Welcome to the New Number Ones!
Each week we bring you the list of new series and special editions coming this Wednesday. We are highlighting what you need to put in your cart at the comic shop or digital marketplace.
May continues to be a great month for new comics series and specials. This list has the return of a couple of long gone characters and, of course, Kaiju galore.
We have 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 week. Check below for our PCS NOTES to find out what we just have to tell you about the new comics in question.
We have books on this week’s list from: DC Comics, Marvel Comics, Vault Comics, Ahoy Comics, Oni Press, Dark Horse Comics, IDW Entertainment, Abrams Books, and Image Comics.
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.
New Series
New One-Shots and Special Editions
New Series This Week
The Cold Witch: A Tale of the Shrouded College #1
Image Comics
Written by Charles Soule
Art by Will Sliney & Rachelle Rosenberg
Letters by Crank!
Cover Art by Sliney
The next tale in the Shrouded College universe from CHARLES SOULE (EIGHT BILLION GENIES, UNDISCOVERED COUNTRY) and WILL SLINEY (HELL TO PAY, Spider-Man) is here!
THE COLD WITCH is an icy tale of revenge and dark sorcery set in frozen Siberia — John Wick with zombies! The tale of a wronged woman who goes to truly desperate lengths to avenge her murdered love, THE COLD WITCH expands the “supernatural Mission: Impossible” conceit that readers found in HELL TO PAY and THE BLOODY DOZEN, while standing completely on its own. A blood-chilling adventure, perfect for horror action fans.
Release Date: May 14, 2025
PCS NOTES: The Shrouded College stories have been super interesting and wonderfully crafted. We are expecting more of the same with this one.
Dark Regards #1
Oni Press
Written by Dave Hill
Art by Artyom Topilin
Cover Art by Topilin
SOMETIMES YOU BREAK THE INTERNET — AND SOMETIMES THE INTERNET BREAKS YOU! AT LAST—THE TRUE STORY OF THE VIRAL HOAX SO INSANE IT COULD ONLY BE TOLD AS A COMIC BOOK!
From the honestly pretty impressive mind of multi-hyphenate writer-comedian-actor-musician Dave Hill (Tasteful Nudes) and breakout artist Artyom Topilin (I Hate This Place) comes the SHOCKINGLY TRUE, TERRIFYINGLY HILARIOUS, AND ONLY MODESTLY EXAGGERATED tale of how one stand-up comedian forged a secret online identity as America’s first true black metal icon… and accidentally started an international incident that almost wiped Gary, Indiana, off the map!
Two decades ago, Dave Hill and his first band set out to rock their high school auditorium in a fury of heavy metal hellfire. They failed miserably. Years later, Dave has made a new life for himself as a rising star in the New York comedy scene — a career where getting laughed at on stage is the entire point and not just a tragic consequence. But when Dave’s metal ambitions are reawakened by the über self-serious “satanic” genre of Norwegian black metal, Dave creates a ridiculously hyperbolic alter ego and a band to match that, together, reignite the spark of his forgotten rock ’n’ roll fantasy. But when Dave’s internet-fueled rumors of Witch Taint — a metal band “so extreme that you must remove all sharp objects from the immediate area” when their music is played—spreads all the way to Europe, his story will spiral dangerously out of control as Norway’s most extreme black metal butchers come to reap their revenge… and put everything and everyone Dave holds dear in the crosshairs (of their axes, which, truth be told, don’t actually have crosshairs, but, hey, it’s a metaphor).
Release Date: May 14, 2025
PCS NOTES: It’s hard not to be intrigued by this solicitation. Also, Artyom Topilin is a great artist.
Exquisite Corpses #1
Image Comics
Story by James Tynion IV & Michael Walsh
Art by Walsh & Jordie Bellaire
Cover Art by Bellaire
Every five years on Halloween, the wealthiest families in America play a game. Twelve of the deadliest people in the world are dropped into a small town with just one goal: last killer standing wins. For the citizens of Oak Valley, Maine — this year’s unlucky arena — the goal is much simpler. They must survive the night.
Experience a comics event like no other, from the minds of JAMES TYNION IV & MICHAEL WALSH, as they lead a group of the most exciting voices in the industry. Over thirteen blood-soaked chapters, these creators will collaborate and compete to determine who wins and who dies — and the games begin in this triple-sized debut!
Release Date: May 14, 2025
PCS NOTES: This is what happens when gifted comic creators get together and challenge expectations.
