Each week, Xavier Files staff offer their recommendations for what to read. New DC comics come out Tuesdays, everything else Wednesdays.
Forrest’s Pick
S.W.O.R.D. #1: Mutants! In! Spaaaaaaaaace! Krakoa gets its own Space Force in once and future SWORD Director Abigail Brand, frequent space-dwelling mutant leader Magneto, former Acolytes Fabian Cortez and Frenzy, current Galadorian blade wielder Cable, former Avenger Manifold and … TAKI! Written by Al Ewing (Immortal Hulk), drawn by Valerio Schiti (Empyre) and colored by Marte Gracia (HOX/POX). ($4.99) Check out the latest from Forrest.
Dan G.’s Pick
Home Sick Pilots #1: A teenage gutter punk gets absorbed by a haunted house and uses their new connection to reconnect the house with the ghosts it once lost in a new Image series by writer Dan Watters (Lucifer), artist Caspar Wijngaard (Peter Cannon: Thunderbolt) and letterer Aditya Bidikar. ($3.99) Check out our WMQ&A interview with Watters.
Matt’s Pick
Batman: Black & White #1: Anthologies are hot right now, and DC’s pulling out all the stops to resurrect this series of black-and-white Bat-tales, featuring stories by James Tynion IV, Tradd Moore, J.H. Williams III, Emma Rios, Paul Dini, Andy Kubert, G. Willow Wilson and Greg Smallwood. ($5.99) Previously, in Batman …
Chris’ Pick
Giga #2: Evan should never have gone back to the dead Giga, but he did, and now he’s a murder suspect. Meanwhile, the Red King, the oldest and largest of the Giga, is revealed, and is prophesied to unleash hell on the world. Written by Alex Paknadel (Redfork), drawn by John Le, colored by Rosh and lettered by Aditya Bidikar for Vault. ($3.99) Catch up on the first issue, and read our recent interview with Paknadel.
Ari’s Pick
Lonely Receiver #4: You’d think a comic about an obsessed young woman getting lost in virtual orgies would be hot AF, but it’s actually one of the saddest, most haunting things you’ll read this year. Written by Zac Thompson (No One’s Rose), drawn by Jen Hickman (Test) and lettered by Simon Bowland for AfterShock. ($3.99) Check out the latest from Ari.
Justin’s Pick
King in Black: Namor #1: Journey back in time for a tale of the young Prince of Abs-lantis that ostensibly has something to do with our heroes’ current fight against the symbiote god Mark Knull. Written by Kurt Busiek (Astro City) and drawn by Benjamin Dewey and Jonas Scharf. ($3.99) Previously, in King in Black …
Cori’s Pick
Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Last Stories of the DC Universe #1: DC’s heroes ponder what may be (but we know won’t be, because comics) their last moments as they prepare for one last showdown with the Batman Who Laughs (aka the Mark Knull of the DC Multiverse). Featuring the Titans, Green Lantern, Wonder Woman, Green Arrow, Black Canary, Aquaman, the Bat-family and Superman in stories by Joshua Williamson, James Tynion IV, Scott Snyder, Travis Moore, Jeff Lemire, Rafael Albuquerque, Mariko Tamaki, Daniel Sampere, Gail Simone, Meghan Hetrick, Christopher Sebela, Chris Mooneyham, Cecil Castellucci, Mirka Andolfo, Mark Waid and Francis Manapul. ($8.99) Check out the latest from Cori.
Dan M.’s Pick
DC’s Very Merry Multiverse #1: Where our last staff pick thinks about death and gets sad and stuff, this one’s here to get wacky, with yuletide tales from across the 52 worlds. Featuring Harley Quinn, Gotham by Gaslight Batman, Teen Justice, President Superman, Batman Beyond, The League of Shadows, the Unjustice League of Unamerica, Booster Gold, Prez Rickard and Lobo in stories by Paul Scheer, Nick Giovanetti, Steve Lieber, John Layman, Dani, Ivan Cohen, Eleonora Carlini, David F. Walker, Gustavo Duarte, Derek Fridolfs, Dustin Nguyen, Sholly Fisch, Vanesa Del Rey, Tom Sniegoski, Justin Mason, Brittany Holzherr, Todd Nauck, Jay Baruchel, Domo Stanton, Tom King and Scott Koblish. ($9.99) Check out the latest from Dan.
Vishal’s Pick
Marvel’s Heroes at Home #1: You ever think to yourself, “I love Marvel superheroes, but I wish they’d engage in more propaganda for state stay-at-home orders”? Well, your prayers have been answered (Just in time for the second wave!), courtesy of writer Zeb Wells (Hellions) and artist Gurihiru (Superman Smashes the Klan). ($9.99) Check out the latest from Vishal.
Rob’s Pick
Archie Christmas Spectacular: Enjoy some holly-jolly goof-em-ups, courtesy of the Riverdale gang. ($2.99) Check out the latest from Rob.
Dan Grote is the editor-in-chief of ComicsXF, having won the site by ritual combat. By day, he’s a newspaper editor, and by night, he’s … also an editor. He co-hosts The ComicsXF Interview Podcast with Matt Lazorwitz. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, two kids and two miniature dachshunds, and his third, fictional son, Peter Winston Wisdom.
