Welcome to the latest Essential Comics. This is where we take a look at this week's list of new releases and narrow it down to the ones we're incredibly excited for. Sure, there's titles like ANIMAL MAN and AQUAMAN which are steadily awesome and a new chapter of Marvel's AGE OF ULTRON, yet we can't help but be overly stoked for the following five. Don't forget to post your own essential comics in the comments below!
In an effort to give you all more variety in our recommendations, next week you'll see a brand new take on the feature. Usually it's just me and Tony making the selections, but starting next week, each writer (if they have time, of course) will provide their own top 3 suggestions! In the meantime, here's some very promising comics coming out this Wednesday.
GREEN ARROW #20
The brilliantly engrossing new take on the character continues and once again dives deeper into Ollie's history. Written by Jeff Lemire and illustrated by Andrea Sorrentino, the creative team has massively redeemed the Emerald Archer in The New 52, providing a title Arrow fans can be proud of. This issue will yet again reveal how Komodo is destroying the hero's life and what secrets the island holds (only makes sense to lure in the TV crowd too, right?).
Visit MTV Geek for a preview.
HARBINGER WARS #2
Having already read this issue (I was lucky enough to check it out when I visited their office for an interview), I can say with full confidence that it's epic. Last issue laid the groundwork and now we're treated to something quite awesome: Toyo Harada versus Bloodshot. It seems like a totally one-sided fight, yes? Trust me, it's not and you're probably going to love seeing why.
Feast your eyes on an extensive preview below.
HAWKEYE #10
And the award for the most obvious essential comic this week goes to...
Matt Fraction has struck gold with HAWKEYE, crafting a story that consistently generates ginormous laughs and a fresh and welcoming approach to the Avenger's life. There's been plenty of chaos along the way, but despite that, this book has mostly been an uplifting experience. Based on last issue's shocking cliffhanger and below's preview, it's clear that's all about to change.
Check out CBR for the final preview page.
IRON MAN #9
This is a book that has definitely been all over the place. The last story showed promise, but then suffered a lackluster conclusion (at least IMHO). Issue #9, however, is claiming to be a must read issue for "the biggest Tony Stark story of the year." Pretty bold statement, but seeing as it claims to dive into his origin and includes a team-up with Death's Head (so, I guess he didn't die in the explosion?), this issue definitely has our interest piqued.
Now, I know quite a few of you avoid this book because of Greg Land, so you'll be happy to know he's not on art duties with this one. Instead, Dale Eaglesham illustrates this one and Guru-eFX is still on colors. Get a look at the preview below.
SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN #9
I know my fellow staffers are loving SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN, but truthfully, I haven't been enjoying it nearly as much as Marvel's other top titles (THOR, for example). That said, I simply have to pick up this issue. Why, you ask? Because it's a must read experience for any Parker fan. Dubbed "SUPERIOR NO MORE," this issue claims to be a huge turning point for the Otto/Peter dilemma. The outcome seems obvious (especially since we've seen solicits for future issues), but I'm still hugely curious to see how Dan Slott will play his hand. If you're even remotely interested in Spider-Man's struggle, this is definitely an issue you'll want to pick up.
Have a peek at four pages below.
New and on our radar
- TEN GRAND #1
- THE BLACK BAT #1
- THE MOVEMENT #1
Gregg Katzman is a freelance writer for Comic Vine and IGN Entertainment. This is the part where he shamelessly plugs his Google+ andTwitter pagein hopes of getting a new follower or two.