The Top Comics to Buy for January 11 was one of those nightmare lists, at least on my end, because there were absolutely way too many worthy books to choose from. What this means is that I had to make many very difficult cuts, including the likes of Mindset #6, Danger Street #2, Bone Orchard Mythos: Ten Thousand Black Feathers #5, Lazarus Planet Alpha #1 and more. What this means, though, is no matter your individual preference, there is likely something for you this week. As always, you can find my personal favorites as well as the usual lists below…enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for January 11, 2023
Avengers: War Across Time #1
Writer: Paul Levitz
Artist: Alan Davis
Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg
Letterer: Cory Petit
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Thor! Iron Man! Captain America! Giant-Man & the Wasp! The classic Avengers against the Hulk on the streets of New York! It’s the beginning of a showdown with Kang the Conqueror that will span the centuries! Eisner Hall of Famer Paul Levitz makes his Marvel debut (unless you count a letter in AMAZING ADVENTURES #5) teamed with acclaimed artist Alan Davis!
Why It’s Cool: This series sees one-time DC Comics head honcho Paul Levitz making his Marvel Comics debut, teaming with all-time-great Alan Davis to deliver an alternate take on classic Avengers, one that essentially springs from a storyline in the bygone comics that was never explored, at least not fully. Most importantly, though, this first issue is an entertaining one that feels like a throwback without somehow also feeling out of date. Also, the villain of this book, Kang, is having a moment (see the recently dropped new trailer for Quantumania).
Price: $5.99
Billionaire Island: Cult of Dogs #3
Writer: Mark Russell
Artist: Steve Pugh
Colorist: Chris Chuckry
Letterer: Rob Steen
Publisher: AHOY Comics
With mercenaries hot on her trail, reporter Shelly Bly finds herself put on trial for her life-in the sad remains of the once-lavish Billionaire Island.
Why It’s Cool: One of the things that lands this issue on our list of Top Comics to Buy for January 11 is a scene in which Mark Russell and Steve Pugh deliver absolutely perfect satire of the anti-journalism sentiment that swept the country a few years ago and continues to linger to this day. It’s so well done, it makes this issue worth reading even if you aren’t caught up with Billionaire Island (which you really ought to be, because it’s fantastic).
Price: $3.99
Dark Ride #4
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Andrei Bressan
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Publisher: Image Comics – Skybound
The secret of Arthur Dante’s deal with the devil is revealed.
Now, Halloween and Sam, heirs to the empire, must decide whose side they’re really on.
Why It’s Cool: Dark Ride has been one of my favorite new horror comics in ages, and this week we get a fantastic finale for the book’s first arc. Not only is this one succeeding based on a concept that allows it to explore any corner of horror fandom that the creative team finds interesting, but it also has a really compelling family dynamic at its emotional core. Do not miss this book. If you have, make sure to get the first trade on your to-buy list ahead of its release.
Price: $3.99
The Human Target #10
Writer: Tom King
Artist: Greg Smallwood
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: DC Comics
With only 48 hours left to unmask his murderer before he drops dead, the pieces are finally falling into place for Christopher Chance. But before he can solve his own killing, he must deal with the consequences of Guy Gardner’s.
Enter G’nort and the Green Lantern Corps!
Why It’s Cool: This is maybe the best issue of The Human Target since the series debut, which is really saying something because it’s been a very strong book. But there’s two things at work here that are making the end of this maxi-series so compelling. No. 1, the main character’s coming death creates a pressure cooker effect that ratchets up the tension. No. 2, you know how this is a noir? Well, this is the big reveal issue that really turns the whole story on its head.
Price: $4.99
The Ones #3
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Jacob Edgar
Colorist: K.J. Diaz
Letterer: Joshua Reed
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics – Jinxworld
Now that it’s dawned on the Ones that they are not “the One” resentment starts to overtake our merry band of chosen ones and most of them decide to go where the money is. This is not what the prophecy foretold. Very frustrating. Find out what happens next when the chosen ones basically tell us to all go EFF ourselves.
Why It’s Cool: I’ve sung this series’ praises often in the past, but simply put, if you’ve been reading superhero and/or hero-driven adventure comics for a good while, and are ready for something that has some fun with their tropes without feeling disrespectful — this is the absolute perfect comic for you. This book is a romp, a witty and surprising take on comics in general that sees its entire creative team doing some of the best work in monthly comics. This third issue remains as awesome as both of those that have come before it.
Price: $3.99
Others Receiving Votes
All Against All #2- Amazing Spider-Man #17
- Batman and the Joker: The Deadly Duo #3
- Black Panther #13
- Bone Orchard Mythos – Ten Thousand Black Feathers #5
- Captain America: Symbol of Truth #9
- Danger Street #2
- Daredevil #7
- The Flash #790
- Ghost Rider #10
- Gospel #3
- Mindset #6
- Savage Avengers #9
- WildCATs #3
- X-Men #18
New #1s and One-Shots
Batman – The Adventures Continue: Season III #1- Black Cloak #1
- Godzilla Rivals – Rodan vs. Ebirah #1 (one-shot)
- Lazarus Planet Alpha #1
- Nemesis Reloaded #1
- Spawn: Unwanted Violence #1
Trade Collections and Graphic Novels
Amazing Fantasy TP- Amazing Spider-Man by Nick Spencer Omnibus Vol. 1 HC
- Carmilla: The First Vampire TP
- Chartwell Manor TP
- Dega Vol. 1 HC
- Godhead Vol. 2 GN
- The Lonely War of Captain Willie Schultz HC
- Sea of Thieves Origins Vol. 1 GN
- Suicide Squad Blaze HC
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
