Rob's Picks:

One World Under Doom #1
The next big event begins as Marvel’s most iconic villain takes control! Fans have been anticipating this story since the conclusion of Blood Hunt, when Doctor Doom claimed the Eye of Agamotto, and writer Ryan North (The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl) delivers with a suitably epic opening. Emerging from seclusion in Latveria, Sorcerer Supreme Doom declares that to protect the world, he must assume absolute control. To the shock of Earth's heroes, world leaders across the globe bow to Doom, merging their governments into his United Latveria. Whether through magic, mind control, or something even more insidious, the Avengers are certain his power grab is anything but legitimate. When Hydra openly defies Doom, the heroes seize their chance to strike—but his plans extend far beyond mere global domination. This is the biggest Doom story in years, and issue #1 sets the stage for world-shaking events worthy of Victor Von Doom himself.

Batman: Dark Patterns #3
We Are Wounded, the first Dark Patterns casefile, reaches an immensely satisfying conclusion this week. Batman finally uncovers the identity of the Wound Man and how his tragic past connects him to his grisly crimes. The story expertly weaves together themes of human suffering, political corruption, and the abysmal industrial safety record of Ace Chemical—home to Gotham’s most open vats of acid. Racing against time to prevent another murder, Batman and Jim Gordon must confront the harsh reality that stopping the killer may still leave deeper injustices unresolved. Dan Watters (Home Sick Pilots) has crafted one of the most refreshing Batman stories outside of the Absolute series. Firmly street-level, this book emphasizes classic detective work and, like the equally excellent Batman: Full Moon, dives deep into the franchise’s Gothic roots. A new investigation kicks off next issue, so if you’ve been sleeping on this series, #4 is a perfect jumping-on point.

Mine is a Long, Lonesome Grave #1
Justin Jordan (Luther Strode, Spread) returns with a supernatural noir revenge thriller that reads like a fusion of Brubaker’s grit and Tynion’s eerie storytelling. Harlen Creed is a man with a dark past who’s paid the price—twenty years behind bars. Now free, he returns to his hometown of Briar Falls, WV, only to find that two decades haven’t made anyone forget his crimes. He wants nothing more than to leave it all behind, but someone has other plans. The old families of Briar Falls practice folk magic, a tradition rooted in the dark corners of rural America, where feuds are fought with spells and curses. Harlen has been hexed—he has seven days to live unless he can track down and kill his enemy first. With a long list of suspects, Harlen has no intention of playing nice, and he’s got some black magic of his own to wield. With artist Chris Shehan (House of Slaughter) bringing haunting atmosphere and stunning horror visuals, this book is a must-read for fans of supernatural crime stories.

Solomon's Picks:

Eddie Brock: Carnage #1
From Charles Soule, Jesús Saiz, and Matt Hollingsworth comes an intense new chapter in Eddie Brock’s life—along with the infamous Carnage symbiote he now hosts. Eddie’s latest pastime is hunting serial killers, a pursuit Carnage enjoys but uses as an opportunity to push Eddie toward embracing his “true nature.” The art is polished yet carries a cold, almost detached quality that perfectly complements the narrative’s tone. The internal exchanges between Eddie and Carnage are handled exceptionally well, with Carnage playing the role of intrusive thoughts—urging Eddie to give in at the most inconvenient times. Watching how easily Carnage corrupts Eddie’s mind and body adds a thrilling depth to the story, making it all the more exciting to see how the symbiote will attempt to derail Eddie’s heroic ambitions. The ending reveals an intriguing target for the duo, leaving me hyped for what’s to come. Hopefully, this isn’t a bait-and-switch because some of these potential face-offs would be incredible to see illustrated. This first issue sets the stage for something great—grab it now and let us know your thoughts!

Star Wars Hyperspace Stories – Bad Batch: Ghost Agents #1
A new Hyperspace Stories installment is always a treat, and this time, Clone Squad 99—aka the Bad Batch—takes center stage. Created by Michael Moreci, Reese Hanningan, and Elisabetta D’Amico, this issue delivers an exciting start that does this elite crew justice! The story kicks off with the squad infiltrating a separatist weapons base while evading deadly wildlife. After the mission’s explosive conclusion, Mace Windu assigns them a new objective—retrieving stolen data on the Republic’s secret “Ghost Agents.” The book strikes a perfect balance between tense recon moments and thrilling action sequences, capturing the tactical nature of the Bad Batch. Even amidst the chaos, the issue carves out space for satisfying character interactions, making it a must-read for fans of the show. The way the writer explores each crew member’s unique approach to missions adds a charm I wasn’t expecting. Star Wars fans already know the deal—pick this book up now!

One World Under Doom #1
“Doom is wisdom. Doom is power. Doom is prosperity!” Marvel’s latest event centers on everyone’s favorite villain, Doctor Doom, and what an exhilarating start it is! Having recently claimed the title of Sorcerer Supreme from Doctor Strange, Doom is now ready to unveil his master plan. Somehow, he has manipulated world leaders into submission, with many proudly endorsing him and granting him free reign over all. Naturally, Earth’s Mightiest Heroes sense something sinister and plan a counterstrike—only for Doom to execute a perfect contingency plan, flipping public perception in his favor after their attack. The artwork is nothing short of spectacular, doing justice to numerous characters—especially Doom himself, whose imposing presence is highlighted through striking poses and dramatic sequences. While some early dialogue, particularly Doom’s monologue about his ideal world, felt slightly off in flow, this minor hiccup doesn’t detract from the overall impact. I had high expectations for this event, and issue #1 did not disappoint. I can’t wait for the next chapter—grab this book while you can!