I really like this week’s Top Comics to Buy for February 26, because, quite frankly, this was a set of books that gets weird. You won’t find any superheroes in this week’s crop, but also I think a number of these books are pushing the boundaries of what type of art shows up in weekly direct market comics. Books like FML, Nights, and The Seasons don’t fit neatly into any established boxes. They do, however, all seem to embrace visual storytelling that takes big risks, be it FML’s cheeky page concepts, Nights’ grandiose and precise monster violence, or The Seasons’ colorful veneer atop something dark and sinister.
On top of all that, this week we also have Godzilla, stomping around Chicago (and if you haven’t heard, Godzilla comics are great lately). If you’ve read this column, you know I enjoy when the week’s books are eclectic. And that’s certainly what we’ve got here. More on each of my favorites below, along with the usual set of release lists … enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for February 26
FML #4
Writer: Kelly Sue DeConnick
Artist: David Lopez
Colorist: Cris Peter
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
“8 Minute Murders” buzzes with theories about the dead man at the Witch’s House, as the city plans the structure’s long-overdue demolition. In an effort to save it, Glory and Savvy dive deeper into its history, while Lydia, our polar bear detective, seeks truths. Meanwhile, Riley turns to his mom with his trauma and the two reconnect through their art. This issue is a darker turn for the series, but the return of Dad from an absurd job in LA adds a light-hearted twist, and the introduction of Susan, the mysterious new assistant linked to past secrets, moves the plot along.
Why It’s Cool: This book, creatively, seems to never say no to a good idea, be it a heartrending (or hilarious) character choice or one of the many (many!) non-conventional uses of visual storytelling. And because of that, there’s a playful electric crackle to every page of this excellent comic about family, Portland, creativity, and just, like, life man. Simply put, this is a great singular book, and we are lucky to have it.
Price: $4.99
Godzilla Vs. America: Godzilla Vs. Chicago #1
Creators: Mike Costa, Ryan Browne, Kevin Knipstein, Brian Kolek, Tim Seeley, Heather Breckel, Ezra C. Daniels, and Caroline Cash
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Join a star-studded crew of Chicago comics creators through four epic stories across the Windy City. The L train experiences its worst delays yet, Godzilla interrupts a major sporting event, and a new Chicago-based superhero reaches the end of her rope.
Why It’s Cool: Well, first of all this is one fantastic lineup of superstar creators, all of whom have a connection to Chicago. Second of all, that connection to Chicago really comes through in all of the four stories in this book. These pieces are wildly different, but they are unified by two things: 1. Godzilla; and 2. They give one a sense of one of America’s truly great cities — Chicago. As a native Chicagoan myself, I absolutely loved this book, making it an easy selection for my top comics to buy for February 26 list.
Price: $7.99
Nights #13
Writer: Wyatt Kennedy
Artist: Luigi Formisano
Colorist: Francesco Segala
Color Assists: Gloria Martinelli
Letterer: Maria Letizia Mirabella
Publisher: Image Comics
Following the events of last season’s violent finale, we turn the clock back to the 1970s where rookie Chimera agent Tsukumari investigates the rise of dangerous magical oddities and artifacts from the blistering cold of Estonia to the boiling decadence of Las Vegas. This journey will lead him on a collision course with a vampire girl that will have ripple effects across decades. Before we move forward, we have to go back. A dark path lies ahead. Welcome to Season 2.
Why It’s Cool: Nights is a high-energy burst of no-limits monster-tinged comics, and it had one hell of a season one finale back with Nights #12. Now, we get what feels like almost a full narrative reorientation to start Season 2, moving back through time and featuring a different set of characters. It’s a bold choice, and it absolutely works. What a great start to a new phase for this book.
Price: $3.99
The Seasons #2
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Paul Azaceta
Colorist: Matheus Lopes
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics / Giant Generator
The town of New Gaulia and the Seasons sisters receive invitations to the Magical Carnival, promising a world of wonder where dreams come alive and imagination knows no bounds, but they bring only new questions and a sinister mystery for Spring to unravel.
