There were so many good books this week that I'm highlighting ten titles instead of five!
10. Guardians of the Galaxy #4 by Al Ewing and Juann Cabal The true Guardians have formed at long last – and their first mission is to defend a vital energy pipeline from a gang of unscrupulous ecoterrorists...including a rogue Nova, Moondragon’s other-dimensional doppelganger, and a raccoon in a suit. And if you think you know where that’s going... remember one thing. This is the GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY. It can always get worse.
Average Critic Rating: 8.5/10
"Ewings fourth installment of GUARDIANS OF THE GALAXY was fun, quirky, wonderfully easy to follow, and simply hard to forget." - Weird Science
9. Dark Nights: Death Metal #2 by Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo Get ready to scream! Wonder Woman roars across the horrifying Dark Multiverse landscape in the world’s most demented monster truck, with Swamp Thing riding shotgun! The two arrive at the ghoulish cemetery base of Batman and his army of zombies, but can the former friends stand each other long enough to form a plan and take back the planet? Plus, what’s Lobo doing in space?
Don’t miss the second chapter of the wildest ride in the DC Universe, from the epic team of writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo!
Average Critic Rating: 8.6/10
"Another unforgettable chapter in Scott Snyder & Greg Capullo's epic, Dark Nights: Death Metal (2020-) #2 continues to build upon, and make great use of, the momentum generated in the series debut. Utterly epic, from cover to cover." - The Brazen Bull
"It'd be impossible trying to predict what Snyder and Capullo have next for Death Metal. The series keeps surprising with unexpected twists and guest stars. Rather than try to figure out the next steps, Death Metal offers a simple and sensible command just sit back and enjoy the ride." - Lyle's Move Files
"This is a solid issue with excellent art, but because it's very wordy and the plot is advanced mainly through dialogue, it feels like not a whole lot has happened. The issue is also leaning too much into the comedy, which takes me out of the story sometimes as it makes it less focused. Nevertheless, I still recommend this issue. The world, the characters, and the story are still intriguing and fun." - Batman News
8. Strange Adventures #3 by Tom King and Mitch Gerads Can Adam Strange handle the truth? After the cosmic adventurer was accused of murder and had his whole record as a soldier questioned, he turned to Batman for help clearing his name. But someone else was needed to ensure that the investigation would be truly impartial. Enter Mr. Terrific, the man for whom “Fair Play” is a credo to live by.
Be careful what you wish for, Adam Strange, because your life is about to be turned upside down. This could be one of the greatest tests you’ve ever faced. Like when you had to prove yourselves in Rann’s gladiatorial arena.
This adventure between two worlds continues, with Mitch Gerads drawing the gritty Earth sequences and Doc Shaner showing us the splendor of Adam Strange’s battles in outer space!
Average Critic Rating: 8.6/10
"Both Mitch Gerads and Evan (Doc) Shaner blow you away with the art. As the mystery intensifies, Gerads' film noir style beautifully reflects both the mystery and the darkness hanging over these characters. Shaner's classic style perfectly complements the other side of the story by showing the contrast between the hero's journey and his gritty reality." - The Super Powered Fancast
"Tom King on main-line properties tends to be controversial, but Tom King on his own self-contained miniseries is a thing to marvel at." - Geek Dad
7. Red Mother #6 by Jeremy Haun and Danny Luckert Daisy's employment under the mysterious Leland Black has taken her to London -- and away from the life she knows. Will leaving New York help Daisy leave her past traumas behind, or will the Red Mother follow her no matter where she goes?
Average Critic Rating: 8.7/10
"With a cliffhanger ending that truly surprised me, even giving me a bit of a chill, Red Mother #6 is definitely another great installment of one of the most haunting comics out there." - Outright Geekery
"Danny Luckert does an amazing job of giving the art a sleek, engaging look while also adding in disturbing visual elements that make you look at every corner of the panel as you read." - The Super Powered Fancast
6. Family Tree #7 by Jeff Lemire, Phil Hester, Ryan Cody, and Eric Gapstur As Josh struggles to survive in the verdant wasteland that the world has become, he recalls his sister Meg's death and "planting" five years prior-an incident that may hold the key to what happened to the earth.
