The Top Comics to Buy for June 7 list was a tough one for me to narrow down. This happens from time to time — there are just too many good books (or, at least, books that really appeal to me personally) hitting in a given week. This time out, I could have probably put together an entirely different top 5, consisting of books like Almighty, Love Everlasting, Sins of the Salton Sea, and You’ve Been Cancelled. Just a great week.
As always, you can find the usual lists below…enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for June 7, 2023
The Flash #800
Writers: Jeremy Adams, Mark Waid, Joshua Williamson, Geoff Johns, and Si Spurrier
Artists: Fernando Pasarin (with inks by Oclair Albert), Todd Nauck, Carmine di Giandomenico, Scott Kolins, and Mike Deodato, Jr.
Colorists: Matt Herms, Ivan Plascencia, Luis Guerrero, and Trish Mulvihill
Letterers: Rob Leigh, and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: DC Comics
Written by Jeremy Adams, Mark Waid, Joshua Williamson, Geoff Johns, and Simon Spurrier Art by Fernando Pasarin & Oclair Albert, Todd Nauck, Carmine Di Giandomenico, Scott Kolins, and Mike Deodato Jr. An oversize anniversary issue concludes writer Jeremy Adams’s acclaimed tenure, with special guests Mark Waid, Joshua Williamson, and Geoff Johns joining the celebration! As the Adams run races to the finish line, get a prelude to the new Dawn of DC chapter of the Fastest Man Alive’s adventures from the dream team of Simon Spurrier (Coda, Detective Comics) and Mike Deodato Jr. (Avengers)!
Why It’s Cool: This is one of those landmark issues that has a bunch of stories from creators who have done prolonged runs with the character, and as such, it should have a lot that’s familiar to long-time Flash fans, from Mark Waid and Todd Nauck revisiting the earliest days of Impulse comics to the team of the most recent Flash comic putting a bow on their run. It also has a preview of what to expect from the next Flash team, Si Spurrier and Mike Deodato, Jr. This kind of comic is inherently varied, but on the whole, I enjoyed this oversized issue quite a bit.
Price: $4.99
I Hate This Place #9
Writer: Kyle Starks
Artist: Artyom Topilin
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Publisher: Image Comics – Skybound
Questions will be answered as Gabby and Trudy face terrors from their past, present, and future in the penultimate issue of I HATE THIS PLACE!
Why It’s Cool: This is a book that continues to include almost everything you can hope to find in a comic…somehow without ever feeling like too much. I’m also impressed at how all the different elements — from horror tropes to complex sci-fi time travel stuff — are being fit together in a way that builds a coherent overall plot. Great stuff here.
Price: $3.99
Lamentation #2
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Arjuna Susini
Colorist: Hilary Jenkins
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Publisher: Oni Press
Trapped within the Requiem Theater, lead actress Jennifer fights for her life and freedom as threats encroach from the real world and within the play. When the mysterious Prince Razide selects her as his bride, new dangers emerge, and she still doesn’t know who-or what-lies beneath the prince’s mask.
Why It’s Cool: This book is a fun sendup over obsessive theater and acting culture, but moreover, it’s just a very well-executed horror comic. This issue really ups the ante for great horror imagery, with some really spooky and stunning visual set pieces. This is part two of three over-sized issues.
Price: $6.99
Phantom Road #4
Writer: Jeff Lemire
Artist: Gabriel H. Walta
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Steve Wands
Publisher: Image Comics
Dom and Birdie attempt to deliver their mysterious cargo while discovering how powerful it truly is. Meanwhile, Agent Weaver finds herself on the other side of the interrogation desk, answering questions she didn’t know that she should be asking herself.
Why It’s Cool: At a certain point, Phantom Road might stop being a perfectly-odd and spooky comic, but that point is not with this week’s issue #4. This book just continues to be so good. The creative team have built an intriguing and thoroughly weird story on top of a great first issue, making the reader question basically anything that is going on, while also grounding the book within characters who are easy to root for. This one was a shoe-in for the top comics to buy for June 7.
Price: $3.99
Traveling to Mars #6
Writer: Mark Russell
Artist: Roberto “Dakar” Meli
Colorist: Chiara Di Francia
Letterer: Mattia Gentili
Publisher:Ablaze
Roy discovers that he is not alone in space, forcing him and the rovers to improvise a strategy for survival.
Eisner award-winning writer Mark Russell and artist Roberto Meli bring you a compelling new sci-fi series…a riveting story of planetary exploration and of finding meaning in your final days.
Why It’s Cool: Speaking of perfect comics, this one also fits that bill. With this now-Eisner-nominated series, the creative team is telling a forlorn, personal, and timely story that lends itself well to satisfying single issues. I love this book, and will continue recommending it every chance I get. Seriously, don’t miss out on this one.
Price: $3.99
Others Receiving Votes
Almighty #5- Batman #136
- Breath of Shadows #5
- Daredevil #12
- Fantastic Four #8
- Hairball #3
- Hell to Pay #5
- Love Everlasting #8
- Money Shot – Comes Again #2
- Nocterra #15
- Peacemaker Tries Hard #2
- Poison Ivy #13
- Red Goblin #5
- SHAZAM! #2
- Venom #20
New #1s and One-Shots
- Archie & Friends – Hot Summer Movies #1 (one-shot)
- Deadpool: Badder Blood #1
- Fence – Redemption #1
- In Hell We Fight #1
- Joker Uncovered #1
- Loki #1
- New Talent Showcase – The Milestone Initiative #1 (one-shot)
- The Sickness #1
- Sins of the Salton Sea #1
- Star Wars – Return of the Jedi – The Empire #1 (one-shot)
- Steelworks #1
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vs. Street Fighter #1
- X-Men – Before The Fall – Mutants First Strike #1 (one-shot)
- You’ve Been Cancelled #1
Trade Collections and Graphic Novels
- Batman Fortress HC
- Boys Weekend HC
- History of the DC Universe HC
- Inferno Girl Red Book 1 TP
- Invincible Universe Compendium Vol. 1 TP
- Lore Olympus Vol. 4 HC
- Kroma By Lorenzo De Felici TP
- Spider-Woman by Dennis Hopeless TP
- Wonder Woman Historia – The Amazons HC
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
