Rob's Picks:

Batman #1 – Matt Fraction (Hawkeye, Sex Criminals) launches his highly anticipated run with a grounded, character-driven take on the Dark Knight, one that immediately acknowledges the seismic changes in Bruce Wayne’s life. With Wayne Manor gone, much of his fortune lost, and Alfred no longer at his side, Bruce’s crusade against crime continues but with an unusually open pessimism. That outlook is tested when a rapidly mutating Killer Croc escapes from a high-tech treatment facility, his doctors insisting he has changed for the better while Batman refuses to believe redemption is possible for men like Waylon Jones. Racing against the GCPD—now led by Commissioner Vandal Savage, whose shoot-first mentality leaves little room for nuance—Batman finds himself forced to gamble on Croc’s humanity, guided only by the faint hope that some of Jones remains. Fraction uses this conflict to explore Batman’s abrasiveness as a coping mechanism rather than a virtue, distinguishing his take from other grim interpretations of the character. Jorge Jiménez (Nemesis Reloaded) provides dazzling artwork that leans more toward a realistic Gotham than an art-deco one, and his designs shine, from a monstrous Croc to a bold, modernized version of the classic blue-and-gray Batsuit.

Spider-Man ‘94 #1 – After the success of X-Men ‘97, it was only a matter of time before Marvel turned its attention to another beloved 90s cartoon, and Spider-Man finally gets his due. Writer J. M. DeMatteis (Scooby Apocalypse) wisely opens with a recap of major beats from the show before diving into a fresh story that reunites Peter and M.J. in New York City. Their relationship is stronger than ever, though lingering scars from clones and past battles loom large. Rather than immediately fill in every unanswered question from the show’s cliffhanger finale, DeMatteis teases details for future issues, allowing this debut to move with the breezy, serialized rhythm of the cartoon. Morlun, the vampiric totem-hunter, makes for a suitably terrifying new villain, while Jim Towe (Youngblood) captures the series’ iconic look with a modern polish that avoids feeling dated. This is a faithful and loving continuation, sure to thrill any fan who grew up glued to Saturday morning Spider-Man.

Texarcanum #2 – The supernatural neo-western that blends Justified with Buffy the Vampire Slayer returns with a strong second issue, expanding its cast and raising the stakes. The centuries-old feud between the Rielly and Garrison families grows bloodier, their latest conflict costing each a son and unleashing a sinister force into the land itself. Its effects soon devastate the Rielly solar farm, where workers are slaughtered by something unseen. Avery Belle, the scrappy, trailer park Constantine at the center of this tale, finds himself caught between wealthy rivals whose vendettas spill misery onto everyone else. His rough, irreverent exterior masks a moral compass that makes him the only one willing to confront the supernatural fallout. Christopher Monfette and Miguel Martos strike an impressive balance of humor, horror, mystery, action, fantasy, and western grit, crafting an indie series that feels instantly addictive. This is shaping up to be one of the standout sleeper hits of the year.

Solo's Picks:

Batman #1 – Matt Fraction and Jorge Jimenez deliver a phenomenal reboot for the Dark Knight, one that wastes no time retreading origin stories and instead throws readers straight into Gotham’s chaos. The issue opens with Batman investigating a mentally regressed Killer Croc, setting the stage for a detective-driven mystery balanced with modern tech. Jimenez’s art is jaw-dropping, with the first splash of Batman overlooking a torn skyscraper standing out as an instant classic. The brighter, bolder palette feels fresh compared to the muted tones of recent runs, giving Gotham a vivid but dangerous energy. Fraction leans heavily into Batman’s roots as a street-level investigator while keeping the gadgets and spectacle intact, crafting something that feels both timeless and new. He’s hinted that future issues will follow an episodic format with mostly self-contained stories, and if this debut is any indication, readers are in for a run that appeals to both longtime fans and newcomers alike.

Adventures of Lumen N #1 – James Robinson, Phil Hester, and Marc Deering launch a striking new series with a premise that instantly grabs you: a thirteen-year-old girl, raised under mysterious circumstances, suddenly finds herself hunted by steampunk assassins. Until now, Lumen’s life has been isolated, guided by a father she’s never seen and mentors who refuse to answer her questions, leaving her only with a journal to vent her frustrations. The answers arrive violently when her quiet world erupts into chaos, and the result is a thrilling, gorgeously illustrated debut. Hester and Deering’s art makes every page compelling, but it’s during the explosive action sequences that their talent truly shines. Between the emotional core of a girl searching for her identity and the sheer visual flair of steampunk killers tearing through town, this book feels like a perfect mix of heart and spectacle. If the premise alone doesn’t hook you, the execution will—grab this one right away.

Everything Dead & Dying #1 – Haunting, gory, and surprisingly tender, this debut is one of the most memorable first issues of the year. The story follows Jack, the last survivor of a small town, whose quiet life with his family is shattered in a single tragic shift that leaves the entire community trapped in an eerie loop of their final moments. The first half lulls you in with warm glimpses of Jack’s past life before slamming into a devastating turn, creating a tone that feels both sorrowful and dreadful. Reminiscent of I Am Legend, the book blends isolation horror with deeply personal reflection, but Jack is written with more empathy and sentiment than most protagonists in this genre. Instead of shunning the reanimated shells around him, he chooses to help them “survive” in their broken routines, a heartbreaking detail that sets the story apart from standard apocalypse fare. The shocking ending shatters the fragile life Jack has built for twelve years, promising even darker turns ahead. A must-read debut that lingers long after you close the book.