Some call it Hump Day, but we call it New Comic Book Day. It’s a holiday that comes every week—a chance to celebrate the best medium on the planet. Comics books are the glue that holds us together; comic books make the world go ’round. So, before you head to the shop, arm yourself with a few recommendations. For you big spenders out there, we also have a complete list of this week’s releases. This time around we are overflowing with good stuff. From Valiant to DC to Dark Horse to Marvel to Image, it’s seems like everyone brought their A-game this week. Written By: Peter Milligan Art By: Juan Jose Ryp Colors By: Jordie Bellaire Letters By: Dave Sharpe Britannia #1 is a new mini series from Valiant. It doesn’t star XO-Manowar or Ninjak (bummer), but it is about Rome and monsters, like a Lovecraftian tale of heroics and honor. It’s awesome stuff whether you are a Valiant fan or not, but is indeed a comic book that fans of the Vertigo Comics heyday are sure to love.
Peter Milligan’s script is dark and visceral, like a finely tuned horror story. Juan José Ryp’s art is freaking amazing. He’s been an artist we’ve had our eyes on for a while now, but this marks his proper breakout. Britannia #1 looks incredible—the characters, the setting, the storytelling, the violence all shine. When it comes to drawing violence, especially the really brutal stuff, Ryp might be better at it than anybody. The stuff here isn’t quite as extreme as his work at Avatar (go look up Black Summer), but there are instances that come close. Valiant is absolutely killing it and Britannia #1 is another example of why they’re the hottest thing going. Written By: Francis Manapul Art By: Francis Manapul Colors By: Francis Manapul Letters By: Steve Wands As much as we love the Superman books in DC Comics Rebirth line, the state of the character can be a bit confusing. The Superman of the New 52 died, but everyone remembers him and the heroes are a bit hesitant to trust this new Superman (who is actually the old Superman).
It’s all very strange. It hasn’t hurt the books so far, but it’s definitely confusing. However, Trinity #1 addresses all of that and it does it very, very well. Francis Manapul centers the entire issue on DC’s Big Three getting together for dinner. That’s right, there’s no big bad guy, or no massive battle against a hoard of aliens. It’s just three characters talking about the state of things over a meal. Manapul’s art is perfect, as usual, and his grasp on these characters is spot on. Batman is a dick, Superman is a peacemaker, and Wonder Woman brings a giant boar to the dinner table. We can’t say where this series will go after this chapter, but as far as single issues go, this one hits all the right buttons. It just feels like the DCU of yesterday in all the best ways. Written By: Jeff Lemire Art By: Dean Ormston Colors By: Dave Stewart Letters By: Todd Klein We could spend forever in world of Black Hammer. It’s partially a love letter to classic superhero books, partially a depressing examination of what happens when the world leaves those characters behind.
Black Hammer #3 tell the origin story of the Barbalien, a.k.a. the Warlord from Mars. It’s the story of a visitor from another world trying to fit in here and slowly realizing that’ll never be possible. Jeff Lemire writes outsiders better than anybody, which is a big part of what makes Black Hammer so awesome. The other part is Dean Ormston, who is a true force to be reckoned with. His captures it all, delivering small town conversations and big, superhero battles with equal finesse and weight. The series also colored by the mighty Dave Stewart, so it has just about everything going for it. Great story, awesome art, amazing colors, just everything. Black Hammer is our favorite new series, hands down. Written By: Brian Michael Bendis Art By: David Marquez with Sean Izaakse Colors By: Justin Ponsor Letters By: VC’s Clayton Cowles Civil War II has been a bit of a mixed bag. The concept has been cool and their have been some great moments, but overall the series has failed to really make its mark with a lot of people.
That said, we all need to take a moment and honor the glorious work of David Marquez. This issue is a showcase for the man’s work, and it’s stunning. Smooth, graceful, and energetic, Marquez is the perfect superhero artist. Sure, he has fantastic range—just look at the the amazing graphic novel Joyners 3D—but the work he’s doing on Civil War II is really something special. It’s sexy and intense, and the action just leaps off the page, crushing the panels that hold it. Really, even if you have not been following this series, you can still pick up Civil War II #5 and enjoy it on its beauty alone. Oh, and there’s a double-page spread towards the end that everyone is going to be talking about. Written By: Becky Cloonan Art By: Steve Dillon Colors By: Frank Martin Letters By: VC’s Cory Petit This new Punisher series is so violent at times that it’s hard to believe this is the standard Marvel Universe and not a MAX title. This issue features lots of dudes getting shot in the face, a bad lady getting stabbed in the eye, and a dude getting his face cut off.
Sometimes this stuff happens in the shadows, so artist Steve Dillon avoids the most grotesque imagery, but sometimes it happens front and center. It’s brutal with a capital B. Becky Cloonan is one sick puppy and, quite possibly, the perfect Punisher writer. She bathes her book in blood, never letting these characters catch their breath or find a moment of peace. Violence just drips from these pages and soaks into your soul as you read it. Steve Dillon is in top form, doing some of his best Punisher work ever, and Frank Martin is firing on all cylinders. The Punisher is an ugly, dark book and we freaking love it. Sick stuff, but maybe we like sick. Maybe we’re a little sick. Written By: Rick Remender Art By: Jerome Opena Colors By: Matt Hollingsworth Letters By: Rus Wooton We already did a full, glowing review of this comic. We adored the art from Jerome Opena and the writing of Rick Remender. Consider this a reminder that when you head to the shop today, you absolutely must pick up this book.