This week’s Top Comics to Buy for April 30 was another tricky list to make, given that distribution has gotten tough to track again. There were a pair of high profile releases that I enjoyed quite a bit — Planet Death #0 from Bad Idea and the relaunch of Heavy Metal magazine — but they don’t show up as available at the shop I use to determine each week’s availability. I do, however, know they will be available in some shops. So it’s a tough choice.
But I’ve decided to stick to my system, so amid the ongoing distribution chaos (which actually seems like it’s just going to be the new norm) I’ve narrowed down my list this week. You can find my five top recommendations below, along with the usual set of release lists … enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for April 30
Writers: D.B. Andry & Tim Daniel
Artist: Alex Sanchez
Colorist: Kurt Michael Russell
Letterer: Justin Birch
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
The Mantawolf drone submersible has returned from its survey of the Devil’s Teeth, an oceanic canyon of towering thermal vents teeming with alien life. Within its cargo, a cache of samples, an insidious stowaway lurks: a powerfully transformative organism. Chief Science Officer Liana Pearson along with her crewmate Kate Barron race to study the Mantawolf’s alien bounty while the crew grows increasingly restless when the Absolution’s nuclear power core begins to behave erratically–Breathe Deep!
Why It’s Cool: This book is claustrophobic deep seas horror pulp storytelling of the highest order. It continues to scare readers with more glimpses of what’s going on under the ocean — and what it all means for the people trapped inside the unlucky submerged vessel.
Price: $4.99
Writer/Artist: Wes Craig
Colorist: Jason Wordie
Publisher: Image Comics / Skybound
The face of comic books changed forever when G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #21 introduced fans to the “Silent Interlude,” an action-packed story with no dialogue. Now, in a standalone silent issue from Wes Craig (Kaya, Deadly Class), Duke treks through Cobra-infested terrain to find his target-a traitor who’s joined the enemy. Can Duke do the unthinkable to complete his mission?
Why It’s Cool: I’ve been loving this series of silent one-shots paying homage to the classic G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero #21. They’ve all been great, but I think this week’s Duke story is my favorite. It just does such a nice job not only with its action, but with telling an emotionally-charged one-and-done story in the space of these pages. If you’re reading Kaya (which you should be), you already know how great a team Wes Craig and Jason Wordie are, and now you can see their take on G.I. Joe.
Price: $3.99
Writer: Alex Segura
Artist: Cian Tormey
Colorist: Romulo Fajardo Jr.
Letterer: Willie Schubert
Publisher: DC Comics
With the Watchtower collapsing around her, the Question–and an unexpected ally–must rally her team to take on the mastermind behind the downfall of the Justice League Unlimited’s home base! Can Renee not only survive but also maintain her new place in the DC Universe? Find out in the epic conclusion to The Question: All Along the Watchtower!
Why It’s Cool: Since the big DC Comics All-In relaunch, the publisher has done a great job centering its shared superhero universe on the new Justice League Unlimited team, and the various threats it has been dealing with. It’s also done a great job building out the concept in several directions that give the entire continuity a dynamic, lived-in feeling. One of the books that has done this really well is The Question: All Along the Watchtower, which comes to a great conclusion this week. This book has been an entertaining read in and of itself while at the same time establishing the role of Renee Montoya aboard the new Justice League Satellite. Great stuff, and an easy pick for this week’s Top Comics to Buy for April 30.
Price: $3.99
Writer: Rick Remender
Artist: Paul Azaceta
Colorist: Matheus Lopes
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics / Giant Generator
Spring uncovers clues as to the whereabouts of her sister, Autumn, and hatches a plan to find her, but she might already be too late to help sister Summer who has been invited to take center stage inside the carnival bigtop to receive a special gift from the Ringleader.
Why It’s Cool: There’s really not another comic even a little bit like this one being made right now. It’s taking place in a unique world that’s hard to describe, and in the space of just four issues it has shown itself equally capable of doing whimsy as it is doing severe dread. The artwork by Paul Azaceta and Matheus Lopes is especially phenomenal in this week’s hypnotic fourth issue, delivering what I can only describe as a very sinister blast of hyper color. I love that I have absolutely no idea where this comic is going from month to month.
Price: $3.99
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Marco Checchetto
Colorist: Matthew Wilson
Letterer: Cory Petit
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Even Kingpin knows little about the criminal in the smoky helmet…but Spider-Man’s about to learn more than he bargained for!
Why It’s Cool: Every once in a while when writer Jonathan Hickman is truly in his comics bag (as they say), I get this feeling that I’m lucky to be reading monthly comics while he and his collaborators are making them. And friends? This is one of those issues. Hickman seeded some truly excellent long-term surprises that become clear in this issue, and along with Marco Checchetto and Matthew Wilson, does one hell of a job revealing what he’s been up to here. The end result is a complex Spider-Man story that makes great, interesting use of long-running familiar characters, while somehow at the same time advancing the bigger, ongoing plot at the center of this new Ultimate Universe. This is just masterful high-concept superhero comics making all around.
Price: $4.99
Other Comics I Enjoyed This Week
- Bitter Root: The Next Movement #2
- Dark Pyramid #2
- Death of Copra #4
- Goon: Them That Don’t Stay Dead #4
- Nights #15
- Snotgirl #20
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles – The Last Ronin II: Re-Evolution #5
- Void Rivals #18
- You’ll Do Bad Things #2
New #1s and One-Shots
- Detective Comics 2025 Annual #1 (one-shot)
- Giant-Size Wacky Races #1 (one-shot)
- Godzilla vs. America: Godzilla vs. Los Angeles #1 (one-shot)
- Godzilla Vs. Spider-Man #1 (one-shot)
- Graveyard Club – Fresh Blood #1 (one-shot)
- Kid Juggernaut #1 (one-shot)
- Lost Fantasy #1
- Nacelleverse: The Great Garloo #0 (one-shot)
- Power Company Recharged #1 (one-shot)
- Red Sonja vs. The Army of Darkness #1
- Slasher’s Apprentice #1
- Star Wars Hyperspace Stories Codebreaker #1
- Wolverine and Kitty Pride #1
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
And check out the Beat’s most recent comics reviews!
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