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Summer 2020 Comic Book Reading List

July 21, 2020

Catch some rays in the summertime sunshine and catch up on these new and ongoing comic stories – there’s no better way to spend your time in lockdown. There’s some movie/TV tie-ins, alternate stories from the comic world’s most popular publishers, and more Archie crossovers than you ever could imagine. So read this list, contact your local comic-shop to stock up – they will LOVE you for it – and get your comic-on (geddit? Comic-On, Comic-Con? Ah, nevermind).

DC Comics has a few offerings for those seeking something a bit different from the usual Justice League or Detective Comics stories. Following on from the success of 2019’s DCeased, we see members of Earth 2’s alternative Justice League return to a dead planet in a new mini-series, DCeased Dead Planet #1 (of 6), created by the same team behind the first series, Tom Taylor and Trevor Hairsine. Lois Lane’s tale of conspiracy and murder reaches its climax in Lois Lane #12, created by Greg Rucka and Mike Perkins. And why not catch up on Gerard Way, Jeremy Lambert and Nick Derington’s Doom Patrol: Weight of the Worlds, with issue #7 out now. The world’s strangest superheroes go beyond time and space in this original series.

Covers: DC Comics

Marvel Comics have new series Empyre Fantastic Four and 2020 iWolverine, and Conan Battle For The Serpent Crown #3 sees the series halfway through its mini-run. Doctor Strange, Marvels X, Strange Academy, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Spider-Woman only have a few issues out too, if you’re looking to mini-binge something new. And, it wouldn’t be summer without a Marvel Comic event, as 2020’s sees X-Men, Fantastic Four, and The Avengers team up to battle the newly combined Kree and Skrulls, in Empyre.

Onto the TV tie-ins: While you’re waiting for season four, Stranger Things: Into the Fire #1-4 will satisfy cravings as a great companion story. Written by Jody Houser, with art by Ryan Kelly, Le Beau L. Underwood, and Triona Farrell, we’re introduced to two of Dr. Brenner’s former subjects after their escape from Hawkins Lab, on their search for Nine, a powerful pyrokinetic whose shattered psyche poses a great threat to humanity.

Another Netflix series, while fans are devastated by the news that Chilling Adventures will end after its fourth season, they can get their Sabrina fix in the reprint of Sabrina the Teenage Witch: Something Wicked #1-4. Created by Kelly Thompson and Veronica & Andy Fish, the second volume of the series sees the teenage witch trapped in a love triangle, struggle with the mortal/witch balance, face blackmail, and find out the people she’s been relying on maybe can’t be trusted after all. The joys of teenage life. Keep reading for a deeper dive into the Archieverse.

Fans of the Whedonverse can sink their fangs into Buffy the Vampire Slayer Willow #1. Buffy’s bestie has gone to a new school, and for the first time is facing all kinds of issues on her own, with only her powers to protect her. Written by Mariko Tamaki, with art by Natacha Bustos.

And while you’re at it, you should probably catch up on the entire Buffy series, which sees modernized versions of the characters known and loved from the iconic TV series face new (and old!) challenges.

Covers: Dark Horse / Archie Comics / BOOM! Studios

Everyone’s favorite anxious grandson/alcoholic grandfather duo, Rick and Morty, face the Dark Lord himself in Rick and Morty Go to Hell, written by Ryan Ferrier and with art by Constanza Oroza.

Now, as promised, a sample of Archieverse cross-overs for your reading pleasure: Red Sonja And Vampirella Meet Betty And Veronica reaches its penultimate issue #12 in this Dynamite series, but that’s just a recent scratch on the surface of this never-ending multiverse. Your local comic vendor might think you’re crazy for putting these on your pull list, but these are crazy times we’re in after all (or, you could save some awkwardness and order them on Amazon). Archie Meets Batman ‘66 (2019) sees the Riverdale hero meet Adam West’s infamous Batman, while Archie vs. Predator II (2019) comes as the sequel to 2015’s Archie vs. Predator, and sees the iconic trophy-hunting alien land in Riverdale and stalk Archie and co. 2015 also saw the gang battle killer storms in Archie vs. Sharknado, a tie-in with the third movie in the OTT stoner-action-movie franchise. In recent years, Archie’s crew have also hung out with Kiss, Tegan & Sara, Blondie, and CHVRCHES to name a few.

Covers: Dynamite Entertainment / Archie Comics

So what are you waiting for? Brush off that Cheetos dust, put on some real clothes (read: not your pajamas!), grab your face mask, and give your local comic shop a visit and ask for some of these epic titles. Or send them a tweet/email/message and you might be able to get them delivered to your door. And, don’t forget, July 15th through September 9th is Free Comic Book Summer, so you can also grab some of those titles while you’re at it!