Welcome to 2023! There are new comics coming. If you are new here, in this column, we have compiled an alphabetical list with cover art and the official solicitation text from the publishers of some of the cool new comics that are coming out this month. Check below for our PCS NOTES to find out what we just have to tell you about the new comics in question.
This month, we have books on the list from: DC Comics, Marvel Comics, AfterShock Comics, Image Comics, Boom! Studios, Dynamite Entertainment, Dark Horse Comics, AWA Studios, Oni Press, and Ablaze Comics.
This month has a mixed bag of new books. Some are restarts to existing properties and some are brand new debuts.
We will bring you reviews of these debut issues as they come out, and don’t forget to use the comments section to let us know what you think of this list.
You will find the books listed below in the order of when they are released.
Week of 1/4/23
Week of 1/11/23
Week of 1/18/23
Week of 1/25/23
Week of January 4
Children of the Black Sun #1
Ablaze Comics
Written by Dario Sicchio
Art by Letizia Cadonici
Cover Art by Cadonici
From the artist of the hit series The House of Slaughter!
“It is not difficult to be happy under a blue sky. But it takes a lot of courage to be strong even under a black sun.”
Over the years, a black sun has risen twice. A dark dawn whose rays have done terrible things to people’s minds, driving them to all sorts of horror. Twelve years have passed since the last time and the world still fears the return of that inexplicable phenomenon. But fear is not the only legacy of those terrible days. All the women who got pregnant under the influence of the black sun have given birth to babies with some… peculiarities. White hair, ashy skin, abnormal proportions, and eyes as red as fire: the Children of the Black Sun.
Brightvale is a small town like many others. Here the Children of the Black Sun are treated with particular contempt, especially in the days leading up to the anniversary of the two disasters. The hatred of their fellow villagers, terrified of a possible return of that horror, will push these kids to unite and embark on a hallucinatory journey to discover themselves and their true nature. But is the black sun really about to return?
Release Date: January 4, 2023
PCS NOTES: I have to say, I am intrigued by the premise of this book.
Joe Fixit #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Peter David
Art by Yildiray Çinar, Dee Cunniffe, & Matt Milla
Cover Art by Cully Hamner & Jordie Bellaire
PETER DAVID RETURNS TO JOE FIXIT! Peter David’s tour de force through some of his greatest Hulk hits continues with a return to JOE FIXIT! Gone are the ripped-up shorts of the Hulk of yore—this enforcer prefers the slick suave of a striped suit, and the Hulk has traded in “monster” for “mobster” as he lends his strength to the Las Vegas casino scene. Of course, the Kingpin has his own ideas about who the toughest guy in town is, and it’s up to Spider-Man to keep the two of them from destroying Sin City!
Release Date: January 4, 2023
PCS NOTES: Peter David writing the Hulk is always entertaining and this return to the “Mobster era” looks like fun.
Mosely #1
Boom! Studios
Written by Rob Guillory
Art by Sam Lotfi & Jean Francois Beaulieu
Cover Art by Lotfi
From Farmhand creator Rob Guillory and Sam Lotfi (Harley Quinn), Mosely is a satirical sci-fi blockbuster perfect for fans of God Country and Ghost Cage!
In the hyper-technological world of the later 21st century, Mosely is a bitter old janitor on a mission from a higher power-to unleash holy Hell upon the “too big to fail” Tech Gods.
Can one man bring down the corporate powers who’ve used their vast influence to oppress an all too complacent human race (and hopefully win back the favor of his estranged family while he’s at it)?
Mosely’s taking up the Holy Hammer and you better believe he’s gonna smash some $h!t until he sets mankind free!
Each issue has wall to wall content, and will feature a bonus story by series writer Rob Guillory starting with issue #2!
Release Date: January 4, 2023
PCS NOTES: Yeah. Sign me up. I am very hopeful for this series.
Scarlet Witch #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Steve Orlando
Art by Sara Pichelli & Matt Wilson
Cover Art by Russell Dauterman
THE SCARLET WITCH RETURNS!
