The Top 5 Must Read Comics This NCBD! (30 July 2014)

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Milo, aka “Bane of Kings”, runs down The Top 5 Must Read Comics hitting shelves for tomorrow’s new comic book day, featuring titles from Dark Horse, Image, Marvel and Vertigo Comics.

It’s the last week of the month, and with an extra week this month it means Annuals for DC Comics. Whilst I haven’t featured any here, you’d be mad if you’re not already reading Red Lanterns – Charles Soule is doing wonders with that comic and Jeff Parker’s Aquaman shines as well. However, there’s more out there than just the five books that I’ve featured in this list – ComicList as always has the full list of titles, and you can see what books I’ll be getting tomorrow here.

Now, let’s get started.

DEEP GRAVITY #1 (of 4)

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Story: Gabriel Hardman, Corinna Bechko, Mike Richardson | Art: Fernando Baldò, | Colours: Nick Filardi | Cover: Gabriel Hardman | Publisher: Dark Horse Comics | Price: $2.99

He didn’t get onto the most lucrative interstellar mission for the money—Paxon wants to be reunited with the woman he loves. But his high-stakes journey takes him to a savage world full of the galaxy’s most dangerous game, where the gravity can turn your bones to powder.

WHY? Whilst I’m yet to read the latest issue, Gabriel Hardman and Corinna Bechko have really impressed with Star Wars Legacy which has been one of my favourite titles. It’s put these creators on my ‘must-read’ list so I’ll try anything from them, and Deep Gravity, a new space opera series from Dark Horse Comics is on that list. Whilst only four issues, it shouldn’t be missed. I’m less familiar with Richardson, Baldò and Filardi, but we’ll see how it goes.

HAWKEYE #19

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Story: Matt Fraction | Art: David Aja | Colours: Matt Hollingsworth | Cover: David Aja | Publisher: Marvel Comics | Price: $3.99

He didn’t get onto the most lucrative interstellar mission for the money—Paxon wants to be reunited with the woman he loves. But his high-stakes journey takes him to a savage world full of the galaxy’s most dangerous game, where the gravity can turn your bones to powder.

WHY? Yay! Hawkeye! After what has seemed like a lifetime without this fan favourite comic, Fraction has returned with what should be another stellar issue focusing on Kate Bishop. The only downside is the price increase.

LOW #1

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Story: Rick Remender | Art: Greg Tocchini | Cover: Greg Tocchini | Publisher: Image Comics | Price: $3.99

Frequent collaborators Rick Remender (BLACK SCIENCE) and artist Greg Tocchini (Uncanny X-Force, Last Days of American Crime) will bring readers on another high-octane science fiction adventure, this time to the lowest depths of Earth after it has been ravaged by the sun’s radiation.

LOW is set in the distant future, after humanity has relocated to radiation-shielded cities below the sea and the surface of the planet has become a scorched uninhabitable wasteland. A probe has returned with information on a possible alternative planet for humans, but it has landed on the Earth’s surface. A few brave representatives from the warring human clans venture out to retrieve it and the hopeful news it bears.

WHY? Rick Remender has been a brilliant writer as far as I’m concerned and has rarely disappointed. Black Science, Deadly Class, Captain America & Uncanny Avengers have all been great, so this should hopefully be very enjoyable indeed with an interesting premise. Looking forward to seeing where this one goes.

SANDMAN OVERTURE #3 (of 6)

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Story: Neil Gaiman | Art: JH Williams III | Cover: Dave McKean, JH Williams III | Publisher: Vertigo Comics | Price: $3.99

The armies of the night are gathering. The universe is beginning its final dance. Morpheus, far from home, walks the path of madness, accompanied only by himself.

This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

WHY? Neil Gaiman and JH Williams III are two of my favourite creators so having them work together on a Sandman book is a dream come true. The first two issues have been excellent so it’s about time we’ve got the third act, and it looks to be as stellar as ever. This is a must buy as far as I’m concerned and will likely be one of my first reads when I pick up my comics.

THE WAKE #10 (of 10)

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Story: Scott Snyder | Art: Sean G. Murphy | Cover: Sean G. Murphy | Publisher: Vertigo Comics | Price: $2.99

The series Buzzfeed called ‘the best horror comic of the year’ and Comics Alliance rated ‘most unpredictable’ and ‘uncanny and uncategorizable’ comes to a shocking conclusion. Will Leeward uncover a history buried thousands of leagues beneath the sea – or will the waves come crashing down on what little land is left?

WHY? This book has been superb. Scott Snyder is a fantastic writer and The Wake has been one of his finest works, and it’s great to see it finally reach a conclusion this week. An excellent series and I’m looking forward to see it wrap up.

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