This week's shelf is lighter on the milestone anniversaries and heavier on the actual stories moving forward, which suits me fine. Here's what I'd be picking up, and why.
The picks
Dark Knights of Steel II #1 New Series
The sequel series to DC's fantasy-Elseworlds take on the DC universe kicks off here, twelve issues planned. A new war rising, a new king on the throne, and a traitor hidden somewhere in the League. Main cover from Yasmine Putri, plus variants from Travis Moore, Tamra Bonvillain, Davide Paratore and a foil Joshua Middleton cover. First issues of a numbered sequel to a well-liked original run are always worth a first print if you're building a modern collection, the first Dark Knights of Steel has held its value well.
Absolute Green Arrow #3 (of 6) Ongoing Series
Dinah's on the trail of the Green Arrow killer this issue. If you've been sitting on the fence about this series, I wrote a full breakdown of what makes this book worth reading, and issue three is exactly the kind of mid-series issue that either confirms a book's got legs or shows the cracks. Early Absolute issues across the whole line have consistently become the modern keys people chase later, so I'd grab a first print regardless.
Punisher vs Spider-Man #1 (of 5) New Series
Frank Castle and Peter Parker, five issues, and a solicit that promises the two of them digging into old, painful history together. Vs books between two established characters are a mixed bag as a rule, but Abnett generally writes Frank well, and a first issue of a limited series is low commitment if you want to try it before deciding whether to stick with the full run.
Absolute Flash #17 Ongoing Series
The Absolute line's Flash book rolls on. Same advice as the rest of the line, if you're collecting it, this is a straightforward pick up, and if you're not in yet, the early issues are the ones worth backtracking for before they get harder to find at cover price.
Also worth knowing about
A few more landing this week worth a mention, even if they're not top picks:
- A Mischief of Magpies #1, a new independent #1, always worth a flick through if you like discovering new creator-owned books early.
- Alien: King Killer #4, for anyone following the ongoing Alien line.
- A Marvel one-shot previewing the road to Amazing Spider-Man #1000 and this summer's Armageddon event, useful if you want the lay of the land before the bigger crossovers land later in the year, skippable if you already picked up Marvel's Free Comic Book Day issues covering the same ground.
My collector's take
Buy what you'll actually read first, that's always the real advice. For spec specifically, new #1s of established, well-liked lines, Dark Knights of Steel II being the clearest example this week, are a safer bet than chasing a random ratio variant. And don't get pulled into buying every cover on a book you like, one or two you genuinely want beats a stack you're only holding to flip.
One more thing worth saying every week: check the spine, corners and any print defects before you buy if you're grade-conscious. A Wednesday-morning shelf copy isn't automatically a 9.8.
Buying this week, or got something to sell?
Whether you're after one of this week's picks or thinking about moving on a collection, I'm always happy to chat.
New Comic Book Day rundowns drop here every week, follow Retro Relics for the picks that matter.