Rob's Picks:

DC K.O. Knightfight #2
Back for round two, Knightfight continues to stand tall as the best book in this event’s stacked lineup. Bruce’s abrupt ejection from the game sent him crashing into another reality where Dick Grayson leads an army of Robins as the new Batman, and their rooftop showdown picks up right where issue #1 left off. Bruce just wants to go home, but the mercurial Motherbox instead hurls him into another nightmare world ruled by another of his former sidekicks—this time an irradiated Gotham where Jason Todd’s rage and trauma have gone nuclear, and once again Batman is to blame for everything wrong in the city. With Dan Mora on art, the close-quarters combat between Bruce and his adopted sons is some of the most kinetic, fluid action you’ll see in a comic this year, and his visuals, paired with Tríona Farrell’s smart color shifts, make each reality instantly distinct—from Grayson’s muted blues to Jason’s razor-sharp red, white, and black hellscape. Joshua Williamson keeps the story racing forward while grounding it in Bruce’s unwavering love for his family, making the “Batman vs. Bat-Fam” premise feel fresh all over again. He may not be any closer to home by the final page, but honestly, he can stay lost as long as this creative team keeps delivering like this.

Doctor Strange #1
Doom’s reign is over, but the question of who gets to be Sorcerer Supreme of Midgard remains unanswered—and that’s a major problem for Stephen Strange, who gave up his title back in Blood Hunt and called in a favor from Thor for his current gig. Now the God of Thunder is dead, Asgard is cut off from the Nine Realms, and Strange is stuck without allies in a job no one wants him holding. Fortunately, he’s still useful to the new divine bureaucracy, and when a dispute erupts between the Elves of Alfheim and the Angels of Heven, a mortal mediator is exactly the neutral party needed. Derek Landy continues the sharp premise he established in Doctor Strange of Asgard, treating the role of Sorcerer Supreme as a government office—part sheriff, part diplomat—and with that foundation already built, this series wastes no time kicking into gear while still planting new lore and an intriguing villain. The standout addition is Strange’s new partner Angela, whose pointed, cultural-guide banter gives the story a grounded charm often missing from his higher-concept tales. Ivan Fiorelli’s manga/anime-leaning aesthetic reinforces the fantastical elements beautifully, especially in a brutal, sword-and-sorcery finale that feels straight out of Conan. A strong, confident start.

Hulk: Smash Everything #1
The “strongest one there is” puts the title to the test in this wildly fun new series from Unbeatable Squirrel Girl writer Ryan North. Hulk has thrown down with just about everyone over the years, but today he’s tearing up New York with one goal—smash Doctor Strange—leaving the Doc to uncover why while also struggling to survive the beating. It’s all part of a bigger scheme from the Leader, and the Hulk’s rampage is only the first move in a plan that’s clearly going well beyond stealing magical knickknacks. The tone is delightfully energetic, fully embracing the medium’s potential for big, loud, creative chaos, and Vincenzo Carratù’s bright, silver-age-with-a-modern-polish artwork matches that vibe perfectly. The Hulk vs. Strange clash is only one of the issue’s joyful brawls—because why stop there when you can also throw in a pack of rampaging raptors? North and Carratù treat the Marvel Universe like a toy box and gleefully crash everything into Hulk, resulting in a pure comics thrill ride that is impossible not to enjoy.

Solo's Picks:

Ultimate Universe: Two Years In #1
Two years into the New Ultimate Universe, Marvel celebrates with an issue that’s exciting, ambitious… and a little puzzling in purpose. Rather than feeling like the start of a grand finale, this reads more like the second chapter of a much larger story just getting warmed up — which is odd given how close we are to the end. That said, the content itself absolutely delivers, especially with a wild new direction for Daredevil. We’ve seen Matt Murdock wield cosmic power before, but turning him into an omnipotent guardian slowly breaking under the weight of responsibility is a bold, unsettling evolution that feels genuinely fresh. The art team is stacked with talent, resulting in a visually stunning issue that gets beautifully weird whenever alternate worlds and realities enter the frame. It’s such a strong concept that it almost feels like it should have arrived months ago, but with four issues left before the curtain drops, there’s still time for Marvel to swing for the fences. If they keep the quality at this level, the Ultimate line could go out in spectacular fashion.

DC K.O.: Superman vs Captain Atom #1
The DC K.O. event continues to be a blast, and this heavyweight showdown between two of DC’s most powerful heroes is pure, uninterrupted spectacle. Following Captain Atom’s cheap shot that eliminated Supergirl in DC K.O. #2, he now has to face the consequences — namely, an enraged Superman inside the arena. Instead of the usual mid-fight team-up twist these events love to pull, this issue stays true to its title from the first panel to the last: just two absolute titans hitting each other with everything they’ve got. Sean Izaakse’s artwork is perfectly suited to this kind of aerial slugfest, capturing the scale, speed, and intensity of powers being pushed to their limits. The brief return of some long-absent forms and abilities adds even more hype, and the classic designs look phenomenal under Izaakse’s linework. Even if you haven’t read the main K.O. series, this is worth grabbing — it stands perfectly on its own while making a strong case to dive into the full event.

Batman #4
Batman is back in top form, and this series continues to stand out by shining a rare light on the more compassionate sides of Bruce Wayne without losing the grounded detective essence that defines him. This run emphasizes Bruce not just as a crimefighter but as a flawed father figure — and even, at times, as a reluctant therapist to his rogues, who he treats less like enemies and more like damaged people worth understanding. That theme deepens with the introduction of Dr. Zeller, whose experimental device aims to re-map the brain to heal trauma. It’s the sort of ethically gray idea that could easily foreshadow a major villain twist, but for now it represents something more interesting: Bruce considering healthier ways to grapple with his internal wounds. This issue is the most exposition-heavy so far, with Batman piecing together a growing conspiracy in Gotham’s underworld while the story reveals which major players will be shaping the conflict ahead. Whether you’re here for character-driven storytelling or classic detective work, this run has everything a Batman fan could want — and issue #4 locks it in as a must-read.