June has come to and end that means it is time to look back at what the best comic books released in the month were. There were a lot of great comic books across the industry. We are getting a great variety of comics to enjoy every month. June was no different. With that in mind I’ve put together a list of the ten best comic books I read during the month of June.
10) UNCANNY X-MEN #30
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Writer: Gail Simone; Artist: Roge Antonio; Colorist: Matthew Wilson; Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Uncanny X-Men #30 spotlights how the greatest strength to Gail Simone’s writing in this series is how she juggles an ensemble cast. From the Uncanny X-Men to the new mutant students to Graymalkin Prison cast that pulls you into the soap opera of all these characters’ lives. The addition of an alien invasion story is a nice twist that Roge Antonio does a really good job at getting over the surprise with how characters react to this sudden development.
9) THE ROYALS #3
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Writer: Derek Kirk Kim; Artist: Jacob Perez
The Royals #3 is a great example of how to pace a story to make the ending a true surprise. The first half of this issue there is this feeling it is filler content. That feeling comes from how heavy conversational the first half of this issue is. The conversations are still very interesting and do a lot to help the character development for the cast of the series. This makes you to not expect more than a world building chapter.
Then we get to the second half where things take a complete turn. We go from an intense argument with the leads that turns into a brawl. That brawl puts certain characters in a spot to have a truly shocking turn of events happen. That shocking event changes so much of where the story can go in an exciting way.
8) INVINCIBLE UNIVERSE: BATTLE BEAST #10
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Writer: Robert Kirkman; Artist: Ryan Ottley; Colorist: Annalisa Leoni; Letterer: Rus Wooton
The entire Invincible Universe: Battle Beast series has been about finding a worthy opponent for our series lead to fight. Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #10 finally delivers that opponent as we get to the long-awaited showdown with Conquest.
The way it is handled shows that Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley knew exactly what they had in their hands. This is a battle they can’t just burn as soon as they are on screen together. There is a build up with a tense meal that does more world building. But that is all just pretense for what lives up to an epic battle of two of the best fighters in the Invincible Universe. There is nothing held back as Battle Beast and Conquest throw hands and weapons.
7) TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES #19
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Writer: Gene Luen Yang; Artist: Fero Pe; Colorist: Luis Antonio Delgado; Letterer: Shawn Lee
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #19 is a much-needed chance for the series to slow things down. Since this volume of TMNT started, things have been non-stop for the entire cast, which has made it tough for the characters to fully process where they are emotionally and physically. That makes the timing of this issue even better, as the Turtles and their allies finally get a moment to breathe and take in what it means to be reunited as a family.
What makes Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #19 even more special is the presence of Tang Shen. Her presence makes the family dynamic hit differently by being physically present instead of existing only as a legend everyone reveres. What that means for the franchise moving forward is anyone’s guess, and that uncertainty is part of what makes this issue fun. It gives the characters space to reconnect while leaving just enough mystery to make you excited about where things go from here.
6) ABSOLUTE SUPERMAN #20
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Writer: Jason Aaron; Artists: Rafa Sandoval and Vicente Cifuentes; Colorist: Ulises Arreola; Letterer: Becca Carey
Absolute Superman #20 is the Absolute Universe at its best. The mix of mythology exploration with action further elevates King Shazam as a compelling villain. Everything we learn about him through Absolut Hawkman further builds out the long history of the Absolute Universe before we ever started reading about it.
This background helps to build King Shazam as an even bigger threat because of how well told his character’s motivation is. It makes the present-day battle even better as King Shazam has the presence of an overwhelming mountain that Superman must overcome. That all makes what the final splash page delivers be an even more exciting hook ending.
5) DAREDEVIL #3
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Writer: Stephanie Phillips; Artist: Lee Garbett; Colorist: Frank Martin; Letterer: Ariana Maher
Daredevil and Spider-Man teaming up will always be special. These two compliment each other so well. Even for how brief it is in Daredevil #3 Stephanie Phillips understood this to help further push Matt Murdock’s character arc forward. It’s these dynamics that help show how Phillips does understand Daredevil’s history. Not only does she understand but is using it to amplify the current direction she is taking the series in.
