We are excited to give you an in-depth look at some of the best comics our contributors here at Comic Watch chose during the month of January. It’s been an exciting year already for the industry from Marvel’s X-books to DC Future State as well as the always remarkable selection of indie titles releasing, so let’s dive in with our top 3 Marvel, DC Comics and indie comics to kick off the new year!
First up, the best rated Marvel comics here at Comic Watch released during the month of January, 2021!
The last few years Marvel has seemed to be going strong and the outlook looks even stronger for them in the upcoming year! In the eyes of our reviewers its been a truly great start to 2021 for Marvel!
X-Force #16
Author: Benjamin Percy
Artist: Joshua Cassara
Colorist: Guru-eFX
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
“This issue is a fun undersea romp that captures the atmosphere of a “terror from the deep” themed storyline perfectly through brilliantly drawn and colored art while making sure to pay attention to character voice and dialogue accuracy through the writing. X-Force continues to be a consistently well written and illustrated comic that knows exactly what it is and has fun doing it.” – Ross Hutchinson
Final Score – 9.3 out of 10!
See the full review HERE!
Amazing Spider-Man #56
Author: Nick Spencer
Artist: Mark Bagley, John Dell, Andrew Hennessy
Colorist: Rachelle Rosenberg, Edgar Delgado
Letterer: VC’s Joe Caramagna
“Even though this is AN ending, it’s not THE ending to this story. This issue is a standard of excellence in modern storytelling.
It sets up a new status quo for a couple of them that’ll have you watching this book really closely in the future. Spencer gives us a very satisfying ending yet has us begging for more by the book’s end.” – Jimmy Hayes
Jimmy gave this web-slinging issue an amazing final score of 9.3 out of 10!
See the full review HERE!
Taking the top spot for Marvel this month, we have…
X-Factor #6
Author: Leah Williams
Artist: David Baldeon
Colorist: Israel Silva
Letterer: VC’s Joe Carmagna
“David Baldeon and Isreal Silva continue to be a killer team on art. If you’ve read my past reviews, I’m likely starting to sound redundant, but I only know so many ways to say amazing. Baldeon and Silva portray so much personality in every character, allow for every panel to land. Their fresh and creative portrayal of the various powers of the cast makes me want them to just guest in every comic a mutant power is used.
X-Factor #6 is a treat designed for the fans, delivering solid plot and character development without taking itself too seriously.” – Gabriel De Jesus
Gabriel gave this issue a near perfect final score of 9.6 out of 10!
See the full review HERE!
With a new year DC begin to usher in a new era for themselves with series’ ending and Future State books hitting the shelves paving the way for a new era at DC Comics. Our reviewers here at Comic Watch were absolutely smitten with many of the DC titles this month, giving two perfect scores and a fraction off of a third!
Check out our top 3 DC Comics for January 2021!
DC Future State: Aquaman #1
Author: Brandon Thomas
Artist: Daniel Sampere
Colorist: Adriano Lucas
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
“This entire issue, honestly, is flawless, and is hopefully a harbinger of things to come for the Aqua-corner of the DCU as the Infinite Frontier initiative begins to bear fruit later this year.
Future State – Aquaman #1 comes completely out of nowhere and delivers a perfect reading experience. Get ready for the next level, because it’s here.” – Matt Meyer
Matt gave it as close to perfect as your gonna get with a final score of 9.9 out of 10!
See the full review HERE!
DC Future State: Dark Detective #1
Author(s): Mariko Tamaki (Batman); Matthew Rosenberg (Grifter)
Artist(s): Dan Mora (Batman); Carmine di Giandomenico (Grifter)
Colorist(s): Jordie Bellaire (Batman); Carmine di Giandomenico (Grifter)
Letterer: Aditya Bidikar (Batman; ANDWorld Design (Grifter)
“The visuals from Mora and Bellaire are absolutely stunning. Dark and detailed figure work set against the aforementioned cyberpunk backdrop leads to a stimulating book. The small touches such as the yellow-rimmed chest-logo add depth and beauty to the issue while Jordie Bellaire lights Gotham afire in the neon-glow of the horrific future. And not to be outdone, Bidikar’s lettering is spectacular, from the logo design on the title page to the great many different fonts deployed through the issue.
