Rob's Picks:

Imperial #1 – Jonathan Hickman once again takes a big swing with Imperial, a sweeping, high-stakes cosmic saga that builds on the ambitious world-building of G.O.D.S. and takes it to an entirely new level. The Marvel Universe’s galactic landscape has never been more volatile: Hulks, Mutants, and Wakandans have emerged as dominant spacefaring powers, shaking the foundations of established empires like the Skrull and Kree. In this fragile new order, peace hinges on trust—trust that begins to crumble when a series of high-profile assassinations sends leaders into a spiral of paranoia. On Sakaar, the murder of a monarch summons the Worldbreaker Hulk from Earth, igniting a mystery that spans sectors. Meanwhile, Star-Lord seeks out the last Nova, Richard Rider, to lead the investigation. Hickman masterfully juggles a massive cast and interstellar intrigue, creating a book that reads like Game of Thrones on a galactic stage. If you love your sci-fi with grand scale and political edge, Imperial is essential reading.

Be Not Afraid #1 – A chilling dive into Southern Gothic folk horror, Be Not Afraid is a stunning new series from Jude Ellison S. Doyle (Maw, The Neighbors) that weaves divine prophecy into creeping dread. Cora Rehms, a quiet farm girl in the town of Enoch, receives a vision from an angel and bears a child destined for greatness—or something far darker. As her “gifted” son matures, so do the disturbing signs: dying animals, spoiled crops, and decay that follows in his wake. When Cora’s prayers are answered by a grim stranger with deadly knowledge, her faith is tested to its limits. Doyle’s prose is grounded and stripped-down, letting the horror speak for itself rather than dressing it up. Lisandro Estherren’s art brings a bleak, scratchy menace to the Dust Bowl-era setting, perfectly capturing the oppressive mood. If you enjoyed The Witch or Revival, this is one to watch.

Ghost Rider vs. Galactus #1 – A concept as wild as its execution, Ghost Rider vs. Galactus is pure cosmic mayhem with a surprisingly thoughtful twist. After a casual conversation with the Thing raises a staggering question—why hasn’t Ghost Rider ever delivered vengeance to Galactus for the trillions he’s destroyed?—Johnny Blaze revs up and rockets into space, flame trailing behind him. What follows is an epic brawl with the Devourer of Worlds, rendered in gloriously destructive detail. Writer J. Michael Straczynski knows how to balance scale and substance, and while the book offers a planet-sized slugfest worthy of its title, it also dives into metaphysical territory. Can you damn a force of nature? Is vengeance possible when the crime is survival itself? These questions elevate Ghost Rider vs. Galactus above your standard one-shot, and if this is any indication of what the “vs Galactus” lineup has in store, we’re in for something special.

Solomon's Picks:

The Goddamn Tragedy #1 – The promise of a better life leads to devastating consequences in this haunting one-shot from Chris Condon and Shawn Kuruneru. Set during the era of westward expansion, the story follows the Janson family as they chase their California dreams—until pride and desperation lead them astray. After receiving a dubious tip about a shortcut through the mountains (complete with ghost stories), the father forces his family into a treacherous path, ignoring the mounting dangers and his wife’s growing resentment. The emotional weight here is heavy, with a powerful examination of ego, helplessness, and the cost of blind hope. Kuruneru’s uncanny and atmosphere-drenched art perfectly complements the creeping sense of doom, making every page feel cold, isolated, and inevitable. It’s an emotional gut punch of a horror western, and absolutely worth your time. Don’t sleep on this one.

Absolute Green Lantern #3 – Another “Absolute” issue, another hit. Absolute Green Lantern #3 delivers big moments with a deft balance of action and deeper thematic intrigue. While we do get a well-drawn showdown between John Stewart and the Black Hand, this issue leans heavily into exposition—with cryptic clues sprinkled across facial expressions, repeated phrases, and subtle dialogue choices. John’s assertion that “our rules don’t apply” and Abin Sur’s chilling mantra, “Judgement is in progress,” suggest that this story is heading somewhere far stranger than a typical hero-vs-villain arc. The big twist at the end is genuinely jaw-dropping and adds a whole new layer of excitement to what’s already a smartly written cosmic mystery. If you're not already pulling this series, now’s the time to hop on.

Slashers Apprentice #2 – The killer pairing you didn’t know you needed is back and bloodier than ever. After a standout debut, Slashers Apprentice #2 ups the ante by teaming awkward would-be slasher Riley with the terrifying Hopton Valley Killer—aka HVK. It’s a bold dynamic, and it works. Val Halvorson’s artwork is gloriously gruesome, and the standout sequence—HVK’s silent, surgical massacre at a party—is both horrifying and weirdly exhilarating. HVK never speaks, but his chemistry with Riley is undeniable, and watching their mentor-mentee relationship evolve without softening HVK’s brutality or Riley’s awkward charm is a fascinating balance. This series is carving out something fresh in the slasher genre, and the indie horror scene is better for it. Grab this if you love your killers clever, creepy, and a little bit charming.