By Zack Quaintance — This week’s list of Top Comics to Buy for July 28, 2021 has what I believe is an historic first for this website — co-picks of the week, rather than one pick of the week. The reason being, I just couldn’t make myself decide (and hey, it’s my website so I can bend rules as I see fit). Barbaric #2 and The Blue Flame #3 are, simply put, both exactly what I want from comics, albeit in very different forms. Oh, and of course we have a full list of other picks as always, too.

Enjoy!

Top Comics to Buy for July 28, 2021

CO-PICK OF THE WEEK
Barbaric #2
Writer: Michael Moreci
Artist: Nathan Gooden
Colorist: Addison Duke
Letterer: Jim Campbell
Publisher: Vault Comics
More blood! More mayhem! More monsters! Will Owen storm the abbey with Soren the witch? Will axe get drunk on blood? Yes! And you're going to love it.
Why It’s Cool: Barbaric #1 was one of three comics so far this year to score a Perfect 10 (stay tuned for some words shortly about another), and I’m happy to report here that the second issue whips plenty of ass too. It doubles down on the strengths of the first issue — mainly the voice and the main character’s situation/attitude — while pushing into new narrative areas with a focus on the book’s second leave. Add in some metafictional commentary on the nature of sword and sorcery tropes, and holy cow, this book remains one of the best experiences in all of comics.
Price: $3.99
More Info: Barbaric #2

CO-PICK OF THE WEEK
The Blue Flame #3
Writer: Christopher Cantwell
Artist: Adam Gorham
Colorist: Kurt Michael Russell
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: Vault Comics
It’s been seven months since the incident, and Sam Brausam is alive… if you can call it that. He’s barely learned to walk again, his spirit seems broken beyond repair, and the booze and pain pills aren’t doing his recovery any favors. His sister Dee—now eight months pregnant—and her boyfriend Mateo have moved into the old family home in order to help care for him. Meanwhile, the Blue Flame continues to build his case to defend humanity from extinction. But seven months into the discovery phase of the trial, the Tribunal Consensus is growing impatient.
Why It’s Cool: I’m just going to say it now — The Blue Flame is the best superhero comic of 2021. This issue continues to explore the themes around reconciling perceptions of heroes with reality, extending them into a digression on the value of stories. I may review this issue later this week, if I work up the nerve. The thing about The Blue Flame is that this comic is so good, there’s a fear in writing about it that I won’t be able to do it justice.
Price: $3.99
More Info: The Blue Flame #3

Made in Korea #3
Writer: Jeremy Holt
Artist: George Schall
Letterer: Adam Wollet
Publisher: Image Comics
WHAT DO THE LIGHTS ON YOUR PROXY MEAN?
The lights on your Proxy communicate its status.
Blue - Your child is processing your request.
Red - Your child’s microphone on and off button was pressed.
Orange - Your child is experiencing internet connectivity issues.
Purple - The Do Not Disturb feature is turned on.
Why It’s Cool: This is another book that grabbed me from its first issue. There’s so much going on in this comic, and it’s all really interesting, ranging from a subtle exploration of adopted parenthood, to corrupted youth, to the state of accelerated artificial intelligence, to corporate espionage. What I like most about Made in Korea, however, is how well the two creators on this book weave it all together, making it feel organic and compelling. It’s a really well done comic, that gets my highest recommendation.
Price: $3.99
More Info: Made in Korea #3

Old Guard - Tales Through Time #4
Writer: Matt Fraction and David F. Walker
Artist: Steve Lieber and Matthew Clark
Colorist: Daniela Miwa and Rebecca McConnell
Letterer: Jodi Wynne
Publisher: Image Comics
"He'd been born in the West Indies, sold into the Colonies, fled to London, then condemned to the penal colony in New South Wales. He wasn't even thirty…He made me want to live again. Just so I could stay with him." His name was Achilles…and this is what happens when Andy returns, by MATT FRACTION and STEVE LIEBER (Superman's Pal Jimmy Olsen). Then DAVID F. WALKER (BITTER ROOT, Naomi) and MATTHEW CLARK (The Punisher, Amazing Spider-Man) send Nicky on a suicidal solo mission in the Civil War South!
Why It’s Cool: This anthology series featuring the characters and the world from Old Guard has been fantastic, bringing in some of the biggest names in comics to tell one-off stories. This issue, however, might be the best one yet, combining a whole collection of Eisner-winning creators to tell really poignant stories that make use of the concept as well as U.S. history. It’s a great book, and what elevates it further is that anyone can pick up this issue and enjoy these vignettes. We’re truly living in an excellent time for short comics and comics anthologies.
Price: $3.99
More Info: Old Guard - Tales Through Time #4

Superman: Son of Kal-El #1
Writer: Tom Taylor
Artist: John Timms
Colorist: Gabe Eltaeb
Letterer:
Publisher: DC Comics
Jonathan Kent has experienced a lot in his young life. He’s traveled the galaxies with his Kryptonian grandfather and lived in the future with the Legion of Super-Heroes, who were intent on training him for the day his father, Clark Kent, could no longer be Superman. There is a hole in the Legion’s history that prevents Jon from knowing exactly when that will happen, but all signs point to it being very soon. It’s time for the son to wear the cape of his father and bear the symbol of hope that has told the world who Superman really is. Join writer Tom Taylor (Nightwing, DCeased) and artist John Timms (Infinite Frontier) as they usher in a whole new era for the House of El!
Also, “Tales of Metropolis” continues. Jimmy Olsen gathers his misfit heroes, including Ambush Bug and Gangbuster, to find out who the Projectress really is and why she set her sights on Bibbo!
Why It’s Cool: This book essentially marks a new status quo for the main Superman title, wherein Clark Kent Superman has gone (more on that in other DC Comics coverage, ahem), leaving his son Jon Kent as the new Superman of earth. And the concept here is that Jon is a different sort of Superman than his dad. Essentially, this book wants to expand the scope of what Superman does for humanity, keeping intact his compassion and protection while giving him a set of sensibilities more in keeping with young people of today. The end result is a great start to this new run.
Price: $3.99
More Info: Superman Son of Kal-El #1

Others Receiving Votes

Action Comics #1033
Batman Superman #20
Beta Ray Bill #5
Cable #12
Checkmate #2
Daredevil #32
The Department of Truth #11
Detective Comics #1040
Eternals #6
Grendel: Devil’s Odyssey #8
Harley Quinn #5
Infinite Frontier #3
Something Is Killing the Children #18
That Texas Blood #8
United States of Captain America #2
Usagi Yojimbo Dragon Bellows Conspiracy @2

New #1s and One-Shots

Amazing Fantasy #1
Batman: Secret Files Huntress #1
Black Beacon #1
Dune Blood Of The Sardaukar #1
Groo Meets Tarzan #1
Icon and Rocket Season One #1
Last Book You’ll Ever Read #1
Mirka Andolfo’s Sweet Paprika #1
Swamp God #1
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Vol. 5 Annual 2021

Trade Collections and Graphic Novels of Note

Batman The MAXX Arkham Dreams HC
Its Not What You Thought It Would Be HC
Raptor A Sokol Graphic Novel Limited Edition HC
Shaolin Cowboy Start Trek 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.