This book is everything Future State is supposed to be about.” – Cody White
Cody gave Dark Detective a perfect final score of 10 out of 10!
See the full review HERE!
Dark Knights: Death Metal #7
Author: Scott Snyder
Artist(s):Greg Capullo (pencils); Jonathan Glapion (inks)
Colorist: FCO Plascencia
Letterer: Tom Napolitano
“This issue feels like the proper capstone for the entire Rebirth era, one that was predicated on a return of hope and optimism and familiar faces doing familiar things, and despite some unplanned twists and turns, that era is now drawing to a close. DC has effectively re-established its identity, now, it’s time to turn to the future and see what the next era looks like – with a smile on their heroes’ faces and the possibilities endless – an infinite frontier. A job well-done to everyone involved.
The future is wide open in the appropriately epic Dark Nights: Death Metal #7. Tomorrow is now, and no fan will want to miss it!” – Matt Meyer
Matt gave the issue a perfect final score with 10 out of 10!
See the full SPOILER FREE review HERE!
Indie comics had an amazing year in 2020, and there is an easy argument to be made that multiple indie published titles are the best comics going on to kick off 2021! Many fans will be hoping for another strong year and I’m here to bring the good news that indie comics have a immensely strong start to 2021!
Check out our top 3 picks for Indie Comics below!
Space Bastards #1 Published by Humanoids
Author(s): Eric Peterson & Joe Aubrey
Artist: Darick Robertson
Colorist: Diego Rodriguez
Letterer: Simon Bowland
“That sort of long-term game is indicative that Peterson and Aubrey are invested in Space Bastards for the long haul. Don’t be fooled by the hilarious violence and fast-paced action on the surface – Space Bastards has a story to tell. And it looks to be a doozy, an action-packed comic full of laughs, gore, intrigue, a unique premise, and maybe – just maybe – heart.
Space Bastards#1 is an utterly bonkers action romp with a wildly unique premise and a legitimately engaging plot beneath its surface appeal. Give the Big 2 a break and check out this amazingly fun comic!” – Matt Meyer
Matt gave this debut issue an incredible final score of 9.4 out of 10!
See the full review HERE!
Crossover #3 Published by Image Comics
Author: Donny Cates
Artist: Geoff Shaw
Colorist: Dee Cunniffe
Letterer: John J. Hill
I reviewed this one myself and I have to say:
“Issue #3 of Crossover is where this fantastic creative team behind this series really displays the immense potential this comic contains!
Looking back now issue 1 & 2 has now laid all the groundwork to allow the book to transition into its next bold act!
Crossover is going from strength to strength! Such a special book and deserves the attention of every comic fan! I know I’m repeating myself but get on this series now – you owe it to yourself!” – Ethan Coney
I felt this outstanding issue deserved the high final score of 9.5 out of 10!
See the full review HERE!
Department of Truth #5 Published by Image Comics
Author: James Tynion IV
Artist: Martin Simmonds
Colorist: Martin Simmonds
Letterer: Aditya Bidikar
“Issue #5 of DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH continues to cleverly trade on mixing very real-world researched conspiracy theory with a tense and atmospheric fictional narrative brilliantly brought to life by Simmonds art and Bidikar’s lettering, that explores the idea of the truth as a malleable entity, that bends shapes reality itself to whatever the majority of humankind believes.
And in this issue Tynion IV adds the additional layer of twisting the main character’s beliefs too as he blurs the lines between “Good” and “Bad.” – Ross Hutchinson
Ross gave issue 5 a perfect final score of 10 out of 10!
See the full review HERE!
There you have it! These are our best comics of January 2021 if you haven’t caught up yet, now is the time! There are a lot of outstanding comics releasing and these are just a few that we feel are worth your time and money, so be sure to support your local comic shop and read some great comics!