While yes, I am busy preparing for San Diego Comic Con, the Top Comics to Buy for July 12 are no slouch. In fact, I think this was one of the more packed weeks of the year…or maybe it just felt like that because, again, busy. Whatever the case, I had trouble narrowing it down to just five top picks, but I did the thing! You can find my selections below, accompanied by our usual lists…enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for July 12, 2023
Dark Ride #7
Writer: Joshua Williamson
Artist: Andrei Bressan
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Pat Brosseau
Publisher: Image Comics – Skybound
Sam uncovers more of his family’s dark history, which extends all the way into the beating heart of the park itself.
Why It’s Cool: One part fantastic horror concept, one part engaging family drama — this book is just so well-done. Also, the art team of Andrei Bressan and Adriano Lucas seem to be getting better and better as this one goes.
Price: $3.99
Fishflies #1
Writer/Artist: Jeff Lemire
Letterer: Steve Wands
Publisher: Image Comics
When a brutal and violent crime puts the life of an innocent teenage boy in the balance, it sets off a chain of events in bucolic Bell River, Ontario that will permanently change several residents’ lives. And as the manhunt heats up, a lonely girl named Franny Fox will form an unlikely friendship with a fugitive that leads them on an odyssey of discovery and redemption.
Why It’s Cool: The latest book both written and drawn by Jeff Lemire, Fishflies debuts in a new and very satisfying beefy format. It’s also — like other Lemire classics, from Essex County to Royal City — an intriguing and melancholic tale set in a rural area. It combines a lot of mysterious story elements into one great narrative, making it an easy add to the top comics to buy for July 12.
Price: $5.99
The Hunger and The Dusk #1
Writer: G. Willow Wilson
Artist: Chris Wildgoose
Colorist: Msassyk
Color Assist: Diana Sousa
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Publisher: IDW Publishing
In a dying world, only humans and orcs remain-mortal enemies battling for territory and political advantage. But when a group of fearsome ancient humanoids known as the Vangol arrive from across the sea, the two struggling civilizations are forced into a fragile alliance to protect what they have built. As a gesture of his commitment to the cause-and to the relief of his bride-to-be, Faran Stoneback-the most powerful orc overlord, Troth Icemane, sends his beloved cousin Tara, a high-ranking young healer, to fight alongside brash human commander Callum Battlechild and his company of warriors. With a crisis looming, the success of this unlikely pair’s partnership and the survival of their peoples will depend on their ability to unlearn a lifetime of antagonistic instincts toward one another…and rise above the sting of heartbreak.
Why It’s Cool: Fantasy is one of the hardest genres to get right in comics (for my money), but when it lands, it’s a thing of beauty — and this book absolutely lands. This is one of the most engaging debut issues of the year so far, both in terms of worldbuilding and its individual narrative. Highly recommend.
Price: $3.99
Lonesome Hunters: Wolf Child #1
Script, Art, Lettering: Tyler Crook
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
Monster hunters Howard and Lupe are on their way to get rid of the powerful sword, but car trouble leaves them stranded in a small town that is being terrorized by a magical wolf and a mysterious child in a wolf mask. While waiting for car repairs, Lupe befriends the child and she and Howard are drawn into a war between the townspeople and the deadly beasts.
Why It’s Cool: This odd couple monster hunter comic’s first volume was absolutely fantastic, and this first issue of the new arc picks up right where its predecessor left off without losing a step, not even a little bit. I love the new character and new mysteries in this book, and it gets my full recommendation. And if you somehow missed the first volume, you really ought to catch up on it in trade — these are Very Good comics.
Price: $3.99
Second Coming: Trinity #4
Writer: Mark Russell
Layouts: Richard Pace
Finishes: Leonard Kirk
Colors: Andy Troy
Letters: Rob Steen
Publisher: AHOY Comics
Special “group therapy” issue of the only comic book featuring Sunstar, the world’s greatest hero, and Jesus Christ, the son of God. On a visit to his childhood home-now a sex shop called “Ron’s Dongs”-Sunstar uncovers the secrets of his past. Meanwhile, Jesus opens up about his daddy issues! Plus the usual AHOY bonus prose stories and illustrations.
Why It’s Cool: This comic has Jesus Christ and a Superman analog in a group therapy session together. I really think that’s all I need to say here.
Price: $4.99
Others Receiving Votes
Danger Street #7- Don’t Spit in the Wind #4
- Earthdivers: Kill Columbus #8
- Ghostlore #3
- Great British Bump-Off #4
- Haunt You To The End #2
- Hellboy In Love #5
- Lamentation #3
- Loki #2
- Moon Knight #25
- Murder Inc.: Jagger Rose #3
- Scarlet Witch #6
- Superman: Lost #5
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #141
- Unstoppable Doom Patrol #4
New #1s and One-Shots
Antarctica #1- Con and On #1
- Fallen Friend: The Death of Ms. Marvel #1 (one-shot)
- Gargoyles: Dark Ages #1
- Groo in the Wild #1
- Knight Terrors #1
- Knight Terrors – Flash #1
- Knight Terrors – Green Lantern #1
- Knight Terrors – Robin #1
- Knight Terrors – SHAZAM! #1
- Knight Terrors – Zatanna #1
- My Little Pony: 40th Anniversary Special #1 (one-shot)
- Panya: The Mummy’s Curse #1
- Rocketeer: In the Den of Thieves #1
- Savage Squad 6 #1
- Sirens of the City #1
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 5 Annual 2023 #1
- Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles X Stranger Things #1
- Web of Carnage #1
- What If Dark Loki #1
- World’s Finest: Teen Titans #1
- X-Men: Days of Future Past Doomsday #1
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
Action Journalism TP- Air Book 3 TP Dark Horse Edition
- Arca TP
- Batman/Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Omnibus HC
- Black Tape TP
- Dead Mall TP
- Dear Rosie TP
- Eight Limbs TP
- Fantastic Four By Ryan North Vol. 1 Whatever Happened to the Fantastic Four TP
- Grim Vol. 2 Devils & Dust TP
- I Am Batman Vol. 1 TP
- Jon Sable: Freelance Masterstroke Omnibus Edition Vol. 1 HC
- Minor Threats Vol. 1: A Quick End to a Long Beginning TP
- Nemesis Reloaded TP
- Powers Vol. 4: Dark Horse Edition
- Quick Stops HC
- Royal City Compendium Vol. 1 TP
- The Second Death of Eddie Campbell And the Fate of the Artist HC
- Superior Spider-Man Omnibus Vol. 1 HC
- Wynd Book 3 The Throne in the Sky HC
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!