Two of my favorite books for the Top Comics to Buy for September 27 are essentially deep dives into continuity. Or, at least, they are made much richer if you’re familiar with what they’re drawing from. Talking here about Green Arrow #4, and, to a lesser extent, Ultimate Invasion #4. Both very solid. And, of course, you can find those and my other recommendations below, alongside the usual set of weekly lists…enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for September 27, 2023
Green Arrow #4
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Sean Izaakse
Colorist: Romulo Fajardo, Jr.
Letterer: Troy Peteri
Publisher: DC Comics
PARALLAX RETURNS! Years ago, Oliver Queen died and was resurrected by his good ol’ buddy Hal Jordan. But it wasn’t really Hal, it was Parallax. And did no one think that would come with a cost?! Now Parallax has returned to collect! Meanwhile, Arsenal and Black Canary’s search for Oliver Queen leads them to a long-lost Green Arrow family member…who isn’t so happy to be found!
Why It’s Cool: Green Arrow #4 is a DC continuity geek’s dream, mixing up moments from Zero Hour into a new story in the context of Oliver Queen’s current maxiseries book. And as someone who recently read Zero Hour (I regret nothing), I absolutely loved this book. There’s some really funny moments here, and it all looks amazing with the killer Izaakse/Fajardo, Jr. art.
Price: $3.99
The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos #4
Based On Idea By: James Tynion IV
Script By: Tate Brombal
Art By: Isaac Goodhart
Colors By: Miquel Muerto
Letters By: Aditya Bidikar
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Christopher, Dracula Boy, and the rest of our teenaged monster team are rescued by a mysterious sewn-up giant and teleported to safety, but the group is split on how to go back to normal in a world of monster hunters who want them dead.
Why It’s Cool: First of all, this book is gorgeous and the character designs are incredible. By the scripting is also top-notch, continuing to build toward big moments within an interesting overarching story. This is a quirky book, to be sure (it promises as much in its title), and I can safely say I haven’t read much else like it — which is part of why I’m enjoying it so much.
Price: $4.99
Second Coming – Trinity #6
Writer: Mark Russell
Layouts: Richard Pace
Finishes: Leonard Kirk
Colors: Andy Troy
Letters: Rob Steen
Publisher: AHOY Comics
Sheila and Sunstar must make some tough decisions, ones that will change not only their lives but their son’s life as well. It’s never easy to say goodbye…Also featuring bonus stories and illustrations, including a new chapter of the AHOY fifth anniversary prose serial.
Why It’s Cool: Second Coming is one of the smartest and best satires in any medium, pairing as it does a Superman analog with Jesus, first as roommates and now as sort of intertwined lifelong best friends. This issue concludes the book’s third miniseries, which has really expanded the scope of the story thematically to also take on parenthood. This issue wraps up the current miniseries perfectly, and ends on an excellent cliffhanger for a fourth miniseries down the line. I can’t recommend this one enough.
Price: $4.99
Ultimate Invasion #4
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Penciler: Bryan Hicks
Inker: Andrew Currie
Colorist: Alex Sinclair
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
THE END…OR THE BEGINNING? War breaks out as timelines and universes collide! Iron Man must choose between the lesser of two evils – the Maker or Kang. But what secret does Iron Man know about the men behind the masks? And at the end of it all, the world outside your window will be forever changed! Don’t miss this giant-sized, action-packed conclusion – or is it only the beginning…?
Why It’s Cool: The fourth in a miniseries of packed oversized comics, Ultimate Invasion #4 serves up an ending for a high-concept sci-fi action thriller set within a new Ultimate Universe (of sorts). This book is a fun return to a concept that many of us (definitely me) enjoyed 20-some years ago now — just blown out by Hickman and Hitch, who bring their unique talents to bear on every page of this one.
Price: $8.99
Void Rivals #4
Writer: Robert Kirkman
Artist: Lorenzo De Felici
Colorist: Matheus Lopes
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics – Skybound
The climactic return to the SACRED RING!
Thrown before the highest authority for their crimes against the Sacred Ring, will Darak and Solila’s newfound alliance hold strong?
Why It’s Cool: Now that the secret is out and Void Rivals has been revealed as a lead-in to a new shared comics universe that features Transformers AND G.I. Joe, there’s maybe a temptation to see this book — which features all original characters and concepts — as table setting. But in this fourth issue, it’s really starting to feel like its own interesting world proper, driven both by hints at what’s coming with the established franchises and by the mysteries of its own story. I’m really digging this one, making it an easy choice for this week’s Top Comics to Buy for September 27.
Price: $3.99
Others Receiving Votes
Action Comics #1057- Batman – The Brave and the Bold #5
- Black Hammer – The End #2
- Conan The Barbarian #3
- Dark Spaces – Hollywood Special #2
- Detective Comics #1074
- Exorcists Never Die #6
- The Immortal Thor #2
- Jean Grey #2
- Miracleman by Gaiman & Buckingham – The Silver Age #6
- Newburn #11
- The Penguin #2
- Ribbon Queen #3
- The Schlub #2
- Unstoppable Doom Patrol #6
New #1s and One-Shots
Avengers Vol. 8 Annual #1- Batman/Catwoman – The Gotham War – Red Hood #1 (one-shot)
- The Flash #1
- Power Girl #1
- Rat Queens – Sisters Warriors Queens #1 (one-shot)
- Sainted Love #1
- Sonic The Hedgehog – Amy’s 30th Anniversary #1 (one-shot)
- Star Trek – Day of Blood – Shax’s Best Day #1 (one-shot)
- Stuff of Nightmares – Red Murder #1 (one-shot)
- Tales From the Cave #1 (one-shot)
- Usagi Yojimbo – Ice & Snow #1
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
- Batman – The Golden Age Omnibus Vol. 10 HC
- Come Home Indio GN
- Ghosted Compendium TP
- The Gimmick TP
- I Am Batman Vol. 3 – The Right Question HC
- Miracleman Complete Original Epic TP
- Monica Rambeau – Photon TP
- Mosely TP
- Silver Surfer – Ghost Light TP
- Star Wars – High Republic Adventures Vol. 1 TP
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – The Last Ronin Director’s Cut HC
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
