So, I want to start this list of the Top Comics to Buy for September 17 by addressing the BIG book out this week…the first of a new Marvel/DC crossover, Marvel’s Deadpool-Batman #1. That’s without question going to be the highest-selling book of the week, but I think most buyers already know whether they’re going to buy that or not. So, my list below features five other recommendations this week, along with the usual set of release lists.
But also! Before you go, I want to let you know that if you enjoy my recommendations…I wrote a grindhouse Texas horror comic! And it’s live as of today on Kickstarter. Check out Macabre Valley #1 here … and enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for September 17
The Bat-Man: Second Knight #1
Writer: Dan Jurgens
Artist: Mike Perkins
Colorist: Mike Spicer
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Publisher: DC Comics – Black Label
The year is 1940. Most of the Western world is embroiled in a war against a fascist regime whose march across Europe shows no sign of defeat. With the specter of global war looming, it’s a time of fear and paranoia for those living in Gotham. It’s only been a few months since the city was rescued from undead monsters by the masked vigilante known as The Bat-Man, but a vicious killer has been on a murder spree that’s taking the city to its breaking point. Bodies are turning up in theatrically gruesome ways… all staged with the killer’s calling card: a hangman’s noose.
Why It’s Cool: As I wrote on this site, I absolutely loved the first series of this comic, The Bat-Man: First Knight. And this extra-long first issue picks up right where it left off, while also pushing into new territory, mostly through new villains. But you’ll want to once again come back for the art by Mikes Perkins and Spicer, serving up just a perfect and beautiful 1940s Gotham City.
Price: $6.99
Good as Dead #1
Co-Writer/Artist/Letterer: David Lapham
Co-Writer: Maria Lapham
Colorist: Dee Cunniffe
Publisher: Image Comics – Skybound
The Emissary Bridge has always connected the citizens of Port Lindon to hope and opportunity. But when one man shockingly sets himself on fire, the bridge now brings something else to the town — certain death.
As the town’s lead lawman, Sheriff David Calhoun will need to stay one step ahead of the forces looking to take his town apart. If he has any chance of bringing the truth to light, he’ll need to expose generations of secrets while outrunning death itself.
Why It’s Cool: It’s a good week for meaty, extra-long comics and that’s what we get here with Good As Dead #1, the latest project from all-time great crime comic creators, The Laphams. We’ll have a full review of this tomorrow in our Wednesday Comics Reviews column, but I will just say this: Stray Bullets is one of my all-time favorite comics, so I had lofty expectations for this one — and I enjoyed it quite a bit.
Price: $7.99
Orla! #2
Writer: John Lees
Artist: Sally Cantirino
Colorist: Dearbhla Kelly
Letterer: Lucas Gattoni
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
Orla has reluctantly agreed to a lunch-date with Gwyn, the friendly manager of her favourite local bookstore that she’s been crushing on. Gwyn tells cheesy jokes, dances badly, and has a worrying lack of embarrassment. But as initial awkwardness gives way to a fun afternoon, Orla faces a conundrum: how does she deal with a guy she actually likes and doesn’t want her murderous alter ego to devour?
Why It’s Cool: If you have somehow missed my prior recommendations for this comic, just know that it’s a hybrid horror-dating comic with an absolutely perfect creative team. And in this second issue we get more of everything that made the first issue great, as well as new complications for our lead. Orla! #2 was a no-brainer for this top comics to buy for September 17 list.
Price: $4.99
The Seasons #8
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Paul Azaceta
Colorist: Matheus Lopes
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics – Giant Generator
Spring unlocks a weapon that might finally turn the tide — but saving the world means teaming up with the last person she wants by her side. Meanwhile, Winter is lured into a fantasy where her work is celebrated and her pain erased… at a cost she won’t see until it’s too late.
Why It’s Cool: As I’ve written in this space several times at this point, there just isn’t another comic quite like The Seasons, with its sometimes-funny, character-driven, blast of vaguely bygone pastel circus horrors. And it just keeps getting better and better.
