NEW COMICS 4 THIS WEEK (06/17/26)
*All comics will be rated on a scale from 1 to 10*
Absolute Batman # 21 (9/10)
Absolute Green Arrow # 2 (8/10)
Amazing Spider-Man # 31 (7.5/10)
Avatar: The Last Airbender- The Kyoshi Warriors # 1 (7/10)
Concrete: Stars Over Sand # 1 (9/10)
Invincible Universe: Battle Beast # 10 (8.5/10)
New Titans # 36 (7/10)
Spider-Man: Long Way Home # 1 (8.5/10)
Superman Unlimited # 14 (6.5/10)
Thundarr The Barbarian # 5
Uncanny X-Men # 30 (7.5/10)
What If…?: Thor # 1 (5.5/10)
Absolute Batman # 21– After a chaotic battle with The Robins, Bruce Wayne faces Jack Grimm in a tense showdown where Grimm strongly suggests he “created” Batman, viewing Bruce’s tragic life and vigilantism as part of his own grand design. The latest issue of “Absolute Batman” skillfully blends high-stakes action with powerful drama. The confrontation between Batman and Jack Grimm is both impactful and deeply unsettling, setting them apart from their usual counterparts and signaling that their rivalry will only become more dangerous. This version of The Joker, with his monstrous traits and vast resources, is especially menacing. Meanwhile, Bruce’s friends continuing down darker paths adds another intriguing layer that Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta explore further—particularly when we glimpse the Absolute versions of Two-Face and Clayface, which will shock and amaze readers. Overall, this is another strong issue of Absolute Batman, delivering chilling thriller vibes and effective plot development. While the pacing can feel uneven as it shifts from the battle with the Robins to Jim Gordon’s funeral and finally to the showdown with Jack Grimm, the issue remains a compelling, creative remix of Batman lore.
Amazing Spider-Man # 31– Yes, this is indeed a landmark issue for Marvel’s flagship title, where it is revealed that Cormac Crane (introduced in the “Death Spiral” crossover earlier this year) is the long-lost son of Ben and May Parker. What makes this particular issue stand out the most is how Joe Kelly masterfully explores its emotional depths, rendering it a poignant tear-jerker, while simultaneously handling themes of Parenthood and Infertility with grace and significance. This portrayal vividly captures the grief and pain May experienced due to the three miscarriages she endured. Kelly skillfully revisits a plot thread from Amazing Spider-Man #238 during Roger Stern’s tenure, which was further expanded in 2009’s Amazing Spider-Man Family #7. While Kelly renders the emotional moments profoundly impactful, the explanation for why Cormac never contacted May is that a chaotic hospital mix-up led both May and Ben to believe the newborn had tragically died from respiratory distress. Although this revelation is quite shocking, the mature handling of these elements imparts a touching quality to the story. Another interesting aspect is the narrative structure, which is split into two parts: one in which May has “The talk” with Peter, and the other in which Spider-Man disrupts an underground villain auction hosted by the Vulture. Although this separation creates a slight disconnect between the superhero action and family drama, it nonetheless results in a compelling read. It is refreshing to see Patrick Gleason returning to Amazing Spider-Man, augmented by Marcio Menyz’s exceptional coloring, which shifts focus flawlessly between the two narratives and enriches the portrayal of Peter, Aunt May, and Cormac Crane. This issue undeniably paves a new direction for the Parker family tree. Despite some cynicism surrounding it, it serves as another intriguing chapter in Spider-Man’s history that will be remembered for years to come.
Concrete: Stars Over Sand # 1– Paul Chadwick returns to his signature character after 20 years, and it’s clear he hasn’t lost his touch. The story begins with Concrete and his partner, Dr. Maureen Vonnegut, journeying across the desert to Colorado to launch his new career as a public speaker. However, disaster strikes when a sudden lightning bolt leaves Concrete completely amnesiac, stranded, and vulnerable in the vast desert. As the opening chapter of a five-issue miniseries, this issue sets the stage for what’s to come, while also serving as a masterclass in comic storytelling. Chadwick’s sharp writing and evocative artwork, simply put, capture the splendor and isolation of Concrete’s environment, with visuals and backgrounds reminiscent of Möebius. The narrative deftly explores themes of memory, the passage of time, and the unexpected beauty found in adversity. Rather than dwelling on Concrete’s misfortune, Chadwick transforms his amnesia into a profound and moving experience. After two decades without a Concrete story, Chadwick’s creative vision not only revitalizes the character but also pushes the medium forward. This return is a triumph—an invitation to embrace the slow burn and a promise that what comes next will be nothing short of extraordinary.
Spider-Man: Long Way Home # 1 – With the release of “Spider-Man: Brand New Day” just weeks away from hitting theaters, Marvel’s decision to launch this new miniseries feels timely as the story teams up Spider-Man, The Hulk, and The Punisher in a gritty, military-style adventure that opens with Frank Castle serving as a deadly special operative sniper in the dense, humid jungles of South America. His mission: infiltrate a highly secure, rogue laboratory complex operated by the terrorist organization A.I.M. (Advanced Idea Mechanics), where A.I.M. has constructed a reality-warping weapon—the Cosmic Cube. Amid the chaos, an unhinged Hulk is unleashed, prompting S.H.I.E.L.D. to call in Spider-Man for backup. Jonathan Hickman crafts a story that draws inspiration from films like “Full Metal Jacket” and “Predator,” seamlessly weaving their intensity and high stakes into the Marvel Universe. However, despite Spider-Man’s name headlining the series, it’s puzzling that he only appears at the very end, while Hulk and Punisher dominate the issue. Nevertheless, Hickman’s gritty tone and Adam Kubert’s atmospheric, action-packed art set the stage for an intense and unpredictable narrative. With Punisher’s special ops background explored, a savage Hulk on the loose, and Spider-Man out of his depth, “Spider-Man: Long Way Home” launches a thrilling, high-stakes adventure that carves out its own identity—proving it’s far more than a mere tie-in to “Brand New Day.”
What If…?: Thor # 1– The latest “What If…?” One-shot explores the intriguing premise: What if Thor acquired Spider-Man’s Symbiote Suit? The story begins during the original Secret Wars on Battleworld, where Thor, in need of repairing his damaged Asgardian armor, uses the alien technology before Peter Parker has the chance. Torunn Gronbekk makes a smart choice by integrating symbiote lore into Asgardian history, grounding the concept in Thor’s mythos rather than treating it as mere science fiction, but while this approach feels natural and offers an interesting fusion, the story suffers from a reliance on familiar tropes and a rushed pace. The final confrontation between Thor and Knull, in particular, lacks impact and emotional weight, leaving the ending unsatisfying. The idea of the symbiote suit exposing Thor’s hidden insecurities and pride is novel, but it isn’t given enough room to develop, and the one-shot format restricts its potential. This concept deserved to be expanded into a multi-issue miniseries that could fully explore Thor’s relationship with the symbiote and its effects on his character. Ultimately, while this issue hints at exciting possibilities, it falls short of delivering a truly compelling story. There remains significant untapped potential in combining Thor and the symbiote, and with more space to develop, future stories could transform this premise into something genuinely memorable and worthwhile.
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