This week’s Top Comics to Buy for July 8 feature lead characters who sound like the setup for a joke: Dracula, Clayface, a zombie, and an Amazon delivery guy walk into a bar, etc. But I think that speaks to the variety in concepts that are driving the comics this week. Even the most mainstream of my top five recommendations — Clayface — is an odd book centered on a melty character. The thing that unites these books, however, is strong interesting storytelling
As always, you can find my five favorites below, followed by the other usual subsection lists … enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for July 8
Bleeding Hearts #6Writer:Deniz CampArtist:Stipan MorianColorist:Matt HollingsworthLetterer:Hassan Otsmane-ElhaouPublisher:DC Comics – VertigoIt’s the 11th Annual Outbreak! For months, hordes all over the world have been preparing to celebrate the unholy origin of our species with a week of Bone-Tower building, ritual Live One hunts, live food, undead music, and so much more! You are what you are — be proud of that and of death’s victory over life!Why It’s Cool:This book has really been clicking for me in the past two issues, blending Stipan Morian’s striking artwork with Deniz Camp’s well-scripted character moments, all against a developing tense backdrop of moving deeper into the dominant zombie society. It’s fun and also a bit thoughtful and just not quite like any other comic we have right now.Price:$3.99
Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #1Writer: Jude Ellison S. Doyle
Artist: Fran Galan
Colorist: Patricio Delpeche
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
Publisher: DC ComicsBefore he was Clayface, Basil Karlo was one of the hottest stars in Hollywood. As he breaks out of Arkham once again, he’s ready to stage his comeback, but there’s just one problem: Someone already beat him to it, and Basil Karlo is already a massive star. But if that’s true, what’s next for the real Basil? And what does his predicament have to do with young women disappearing in Los Angeles and a new supplement causing hideous transformations in its users? Acclaimed horror writer Jude Ellison S. Doyle and rising star artist Fran Galán join forces for a bold new miniseries that’s equal parts body horror and Hollywood glamour.Why It’s Cool: This is one of those great weirdo villain books. It’s got a fantastic script by Jude Ellison S. Doyle, one that seeds a mystery and also leans into the body horror elements of Clayface’s character, and it’s got wonderful art by Fran Galan (colored by Patricio Delpeche), who is an artist that I am always glad to see new work from. It’s also kind of moody, an excellent Gotham-set noir with a touch of strange.Price: $3.99
Dispatched #1Writer: B. Clay Moore
Artist: Daniel Gete
Colorist: Lee Loughridge
Letterer: AndWorld Design
Publisher: Ignition PressEstranged from his family and living under a government-issued alias, ex-black ops agent Morgan Power endures a life in suburban exile as a delivery driver for a major global courier company. It’s a 180 from his action-packed classified work abroad, until a routine shift puts him in the crosshairs of a domestic terrorist takedown. Trapped in the parking garage of a besieged corporate office park, Power goes back to basics with nothing but his survival skills and a delivery van full of unopened packages — and endless possibilities — to fight his way from floor to floor and free the hostages. But some boxes hold more trash than treasure, and Powers will also have to contend with his intensifying PTSD as the situation escalates and time runs out.Why It’s Cool: There’s a lot more too it than this, but in this excellent debut issue, this book feels a bit like Die Hard meets the 2026 package delivery economy, a modern spin on bad guys take over a building and only one (mysterious) man can stop them. Also, Daniel Gete and Lee Loughridge are a hell of a team, and this book looks fantastic. All in all, this is just yet another great series launch from Ignition.Price: $4.99
