Rob's Picks:

Rocket Raccoon: Rocket Rewind #1 - The galaxy’s favorite trash panda celebrates fifty years of chaos, comedy, and questionable decision-making in this anniversary anthology exploring the many eras of Rocket Raccoon! The collection opens with a modern-day Rocket entering the Quantum Realm to help Hank Pym defend a tiny planet from invasion, showcasing the version of the character fans know today: a sarcastic, heavily armed hero whose greatest weapon is usually his unpredictable mind. The second story leans more into Rocket’s criminal past, as the former thief takes a job protecting a priceless artifact while even Groot questions whether his old habits are truly behind him. This segment is easily the highlight of the issue, with every page packed with jokes, ridiculous action, and the chaotic energy that makes Rocket such a fun character. The finale takes readers all the way back to Rocket’s first appearance in Marvel Preview, reprinting The Sword in the Star, Stave 2: Witchworld in full. It’s a fascinating time capsule, as the early “Rocky” is almost unrecognizable compared to the modern version. While the space opera around him takes itself extremely seriously, Rocket’s arrival injects the story with the humor and personality it desperately needed. Seeing the evolution from an English-speaking gentleman raccoon to one of Marvel’s most beloved antiheroes makes this a must-read for longtime fans. Rocket Rewind is a fantastic celebration of everything that makes the character work and proves there is still plenty of mileage left in the galaxy’s greatest guardian.

The Horror of Godzilla #1 - Godzilla returns to his roots in this terrifying new entry in the Kai-Sei Era, bringing the focus back to the fear and devastation that made the original monster iconic. Taking place in 1954, this story explores the birth of Godzilla as scientists searching for a new energy source uncover something far beyond their understanding beneath the Pacific Ocean. The issue follows Olivia Morrison, one of the scientists responsible for the discovery, as she testifies before international authorities about what happened and whether humanity can survive the consequences of its own curiosity. The procedural framing and historical setting immediately bring to mind Godzilla Minus One and Shin Godzilla, but the biggest influence is clearly the original 1954 classic. Artist Tristan Jones enhances this connection with grainy, green-tinted monochrome artwork during the devastating civilian sequences, perfectly capturing the feeling of watching a lost monster movie. These moments are where the horror truly shines, from sudden destruction and radiation sickness to disturbing body transformations caused by Godzilla’s arrival. After decades of seeing Godzilla fight other monsters or become a more family-friendly icon, it’s refreshing to see a story remember that the King of Monsters was originally a symbol of fear, nuclear anxiety, and humanity’s mistakes. The Horror of Godzilla #1 is essential reading for longtime fans and a fantastic entry point for anyone looking to experience the terror behind the legend.

Doomquest #3 - Doctor Doom continues his accidental journey through history, and this time the ruler of Latveria finds himself trapped inside the body of George Washington! Rather than viewing this as a problem, Victor Von Doom sees the situation as another opportunity to reshape the world in his image. After taking control of the colonial army, Doom begins improving upon history with his signature blend of arrogance and genius, creating advanced weapons from melted-down artillery and bringing his own futuristic upgrades to the battlefield. The funniest part of the issue is watching Doom’s dramatic, over-the-top personality clash with the language and traditions of the Revolutionary era. Ryan North perfectly understands that Doom’s greatest strength is also his greatest weakness: he truly believes every situation exists solely for him to conquer. Even surrounded by historical figures, Doom’s grand speeches and self-important declarations remain completely intact, creating a hilarious contrast with the world around him. However, beneath the comedy, the book continues building toward something much larger, with the final pages teasing a time jump that could bring Doom closer to the present and force him to confront something far more personal. Doomquest has been an absolute blast, delivering exactly what a time-travel Doom story should be: ridiculous, ambitious, and completely driven by the ego of Marvel’s greatest villain.

Solo's Picks:

Queen In Black #1 - Hela and Knull take center stage in Marvel’s newest cosmic event, battling for control of the Ebony Throne as the King in Black returns with a terrifying new vision. Having learned from the failure of his symbiote army, Knull has forged an entirely new legion made of pure light, eliminating the very flaws that once led to his defeat. Nova is the first hero to confront the threat, only to discover just how hopelessly outmatched Earth's defenders really are. As expected, all the major players in Marvel’s symbiote corner show up, from Spider-Man and Mary Jane’s Venom to Dylan Brock, Flash Thompson, and the Avengers, but none of them feel shoehorned into the story. Every appearance has purpose, making the event feel surprisingly focused despite its enormous cast. The interior artwork is especially striking, bathing the page in vibrant colors that stand in stark contrast to the overwhelming sense of doom hanging over the narrative. That visual juxtaposition gives the series a unique identity, making the threat feel even more unsettling. If you usually avoid line-wide crossover events, Queen In Black is one worth making an exception for. Alongside Avengers: Armageddon, it continues Marvel’s recent streak of genuinely exciting event books, and I can’t wait to see where this story goes next.

Nano #1 - Secret agents, corporate conspiracies, and shrinking technology collide in this stylish new sci-fi thriller. Nanocorp has revolutionized the world with clean energy and impossible miniaturization technology, but beneath its polished public image something feels deeply wrong. Two undercover operatives are sent to infiltrate one of the company's heavily guarded facilities by posing as a married couple, hoping to uncover the truth behind its increasingly suspicious operations. Writer and artist build the mystery through environmental storytelling rather than exposition, scattering unsettling details throughout the issue. Employees live under prison-like conditions, children barely understand what nature even is, and the men working inside Nanocorp’s facilities all appear physically drained, while women are mysteriously barred from entering altogether. Every revelation raises another question, making the conspiracy increasingly compelling. The retro, Archie-inspired art style provides a fascinating contrast to the dystopian setting, giving the book a bright, almost idyllic appearance that only makes the underlying horror more disturbing. Nano delivers a strong first issue by trusting readers to piece together the mystery themselves, and it leaves just enough unanswered to make the wait for issue #2 an easy one.

The Patron #1 - Wealth, prestige, and artistic ambition become the tools of horror in one of this week’s most unsettling debuts. The story opens with a struggling young artist finally receiving the opportunity of a lifetime when his work is selected for an exclusive auction hosted by the enigmatic billionaire known only as Mr. Cherish. Before he can even step inside the event, however, the limousine provided by his mysterious benefactor explodes, immediately establishing that success comes with a deadly price. As the issue unfolds, a disturbing pattern emerges: talented artists repeatedly find themselves lifted from obscurity by Mr. Cherish, only to meet mysterious and gruesome ends shortly afterward. The book thrives on its atmosphere, with distorted, uncanny artwork making every conversation with Cherish feel deeply uncomfortable. His charm is so performative and manipulative that you can almost feel him leaning over your shoulder as he flatters his next victim. The final pages reveal that one artist may have left behind a final surprise capable of turning the tables, ending the issue on a perfect hook. Creepy, stylish, and psychologically unsettling, The Patron #1 is an outstanding horror debut and an easy recommendation for anyone looking for something genuinely unnerving.