There is a door that appears only to those who need it most, who have no one else in the world to turn to. On the other side of this door is the witchcraft shop. Friend or foe, human or otherwise—if your need is great and your hope is gone, there you will meet the SCARLET WITCH! Wanda Maximoff is familiar with hitting rock bottom—and now that she’s finally found peace, she’s pledged all her power to help others who are languishing at their lowest. But when a woman falls through Wanda’s door with a terrifying story of a town gone mad, the Scarlet Witch will have to muster her wits and chaos magic to deal with an insidious threat! Comic powerhouses Steve Orlando (MARAUDERS; Midnighter) and Sara Pichelli (ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN; SPIDER-MEN) join forces to open a groundbreaking new chapter in the Scarlet Witch’s history!
Release Date: January 4, 2023
PCS NOTES: Steve Orlando and Sara Pichelli taking on The Witch? I am all for this team up of excellent creators on this character. It is a no-brainer.
Shang-Chi: Master of the Ten Rings #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Gene Luen Yang
Art by Michael YG & Erick Arciniega
Cover Art by Jim Cheung
FATHER AND SON, SIDE BY SIDE?! Shang-Chi is lost in time and the only one who can help him is…his father?! What will Shang-Chi do when he meets the younger version of his evil parent? Will he be able to change the course of history? Or will Shang-Chi be shocked to discover he didn’t know his father as well as he thought? Find out as Gene Luen Yang’s Shang-Chi saga comes to its shocking conclusion!
Release Date: January 4, 2023
PCS NOTES: I love the concept of this book. I also love that Gene Luen Yang is writing it.
Trojan #1
AWA Studios
Written by Daniel Kraus
Art by Marco Lesko & Laci Lesko
Cover Art by Jeff Dekal
Once upon a time, we lived alongside Legends. Creatures of myth. Centaurs, fauns, gorgons, kelpies, gnomes, and more. They were spectacular. Majestic. Powerful. Peaceful. Pure. In comparison, we were ugly. Weak. Warmongering. Rotten. Is it any wonder we could not live alongside them any longer? After driving these Legends to the fringes of society, an uglier form of mythos takes shape in the form of rumors of live snuff shows for dark web high rollers. When a mysterious young woman, Nessa, enlists the help of a hacker to take a tour of the grisliest corners of the Dark Web, she sets in motion a war between those who peddle to mankind’s darkest fantasies and a world that transcends imagination. Trojan is fantasy thriller full of wonder and horror in equal measure.
Release Date: January 4, 2023
PCS NOTES: This looks like an interesting trip of the exploration of human nature. I am here for it.
Week of January 11
Batman: The Adventures Continue Season Three #1
DC Comics
Written by Paul Dini & Alan Burnett
Art by Jordan Gibson
Cover Art by Kevin Nowlan
Alan Burnett and Paul Dini return once more to the world of Batman: The Animated Series! Someone is targeting the Muscle now that he’s locked up in Blackgate Penitentiary. With his deep ties to the criminal underbelly of Gotham, the worst villains are calling for his head before he turns them over to the police! Batman will need to protect him, but can even the Dark Knight figure out where the next attack will come from?
Release Date: January 10, 2023
PCS NOTES: I love that this book exists for multiple generations of fans.
Black Cloak #1
Image Comics
Written by Kelly Thompson
Art by Meredith McClaren
Cover Art by McClaren
Eisner Award-winning writer KELLY THOMPSON heads to Image for the first time with BLACK CLOAK, an all-new series with artist MEREDITH McCLAREN! Blade Runner style mixes with SAGA-esque drama in a delectable fantasy/sci-fi blend as two Black Cloaks try to solve the murder of a beloved prince in Kiros, the last city in the known world, before his murder tips the city into war. The mystery begins in a spectacular TRIPLE-LENGTH FIRST ISSUE for $4.99!
Release Date: January 11, 2023
PCS NOTES: YES! Take my money and give me more of this!!!
Nemesis Reloaded #1
Image Comics
Written by Mark Millar
Art by Jorge Jiménez
Cover Art by Jiménez
MINISERIES PREMIERE
The world’s most evil comic book is back! Who is Nemesis, and why does this eccentric billionaire who dresses up in a mask and cape want to terrorize people instead of helping them? Isn’t that how this is supposed to go? Trigger warning: Too violent and too cool for some!
Release Date: January 11, 2023
PCS NOTES: Jorge Jiménez joining Mark Millar on Nemesis sound like a treat.
Spy Superb #1
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Matt Kindt
Art by Kindt
Cover Art by Kindt
From New York Times bestselling and Harvey award-winning graphic novelist Matt Kindt comes the latest Flux House humorous espionage adventure.
