Welcome to Can’t Wait for Wednesday, your guide to what’s coming to your local comic shop this week.
I’ve pulled out some of the highlights for this week below, but for the complete list of everything you might find at your local comic shop and on digital this week, you’ll want to check out one or more of the following:
- Penguin Random House (Marvel + IDW + Dark Horse + more)
- Lunar Distribution (DC + Image + Mad Cave + more)
- ComicList (Pretty much all of the above)
- Amazon/Kindle new releases (digital comics)
As a reminder, things can change and what you find on the above lists may differ from what’s actually arriving in your local shop. So check with your retailer to see what’s arriving at their shop this week.
Absolute Batman: Ark-M Special #1 (DC, $4.99): Scott Snyder, Frank Tieri and Joshua Hixson explore the origins of the enigmatic Ark M from Snyder’s Absolute Batman in this one-shot tie-in.
Ultimate X-Men #23 (Marvel, $4.99): The end if nigh for the Ultimate Universe, as Peach Momoko peels back layers of deception and reveals the truth behind key events from the previous 22 issues. It all leads into the final issue.
Ultimate Wolverine #13 (Marvel, $4.99): Speaking of the Ultimate Universe, in this issue Chris Condon and Domenico Carbone bring Wolverine into the Maker’s War and the Ultimate Endgame, as he hunts down the Maker’s Council and exactsrevenge on those who turned his life into a living nightmare.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: Zord Quest #1 (BOOM! Studios, $7.99): Joey Esposito and Gavin Smith deliver an oversized one-shot exploring what defines a hero. After a devastating encounter with the villainous Madame Axe-A-Lot, the Mighty Morphin Power Rangers are left questioning whether they truly have what it takes. To regain their confidence, they’ll each go on a spiritual quest of discovery to the breathtaking landmarks that their Zords call home.
Hank Howard Pizza Detective: The Two Hollywoods #1 (Oni Press, $5.99): Robert Venditti and David Lapham return to their pizza-loving detective. Hank’s investigation into a deadly international crime syndicate gets hot when he faces off against the Australian mafia, dodges flamethrowers, engages in high-caliber shootouts and encounters a kangaroo on a choke chain.
Tim Burton’s The Nightmare Before Christmas: The Shiver of Christmas Town #1 (Dynamite, $4.99): Torunn Grønbekk and Edu Menna launch a new series set in the world of the classic Disney film. It begins with the unveiling of Dr. Finkelstein’s newest creation, specially designed to be the scariest creature ever to celebrate All Hallow’s Eve. But something has gone awry, and the final result is more cute and cuddly than fearsome and menacing. Meanwhile, Lock, Shock and Barrel have been tasked with teaching the residents of Christmas Town how to trick-or-treat. What could go wrong?
Carmen Red Claw: Belly of the Beast #1 (Dark Horse, $4.99): Artist Rae Allen teams with Hellboy creator Mike Mignola for a four-issue paranormal western adventure set in 1870s. Supernatural gun-for-hire and shape-shifting descendent of the notorious El Bogavante, Carmen Red Claw faces a new type of monster when investigating cursed ranch land. Something is killing the cattle in the area, but Carmen has to find out if it’s really a beast to blame or if humans are the real monsters here.
Fence Breakthrough: Quarter Clash #1 (BOOM! Box, $7.99): C.S. Pacat and Johanna the Mad continue the GLAAD Award-winning sports drama, as the Kings Row fencing team makes it to the quarter-finals, putting them one step closer to beating Exton.
Marvel Rivals: The Cities of Heaven #1 (Marvel, $5.99): Paul Allor, Michael Shelfer and Eric Gaptstur team up for an oversized adventure featuring Luna Snow in search of a heavenly venue. Luna’s ready to bring the house down with a legendary concert at the mystical Chi Hive tavern in K’un-Lun—if she ever finds it. Lost in the magical city, Luna lands in the middle of a battle between Lin Lie, aka Iron Fist, and Thor’s sister Angela, who are trying to awaken the Immortal Dragon using the Book of the Iron Fist. Standing in their way are Magik and Hulk, who are desperate to stop them at all costs.
Batman #5 (DC, $4.99): Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez deliver a date night to remember, as a night out with Bruce Wayne goes off the rails immediately for Dr. Annika Zeller/ It seems her experimental Crown of Storms has her marked for death by the 000 Gang and the sinister new assassin known as Lady Death Man.
50th Anniversary Treasury Edition: Superman vs The Amazing Spider-Man Facsimile Edition #1 (DC/Marvel, $19.99): Gerry Conway, Ross Andru, Neal Adams and John Romita Sr.’s classic crossover returns to print, showing us what happens when Lex Luthor and Doctor Octopus join forces to blackmail the world and exact revenge upon their two most hated foes. With the Man of Steel and Spider-Man manipulated into battling one another, can the heroes break free and unite in time to turn the tide? This oversized treasury edition features an Alex Ross variant cover, shown above, celebrating 50 years since the original team-up and getting us ready for the new Superman/Spider-Man team-up coming later this year.