Top Comics to Buy for September 24, 2025: Enjoy GREEN ARROW while you can

I want to start this comics to buy for September 24 column on a bit of a somber note: this week we lost Green Arrow. Writer Chris Condon discussed the book’s cancellation, which was not unsurprisingly due to low sales. The Emerald Archer has always been a tough sell.

And, I must admit, I’ve been part of the problem, as I’ve meant to write about the book in this space for months, but it just so happens to frequently come out on the most packed week of the month. I’m rectifying that here though, and recommending you all check out the title while you still can — it’s been very good. You can find more of my thoughts about it below, along with the usual set of release lists.

Oh, and if you enjoy my weekly comics recommendations in this space, maybe you’d like to check out Macabre Valley #1? It’s a horror comic I wrote based on my time as a young cops reporter in Texas, and you can snag your copy now via Kickstarter … cheers!

Top Comics to Buy for September 24

Absolute Wonder Woman #12
Writer: Kelly Thompson
Artist: Hayden Sherman
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Becca Carey
Publisher: DC Comics
Be careful what you wish for, Diana, as you just might get it. With a surprising but not unwelcome ally, Diana makes her final moves inside the maze. But even in winning the day, there will be devastating losses to bear.
Why It’s Cool: This is the best issue of this great series yet, one that really leans into the empathetic character of Wonder Woman while also laying out some massive ramifications for the issues that lie ahead. I remember back when the first issue came out, I wrote a (very) minor criticism that it didn’t end with some climactic battle. Well, silly me — this is a patient comic that has perfect pacing. I’m loving this book.
Price: $4.99

Green Arrow #28
Writer: Chris Condon
Artist: Montos
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Buddy Beaudoin
Publisher: DC Comics
As the addictive and deadly Crimson Sands strain runs rampant, Arsenal and Cheshire Cat patrol the skyline from above while Green Arrow uncovers a dark conspiracy running through Star City’s underground.
Why It’s Cool: It was a really strong week for DC Comics — either of the Superman titles could have been on this list, too — but I wanted to highlight Green Arrow in this space after the book’s cancellation due to low sales made it clear that not enough people were reading this run. Folks, this is a good comic, and this week’s issue is one of its best chapters yet. Montos art is just gorgeous in this comic, and the storyline with the Crimson Archer is one of the most intriguing Arrow arcs in a good while. This book may be ending (as Green Arrow runs tend to frequently do), but readers would do well to catch up and enjoy the final issues. It’s very good.
Price: $3.99

Lazarus Fallen #4
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Michael Lark
Colorist: Santiago Arcas
Letterer: Ariana Maher
Publisher: Image Comics
For almost three years, the Lazarus Sonja Bittner has been hunting Forever and her sister, Infinity. With the destruction of the Paris Free cell, she’s closer — and more conflicted — than ever. Infinity shows her stuff, and Forever ponders mysteries of the heart.
Why It’s Cool: Look, if you read this column regularly, by now you know I love Lazarus. The weeks new issues of the book come out, that could even be the subtitle of the column. But also, the start of this new arc in the series has just been so good, and this week’s issue is no exception. I recently also learned that while the book is ending, there’s double digit issues left, and that makes me very happy.
Price: $3.99

The Phantom #1
Writer: Ray Fawkes
Artist: Russell Mark Olson
Letterer: Taylor Esposito
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
The Phantom returns! Created by Lee Falks in 1936, the Phantom is one of the first costumed super heroes in history, with untold influence on pop culture. Now, critically-acclaimed creators Ray Fawkes and Russell Olson revive the character for fans old and new. When a violent gang of smugglers stubbles on an idyllic Bandar village, the peace that the Phantom has brought to the African nation of Bangalla will suddenly shatter. It will take all of the Phantom’s many skills — and allies — to restore it.
Why It’s Cool: The Phantom is just such a great comic book character, and with the creative team of Fawkes, Olson, and Esposito, Mad Cave has assembled the perfect bunch to bring the Phantom back. This first issue is great, with Olson’s art in particular catching the pulp vibe of the original. I’m very excited for the rest of this run.
Price: $4.99

Red Vector #2
Writers: David ‘DB’ Andry and Tim Daniel
Artist: Chris Evenhuis
Colorist: Sjan Weijers
Letterer: Buddy Beaudoin
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
Technology is either a tool or a weapon, and when Varseen Clyme’s extraordinary discovery falls into the Lord Commander’s hands, it’s the latter. Deep in the Sonoran desert, adversaries Rhet Dekk and Varseen Clyme forge an uneasy alliance to repair their damaged ships in hopes of escaping Earth and rejoining the battle raging in their faraway galaxy. However, to border patrol agent Dalton Hemingway, the stranded combatants are nothing less than a national threat.
Why It’s Cool: This book has pristine sci-fi artwork and an intriguing storyline that seems to want to blend classic Star Wars-style space opera with the problems on Earth we know today. This issue expands the events of the first issue in a way that makes the rest of the arc a definite must-read. This one was an easy choice for this week’s Top Comics to Buy for September 24.
Price: $4.99

Other Comics I Enjoyed This Week

• Beneath the Trees Where Nobody Sees: Rite of Spring #3
• Escape #2
• News From the Fallout #4
• Sleep #5
• Space Ghost #3
• Superman Unlimited #5
• Superman #30
• The Thing #5
• Ultimate Spider-Man #21
• Universal Monsters – The Invisible Man #2
• The Voice Said Kill #3
• Void Rivals #23

New #1s and One-Shots

• Battleworld #1
• Conan the Barbarian – Scourge of the Serpent #1
• Masters of the Universe: The Sword of Flaws #1
• Orphan and the Five Beasts: Bath of Blood #1
• Skinbreaker #1
• Star Trek: The Last Starship #1
• Street Sharks #1
• The Twilight Zone #1
• Ultimate Hawkeye #1 (one-shot)
• Vampirella – Halloween Horror #1 (one-shot)
• Viking Moon #1

Graphic Novels and Trade Collections

• Amazing Spider-Man Modern Era Epic Collection Vol. 14 Big Time TP
• Armory Wars – In Keeping Secrets of Silent Earth 3 Complete Collection TP
• Barstow TP
• Battle Action Special Vol. 3 HC
• Cable and Chrome TP
• Caesar’s Spy HC
• Challengers of the Unknown TP
• Codename GI Joe Deluxe Edition Book 2 HC
• Doctor Strange by Jed MacKay Omnibus HC
• The Flash by Joshua Williamson Omnibus Vol. 2 HC
• GI Joe – A Real American Hero – The Silent Missions TP
• Guardians of the Galaxy Epic Collection Vol. 3 Homecoming TP
• Jeph Loeb and Time Sale Hulk TP
• Kid Maroon GN
• Lawful Vol. 2 TP
• Little Visitors & Other Abductions HC
• Metamorpho – The Element Man TP
• Michael Moorcock Library Michael Moorcock’s Multiverse TP Box Set
• Monstress Compendium Vol. 1 TP
• More Weight: A Salem Story TP
• Plants vs Zombies: The Big Spitball HC
• Rare Flavours Deluxe Edition HC
• Riptide GN
• Rogue Trooper The Complete Collection Book 3 TP
• Shadow Planet TP
• Spawn Battle for the Throne Part 1 TP
• Supergirl Universe End TP
• Ultimate Spider-Man by Jonathan Hickman Vol. 3 Family Business TP

Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!

And check out the Beat’s most recent comics reviews!