Godzilla: Here There Be Aliens #1
IDW Publishing
Written by Frank Tieri
Art by Angel Hernandez
Cover Art by Fero Peniche
Godzilla: Here There Be Aliens is both a fully standalone limited series and the epic conclusion to the Eisner-nominated Godzilla: Here There Be Dragons trilogy! Brought to us by veteran scribe Frank Tieri (Wolverine, Jughead: The Hunger) and new series artist Angel Hernandez (Star Trek).
It’s the middle of the 20th century, and Americans everywhere are terrified by the strange lights hovering above them in the night sky… and they should be.
These UFOs are actually the Xilien invasion force! Revealed to have already been on Earth during the events of Here There Be Dragons: Sons of Giants, the Xiliens have been attempting to destabilize the planet with the help of kaiju from outer space! With the aliens’ claws deep inside the U.S. government, will our rogue operatives manage to band together to save humanity?
Release Date: May 14, 2025
PCS NOTES: Yeah, This looks like some big time fun.
Gwenpool #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Cavan Scott
Art by Stefano Nesi & Matt Milla
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover Art by Chad Hardin & Edgar Delgado
GWENPOOL IS BACK AND MORE DANGEROUS THAN EVER! Everyone’s favorite reality-twister’s life is changing, becoming darker… grittier… and bringing her own brand of hyper-violent justice to a battle-strewn NYC! Who is this dark Gwenpool? And what has she got to do with the Spectacular Spider-Man? Guest-starring: Fin Fang Foom AND Jeff the Land Shark — this one will shock you to your core!
Release Date: May 14, 2025
PCS NOTES: Cavan Scott and Stefano Nesi playing with all the fun Marvel toys sounds like a good time to us.
Huck: Big Bad World #1
Dark Horse Comics
Written by Mark Millar
Art by Rafael Albuquerque & Dave McCaig
Letters by Clem Robbins
Cover Art by Albuquerque
After being exposed as a super-powered person and hunting down the doctor who gave him — and his mother — their powers, it would seem like Huck could finally get back to the simple life he’d come to love, making folks in his small town feel safe and cared for by doing one good deed a day and being the real change anyone would want to see in the world. But then a mysterious man tells him he and his mother aren’t the ONLY super-people out in the world; many are hiding, just like them.
Release Date: May 14, 2025
PCS NOTES: Millar and Albuquerque returning to this property after nearly a decade is a surprise treat.
Invincible Universe: Battle Beast #1
Image Comics / Skybound
Written by Robert Kirkman
Art by Ryan Ottley & Annalisa Leoni
Letters by Rus Wooten
Cover Art by Ottley & Leoni
THE BEST NEW (NOT QUITE A) SUPERHERO SERIES IN THE UNIVERSE! Cursed with an unquenchable thirst for violence, BATTLE BEAST searches the universe for the one warrior mightier than him — and a glorious death, his only reward. But even in a universe of mighty Viltrumites like Invincible and Omni-Man, it seems that no one may be able to stop the galaxy’s deadliest warrior… unless he does the unthinkable.
Superstars ROBERT KIRKMAN and RYAN OTTLEY present the most demanded INVINCIBLE story of all time, revealing the secret story of Battle Beast that’s perfect for any long-time fan (no spoilers!) and new readers alike.
Release Date: May 14, 2025
PCS NOTES: Kirkman and Ottley have a track record of delivering quality and captivating comics. It is going to be interesting to see them explore this character.
Money Shot: Big Bang! #1
Vault Comics
Written by Tim Seeley & Patton Oswalt
Art by Garth Graham & K. Michael Russell
Letters by Crank!
Cover Art by Graham
PATTON OSWALT, real life funny person, joins OG writer Tim Seeley and all new artist Garth Graham for a sexy new arc! You ever see that second Ewoks movie? The one where they suddenly kill off all the characters from the first movie?! And you were like “Mommy! Whyyy, oh God, whyyy?” Well, this new MONEY SHOT arc is like that with a lot less body hair, somewhat more sex, and the same amount of people yelling for mommy. The XXX-plorers return just in time to witness the rise of an anti-sex death cult! Now it’s a race against time and the relay team includes alien strippers!
Release Date: May 14, 2025
PCS NOTES: Oswalt teaming up Seeley should have every long time fan of this franchise, and new”comers” as well, excited for this arc.
