This column makes its return for 2014 with the Top Comics to Buy for January 10, and, perhaps surprisingly, all but one of them are books that started last year. In fact, three of this week’s picks are books that started late last year, keeping (most of) them off the radar for Best of 2023 lists, speaking to how comics finished last year strong.
Anyway, you can check out all the usual recommendations below … and enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for January 10, 2023
Kaya #14
Writer/Artist: Wes Craig
Colorist: Jason Wordie
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Publisher: Image Comics
With no time to lose, Kaya and Jin are tracking down a princess who can get them passage onto a ship bound for safety. But can they find her and not get captured in an occupied city overrun with soldiers of the Robot Empire?
Why It’s Cool: Another kinetic and action-packed issue that moves the story forward with every last beat. I don’t know how much more plainly I can say — but if you love comics, you need to be reading Kaya.
Price: $3.99
Masterpiece #2
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Alex Maleev
Colorist: Ian Herring
Letterer: Josh Reed
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Emma is a brilliant young woman whose life was just turned upside down by a billionaire who says that her long lost parents were in fact very famous thieves. They took the world’s most famous billionaire for a cool billion… before they disappeared never to be seen or heard from again. And now he wants revenge, from her. Follow Emma as she enters into the world her parents left behind and come face to face with the PARAGON. All this brought to life by the amazing brush of Alex Maleev.
Why It’s Cool: Two veteran masters of comics craft reuniting here for another ride. What more can you ask for? But truly, the Bendis-Maleev collaboration remains as sharp as ever in this must-read generational heist story.
Price: $3.99
Petrol Head #3
Writer: Rob Williams
Artist/Letterer/Designer: Pye Parr
Publisher: Image Comics
Escape the Smogzone with The Fast & The Robo-Furious! There’s no escape from The O and his robo-police! Petrol Head’s beloved ride faces destruction, Lupa must make the toughest choice imaginable and Petrol Head turns to his worst enemy for help. Ugh! And watch out, SuperCarStar is entering the race!
Why It’s Cool: There’s simply not another comic anything like Petrol Head on the shelves. It’s a book that sets itself aside visually so thoroughly, that everything about it ends up feeling singular. And from its excellent first issue on, the story has continued to pick up speed.
Price: $3.99
Transformers #4
Writer/Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics/Skybound
When the Decepticons attack the Autobots at their weakest moment, an unlikely new hero joins the battle! With human and Transformer robots lives at stake, can Optimus Prime unlock the true power behind the Matrix of Leadership to save them both?
Why It’s Cool: Bringing a new, Ultimate-Universe-esque feel to the latest Transformers revival, Daniel Warren Johnson’s take on this franchise led to one of the major direct market success stories of 2023. Now, the excellent first arc continues with an issue that might just tug at the heart strings a little bit. Also, fans of the 1980s Transformers film are going to appreciate this one on a different level. This was a no-brainer for the top comics to buy for January 10.
Price: $3.99
Ultimate Spider-Man #1
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Marco Checchetto
Colorist: Matthew Wilson
Letterer: Cory Petit
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Visionary writer Jonathan Hickman (HOUSE OF X/POWERS OF X) and acclaimed artist Marco Checchetto (DAREDEVIL) bring you a bold new take on Spider-Man, with this, the debut title of the new line of Ultimate Comics! After the events of ULTIMATE INVASION, the world needs a hero…who will rise up to take on that responsibility? Prepare to be entangled in a web of mystery and excitement as the all-new ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN comic redefines the wall-crawler for the 21st Century!
Why It’s Cool: There’s a lot of nostalgia to be had from the title here for readers of a certain age (roughly my age, ahem), but this isn’t really a throwback to the Ultimate Universe of old. It’s a continuation of a new sci-fi epic from writer Jonathan Hickman that drills down on Peter Parker and ends up producing the most interesting Spider-Man comic in years. I absolutely loved this one. It’s also a jumping on point book thanks to the recaps and context clues included here.
Price: $5.99
Others Receiving Votes
- Abbott 1979 #3
- Action Comics #1061
- Bloodrik #2
- Crave #2
- Fishflies #4
- Green Lantern #7
- The Madness #6
- The Sacrificers #6
- Usagi Yojimbo: Ice & Snow #4
- Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #4
New #1s and One-Shots
- Acid Chip vs. Business Dog #1 (one-shot)
- Adventureman: Ghost Lights #1
- Disney Villains: Cruella De Vil #1
- Giant-Size Spider-Man #1
- Rise of The Powers of X #1
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
- Barnstormers: A Ballad of Love and Murder TP
- Children of the Black Sun Vol. 1 TP
- Deadbox Complete Series TP
- Pete Townshend’s Life House HC
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles/Usagi Yojimbo: WhereWhen TP
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
