Welcome to Comicosity’s Hot Five. Hot Five is a short list of the top books we think you’ll want to be checking out. Be they new title launches, key issues or just continuing stories from some of the industry’s most acclaimed books, this list is your guaranteed gold in the comic market.
DARK NIGHTS: METAL #1
Written by Scott Snyder
Art by Greg Capullo
Published by DC Comics – $3.99
The superstar BATMAN team of writer Scott Snyder and artist Greg Capullo reunite for a massive, universe-spanning event!
DARK DAYS: THE FORGE and THE CASTING hinted at dark corners of reality that have never been seen till now! Now, as DARK NIGHTS: METAL begins, the Dark Multiverse is revealed in all its devastating danger-and the threats it contains are coming for the DC Universe!
DARK NIGHTS: METAL is a DC event unlike any other-one that will push Batman, Superman and heroes of the Justice League beyond their limits to take on threats unlike any our world has ever seen! It will take the combined might of the World’s Greatest Heroes as you’ve never seen them before to face what’s coming their way!
Why It’s Hot: The “Dark Days” are over, it’s time for Metal. What can one say about this comic? It’s the biggest DC story of the year featuring the reunion of Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo. This will be the comic that everyone will be talking about Wednesday.
DIVINITY #0
Written by Matt Kind
Art by Renato Guedes
Published by Valiant Entertainment – $3.99
AN EPIC JUMPING-ON POINT LEADING DIVINITY THROUGH THE WHOLE OF THE VALIANT UNIVERSE! New York Times best-selling writer Matt Kindt (X-O MANOWAR, Mind MGMT) and explosive artist Renato Guedes (BLOODSHOT REBORN, Wolverine) present an awe-inspiring introduction to the largest independent superhero universe in comics – as told through the eyes of Valiant’s most powerful cosmic force! DIVINITY, a lost Russian cosmonaut newly returned to Earth with god-like powers, has successfully restored the world to order after the reality-altering event known as the Stalinverse. But how can a man – even one with near-divine abilities – know for certain that the planet has been truly restored in full? To make sure, Divinity must bear witness to the world as it now stands – heroes, villains, gods, and all – to ensure the rightful order of the Valiant Universe! From BLOODSHOT to FAITH to NINJAK and dozens of surprise guest stars, traverse the world of Valiant’s most enduring icons as DIVINITY guides a standalone entry point into the most acclaimed publishing line in comics today!
Why It’s Hot: There have been a lot of good comics from Valiant over the past few years, and Divinity has been one of the best. That quality combined with an issue designed as an entry point to the Valiant Universe, and you’re left with arguably the most important comic the publisher will put out this year.
MAGE: THE HERO DENIED #1
Written by Matt Wagner
Art by Matt Wagner
Published by Image Comics – $3.99
LEGENDARY WRITER / ARTIST MATT WAGNER RETURNS FOR THE THIRD AND FINAL VOLUME OF HIS EPIC FANTASY TRILOGY-MAGE: THE HERO DENIED! This first full-sized issue begins 10 years after the climax of THE HERO DEFINED and finds the everyman hero Kevin Matchstick at an unexpected point in his life. It’s been some time since he’s utilized his powers as the reincarnated Pendragon, wielder of the mystical weapon Excalibur. Despite his reluctance to fulfill what two different Mages have declared as his destiny, dark forces have gathered to once again force Kevin into action. Throughout these events, Kevin keeps hoping for the same mystical guidance that has mentored him in the past. “Who is the third Mage?!”
MAGE: THE HERO DENIED will be a 15-issue limited series climaxing in a double-sized finale. Newly repackaged editions of the previous books from the trilogy-THE HERO DISCOVERED and THE HERO DEFINED-will be released over the course of the new series. MAGE has been a perennial favorite with old and new readers alike for nearly three decades.
Why It’s Hot: I have a feeling a lot of you scrolling through this right now weren’t even reading comics the last time an issue of Mage came out. Some of you might not even have been born. The first series came out before I was born, and the second finished up 18 years ago. The thing is, Matt Wagner is an awesome talent, and Mage is his baby. By the time this series is done it will have been almost exactly 35 years since the first issue. In other words, this is pretty cool comic event, and it’s not too late to get on board.
SOUTHERN BASTARDS #17
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Jason Latour
Published by Image Comics – $3.99
“GUT CHECK,” Part Three
The bleachers are slick with blood as Coach Boss faces some brand-new competition on and off the field.
Why It’s Hot: Southern Bastards IS BACK!!!
ULTIMATES 2 #100
Written by Al Ewing
Art by Travel Foreman
Published by Marvel Comics – $4.99
A double-sized issue celebrating ULTIMATES #100!
• Eternity is free – but can even he stand against the might of the First Firmament?
• Or does the embodiment of everything need help…from Outside?
• Featuring the Ultimates and…the Ultimates?
Why It’s Hot: The Ultimates is literally changing everything we know about the Marvel Universe. Last month’s issue was bombshell after cosmic bombshell ending with a last page that could serve as an explanation for any number of happenings from several Marvel books. Al Ewing is one of the absolute best writers in the business at this point, and this book is s huge reason why.
ALSO AVAILABLE THIS WEEK: Astonishing X-Men #2, Batman #29, Catalyst Prime: Superb #2, Generations: Wolverine & All New Wolverine #1, Genius: Cartel #1, Revolutionairies #7, Spider-Men II #2, Spy Seal #1
