Matt's top 10 comic-book reads, April 2023

What will take the top slot for the month?

Let’s look back at April 2023 for my picks for my favorites of the comics I read. This is an adaptation of an idea from my friend the Food Dude. Each month, I’ll select from the comics that I’ve read during the past month, whether they be old, new, or whatever, included or excluded as I see fit at the time. 

Here are my top 10 for April 2023! Mostly newer stuff included this time around.  

10. Warlock: Rebirth #1 (2023) 

This nostalgia-filled romp by Ron Marz and Ron Lim is an untold tale from the “Infinity Watch” days. Genis-Vell is seeking Adam Warlock on Monster Isle when he finds instead multiple savage creatures to fight. Eventually aided by Gamora and Pip, the trio find Adam Warlock under attack by a strange, yet familiar, entity with an as-yet mysterious origin.  

9. Scarlet Witch #1 (2023) 

This relatively new series, which started back in January from writer Steve Orlando and artist Sara Pichelli, looks like a good first step in helping redeem the Scarlet Witch for those who only have followed her cinematic exploits. Wanda runs a curio shop with a mysterious door – entering that door are people who have lost hope of any other help, to call on the aid of the Scarlet Witch.  

8. Saga #63

Alana is working in a warehouse shipment center to provide for the kids, while the kids are looking to steal an item that they believe might allow them to resurrect lost loved ones. Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples continue their consistently creative space opera.  

7. Clear #2

Private eye Sam Dunes continues to investigate his wife’s death in this second Dark Horse Comics issue from writer Scott Snyder and artist Francis Manapul. In this sci-fi future noir, everyone uses neurological interfaces to alter their perceptions of the world, except for a hardy few who choose to see things “Clear,” or as they are. 

6. Unstoppable Doom Patrol #2 

A new recruit with a secret joins the team. Written by Dennis Culver with art by Chris Burnham, this series continues to explore the dark and weird side of superheroes. 

5. And 4. World’s Finest issues #13-14 (Elementary parts 1 and 2)

When Bruce Wayne’s billionaire rival Simon Stagg is murdered, Wayne becomes the prime suspect. Believing Batman to be innocent, Superman, Robin, and Metamorpho, the Element Man, seek Stagg’s real killer. “World’s Finest” continues to a fresh, fun comic that recalls the best elements of the Silver and Bronze ages, while creating an experience that works for the modern era.  

Mark Waid is the writer; Dan Mora is the artist. 

3. Superman #3 (2023)

Superman must find a way to work with Lex as the Man of Steel’s loved ones are turned into Parasite-infected victims. 

2. No/One #2 

News reporter Julia is persuaded to start a podcast for her newspaper to cover the ongoing No/One mystery and related murders in Pittsburgh. The No/One mystery deepens as one of Ben Kern’s sons is dead and the other is being held for questioning. Kern, a highly placed police officer, is being pressured to resign from the force. No/One is a vigilante who released information on suspect individuals. A killer calling themselves “Richard Roe” then has killed or attempted to kill several of the people on the list. No/One stopped the apparent Roe in one case; later, an arrest was made; but now, more “Roe” or “Roe” copycat murders continue. 

The series is written by Kyle Higgins and Brian Buccellato with art by Geraldo Borges. Colorist Mark Englert adds a moody palette to the proceedings. So far, “No/One” is a clever mystery that is keeping readers guessing.  

1. Local Man #3 

Crossjack continues to look for the killer of his former adversary Hodag, while trying to keep from triggering any alerts for performing as a crimefighter. Jack meets with the former supervillain Frightside to get her insight as well as with Hodag’s mother. In the flashback flip-book story, more is revealed about what happened with Crossjack and Neon. Written and drawn by Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs. This story works on multiple levels, and gets into issues of perception, reality, fame and getting older. 

Matthew Price, matthew@matthewlprice.com, has written about the comics industry for more than two decades. He is the co-owner of Speeding Bullet Comics in Norman, Oklahoma.