Welcome back to another edition of Fantastic Five, where we shout out the best comics of the week! This week saw two perfect 10s as Supergirl and Transformers continue to impress. Let’s get to the books!
Best comics of the week: July 9, 2025
#5: Radiant Black #35
‘Radiant Black’ #35 closes out its current story arc in style
Radiant Black #35 brings an end to its current story arc, closing with more than a few major surprises in the process. It’s all thanks to a creative team that’s dedicated to turning in the best comics they can, and succeeding on every level.
Read Collier Jennings’ full review!
#4: The Power Fantasy #10
‘The Power Fantasy’ #10 takes big swings with satisfying results
The Power Fantasy continues to be an ambitious, thought-provoking book that recontextualizes superhero mythos by taking innovative approaches to the familiar themes and ethical questions surrounding superpowered beings with Godlike powers. Every single panel of Casper Wijngaard’s is astonishing and breathtakingly gorgeous, and throughout the entire book thus far, Wijngaard’s art has also remained incredibly consistent in quality. While at times the book requires a close reading to the sheer depth and scope of what the work is trying to accomplish, the book always excels at telling really fascinating, intriguing, and complex stories that keep readers highly invested in the next installment.
#3: Marvel Swimsuit Special: Friends, Foes & Rivals #1
‘Marvel Swimsuit Special: Friends, Foes & Rivals’ #1 review: Beat the heat
The Marvel Swimsuit Special: Friends, Foes, & Rivals may not be for everyone, but if you’re looking for a silly story that has minimal impact on the universe as a whole, it’s a great time. While I’m not surprised that Marvel wanted to capitalize on the Rivals game again, I am surprised that this was what they decided on doing (but then again, DC has already beaten them to the punch with their specials the past few years). As silly as the main story was, it was a great idea to lovingly poke fun at the old Swimsuit Specials while also admitting that there’s a reason why we’re picking this up. For a little bit of time, it was the early ’90s again…just without all the hologram covers.
Read Jonathan Waugh’s full review!
#2: Transformers #22
Transformers #22 might genuinely be the best issue since the opening arc of DWJ’s run. Not that anything in between has been bad or even subpar – far from it – but this issue really knocked it out of the park and gave me a lot to chew on. I love when Transformers and humanity work together, I love love love love love it. It’s the truest fulfillment of the original vision for the franchise as penned by Bob Budiansky for Marvel back in the day, and an elevation of the most profound ideas the series ever toyed with. Any issue at all that plays with these, even a little, its doing so, SO much more than what most Transformers comics have ever given. Moments though they all have, every previous publisher of this franchise has struggled to care about how humanity is important to the entire concept.
#1: Supergirl #3
All in all, Campbell’s Supergirl continues to set a gold standard in comics storytelling. It’s a comic that honors the heroine’s Silver Age roots while still telling a modern story. Campbell also does an excellent job at balancing out the sillier aspects of the story’s Silver Age elements while still affording the characters depth.
