Matt's Top 10 comic-book reads, June 2023
What will take the top spot for the month?
Let’s look back at June 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 June 2023!
10. The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos #1
The blue-haired Christopher appears to create inadvertent mayhem wherever he goes, but also has the ability to see strange connections others cannot. When Christopher’s crush turns out to be a werewolf, and then his last friend, a rock pigeon, dies, Christopher has had enough. Writers are James Tynion IV and Tate Brombal; the artist is Isaac Goodhart.
9. Blue Devil #1 (1984)
Into the wayback machine for this one as stuntman Dan Cassidy finds himself magically merged with the “Blue Devil” costume he was wearing for a movie, and drawn into a supernatural battle. Written by Gary Cohn and Dan Mishkin, with pencils by Paris Cullins and inks by Pablo Marcos. Cullins’ buoyant art and a playful script make this one a fun read even nearly 40 years later.
8. Void Rivals #1
Robert Kirkman and Lorenzo de Felici are the creative team of this sci-fi tale about two rivals in a space war who crash-land on a desolate planet. The twist ending is what everyone is talking about, but I won’t spoil it here.
7. Steelworks #1
John Henry Irons seemingly agrees to give up on the “Steel” identity in “Steelworks” #1 from artist Sami Basri, colorist Andrew Dalhouse, and writer Michael Dorn. This six-issue series marks the writing debut of Dorn, known as “Worf” on “Star Trek: The Next Generation,” but also known for voicing Irons in “Superman: The Animated Series.” Irons has designed Steelworks to give the people of Metropolis the resources and defensive capabilities to make the city less dependent on Superman and other superheroes.
6. Shazam #2
Shazam’s having trouble controlling his emotions, and he thinks the Psycho-Pirate is responsible. But it appears to be something even more central to the Shazam powers at stake. Written by Mark Waid with art by Dan Mora.
5. Saga #65
Alana tries to get Squire and Hazel off-planet, and the Will finds himself in danger. An action-heavy issue of the dramatic space adventure from Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples. Continues to be one of the best comics of the past decade or so.
4. Rogue Sun #1 (2022)
I’m behind on checking this one out, but now I want to get caught up! 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.
3. Local Man #5
Crossjack confronts the villain behind his troubles, and the secrets of the Fourth Gen are at least partially revealed. Concluding the first arc, “Local Man” delves into what it means to be superhuman, and in so doing, reveals truths about what it means to be human, as well. Written and drawn by Tim Seeley and Tony Fleecs.
2. Ultimate Invasion #1
Jonathan Hickman and Bryan Hitch are the creative team for this kickoff of what appears to be, potentially, a new entire universe. The Maker, one of two survivors of the Ultimate Universe in the current 616 Marvel Universe, escapes his imprisonment and has dark plans for escaping this reality. An epic comic that should garner some attention.
1. Superman #5
Jimmy Olsen’s new romance has a secret.
Jimmy is dating Siobhan McDougal, who is also the supervillain Silver Banshee. Jimmy is OK with this – he’s been through a lot of weird things, himself. But, when the Silver Banshee has her powers augmented by Dr. Pharm and Mr. Graft as part of their plans for revenge on Luthor, Superman has to put a stop to the out-of-control tragic villain.
Jamal Campbell draws a powerful Superman that’s also compassionate and kind. The action throughout is compelling and kinetic. Williamson has captured the feel of what a Superman story should be, and continues to pen one of the best current comic books on the stands.
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.