Milo, aka Bane of Kings, runs down the Top 5 Must-Read Comics This NCBD, featuring books from multiple publishers.

It’s a good month to be a fan of DC Comics. We’ve already had the Gotham trailer, with the Constantine trailer following suit and The Flash trailer just around the corner. And on top of that, we get the reveal of the long-anticipated Batsuit for the upcoming Batman/Superman movie! Who needs two movies and a tv show every year when you can have a movie every other year and three TV shows (not including the ones from Vertigo) – but without further ado, let’s talk comics. This week is a bit more of a change in allowing titles that aren’t necessarily on my pull-list – because apart from the ones that I’m most anticipated for, they’re all designed as jumping on points  or new so you can read them without  knowledge of what went down before. Here is my pull-list however, and you can find the full list of releases here. So without further ado, let’s get on with the show.

 

BLOODSHOT AND H.A.R.D. CORPS #22

Story: Christos N. Gage, Duffy Boudreau | Art: Al Barrionueo | Publisher: Valiant Comics | Price: $3.99

ALL-NEW ARC! START READING HERE! Bloodshot VS. H.A.R.D. Corps! The one-man army known only as Bloodshot is forced to turn his guns on his own people! Project Rising Spirit, the private military organization that created Bloodshot, enlisted him to fight on their side – and Bloodshot, seeking his own secret justice, agreed. Now his agenda comes to light, and Bloodshot turns around to destroy Rising Spirit once and for all.

WHY? This book looks awesome, and Christos Gage is one of my must-read writers so there’s no way that I’m not going to try this out. Valiant have been putting out a lot of good books lately and I’m yet to be disappointed by a single one. So if you’re a fan of Gage or want to try something new, then this book should be right up your street. Whilst it may be #22, it’s the start of a whole new arc.

DEADLY HANDS OF KUNG-FU #1 (of 4)

Story: Mike Bensen  Art: Tan Eng Huat | Publisher: Marvel Comics | Price: $3.99

MURDER! MYSTERY! MARTIAL ARTS! A former lover of Shang-Chi’s is murdered in cold blood while working deep undercover for MI-6. When Shang-Chi travels to England to pay his respects he learns all is not as it seems, and if he’s not careful he may be next to die! Old friends, new enemies, espionage and kung fu collide in this riveting story from Mike Benson and Tan Eng Huat!

WHY? Yes, it may be $3.99 for a character and creative team that you probably haven’t experienced before, but murder, mystery and martial arts always sounds like a cool mix and with the setting in England – it’s always good to read superhero comics set outside of the USA so hopefully this will be a welcome break – should be very interesting indeed.

JUSTICE LEAGUE UNITED #1

Story: Jeff Lemire | Art: Mike McKone | Publisher: DC Comics | Price: $3.99

In Canada, the team of Animal Man, Green Arrow, Martian Manhunter and Stargirl is joined by Adam Strange to fight an unstoppable forced called the Unimaginable. This issue is also offered as a combo pack edition with a redemption code for a digital download of this issue.

WHY? Whilst not essential, the #0 issue of this book was a fun read that can come recommended, and hopefully the start of a brilliant new series from one of my favourite writers in comics. Jeff Lemire is responsible for the amazing Green Arrow run from #17 onwards, so let’s hope that he can steer these characters to new heights with an interesting mix that should fill the void for the Justice League of America title just fine.

SUPERMAN: DOOMED #1

Story: Scott Lobdell, Greg Pak, Charles Soule | Art: Ken Lashley | Publisher: DC Comics | Price: $4.99

Beginning the super-event you have been waiting for in The New 52: Superman vs. Doomsday in a way you’ve never seen before! And with Doomsday’s deadly new abilities, in this battle there can be no winners. The Man of Steel must unleash insane levels of power in order to do the job, only to terrify the world he’s saving. Beating Doomsday is only the beginning of this never ending battle!

WHY? Yes, it may be another Crossover and at $4.99 it’s the most expensive book on this list, especially when there are two other Superman books that tie into this event hitting shelves this week as well, Action Comics #31 and Superman/Wonder Woman #8. But hopefully the book should be an awesome read regardless and who doesn’t love reading lots of Superman  books in one week? It should be great fun.

THE WALKING DEAD #127

Story: Robert Kirkman | Art: Charlie Adlard | Publisher: Image Comics | Price: $2.99

DOUBLE-SIZED ISSUE FOR ONLY $2.99! In the aftermath of ‘ALL-OUT WAR’ we discover…A NEW BEGINNING.

WHY? At #127, this is easily the highest book on my list but if you’re a comics fan, chances are you’ll have heard of The Walking Dead and chances are you’ll at least have seen one episode of the show – or read the first issue that’s currently free on Comixology (and has been for a while). However, if you’re looking to jump on board then this book might be your best bet, because at $2.99 you really can’t go wrong, especially when it’s double sized.