It’s John Wick meets Wes Anderson in this mystery-thriller about a secret organization that’s developed the perfect spy. Who is the perfect spy? A spy who doesn’t even realize they are a spy. AKA the “useful idiot.” This particular useful idiot is named Jay. Jay is sent on missions without even realizing he’s on a mission. Until he picks up the wrong phone with the wrong secret intel and now Russian hit-squads and elite assassins are after him. But Jay believes he was a sleeper agent-and really is the “spy superb”. His complete obliviousness and lack of survival skills may be the only thing that saves him in this globe-trotting espionage tale . . . where nothing is what it seems . . . but also . . . kind of actually is what it seems.
Release Date: January 11, 2023
PCS NOTES: This looks like a fun and entertaining comic.
Week of January 18
Barbaric: Hell To Pay #1
Vault Comics
Written by Michael Moreci
Art by Nathan Gooden
Cover Art by Gooden
Barbaric is back and headed straight to hell in an all-new arc so big and bloody, it’s getting an extra issue!
While Owen tames a dragon with an old friend, Soren and Steel cross paths with someone else from our cursed barbarian’s past…who isn’t looking nearly as friendly. Hell hath no fury like a woman stabbed through the heart by an ugly f***ing orc.
Oh, wait! Who’s carrying Axe?
Release Date: January 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: We are big fans of this property and are excited to see what comes next for Axe and his compatriots.
Dune: House Harkonnen #1
Boom! Studios
Written by Kevin J. Anderson & Brian Herbert
Art by Michael Shelfer
Cover Art by Raymond Swanland
The second official, NYT Bestselling prequel to Dune is adapted for the first time by award-winning novelists Brian Herbert and Kevin J. Anderson and artist Michael Shelfer (Domino), unveiling a closer look at the rising conflict between beloved characters and bitter villains.
Fans will gain insight into how the early years of iconic figures Gurney Halleck, Lady Jessica, and Liet Kynes had their future shaped by the complex and brutal machinations of House Harkonnen!
What difficult choices will tear Leto Atreides apart as Baron Harkonnen plots against not just House Atreides, but the Bene Gesserit and the Emperor himself?
Release Date: January 18, 2023
Immortal Sergeant #1
Image Comics
Written by Joe Kelly
Art by Ken Niimura
Cover Art by Niimura
MINISERIES PREMIERE
Award-winning I KILL GIANTS storytellers JOE KELLY (Deadpool, Savage Spider-Man) and KEN NIIMURA (Eisner Award-winning Umami) return to yank on your heartstrings with IMMORTAL SERGEANT!
On the eve of his unwelcome retirement, Jim Sargent (aka “Sarge”) a grizzled, old-school detective, catches a break on a murder case that’s haunted him for decades. Unfortunately, Sarge must drag his anxiety-riddled adult son, Michael, along for the ride or risk losing the lead forever. Can this dysfunctional duo overcome their own hang-ups, blindspots, and secrets to catch a killer?
Release Date: January 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: Great creative team, new concept? Let’s go.
Wasp #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Al Ewing
Art by Kasia Nie & Jordie Bellaire
Cover Art by Tom Reilly
Fashion designer, businesswoman, founding Avenger—Janet Van Dyne has worn many hats over the course of her super heroic career. But when an old enemy threatens Janet and her fellow Wasp, Nadia, seemingly against his will, the Van Dynes will have to confront the ghosts in their shared history to get to the bottom of the mystery. Join fan-favorite creators Al Ewing (IMMORTAL HULK, X-MEN: RED) and Kasia Nie (MOCKINGBIRD; AGE OF CONAN: BELIT) as they celebrate sixty years of the Wasp!
Release Date: January 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: I am very excited for a good Wasp story.
White Savior #1
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Scott Burman
Art by Eric Nguyen & Iwan Joko Triyono
Cover Art by Nguyen
SAMURAI SATIRE!
An ancient prophecy foretold of an outsider that would save the peaceful village of Inoki from an unstoppable army–a man who would confuse the people at first with his unconventional ways, but lead them to the light. Nathan Garin, Captain in the United States Army, known for his viciousness in battle on the American frontier, could be that man . . . if he weren’t such an awful, drunken idiot. Now it’s up to Japanese-American teacher Todd Parker to warn the good people of Inoki of Garin’s true nature before he causes the very death and destruction they are counting on him to avert!
