Welcome back to another edition of Fantastic Five, where we spotlight the best comics of the week. From Batman and Martian Manhunter facing high-stakes challenges, to bug-fueled mayhem, G.I. Joe missions, and Toxic Avenger’s offbeat antics, this week’s picks deliver action, heart, and a healthy dose of chaos across genres. Let’s get to the books!
Best comics of the week: January 28, 2026
#5: Toxic Avenger Comics #7
‘Toxic Avenger Comics’ #7 mutates into an even bigger bonanza of weird, effective comics
Following a really solid pivot to a five-issue storyline, Toxic Avenger Comics #7 dazzles with bigger lore, bigger stakes, bigger enemies, and bigger opportunities.
Read Chris Coplan’s full review!
#4: G.I. Joe #18
‘G.I. Joe’ #18 does justice to another fan-favorite character
G.I. Joe #18 both provides a much-needed breather issue after the Dreadnok War, and gives Roadblock his due. I hope to see more of Roadblock and Night Force in future issues, along with a recipe for one of Marvin’s Melts.
Read Collier Jennings’ full review!
#3: Absolute Martian Manhunter #8
‘Absolute Martian Manhunter’ #8 is a kaleidoscope of tragedy
If #7 was a reset, #8 is a full-tilt reminder of the cost of willful ignorance and complacency. With more questions raised and few answers given, Absolute Martian Manhunter continues to be the most compelling and complex book of the Absolute line.
Read Deidre Freitas’s full review!
#2: Bug Wars: The Spyder Wytch Special
‘Bug Wars: The Spyder Wytch Special’ #1 weaves a compelling web of gore and lore
Bug Wars: The Spyder Wytch Special #1 is chock full of all the gore and lore that powered the original series, yet it also lays the tracks for more adventures in this world. If you missed out on the first Bug Wars, you owe it to yourself to pick up this book.
Read Collier Jennings’ full review!
#1: Absolute Batman #16
‘Absolute Batman’ #16 is a masterclass in comics storytelling
Absolute Batman #16 is a masterclass in pacing, character work, and visual storytelling. By stripping Bruce Wayne back to his most human core and pairing him with Wonder Woman’s effortless command of the magical, the issue finds a rare balance between introspection and adventure. Scott Snyder delivers a story that feels both like a reset and a meaningful step forward, while Nick Dragotta’s panel-dense, emotionally rich artwork elevates every page into something memorable. This is the kind of issue that rewards slow reading and reminds you why this universe feels special. As someone who only gives out perfect 10s three or four times a year, this one earns it and then some.
