13 Comics You Should Read This January 2016

Each month I like to showcase a batch of new comics that you should be reading. I try and make it varied, mixing up creative ideas, genres and different storytelling to create a list that will have something that will appeal to everyone. This month there’s Amazonian origins, barbarian refreshes, a lesbian werewolf, Jedi, superhero bromance and much more.

Don’t forget to tell me in the comments below which comics you will be reading this month!

For those who missed it, you can see what new comics I highly recommended in November and December. If reading in graphic novel format is more your thing I’ve also highlighted the graphic novels you should read this month too.  

Red Sonja

Written by Marguerite Bennett. Art by Aneke. Published by Dynamite Entertainment.

Dynamite Entertainment is about to go through a revitalisation with their female characters which includes giving them fresh situations and settings and less sexualised costumes while still holding onto the elements which make the characters great. As part of refresh there will be brand new series for each character with Red Sonja being the first cab off the rank. In this brand new series will see her return to her homeland to discover that her people have been conscripted into a sinister regime against their will. Can she free her people?

Red Sonja #1 is available from January 13th.

Bloodshot Reborn #10

Written by Jeff Lemire. Art by Lewis Larosa. Published by Valiant Entertainment.

The Analog Man is the brand new story for Bloodshot Reborn, which also makes for a great jumping on point! Set in the future Los Angeles has become a Mad Max inspired wasteland and Bloodshot has is now completely outdated. Even if he is outdated this won’t stop him from defending a small town which needs him. If Mac Mad: Fury Road was one of your movie highlights of 2015 then Bloodshot Reborn #10 might end up being one of your comics of 2016. Don’t worry if you haven’t issues #1-9, Bloodshot Reborn #10 is an accessible read which should explain everything you need to know to dive in.

Bloodshot Reborn #10 is available from January 27th.

Luna The Vampire

Written and art by Yasmin Sheikh. Published by IDW Publishing.

Originally a successful Kickstarter project, Luna The Vampire tells the struggles of a young Space Vampire. Everything in life is hard for her from running out of snacks to what to wear to her Great Uncle’s zombification. Luckily she has a great batch of odd friends and acquaintances to help her out. Luna the Vampire looks like a fun series which should appeal to all ages.

Luna The Vampire #1 is available from January 13th.

Ghostbusters International

Written by Erik Burnham. Art by Dan Schoening. Published by IDW Publishing.

When there’s trouble anywhere around the world, who you gonna call? Ghostbusters International, of course. After ghostbustin’ at the United Nations the team is thrown into an investigation that see’s them travel around the world to solve a World Haunting. This is the next chapter in the Ghostbusters history and also a great jumping on point for all those fans who haven’t had a chance to dive into the comics yet.

Ghostbusters International #1 is available from January 27th.

Cry Havoc

Written by Si Spurrier. Art by Ryan Kelly. Published by Image Comics.

“This is not the tale of a lesbian werewolf who goes to war. Except it kind of is.” That’s the tagline for this brand new Image Comics series, which meets military action with dark supernatural folklore. Along with it’s interesting concept, Cry Havoc will also feature three different colourists (Matt Wilson, Lee Loughridge and Nick Filardi) which help define helps define the different plot threads. This new series is full of fresh ideas and is worth sniffing out.

Cry Havoc #1 is available from January 27th.

Swamp Thing

Written by Len Wein. Art by Kelly Jones. Published by DC Comics.

Swamp Thing returns to his own headline comic book in the form of a brand new six-issue miniseries which sees his co-creator, Len Wein, and the legendary Batman artist Kelley Jones team-up. Since Swamp Thing received an ominous warning he’s been regularly attacked by creatures of dark magic, but these don’t seem like regular monsters. There seems to be something more to them, something deadly. What is it? You’ll have to read to find out.

Swamp Thing #1 is available from January 6th.

The Legend of Wonder Woman

Written and art by Renae De Liz. Published by DC Comics.

The Legend of Wonder Woman is a 9-issue digital-first series that explores the origin of Wonder Woman from her childhood up until present day. We’ll get to see the events which shaped her to be the Woman she is today. If you’re a Wonder Woman fan, young or old this comic is worth taking a look at as you can never have too much Wonder Woman.

The Legend of Wonder Woman #1 is available from January 13th.

A-Force

Written by G. Willow Wilson. Art by Jorge Molina. Published by Marvel Comics.

Spinning out of the conclusion of Secret Wars, A-Force is Marvel’s all-female superhero team. Singularity, one of Marvel’s newest characters, has survived the destruction of Battleworld but she isn’t the only one. Something sinister has hitched a ride and it will be up to her and a batch of Marvel’s finest to stop whatever it is. Don’t worry if you haven’t read Secret Wars or the previous A-Force miniseries as anything you need to know will be explained in this issue.

A-Force #1  is available from January 6th.

Star Wars: Obi-Wan and Anakin

Written by Charles Soule. Art by Marco Checchetto. Published by Marvel Comics.

Marvel’s Star Wars comics generally focus on the original trilogy, most notably between A New Hope and Empire Strikes Back, but with this new miniseries we dive deep into prequel territory. Obi-Wan and Anakin explores the difficult relationship between the two when they are called to a remote planet to help.

Star Wars: Obi-Wan and Anakin #1 is available from January 1st.

Spider-Man/Deadpool

Written by Joe Kelly. Art by Ed McGuinness. Published by Marvel Comics.

A classic Deadpool creative team unite to team up Spider-Man and Deadpool in a brand new series. Will it be a bromance for the ages or will they end up trying to kill each other? Only time will tell. As an added bonus, Spider-Man/Deadpool #1 comes with a copy of The Vision #1 (which is really good!) in the back for the no extra cost.

Spider-Man/Deadpool is available from January 6th.

Silver Surfer

Written by Dan Slott. Art by Mike Allred. Published by Marvel Comics.

Hurray! Dan Slott and Mike Allred’s Silver Surfer is back this month and sounds like it will be better than ever. Heavily inspired by Doctor Who, The Silver Surfer travels the universe with his companion Dawn Greenwood in search of wonder and excitiment. These travels have brought them to Earth and the Surfer plans to show Dawn her home planet like she’s never seen it before. For those who didn’t read last year’s series don’t worry as this is a great jumping on point.

Silver Surfer #1 is available from January 20th.

Adventure Time: Ice King

Written by Emily Partridge. Art by Natalie Andrewson. Published by Kaboom!

Whether you either love him or hate him, there’s no denying that Ice King is a tragic character. We’ve seen glimpse of his tragic life on the show but never dug all that deep. With this brand new Adventure Time miniseries we get to explore more of his life as he takes centre stage in this comic.

Adventure Time: Ice King is available from January 20th.

Hellboy Winter Special 2016

Written by Mike Mignola, Chris Roberson, Chelsea Cain and Scott Allie. Art by Michael Walsh, Michael Avon Oeming and Tim Sale.

While it might be nice and sunny as I write this over in Australia, in many parts of the world it’s a wee chilly – especially in Hellboy’s world. This winter special collects three snowy stories from top-notch creators which are sure to warm you up. This also acts as a great way to start reading Hellboy with one of the stories acting as a lead into future issues of Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1953.

Hellboy Winter Special 2016 is available from January 27th.

What Will You Be Reading This January?

Which of these rad comics will you be reading this month? Let me know in the comments below or via Facebook or Twitter.