Welcome to the first Fantastic Five of 2024! This is our weekly column where we take a look back at the best comics of the week. Marvel and DC both rang in the new year in style, as this week’s top 5 is dominated by the Big Two. Let’s take a look at the books:
#5: Shazam! #7
Bolstered by Sudžuka and Svorcina’s pages, absurdity meets camp in this delightful first impression of the series’ sophomore story arc, fueled by dramatic irony and a keenly self-aware sense of humor. Though it is not overtly focused on the Captain and Black Adam’s relationship as it is on giving them a reason to cross paths, it still provides ample opportunities for the creatives to explore their new take on them while not taking focus away from the overarching elements they’ve built thus far.
Read Eric Thomas’s full review!
#4: Venom #29
If you like psychological thrillers, Venom is a real treat. Continuing to evolve what this character can do and possible futures for him in a way that spans time and space is incredibly rewarding. This is the kind of storytelling you could never anticipate, making for riveting stuff.
Read David Brooke’s full review!
#3: Vengeance of the Moon Knight #1
A hero has fallen, and yet Vengeance of the Moon Knight #1 reveals its creators are inverting everything we thought we knew about Moon Knight. After thirty strong issues, MacKay and Cappuccio developed a strong supporting cast, and now they faced an enemy they couldn’t have anticipated. Dripping with atmosphere, Vengeance of the Moon Knight feels like a rare gem.
Read David Brooke’s full review!
#2: Doctor Strange #11
Doctor Strange #11 is a very fun issue that feels like Jed MacKay’s love letter to the two characters. Clearly, Stephen and Clea are in a sturdy spot and are positioned as one of the most iconic couples at Marvel right now (enough to cameo together in other series) and this issue shows how well Mackay has written them into being perfect compliments of one another. Overall, this is a very fun issue which acts as a fun slice of life short story.
Read Michael Guerrero’s full review!
#1: Fire & Ice: Welcome to Smallville #5
Fire & Ice: Welcome To Smallville isn’t a book that changes the hierarchy of the DC universe. It’s just a book that exists to have a few laughs and evolve two characters from a cult classic comic book series from the late ’80s. It doesn’t have to be anything more. I can’t wait to see how the creative team sticks the landing on the final installment.
Read Piper Whitaker’s full review!
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