Salutations, Wednesday Warriors! It’s that time of the week again—time to storm the gates and bring home a fresh stack of new comics. Before you head to the shop, arm yourself with a few recommendations. And for you big spenders out there, we also have a complete list of this week’s releases. Seems like everything is a number one these days, doesn’t it? All collector’s items, right? We’re all going to be millionaires.

STRAYER #1

Strayer #1 from AfterShock Comics

Written By: Justin Jordan
Art By: Juan Gedeon
Colors By: Tamra Bonvillain
Letters By: Rachel Deering

AfterShock Comics is quietly taking over the comic industry. They are slowly putting out some of the best comic books around, and doing so while somehow keeping completely under the radar. AfterShock’s game plan seems to be “grab top talent and let them cut loose.” So far, it’s working. Strayer is a prime example of the AfterShock Comics model; here we have Justin Jordan creating a new world filled with magic, violence, humor, and giant monsters (giant monsters almost always make it onto the Pull List, guys). He’s brought Juan Gedeon along, and the two have crafted a strange, post-apocalyptic fantasy world that oozes coolness. Plus, they have the mighty Rachel Deering lettering the thing, which somehow makes every comic better. Deering elevates every book she touches.

NEGATIVE SPACE #3

Negative Space #3 from Dark Horse Comics

Written By: Ryan K. Lindsay
Art By: Owen Gieni
Colors By: Owen Gieni
Letters By: Ryan Ferrier

Negative Space #3 has a lot of emotion in it. It’s filled with characters screaming out their happiness (which also happens to cause everyone else to blow their brains out or disintegrate, but that’s neither here nor there). This series is pulpy science fiction goodness—the kind of science fiction that is hard to look at because it’s caked in ugliness and blood. Bizarre, monstrous, and oddly heartfelt, Negative Space just might be the sleeper hit of the year. Writer Ryan K. Lindsay and artist Owen Gieni have something truly special and unique here. It’s not too late to scoop this issue up and track down the first two (or just go digital). Trust me, it’s worth checking out. It’s happy, guys! In a hideous-sea-monsters-and-tentacled-nightmare sort of way.

CRY HAVOC #1

Cry Havoc #1 from Image Comics

Written By: Simon Spurrier
Art By: Ryan Kelly
Colors By: Nick Filardi, Lee Loughridge, Matt Wilson
Letters By: Simon Bowland

We told you all about Cry Havoc a while back, remember? We called it “flawless,” and a book you had to buy. This ringing a bell? Well, now it’s out and you have to buy it. Seriously, you need to support this comic book, because I want to read it forever, and if it ends because you didn’t buy it I’m going to be so freaking mad at you. So buy it. Buy it and relish in this world of werewolves, nightmares, and war. If nothing else, just soak yourself in the gorgeous Ryan Kelly art. Marvel at the stunning colors. Cry Havoc is Image Comics’ next big thing. Get on board now.

HELLBOY WINTER SPEICAL 2016 #1

Hellboy Winter Special 2016 #1 from Dark Horse Comics

Written By: Mike Mignola, Scott Allie, Chris Roberson, Chelsea Cain, Dean Rankine
Art By: Tim Sale, Michael Walsh, Michael Avon Oeming, Dean Rankine
Colors By: Dave Stewart, Dean Rankine
Letters By: Clem Robins

The Hellboy Universe—or Mignolaverse—is one of the medium’s greatest creations. If you want to read comics as the should be, comics in their near perfect form, read Hellboy. It’s such a lush, deep world of myth, monsters, and mayhem. Hellboy Winter Special 2016 #1 is a collection of shorts that touch on several corners of the Hellboy Universe. We get a snippets of everything this world so great; it has it all, the humor, the horror, and the heart. Plus, if you really need to be sold on this issue, take a look at the creative teams. Mike Mignola, Chris Roberson, Tim Sale, Michael Walsh, Michael Avon Oeming, Dave Freaking Stewart! Hellboy Winter Special 2016 #1 is bursting at the seams with talent. Tim Sale draws a story here, people. That means you buy this comic book. Don’t even think about it, just do it.

FAITH #1

Faith #1 from Valiant Comics

Written By: Jody Houser
Art By: Francis Portela, Marguerite Sauvage
Colors By: Andrew Dalhouse
Letters By: Dave Sharpe

We really loved Faith #1. We loved Jody Houser’s writer and Francis Portela’s art. We really, really loved Marguerite Sauvage’s art and Andrew Dalhouse’s colors. Faith #1 is a modern superhero tale, the story of a superhero who grew up loving comic books and superheroes. In an age of cynicism and bitterness, Faith is a breath of fresh air. This is how superhero comics should be. Fun, fresh, and exciting, Faith lives up to all the hype you’ve no doubt been hearing. Longtime Valiant fan or not, you’d be a dummy to pass this one up. You’re not a dummy, right? No, not you, you’re smart. You probably already preordered this comic. Good job.

Okay, that’s it for us. What’s on your pull list this week, folks? How many Marvel number ones did you get? There’s a lot.

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THE COMPLETE LIST

(via PreviewsWorld.com