Each week, ComicsXF staff offer their recommendations for what to read. New DC books come out Tuesdays, everything else Wednesdays.
Tony’s pick: Realm of X #1: After the Hellfire Gala, Magik, Mirage, Marrow, Dust and Typhoid Mary find themselves stranded in Vanaheim. Y’know, the Thor place? The locals seem to believe they hold the key to fulfilling a prophecy that can either raise the realm to riches, or cause it to fall to ruin. With Magik’s powers malfunctioning and a mysterious figure amassing power on the outskirts of the realm, these X-Men are going to have to band together if they want to stay alive long enough to find their way home. Written by Torunn Grønbekk (Thor) and drawn by Diogenes Neves. ($4.99)
Adam’s pick: Jean Grey #1: After the events of the Hellfire Gala, Jean’s life is in shambles. I’LL SAY! SHE’S DEAD! Remember how dramatic that was? How is she even getting a solo series now? Is this another one of those ding-dang nostalgia comics? Written by Louise Simonson (X-Factor) and drawn by Bernard Chang (Children of the Atom). ($4.99) Previously, in at least the fourth death of Jean Grey.
Mark’s pick: Immortal Thor #1: In Norse myths, they called him Thunderer. Vuer has he been called, and Hloriddi. The Gods know him as Asgard’s king, keeper of Mjolnir, hero of the tales. When injustice grips the Earth and ancient powers bring down the sky, he fights for those who cannot — and when the tale is done, we will know what that cost him. This is the story of the Immortal Thor. Written by Al Ewing (Immortal Hulk, not Immortal X-Men) and drawn by Martin Coccolo. ($6.99)
Penguin #1: After retiring to Metropolis following his “death,” Oswald Cobblepot finds himself forced back into the unpredictable and violent Gotham City underworld as a pawn of the United States intelligence community. Gotham’s criminal element has been evolving since he was last in the city, with his bastard twin children ruling the Iceberg Lounge. And what of the man he framed for his death, Batman? Is the Penguin walking into a death sentence? Written by Tom King (The Human Target) and drawn by Rafael de Latorre (Daredevil). ($3.99) Previously, in Penguin stuff …
The Schlub #1: Failing dentist Roger Dalton blames the world for his problems until he is body-swapped with the world’s greatest superhero. Can Roger save Earth and finally prove to his family he’s not a loser? Or are we all doomed? Written by Ryan Stegman and Kenny Porter and drawn by Tyrell Cannon for Image’s KLC Press imprint. ($3.99) Listen to Cannon on WMQ&A.
Matt’s pick: Knight Terrors: Detective Comics #2: After seeing diamonds violently pour out of a woman’s mouth and the metal of his old Batman robo-suit soldered onto someone’s flesh to wear around Gotham, Jim Gordon slowly realizes the good people of Gotham being represented by monstrous ideations of power, wealth and knowledge … aren’t very good people at all. Jim’s investigation leads him to a mysterious clock, and he goes to Oracle for help to trace who or what is causing this nightmare, but whether he is able to wake up from it at all will be up to more than just himself. Written by Dan Watters and drawn by Riccardo Federici. ($4.99) Previously, in Knight Terrors: Detective Comics …
Anna’s pick: Storm #4: Ororo has walked away from the X-Men. Ceding her leadership, she must come to grips with the truth of her powers, even as she pursues a new relationship. But is this what Blowback wanted all along, or is there something even more sinister in the undercurrents of this turbulent episode? Written by Ann Nocenti and drawn by Sid Kotian. ($3.99)
Rasmus’ pick: Fire Power #26: First, Owen Johnson mastered the fire power. Then, it was his kids. Does it run in the family, or can Owen impart his knowledge and train others to use the fire power? Written by Robert Kirkman and drawn by Chris Samnee for Image/Skybound. ($3.99)
Austin’s pick: Avengers Epic Collection: The Gathering: Leather jacket Avengers. ‘Nuff said. Collects Avengers Vol. 1 #367-377, Annual #23 and a bunch of “Blood Ties” tie-ins, by Bob Harras, Steve Epting and more. Can’t the Avengers and the Eternals just get along?
Dan’s pick: Giant Days Library Edition HC Vol. 1: Recollecting the first eight issues of the coming-of-age BOOM Studios series by John Allison, drawn by Lissa Treiman and Max Sarin. ($29.99) Listen to Allison on WMQ&A.
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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 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.