Operation: Iron Coffin #1Writer: Kenny Porter
Artist: Tyrell Cannon
Letterer: Alex Ray
Publisher:IDW PublishingThe recently resurrected Dracula, one of the world’s greatest monsters and most infamous vampires, is hell-bent on redemption. The mission he takes to make that redemption possible? Teaming up with British Allied forces during World War II. They’ll air-drop him onto a Nazi train containing a horde of soldiers, augmented villains, and a vampire plague that, if released, will create a new generation of vampire terrors. Dracula will have to battle his way through the train, confronting his past sins and facing off against the wicked Hazel and Ivy, who are calling the shots for the Nazis… and who have a vested interest in Dracula’s failures.Why It’s Cool: This is a comic that drops Dracula on a Nazi war train during WWII … and just sits back and lets the chaos ensure. There’s more to it than that with fantastic art and a great pulpy plot, but that high concept is what’s for sale here — and it’s awesome.Price: $4.99
The Seasons #11Writer:Rick RemenderArtist:Paul AzacetaColorist:Matheus LopesLetterer:Rus WootonPublisher:Image Comics – Giant GeneratorSpring awakens to a bittersweet reunion, her sisters are alive, but the world has fallen. The ancient truth behind the Ringleader’s trap is revealed. As the Seasons prepare for a final reckoning, Spring realizes nobody will listen to her plan. Sometimes saving everyone means standing alone.Why It’s Cool:Regular readers of this column know that I have been a big fan of The Seasons from the start, appreciating the way the book feels hard to pin down. It incorporates elements of horror, fantasy, and maybe even historical fiction, all behind a surprisingly shiny veneer from artist Paul Azaceta and colorist Matheus Lopes. This is one of those mid-run issues that illuminates quite a bit of the story’s mystery, so not a great place to start, but a must-read issue for those already onto this series.Price:$3.99
10 Other Comics I Enjoyed This Week
Absolute Batman #22- DIE Loaded #7
- Exquisite Corpses – Rascal Randy #1
- The Forged #12
- Free Planet #14
- The Fury of Firestorm #4
- Innards #2
- Seven Wives #2
- Supergirl #15
- Twilight Zone #9
New #1s and One-Shots
Clayface: Celebrity Dirt #1- Disney Aladdin #1
- Dispatched #1
- Do A Powerbomb Black & White #1
- Exquisite Corpses – Rascal Randy #1
- Fantastic Four First Foes Shalla-Bal #1 (one-shot)
- Fire And Ice Darkwolf #1
- It’s Symbie #1 (one-shot)
- Jeff the Land Shark Superstar #1
- Operation: Iron Coffin #1
- The Rocketeer – Infiltrator #1
- Sonic The Hedgehog 35th Anniversary Special #1 (one-shot)
- Star-Crossed #1
- Vampyrates #1
- Witness Point #1
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
Action Philosophers Omnipotence For Dummies HC- Amazing Spider-Man Torn TP
- Be Not Afraid TP
- Creepy Presents Steve Ditko TP
- Czarface A Czar Is Born GN
- Deadpool Modern Era Epic Collection Vol 2 XX Baby TP
- Epitaphs From the Abyss Book 1 Library Edition HC
- Flash Gordon The Movie Adaptation TP
- Freaks Squeele Vol 1 HC
- Freaks Squeele Vol 2 HC
- Garfield Book 1 TP
- Goon Bunch of Old Crap – An Omnibus Vol 3 TP Dark Horse Edition
- The Guy In The Chair TP
- Heaven HC
- Hulk Smash Everything TP
- Kloud 9 The Star Soldier TP
- Ladies of the Knight TP
- Last Session The Complete Campaign TP
- Lex Luthor Diabolical Genius – A Superman Graphic Novel TP
- Love as a Foreign Language Deluxe Anniversary Edition HC
Magic Order Omnibus Vol 1 TP- Nightwing by Tom Taylor and Bruno Redondo Omnibus Vol 2 HC
- Orion TP
- Punisher Fury MAX by Garth Ennis Omnibus HC
- Red Book Vol 1 TP
- Sonic The Hedgehog Knuckles Anniversary Special HC
- Spider-Men Worlds Collide TP (Marvel Premier Collection)
- Star Trek Aliens IDW Classic Collections TP
- Supermans Good Guy Gang Follow the Leader HC
- Synthetics Vol 1 TP
- Wrestle Heist TP
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
And check out the Beat’s most recent comics reviews!
