It’s Wednesday so that means New Comic Book Day! What did you get this week of August 27, 2025?
Here’s what I got this week, I’ll name my favorite at the bottom as I go through my purchases for the week!
Superman #29 (Legacy #872)
As we saw in the preview for this issue, Superboy-Prime is back and he’s intent on teaming up with the Man of Steel. The is a very good issue that utilizes Superboy-Prime very well, until it doesn’t. For fans of the Legion of Super-Heroes, this is a must buy. Joshua Williamson does a nice job as he recounts Superman’s time with the Legion. Additionally, having Superboy-Prime function with the perspective of the reader works well. For readers who have the memory of the same books that are referenced there is a genuine connection. It’s amusing that he gets to mention his own redemption arc. His expectation of how things will play out as the Super-duo go on a hunt for Booster Gold also brings a smile to my face- yes, a Legion of Three Worlds type team up would be epic and amazing! If there’s a drawback to this issue it’s Prime’s heel turn at the end. Is this misdirection or is Williamson just going back to the ground floor with this character? His redemption arc was enjoyable, so I’m hoping that this misdirection.
Green Lantern # 26 (Legacy #593)
The plot moves forward here, but I feel a little lost (maybe it’s because I missed Part II of the Starbreaker crossover in Green Lantern Corps!). There’s not doubt that this title is heading for something big in the impending #600 anniversary issue as Jeremy Adams continues to rebuild the Corps itself and the lore surrounding it. There’s some exciting stuff in this issue as Hal, Carol, Sinestro, Kilowog etc. ride giant Spectrum Avatars like dragons. Say it again. It’s a good issue, but maybe needs a little more character beats.
Action Comics #23 (Facsimile Edition)
This facsimile features the first appearance of Lex Luthor. Way back in 1940 Luthor wasn’t bald, but a redhead! And, interestingly like his appearance in James Gunn’s Superman, he’s behind the conflict of two fictitious warring nations. An issue like this is enjoyed for its historical importance, and as a look back into the past to see what comics were like then. What’s outstanding about these facsimile editions is the inclusion of the advertisements both paid and company promotions of other DC Comics at the time, but more importantly it contains ALL the stories from the issue. While the Superman story with Luthor has been reprinted elsewhere, this facsimile editions contains some that have never been published. I’ll bet none of the other stories have ever been reprinted- Zatarra, Tex Thompson, Clip Carson, The Black Pirate…. Readers get a chance to experience what comics were like in the Golden Age as well as see artists like Sheldon Moldoff and Fred Guardineer.
Incredible Hulk #28 (Legacy #809)
Phillip Kennedy Johnson’s Hulk epic begins another chapter with this issue. After a change of pace issue last month, this comic sees Hulk revisiting some beats from earlier in the run that come together to set Hulk off on the next step in this long form story. I only get two Marvel books right now, and this has been an enjoyable series. It plays into the horror elements which seems to fit the Hulk- I mean that goes back to his first appearance in Incredible Hulk #1 in 1962. The Eldest pulls from a lot of horror influences which are used effectively. The end of this issue promises the origin of Eldest next month with a dangling carrot of Betty Ross as well. I’m a sucker for reunions and reconciliation.
Ultimate Spider-Man #20
My interest in this title has always been one thing- Peter and M.J. as a married couple with kids. “Brand New Day” derailed Peter and M.J.’s life leaving Peter stuck in a rut of not being able to grow and actually feeling regressed. He should be at least as old as Dick Grayson, right? Maybe a little older even? This title started out delivering on what I wanted. While this issue does address some very real issues for Mary Jane concerning Peter’s life as Spider-Man and how it affects their relationship and their family, the whole storyline with Gwen Stacy as part of a family of Mysterio’s just takes me out of it. The different status quo with Uncle Ben alive and working with J. Jonah Jameson continues to work and be interesting, but the overarching story with Gwen, the Mysterio’s, the whole villain plot just isn’t that interesting. I’m kind of glad that Hickman is ending this at issue #24, I think he’s much more interested in the world events in this series than the lives of Peter and family.
So what was my favorite of the week?
There have been a number of times that Ultimate Spider-Man has been on the top of the reading stack, but the direction of the series has compromised what I had been enjoying about it. Incredible Hulk and Green Lantern are good this week, but no where near the best these series have offered over the past two years. While the facsimile of Action Comics #23 is a real treat and a fascinating look at the early Golden Age of Comics, Superman #29 gets the pick of my favorite for the week of August 27, 2025.
What about you? What are you reading? What are you buying?
