The headliner for this week’s top comics to buy for February 22 is, without question, Superman #1, a very exciting fresh start for a pillar of superhero comics. Past that, we have another great book coming over from Substack, the finale of one of the cleverest comics concepts in some time, a savage new issue of Barbaric, and more.
Check out the usual lists below…and enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for February 22, 2023
Barbaric – Hell to Pay #2
Writer: Michael Moreci
Artist: Nathan Gooden
Colorist: Addison Duke
Letterer: Jim Campbell
Publisher: Vault Comics
Owen is in hell. Soren is…also kind of in hell. She’s made a dangerous pact with Ka, the deadly assassin looking to exact revenge on a nearly impossible target. Meanwhile, Owen and Deadheart reunite for one hell (wink wink) of an adventure!
Why It’s Cool: Now in its third full miniseries, Barbaric remains one of the most fun and exciting books in all of indie comics. This mini sees our characters split into two, having a pair of equally interesting (and a bit bonkers) adventures. The writing remains witty and the art is as good as it gets. Barbaric – Hell to Pay #2 is an easy pick for the top comics to buy for February 22.
Price: $4.99
Blue Book #1
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Michael Avon Oeming, with a backup by Klaus Johnson
Letterer: Aditya Bidikar
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics – Tiny Onion Studios
In this debut issue, Tynion presents what he calls his “True Weird” stories. Tales of ordinary people encountering the strange and the impossible. Teaming with artist Michael Avon Oeming, they retell some of the most popular UFO and alien encounter accounts starting with the infamous Betty and Barney Hill abduction-the widely publicized and very first abduction that went on to shape and influence all future encounter stories.
Why It’s Cool: An eerie experience in the ambiance behind encounters with UFOs, this book comes over to the direct market from Substack just in time for the entire country to be losing their minds over mysterious items floating in the sky. I loved this first issue, especially the color work with blue tones done by Michael Avon Oeming. Look for a full review of this one in tomorrow’s Wednesday Comics column.
Price: $4.99
GCPD – Blue Wall #5
Writer: John Ridley
Artist: Stefano Raffaele
Colorist: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Josh Reed
Publisher: DC Comics
Life has a way of slipping through our fingers when we least expect it to. It’s happened to GCPD Commissioner Renee Montoya before, and despite everything she’s fought for, it’s happened again. A domino has been tipped, and Renee is about to go through her most harrowing test yet.
Why It’s Cool: This series has been fantastic since its inception, but in this fifth issue, both the action of the narrative and the larger questions it raises about American policing reach new heights. I, of course, don’t want to spoil anything here, but there’s a final scene in this one that really elevates this entire miniseries, which you should absolutely be reading.
Price: $3.99
The Ones #4
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Jacob Edgar
Colorist: K.J. Diaz
Letterer: Joshua Reed
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
A whole new thing by Brian Michael Bendis and Jacob Edgar! THE ONES–every single person in every mythology that was told they were THE ONE teams up to defeat . . . THE ONE. The actual one. The real actual one. well, that’s what the prophecy said and it didn’t happen. So, is this entire prophecy about the Ones a bunch of crap or what? I mean, we’re just going to let toddler Satan do whatever the hell he wants? Will the chosen ones live to fight another day or are we all effed?
Why It’s Cool: From its start, this series has offered one of the cleverest ideas I’ve ever seen in monthly comics. This week’s finale lives up to the cleverness of that concept, delivering a satisfying ending that is rich with action, laughs, and a payoff for all of the track laid in the previous three issues. There’s also a great tease for more of The Ones in this one, and I really hope the creative team gets a chance to pursue it.
Price: $4.99
Superman #1
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Jamaal Campbell
Letterer: Arianna Maher
Publisher: DC Comics
IT’S THE DAWN OF DC! Superman has returned to Metropolis and his greatest enemy Lex Luthor is finally behind bars. The future of the Superman family has never been brighter! As Clark Kent settles back into his life, iconic and new enemies erupt from the shadows to strike down the
Man of Steel! But waiting in the wings to back up Big Blue is…Supercorp?! What secret project has Lex given to Superman?! “A hero is only as good as their villains” will be put to the test in this brand-new oversize #1 featuring comics’ greatest superhero by DC Comics architect Joshua Williamson and award-winning superstar artist Jamal Campbell!
Why It’s Cool: With this week’s absolutely fantastic Superman#1, the new Dawn of DC era truly begins. This comic is not just one of the best new Superman #1s in recent memory, it’s one of the best starts for a new superhero run I’ve ever read. With gorgeous art, an amazing understanding of the character, a set of fresh ideas, and an eye toward mystery, this book is Superman at its best.
Price: $4.99
Others Receiving Votes
20th Century Men #6- Batman/Superman – World’s Finest #12
- Black Adam #8
- Doctor Strange – Fall Sunrise #4
- Gargoyles #3
- Hellboy in Love #3
- Ice Cream Man #34
- Junkyard Joe #5
- Killadelphia #28
- Monstress #43
- My Bad Vol. 2 #4
- Pink Lemonade #6
- Saga #62
- Specs #4
- Superman: Space Age #3
New #1s and One-Shots
- Batman One Bad Day – Clayface #1 (one-shot)
- Betsy Braddock Captain Britain #1
- Draculina Blood Simple #1
- Godfell #1
- Immortal X-Men #1
- Lazarus Planet Omega #1 (one-shot)
- Local Man #1
- Moriarty Clockwork Empire #1
- Punisher War Journal – Base #1 (one-shot)
- Star Wars High Republic Adventures – The Nameless Terror #1
- Tower #1
Trade Collections and Graphic Novels
- A.X.E. Judgement Day TP
- Big Ethel Energy Vol. 2 TP
- Bitter Root Omnibus HC
- Blade Runner Black Lotus – Leaving LA TP
- BPRD Omnibus Vol. 4 TP
- Faithless III TP
- Golden Record GN
- The Joker Vol. 3 HC
- Justice Warriors TP
- Last Days of Black Hammer TP
- Lonesome Hunters TP
- Mind MGMT Bootleg HC
- Nexus Nefarious HC
- Pearl Vol. 3 TP
- Rocketeer – The Great Race TP
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
