This week is a heavy hitter for comic fans, and if you are keeping up with the new DC status quo, Absolute Wonder Woman Vol. 2: As My Mothers Made Me is the book you cannot skip. This specific volume is a personal favorite of mine because it finally pulls back the curtain on Diana’s upbringing. We get to see the actual stakes she is facing, and the creative team of Kelly Thompson and Hayden Sherman continues to absolutely kill it on this title.
Whether you grab the trade paperback for $19.99 or the hardcover for $29.99, it is a definite buy that shows a side of Wonder Woman we’ve never seen before.
What happens in Absolute Wonder Woman Volume 2?
The story deepens the mystery of the Absolute Universe by exploring how Diana’s past as a survivor of the Underworld shapes her as a warrior. Kelly Thompson writes a version of Diana that feels dangerous yet grounded, while Hayden Sherman provides art that is moody and unique. Along the way, we see how she interacts with other major figures like Zatanna, who is reimagined in a way that feels fresh and slightly terrifying. This volume is the perfect center for an Absolute Universe on your shelf, especially if you are already collecting the Absolute versions of Batman and Superman.
Are Doomstrike and Doom Academy good for new Marvel fans?
With the hype building for Doctor Doom in the movies, Marvel is dropping two perfectly timed books: Thunderbolts: Doomstrike and Doom Academy. Both are priced at $17.99 and serve as awesome entry points for anyone who wants to understand why Victor von Doom is the most feared man in comics. These stories show his brilliance and his ruthlessness, making them essential homework before he hits the big screen. Along with these, Marvel is releasing Ultimate Incursion, which is a must-read for anyone trying to keep up with the new Ultimate Universe timeline.
Rounding out the Marvel list:
- Emma Frost: The White Queen – All Hail the Queen ($17.99) – A focused look at the X-Men’s most complicated leader.
- Superior Spider-Man Returns Omnibus ($125.00) – Available in standard and the Giuseppe Camuncoli DM Edition, collecting Otto Octavius’s most arrogant adventures.
- Young Avengers Modern Era Epic Collection: The Children’s Crusade ($42.99) – A beautiful way to collect a story that redefined the Scarlet Witch‘s legacy.
Why is Something Is Killing the Children so popular?
Even if you haven’t read every issue yet, Something Is Killing the Children Vol. 9 is a title that everyone seems to love for a simple reason. You have a badass protagonist in Erica Slaughter, who spends her time hunting down monsters that kill children. It is a simple, high-stakes premise that works every single time. This $17.99 trade paperback is a great way to see why the series has become a modern indie legend. Fans of supernatural action should also look at Magik Vol. 2: Shadows of Resistance. The first volume had a huge following, and this second installment is sure to make Illyana Rasputin fans very happy.
Other notable indie and alternative releases include:
- Witchblade Vol. 3 ($19.99) and The Tin Can Society ($19.99) from Image Comics, offering a mix of supernatural action and grounded mystery.
- The Oddly Pedestrian Life of Christopher Chaos: Children of the Night ($24.99) – Another Tynion-led hit for fans of “monster-kid” aesthetics.
- Vampirella: Dark Reflections ($19.99) and Vampirella Archives Vol. 3 ($34.99) for the classic horror-fantasy crowd.
Which massive Omnibuses are worth the money this week?
If you have a bigger budget, there are several giant collections hitting shelves. The Flash by Mark Waid Omnibus Vol. 3 is a $150 beast that finishes off the legendary Wally West era. It is a huge piece of history for anyone who loves the Speed Force.
Meanwhile, the Shade, the Changing Man Omnibus Vol. 2 by Peter Milligan and Chris Bachalo wraps up a cult-classic Vertigo run for $125. Marvel is also competing for your shelf space with the Superior Spider-Man Returns Omnibus, featuring the return of Otto Octavius. You can even find a special Giuseppe Camuncoli DM edition if you prefer exclusive cover art.
Young readers also have somethings dropping?
Younger readers have options too, like Minecraft: Heart of Cobblestone Vol. 2 and two different versions of Mulan: Mulan’s Adventure Journal. So, whether you’re looking for the high-stakes survival of a sandbox game or the historical heroics of the Northern Wei dynasty, there is a physical book ready to capture your imagination this week.
