There are always so many brilliant comics coming out that sometimes it’s hard to know what to pick up from your local shop or library. Well, we’ve looked into the future and picked some of the stories we’re most excited for this year. From Marvel and DC to erotic horror indies, young adult reimaginings of classic characters to brand new visions, there’s something for everyone in our selection of the most exciting series hitting shelves this year!
BTTM FDRS
Ezra Claytan Daniels & Ben Passmore
Passmore and Claytan Daniels teaming up is a dream combination. The creators behind Your Black Friend and Upgrade Soul respectively are powerhouse comics creators and their upcoming Fantagraphics book looks unmissable. Focused on a young black fashion designer Cynthia who moves into a strange new building in her rapidly gentrifying old neighborhood, it promises to combine political commentary, Cronenberg-style body horror, and brilliant cartooning.
Daredevil
Chip Zdarsky & Marco Checchetto
Chip Zdarsky might be one of the silliest comics creators around, but he’s also a brilliantly talented storyteller with a lot of heart, which makes him an incredible pick to continue the ongoing adventures of Matt Murdoch alongside sterling artist Marco Checchetto. Though not much is known about the series yet, this creative team is enough to get us excited. In an interview with Marvel.com, Zdarsky hinted that it won’t be easy going for Matt. “The character’s been put through a lot over the years, but I think ‘The Death of Daredevil‘ is going to be a real ‘come to God’ moment for Matt,” he said. “What does that look like? What will he become? This series is going to be about big questions and finding answers in strange places.”
Young Justice
Brian Michael Bendis, Patrick Gleason, Alejandro Sanchez, & DC Letters
The recently relaunched Young Justice title is a total, unabashed joy. Part of Bendis’ young readers imprint Wonder Comics, it’s a fun, fresh, and frequently surprising title that we’re sure is going to keep getting better as the series goes on. A perfect pick for fans of the cartoon who want a different take on their favorite team.
When I Arrived at the Castle
Emily Carroll
If you’re a fan of spooky, atmospheric, and horrific books, Emily Carroll will likely be your new favorite creator. Her newest work from Koyama Press, which is due out later this year, looks like a wonderfully creepy erotic gothic horror treat. It follows a young woman who heads to a castle aiming to defeat an undead evil but finds something unexpected inside.
All-New Aquaman
Kelly Sue DeConnick, Robson Rocha, Daniel Henriques, & Sunny Gho
Though we got the first issue of All-New Aquaman last year, it was so exciting and different that we cannot wait to keep following this brilliant series as it continues. Focusing on Arthur Curry unstuck from Atlantis and lost on a mysterious island full of powerful deities, it’s an epic mythological tale that is different from anything else coming out from the Big Two right now.
Female Furies
Cecil Castellucci, Adriana Melo, Hi-Fi, & Carlos M. Mangual
Jack Kirby’s Fourth World has long been one of DC’s most interesting and esoteric worlds, and for the first time… ever, really… it’s going to be helmed by women. Female Furies has been one of our most anticipated books since it was announced last year and we cannot wait to see the creative team take on the early days of Apokolips and iconic creations including Granny Goodness, Big Barda, and, of course, Darkseid!
Mera: Tidebreaker
Danielle Paige
2019 will see the launch of DC’s two young readers lines, Zoom and Ink. While there are a whole bunch of incredible titles included, we cannot wait for Danielle Paige and Stephen Byrne’s Mera: Tidebreaker, an original graphic novel reimagining the origins of the future queen of Atlantis. The art looks incredible and we need stories about rebellious young women more than ever right now.
Assassin Nation
Erica Henderson & Kyle Starks
Erica Henderson is one of the funniest cartoonists out there. After finding huge success with Squirrel Girl, she’s teaming up with Kyle Starks for an action comedy comic called Assassin Nation. It looks like it will be a whole bunch of violent fun in the vein of Deadpool and Hot Fuzz.Image Comics official description teases: “The World’s Former Greatest Hitman hires the 20 best assassins in the world to be his bodyguards. These mean-as-hell hired guns and murderers must work together to keep the new crime boss safe while attempting to solve the mystery of who’s trying to off him.”
Invisible Kingdom
G. Willow Wilson
After co-creating one of the most popular contemporary superheroes on the planet (Kamala Khan, a.k.a. Ms. Marvel), G. Willow Wilson is headed to creator-owned comics with this vibrant science-fiction story about two women from different walks of life who uncover a terrifying conspiracy between religious leaders and powerful corporations. It’s also a total dream team, as Wilson is working alongside the incomparable Christian Ward.
The Black Mage
Daniel Barnes, DJ Kirkland, & Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
YA sci-fi and fantasy can often be exclusive and homogeneously white, but Barnes and Kirkland’s beautiful graphic novel The Black Mage is here to change that with a subversive tale about the first black student accepted into a historically white wizarding school. As Tom joins the academy, he realizes that all may not be as it seems and uncovers a vast conspiracy dating back to the Civil War. We’ve been waiting for this book since it was picked up as part of Oni Press‘ open submissions and are excited to finally read it!
Marvel Action: Black Panther
Kyle Baker & Juan Samu
Kyle Baker is a cartooning superstar, and as you can see from the cover of the gorgeous new all-ages Black Panther comic, he’ll be writing alongside artist Jaun Samu. A perfect introduction to Wakanda or a family-friendly way to revisit it, this series looks like it will be a whole lot of fun!
Images: IDW, Marvel, DC, Image Comics, Koyama Press, Fantagraphics, Oni Press