Price: $3.99
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Casey Jones #1
Writer: Alex Paknadel
Artist: Amancay Nahuelpan
Colorist: Luis Antonio Delgado
Letterer and Designer: Darran Robinson
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Casey Jones was shot by D.A. Hale, he’s awake, and he has a second chance at life. Instead of taking things slow and smelling the flowers, he’s jumping headfirst into the action. Casey is hitting the streets and doing everything he can to protect the people of New York City, but those closest to him think he’s pushing too hard. April O’Neil and the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, especially Casey’s closest friend Raphael, are concerned. Things are only going to get worse as a new strain of mutagen starts changing the shape of New York City, and a brand-new villain threatens everything Casey believes in.
Why It’s Cool: I wrote a glowing, full review of this one when it was up for pre-order for our Wednesday Comics Review column, which you can read here. But essentially, I loved because it’s a well-done story, and it’s also a great Casey Jones comic as well as a perfect building block for the full Turtles line. Don’t miss it.
Price: $4.99
Other Comics I Enjoyed
Absolute Flash #7- Batman & Robin: Year One #11
- Buried Long Long Ago #5
- Captain Planet and the Planeteers #5
- Cemetery Kids Run Rabid #2
- G.I. Joe #11
- Godzilla – Escape the Deadzone #2
- New Gods #10
- Nightwing #130
- The Slasher’s Apprentice #5
- Toxic Avenger Comics #3
- The Ultimates #16
New #1s and One-Shots
Blade Runner – Black Lotus – Las Vegas #1- Creepshow Vol. 4 #1
- D.C. WIP Absolute Batman #1
- Deadpool – Batman #1 (one-shot)
- The Expanse – A Little Death #1
- Flow #1
- Magic The Gathering: Untold Stories Elspeth #1
- Marvel Zombies – Red Band #1
- No Man’s Land #1
- Rick and Morty Vs. The Universe: Beth Til Death #1 (one-shot)
- Star Wars – Boba Fett – Black White & Red #1
- Voyeur #1
- Wild West C.O.W.-Boys of Moo Mesa #1
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
- Assorted Crisis Events Vol. 1 TP
- Avatar the Last Airbender: Fire and Family Treasury Boxed Set
- Batman by Grant Morrison Book 2 TP
- Book of Shame – An Extra Fabulous Collection HC
- Boxed TP
- Clive Barker’s Next Testament – Complete Collection TP
- Cry Out Loud HC / TP
- Dark Pyramid TP
- DC Finest – The Spectre – The Wrath of the Spectre TP
- Death in Trieste HC (read our review!)
- Dick Tracy Vol. 1 Deluxe Edition HC
- EC Archives – Two Fisted Tales Vol. 3 TP
- Exquisite Corpses Vol. 1 TP
- Gangster Ass Barista TP
- Generation X Epic Collection Vol. 5 Family Business TP
Green Arrow Vol. 4 – Fresh Water Kills TP- Harley Quinn – Wild at Heart TP (DC Compact Comics Edition)
- Hotblood Vol. 1 – The Land of Promise TP
- Howard the Duck By Chip Zdarsky & Joe Quinones TP
- Ice Cream Man Vol. 11 TP
- Judge Dredd The Movie TP 30th Anniversary Edition
- Marco The Mighty TP
- Marvel Archive Edition – Marvel Super Heroes Secret War Gallery Edition HC
- Marvel Masterworks Uncanny X-Men Vol. 17 HC
- Phoenix – The Death & Rebirth of Jean Grey Omnibus HC
- Psychic Investigators Evil Exterminators TP
- Rick and Morty Yearbook Vol. 1 TP
- Rogue – The Savage Land TP
Scooby Apocalypse Omnibus HC- Something Is Killing the Children Omnibus Vol. 1 TP
- Spector Incorruptible TP
- Spread Compendium TP
- Starlight Library Edition HC
- Star Trek Lower Decks Vol. 1 Second Contact TP
- Strontium Dog: Search and Destroy Vol. 4 HC
- The Ultimates by Deniz Camp Vol. 2 All Power to the People TP
- Unnatural Blue Blood TP
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
And check out the Beat’s most recent comics reviews!
