Rob's Picks:

Bleeding Hearts #1 – Ten years ago, the dead arose to conquer the living, and in the world of zombies… life goes on. Apart from craving human flesh, the undead are a lot like they were in life according to our narrator, an introspective corpse named Poke. This first issue feels like a slice of life story, establishing the new normal of this world as Poke and his best pal Mush rummage through the ruins of suburbia for a hot meal. Like most of the dead they are making the best of the situation, but just as he comes to terms with his undeath our hero experiences the unthinkable; the beating of his own heart! While the focus is on the dead, no zombie apocalypse is complete without ragtag survivors. Their stories play out in brief vignettes until they collide with the main plot in this issue’s cliffhanger ending. The revived Vertigo label is right on brand with this subversive and smart book from the creators of 20th Century Men. From Absolute Martian Manhunter to Assorted Crisis Events, I have made my opinion on Deniz Camp very clear (he rocks if you’re new here) and his writing is as strong as ever, but artist Stipan Morian quietly steals the show with his grimy, expressive cartoon style. One of the Big Two investing in original work is a huge deal at a time when there is more of the same old thing than ever, so check out Bleeding Hearts #1 to see what happens when collaborators like Camp and Stipan really get cooking.

Wade Wilson: Deadpool #1 – The Merc With The Mouth is open for business, and no job is too dangerous. In fact, the more dangerous the better! Deadpool has thrown his fast healing body into many a meatgrinder, mostly metaphorical ones, but something in his recent past has pushed him to a recklessness that would be called suicidal, if he could die. Whatever he’s done, the guilt he carries can’t be stabbed or exploded away, and even a bullet to the brain is only a temporary relief. From lowlife clients like Hammerhead, to pal and confidant Blind Al, everybody can see through the bugs bunny routine to the sad sack beneath, and they like sad sack Deadpool even less than the looney toon. All alone, Wade is looking for a new sense of purpose to fill the void, when one falls right into his lap. Receiving a letter from the future predicting a deadly attack, Deadpool has a chance to turn from antihero to just plain hero! Marvel’s pulp maestro Benjamin Percy gets to exercise his sense of humor in writing the infamously quipy Wade. While this isn’t his first turn at the character, the Deadpool of this series is dialed into a more grounded tone than we’ve seen from any writer in years. The jokes still come at a nonstop pace, hilariously anarchic violence is always on the table, but the 4th wall remains largely intact and the jokes emerge organically in response to events and dialogue without over reliance on pop culture references. Action and comedy are the twin pillars of Deadpool, this book serves both in equal measure.

Cyclops #1 – The last few years have been a wild ride for mutantkind, and for Cyclops more than most. Picking up the pieces and reforming the X-Men in Alaska, taking on new and old enemies, most recently traveling back and forth through time to defeat Revelation, Cyclops continues to lead the way from the front lines. Some are easier to lead than others, as seen when the powerful hotheaded twosome of Magik and Juggernaut charge into the latest mission without him, forcing Scott to step in and remind them why he’s in charge. I’ve been liking the development of Cyclops post Krakoa, and this solo title brings the current Scott into greater focus. He has seen all of his ideals tested, known victory and loss, and come out the other side with the same determination to serve his people, still carrying Charles Xavier's mission even after losing faith in the man himself. Scott’s whole past is under the microscope, especially his traumatic childhood as an orphan. When an old caretaker reaches out to attempt a last apology, Scott answers, but his return flight to Alaska makes an unscheduled landing in the snowy wilderness, an echo of the tragic event that cost him his parents and control of his powers. Worse still, the woods are patrolled by a pack of New Reavers made by an old enemy. With no team to back him up, Cyclops grits his teeth and prepares to do what all mutants must: survive against all odds.

Solo's Picks:

Sirens: Love Hurts #1 Gotham’s most dangerous trio returns under DC’s Black Label banner, investigating a string of gruesome, ritualistic murders targeting young women across the city. Despite the grim premise and cult-tinged brutality surrounding the killings, the tone is far goofier than expected, creating an unusual but surprisingly enjoyable contrast between subject matter and character banter. Babs Tarr’s art is the undeniable highlight, delivering bold, expressive character designs that give each Siren a distinct visual identity and kinetic energy on the page. The Black Label imprint allows for more experimental takes on the characters’ voices and dynamics, and while this interpretation may not align perfectly with traditional portrayals, the fresh spin proves entertaining and engaging. It’s an offbeat but compelling first issue that balances style, irreverence, and darkness, making it an easy addition to any pull list.

Just Brutal #1 Dennis Hopeless and Brahm Revel launch a wildly creative and energetic debut that blends monster-hunting mayhem with coming-of-age charm. Sixteen-year-old Jordan Savage dreams of becoming a film director, but his family business—slaying monsters—keeps pulling him into bloody, high-stakes action instead. The pacing is relentless, introducing the full cast in rapid succession; while this keeps the momentum high and avoids confusion, it leaves certain characters—particularly Jordan’s father and sister—feeling slightly underserved in this opening chapter. Still, the book’s inventive visual flourishes, especially narration effects styled like video editing timelines, cleverly reinforce Jordan’s cinematic ambitions and give the series a memorable aesthetic hook. With vibrant art, sharp humor, and explosive action beats, this may be Ignition Press’ most purely fun title to date—a fast, accessible read that promises even more depth as the series unfolds.

Bleeding Hearts #1 Deniz Camp returns with another thoughtful, genre-bending exploration of humanity, this time through DC’s revived Vertigo imprint and the unlikely lens of a zombie apocalypse. While the premise initially sounds familiar—an undead horde hunting the last remnants of humanity—Camp subverts expectations by focusing on a zombie protagonist who begins developing something dangerously close to a conscience. As he questions the violent norms of his society—an anarchic collective where the only rule is to “represent yourself”—the story opens into a surprisingly layered meditation on morality, instinct, and what it truly means to be human. The exposition is delivered with wit and philosophical weight, balancing dark humor with genuine introspection. Timely, unsettling, and intellectually engaging, this debut lays the groundwork for a zombie narrative that feels refreshingly original, and it will be fascinating to see how deeply future issues lean into the ethical questions raised here.