Tomorrow is Thanksgiving, a day filled with family, food, and football. Before the annual festivities commence though, it’s time for all of us comic book fans to engage in our beloved weekly ritual. As we all travel to our local comic shops, it’s worth remembering why we’re thankful to have them and everything they provide. There are plenty of reasons to give thanks and here are five big ones coming out this week to help entertain us as we fly home, sneak away from charades, or settle into a turkey-induced coma.
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1. Saga #31
It has been four months since the last issue of Saga was released, and that wait has made the return of this beloved series (which scored a few more Eisner Awards in the interim) all the sweeter. There’s a reason Saga continues to top end of year lists, win awards, and sell better than almost any other creator owned comic. It’s simply just that good. Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples are absolute masters of their craft, giving us a comic that is equal parts entertainment and art.
2. The Dark Knight III: The Master Race #1
The comics community has spent so much time discussing what this new installment of Frank Miller’s Dark Knight saga might be that it’s hard to believe it is actually here. For better or worse, we will all find out what Miller along with collaborators Klaus Janson, Andy Kubert, and Brian Azzarello have created. Whether it lives up to the lofty highlights of Miller’s career or resembles some of his more artistically frustrated work, this comic is bound to be fascinating, if nothing else.
3. Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur #1
Devil Dinosaur is one of the least used creations of the King himself, Jack Kirby. This reinvention of the character brings him to the modern day and pairs him with young genius Lunella. The first issue is absolutely charming as the two oddball companions meet for the first time and begin to form a friendship they each need. This is one Marvel comic unlike any other from the publisher and it’s a very fun ride.
4. Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. 1953: The Witch Tree and Rawhead and Bloody Bones #1
We’re lucky enough to live in a world where Mike Mignola isn’t just telling one comic set in the Hellboy universe, but four or more at any given time. The origin stories of both Hellboy and the B.P.R.D. have captured the enjoyment of the earliest Hellboy adventures before the saga grew darker and combined them with Mignola’s flair for the short story. This one issue contains two original Hellboy tales from the man when just one would be something special.
5. Rumble #9
Image Comics is publishing a lot of great series right now, but Rumble is both one of its best and most undervalued. The series is a stunning collection of monsters, action, and surprising drama. James Harren’s creature designs and storytelling are unmatched throughout comics today. Every page is a kinetic joy to read, whether it’s featuring a sword-wielding scarecrow, horrific were-pig, or drinking buddies trying to catch a break. Nothing looks quite like this book and nothing does what it does better. Anytime a new issue of Rumble comes out, it’s truly a reason to be thankful.
