Wolverine Turns 350, Vengeance Returns and More Staff Picks to End 2020

Each week, Xavier Files staff offer their recommendations for what to read. New DC comics come out Tuesdays, everything else Wednesdays.

Chris’ Pick

Cover by Leinil Yu

X-Men #16: When the mutant nation of Krakoa was formed, the X-Men were disbanded as a concept both to keep power on the island balanced among the Quiet Council and to move away from norms necessitated under human society. Then Cyclops and Jean Grey pulled a Leroy Jenkins and formed an X-Men team to rescue their son and other allies from Otherworld. Looks like someone’s gonna have to answer to the council. Written by Jonathan Hickman and drawn by Phil Noto (Cable). ($3.99) Previously, in X-Men

Tony’s Pick

Cover by Adam Kubert

Wolverine #8: Marvel’s celebrating the 350th issue of Wolverine among all volumes (You say so, Marvel; I’m not doing that math) by bringing back Maverick, the X-treme mystery man from Wolverine’s old Team X days whose faceplate smooshes his nose down. Hooray! Written by Benjamin Percy and drawn by Viktor Bogdanovic. ($4.99) Previously, in Wolverine

Will’s Pick

Cover by Dave Marquez

Tales from the Dark Multiverse: Dark Nights: Metal: This one-shot looks at 2017’s Dark Nights: Metal and dares to ask: But what if the bad guys won? … OK, I asked this question when Tales from the Dark Multiverse: Crisis on Infinite Earths came out, and I still don’t think I’ve a good handle on it: If an event involves the entire multiverse, how can it have an alternate ending? All the other realities were already involved and affected. That’s what makes it so Important. Ugh, y’know what? Bring on Future State; my pea brain can’t handle this nonsense anymore. Written by Scott Snyder, Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly, and drawn by Karl Mostert and Trevor Scott. ($5.99) Check out the latest from Will.

Dan’s Pick

Cover by Javier Saltares

Ghost Rider: Return of Vengeance #1: Sit down, kids, let Grandpa Danny tell you about Vengeance. Y’see, Vengeance was a Ghost Rider, but like, his skull was purple. He was more badass, more EXTREME. Y’know how I know? His real name was Michael BADilino. He was like … the Venom of Ghost Riders. Ooh, I wonder if that means he has his own Knull? Like a King in Purple? Ooh, is Vengeance’s Knull Grimace? Did I just write a comic? Co-written by Howard Mackie and Ed Brisson (Ghost Rider) and drawn by Javier Saltares. ($4.99) Check out the latest from Dan.

Zack’s Pick

Cover by Peach Momoko

Usagi Yojimbo: Wanderer’s Road #2: In this classic tale, Usagi befriends an elderly woman whose son turns out to be a villain who brings misery to their entire village. Written and drawn by Stan Sakai. ($3.99) Check out the latest from Zack.

Matt’s Pick

Cover by Derrick Chew

Batman Annual #5: Because YOU asked for it, the origin of Clownhunter revealed! Written by James Tynion IV and drawn by James Stokoe. ($4.99) Previously, in Batman

Ari’s Pick

Cover by Luca Casalanguida

Lost Soldiers #5: Time destroys everything. That’s it. That’s the solicit. Oh, and it’s the last issue. Written by Ales Kot and drawn by Luca Casalanguida. ($3.99) Check out the latest from Ari.

Vishal’s Pick

Cover by Patrick Gleason

Amazing Spider-Man #55: “Last Remains” ends. And, folks, that’s the true meaning of Christmas. Written by Nick Spencer (Secret Empire) and drawn by Patrick Gleason. ($3.99) Check out the latest from Vishal.

Cori’s Pick

Cover by Ivan Shavrin

X-Factor Vol. 1: Catch up on the first four issues of Leah Williams and David Baldeon’s series about the mutants who investigate mutant deaths, and why Daken doesn’t wear a shirt. ($15.99) And read up on issue #5 here.

Rob’s Pick

Cover by Dan DeCarlo

Betty & Veronica Spectacular Vol. 3: Archie recycles the ’90s with this collection of Betty and Veronica stories. ($10.99) Check out the latest from Rob.

Dan Grote is the editor-in-chief of ComicsXF, having won the site by ritual combat. By day, he’s a newspaper editor, and by night, he’s … also an editor. He co-hosts WMQ&A: The ComicsXF Interview Podcast with Matt Lazorwitz. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, two kids and two miniature dachshunds, and his third, fictional son, Peter Winston Wisdom.