Happy New Year, CHU Nation! I hope everyone had a healthy and safe holiday season. Despite Marvel taking a week off, there are still a good number of books to discuss this week. We finally learn about the terrible origin of Gotham Below and those responsible for protecting its secrets. Batman and Talon have fought their way through the city’s villains to rescue Jevony, but is it too late to save him from the Batman Below? The cover for this issue is by Bill Sienkiewicz, known for his “maddening” covers, making it a great pick.
It’s ironic that many of the variant covers for this book are not very impressive. Cover A would have been a better choice for a foil variant. While I’m unsure how it will look as a foil, I recommend it for foil collectors and those who appreciate negative space.
In Sinister Sons #1, the sons of Zod and Sinestro team up in this series. The acetate cover variant brings back a classic style, but it may be too soon for its return.
Poison Ivy #19 reveals the true origin of Poison Ivy as told by the villainess herself. This series is known for its stunning covers, and this issue is worth picking up not only for the cover but also for the story. The foil variant of Cover A is also worth considering.
DC continues with lenticular covers in Titans Beast World #6. While I haven’t seen one yet, they have been good in the past, so it’s worth checking out.
Batman #428 features Robin Lives on the Jim Aparo card stock variant cover. It’s rare to see Batman smiling on a cover these days, let alone praising the lord. For those who prefer a darker tone, Cover A offers a “black, white, and bloody red” design. This is a book that would have been great as a lenticular cover.
Void Rivals #5 offers a third printing with a Flaviano connecting cover. This series has been popular, and Quintesson covers are hard to come by. We’re still waiting for Duke #1 to go to a second printing.
Batman #142 features Joker Year 1, and Cover A by Giuseppe Camuncoli and Stefano Nesi is worth highlighting. A foil variant is also available for those who like shiny covers.
Suicide Squad Kill Arkham Asylum #1 serves as a prequel to the upcoming video game. Each print issue includes a redeemable code for a bonus digital token inspired by the game. This issue may be popular among gamers and could be polybagged.
Moving on to indie books, Moon Man #1 follows Scott Townsend, who is looking for a quiet life after a failed moon mission. However, he soon discovers a secret that will change his life forever. This book has generated buzz and has multiple covers.
Blasfamous #1 is a horror comedy set in the world of pop music. Clelia, the reigning queen of pop, faces a threat to her reign and must unravel the mystery behind it. This book also has multiple covers and fits well with the current state of pop music.
In a supernatural thriller, Nadia must overcome depression and grief to save her son from a demon hiding in an old painting. This book tackles tough topics and has an interesting concept.
For Free Comic Book Day, which is a few months away, there are some standout books to consider. Keep in mind that LCS’s have to pay for these books, so it’s best to order in advance to ensure you get the ones you want. The TMNT FCBD issue hints at a first appearance and may be worth speculating on if the upcoming series are successful.
That wraps up this week’s book recommendations. Happy reading, everyone!
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