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

Midweek update: What will take the top spot for the past month?

Let’s look back at August 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 August 2023!

10. Sacrificers #1

Rick Remender and Max Fiumara introduce a sci-fi world where everything is at peace – at the cost of one child per family. The first issue introduces a child who will be one of these “Sacrificers” and begins a slow reveal of their world. This is an Image Comics release.

9. Antarctica #1-2

Hannah has lost her father and lost her mojo as she struggles to find a place in the world.  A tragedy propels her forward to study Antarctica and follow in her father’s footsteps, but once there, the mystery only deepens as the story turns more into an adventure/sci-fi with thriller elements. This Top Cow/Image title is written by Simon Daniel Birks and drawn by Wili Roberts. 

8. Ultimate Invasion #3

Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch are the creative team of this epic Marvel Comics series. The Maker, one of two survivors of the Ultimate Universe in the current 616 Marvel Universe, has escaped and crafted his own universe, where he pulls the strings behind all the major events that happen. His new universe’s Howard Stark is inducted into the powers that be after the death of his partner Obadiah Stane – but Howard and his son Tony may not be prepared to go along with the charade. Hitch shows off why he’s a go-to for superhero epics. Hickman has a lot of pieces swirling here in an interesting fashion; I’m hoping they all coalesce satisfyingly at the end. 

7. The Cull #1

Fantastic imagery from Mattia De Iulis in this Kelly Thompson-written tale about young adults (maybe high-school or college-age) who are striving to be filmmakers and stumble upon a monstrous, perhaps supernatural secret. This is also an Image Comics title.

6. World’s Finest: Teen Titans #2

Writer Mark Waid and artist Emanuela Lupacchino continue as the creative team for the second issue of this DC series, focusing on the early days of the Teen Titans team of Robin, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, Speedy, Aqualad, and Bumblebee. The Titans must face their fears when they attempt to rescue a girl with out-of-control abilities. 

5. No/One #5

Aaron Kern recants his confession to the Richard Roe murders, throwing the case into disarray. Kern was brought in by the vigilante No/One, but there’s scant other evidence. Julia and her editor, Teddy, continue to cover the case for the newspaper’s podcast, as the news executives want the focus to remain “who is No/One” even more than who is responsible for the murders. The Image Comics series is written by Kyle Higgins and Brian Buccellato with art by Geraldo Borges and colors by Mark Englert.

4. World’s Finest #18

Waid and artist Travis Moore craft a fun, retro adventure of Superman and Batman’s first meeting. Is it in continuity? It’s enough of a blast that I don’t care. People are mysteriously disappearing, the Riddler is leaving clues in Kryptonian, and Superman goes to Gotham City to join the investigation. Cover by Dan Mora. From DC Comics.  

3. Local Man Gold

A cosmic event causes modern-day Jack to come into contact with his superhero alter ego from the past, along with several other heroes from the early Image Comics era. Fun guest stars in a one-shot from Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs.

2. Superman 2023 Annual 

In what shouldn’t be a surprise, Lois Lane is great at running the Daily Planet. We get to see why she’s so good here, in an issue that ties up some loose ends and spins forward some new mysteries; Superman gets to do some cool stuff as well. Written by Joshua Williamson. Multiple artists on the issue, all of whom have a good handle on the characters and world. From DC Comics.  

1. The Enfield Gang Massacre #1 

The “That Texas Blood” team of Chris Condon and Jacob Phillips craft this spinoff of their other series, both of which are from Image Comics. In sun-baked late 1800s Ambrose County, Montgomery Enfield and his gang of outlaws are more scoundrels than true villains. But when a bank employee is found murdered after Enfield has robbed it, the gang is in the crosshairs of a retired Texas Ranger who has the town determined to get justice. This Western noir builds on the locations from “That Texas Blood” but is accessible independently as a character study and murder mystery. 

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.