This week’s Top Comics to Buy for March 5 features some returning books that have long been favorites of mine, namely Usagi Yojimbo: The Ten Thousand Plums and Monkey Meat: The Summer Batch. I write in this space somewhat regularly about the odd coincidences that happen in direct market comics, and, well, this week is another one of those. Both of the aforementioned books are not only continuations of great series, but great series that are the singular vision of a comics auteur. And they’re back on the same day.
Pretty cool. You can check out my full set of recommendations below, along with the usual set of release lists … enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for March 5, 2025
Monkey Meat: The Summer Batch #1
Cartoonist: Juni Ba
Publisher: Image Comics
New story arc. The anthology is back for five new issues, from the creator of The Boy Wonder! Going on vacation? How about a hellish African fantasy island run by a corporation selling cans of monkey meat? Enjoy our summer vacation format with two tales, games, and double the traum… huh, excitement!
Why It’s Cool: One of the wildest and most voice-driven books in all of comics is back this week with a new story arc. The first set of Monkey Meat issues were excellent, and if this first issue is any indication, Monkey Meat islanders are in for more of the same. This book is truly weird in all the best and most interesting ways.
Price: $3.99
Mothra: Queen of Monsters #1
Writer: Sophie Campbell
Artist: Matt Frank (with two pages by Campbell)
Letterer: Nathan Widick
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Mothra has fallen after a fearsome battle with a terrifying new kaiju, Antra. Without its protector, the world has entered into a state of desolation. Kaiju roam freely, and what remains of humankind has been forced into hiding.But all hope is not lost! Mira is a young woman living in the wasteland, who believes she lost her entire family in Mothra’s final stand. That is, until her missing twin shows up at her door with two fairies! If her sister is to be believed, Mira might hold the key to the rebirth of Mothra and the Earth’s return to normalcy. They just have to travel back in time and get its egg from the Jurassic period first.
Why It’s Cool: Regular readers of this column know that I think Godzilla books are great right now. Well, this week that family of books expands to Mothra, too. And it’s another great entry in a growing cannon of fantastic Kaiju comics, brought to life by great artwork and a touching sibling relationship. Plus, you know, Mothra!
Price: $4.99
SHAZAM! #21
Writer: Josie Campbell
Penciller: Dan McDaid
Inker: Roberto Poggi
Colorist: Trish Mulvihill
Letterer: Troy Peteri
Publisher: DC Comics
THE WIZARD AND THE FAMILY SHAZAM! Mr. Mind has wormed his way across the entire world, and it will take way more than a single champion of Shazam to stop him! And finally, will the Shazamily become an official family?
Why It’s Cool: This current run of SHAZAM! has been a blast, as all good SHAZAM! books should be. Well folks, sadly it is coming to an end this week…for now. Still, this finale is all that you want it to be, and a great endcap for a truly fun run.
Price: $3.99
The Ultimates #10
Writer: Deniz Camp
Artist: Juan Frigeri
Colorist: Federico Blee
Letterer: Travis Lanham
Publisher: Marvel Comics
NAMOR AND THE RED SKULL! Captain America and the Human Torch lead a team to recruit their old comrade – Namor! But they’ll have to get through the Red Skull Gang first!
Why It’s Cool: This book can truly do no wrong in my opinion. It’s already one of the all-time great alternate Marvel Universe takes, with each issue delivering up more context about what happened to beloved characters in order to make this a “hero-less” world. But at the same time, it’s got a ticking clock element to a larger reckoning for the entire new Ultimate Universe project, which gives each of the episodic chapters a sense of urgency. Simply put, The Ultimates is monthly comics at its best. This week’s book focuses on Namor and Red Skull, and it’s great.
Price: $4.99
Usagi Yojimbo: Ten Thousand Plums #1
Writer/Artist/Letterer: Stan Sakai
Colorist: Hi-Fi Colour Design
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
One of the Shogun’s samurai strongmen becomes immediately suspicious when Usagi, Yukichi, and Gen are found wandering in a huge field of the Shogun’s prized plum trees… With a series of strange events gripping the local village with fear, can their appearance be a mere coincidence?
Why It’s Cool: This book jumps through time to set the stage for wandering rabbit samurai Usagi’s latest adventure. It’s an interesting and bold way to open a new chapter in a book that is one of comics true must reads. Also, there’s a timeliness to the setup that I don’t want to spoil here, because you really ought to check this one out, a no-brainer for this week’s Top Comics to Buy for March 5. It’s also a great jumping on point for new or lapsed Usagi Yojimbo readers.
Price: $4.99
Other Books I Enjoyed
Batgirl #5- Batman – Full Moon #4
- Cruel Kingdom #3
- Justice League – The Atom Project #3
- Poison Ivy #31
- Rick and Morty – Spring Break Out #1
- Scarlet Witch #10
- Space Ghost #10
- Tin Can Society #6
- Two-Face #4
- Ultramega #8
New #1s and One-Shots
Blade Forger #1- Darkwing Duck #1
- Doctor Strange of Asgard #1
- Herculoids #1
- Kaya – The Story So Far Ashcan Edition #1
- Radiant Black – The Story So Far #1
- Secret Six #1
- Sister Imperator #1
- Star Wars – Jedi Knights #1
- Teen Titans Go #1
- Web of Spider-Verse New Blood #1 (one-shot)
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
And check out the Beat’s most recent comics reviews!
Source link
