As I write my intro for this week’s Top Comics to Buy for May 14 column, I am currently deep in the dark heart of moving. I’m on my laptop at the kitchen table while movers break down, wrap up, and haul out everything that has shaped my home for the past 6 years. It’s a disorienting experience.
All of that is to say that in the tense times before the move began (earlier this weekend), I was able to find some comfort in what has become some of the most reliably excellent superhero comics of late, specifically Absolute Batman #8 and Batman – Dark Patterns #6. Batman books are just so good, and Matt Fraction hasn’t even gotten to Gotham yet. Anyway! The moving continues on through the rest of this week for me, but you can find all my Wednesday comics recommendations below, along with the usual release lists … enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for May 14, 2025
Absolute Batman #8
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Marcos Martín
Colorist: Munsta Vicente
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: DC Comics
Batman is in the fight for his life against this icy new threat. But in the end, what terrifying truth will be unearthed about Ark M and…Joker?
Why It’s Cool: Even if the concept and writing in this book weren’t so sharp, I’d still have it here because the artwork of Marcos Martin and Munsta Vicente is just that good. It’s arguably one of the hardest jobs in all of comics right now to do a fill-in arc on Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta’s Absolute Batman, but this is the team to do it. Just great-looking stuff. Plus, I’m enjoying the slow introduction of 2025 spins on familiar Bat-concepts, such as Ark M.
Price: $4.99
Batman – Dark Patterns #6
Writer: Dan Watters
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Colorist: Tríona Farrell
Letterer: Frank Cvetkovic
Publisher: DC Comics
I HAVE NO TONGUE, AND I MUST SCREAM! CASE 02: The Voice of the Tower–Part III The fires of unrest burn bright and terribly! With Scarface still evading capture and the violent riot in the tower getting even worse with no end in sight, Batman must turn toward a most unlikely ally in his time of need. Will the Dark Knight heal this terrible wound, or will Gotham descend further into chaos?
Why It’s Cool: This moody, creepy look at Batman and Gotham just keeps getting better with this new arc that seems bent on telling arguably the definitive Arnold Wesker/Scarface story. With Hayden Sherman continuing their star turn on art, if you’re not getting your Batman fix from Absolute, I’m guessing you’re definitely getting it here.
Price: $4.99
Exquisite Corpses #1
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Michael Walsh
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Becca Carey
Publisher: Image Comics – Tiny Onion
Every five years on Halloween, the wealthiest families in America play a game. Twelve of the deadliest people in the world are dropped into a small town with just one goal: last killer standing wins. For the citizens of Oak Valley, Maine-this year’s unlucky arena-the goal is much simpler. They must survive the night. Experience a comics event like no other, from the minds of JAMES TYNION IV & MICHAEL WALSH, as they lead a group of the most exciting voices in the industry.
Why It’s Cool: Look, I’ll be honest — going into this one, I had some misgivings about the book. The first issue cover just bears far too close a resemblance to Sink and it’s bloody, fox-headed character Mr. Dig. But I put those misgivings aside and was able to enjoy this book for what it is — an extra-long, bombastic secret society fight story tale. It goes big and fast and looks great. Just feel like violent masked fox-head character is already someone else’s deal, but hey, there are a dozen other fighters here with great designs too.
Price: $4.99
The Sickness #7
Writers: Lonnie Nadler and Jenna Cha
Artist: Jenna Cha
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: Uncivilized Comics
If you’re feeling sick, The Man may be following you… 1945: Daniel faces the maddening consequences of setting his house ablaze after an ill-conceived attempt to defy The Man. 1955: George finally has a first-hand brush with a patient suffering from The Sickness. However, past demons come to a head with wishes for the future, and he must decide which will guide his hands. 1965: Mary struggles to cope with the daily monotony of being a housewife, feeling like an outcast even in the comfort of her own home. Something is rotten in Redondo Beach…
Why It’s Cool: As I’ve written, The Sickness is one of my favorite books in all of comics right now (if you haven’t had a chance to check it out, you can snag the first volume trade on June 4, FYI). It’s just such a great combination of some of the most chilling horror imagery you’ve ever seen, a complex multi-layered plot, and a maximalist approach to storytelling the airs on the side of intellectual versus popcorn movie or over the top. Every new issue of this book to me is a must-read.
Price: $6
Usagi Yojimbo: Ten Thousand Plums #3
Story, Art, Lettering: Stan Sakai
Colors: Hi-Fi
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Death returns to the village as the true killer is revealed! Though Usagi, Yukichi, and Gen soon discover the tragedy that set events in motion, the village will see its fortunes change forever and a grieving mother will lose everything for revenge.
Why It’s Cool: One could argue that parts of this ending were easy to predict, specifically the lesson that is wrought upon the villagers. But that doesn’t make the execution of this story any less enthralling or excellent. Every art of Usagi Yojimbo is a good arc, but this one had one of my favorite concepts and antagonists in a good while. Plus, clocking in at just three issues, it moves briskly and hits hard.
Price: $4.99
Other Comics I Enjoyed
Action Comics #1086- Dick Tracy #10
- Green Lantern Corps #4
- I Was A Fashion School Serial Killer #2
- Past Time #2
- Phantom Road #12
- Space Ghost #12
- Transformers #20
- Ultimate Black Panther #16
- When I Lay My Vengeance Down Upon Thee #4
New #1s and One-Shots
Betty & Veronica – Friends Forever Spy Girls #1 (one-shot)- Cold Witch: A Tale of the Shrouded College #1
- Dark Regards #1
- Energon Universe 2025 Special #1 (one-shot)
- Godzilla: Here There Be Aliens #1
- Godzilla Vs. X-Men #1 (one-shot)
- Gwenpool #1
- Huck II: Big Bad World #1
- Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1
- Money Shot: Big Bang #1
- Spider-verse Vs. Venomverse #1
- Supergirl #1
- Toxic Avenger Pin-Up Special #1 (one-shot)
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
A Vicious Circle HC- Adam Eterno – Grunn the Grim TP
- Adventures of Spawn Complete Collection TP
- Avengers Assemble – The Serpent Scenario TP
- Batman Full Moon HC
- Day of the Dead Girl TP
- DC Finest – Superboy – The Super-Dog From Krypton TP
- Dune – House Corrino Vol. 2 HC
- Fantastic Four – Epic Collection Vol. 18 – The More Things Change TP
- Garfield Family Style TP
- Kaijumax Complete Collection Vol. 2 TP
- Knight Terrors Omnibus HC
- Lost in the Future Vol. 2 Trapped TP
- Marvel Fanfare Omnibus Vol. 1 HC
- Mighty Morphin Power Rangers Recharged Deluxe Edition HC
- Miles Morales Spider-Man by Cody Ziglar Vol. 6 Webs of Wakanda TP
- New Avengers Modern Era Epic Collection Vol. 3 The Initiative TP
- Night of the Slashers Vol. 1 TP
- Pageant TP
- Roxy Romance Reborn GN
Shakara The Complete Collection TP (read our review…SHAKARA!)- Silver Surfer Omnibus Vol. 1 HC
- Small Town Spirits GN
- Sonic The Hedgehog: Sonic Prime Vol. 1 TP
- Sunder Vol. 1 Small Beginnings TP
- Superman: Up in the Sky – The Deluxe Edition GN
- TMNT: Best of Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 5
- Transformers Vol. 3 – Combiner Chaos TP
- Walt Disney’s Mickey Mouse and the Amazing Lost Ocean HC
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
And check out the Beat’s most recent comics reviews!
