This week’s Top Comics to Buy for November 8 is quite possibly the best set of books for fans of robot cars. I say quite possibly because this is not a metric that I actively track (shame on me), but between the stunning new comic Petrol Head and another killer issue of Daniel Warren Johnson’s Transformers, it’s a banner week. Anyway, you can find the usual set of recommendations below … enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for November 8, 2023
Birds of Prey #3
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Leonardo Romero
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: DC Comics
The covert first mission of the re-formed Birds of Prey has established their beachhead…in Themyscira! What could be so important to Black Canary that she’d risk the wrath of the greatest warriors on Earth?!
Why It’s Cool: Man, I didn’t think I could like this comic any more than I already did — but then this issue packed in one of the best superhero battle action sequences I’ve seen all year, and so here we are. This comic is clever and self-aware and interesting, and just an absolute treat.
Price: $3.99
Enfield Gang Massacre #4
Writer: Christopher Condon
Artist & Letterer: Jacob Phillips
Color Assists: Pip Martin
Publisher: Image Comics
With a dangerous hurdle cleared, the Enfield Gang continues its battle with Capt. Ely while the deposed Sheriff Hardesty seeks answers to the question of who killed Bill Barley.
Why It’s Cool: This is one of those series that should be on this list every week (and usually is when there’s a new issue). It’s just such a well-done book, and this individual issue is a new high watermark for it in terms of Western comics genre action that feels suspenseful and also moves our story forward. This book remains (unsurprisingly) a must-read.
Price: $3.99
Panya – The Mummy’s Curse #4
Writer: Christopher Roberson
Artist: Christopher Mitten
Colorist: Michelle Madsen
Letterer: Clem Robins
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Shrouded by shadow and touched by fire, Panya must come face-to-face with the dark in order to reveal the light. In this compelling conclusion to Panya: The Mummy’s Curse, will Panya finally be able to make sense of all that has gone before and all that has yet to come?
Why It’s Cool: This final chapter in what has so-far been one of my favorite Hellboy Universe miniseries in some time, is an action-packed artist showcase. The work in this book is stunning and interesting, and — not to spoil anything — but the way this one ends will be pretty satisfying for Hellboy completionists (myself included).
Price: $3.99
Petrol Head #1
Writer: Rob Williams
Artist/Letterer: Pye Parr
Publisher: Image Comics
In a climate crisis-ravaged future metropolis, an old, grumpy, obsolete, smoke-belching, cigar-chomping, HOTROD-RACING ROBOT is one 12-year-old girl’s only hope. Together, can they outrace the chasing Robo-Cops with an invention that might just save humanity?
Why It’s Cool: I don’t even know where to start. So, I’ll just say that this is one of the best new #1 comics I’ve read all year. It’s an interesting new dystopia with an absolutely singular aesthetic. It also delivers big robot car-driven action, which isn’t something you see often in comics. Plus, there’s a sense of humor. You really can’t ask for much more from this 42-page first issue.
Price: $4.99
Transformers #2
Writer/Artist: Daniel Warren Johnson
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics – Skybound
The Decepticons have been unleashed! As Optimus Prime and Autobots regroup, Starscream terrorizes humanity.
This issue features a surprising first Energon Universe appearance!
Why It’s Cool: It’s not easy to launch a new shared universe, even with pre-existing recognizable characters, but these new Energon Universe comics sure are making it look that way. Void Rivals has been great, but Transformers sure feels like the early breakout star of these books, powered by the excellent comics of Daniel Warren Johnson. And you won’t want to miss this issue for connectivity reasons, ahem.
Price: $3.99
Others Receiving Votes
Abbott 1979 #2- Army of Darkness #2
- Batman #139
- Creepshow #3
- Dark Ride #9
- Dark Spaces: Hollywood Special #3
- Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville #3
- G.O.D.S. #2
- Groo In The Wild #4
- Hunt For The Skinwalker #3
- Love and Rockets #14
- The Madness #4
- Panya – The Mummy’s Curse #4
- Phantom Road #6
- SHAZAM! #5
New #1s and One-Shots
- Captain Ginger – The Last Feeder #1
- Count Crowley Mediocre Midnight Monster Hunter #1
- Josie and the Pussycats Anniversary Spectacular #1 (one-shot)
- The Punisher #1
- Star Wars – The High Republic Vol. 3 #1
- Superman ’78: The Metal Curtain #1
- Thanos #1
- What If? Dark – Tomb of Dracula #1 (one-shot)
- Zawa and the Belly of the Beast #1
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
- Absolute Batman: The Court of Owls HC
- Batman Reptilian TP
- Complete American Gods TP
- Confetti Realms GN
- Don’t Spit In The Wind GN
- Dungeons & Dragons Saturday Morning Adventures TP
- Ghostlore Vol. 1 TP
- Lamentation TP
- Mariko Between Worlds TP
- Naked: The Confessions of a Normal Woman TP
- Sandman Universe: Dead Boy Detectives TP
- Superman Vol. 1: Supercorp HC
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – The Last Ronin – The Lost Years HC
- Wonder Woman: The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 5 HC
- w0rldtr33 Vol. 1 TP
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
