5 Comics You Absolutely Must Pick Up This Month
Batwoman, black history, and backwards fairy tales—these are the comics you must read in February.
DC Entertainment
February might be the shortest month of the year, but there will still be four weeks' worth of new comic book releases hitting stands. That means you’ll have just as much to choose from at your local comics shop and even less time to decide. Never fear; all you have to do is check out the five suggestions below to ensure that you'll be free from disappointment. Any additional purchases, of course, that's on you.
DC EntertainmentThe Wild Storm #1 (DC Entertainment)
The second of DC's "pop-up imprints" launches with this revival of Jim Lee's Wildstorm universe, courtesy of Warren Ellis—who'll oversee additional books in the line—and *Clean Room* artist Jon Davis-Hunt, updating characters such as Grifter, the Engineer, and Jenny Sparks for the 21st Century. Expect something purposefully weird, and secretly filled with optimism just beneath the surface.
DC EntertainmentBatwoman: Rebirth #1 (DC Entertainment)
As anyone familiar with *Animosity*, *Bombshells*, or *Angela, Queen of Hel* already knows, Marguerite Bennett has been a writer to watch for some time now. With this new *Batwoman* series, she gets a dream come true: the chance to write her favorite superhero in her second solo series ever. Add in artist Steve Epting’s return to superhero comics, and you have something pretty special—and that's even before we factor in Batwoman’s status as a queer lead character from one of the Big Two.
Oni PressAnother Castle: Grimoire (Oni Press)
Fairy tale tropes get twisted (in a good way) in this collected edition of the fan-favorite fantasy series, in which princesses save themselves, because that's far more interesting than watching them be damsels in distress. Alongside Paulina Ganucheau’s colorful cartooning, Andrew Wheeler’s tales subtly (and, occasionally, not so subtly) twist everything these stories normally want to teach you. Prepare to get schooled.
Image ComicsBlack History in Its Own Words (Image Comics)
In the midst of Black History Month, artist Ronald Wimberly—you've already picked up his *Prince of Cats*, right?—releases this hardcover collection of portraits of classic black artists and political figures (including Kanye West, Dave Chapelle, and Angela Davis alongside some perhaps more obvious candidates), accompanied by some of their most famous quotations. Think of it as the best-looking history lesson you've ever had the luck to receive.
Archie ComicsRiverdale #1 (Archie Comics)
With Archie, Betty and Veronica being given a *Twin Peaks*-esque makeover for television, it only makes sense that comic books would follow suit. With *Riverdale*, writers for the TV show (including showrunner Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa) and artist Alitha Martinez offer up four short stories explaining the backstory of the new show, ahead of an upcoming monthly series exploring the scandal-filled town.
