Milo aka “Bane of Kings” runs down the Top 5 comics that you should be looking out for this week. 

We seem to have another massive week of new comics on our hands, or at least – I do anyway, picking up 13 books this week assuming everything’s in stock at my LCS. It’s a great week to be a comics fan though, with new releases across the board from a wide range of Publishers. Zero Year continues, Thor hunts Malekith, The Rebel Alliance battle the Empire in Space and DaYoung Johansson, the time-displaced teenage cop, becomes a hit in the 1980s. For a full lowdown on the books that I’m getting this week you can head over to this link, with the full list of books available on ComicList here. Now without further ado, what comics are you picking up this week?

BATGIRL #25

Story: Marguerite Bennett | Art: Fernando Pasarin, Jonathan Glapion | Cover: Alex Garner | Publisher: DC Comics | Price: $3.99

A BATMAN: ZERO YEAR tie-in! Barbara Gordon is forced to protect her brother and her homestead in anticipation of the upcoming storm—but it’s here that she learns the true meaning of “home” and “hero.”

WHY? Whilst I’m not too pleased that this issue’s being written by someone who isn’t Gail Simone and this is happening far too soon after Villain’s Month for my liking as it disrupts the flow of the books’s current Wanted arc – I’ll be sticking around to see how Bennett handles this. I wasn’t too impressed with her stint on Batman Annual #2 but this could change things around for me here – after all, she’s apparently doing a Lois Lane one shot next year so it may decide whether I pick up that issue or not. However, I’ve been sold by the preview, and with the added bonus of Alex Garner’s incredible cover art, what is there not to love?

BATMAN #25

Story: Scott Snyder | Art: Greg Capullo, Danny Miki | Cover: Greg Capullo | Publisher: DC Comics | Price: $4.99

BATMAN: ZERO YEAR reaches a new level as The Riddler sends Gotham City into total darkness! “Dark City” begins in this issue that features an embossed cover.

And the ZERO YEAR blackout spreads into other titles this month, affecting heroes across the DC Universe!

WHY? Batman is quite simply, my favourite DC ongoing series at the moment. Each issue is excellent and Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo both bring some excellent stuff to the table with each issue. We’re moving forward with Zero Year now in the tie-ins month, so it’ll be interesting to see how Batman #25 unfolds. Can’t wait for this – and this should rightly be my Pick of the Week if Snyder and Capullo can match the previous work that they’ve done for this story arc, and indeed – the entire series.

ROCKET GIRL #2

Story: Brandon Montclare | Art: Amy Reeder | Cover: Amy Reeder | Publisher: Image Comics | Price: $3.50

“BODIES IN MOTION TEND TO STAY IN MOTION…”

Teen future-cop DaYoung Johansson hits 1980s NYC like a meteor. People can’t get enough of the Rocket Girl: she’s fighting crime, saving citizens, and causing a sensation. But she’s also trying to right a wrong in a mystery so deep it could change the future forever. There’s a lot more going on here than anyone knows about — and it might be more than the 15-year-old super detective can handle.

WHY? Another strong series with killer art from Amy Reeder – Rocket Girl is the only Image book that I’m getting this week. It started off with a strong and fun first issue, so you can count me in for this one as well, with a fun and entertaining concept that could be very interesting in this time around. Bring it on.

STAR WARS #11

Story: Brian Wood | Art: Carlos D’Anda | Cover: Sean Cooke | Publisher: Dark Horse Comics | Price: $2.99

Princess Leia’s stealth squadron is together again, just in time to fight for their lives. The Star Destroyer Devastator launches an all-out attack on the Rebel fleet! Meanwhile, Vader’s secret agent realizes what it could mean to fail the Dark Lord. And, on Coruscant, Han Solo’s luck may be changing—unless . . . well, unless it isn’t . . .

WHY? It’s Star Wars. I could just leave it at that. But Brian Wood is doing an incredible job on this series regardless, with some stunning visuals to boot. This is a must read each month for one of the most famous Sci-Fi series of all time and I’m loving each issue. Buy this book!

THOR: GOD OF THUNDER #15

Story: Jason Aaron | Art: Ron Garney | Cover: Ron Garney | Publisher: Marvel Comics | Price: $3.99

The hunt for Malekith the Accursed continues! Thor and his newfound compatriots in the League of Realms chase the Dark Elf marauder across the Nine Realms: From the exotic fairy gardens of Alfheim to the frozen mountains of Jotunheim, where giants dwell. But when one of the League falls…will it mean war for all Realms?

WHY? Jason Aaron’s Thor is excellent so far. Whilst it can’t match the first year-long Godbomb arc with Esad Ribic, Aaron and Garney are doing a fine job with Malekith which is enough to keep this title a must read each month and a regular addition on my pull-list. Looking forward to it