Rob's Picks:

Hellboy In Love: The Art of Fire #1 – Creator Mike Mignola teams with Christopher Golden (Lady Baltimore) and artist Alex Nieto (Locust) for a charmingly macabre return to the Hellboy/BPRD universe. Some time has passed since the first Hellboy In Love, but Hellboy and Dr. Anastasia Bransfield have kept their relationship strong despite demanding careers. Bransfield, benched from fieldwork after her supernatural encounters, gets an unexpected getaway when Hellboy invites her to explore the tomb of an Icelandic witch and uncover the secret history of magic. Amateur necromancy, of course, goes exactly as badly as you’d expect, unleashing dangerous forces. Equal parts rom-com and supernatural horror, this issue delivers a satisfying blend of humor, chemistry, and monster-hunting mayhem.

Godzilla: Escape the Deadzone #1 – The Kai-Sei Era deepens in this follow-up to Godzilla #1, expanding IDW’s new shared Godzilla universe into stranger, wilder territory. The Deadzone—formerly the Pacific Northwest—was abandoned after the Kaiju awakening, its wastelands now patrolled by scavengers, mutants, and automated defenses. Among the survivors is a mysterious wanderer with a clawed hand and a scaly tail, rumored to be part man, part Kaiju, who uses his strength to protect the innocent. Pablo Tunica (Godzilla: Rage Across Time) brings a gritty, vividly colored aesthetic that fuses the mutant chaos of Mad Max with the kinetic energy of TMNT, creating a post-apocalyptic playground worthy of Godzilla’s towering shadow.

Cul De Sac #1 – Mike Carey (Lucifer, The Unwritten) delivers a slow-burn vampire thriller that turns suburban familiarity into quiet menace. In the idyllic neighborhood of Kinton, three closely bonded families—the Kingsleys, Ortegas, and Herrimans—share a life more intimate than most, a bond their children don’t realize hides a chilling truth: their parents are vampires. That revelation, planned for a shared camping trip, is complicated when the kids return to find their cul de sac under siege by vampire hunters. Carey favors suspense over outright horror, letting the dread build until it’s ready to strike. Jonathan Wayshak (Devolution) supports this with a moody palette of cool blues and sudden bursts of fiery reds, creating a tense but not hopelessly bleak atmosphere.

Solo's Picks:

Marvel Rivals: Hellfire Gala #1 – The Hellfire Gala returns in this Marvel Rivals tie-in from Paul Allor, Luca Claretti, Daniel Scalisi, and IG Guara, blending flashy fun with over-the-top action. The story opens with Storm mingling through the event, ensuring everything runs smoothly—until a swarm of Ultron Drones crashes the party. Emma Frost, Magik, Psylocke, T’Challa, and Namor leap into action, delivering a flurry of stylish battles that showcase the alternate-universe designs from the game. While the characterization—particularly for Storm and Captain America—differs from their mainline counterparts, it works within Rivals’ unique continuity, where mythos and personalities shift with each incarnation. Lighthearted, colorful, and packed with fan-service moments, it’s a treat for X-Men devotees and Marvel Rivals players alike.

Captain America #2 – Chip Zdarsky’s new Captain America run follows its stellar debut with an even stronger second issue, brought to life by Valerio Schiti’s crisp linework and Frank Martin’s rich, immersive colors. Set in a “Year One” style framework, the series explores Steve Rogers’ earliest missions after being thawed from the ice, presenting moral challenges that force him to examine his ideals and occasionally confront his own contradictions. Zdarsky handles this without leaning into cynicism, keeping Steve principled yet human. The developing tension between Steve and Colton (the 21st-century Captain America) adds a compelling layer, and the closing panel—Doctor Doom approving Cap’s WWII actions—promises intriguing complications ahead. With sharp writing, layered themes, and gorgeous art, this is quickly shaping up to be a modern Cap classic.

Cruel Universe Vol. II #1 – EC Comics’ acclaimed horror anthology returns with a second volume that matches, and perhaps surpasses, the eerie brilliance of its predecessor. Each story carries a nostalgic visual sensibility, but “Catch and Kill” stands out for pairing that retro charm with grotesque depictions of infectious germs that are as unsettling as they are imaginative. Other highlights include the book’s opener and third entry, both tackling themes of discrimination and power from distinct and thought-provoking angles. The mix of classic EC-style morality tales and fresh modern horror sensibilities makes this a must-have for fans of the first volume and newcomers alike. Horror lovers, don’t miss your chance to get in on one of the most consistently impressive anthology series on shelves today.