After a rather paltry lineup last week, there appears to be a ton of great books this week. I didn’t list out everything I’m picking up this week, but it’s darn close.
Ronin Island #1 – BOOM! Studios
Greg Pak is consistently one of the best writers in mainstream comics. Of course, his Hulk work is well renowned, as is his Action Comics efforts. But his work outside the Big Two is arguably even better. His latest effort, Ronin Island, looks to examine how a society can move past seemingly irreparable differences. Set against the backdrop of 19th century Japan, this looks to offer a solution to cultural healing that is so desperately needed today.
Astro Hustle #1 cover
Astro Hustle #1 – Dark Horse
The title alone had my interest piqued, but a deeper dive into what this series is about has me fully on board. Disco. Science Fiction. Over-the-top action. Is that a pirate bulldog wielding a gun? Throw in some kung-fu and ‘80s fashion, and you’ve got a smorgasbord of pop-culture elements that makes it worth finding out if they work together.
The Green Lantern #5 – DC Comics
Grant Morrison and Liam Sharp’s The Green Lantern has been fucking nuts. There’s nothing more to say.
Paper Girls #26 – Image
While Saga will be returning at some point in the future, the end is nigh for Brian K. Vaughan’s other series, Paper Girls. This issue kicks off the series’ final arc. This series has been a wonderful mashup of science-fiction, mystery, and coming-of-age storytelling. With only five issues left, will Erin, Mac, and the rest find their way back to 1988? Probably, but the journey to this point has been so good it doesn’t really matter.
Cosmic Ghost Rider Destroys Marvel History #1 – Marvel
A cosmic book that’s also a meta-commentary on comic book continuity? Sign me up. Comedian and actor (and co-host of the “How Did This Get Made?” podcast) Paul Scheer takes the reigns of the Cosmic Ghost Rider from Donny Cates with the aim of driving continuity hounds insane. Will it be as good as the first Cosmic Ghost Rider series? Probably not. But this looks like it’s just trying for a fun story for readers to just kick back and enjoy.