There’s really no throughline (or a very faint one) for this week’s list of Top Comics to Buy for November 22, 2023. There’s a superhero book (or two), a new publisher with its sophomore entry, and some good old fashioned religion-tinged horror. You can find out which books made the top five recommendations below, along with the usual set of lists … enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for November 22, 2023
Batman: Off-World #1
Writer: Jason Aaron
Pencils: Doug Mahnke
Inks: Jaime Mendoza
Colors: David Baron
Letterer: Troy Peteri
Publisher: DC Comics
A routine night in Gotham City for a young Batman proves to be anything but routine when the crime-fighter is confronted with a sort of foe he’s never faced before–one from beyond the stars! A universe of possible alien threats leads Batman to make a daring decision–to venture alone into the far reaches of the cosmos for the very first time, where the Dark Knight will face the fight of his life! Superstar writer Jason Aaron delivers his first Batman story ever, partnered with blockbuster artist Doug Mahnke for a unique, brutal tale!
Why It’s Cool: This book asks a question you didn’t know you wanted ask — what if soon after Batman: Year One…Batman went to space. And that’s all well and good, but the reason you’ll want this book is because the art is incredible, featuring Doug Mahnke pencils, Jaime Mendoza inks, and David Baron colors. It looks fantastic.
Price: $3.99
The Devil That Wears My Face #2
Writer: David Pepose
Artist: Alex Cormack
Letterer: Justin Birch
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
Now trapped in Santiago’s body, Father Vieri finds himself locked in the dungeon of the Castillo Lazarus – and at the sadistic mercies of the Inquisition. Yet as this exorcist now burns at the touch of the Cross, can Vieri escape before the demon Legion uses his body to paint the Vatican red? And when suspicion mounts over his new host’s changed demeanor, to what terrifying lengths will Legion go to avoid being discovered? As the Devil lurks in the Church’s most precious sanctum, no one will be prepared for what happens next – and in one bloody instant, the fate of Rome will be changed forever.
Why It’s Cool: I love body-swap stories (also digging The Schlub of late), and I love religion-tinged horror. This book scratches both itches. Plus, Alex Cormack’s art is so creepy. Don’t miss this one, an easy selection for this week’s Top Comics to Buy for November 22.
Price: $4.99
The Holy Roller #1
Writers: Rick Remender, Andy Samberg, and Joe Trohman
Artist: Roland Boschi
Colorist: Moreno Dinisio
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics
To care for his ailing father, pro bowler Levi Coen is forced to quit his dream job and return to his hometown, which he soon discovers has been overrun by Neo-Nazis! With only his bowling ball collection to defend himself, Levi becomes THE HOLY ROLLER, a trick bowling ball-wielding Jewish superhero battling to liberate his home and bowl a perfect game against crime!
Why It’s Cool: I don’t usually like describing comics as THIS + THAT, but this book’s is pretty great (and apt) … Kingpin meets Inglourious Basterds meets Batman. That’s exactly what you get here, plus some nice humor, which is unsurprising given Andy Samberg is one of the co-writers.
Price: $3.99
The Ribbon Queen #5
Writer: Garth Ennis
Pencils:Jacen Burrow
Inks: Guillermo Ortego
Colors: Dan Brown
Letters: Rob Steen
Publisher: AWA Studios
Detective Amy Sun has tapped into a vision from the distant past – but does it contain a clue about the true nature of The Ribbon Queen?
Somehow, Detective Amy Sun has channeled a vision from the distant past. Barbarian raiders sack a village and chase two women into the wilderness, only to encounter the avenging spirit of the Ribbon Queen. Is this merely a dream? Or is this haunting message from across the centuries intended to show Amy the power of the being she’s been hunting?
Why It’s Cool: This is one of the most precise and creepy police procedurals I’ve ever read, with a fantastic and complex plot that is punctuated every so often with some of the most gruesome cartooning you’ve ever seen.
Price: $3.99
Somna: A Bedtime Story #1
Story & Art: Becky Cloonan & Tula Lotay
Colors: Lee Loughridge, Dee Cunniffe, & Tula Lotay
Letterer: Lucas Gattoni
Publisher: DSTLRY
Ingrid is unhappily married to Roland, the town’s bailiff and chief witch hunter, who is on a single-minded quest to purge the ‘heretics’ in their midst. After a prominent town leader is found murdered, accusations fly and no one is above reproach from Roland’s deadly crusade. Ingrid has her suspicions about who the real murderer is, but even as she pursues the truth, she’s pursued herself by a shadowy figure. Ingrid finds that she’s drawn to the foreboding phantom in ways she can’t resist- does this dark and tempting stranger may hold the key to the mystery…or will he damn Ingrid’s soul to the blackest circle of Hell?
Why It’s Cool: I was on record when DSTLRY’s sampler, The Devil’s Cut, saying all the comics in there were pretty good, but I thought the team-up between Becky Cloonan and Tula Lotay was an absolute stunner. And now I’m happy to report that the first full issue is, indeed, just that. You really don’t want to miss this comic, it’s a must-buy.
Price: $8.99
Others Receiving Votes
Avengers Inc. #3- Batman/Superman – World’s Finest #21
- Black Hammer – The End #4
- Bone Orchard Mythos – Tenement #6
- Catwoman #59
- Dark Spaces – Good Deeds #6
- Hack/Slash: Back To School #2
- Harley Quinn: Black White Redder #5
- Incredible Hulk #6
- Justice League Vs. Godzilla Vs. Kong #2
- Superman #8
- Universal Monsters – Dracula #2
- Void Rivals #6
- Wonder Woman #3
New #1s and One-Shots
- Carnage #1
- Daredevil: Black Armor #1
- Darkling #1
- Edenfrost #1
- Lunar Lodge #1
- Marvel Superheroes Secret Wars: Battleworld #1
- Mortal Terror #1
- Titans: Beast World Evolution #1 (one-shot)
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
Aquaman Andromeda HC- Complete Invincible Library Vol. 4 HC
- Complete Klaus Deluxe Edition HC
- Disenchantment Untold Tales Vol. 1 GN
- Elfquest: Stargazers Hunt Complete Edition HC
- The Fifth Beatle: The Brian Epstein Story Anniversary Edition GN
- Grendel: Devil By The Deeds Masters Edition HC
- I Kill Giants 15th Anniversary Edition TP
- Indigo Children Vol. 1 TP
- Iron Maiden – Piece of Mind HC
- Kaya Book 2 TP
- Miles Davis And The Search For The Sound HC
- Monstress Vol. 8 Inferno TP
- Poison Ivy Vol. 2 – Unethical Consumption HC
- Sandman Morpheus Helm Masterpiece Edition
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
Holy Roller reminds me of Janeane Garofalo‘s “Bowler” character from Mystery Men (1999).
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