This week’s Top Comics to Buy for November 23 was a bit of an odd one, with four out of five of my featured picks being either finales or mid-run comics. That’s odd because generally it’s the new #1 comics that tend to grab all the attention, serving as they do as excellent jumping on points. This week, though, some long-running books deliver truly fantastic individual issues, and, as always, I’ve listed my favorite of them below…enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for November 23, 2022
Dark Spaces: Wildfire #5
Writer: Scott Snyder
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Colorist: Ronda Pattison
Letterer: AndWorld Design
Publisher: IDW Publishing
It was a crazy plan.They faced impossible obstacles and wild twists and turns they never could have imagined. Now it’s time to see if Ma and her crew can rally to salvage their death-defying heist or if any chance for a better future is going to go up in smoke. Scott Snyder and Hayden Sherman bring the fiery first saga of Dark Spaces to a stunning conclusion!
Why It’s Cool: Scott Snyder, Hayden Sherman, and co., wrap up what has been a truly excellent series for all five issues now. Part heist story, part exploration of found family and duty, the writing in this book is great, but what really makes it stand out is the eye that Sherman brings to it, which manifests most evidently in the bold-yet-clear page layouts. Just stunning work. If you missed this one, I highly recommend picking it up in trade.
Price: $3.99
Department of Truth #22
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Martin Simmonds
Letterer: Aditya Bidikar
Publisher: Image Comics
The Department of Truth recruited him. Black Hat tried to flip him. A monster from his childhood came to life to torment him. Cole Turner has been pushed past his limit, and now that his husband’s been dragged into this secret war, he’s about to break. The most devastating arc yet of the Eisner-nominated series comes to its shocking conclusion!
Why It’s Cool: I’ve made no secret that for a couple years now Department of Truth has been one of my favorite monthly books in comics. That certainly hasn’t changed this year, with the book remaining strong as ever. This issue, however, wraps up the most recent story arc, but it’s more than that. It’s the culmination of so much that’s been going on in this story from the start, making it quite possible the most consequential issue of this comic since its debut.
Price: $3.99
Doctor Strange: Fall Sunrise #1
Writer/Artist: Tradd Moore
Colorist: Heather Moore
Letterers: Clayton Cowles and Tradd Moore
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Doctor Strange awakens alone in a distant world not his own. Lost of purpose and surrounded by danger, the wandering sorcerer must explore this land of blades and mystery to unravel arcane secrets and escape the deadly horrors that lie in wait! From the fantastical mind of creator Tradd Moore (SILVER SURFER: BLACK) comes a Strange story like you’ve never seen!
Why It’s Cool: In a word (two words) — Tradd Moore. Moore’s work is always interesting, a real one-of-one in the monthly comics set, but this book to me feels like a best-yet pairing of creator with character for Moore. Moore’s wavy and fluid style feels as if one is actually traveling through magical realms with Strange. It’s great, an obvious choice for the Top Comics to Buy for November 23.
Price: $4.99
Eight Billion Genies #6
Writer: Charles Soule
Artist: Ryan Browne
Colors: Ryan Browne and Kevin Knipstein
Letterer: Chris Crank
Publisher: Image Comics
We’re now exploring the FIRST EIGHT YEARS after G-Day, the moment when everyone on Earth got a genie and one wish.
Humanity has found new ways to live. Come with us to explore the secrets of HOPE’S HOLLOW, TOMORROWVILLE, and the grooviest little town this side of Poughkeepsie…FUN CITY!
Why It’s Cool: I don’t know what to say about this book at this point that I haven’t already said. I think every issue of this series so far has landed on my top comics to buy lists. It’s just so good, from the initial concept to the artwork to the way it jumps wildly (and maybe a bit recklessly?) through time, opening up more (and better) narrative possibilities as it does.
Price: $3.99
Hitomi #2
Writer: HS Tak
Artist: Isabella Mazzanti
Colorist: Valentina Napolitano
Letterer: Rob Jones
Publisher: Image Comics
Hitomi urges Yasuke to leave the Sumo Circuit and join her on the Edo road, where men and monsters roam wild but opportunities abound, and where she can begin her training in earnest.
Why It’s Cool: I love books like this, wherein I was entirely unfamiliar with the creative team going in but end up finding it to be engrossing and entertaining. This series — which I admittedly know nothing about going in — has been fantastic through two issues. It’s turning into a wandering Ronin comic, which is something that I never get tired of, not really, and on top of that it’s just incredibly well done.
Price: $3.99
Others Receiving Votes
- Action Comics #1049
- Amazing Spider-Man #14
- Batman and Scooby-Doo Mysteries Vol. 2 #2
- Batman Fortress #7
- Daredevil #5
- DC Vs. Vampires #11
- Defenders Beyond #5
- Detective Comics #1066
- Eve: Children of the Moon #2
- G.I. Joe Real American Hero #300
- The Human Target #9
- Mindset #5
- Miracleman by Gaiman and Buckingham – The Silver Age #2
- Sacrament #4
- What’s the Furthest Place From Here #8
New #1s and One-Shots
- Ancient Enemies #1
- Dark Crisis – The Dark Army #1
- Fear of a Red Planet #1
- Frank Miller’s Ronin Book II #1
- Kamen Rider Zero-One #1
- Once Upon a Time At The End of the World #1
- Star Wars: Revelations #1 (one-shot)
- Star Wars Yoda #1
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Best of Leatherhead (one-shot)
Trade Collections and Graphic Novels
- Amazing Spider-Man by Zeb Wells and John Romita, Jr. Vol. 2
- Batman Black and White Box Set
- Copra Master Collection Book One HC
- Cowboy Beebop Vol. 1 TP
- Deluxe Megalex HC
- EVE Online Capsuleer Chronicles HC
- Fire Power by Kirkman and Samnee Vol. 5 Flaming Fist TP
- Fortnite x Marvel Zero War Premiere HC
- I Hate This Place Vol. 1 TP
- Incal Deluxe Edition Slipcase HC
- Love and Rockets the First Fifty The Classic 40th Anniversary Collection HC Box Set
- Men I Trust HC
- Movements and Moments TP
- Other History of the DC Universe TP
- Rocketeer Complete Adventures Deluxe Edition HC
- Silver Coin Vol. 3 TP
- Superman and the Authority TP
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!