Rob's Picks:

Absolute Green Arrow #1 The arrival and sudden departure of Oliver Queen was the biggest shock of Absolute Evil, setting up one huge question for this highly anticipated series to answer: who is the Green Arrow? In the months since Queen’s murder, his former business partners have become targets in a string of brutal killings. Dinah Lance is brought in to protect the next likely victim, but her client is buying more than just the services of a prizefighter-turned-bodyguard. Hector Hammond believes that, as an ex-cop with a personal connection to Oliver Queen, Dinah can identify the assassin. Artist Rafael Albuquerque holds nothing back during their first encounter, delivering an ultraviolent ambush filled with severed limbs and blood-soaked action. Writer Pornsak Pichetshote portrays Dinah as someone masking deep anxieties beneath a hardened exterior, while carrying an intense resentment toward the entitled elites she protects. That resentment feels completely justified here, especially with Hammond repeatedly proving himself as vile as ever. The dark mystery, R-rated violence, and touches of body horror make this series feel stylistically closest to Absolute Batman, though it shares Absolute Superman’s sharp class-conscious politics. If this debut is any indication, Absolute Green Arrow #1 could become one of the standout books of the Absolute line.

Odin #1 Horror maestro James Tynion IV and Witchblade (2024) writer Marguerite Bennett team up for the savage folk-horror story of Odin #1, following undercover journalist Adela as she investigates a neo-Nazi gang obsessed with their own white supremacist interpretation of Norse paganism. To Adela, most of them come across as pathetic losers manipulated by their charismatic leader Austin, who plans to lead the group into the snowy forests of Norway for an ancient ritual. Having earned their trust, Adela joins them on the journey, carefully studying the relationships and fractures within the group while trying to maintain her cover. The possibility of exposure creates a constant sense of tension throughout the issue’s first half, but the true horror begins once Austin performs the ritual, shifting the narrative into a surreal, almost psychedelic fugue state during his attempt to summon Odin. The terror truly sets in during the aftermath, leaving the group stranded in the wilderness with something far stranger and more evil than any god. The writing remains understated and grounded, allowing artist Letizia Cadonici and colorist Jordie Bellaire to fully sell the horrifying atmosphere of both the monsters and the men who worship them. Equal parts The Wicker Man and American History X, Odin #1 is an excellent recommendation for fans of stylish horror books like Something Is Killing the Children.

Batwoman #3 It’s the morning after Kate Kane’s encounter with Master Slay, and things are looking messy. After reminding everyone that she and Batman do not operate by the same rules — executing one of Slay’s Monks of Stone in cold blood — Kate is still no closer to understanding Despina’s plans or figuring out how to stop them. Her father Jacob watches the mentally unraveling Kate spiral toward self-destruction and eventually resorts to calling in backup to talk her down. Just as he fears, Batwoman throws herself right back into action that same night and immediately walks into another trap. The uniquely emotional stakes brought on by Elizabeth Kane’s involvement leave Batwoman more vulnerable than ever, but the arrival of the Question marks the first real turn in Kate’s favor. I’ve been a huge fan of the Renee Montoya version of the Question ever since All Along the Watchtower, so her appearance here is more than welcome, but she feels especially important within the context of this story. Because of their shared history, Montoya can cut straight through Kate’s emotional defenses, though writer Greg Rucka clearly has a dramatic twist planned that could permanently alter their relationship moving forward.

Solo's Picks:

X-Men United #3 United returns to shelves this week with another fantastic issue! Picking up immediately where the previous chapter left off, the mysterious man inside the Canfield residence lashes out at the scattered group pulled from different timelines, creating wildly different interactions with each team. Once they finally manage to calm him down, he reveals the painful path that led him to this point, detailing the racism, exploitation, and betrayal he suffered at the hands of his country before dropping a shocking revelation about his family onto the X-Men. The artwork throughout this series has already been strong, but it especially shines here, particularly during the action-heavy sequences involving Laura and Steve. I really enjoyed the emotional core of this issue and hope the series continues leaning into these heavier, character-driven moments moving forward. The book closes with a beautiful sendoff while still sneaking in a final-page tease involving Emma that immediately hooked me for what comes next. I can’t wait to see how X-Men United wraps up, and if you’re a fan of the mutants, this is absolutely one to grab!

Reborn: Ultimate Impact #1 Miles and Spot battle across New York — and the Multiverse — for the Origin Boxes in Reborn: Ultimate Impact #1! This book is a wild ride from start to finish, opening with Miles running late to a meeting with Tony Stark, hoping the genius inventor can make sense of these mysterious objects. Before he can make it there, Spot suddenly attacks, revealing that his “employers” demand the contents of the box. The issue introduces a large cast of brand-new characters, each eventually ending up in possession of one of the Origin Boxes. Usually when a comic tries to establish an entirely new generation of characters in a single issue, I walk away feeling pretty indifferent, but this book genuinely made me interested in nearly every storyline presented. From the two young lovers, to the hardworking father, to the disgraced journalists and the handful of characters we still know very little about, every thread felt like it had real potential. I’m especially hoping the next issue focuses more heavily on these newcomers, particularly after the insane implications revealed on the final page. If you’ve been loving the Ultimate Universe, this feels like essential reading as the seeds for both this universe’s future and eventual conclusion are clearly being planted here.

Absolute Green Arrow #1 After months of anticipation and buildup, the Absolute line has finally expanded with Absolute Green Arrow #1! If you missed Absolute Evil, Oliver Queen was brutally murdered, leaving fans wondering how this series could even exist and sparking endless theories about who might be wearing the mask. I initially assumed Dinah would inherit the mantle, and while I was only half-right, she absolutely serves as the emotional center of the story while the mystery surrounding Green Arrow’s identity drives the narrative forward. Without spoiling too much, the gritty and darker tone of this book kept me glued to every page despite it functioning as more of a slow burn compared to Absolute Evil. Once the story reaches the Arrowcave, though, the intensity ramps up quickly. My favorite sequence comes in the middle of the issue, where Dinah speaks with her therapist about her relationship with Oliver Queen, giving artist Rafael Albuquerque a chance to fully flex his creativity through some incredibly unique panel layouts that make the book feel more vulnerable and emotionally raw. At its core, this is a mystery comic through and through, so if you haven’t picked it up already, grab this issue and see if you can figure out who’s really behind the mask.