We have two #2 issues on this week’s top comics to buy for March 22, and, truth be told, my favorite books to put on this weekly list are #2 issues. I just love it when a series has a strong review, and then a month or so later, the team keeps the momentum going with a truly excellent follow up. Those #2s this week are from Blue Book and Superman, but we have all the usual lists for you to peruse below…enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for March 22, 2023
Blue Book #2
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Michael Avon Oeming
Letterer: Aditya Bidikar
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics – Tiny Onion
After their bizarre encounter with an unknown floating object and the creatures that inhabit it, Betty and Barney Hill head home in the darkness only to find themselves plagued by the residues of their night sky confrontation.
Tiny Onion Studios and Dark Horse Comics present a line of upcoming creator-owned work from the mind of James Tynion IV across a broad spectrum of his interests, from non-fiction supernatural encounters to high concept coming-of-age monster comics.
Why It’s Cool: One of two issues that follow up a very strong debut, Blue Book #2 deepens the mysteries (as well as the interpersonal drama) from #1. The strongest element of this comic in my opinion is the eerie ambiance, heightened by both the script and the titular blue coloring.
Price: $4.99
Doctor Strange #1
Writer: Jed MacKay
Artist: Pasqual Ferry
Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth
Letterer: Cory Petit
Publisher: Marvel Comics
CHANGE YOUR REALITY! Stephen Strange is back! Reunited with Clea and Wong, it’s back to business as usual for the Sorcerer Supreme. Have your children fallen into a deep nightmarish slumber? Are demonic refugees invading your home? Is your husband possessed by a satanic entity? Then call Doctor Strange! Join Jed MacKay (MOON KNIGHT, BLACK CAT) and Pasqual Ferry (NAMOR: CONQUERED SHORES, SPIDER-MAN: SPIDER’S SHADOW, THOR) as they begin a new chapter in the life of the Master of the Mystic Arts!
Why It’s Cool: This is one of those books where the main character was dead for a while and is now back…just like we all knew he would be. It’s also less of a new run for Doctor Strange than it is the continuation of a run that writer Jed MacKay was already penning, just with a new #1 and the familiar Stephen Strange returned. Still, Pasqual Ferry — colored here by Matt Hollingsworth — is a strong art team, and this one is both a solid continuation as well as a nice jumping on point, making it an easy addition to our top comics to buy for March 22.
Price: $4.99
Door to Door, Night by Night #4
Writer: Cullen Bunn
Artist: Sally Cantirino
Colorist: Dee Cunniffe
Letterer: AndWorld Design
Publisher: Vault Comics
From trailer parks and honkytonks to golf courses and country clubs! The monster-hunting sales crew finds themselves in unfamiliar territory at the center of a ghostly mystery. Skinless Tom haunts the lonely roads, and he has set his deathless gaze on our heroes! But there’s more to the ghostly happenings than the team might expect.
Why It’s Cool: Vault Comics series are often thoughtful, but I find that they publish some of the most interesting and complex horror comics specifically. This one has been a standout for me, bringing together a pair of seasoned horror creators in writer Cullen Bunn and artist Sally Cantirino — the results have been fantastic so far, and this issue is no exception.
Price: $4.99
GCPD: The Blue Wall #6
Writer: John Ridley
Artist: Stefano Raffaele
Colorist: Brad Anderson
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Publisher: DC Comics
With Gotham City in a state of panic over the recent murders and the GCPD buckling under the weight of the department’s connection to the crimes, can Police Commissioner Renee Montoya restore peace without crossing the line herself? What price is she willing to pay in order to do what is right?
Why It’s Cool: I’ve written a lot about how much I like this series, often comparing it to a next evolution of one of my all-time favorites, Gotham Central. I’m thrilled to say that this finale lived up to and exceeded all my expectations. I think we’re going to be talking about this one in our DC Round-Up Roundtable (due to go live in an hour!), and the praise will be flying in there — but I want to use this space specifically to highlight the artwork from the team of Stefano Raffaele and Brad Anderson. This comic is so good-looking, and, obviously, you should plan to read this whole book in trade if you’ve so far missed it.
Price: $3.99
Superman #2
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Jamal Campbell
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Publisher: DC Comics
Superman is overwhelmed as Parasite’s new powers are unleashed! Can Superman stop all of Metropolis from being consumed by the power-hungry Parasite or will he need Lex Luthor’s help to save the day? Introducing a new antihero—Marilyn Moonlight, the Spirit of Metropolis—who only operates at night! Is she friend or foe to the Man of Steel?! And how does she connect to Metropolis’s secret past?
Why It’s Cool: Superman #1 — a rare book that felt almost universally beloved, at least in the discussion circles I frequent — set a wonderful tone for a new run featuring the Man of Steel. This second chapter builds on that tone — as well as the excellent conceptual ideas — introducing a new twist on a classic foe, a new foe, and a continued evolution of the great Lex-Superman rivalry. Like I said above, I absolutely love putting #2 comics on this list, and this is a great one.
Price: $4.99
Others Receiving Votes
Amazing Spider-Man #22- Batman/Superman: World’s Finest #13
- Black Adam #9
- Damn Them All #6
- Earthdivers: Kill Columbus #6
- Grim #9
- Groo: Gods Against Groo #4
- Immortal Sergeant #3
- Monstress #44
- Nightwing #102
- Punisher #10
- Swamp Thing: Green Hell #3
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #138
- Tower #2
- Wasp #3
New #1s and One-Shots
Avengers: Rage of Ultron Marvel Tales #1 (one-shot)- Batman One Bad Day: Ras Al Ghul #1 (one-shot)
- Chilling Adventures Presents…Pop’s Chocklit Shoppe of Horrors #1 (one-shot)
- DC’s Legion of Bloom #1 (one-shot)
- Dead Romans #1
- Godzilla: Best of King Ghidorah #1 (one-shot)
- Milestone 30th Anniversary Special #1 (one-shot)
- Neighbors #1
- Order and Outrage #1
- Women of Marvel #1 (one-shot)
- X-O Manowar: Unconquered #1
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
- Colonel Weird and Little Andromeda HC
- Creepshow Vol. 1 TP
- Dead Lucky Vol. 1 The Good Die Young TP
- Ephemera HC
- Harley Quinn Vol. 3 Verdict HC
- In Limbo: A Graphic Memoir TP
- Joe Death and the Graven Image TP
- King of Nowhere Vol. 2 TP
- Multiversity Teen Justice TP
- Parasomnia Vol. 2 The Dreaming God TP
- Powers Vol. 3 TP Dark Horse Edition
- Robin Vol. 3 Secrets and Shadows TP
- Quests Aside TP
- Savage Avengers by Gerry Duggan Omnibus HC
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Reborn Vol. 6 Game Changers TP
- Unbeatable Squirrel Girl Omnibus HC
- War Birds TP
- West of Sundown Vol. 1 TP
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
