that powered this set of issues. If you missed this run, be sure to go back and catch up on all of it — it’s that good.
Price: $3.99
Orla! #5
Writer: John Lees
Artist: Sally Cantirino
Colorist: Dearbhla Kelly
Letterer: Lucas Gattoni
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
You are cordially invited to the Valentine’s Day wedding of Harriet and Josh. Should anyone present know of any reason that this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace. Orla Bard might have a few things to say. As her two lives collide, can Orla protect those she cares about from the carnage of The Ick? Can true love prevail? Or is a Valentine’s Day massacre on the cards? All will be revealed in this heart-stopping conclusion.
Why It’s Cool: Orla! was one of my picks for The Beat’s Best Comics of 2025, and from the start I’ve loved its silly blend of monster horror and dating comic. Well, I’m happy to report this finale doubles down on everything that has made this series so charming, doling out some revelations along the way.
Price: $4.99
Powers 25 #4
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Michael Avon Oeming
Colorist: Nick Filardi
Letterer: Joshua Reed
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Meet super-science, super-genius Archie Gates. He is the leader of the super-science collective Legacy Star. He is a huge figure in the Powers world and he just stole the body of the new case our detectives are working on. Which is hugely problematic and suspicious, don’t you think? Follow brand-new Powers detectives Moon and Kutter as they dive head first into this growing conspiracy.
Why It’s Cool: How lucky are we to be getting new issues of Powers in 2025? And how lucky are we that the book is just as good as it’s ever been? To me, Powers is one of the best independent comics of all time, and this arc is just as good as the book’s earliest issues, powered by a mix of great new characters and the superhero murder mystery storytelling that has always been at Powers heart. Seriously, do not miss this book.
Price: $4.99
Sleep #7
Cartoonist: Zander Cannon
Publisher: Image Comics
When Jonathan Reason falls asleep, he becomes… something terrible. Captured by scientists at a lab after inadvertently weakening his alter ego, Jon begins hatching a plan to escape, only to hear about a possible cure.
Why It’s Cool: Sleep has been an absolute joy to follow month-to-month, using a close perspective to its main character to dole out some of the best mystery/horror comics storytelling in years. We as readers have had little clue what the main character’s deal is (as little clue as he has himself), but with this second-to-last issue we start to get a bit of a better sense of what might be going on. Wisely, however, Sleep has also saved plenty to unveil in its finale, which is due out next month.
Price: $3.99
Other Comics I Enjoyed This Week
Absolute Martian Manhunter #7- Absolute Superman #14
- Blink And You’ll Miss It #4
- Creepshow #4
- The Flash #28
- Justice League Red #5
- Red Book I #3
- Red Vector #5
- Skinbreaker #4
- Superman #33
- Void Rivals #25
Absolute Martian Manhunter #7New #1s and One-Shots
DC K.O. Red Hood vs. Joker #1 (one-shot)- Fire and Nekron #1 (one-shot)
- Gargoyles Winter Special 2025 #1 (one-shot)
- Gray Lady #1 (one-shot)
- Marvel Winter Break Special #1 (one-shot)
- Mirka Andolfo’s Sweep Paprika Black White & Pink Holiday Special #1 (one-shot)
- Red Sonja New Years Special 2025 #1 (one-shot)
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Battle Nexus #1
- The Will Of Doom #1 (one-shot)
DC K.O. Red Hood vs. Joker #1 (one-shot)Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
Absolute Flash Vol 1 Of Two Worlds HC/TP- Avengers By Geoff Johns & Olivier Coipel Omnibus HC
- Avengers by Jed MacKay Vol 5 Masters Of Evil TP
- Birthright Deluxe Edition Book 2 HC
- Calamity Before Jane: A Toon Graphic HC
- Demon Summoner Gash Gash TP
- Dune House Atreides Deluxe Edition HC
- Exceptional X-Men By Eve L. Ewing Vol 2 The Deep End TP
- Flash Vol 4 Bad Moon Rising TP
- The Future Is ****** Vol 1 Black Mountain TP
- Green Lantern Compendium 1 Rebirth TP
- Hunger – Wolfskulljack Premiere Edition HC
- Lazarus Vol 8 TP
- Lumberjanes Book 2 HC/TP
- Madman Omnibus Vol 2 TP
Marvel Masterworks Amazing Spider-Man Vol 27 HC- Miles Morales Spider-Man By Cody Ziglar Vol 7 God War TP
- Rick and Morty 10th Anniversary Omnibus Vol 1 HC
- Rom Epic Collection The Original Marvel Years Vol 3 TP
- This Ends Tonight TP
- Warlord by Mike Grell Omnibus Vol 1 HC
- We’re Taking Everyone Down With Us TP
- Wet Moon 20th Anniversary Omnibus Collection Vol 3 GN
Absolute Flash Vol 1 Of Two Worlds HC/TP
Marvel Masterworks Amazing Spider-Man Vol 27 HCRead past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
And check out the Beat’s most recent comics reviews!
