So, what’s been going on in the world of comics lately? Any big announcements recently? What about movies — does Marvel have a new movie opening this week? No, I learned a long time ago never to ask open-ended questions like these without already knowing the answers. So the answers to all of these questions is yes, yes, and YES! Thankfully, my picks this week for the four comics I want for New Comic Book Day on July 15 are representations of the answers to the questions above.

First, yes, there is a Marvel movie opening this week, featuring the smallest super-hero, Ant-Man. Truthfully, it’s going to feature the current Ant-Man, played by Paul Rudd, and the original Ant-Man, played by Michael Douglas. Sounds like an odd combination, right? Well, before you head to the theaters this weekend, head to your LCS to pick up the Ant-Man Annual #1 ($4.99, Marvel Comics). Timed to coincide with the movie, this issue features Scott Lang and Hank Pym teaming up in this stand-alone story from Nick Spencer. Spencer’s current run on the Ant-Man title has been fun and different read about a character that has never been a premiere character.

Next up is another star from the Marvel cinematic universe, just not his own feature film. We FINALLY reach the end of Matt Fraction and David Aja’s run with the release of Hawkeye #22 ($4.99, Marvel Comics). Yes, this issue is late. REALLY LATE! Yes, the new All-New Hawkeye series has already launched. But that’s OK, because the Fraction-Aja Hawkeye has a timeless feel to it. This issue will bring to a close the two-year run that featured dueling Hawkeyes, guys in tracksuits, and a pizza dog. In fact, the Pizza Dog story (#11) was so incredible, it won a 2014 Eisner Award for Best Single Issue of the year.

Speaking of the Eisners, over the weekend, the 2015 Eisner Awards were handed out during the San Diego Comic Convention. (And yes, my podcasting partners were in attendance and live-tweeting the event last Friday night.) So the big winner of the week was the Lumberjanes title from Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, Shannon Watters, and Brooke Allen. Now, you’re probably teling yourself that it’s too late to jump into this title, and I would tell you you’re wrong! In fact, the latest issue comes out tomorrow, when Lumberjanes #16 ($3.99, Boom! Studios) hits the shelves. It may be in the middle of a story, but each issue is an open invitation for readers of all ages to join the campers and take the Lumberjanes pledge.

Finally, I always hear readers asking for new recommendations. “What should I be reading?” they ask. And nine times out of ten, my first response is to hand them whatever book Terry Moore is working on currently. In this case, it would be the release tomorrow of Rachel Rising #35 ($3.99, Abstract Studios). Seriously, why aren’t you reading this book already? It’s a modern horror story, featuring women rising from their graves, possessed by spirits hundreds of years old, set in a mysterious town that refuses to give up its secrets. Moore is one of those rare writer-artist tandems that knocks it out of the park each and every issue, whether with Rachel Rising, or his previous efforts with Echo and Strangers in Paradise. This series has been kept current in trades, which you will need to read to get caught up on the series. The early issues are very scarce and have shot up in price in the secondary market.

As always, WCPE is so happy to be publishing #FCIW with the support of Elite Comics in Overland Park, KS. William and the Elite Crew run a friendly, clean, and safe comic shop which is welcoming to all and supportive of many local and national non-profits including The Hero Initiative. Stop in, pick up these four books, and let the gang at Elite Comics know that the Worst. Comic. Podcast. EVER! sent you over.

Categories: Four Comics I Want for NCBD, Jerry

Tags: Ant-Man, Brooke Allen, David Aja, Eisners, FCIW, Grace Ellis, Hawkeye, Lumberjanes, Matt Fraction, Nick Spencer, Noelle Stevenson, Paul Rudd, Rachel Rising, Shannon Watters, Terry Moore