Rob's Picks:

DC K.O.: The Kids Are All Fight Special #1 With Earth under siege and its greatest heroes trapped in the Omega Tournament, Jon Kent finally gets his chance to step up—only to be saddled with babysitting duty by Donna Troy, a job that feels especially cruel for a young hero eager to prove himself among the Titans. Unsurprisingly, neither Jon nor his charges—Cheshire Cat, Boom, Fairplay, and Quizkid—are thrilled, and when they discover Granny Goodness is loose on Earth with no one else able to stop her, the kids take matters into their own hands. Their escape forces Jon into damage-control mode as Granny’s plan becomes deeply personal for Fairplay, whom she once tried to mold into one of her Furies, and now hopes to reclaim along with a few new recruits. Writer Jeremy Adams strikes an excellent balance with Jon, capturing both his earnest, kind-hearted nature and the youthful ego of someone standing at the threshold of adulthood, while smartly weaving in Cassandra Cain and a surprise super-teen cameo for a satisfying showdown. This works as a fun, self-contained one-shot, but it also clearly sets the stage for what’s next, with Jon, Cassandra, and the kids continuing their story in Titans #27.

Punisher: Red Band #5 The Red Band experiment has proven to be exactly what the Punisher needed, delivering a brutal, street-level return to form that culminates in a ferocious showdown readers have been waiting for since issue one. After being hunted by Tombstone and manipulated by Wilson Fisk throughout the series, Frank Castle finally cuts loose, tearing through New York’s criminal power struggle with ruthless efficiency and minimal dialogue. Benjamin Percy understands that the Punisher speaks loudest through action, and his handling of Frank—especially during a one-on-one challenge from Kingpin—results in one of the most unforgettable single pages of the week, if not the run. Julius Ohta’s art elevates every moment, crafting dense but readable action sequences that never lose clarity or impact, while the issue neatly answers lingering questions about Frank’s return from Weirdworld, his entanglement with Fisk, and the role of Micro. Equal parts savage and satisfying, this issue closes the Red Band chapter while setting the stage for Percy’s upcoming Punisher series, making it essential reading for fans of hard R-rated action.

Sorcerer Supreme #2 Wanda Maximoff continues to prove she deserves the mantle of Sorcerer Supreme, even as the Vishanti actively work against her, and this issue delivers on the explosive promise of its predecessor in spectacular fashion. With Doom gone and Wanda efficiently cleaning up the mystical fallout alongside her council, the Vishanti make their move by appointing their own champion—Agatha Harkness—setting the stage for a long-anticipated confrontation. The resulting witch-versus-witch battle dominates the issue, unfolding across multiple dimensions in a dazzling contest of escalating magical one-upmanship where neither woman holds back. Bernard Chang’s art gives incredible weight to a fight driven largely by gestures, spells, and raw energy, while Steve Orlando pens a razor-sharp exchange that perfectly captures the dynamic of mentor and student, highlighted by an all-time great “I taught you everything you know, not everything I know” moment. What truly elevates the issue, however, is the shared history between Wanda and Agatha, grounding the spectacle in personal stakes and emotional resonance, making this not just a clash of power, but a deeply satisfying character-driven duel that no fan of Marvel magic should miss.

Solo's Picks:

Malevolent #1 Justin Jordan and John Bivens deliver a confident and imaginative post-apocalyptic debut that blends magic, sci-fi, existential horror, and irreverent humor into a surprisingly cohesive whole. The issue opens with heavy but effective exposition, establishing a world overrun by Mals—interdimensional entities capable of corrupting anything from animals and machines to entire human beings—creating a bleak, high-stakes atmosphere as survivors struggle even against so-called “mid-level” threats. That tension is immediately undercut, in the best way, by the introduction of Morgan, a half-human, half-Mal protagonist whose flippant humor and chaotic energy inject new life into the story. While the book wisely holds back many of its secrets, the brief interactions between Morgan and the rest of the cast hint at a dynamic that could shift the series from grim survival horror into something far more playful and character-driven. With shades of Blue Exorcist and The Mortal Instruments, this first issue feels like only a small window into a much larger world, but it’s a satisfying and memorable start that makes a strong case for sticking around.

Iron Man #1 Tony Stark once again confronts the consequences of his past in a sharp, energetic relaunch from Joshua Williamson and Carmen Carnero that manages to feel familiar without being stale. After one of Stark’s high-profile events is violently disrupted by A.I.M., leaving dozens of his foundation’s scientists abducted or dead, Tony suits up to investigate—only to discover the technology behind the attacks is based on one of his own long-abandoned designs. The issue builds to a chilling reveal as the Avengers are shown discussing contingency plans to “handle” Tony himself, reinforcing the idea that Stark remains his own worst liability. While Iron Man relaunches can often feel interchangeable, this debut does enough to stand out, thanks largely to Carnero’s bold, vibrant art that perfectly matches Tony’s larger-than-life personality and explosive action scenes. This may not reinvent the character, but it’s a strong, visually striking opening that should satisfy longtime fans and serve as an excellent jumping-on point for readers looking to reconnect with Iron Man.

The Kids Are All Fight #1 Jeremy Adams and Travis Mercer bring unexpected heart and chaos to the DC K.O. event with an issue that initially feels lighter than expected but ultimately lands as one of the more memorable tie-ins. As the Omega Tournament intensifies, Earth’s heroes rotate shifts to repel Darkseid’s forces, leaving Jon Kent stuck at the tower supervising the younger heroes—an arrangement that frustrates everyone involved. Predictably, the kids find a way to bypass security and insert themselves directly into the conflict, shifting the book’s tone from playful to fully engaged once the action hits Earth. While the opening pages may feel deceptively low-stakes compared to other K.O. entries, the payoff is well worth it, culminating in a thrilling final sequence that sees a longtime fan-favorite character make a surprise return to DC’s main continuity. This issue balances humor, action, and genuine excitement, making it an easy recommendation for anyone following the event—or just looking for a fun, satisfying one-shot with real impact.