Why It’s Cool: This feels like a bit of a different sort of book for the two principal creators involved, Remender and Azaceta, with its fantastical world and bright artwork, which makes it all the more interesting to me. When I recommended the first issue, I noted that there’s a bright veneer here that seems to be lain atop something dark and scary — and the second issue continues to suggest that. In addition, it also fleshes out the four central characters a bit more. Anyway, whatever is going on here, it’s great and I am hooked.
Price: $3.99
Sink #15
Writer: John Lees
Artist: Alex Cormack
Letterer: Shawn Lee
Publisher: Comix Tribe
Since taking a job as a waitress at trendy hipster eatery Artisan Burger Co., Emma Callaghan has developed a passion for crafting burgers of her own. Her culinary skills earn her a wild-card spot in an annual burger contest, competing against an array of eccentric master chefs on the heady platform of Scottish regional television. Can a Sinkhill underdog overcome the odds and triumph? And could there be more at stake than a trophy?
Why It’s Cool: Sink is one of my favorite comics, and this issue wraps up an excellent third volume (which is on Kickstarter now if you want to nab the trade), one that not only expanded the gritty world of this book but also brought into focus some elements that had been present from the start. This is truly great comics storytelling, and if you’re not reading Sink, you should change that. Also, this issue specifically is a great read for people like me who also watch cooking competition shows.
Price: $4.99
Other Books I Enjoyed
Absolute Wonder Woman #5- Batman: The Long Halloween – The Last Halloween #5
- Black Canary: Best of the Best #4
- Calavera PI #4
- Detective Comics #1094
- Hello Darkness #8
- Metamorpho: The Element Man #3
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #7
- Toxic Avenger #5
- Ultimate Spider-Man #14
New #1s and One-Shots
- Captain America & Volstagg #1 (one-shot)
- Chilling Adventures Presents Nine Lives of Salem #1 (one-shot)
- Jumpscare #1
- Pop Kill #1
- Red Hulk #1
- Star Trek Section 31 – Emperor Born #1 (one-shot)
- Star Wars: Rise of Skywalker Adaptation #1
- Women of Marvel: She-Devils #1 (one-shot)
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
- Almost Sunset TP
- Amazing Spider-Man by Zeb Wells Vol. 12 – Dead Wrong TP
- Amazing Spider-Man Epic Collection Vol. 11 – Nine Lives Has The Black Cat TP
- Barb Vol. 2 – Barb and the Ghost Blade TP
- Batman / Superman: World’s Finest Vol. 5 – Secret Origins HC
- Crocodile Black TP
- Curse Pirate Girl Malodious Mutiny HC
- Fight Girls Directors Cut TP
- The Flash By Grant Morrison and Mark Millar – The Deluxe Edition HC
- Gatchaman Galactor TP
- Green Lantern Vol. 2 – Love and War TP
- Hack / Slash Deluxe Edition Vol. 5 HC
- History of Everything TP
- Incredible Hulk Vol. 4 City of Idols TP
- John Constantine Hellblazer – Dead in America HC
- Life Drawing: A Love and Rockets Collection HC
- Marvel Masterworks – Invincible Iron Man Vol. 18 HC
- Minor Arcana Vol. 1 TP
- New Mutants Epic Collection Vol. 4 Fallen Angels TP
- Nights Season 1 Part 2 TP
- The Penguin Vol. 2 – All Bad Things TP
Power Girl Vol. 2 – More Than a Crush TP- Secret of Kells TP
- Soma TP
- Spectregraph HC
- Spider-Man Reign 2 TP
- Titans Vol. 2 – The Dark-Winged Queen TP
- Venom By Al Ewing Vol. 8 – Venom War TP
- World Within The World – Collected MiniComix & Short Works 2012-2022 HC
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
And check out the Beat’s most recent comics reviews!
How can I figure out which new comic books being released have a 1st appearances of new characters in them? I like collecting 1st appearances.
Comments are closed.