This week’s list of Top Comics to Buy for May 27 speaks to several different things that comics publishers are doing well right now. It’s got a pair of books that empower fantastic idiosyncratic cartoonists to get weird, a rollicking satirical romp from Tiny Onion, the Vertigo revival, and righting of a wrong from superhero comics past. There is, simply put, a lot to like in this week’s releases.
You can find my five top recommendations below, along with 10 other books I enjoyed, and the usual sets of release lists … enjoy!
Top Comics to Buy for May 27
Exquisite Corpses #13
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Michael Walsh
Colorist: Jordie Bellaire
Letterer: Becca Carey
Publisher: Image Comics – Tiny Onion
Twelve killers were dropped into Oak Valley on Halloween night to determine the fate of the country. Now, dawn breaks and winner takes all as the final battle draws to a close. Who will survive…and what will be left of them?
Why It’s Cool: I’m going to write more about this tomorrow for our Wednesday Comics Review column, but I’m so impressed with how this comic stuck the landing, continuing the books impressive straddling of the line between madcap chaotic horror fun and a serious examination of societal power imbalances. Killer stuff.
Price: $4.99
Is Ted OK? #4
Writer/Artist/Letterer: Dave Chisholm
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
Riding in the van of their new friend Dr. Christina Paganini, Ted and Sarah are on the run from an army of mechs courtesy of Ayn-Styne! How rude–don’t they know that Ted is experiencing a major crisis of identity? After all, given the conclusion of the previous chapter, Ted wonders if he is even human at all. Meanwhile, Noah™ unveils the shocking truth about The Dome. Does the trillionaire want to lead humanity–or enslave it? Well, what would YOU do if you had a trillion dollars?
Why It’s Cool: In many ways, this book takes on the same issues as Exquisite Corpses, but it does so through a neurotic, psychological horror lens. This issue is really a stunner, with some of Dave Chisholm’s best art ever (which is really saying something) and a villain who is just the worst. Don’t miss this book, truly.
Price: $5.99
The Peril of the Brutal Dark: An Ezra Cain Mystery #4
Writer: Chris Condon
Artist: Jacob Phillips
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: DC Comics – Vertigo
New York City, 1941. Ezra Cain is a private investigator with a reputation for taking it on the chin if it means solving a case. But it’s his former life as an archaeology student that makes him the only man to track down an artifact that’s gone missing from the Museum of Natural History… an ancient anvil said to hold the power of the Greek god Hephaestus. If someone could harness that power, they could bend nations to their will. Science fiction quickly becomes Cain’s reality when a shadowy sect calling themselves the Brutal Dark appears in the city wielding resources that defy human logic. Now Ezra is the only thing that stands between them and their plot to overthrow America!
Why It’s Cool: One of the best parts of any noir story is the bit where the hero gets beat up and tumbled around, and this action-heavy chapter certainly delivers that. Also, Jacob Phillips art just keeps getting better and better in this series.
Price: $3.99
Spirit of the Shadows #5
Writers: Daniel Ziegler and Nick Cagnetti
Artist: Nick Cagnetti
Letterer: Ferran Delgado
Publisher: Oni Press
With the conflict seemingly resolved, Erik Leroux—the Spirit of the Shadows himself—must finally face judgment in the hereafter for the terrible crimes he committed in the land of the living. Will he be granted entry into the Sacred Realm—and a long-awaited reunion with his beloved Katrina? Or will he be cast out, a rejected revenant doomed to wander the Spirit World forever? Redemption or damnation? Love or oblivion? Only one final verdict. You won’t want to miss the haunting conclusion to the year’s best horror sensation!
Why It’s Cool: I have absolutely loved this series from start to finish, and while I’m sad to see it come to an end, the conclusion is fantastic. I’ll have more thoughts about this book tomorrow in our Wednesday Comics Review column!
Price: $4.99
Swamp Thing 1989 #2
Writer: Rick Veitch
Artist: Tom Mandrake
Colorist: Trish Mulvihill
Letterer: Todd Klein
Publisher: DC Comics – Black Label
As Swamp Thing is flung backwards through time, his true destination is revealed! While John Constantine works a world of connections to locate the lost elemental, Abby prepares to give birth to their child of three worlds. Witness the epic odyssey that could not see print until now! Over three decades in the making, welcome to the grand finale of Swamp Thing!
Why It’s Cool: Look, I’ll be honest. After reading the finally finished Swamp Thing #88 / Swamp Thing 1989 #1 last month, I was pessimistic about the issues that would come after. They were, after all, not nearly as complete as the first. I thought time would make it hard to continue the series. And while it has certainly changed it, this second chapter is fantastic, assuaging any concern I had.
Price: $4.99
10 Other Comics I Enjoyed This Week
- A Quiet Place: Storm Warning #3
- Absolute Wonder Woman #20
- Corpse Knight #2
- Did You Hear About Mimi Green? #1
- The Flash #33
- In Your Skin #2
- Justice League Unlimited #19
- The Seasons #10
- Superman: Father of Tomorrow #1
- Ultimates #24
New #1s and One-Shots
- BRZRKR Light Draws Breath #1 (one-shot)
- Did You Hear About Mimi Green? #1
- Doomquest #1
- Hornsby & Halo #0
- Life and Death of Lucas Dreamwalker #1
- Lilo & Stitch 626 #1
- Star Trek Celebrations 2026 #1 (one-shot)
- Superman: Father of Tomorrow #1
- Wiccan and Hulking Raid of Ultron #1 (one-shot)
Graphic Novels and Trade Collections
- Appleguy and Beefwood HC
- Battleworld TP
- Batman Urban Legends Omnibus Vol 1 HC
- Bring on the Bad Guys TP
- BUUZA Vol 1 Good Morning Salwa HC
- Capes Vol 1 Punching the Clock TP
- Collected Toppi Vol 12 Men of the World HC
- Conan the Barbarian Scourge of the Serpent Vol 1 TP
- DC Finest Deadman How Many Times Can A Guy Die TP
- DC Finest Supergirl Die And Let Live TP
- DC Pride The Heart Wants HC
- Dick Tracy 1943 TP
- Dick Tracy Vol 3 TP
- Dust to Dust TP
- Escape Vol 1 TP
- Five Gears In Reverse: A Criminal Book HC
- Halloween Boy Vol 1 Last of the Halloween Boys HC
- Hector Plasm Vol 1 Born Into Night Battles TP
- Invincible Iron Man Omnibus Vol 4 HC
- Last Voyage of Sinbad HC
- Micronauts The Original Marvel Years Epic Collection Vol 5 The New Voyages TP
- Minor Arcana Vol 3 The Moon TP
- Nemesis The Warlock Definitive Edition Vol 5 The Final Conflict TP
- Pink Monsters HC
- Savage Sword of Conan Vol 4 TP
- Sonic The Hedgehog IDW Collection Vol 6 HC
- Spectors Vol 1 TP
- Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures The Complete Phase III Part 1 TP
- Stranger Things and Dungeons & Dragons Library Edition HC
- Void Rivals Deluxe Edition Book 2 HC
- Where Does the Rainbow End TP
- Wonder Woman Vol 4 The Island of Mice and Men TP
- X-Men From the Ashes TP
Read past editions of the Top Comics to Buy!
And check out the Beat’s most recent comics reviews!
