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

What tops the list of comic-book reading for the month?

Let’s look back at July 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 July 2023!

10. Hunger and the Dusk #1

“The Hunger and the Dusk” is a new high fantasy series written by G. Willow Wilson with art by Chris Wildgoose. Humans and orcs must find a way to be allies in the face of a coming threat in this series from IDW.

9. Blue Beetle #1 (1986)

Ted Kord’s adventures come to the DC Comics universe in this first issue by writer Len Wein and artist Paris Cullins. Ted Kord is a brilliant scientist and entrepreneur who secretly took over the role of Blue Beetle when his friend Dan Garrett, the original Blue Beetle, died. But Kord doesn’t have access to Garrett’s apparently magic scarab – just athletic prowess and scientific know-how, plus a flying VTOL craft known as the Bug. 

8. World’s Finest #17

Writer Mark Waid and artist Dan Mora wrap up their “Elementary” saga with a slam-bang action finale as Batman must figure out the necessary twists to defeat the superpowered artificial intelligence Newmazo. Waid builds a strong conclusion to the story here, and Mora shows why he’s a go-to on superhero tales (among other things) with his deft portrayal of the Justice League characters in action.  

7. Barnstormers #1

Writer Scott Snyder and artist Tula Lotay take readers back to 1923 in this Dark Horse Comics series. Former military pilot Hawk Baron crisscrosses the country “barnstorming” for profit, what little of it he has found so far. Showing off his aerial prowess has yet to make him rich, but it may have a double purpose, as Hawk appears to be on the run from something. In this first issue, Hawk accidentally “crashes” the wedding of a bride named Tillie, who has her own ideas for Hawk. Beautifully compelling art by Lotay makes this worth the look. 

6. World’s Finest: Teen Titans #1  

Writer Mark Waid joins artist Emanuela Lupacchino for this series looking at the Teen TItans team of Robin, Kid Flash, Wonder Girl, Speedy, Aqualad and Bumblebee. This modern retelling of early “Titans” adventures kicked off with charm and some teen conflict, as the group is frustrated over Robin’s secrecy. 

5. Rogue Sun #2-6 (2022) 

Finishing up the first arc. The hero of New Orleans is killed, and must pass down his legacy to his estranged son. Writer Ryan Parrott and artist Abel pull the rebellious teenager Dylan Siegel into the Image Comics superhero universe, where he must solve his father’s murder.  

4. No/One #4

Former Assistant Chief Ben Kern has broken out on his own to investigate the case. A former player of a coach who was murdered may have answers. Julia and her editor Teddy continue to cover the case for the newspaper’s podcast, despite this pushing them possibly further into danger, and into conflict with Julia’s mother. The mystery of who is No/One continues. The series is written by Kyle Higgins and Brian Buccellato with art by Geraldo Borges and colors by Mark Englert.

3. Ultimate Invasion #2

Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch continue their epic as the Maker, one of two survivors of the Ultimate Universe in the current 616 Marvel Universe, escapes his imprisonment and crafts his own universe. Opposing his plan, variant Avengers from the future come to the Maker’s time to try to undo his craftings.  Really great art by Bryan Hitch as Hickman continues his slow reveal here.  

2. Superman: The Last Days of Lex Luthor #1

Mark Waid and Bryan Hitch are the creative team for this Black Label miniseries that features Superman’s foe Lex Luthor reaching out to Superman to save him when he contracts a fatal disease. Hitch imbues the story with an epic feel; his take on the Bottle City of Kandor is grand and otherworldly. Facial expressions and body language convey story and character deftly in Hitch’s linework here. Waid continues his career-long affinity for Superman with a tale that features a Clark and Lex with intertwining histories going back to their Smallville days.

1. Not All Robots #1-4 (2021)

Mark Russell and Mike Deodato look at current issues by framing them in a future milieu in “Not All Robots” #s 1-4, which came out in 2021. The series won an Eisner for best humor publication. The satire is cutting, but the stakes feel real

. In the story, it’s 2056, and most jobs can only be done by robots. Therefore, each family has been assigned a sentient robot to provide for it, financially and otherwise. But some robots are chafing under the arrangement, and the humans aren’t necessarily enjoying the situation, either.  

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.