Spider-Verse vs. Venomverse #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Kyle Higgins & Mat Groom
Art by Luciano Vecchio & Rachelle Rosenberg
Cover Art by Vecchio & Marte Gracia
SPIDERS VERSUS SYMBIOTES! The arachnid war is here! With the fates of the SPIDER-VERSE and VENOMVERSE hanging in the balance, these eight-legged warriors will stop at nothing from protecting their people — or die trying! Will SPIDER-MAN and friends succeed in protecting the Web-Heart? Or will VENOM and his symbiotic comrades prove that the Hive-Mind fights for its survival? Meet the newest Web-Head SPIDER-PROWLER as well as the mysterious symbiote YALEO as this savage battle risks their extinction!
Release Date: May 14, 2025
PCS NOTES: More webs than you can handle.
Supergirl #1
DC Comics
Written by Sophie Campbell
Art by Campbell & Tamra Bonvillain
Cover Art by Campbell & Bonvillain
THE MAIDEN OF MIGHT RETURNS! IN A NEW SERIES WRITTEN AND ILLUSTRATED BY SOPHIE CAMPBELL!
Kara Zor-El has been a key member of the Super-Family in Metropolis, but what happens when she strikes out on her own? Follow Kara as she returns to her roots in Midvale… home of Supergirl! But how could this be?! Our hero has not been back in years, and the protector of that town has been saving the day for weeks. Can Supergirl stop the impostor before they steal her fresh start and life? Celebrated writer/artist Sophie Campbell (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Wet Moon) makes her mark on the DC Universe with this thrilling debut issue! Plus a new costume designed by bestselling cover artist Stanley ‘Artgerm’ Lau!
Release Date: May 14, 2025
PCS NOTES: We are stoked to see what Sophie Campbell has in store for Kara!
New One-Shots and Specials
Godzilla vs. X-Men #1
Marvel Comics
Written by Fabian Nicieza
Art by Emilio Laiso & Federico Blee
Letters by Clayton Cowles
Cover Art by Tony S. Daniel & Marcelo Maiolo
ROUND FOUR: VS. THE UNCANNY X-MEN! When a robotics firm draws a kaiju’s anger, the X-Men are called in to protect a world that hates and fears them from the counterattack of… GODZILLA! But what are the reasons for Godzilla’s attacks? And are the X-Men on the right side? Follow the X-Men as they take on THE KING OF MONSTERS before humanity sends forth the Sentinels to finish the job!
Release Date: May 14, 2025
PCS NOTES: Nicieza, Mutants, Kaijus! What’s not to love.
The Red Badge of Courage TP
Abrams Books
Story by Stephen Crane
Adapted by Steve Cuzor
Art by Cuzor
Cover Art by Cuzor
A powerful graphic novel adaptation of the classic and genre-defining war novel The Red Badge of Courage, which has been continuously in print since 1894, available simultaneously in hardcover and paperback
Steve Cuzor’s stark yet detailed artwork perfectly capture the realistic prose of the original novel, presenting a lushly illustrated, unflinching depiction of war through the eyes of a young, inexperienced soldier. By illustrating the story, Cuzor pulls readers into the midst of the action, making Henry Fleming’s experience feel all the more visceral.
Literary aficionados and students alike will find another layer of this classic story to appreciate in this new adaptation of Crane’s magnum opus.
Written by Stephen Crane when he was just 24, The Red Badge of Courage is a Civil War story that captured the imaginations of readers worldwide and made its author an overnight literary icon. A groundbreaking and realistic examination of the psychological effects of war, the novel draws from firsthand accounts and research. Crane’s depiction of his main character, Henry Fleming, and his internal monologue, ring so true that many readers mistook Crane for a veteran himself.
The realistic prose and visceral descriptions of battle that Crane used marked the first shift away from uncritical patriotism in war literature. It would take until at least the 1920s and the wake of the horror of the First World War for the rest of the genre to catch up. In the years following its publication, The Red Badge of Courage was hailed by Crane scholar Henry Wertheim as “unquestionably the most realistic novel about the American Civil War,” and Ernest Hemingway called the novel an “American classic.”
Release Date: May 14, 2025
PCS NOTES: We are looking forward to seeing Cuzor’s adaptation of this classic American novel.
Toxic Avenger Pin-Up Special #1
Ahoy Comics
Written by Matt Bors
Art by Bors, Fred Harper, Ben Clarkson, Alain Mauricet, & more
Cover Art by Harper
Shocking! Candid! Violent! Dopey! Explosive pinups by a murder of artists-Fred Harper, Matt Bors, Ben Clarkson, and Mauricet, plus nearly a dozen surprise names-accompany a new short, canonical, unmissable story by Bors and Harper, the team behind AHOY’s hit Toxie revival! It’s like we all died and went to Tromaville!
Release Date: May 14, 2025
PCS NOTES: Ahoy continues to deliver with comic humor, time after time.
