Rob's Picks:

Punisher: Red Band #2 – The police race against Tombstone to catch vigilante Frank Castle, the one-man army whose personal war on crime has been hijacked by Kingpin Wilson Fisk. After the explosive events of issue #1, the Punisher is left half-dead, piecing his memory back together in the home of a kind stranger. A signal from Fisk sends Frank back into the streets, chasing down a truck full of human cargo. The chase is the action centerpiece of this issue, a riveting pursuit that gives artist Julius Ohta (Hellverine) plenty of chances to earn this book’s Red Band polybag. Ohta and writer Ben Percy (X-Force) give the series the feel of a 90s R-rated action film, highlighted by several visual homages to the big-rig chase from Terminator 2. With his organization under assault, Tombstone gets personally involved in the hunt for Frank, even making an unwilling ally of an NYPD detective. One of the big questions here is the Kingpin’s ultimate motive—control of the underworld seems obvious enough, but Fisk frames his actions as protective and purifying, casting the Punisher as a “black knight” defending the city. Percy uses narration and dialogue to highlight the contrasts between the grandiose, self-justifying Fisk and the blunt instrument that is Frank, and an epic confrontation between the two seems inevitable. If you’ve had enough of world-shaking events, get in on this high-octane, street-level action!

30 Days of Night: Falling Sun #1 – The original 30 Days of Night was a hit with readers for its ingenious premise, bringing vampires to the Arctic Circle, where every winter the sun does not rise for several days. More than twenty years later, IDW treats fans to an unexpected sequel from writer Rodney Barnes (Killadelphia). Set decades after the events of the first series, Falling Sun returns to Barrow, Alaska, a town that has tried to move on and forget the past. Newcomer Jalen James arrives from LA to live with his uncle Calvin, fleeing some unspecified trouble. While Jalen’s traumas are fresh, the town’s wounds are much older, and the scars can be seen everywhere. Those who remember the vampire invasion of Barrow still struggle to make sense of it, looking for comfort in God, family, support groups, or outright denial. Jalen can feel the unspoken tension in the air as the long night approaches—bringing with it another lost soul searching for family. Vicente, villain of the original 30 Days, left behind a brother who now rises to seek revenge on the town that killed her. Barnes lays the foreboding on thick in this first issue, building dread that hangs heavy over every word and image. Chris Shehan (The Autumnal) draws this book in a style inspired by Ben Templesmith’s original work without feeling like imitation. The vampires—especially this series’ main antagonist—feel uniquely inhuman, their animalistic thirst for blood not diminishing their sense of godlike superiority. Only one issue in, and this series already feels like a worthy successor!

Sinister’s Six #1 – The Age of Revelation has remade the world in the image of the Heir of Apocalypse, but not every mutant is willing to bend the knee to their new self-appointed overlord. Among those who contest his mastery of mutantkind (to no one’s surprise) is Nathaniel Essex, aka Mister Sinister—a man who has plotted and schemed too long to let another megalomaniac villain take over the world. To dethrone Revelation, he assembles a team of heavy hitters that includes Omega Red, Domino, and an X-gene–enhanced Black Cat, sending them into enemy territory to capture an asset that could be the key to curing Revelation’s mutagenic plague. This is one of the best books to come from the Age of Revelation event, revealing more of the future world beyond Doug Ramsey’s control and what some major players have been up to since the Gene Bomb was unleashed. David Marquez (The UnChosen) writes Essex in perfectly arch style, gives the team plenty of mid-battle banter, and includes some surprising additions from outside the usual stable of X-Men characters. Not just an essential event tie-in, this team book delivers the kind of ensemble storytelling X-fans crave!

Solo's Picks:

Iron & Frost #1 – Age of Revelation continues with a wonderful new series centered around former lovers Emma Frost and Tony Stark. Revelation’s legion moves to abduct a young mutant girl off the streets when a makeshift rescue team—Emma, Tony, and Rhodey—arrives to stop them. The fight is fast and chaotic, setting a high bar for intensity right out of the gate. One standout moment is Tony’s sheer panic after Emma becomes trapped underground, his emotional breakdown adding rare vulnerability to their dynamic. Emma’s line, “Never really knew how he felt,” drives home the depth of their connection. Artists Avairi Coleman and Roberto Poggi deliver stellar visuals, with one panel of Emma transforming into her diamond form being particularly striking. The issue ends on a huge cliffhanger involving a new version of the Hellfire Club, setting up a story that promises big revelations ahead. This one’s a must-read for Age of Revelation fans!

Fantastic Four x Gargoyles #1 – A strange but surprisingly satisfying crossover between two iconic teams. The story opens with the groups meeting on a rooftop before joining forces to stop the Grey Gargoyle, who’s been turning random New Yorkers into stone. Their mission quickly goes sideways when Reed Richards and Angela are themselves petrified, forcing both teams to work together with the remaining Gargoyles to find a cure. What follows is a full-blown slugfest mixing humor, heroics, and heart. Artist Enid Balàm gives the issue a fun “Saturday morning cartoon” energy that perfectly fits the tone. What could have been a throwaway crossover turns out to be a lively, action-packed story that respects both worlds. If you’re a fan of either team—or just want some clever, colorful fun—this one’s worth picking up.

Marian: Heretic #1 – An exciting, provocative new series from Tini Howard and Joe Jaro. Marian: Heretic follows a nun who doubles as a ruthless witch hunter, and the book wastes no time throwing readers into the action with a bloody, brutal raid on a witches’ den. Afterward, Marian returns to her church, where we learn more about her order and the supernatural world she inhabits. What’s most surprising is how layered the story is—there’s social and moral commentary woven into the gothic horror without ever feeling preachy. The art is bold and beautifully rendered, giving every page weight and intensity. It’s a gritty, stylish introduction to a world where faith and violence collide. Honestly, it’s a book about a sexy nun fighting demons—what more do you need?