Every week, we take a look at some of the most bizarre, exciting, and downright unique things to happen in comics. Check out our choices below of the strange and wacky things that shouldn’t be overlooked from this week’s releases.
There may be some tiny spoilers ahead.
All-New, All-Different Avengers #4
Best Meta-Comment on Comics’ Changes
Best Meta-Comment on Comics’ Changes
There have been a lot of changes with classic characters. We’re seeing characters of different races and gender take on the mantles of the original characters. The latest roster of the Avengers features Sam Wilson as Captain America and Jane Foster as Thor. After they save a town, we see some survivors comment on how politically correct things have become and being saved by the “understudy” Avengers.
All-New, All-Different Avengers #4
Best Attention-Grabbing Kiss
Best Attention-Grabbing Kiss
Immediately after saving a town from a supervillain, the new Thor decides to give the new Captain America a big old kiss. When the cover first debuted, it got comic readers talking. The reason for the kiss was because Thor wanted to emphasize that life is short and sometimes you just have to do things for the heck of it. The bigger question is will this kiss lead to a relationship between the two Avengers?
Aquaman #48
Best Underwater Kiss
Best Underwater Kiss
There was a lot of kissing this week. Aquaman has gone through quite an ordeal. An imposter posing as Mera has finally been defeated. Mera and Aquaman are reunited and they share a tender moment underwater.
There was actually another big kiss this week but let’s move on from all the smooching.
Old Man Logan #1
Best Dark Knight Homage
Best Dark Knight Homage
Wolverine, from an alternate future, has suddenly found himself in his past (our present). Once he gets his bearings straight, he launches himself into the night in a scene reminiscent of Frank Miller’s classic Dark Knight Returns.
Batman and Robin Eternal #17
Best “Where’s the Trigger?” Moment
Best “Where’s the Trigger?” Moment
Remember that scene in The Dark Knight Returns where Christian Bale’s Batman repeatedly asked Tom Hardy’s Bane, “Where’s the trigger?” If you don’t remember it that well, there is a ten-hour video of it to drive yourself or your friends crazy. In this week’s Batman and Robin Eternal, we see a flashback with Batman asking Orphan, “Where’s the target?” It’s difficult to read the scene without hearing Christian Bale’s voice in your head.
Extraordinary X-Men #6
Best Lethal Weapon Reference
Best Lethal Weapon Reference
This series takes place shortly after the events in the current Old Man Logan. Logan has been convinced to join this incarnation of the X-Men. Surrounded by younger versions of the friends he knew, his reaction to their current predicament is reminiscent to Danny Glover’s outlook in the Lethal Weapon movies.
Art Ops #4
Best Analysis of a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
Best Analysis of a Peanut Butter and Jelly Sandwich
It’s hard to think of peanut butter or jelly without the other. They go together perfectly. We hear what the Body’s view on the perfection of this union of ingredients.
Art Ops #4
Worst Superpower to be Granted
Worst Superpower to be Granted
Later we see the Body grant Juliet (who wants to be called J. Gorgeous) some superpowers. What powers will he give her? How about the ability to turn things to velvet?
Spider-Woman #3
Best Depiction of an Escape Route
Best Depiction of an Escape Route
Jessica Drew is very pregnant. She took the advice of Carol “Captain Marvel” Danvers and visited the alien hospital associated with the new Alpha Flight. Unfortunately there’s currently a couple problems with the hospital: some Skrulls have invaded and the hospital is located in a black hole so there won’t be any help on the way anytime soon. Jessica seeks out the administrator that can help repair the teleportation portals and has to take the scenic route through the facility. This goes on for a few pages.
Monstress #3
Best Advice to Live by
Best Advice to Live by
Sometimes you discover you have a connection to a big evil monstrous force. Kippa gives some advice to Maika that everyone should practice in their everyday lives.
X-Men: Worst X-Man Ever #3
Strangest Description of the Life of an X-Man
Strangest Description of the Life of an X-Man
The X-Men have often played baseball together as a way to relax. As they put it here, it’s like during lapses in worldwide crises where they can casually bond. Storm actually compares their lives to an episode of Friends except with some boss fights. This may sound a little out of place, but there’s a good reason for it.
Teen Titans #16
Best Censored Display of a Monkey’s Fingers
Best Censored Display of a Monkey’s Fingers
Beast Boy is fed up with being chased and bullied by different groups. As they’re surrounded and threatened with power dampers, he shows a gesture not many were aware monkeys could make.
Note: this is how the panel was cropped in the issue.
Howling Commandos of S.H.I.E.L.D. #4
Best Team Stance
Best Team Stance
The strange members of this strike force have bonded and decided to stand by each other. They all stand in a pose that you wouldn’t expect people to actually do but it makes a pretty snazzy image on the panel.
Bloodshot Reborn #10
Best Fury Road Warboys
Best Fury Road Warboys
Bloodshot has found some happiness and the story has jumped thirty years in the future. We see him about to face the Shadowmen. You have to admit they look very much like the Warboys in Mad Max: Fury Road.
Angela: Queen of Hel #4
Best Sign the Battle Just Got Real
Best Sign the Battle Just Got Real
When you’re in the middle of a battle and you hear your opponent summon an army of the dead, you know they’re taking things very seriously.
Black Canary #7
Best Use of Music to Defeat a Savage Beast
Best Use of Music to Defeat a Savage Beast
Black Canary and her band decide to use their music to defeat an evil force. Artist Annie Wu does a pretty cool job with one of the scenes.
Deadly Class #18
Best Reson Not to Wear a Red Shirt
Best Reson Not to Wear a Red Shirt
At the Kings Dominion School of the Deadly Arts, final exams mean the students from a legacy of assassins must hunt down and kill those students that are new to the school (you can find more information here). As some students decide to leave the school grounds, a fellow classmate they don’t recognize comes up to them, hoping to go with them. Can Pauly survive even though he’s wearing a red shirt? We know wearing red is pretty much bad luck in the Star Trek universe.
Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #4
Best “Where’s Waldo?” Moment
Best “Where’s Waldo?” Moment
In a two-page spread at the beginning of the issue, you get to play a game of “Where’s Waldo?” Too bad he’s pretty easy to find.
Grayson #16
Best Swim Suit Scene
Best Swim Suit Scene
We constantly see female characters objectified in comics and other media, but Dick Grayson has practically become the poster boy for male objectification. His rear end has been highlighted in all its glory many times. We also see him and Agent 1 at the beach in little bathing suits.
Grayson #16
Best James Bond Opening Montage
Best James Bond Opening Montage
Because Dick Grayson is currently a spy in Spryal, he decided they should have a theme song. What follows are a few pages that play out like the opening to a James Bond film. You’ll have to provide your own tune.
Note: this week’s Grayson #16 and Justice League 3001 #8 both used Swordfish as a password.
That’s it this week. Let us know in the comments below what other Best Stuff you dug this past week. Special thanks to @FearTheLiving, @djfanco, and @ShaunH22 for his suggestions. If you want to participate or felt we missed some other Best Stuff, don’t complain, contribute! Especially if you didn’t offer any suggestions. Each week you can @reply me on Twitter at @GManFromHeck by Saturdays using the hashtag #BestStuffInComics. We’ll give you a shout out and I’ll think you’re pretty groovy.
Be sure to always look for the best stuff and always be sure to avoid eating people. Embrace the yin and the yang of a peanut butter and jelly sandwich instead.