November is one of those months with five Wednesdays — always a slight complication for the direct market — which means less releases than is typical, but there was still quite a bit to pick from for the Top Comics to Buy for November 30. In fact, I found myself having to narrow down the list, parring it down to just the five usual highlights, always a good problem to have. This week had a share of excellent new beginnings for established properties, and you can find the full list of my picks below…enjoy!

Top Comics to Buy for November 30, 2022

Absolution #5
Writer: Peter Milligan
Artist: Mike Deodato, Jr.
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: Steve Wands
Publisher: AWA Upshot
Nina Ryan was a hired killer who brought nothing but pain and suffering to the world. Now, she has a month to prove that she can change. A month to make up for her crimes and find absolution, or the bombs that have been implanted in her head will explode, killing her instantly. As her journey of atonement is live-streamed to a fickle public, Nina is about to discover that the road to redemption might be splattered with blood. In this concluding issue, Nina’s time grows short. Will she fill her Absolution Meter in time? In this concluding issue, Nina’s time grows short. Will she fill her Absolution Meter in time?
Why It’s Cool:
I’ve really enjoyed this series from the start, extrapolating as it does the idea that how we act is starting to be greatly affected by social media. It’s a smart idea, but also this is comics, so it needs to be doled out with big action and fantastic art — and that’s exactly what we get here in this issue #5 finale. 
Price: 
$3.99

Avengers Assemble Alpha #1 (one-shot)
Writer: Jason Aaron
Artist: Bryan Hitch
Inker: Andrew Currie
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: Cory Petit
Publisher: Marvel Comics
From throughout time and the far corners of the Multiverse, the Mightiest Heroes of All the Earths are assembling as never before for a battle beyond all imaging. A war that will take us from the prehistoric beginnings of an Earth under assault by the greatest villains who’ve ever lived to the watchtower that stands at the dark heart of the all and the always, where an army of unprecedented evil now rises. The biggest Avengers saga in Marvel history begins now.
Why It’s Cool:
In this current market of abbreviated runs that rarely crest 20 issues and writing for trade, the long-form superhero story can sometimes feel like (and be) a thing of the past. Not so with Jason Aaron and company’s continuing Avengers run, which kicks off a new story in this one-shot by tying together narrative seeds that were first planted all the way back in 2017, getting steadily watered over 70-plus issues and even some special events. It’s grandiose stuff of the sort that can only really be done in this monthly format.
Price:
$5.99

Koschei In Hell #1
Writer: Mike Mignola
Artist: Ben Stenbeck
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Clem Robbins
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
The world above may be over, and Hellboy gone with it, but Koshchei is still in Hell content with his wine and his books-until an old face arrives and brings Koshchei a critical task. An old and powerful foe is returning, and Koshchei must take up his sword and defend the city from destruction.
Mignola returns to Hell to reunite with one of his favorite collaborators, Ben Stenbeck (Frankenstein Underground, Witchfinder: In The Service of Angels, Baltimore, Koshchei the Deathless).
Why It’s Cool: One thing I’m really enjoying about the Hellboy comics right now are the ways that these books continue to find to continue their shared stories even though the main narrative has essentially ended. This one is no exception, and it focuses on one of my favorite obscure Hellboy characters — Koschei. Add to that Ben Stenbeck’s absolutely perfect art, and what you get is a very worth addition to the Top Comics to Buy for November 30.
Price:
$3.99

My Bad, Vol. 2 #1
Writers: Mark Russell and Bryce Ingman
Artists: Peter Krause and Joe Orsak
Colorists: Kelly Fitzpatrick and Paul Little
Letterer: Rob Steen
Publisher: AHOY Comics
“One of the most hilariously offbeat superhero comics on the stands” (IGN) returns, from the original creative team of Mark Russell (SecondComing), Bryce Ingman, and Peter Krause (Irredeemable)! Someone is killing capes-or would be, if they were better at it. Will this crisis draw the crime-fighting Chandelier out of retirement? PLUS! Emperor King adopts a new costumed identity so he can get a date!
Why It’s Cool:
I absolutely loved My Bad, Vol. 1, which poked fun at superhero comics in interesting and original ways. That same energy is back — and just as funny — now in this first issue of the second volume of the book. I highly recommend picking this one up, along with the trade of the first volume, if you somehow missed it.
Price:
$4.99

Superman: Kal-El Returns Special #1 (one-shot)
Writers: Mark Waid, Sina Grace, Marv Wolfman, and Alex Segura
Artists: Clayton Henry, Dean Haspiel, Jack Herbert, and Fico Ossio
Colorists: Marcelo Maiolo, Trish Mulvihill, Alex Giumaraes, and Lee Loughridge
Letterers: Dave Sharpe,
Publisher: DC Comics
Written by Mark Waid, Sina Grace, Alex Segura, and Marv Wolfman Art by Max Raynor, Dean Haspiel, Jack Herbert, and Reilly Brown Kal-El has returned from his long sojourn to Warworld, but what ramifications does this hold for the broader DC Universe? In this special issue, we’ll spotlight Kal-El’s reunion with the Dark Knight, Jimmy Olsen, the Justice League, and…Lex Luthor?! Plus: witness the never-before-revealed look at the moments leading to Superman’s abduction by Pariah in the Dark Crisis event! The march toward Action Comics #1050 continues in this essential special volume!
Why It’s Cool:
The Superman comics are in a good place right now, with some notable recent runs heading towards conclusions (or perhaps, more accurately, toward evolutions) and an exciting new era on the way. This substantial one-shot serves in part to bridge the gap, with a set of stories that feel very much in between what just ended and what’s coming next year. Also, the first story mentions Wesley Dobbs and Mr. Nobody in its opening sequence, which is more than enough for me to recommend it.
Price:
$6.99

Others Receiving Votes

  • 007 #4
  • 20th Century Men #4
  • Approach #2
  • Briar #2
  • Captain America: Symbol of Truth #7
  • Damn Them All #2
  • Dead Lucky #4
  • Flawed #3
  • Killadelphia #25
  • Lovesick #2
  • Star Trek #2
  • Star Trek: Lower Decks #3
  • Strange #8
  • Stillwater #16

New #1s and One-Shots

  • Batgirls 2022 Annual #1
  • Bob Phantom #1 (one-shot)
  • Blue Beetle Graduation Day #1
  • Cat-Man and Kitten #1
  • DC’s Grifter Got Run Over By A Reindeer #1 (one-shot)
  • Detective Comics, Vol. 2, 2022 Annual #1
  • Godzilla Rivals Vs. Gigan #1 (one-shot)
  • Justice Society of America, Vol. 4, #1
  • Magic: Nahiri the Lithomancer #1 (one-shot)
  • Nightwing, Vol. 4, 2022 Annual #1
  • Nubia and the Justice League Special #1 (one-shot)
  • Peter Parker and Miles Morales: Spider-Men Double Trouble #1
  • Planet Hulk: Worldbreaker #1
  • Plush #1
  • Star Wars: High Republic Adventures, Vol. 2 #1
  • Wildstorm 30th Anniversary Special #1 (one-shot)

Trade Collections and Graphic Novels of Note

  • Aquamen TP
  • Ascender Deluxe Edition HC
  • Best Marvel Stories by Stan Lee Omnibus HC
  • Climate Crisis Chronicles GN
  • Delia GN
  • Enter The Blue TP
  • Fifth Force TP
  • Organisms From An Ancient Cosmos HC
  • Sunburn Original Graphic Novel TP
  • Super Spy HC
  • Super Trash Clash GN
  • Superman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 7 HC
  • Wolverine Patch TP
  • World of Krypton TP

Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!

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