By Zack Quaintance — As the final Wednesday of January approaches, our Top Comics to Buy for January 27 features a Future State comic in the headliner spot, and, boy, is it a doozy. Future State: Superman vs. Imperious Lex was one of the standout titles when the line was first announced, and I’m happy to report it does not disappoint. But that’s not the only good book this week!

My full list of recommendations is below…check it out!

Top Comics to Buy for January 27, 2021

Future State Superman Imperious Lex #1.jpg

PICK OF THE WEEK
Future State: Superman vs. Imperious Lex #1
Writer: Mark Russell
Artist: Steve Pugh
Colorist: Romula Fajardo, Jr.
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual
Publisher: DC Comics
Welcome to Lexor, home of the greatest businessman in the Multiverse: Lex Luthor! After years of prosperity, Lex’s utopia is at last ready to join the ranks of the United Planets and promote peace among worlds. However, Lex has never done anything unless he had something to gain from it. What could he be up to this time? Sounds like a job for Superman and his wife Lois Lane, the Earth representative to the U.P.! It’s time the Man of Steel shut down this former Metropolis magnate once and for all!
Why It’s Cool: Mark Russell and Steve Pugh don’t just make excellent comics; they make singular books that could only be made by the two of them. Future State: Superman Imperious Lex #1 is very much in that mold, blending societal satire, an interest in governance, and a bit of politicking - all splashed across a DC Universe cosmic canvas. It all adds up to the must-read comic of the week.
Price: $3.99
Buy It Digitally: Future State - Superman vs. Imperious Lex #1

Batman: Black and White #2
Creators: Tom King, Mitch Gerads, Sophie Campbell, Gabriel Hardman, Corinna Bechko, Dustin Weaver, and David Aja
Letterers: Clayton Cowles, Troy Peteri, and Todd Klein
Publisher: DC Comics
The all-new anthology series continues with new tales of mystery, mayhem and madness from all levels of Gotham City by some of the finest talents in comics. In this auspicious issue: • Eisner Award-winning collaborators Tom King and Mitch Gerads (Mister Miracle, Strange Adventures) tell a tale of Batman administering a form of last rites to a dying priest. Or is it the other way around? • Eisner-nominated storytellers Gabriel Hardman and Corinna Bechko (Green Lantern: Earth One) find the Dark Knight facing certain death-with The Joker his last lifeline. • Multiple award-winner for his innovative work on Hawkeye, David Aja writes and draws his first DC story, in which Batman is set on the trail of a deadly cult preying on Gotham City-and it’s one you’ll be talking about all year! • The brilliant Sophie Campbell (Jem and the Holograms, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Wet Moon) returns to DC after a 10-year absence to follow Batman and Catwoman on one of their greatest chases ever. • Celebrated artist of S.H.I.E.L.D. and Avengers and the creator of Paklis, Dustin Weaver makes his DC debut as Batman takes to the sky in a stunning aerial battle against one of the most unsettling foes he’s ever faced.
Why It’s Cool: There are just so many great creators working on this book, using the freedom and platform to do interesting things with Batman. I’d hate to even single any out as a highlight here…that said, what David Aja does with a newspaper comic strip format alone makes this book a must-buy.
Price: $5.99
Buy It Digitally: Batman Black and White #2

Monstress #31
Writer: Marjorie Liu
Artist: Sana Takeda
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics
The start of a new arc! Maika always knew that her decision to involve herself in the battle of Ravenna would have repercussions, and now she begins to pay the price. War isn’t the only thing she has to fear—the political intrigue of the Dusk and Dawn Courts might be far more dangerous.
Why It’s Cool: It’s easy to take Monstress for granted, but this book really is just reliably excellent month in and month out. It’s amazing how this intricate and immersive fantasy story is still going along without losing any momentum this deep into its run. This issue serves up all the intrigue and style that fans of this incredible book have become accustomed to.
Price: $3.99
Buy It Digitally: Monstress #31

Post Americana #2
Writer/Artist: Steve Skroce
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Fonografiks
Publisher: Image Comics
From MAESTROS creator and WE STAND ON GUARD co-creator.
Carolyn and Mike's mission to stop the new president is interrupted when they're captured by a gang of CANNIBAL MANIACS.
They're not just on the menu, they're dinner theatre too. And these maneaters love to play with their food.
Why It’s Cool: Steve Skroce is one of the best and most idiosyncratic comics storytellers we have, and he’s now turned his ample talents toward a story that takes place in the ashes of America…and yet feels very (almost disturbingly) familiar. If you’re a fan of near-future dystopian science fiction, this book is absolutely a must-read.
Price: $3.99
Buy It Digitally: Post Americana #2

Usagi Yojimbo: Wanderer’s Road #3
Writer/Artist: Stan Sakai
Colorist: Ronda Pattinson
Editor: Bobby Curnow
Publisher: IDW Publishing
The infamous Zato-Ino, the Blind Swordspig, returns to claim his revenge against Usagi who took his “eyesight” in a previous sword fight. Will Usagi be able to survive when the playing field is made level?
Why It’s Cool: With series like this, publisher IDW has made Usagi Yojimbo (one of the best series of all time) accessible to readers like me who are relatively new to the series. The main book is great like that, serving up tales that anyone can pick up and read. They’ve also done a good job with series like this one that make it easy to catch up on some of the ronin’s classic tales, and this one is so good, whether you’ve read these comics for years or are brand-new to the franchise.
Price: $3.99
Buy It Digitally: Usagi Yojimbo Wanderer’s Road #3

Others Receiving Votes

Colonel Weird: Cosmagog #4
Daredevil #26
Department of Truth #5
Excalibur #17
Future State: Dark Detective #2
Kaiju Score #3
King in Black: Namor #3
Last God #12
Nailbiter Returns #9
New Mutants #15
Other History of the DC Universe #2
Something is Killing the Children #14
Wolverine #9
Year Zero #3

New #1s and One-Shots

Dead End Kids: Suburban Job #1
Eighth Immortal #1
Future State: Aquaman #1
Future State: Batman/Superman #1
Future State: Legion of Super-Heroes #1
Future State: Suicide Squad #1

Trade Collections and Graphic Novels of Note

Amor Y Cohetes: A Love and Rockets TP - New Printing
Black [AF] Devils Dye TP
Black Magick Vol. 3 Ascension I TP
Captain America by Ed Brubaker Omnibus Vol. 1 HC
Justice League International: Around the World TP
New Teen Titans Omnibus Vol. 5 HC
Nib #8 Pandemic
Star Wars Adventures: Beware Vader’s Castle HC
Star Wars Adventures: Clone Wars Battle Tales GN
Wonder Woman in The Fifties TP

See our past top comics to buy here, and check out our reviews archive here.

Zack Quaintance is a tech reporter by day and freelance writer by night/weekend. He Tweets compulsively about storytelling and comics as Comics Bookcase.