This week’s Top Comics to Buy for January 28 list features a book I’ve been looking forward to forever — Spirit of the Shadows #1 from artist Nick Cagnetti and writer Daniel Ziegler. More on why I like that book so much below, but it’s definitely a headliner for a packed week. Oh, and we’ve got not one but two Absolute books from DC this week.
Find my top five single issue recommendations below, along with the usual set of releases lists…and enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for January 28, 2026
Absolute Martian Manhunter #8
Writer: Deniz Camp
Artist: Javier Rodriguez
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: DC Comics
A HUNT FOR THE WHITE MARTIAN!
Why It’s Cool: The oddball, critically-beloved Absolute Martian Manhunter continues its second arc this week with yet another stunner of an issue. This book has artist Javier Rodriguez doing career best work (which is really saying something) that makes full use of his fantastic command of color. It’s a must-read any month that it’s out.
Price: $4.99
Absolute Wonder Woman #16
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Becca Carey
Publisher: DC Comics
The Season of the Witch arc begins here! After her exploits in the Area 41 maze, Diana has resolved to not let her personal mission overwhelm the one she was sent to the surface world to fulfill. But a new threat has emerged in Gateway City, and it turns out the best thing to send to kill Wonder Woman is… another witch! Zatanna is here, and Diana’s life will never be the same!
Why It’s Cool: Like the other highlights of the Absolute Line — Absolute Batman and Absolute Martian Manhunter — Absolute Wonder Woman is consistently leading with its bold art, and this week’s Absolute Wonder Woman #16 is no exception. It’s also the start of a new story arc which sees Wonder Woman going up against the Absolute Universe’s version of Zatanna. Kelly Thompson’s conceptualizing of the character in this world is great, as is the ways that Hayden Sherman and Jordie Bellaire draw her magic.
Price: $4.99
Toxic Avenger Comics #7
Writer: Matt Bors
Artist: Fred Harper
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Rob Steen
Publisher: AHOY Comics
Toxie finds himself covered in blood—but whose blood is it? Since his last memory placed him in Washington DC’s ultimate halls of power, he’d better get out of town—without being seen, a tough job for an oozing-green radioactive mutant.
Why It’s Cool: This comic opens with a brain in sort of steam powered mech suit that can’t get it up, and that just about sets the tone for all that happens later, as the current arc of Toxic Avenger Comics once again rampages through a very funny satire of American politics, a thing that it’s tough to be funny about these days. But Matt Bors (reminder to read Justice Warriors, if you haven’t already) and Fred Harper (reminder to read Snelson: Comedy Is Dying if you haven’t already) are just the team to do it.
Price: $4.99
Spirit of the Shadows #1
Writer: Daniel Ziegler
Writer/Artist: Nick Cagnetti
Publisher: Oni Press
Once, Erik Leroux was a mortal musician, selflessly devoted to his music and his true love, Katrina… until his sudden death plunged his soul into the carnival-like torments of the Spirit World beyond our own. Now, reborn as a phantom with fleeting memories of his life among the living, and forever cursed to bear the arcane costume his corpse wore to the grave, Erik will claw his way back from the infernal planes to uncover the mysteries of his own life… and avenge the dark sins that transformed him into the SPIRIT OF THE SHADOWS!
Why It’s Cool: I absolutely loved Nick Cagnetti’s breakout book, Pink Lemonade, a few years back, and now he’s back with something very different. Whereas that book was a blast of superhero optimism, this new book is a horror take, which he’s honed for years with writer Daniel Ziegler. What the two books have in common, however, is absolutely incredible character designs, and a bold colorful approach to visual storytelling. This is my book of the week.
Price: $4.99
Wrestle Heist #2
Writer/Artist/Letterer: Kyle Starks
Colorist: Vlad Popov
Designer: Dylan Todd
Publisher: Image Comics
In the second issue of WRESTLE HEIST we reach the best part of any heist tale – putting the team together! Our heroes reach out to another wrestler wronged by evil promote Buddy Hansen to rob him blind at the biggest show of the year – but of course, nothing comes easy as obstacles arise!
Why It’s Cool: Wrestle Heist is quite simply one of the funniest comics I’ve read in some time, with Kyle Starks combining his macho-mocking funny sensibilities with a deep knowledge of professional wrestling…and laying it all down as a heist tale. This book is a blast.
Price: $3.99
10 Other Comics I Enjoyed This Week
Absolute Batman #16- Be Not Afraid #5
- Creepshow #5
- The Flash #29
- G.I. Joe #18
- Heavy Metal Magazine #4
- Hello Darkness #18
- Kaya #33
- No Place #3
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – Casey Jones #4
New #1s and One-Shots
Amazing Spider-Man Annual 2026 #1- Astro Quantum #1
- Bug Wars – The Spyder Wytch Special #1 (one-shot)
- DC K.O. – The Kids Are All Fight #1
- DC’s Supergirl Next Door #1
- Escape From Skull Island #1
- Iron Man #1
- Malevolent #1
- Monster High – Boomuda Triangle #1
- The Witcher: Blood Stone #1
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
DON’T MISS: -A Brief History of a Long War: Ukraine’s Fight Against Russian Domination HC -Godzilla Legends: Mothra Queen of the Monsters TP -The Seasons Vol. 2 TP -Spectrum Deluxe Edition TP -Toxic Avenger Team-Up TP
A Brief History of a Long War: Ukraine’s Fight Against Russian Domination HC- Arcbound Vol. 1 HC
- Batman – The Long Halloween – The Last Halloween HC
- Cold Witch: A Tale of the Shrouded College TP
- DC Finest – Batman – The Case of the Chemical Syndicate TP
- DC Power – Rise of the Power Company HC
- The Demon of Beausoleil TP (review coming soon!)
- Fantastic Four by Mark Waid & Mike Wieringo Rising Storm TP
Fire & Ice – When Hell Freezes Over TP- Giant-Size X-Men Second Genesis Revisited TP
- Godzilla Legends – Mothra Queen of the Monsters TP
- I Can Sell You a Body TP
- Johnny Red: A Couple of Heroes HC
- Johnny Red: The Hurricane HC
- Judge Dredd by Carlos Ezquerra Apex Edition HC
- Miles Morales Spider-Man Modern Era Epic Collection Vol 3
- Nils Tree of Life TP
- Phoenix Vol 3 Astral Bond TP
- Prodigy Library Edition HC
The Seasons Vol 2 TP- Smoke Gets In Your Eyes HC
- Spectrum Deluxe Edition TP
- Star Wars Darth Maul Black White & Red TP
- Token City Wondercade TP
- Toxic Avenger Team-Up TP
- White Shadows HC (read our review!)
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
And check out the Beat’s most recent comics reviews!
