Rob's Picks:

DC K.O.: The Joker vs. Red Hood #1
This epic rematch is a brutal ballet of violence and easily the best fight the K.O. event has delivered so far, elevating the usual spectacle with a heavy dose of emotional weight. While unconventional matchups and no-holds-barred combat have defined the fun of K.O., this issue is supercharged by the lingering trauma of Jason Todd’s murder, one of the most infamous moments in Batman history. Told through Jason’s perspective, Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson craft an introspective narration that digs deep into his pain while also drawing sharp parallels between Batman and the Joker themselves. That psychological depth never slows the action, which is among the most relentless and shockingly effective of the event, with both combatants fully committed to killing each other from start to finish. The shifting arenas and reality-warping mechanics of the tournament allow Joker to employ especially cruel tricks, including a horrifying reenactment of the night Jason first died. Despite the focus on Red Hood, Joker is anything but sidelined, with his blend of manic genius, chaos, and foresight on full display, proving once again that he needs no superpowers to be a credible threat in a god-tier contest. The issue closes by pushing the Booster Gold and Time Trapper subplot forward in just a few pages, decisively setting the stage for the next phase of the battle for Apokolips.

The Will of Doom #1
With Doom and his one-world empire gone, The Will of Doom explores the fallout of a reality-shaking event by grounding it firmly in the emotional core of the Fantastic Four. Reed Richards, haunted by his failure to stop Doom’s rise, now faces public distrust and the unexpected responsibility of serving as executor of Doom’s estate, which Victor has shockingly left to his goddaughter Valeria. Val’s grief is handled with surprising tenderness, as her sudden wealth offers little comfort after the loss of one of the few people who truly loved her. While the story functions as a denouement to a massive crossover, it never loses sight of the FF’s family dynamic, using it to anchor the narrative amid global instability. Doom’s legacy immediately begins to spiral out of control as Doombots activate around the world, seizing governments and creating a massive power vacuum, particularly in Latveria. That chaos draws in Thunderbolt Ross, who views Doom’s fall as an opportunity for American occupation, a chilling escalation that gains traction once the Doombot crisis unfolds. Written by Chip Zdarsky, this issue serves as a fitting swan song for one of Marvel’s greatest villains while also laying the groundwork for major conflicts to come, delivering a deeply satisfying read for longtime fans of these characters.

Batman / Static: Beyond #2
The second issue of this animated-era crossover ramps up both the stakes and the heart as Batman Beyond and Static face a threat tailor-made to exploit their greatest strengths. Picking up after a violent attack on a public demonstration, Terry McGinnis searches desperately for his missing friend Melvin, whose exposure to the same substance that empowered Static proves catastrophic. Melvin returns as the newly christened Shutdown, a tragic antagonist whose anti-electricity powers make proximity to technology physically agonizing and fuel his hatred of the modern world. As he targets Dakota City and everything Virgil Hawkins has built, Batman and Static quickly realize that their reliance on tech makes Shutdown an almost unbeatable opponent. Even with backup, their first confrontation ends in failure, forcing Virgil to push his abilities to dangerous new extremes. Evan Narcisse and Nikolas Draper-Ivey perfectly capture the tone of the original cartoons, presenting a Terry McGinnis who feels lifted straight from Batman Beyond and a grown-up Static who evolves naturally from the teenage hero fans remember. For anyone who grew up on these shows, this series feels less like a nostalgia play and more like an essential continuation.

Solo's Picks:

DC KO: Red Hood vs. Joker #1
Jason Todd finally gets his long-awaited shot at vengeance in one of the most anticipated matchups DC K.O. has announced, and thankfully this issue does not pull its punches. Scott Snyder and Joshua Williamson deliver a focused, emotionally charged story told entirely from Jason’s perspective, revisiting the night of his murder at the Joker’s hands and examining how that trauma has shaped both his reputation and his identity as the Red Hood. By limiting the narrative to Jason alone, the book leans hard into melodrama in the best way, allowing him to reflect on the legacy he wants to leave behind and what redemption actually means for someone who has lived in the shadow of that moment for so long. More than just a brutal tournament entry, this issue feels like a genuine course correction for the character, laying down thematic groundwork that would be a shame to abandon once the event wraps up. If you’re a Jason Todd fan, this book feels tailor-made for you and sets a standard that Red Hood stories should aspire to moving forward.

TMNT Battle Nexus #1
A new weekly TMNT series kicks off with an immediately intriguing premise, throwing the Turtles into chaos almost as soon as the issue begins. What starts as a familiar bust of Bebop and Rocksteady quickly spirals into interdimensional madness when the team is dragged into the Battle Nexus Tournament, now twisted into a deadly killing game by Savanti Romero. While the name will spark memories of the 2004 video game, this story appears to be a reference in spirit only, instead positioning the Ninja Turtles as a multiversal constant that continually thwarts Savanti’s schemes. That concept alone adds an unexpected layer of mystery, and this first issue makes it clear that there are larger machinations at play beyond the tournament itself. Esau and Isaac Escorza’s bold, thickly inked art perfectly complements the gritty tone, evoking classic TMNT aesthetics while delivering striking new designs for characters like Shredder and Renet. This is a love letter to longtime Turtle fans and a strong opening salvo for what promises to be a brutal, high-energy event.

Skinbreaker #4
Skinbreaker continues to impress, with this issue standing out as one of the strongest chapters yet in Robert Kirkman and David Finch’s savage epic. Following his reluctant acceptance of the chieftain’s challenge, Anok is forced to confront the growing divide between tradition and innovation as doubts about his leadership erupt into a bloody ritual combat against Paca. Rather than falling into the expected beats of a ceremonial duel, the issue smartly subverts the trope by showcasing Anok’s unconventional thinking, reinforcing why his technological ingenuity both empowers and threatens the tribe. Finch’s art remains nothing short of spectacular, and the increased action gives readers even more opportunity to soak in his detailed, visceral illustrations. The issue closes with a striking glimpse beyond the village, hinting at a much larger world waiting to be explored. With a satisfying conclusion to the first arc and a strong foundation for what comes next, Skinbreaker continues to prove itself as a must-read series.