Release Date: January 18, 2023
PCS NOTES: Sounds like a hoot!
Week of January 25
Bulls of Beacon Hill #1
AfterShock Comics
Written by Steve Orlando
Art by Andy MacDonald
Cover Art by MacDonald
The team behind Justice League of America reunites for some HARD-HITTING REVENGE!
Doctor Christopher Boldt has everything he ever wanted: A successful career as a surgeon, a supportive and loving boyfriend, and an overload of hype on his rumored run for Boston City Council. But there’s one problem – it’s all held up by a lie. For years, Chris has been hiding in plain sight, desperate not to be connected to his father, Orin Paige, one of Boston’s most notorious gangsters.
Until now, Chris has been able to live with the secret. And Chris’s father has been just as happy to deny any connection to his queer son, who he sees as a liability in the mob world. Now, Chris’s political aspirations have put father and son on a collision course. A collision course bathed in blood.
From Eisner and GLAAD Award-Nominated writer Steve Orlando (Extreme Carnage, Midnighter, Darkhold, KILL A MAN) and artist Andy MacDonald (Rogue Planet, Loki, MY DATE WITH MONSTERS, I BREATHED A BODY), comes BULLS OF BEACON HILL, a story of family secrets and violent retribution.
Release Date: January 25, 2023
PCS NOTES: Steve Orlando has two very highly anticipated new series this month. This collaboration with Andy MacDonald is something that I have been looking forward to since it was first announced. Don’t miss this.
Darkwing Duck #1
Dynamite Entertainment
Written by Amanda Deibert
Art by Carlo Lauro
Cover Art by David Nakayama
F.O.W.L. PLAY
He is the terror that flaps in the night…He is the ferocious fowl who plucks the evil eye from the face of foul play…He is Darkwing Duck! Alongside his trusty sidekick Lauchpad McQuack, Darkwing hyper-vigilantly defends St. Canard from the dastardly, devilish demons who would wage wanton war! By night, our caped defender lurks in the shadows, striking fear (and maybe confusion?) in the heart of the criminal underworld…but by day, no one suspects that Darkwing is also mild-mannered Drake Mallard, a well-meaning father to his adorable adopted daughter, Gosalyn! Can Darkwing successfully navigate his two separate lives, all while looking incredibly cool and impossibly handsome? (Hint: Probably not, but…) You’ll have to read to find out!
Release Date: January 25, 2023
PCS NOTES: Heck Yeah, we are definitely going to be checking out this comic from Amanda Deibert!!
Dragon Age: The Missing #1
Dark Horse Comics
Written by George Mann
Art by Kieran McKeown & Mike Atiyeh
Cover Art by Matt Taylor & Atiyeh
A new story leading directly into BioWare’s upcoming game Dragon Age: Dreadwolf!
Varric Tethras and Lace Harding descend into the abandoned Deep Roads beneath Marnas Pell in pursuit of a former friend. But the corruption of the blight has infected the walls, and the threat of darkspawn looms heavy in the air . . .
o Dive deeper into BioWare’s award winning series!
Release Date: January 25, 2023
The Magic Order 4 #1
Image Comics
Written by Mark Millar
Art by Dike Ruan
Cover Art by Ruan
MINISERIES PREMIERE
BRAND NEW ARC! The Magic Order is in turmoil after Cordelia is forced to expel her brother. Whispers of discontent persist among the other wizards. They’re tired of the rules they’ve all been living under-and now a coup is brewing.
Release Date: January 25, 2023
PCS NOTES: Another returning Mark Millar book this month with a high quality artist that we are excited to see play in the Millarverse.
Rick and Morty #1
Oni Press
Written by Alex Firer
Art by Fred Stressing & Andrew Dalhouse
Cover Art by Stressing
BRAND-NEW #1! A supremely intelligent madman and his teen sidekick scour the multiverse for the elements of the perfect world–a world of pure mathematics. Also, a different supremely intelligent madman and his teen sidekick are on a quest for a space milkshake. Supposed to taste pretty good.
When Goldenfold, not Rick Sanchez, leads the pursuit of madcap adventure and groundbreaking knowledge, things are going to get… well, interesting in that weird, can’t-look-away sense.
Release Date: January 25, 2023
PCS NOTES: Come on. You know you want to see the hilarity that is sure to be in the pages of this book.
