Rob's Picks:

The End 2099 #1
The end has truly come for Earth-2099, and Marvel sends it off with an ambitious, cosmic-scale spectacle that feels appropriately epic. Galactus and Knull merging into the horrifying Abyssus — a Devourer In Black that consumes both worlds and souls — immediately establishes stakes that dwarf anything this future timeline has faced before. When Dracula returns as the Herald of Abyssus, Miguel O’Hara rallies the heroes of tomorrow expecting a familiar Conquest 2099-style conflict, only to find themselves hopelessly outmatched by a literal god. The inclusion of Silver Surfer seeking balance through an uneasy alliance with Mephisto is a brilliant escalation, culminating in a devil’s bargain that frames the entire story as a winner-takes-all contest across time, space, and realities. Steve Orlando smartly uses this finale to spotlight the expanded roster of 2099 variants he’s built over the run, allowing lesser-seen characters to shine while keeping Miguel as the emotional anchor rather than the sole focus. While I wouldn’t have minded a bit more Spider-Man 2099, the choice reinforces that this is about the fate of a universe, not one hero. As a Secret Wars–style sendoff, this issue succeeds spectacularly, and the debut of Spider-Man 3099 is the perfect final hook to make this a must-read.

Giant-Size Criminal #1
Criminal’s long-awaited return proves that Ed Brubaker still reigns supreme when it comes to modern pulp noir storytelling. Ricky Lawless is back in “The High Roller,” a classic tale of a simple job spiraling out of control after one too many bad bets leaves him desperate and in debt. Tasked with robbing a casino poker player, Ricky quickly learns that breaking into the hotel suite is easy — it’s his own impulsive nature that’s the real danger. What starts as a straightforward stickup devolves into a booze-soaked indulgence of the high-roller lifestyle, leaving Ricky battered, hungover, and scrambling to salvage the job. What sets this issue apart is its balance of grit and humor, delivering laugh-out-loud moments without undercutting the danger or tension. Lawless remains endlessly charming even as he repeatedly sabotages himself, making him the kind of rogue you can’t help rooting for. This oversized one-shot feels every bit as strong as any Criminal entry, standing on its own rather than serving as a Netflix tie-in, and the added primer and RPG content make it an excellent gateway for newcomers who want a taste of the series without committing to a full graphic novel.

The Darkness #1
Image continues its successful revival streak by bringing Marc Silvestri’s The Darkness back into the spotlight, reintroducing Jackie Estacado with a confident blend of nostalgia and refinement. Jackie’s origin as a hardened orphan turned criminal enforcer is retold with clarity and weight, culminating in his 21st birthday inheritance of the Darkness — a sinister power tied to a malevolent dimension that immediately places him at the center of a supernatural tug-of-war. What makes this revival compelling is its moral ambiguity, as neither heavenly nor hellish forces come across as truly righteous, leaving Jackie’s already compromised soul caught between equally questionable options. Silvestri revisiting this story with decades of experience gives the book a stronger thematic focus, while Ed Benes adds polish to the classic ’90s Image aesthetic, making it feel timeless rather than dated. Much like the Witchblade revival, this issue understands what fans loved about the original while sharpening its edges for a modern audience. For longtime readers and millennial nostalgia seekers alike, this is a pitch-perfect return that proves some icons are worth resurrecting.

Solo's Picks:

Absolute Batman #15
The long-awaited Joker issue has finally arrived, and Scott Snyder does not disappoint in delivering a reinvention that feels both shocking and genuinely unsettling. Since the beginning of this series, readers have speculated endlessly about the origins and true nature of the Absolute Universe’s Joker, and this issue finally pulls the curtain back with revelations that significantly raise the stakes for the entire line. Guest artist Jock is a perfect fit, crafting a nightmarish atmosphere and depicting a terrifying, almost beastlike Joker that makes Bruce’s usual war on crime feel like a battle against an eldritch horror. The idea that a Joker figure has been at the center of humanity’s greatest tragedies for centuries — sustained by ritualistic child sacrifices to maintain immortality — reframes the character in a way that is bold, disturbing, and surprisingly effective. While this isn’t the most action-heavy chapter, it excels at establishing Joker as a looming, mythic threat, proving that even after decades of reinvention, this character can still inspire awe and dread. If you’re following the Absolute Universe, this issue is essential reading.

Wonder Woman vs. Lobo #1
DC K.O. continues its streak of entertaining matchups with a gloriously unhinged clash between Wonder Woman and Lobo that fully embraces the “rule of cool.” Initially, the pairing seems odd, but the book quickly answers the question of “why?” with a simple shrug and a grin, pitting the two immortals against each other in a series of absurd and brutal challenges ranging from slap contests and chess matches to full-on hand-to-hand combat. Diana’s disciplined, warrior-poet approach contrasts perfectly with Lobo’s brute-force chaos, making each trial more entertaining than the last. Joëlle Jones and the rotating art team keep things visually fresh by shifting styles throughout the competition, resulting in some deliberately over-the-top imagery that’s impossible not to enjoy. There is a moment midway through that feels rushed and a bit structurally messy, but it’s brief and doesn’t derail the fun. Ultimately, this is a loud, ridiculous, and highly enjoyable entry in the K.O. event that’s well worth adding to your pull list.

The Beauty #2
Ignition Press’s reboot of The Beauty continues to impress as Jeremy Haun and Jason A. Hurley push the story in unexpected directions while still honoring its roots. After being drawn in by the first issue, revisiting the original series only highlights how bold this second chapter really is, as it retells familiar beats from a drastically different angle. The shift in focus toward the thriller and espionage elements is especially effective, most notably in the reworking of the weatherman’s death, which is no longer a shocking broadcast moment but a slow, meticulous, and deeply disturbing murder that changes the tone entirely. The decision to reference certain events off-panel rather than depict them directly is intriguing, raising questions about how much the creative team plans to remix versus reinvent as the series progresses. Visually, the book remains stunning, with art that demands attention on every page and complements the increasingly sinister narrative. This issue confidently proves the reboot isn’t just retreading old ground, making The Beauty one of the most compelling ongoing thrillers on the shelf right now.