Average Critic Rating: 8.7/10
"Family Tree #7 is a haunting issue, full of character development, surprising reveals, action, and some striking artwork." - Monkeys Fighting Robots
"Family Tree #7 deepens the series mystery while meaningfully moving the plot forward with stunning artwork." - Comics Bookcase
5. Immortal Hulk #35 by Al Ewing and Mike Hawthorne
The war with the Minotaur is over — and a grateful humanity knows who saved them all. Can Shadow Base come out of the shadows? Can the world believe in Bruce Banner? Can there be a happy ending... for the IMMORTAL HULK?
Average Critic Rating: 8.8/10
"The dust settles after a hard-fought battle with Roxxon. Things seem unusually calm in a nice change of pace, but trouble is surely looming. If you still haven't started reading this series, this is a great time to jump in." - Sequential Planet
"Mike Hawthorns does a great job with the art in the issue. There's not a lot of big action to be had, but Hawthorne manages to add some dramatic visual moments throughout and they all work with the tone of the story." - The Super Powered Fancast
4. Aquaman #61 by Kelly Sue DeConnick and Miguel Mendonca
For whom the wedding bells toll, Arthur? They do not toll for thee! It’s a race to the chapel, as Mera is awake and betrothed, but who is the groom, and why isn’t he Arthur? There is a greater mystery at work, and Jackson makes a deep-seadiscovery-but not before a depth-defying battle with Orm! Speaking of Ocean Master, he’s bringing all of Dagon to the wedding ceremony, and the Seven Kingdoms will never be the same again!
Average Critic Rating: 8.9/10
"The wedding is here, and if you thought it was going to go smoothly, you haven't been paying attention. Kelly Sue DeConnick gives readers an issue with big moments, intrigue, and humor." - Weird Science
"The first half of the issue is a lot of setup, but when the chaos breaks out, it delivers in a big way." - Geek Dad
3. FCBD: X-Men #1 by Jonathan Hickman and Pepe Larraz FCBD is headlined by a brand new X-Men story by Jonathan Hickman and Pepe Larraz that will lead into a game-changing summer for all of X! Plus: a secret second story foreshadowing an upcoming epic tale by Tom Taylor and Iban Coello. Stay tuned in the months to come for exciting announcements about Marvel's Gold title on freecomicbookday.com!
Average Critic Rating: 9.0/10
"This year's Free Comic Book Day book is not for the faint of heart, but these are some really good and emotionally powerful stories. Make sure you pick up a copy with this week's comic book haul." - AIPT
2. Once and Future #9 by Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora
With Merlin-and the magic he wields-back at his side, King Arthur is stronger than ever. Brigette and Duncan continue to fight against Camelot's dark forces, but when Merlin calls to life another story entirely, will the two heroes save the day? Or will they find themselves becoming the villains they're sworn to defeat.
Average Critic Rating: 9.1/10
"Once & Future #9 is an issue that is full of action, foreshadowing, and vibrant artwork. All of these elements come together to create a compelling reading experience." - Monkeys Fighting Robots
"This second arc has only added to the fantastic premise, throwing exciting new wrinkles into the story of the reluctant monster hunter and his bad-ass gran. Blending humour, action and high-stakes fantasy into a thoroughly enjoyable read, this is a series that comes highly recommended." - Big Comic Page
1.Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #12 by Matt Fraction and Steve Lieber Whoa-is that what I think it is? If I’m reading this solicitation text correctly, we made it to issue #12! Mazel tov! Party time! If you see Matt and Steve at the next convention, go buy them a drink because I have no idea how we made it this far! No, wait, I do-it’s all thanks to you guys! In this final issue, with the Daily Planet on the ropes, Jimmy learns something about it that’ll change everything forever.
Average Critic Rating: 9.7/10
"Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen #12 is an easy title to overlook. It mostly looks like a side story to the Superman books. It looks more like a comical diversion from the main titles, but it actually contains a well-written and surprisingly intricate story." - DC Comics News
"I'll miss this book. For the entirety of its run it's been perhaps the best title in DC's current lineup, and consistently delivers the laughs as well as the heart. Fraction's scripts are teeming with life, and the artists deliver some of the most beautiful pages of comics I've read in some time. This is a diamond in the rough, and one that I can't wait to watch readers discover for years to come." - Sequential Planet