The Top 5 Must Read Comics This NCBD! (02 July 2014)

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Milo, aka “Bane of Kings”, runs down the Top 5 Must-Read Comics hitting shelves on tomorrow’s NCBD from the likes of Boom Studios, DC, Image and Marvel Comics. 

It’s the first week of the month and that normally means a packed week of new releases and this week is no exception. We’ve got some excellent books hitting shelves today and several first issues, including but not limited to Rocket Raccoon, Legendary Star-Lord, Robocop and Tech Jacket, and with Grayson, New Suicide Squad and Spider-Man 2099 launching next week now’s a great time if you want to start reading some newly launched comics. However, don’t forget those currently ongoing – with a variety of books from multiple publishers coming out tomorrow. As always, I can only talk about the Top 5 comics here – to see the full list of releases head on over to ComicList, and if you want to see all the books that I’m picking up, click here. Now without further ado, let’s get on with the show.

GREEN ARROW #33

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Story: Jeff Lemire | Art: Andrea Sorrentino | Publisher: DC Comics | Price: $2.99

As Richard Dragon systematically takes apart Oliver Queen’s world in Seattle, we introduce a new person under Green Arrow’s hood!

WHY? Last issue’s Green Arrow ended on an interesting cliffhanger that should allow for some interesting potential this issue. Lemire and Sorrentino have been bringing their A-Game to this book ever since they started on #17, so as far as I’m concerned there’s no way a Green Arrow book is not going to be on this list. Excellent art and excellent storyline guaranteed – this is one DC book that you’re not going to want to miss out on.

LAZARUS #9

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Story: Greg Rucka | Art: Michael Lark | Publisher: Image Comics | Price: $2.99

‘LIFT,’ Part Five The critically-acclaimed series reaches the conclusion of its second arc, as Lift Selection begins in Denver, with hundreds of thousands of Waste from all over the Carlyle Domain desperate for a chance at a better life. Amongst them: the Barret Family reach for their last hope, the Resistance seeks to strike a blow, and Forever must find a needle in a haystack.

WHY? Greg Rucka is a writer who brings his A-Game to every book month after month, be it at Marvel with Cyclops or on any other title. Lazarus is no exception – and this book should be another superb installment in a fantastic series especially when you consider Michael Lark’s artwork is equally stunning.

LEGENDARY STAR-LORD #1

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Story: Sam Humphries | Art: Paco Medina | Publisher: Marvel Comics | Price: $3.99

Spinning directly out of the pages of Guardians of the Galaxy and just in time for the highly anticipated summer blockbuster – the notorious interstellar outlaw is striking out to swindle and swashbuckle his way across the galaxy in search of big adventures and even bigger scores. Expect a battle with the Badoon, a fight to save an orphanage, not to mention a little flirting with Kitty Pryde of the X-Men – and that’s just the FIRST ISSUE!

From the cold abyss of deep space to the seedy alien underworld, deadly forces await around every turn – and the Star-Lord stands alone. As the brazen outlaw prepares to strike out on a new journey, no fan can afford to miss the continuing adventures of the leader of the Guardians of the Galaxy. An epic new adventure begins right here – if he lives that long! Hang on dear reader, as Sam Humphries & Paco Medina take you out of this world when THE LEGENDARY STAR-LORD #1 explodes onto comic shop shelves and digital devices this July!

WHY? One of the two brand new Guardians of the Galaxy series, along with Skottie Young’s Rocket Raccoon – Sam Humphries’ Legendary Star-Lord puts the focus on Peter Quill and sees Sam Humphries craft an ongoing with the Star-Lord’s solo adventures. One thing’s for sure, this book should be a lot of fun – and you can’t go far wrong in checking out Rocket Raccoon as well.

ROBOCOP #1

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Story: Joshua Williamson | Art: Carlos Magno | Publisher: Boom Studios | Price: $3.99

WHY WE LOVE IT: If you’re like us, the classic 1987 film holds a special place in your fan heart. Now, we’re taking the next step to give fans an original, ongoing RoboCop series set in that very world. This is the hard-bitten world of RoboCop we all grew up on!

WHY YOU’LL LOVE IT: If you’ve ever wondered what happens to RoboCop and his partner, Anne Lewis, after the first film, wonder no more. Joshua Williamson (GHOSTED, CAPTAIN MIDNIGHT) crafts a story of crime and corruption that fans of Gotham Central, Stray Bullets, and Incognito will enjoy. Carlos Magno (PLANET OF THE APES, DEATHMATCH) brings RoboCop and Old Detroit to life in detail and intensity never seen before.

WHAT’S IT ABOUT: A deadly and charismatic criminal, Killian, is released from jail. He went into the slammer before RoboCop hit the streets. Now he wants to take out the biggest cop in the city. When OCP wants to take guns off the street, Killian sees it as his opportunity to take on the former Alex Murphy.

WHY? The 2014 Robocop remake was an OK film when viewed on its own and not as a remake of the original, and it’s got me interested in reading more Robocop stuff again so hopefully Williamson will do Alex Murphy just as much justice as he’s done Captain Midnight – because we really could be onto a winner here and it’s something that’s certainly worth keeping an eye out for.

TECH JACKET #1

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Story: Joe Keatinge | Art: Khary Randolph | Publisher: Image Comics | Price: $3.50

A new ongoing series from the creative team who brought you the hit TECH JACKET DIGITAL mini! Zack Thompson: community college dropout, lives with his parents… This is who protects us from what lies beyond our world?! But he’s also Tech Jacket, the self-styled ‘Galactic Guardian of Earth,’ and when a big-ass space ship enters Earth’s orbit, Zack will face the greatest challenge of his life!

WHY? Joe Keatinge’s awesome Shutter series is off to a fine start so it should be great to see him helm another new ongoing series from Image Comics – entitled Tech Jacket – featuring a new ongoing with the ‘self-styled Galactic Guardian of Earth’. A brand new ongoing should be fun and whilst I haven’t read the previous mini-series this should hopefully be a good jumping on point.

Milo, aka Bane of Kings, is a SFF/Comic reader, and watches a lot of TV. His favourite authors are Neil Gaiman, China Mieville, Jim Butcher, Brandon Sanderson & Iain M. Banks, whilst his favourite TV shows are Battlestar Galactica (2003), Person Of Interest, Firefly, Game of Thrones, & Buffy the Vampire Slayer