With July now over its time to highlight the best comic books that came out in the past month. There were many comics that came out that gave us a variety of experiences from Marvel, DC Comics, Image Comics, IDW, and many more publishers. It once again makes it tough to decide on just ten of my favorite comic books for the month. But after much deliberation I’ve put together the ten comic books from my pull list that where the Best Comic Books for the month of July.
10) TERMINAL #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writers: Robert Kirkman and Joe Casey; Artist: Andy Kubert; Colorist: Dave McCaig; Letterer: Rus Wooton
Robert Kirkman, Joe Casey, and Andy Kubert do not try to hold the reader’s hand with the debut of their latest series. Terminal #1 is better because of that, as it immediately trusts readers to immerse themselves in the world being presented. Starting things off with a new mystery inside a fully formed world does a lot to sell how important these events are. The ambiguity surrounding where the story leaves its various characters works as a strong hook for this new series.
9) ZATANNA #4
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jamal Campbell; Artists: Jamal Campbell and Edwin Galmon; Colorist: Andrew Dalhouse; Letterer: Ariana Maher
Zatanna #4 gives us our first real look at how the title character steps into the role of Prime Magnus, a magical title that has not been seen in thousands of years. By showing how Zatanna makes the Prime Magnus title her own, the issue makes it clear she was made for this kind of role. It is an evolution of her character that pushes her to become an even bigger part of the DC Universe. In the process, we also see how expansive the magical corner of the DC Universe can be, with glimpses of the different locations and characters the series can explore as it continues.
8) ABSOLUTE GREEN ARROW #3
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Pornsak Pichetshote; Artist: Rafael Albuquerque; Colorist: Marcelo Maiolo; Letterer: Jeff Powell
Telling a story with the iconic namesake of the series already being dead is a tough task, especially when doing so in a new universe. Pornsak Pichetshote and Rafael Albuquerque have proven they are more than up for the task with how they balance flashback and present-day storytelling. Absolute Green Arrow #3 is a strong example of that, as they weave Oliver Queen’s history with Roy Harper in the Absolute Universe in a seamless way that strengthens the Green Arrow Killer narrative. In the process, we see how Absolute Black Canary continues to carry the story forward while the Green Arrow Killer becomes even more active.
7) SORCERER SUPREME #8
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Steve Orlando; Artist: Bernard Chang; Colorist: Ruth Redmond; Letterer: Joe Sabino
Sorcerer Supreme #8 is a comic book that you are so immersed in everything that is going on that you are left surprised when you get to the end. It is made even more impressive by the fact that there isn’t much action in this comic book. Steve Orlando has such a strong handling of Scarlet Witch’s character that you are so invested in how she is using her status as Sorcerer Supreme to meet every challenge. And it doesn’t get bigger than battling an entity known as the Extinction King. In dealing with this threat Scarlet Witch continues to show the versatility that comes with using the unlimited power of magic.
6) ABSOLUTE CATWOMAN #2
CREATIVE TEAM
Writers: Scott Snyder and Che Grayson; Artist: Bengal; Colorist: Giovanna Niro; Letterer: Lucas Gattoni
Absolute Catwoman #2 takes what the debut issue established and continues expanding Absolute Selina Kyle’s backstory in fascinating ways. Throughout the story, Scott Snyder and Che Grayson grow the series’ cast in a way that feels natural. Selina’s backstory works as an entry point for a variety of characters to make their way into the Absolute Universe in intriguing ways. In the process, we get more insight into what makes Absolute Selina Kyle tick and how the people in her life impact the way she makes decisions. It all leads to a fun, surprising debut of another character that further opens the door to exploring how the Absolute Universe has changed familiar characters in fresh ways.
5) ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #21
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Jason Aaron; Artists: Rafa Sandoval and Zander Cannon; Colorist: Ulises Arreola; Letterer: Becca Carey
In every universe a battle between Superman and Black Adam/Shazam is a clash of titans. That’s where Absolute Superman #21 captures the epic feeling of seeing two of the universe’s most powerful characters go all out. Through their fight we see that for the similarities in their god-like powers they may have their respective origins is what makes Absolute Superman and Shazam the people they are. The way the fight ends also helps solidify Shazam as a serious contender for a spot in Absolute Superman’s rogues gallery. Along with the other standout moments throughout the issue, Absolute Superman #21 delivers a strong ending to the “Reign of the Superman” arc.
4) POWER RANGERS UNLIMITED #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writers: Kenny Porter and Joey Esposito; Artist: Alessio Zonno; Colorist: Raul Angulo; Letterer: Ed Dukeshire
Power Rangers Unlimited #1 fully taps into the nostalgia fans have for the franchise. But rather than being satisfied with nostalgia alone, Kenny Porter, Joey Esposito, and Alessio Zonno use it as a launching point for a fun story. Having Trini Kwan lead the series in a newly upgraded form alongside a variety of legendary Power Rangers is a blast. Opening things up with an fight against Lord Zedd and other villains from different Power Rangers seasons gives this debut issue a fast-moving pace. The way this extended fight sets up the world and introduces the mysterious main villain builds a lot of excitement for what this series will deliver next.
3) DARK KNIGHTS OF STEEL II #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Tom Taylor; Artist: Otto Schmidt; Colorist: Arif Prianto; Letterer: Wes Abbott
Dark Knights of Steel II #1 captures the feeling of a second season premiere. The opening quickly reminds you where things left off in this universe, with the House of El, the Kingdom of Storms, and Amazonia united after their previous conflict. At first, the peaceful celebration of Diana and Zala-El’s union feels like it could work as an epilogue to the first series. But that changes as the issue starts setting up the next big story, with Aquaman and other mysterious characters making their debuts. Then there is everything going on with Batman and Talia Al Ghul, which hints at even more happening in the shadows that we will discover as this sequel continues. It all works to remind fans of the magic of the first series while showing how that energy will carry into this next chapter.
2) THE HORROR OF GODZILLA #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writers: Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan; Artist: Tristan Jones; Letterer: Tom Napolitano
The Horror of Godzilla #1 does a great job capturing the terrifying presence of the King of the Monsters. Tristan Jones’ artwork captures the awe-inspiring and horrifying nature of Godzilla’s rampage. You feel the fear people experience as they realize all they can do is buy themselves a little more time to live. The world-building between Godzilla’s rampage and his origin is paced well through Ethan Parker and Griffin Sheridan’s writing. It is nothing new to the franchise but the presentation hits in all the same ways it did with the original movie and, most recently, Godzilla Minus One. That combination makes The Horror of Godzilla #1 a strong start that understands the real horror of Godzilla is not just the destruction he causes, but the helplessness of everyone caught in his path.
1) TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #300
CREATIVE TEAM
Writers: Gene Luen Yang, Kevin Eastman, and Tom Waltz; Artists: Freddie E. Williams II, Chris Allen, Ben Bates, Dan Duncan, Frank Fosco, Jim Lawson, and Eric Talbot; Colorists: Andrew Dalhouse, Luis Antonio Delgado, and Ronda Pattison; Letterers: Shawn Lee
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #300 is a phenomenal celebration of what has made the series special for over 40 years. The main story does a fantastic job kicking off “The City That Never Dies” as a big event with massive ramifications for the future of the franchise. Every character is impacted by what happens, especially through the choices made by Splinter and Tang Shen. It is all handled in a way that continues the narrative of this volume while inviting new readers to stick around. Then there is the backup story by Kevin Eastman, Tom Waltz, and an all-star cast of artists, which works as an excellent way to honor how the different iterations of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have helped turn the franchise into pop culture icons for more than 40 years.
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