The short-term team-up with Spider-Man also emphasized how Matt needed a reset. He has been so much about pushing forward that he never gives himself time. It is just his personality type. But it is in getting this reset time that help make it so Matt could meet the moment of the type of threat Omen presents to his future. We immediately see how this pays off with how Matt interacts with his new supporting cast and the Daredevil vs Omen battle.
4) ABSOLUTE BATMAN #21
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Writer: Scott Snyder; Artist: Nick Dragotta; Colorist: Frank Martin; Letterer: Tom Napolitano
With every passing issue of Absolute Batman there is this feeling that Scott Snyder and Nick Dragotta are looking to top what they’ve done before. Absolute Batman #21 is a perfect example of this. Right away we start of with the chaotic Batman vs the Robins. The battle shows the extent Gotham City is willing to go to fight against everything Absolute Batman represents.
From there we have a lot of character development for the entire cast of the series. This is where Snyder and Dragotta’s ability to maximize every panel shines. They make sure that everyone from the Robins to Barbara Gordon to Bruce Wayne’s inner circle gets some sort of development. Everything done with these characters further builds out the world of Gotham City. It is all punctuated by an intense confrontation between Absolute Batman and Joker that changes so much of where things can go from here.
3) ABSOLUTE CATWOMAN #1
CREATIVE TEAM
Writers: Scott Snyder and Che Grayson; Artist: Bengal; Colorist: Giovanna Niro; Letterer: Lucas Gattoni
Absolute Catwoman #1 sets a new template of how to handle a spinoff title. Scott Snyder and Che Grayson utilize the foundation created by Absolute Selina Kyle’s presence in Absolute Batman and expands on it in a fascinating way. Bengal’s artwork carried on the style that we’ve seen in Absolute Batman to keep it all feeling like it is happening in different locations on one world.
Then there is all the expansion that is done with Absolute Selina Kyle’s history and her ties to the League of Assassins. We don’t get much into that but everything that goes on with the assassins running around in the DCU version of Catwoman’s costume and Cassandra Cain’s appearance were nice touches. There was a trust in how the story was told that fans picking this up would get what’s going on. Even if they didn’t we get a lot to enjoy seeing how badass Absolute Catwoman and is a layered character that you want to follow her journey.
2) ZATANNA #3
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Writer and Artist: Jamal Campbell; Letterer: Ariana Maher
Jamal Campbell once again proves why he is one of the best comic book storytellers in the industry. Campbell delivers a stunning-looking comic book with Zatanna #3 that also gives Zatanna fantastic character development. The way he plays with different panel structures and layered splash pages adds so much energy to the wild magical journey Zatanna is on.
What makes the issue work so well is that it never loses the reader, even when Zatanna is jumping between different places to stop the magical threat. Campbell keeps the pacing sharp and the focus exactly where it needs to be. That makes all the chaos easier to enjoy while reminding us what makes Zatanna such an awesome character to follow.
1) TRANSFORMERS #33
CREATIVE TEAM
Writer: Robert Kirkman; Artist: Jason Howard; Colorist: Mike Spicer; Letterer: Rus Wooton
Transformers #33 has a lot going on, but Robert Kirkman and Jason Howard make every thread feel meaningful rather than overwhelming. Seeing Optimus, Arcee Magnus, Wheeljack, Beachcomber, and the others step into role defending and helping Earth recovers gives their latest victory real weight This is reflected in how now that the public is starting to view them in a more heroic light.
That shift also puts a stronger spotlight on Optimus as he adjusts to life without the Matrix of Leadership, giving him a fresh character arc that feels like new territory. His struggle pairs well with Arcee Magnus coming into her own, creating an interesting contrast between his uncertainty and her growing confidence. Beyond Earth, the issue also drops intriguing developments on Cybertron and elsewhere that could ripple across the Energon Universe.
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