NEW COMICS 4 THIS WEEK (05/13/26)
*All comics will be rated on a scale from 1 to 10*
Absoute Batman # 20 (9.5/10)
Absolute Martian Manhunter # 11 (7/10)
Action Comics # 1098 (6.5/10)
Amazing Spider-Man/Venom: Death Spiral -Body Count # 1 (5.5/10)
Barbara Gordon: Breakout # 1 (9/10)
Captain America # 11 (6.5/10)
Disney Villains: Gaston # 3 (6/10)
Fury of Firestorm # 2 (7/10)
Geiger # 23 (7/10)
Iron Man # 5 (6.5/10)
Space Ghost # 11 (8.5/10)
Spectacular Spider-Man: Brand New Day # 1 (9.5/10)
Supergirl # 13 (7/10)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles # 18 (7/10)
Uncanny X-Men # 28 (6.5/10)
Absoute Batman # 20– The latest issue of “Absolute Batman” offers a lot to unpack. Batman, still reeling from the death of Jim Gordon, visits Joe Chill in his jail cell, only to be confronted by The Scarecrow, who delivers a shocking revelation involving Martha Wayne and the Court of Owls (**NO SPOILERS**). Meanwhile, The Robins—portrayed as tech-savvy, energetic misfits piloting heavy mech suits—are introduced and tasked with hunting down Batman. Although the pacing may feel slow for readers accustomed to a faster tempo, this issue expertly weaves some of the series’ best psychological and world-building twists. The jailhouse meeting between Batman, Joe Chill, and Scarecrow stands out as one of the issue’s most brilliant moments, and Scott Snyder excels at depicting a Batman pushed to his limits, creating an intensity that promises compelling developments in future issues. While The Robins don’t take center stage until the next installment, this issue deliberately favors steady character development and a haunting atmosphere over rapid payoffs, reaffirming why this title remains the crown jewel of the Absolute line.
Amazing Spider-Man/Venom: Death Spiral -Body Count # 1– While “Death Spiral” has concluded, this special issue serves as a closing note by exploring Torment’s tragic past, including preview scenes of Rory mourning his family at a Vermont cemetery. It reveals what turned him into the deadliest villain since Cletus Kasady. Although this one-shot feels somewhat unnecessary since the event is over, it mostly functions well as a fast-paced character study, with Charles Soule and Jesus Saiz delving into Torment’s mind to show how he became a serial killer. The profile is heightened as a serious threat, and this issue pulls back the curtain to reveal a character who is completely out of bounds. Ideally, his identity should have been kept secret to preserve his mystique, but instead, we’re given an epilogue that feels unnecessary. Jesus Saiz’s artwork, complemented by Matt Hollingsworth’s coloring, highlights the dark, fractured nature of Torment’s psyche. Overall, this one-shot exemplifies an idea that remains just that—a concept.
Barbara Gordon: Breakout # 1– This new addition to DC’s “Next Level” publishing line spins directly out of the final events of Batman #9, following Barbara Gordon as she is arrested, stripped of her Oracle network, and forced to survive as a civilian inmate inside Gotham City’s corrupt new Supermax prison. Through a series of flashbacks, it’s revealed that this was Barbara’s plan all along—a surprising twist that refreshes familiar prison-break tropes. The story strips Barbara of her technology, forcing her to rely on hand-to-hand combat skills in a gritty, innovative way. At the same time, her detective abilities come to the forefront, showing that her time as Batgirl still offers valuable advantages. Barbara’s bravery in a tech-free environment proves her adaptability, though the prison formula feels a bit too comfortable, as she shows little tension once inside. However, the issue’s cliffhanger ending raises the stakes, making this a strong addition to the Batman family and sending Barbara Gordon in an exciting new direction.
Spectacular Spider-Man: Brand New Day # 1– Following closely after “Spider-Man: Brand New Day,” this tie-in heralds the return of veteran writer Dan Slott and revisits the “Brand New Day” era from 2008. Set shortly after the events of One More Day and Civil War, the story follows Spider-Man as he infiltrates Kingpin’s network and successfully steals the “Lexicon”—Wilson Fisk’s highly guarded, comprehensive database detailing New York City’s entire criminal underworld, where this act draws Spider-Man into a conflict between Mister Negative and The Punisher. For fans seeking a straightforward Spider-Man adventure free from current continuity, Slott’s return brings his trademark energy and excitement, offering a fresh take rather than recycling old material. The story captures a retro feel without becoming overly nostalgic. Interestingly, the “Brand New Day” era in this series seems to echo the MCU canon, which could come off as a cash-grab, but Slott’s writing—paired with the stellar art of Marcus To and Marcos Martin—avoids that pitfall, instead paying energetic homage to the BND days. While some debate whether this series is simply an MCU cash-in, “Spectacular Spider-Man: Brand New Day” stands as an ideal entry point for newcomers and a satisfying read for longtime fans eager for a well-crafted Spider-Man tale from one of the architects of a pivotal era for the Wall-Crawler.
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