Now and forever, Phoenix #1 leads this week’s Staff Picks

Each week, ComicsXF staff offer their recommendations for what to read. New comics come out Wednesdays. See your local comic shop for more info.

Austin’s pick: Phoenix #1: She is Jean Grey. She is Phoenix. She saves the world. She brings death. One woman, alone in space, who not only must do what no one else can: She yearns to. A desperate SOS from Nova brings the Phoenix to the edge of a black hole, where hundreds of lives hang in the balance, and whatever Jean does — or fails to do — will bring darkness to the universe and haunt her in ways she can scarcely imagine. Written by Stephanie Phillips (Rogue & Gambit) and drawn by Alessandro Miracolo. ($4.99) Check out our review of X-Men #1. | Buy it here.

Dan’s pick: Destro #2: The world is changing, and Destro means to come out on top. But with Cobra Commander breathing down his neck and mercenaries Xamot and Tomax seeking to dethrone him as the world’s premier weapons manufacturer, he’ll have to survive the future to build it. Written by Dan Watters and drawn by Andrei Bressan for Image/Skybound. ($3.99) Buy it here.

Scott’s pick: Lawful #2: In Sung’s world, the more you break the rules, the more you turn into a literal monster, and monsters get exiled. To protect the safety and status of his ailing mother, Sung has followed the rules so closely that he’s now an honored clerk in the Office of the Champion. But Sung discovers something that will change his perception of the system and right and wrong forever. Written by Greg Pak and drawn by Diego Galindo for BOOM Studios. ($4.99) Buy it here.

Mark’s pick: Usagi Yojimbo: The Crow #4: Usagi, Gen and Stray Dog have discovered where the rival bounty hunter group is holding Yukichi hostage. The rescue attempt leads to a huge confrontation, but they receive news that may force the vicious enemies to form an uneasy alliance. By Stan Sakai for Dark Horse. ($4.99) Buy it here.

Jake’s pick: Man’s Best #5: As the animals make a precious discovery aboard the Terraformer that none of them saw coming, disaster seemingly strikes. In the end, a cosmic entity and a stunning new world will do little to mend the hearts of those who lose someone dear to them. By Pornsak Pichetshote and Jesse Lonergan for BOOM Studios. ($4.99) Buy it here.

Rasmus’ pick: Immortal Thor Annual #1: Faced with the menace of Utgard and a prophecy of his own doom, the son of Odin sought out the legendary Power Stone to aid his fight. Only two things were in his way. Firstly, the mighty Champion of the Universe, with strength to match Thor’s own, was also questing for the stone. Secondly, the Stone is now inside a person: The Prince of Power. Written by Al Ewing and drawn by David Baldeon, with a backup by Derek Landy and Sara Pichelli. ($4.99) Previously, in Thor … | Buy it here.

Tony’s pick: Star Trek Annual 2024: With no one but himself to blame for his brother’s sudden escape during the Klingon Day of Blood, Lt. Commander Data sheds his Starfleet uniform for an ensemble inspired by none other than Sherlock Holmes to track down Lore’s whereabouts, and figure out what sinister plans he’s been scheming. With the one and only Miles O’Brien as his Watson at his side, there is no mystery that Detective Data can’t solve. Written by Jackson Lanzing and Collin Kelly and drawn by Rachael Stott for IDW. ($5.99) Previously, in Trek Talks … | Buy it here.

Matt’s pick: The Devil That Wears My Face TP: The year is 1740, and the Vatican is in turmoil. Grappling with a profound crisis of faith, outcast exorcist Father Franco Vieri is dispatched on a mission of grave importance — to rescue a Spanish nobleman from the clutches of the sadistic demon known as Legion. But when the exorcism goes tragically wrong, Vieri finds himself trapped in a stranger’s body … and learns what horrors lie ahead when the Devil wears his face. Collecting the series by David Pepose and Alex Cormack for Mad Cave Studios. ($17.99) Listen to Pepose on this recent episode of The ComicsXF Interview Podcast. | Buy it here.

Adam’s pick: Carl Barks: Paintings and Drawings 1966-1971 HC: By the time Carl Barks retired in 1966, he had spent more than 35 years drawing the Disney Ducks and was ready for something new. But if he was no longer “the old duck man,” then who was he? He began painting full time and would spend the next five years trying to find an answer. Between 1966 and early 1971, Barks completed over 179 paintings exploring an astonishing number of subjects: churches, landscapes, Soboba Indian churches, Ramona scenes, ancient Native Americans, ranch girls, little girls and more. 146 of those paintings are reproduced here, many for the first time. Published by Enchanted Images. ($64.95)

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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.