09/16/2026
It’s a great day to be a comic book enthusiast! This weekend Vault 35 will be celebrating everything Batman with specials throughout the store all Saturday with special swag and issues along with the Friday release of the Pokémon 30th anniversary set. Creepshow returns for another season of horror stories, and the Fox Mask Killer is available for hire from Image. Batman day is here and so is the team-up we never expected with Batman of Two Worlds and Lobo continues to entertain the masses with his loboness. In Marvel Elektra returns as the woman with no fear while Moon Knight gets a little help from his friends. All of this and more as we’ve got five stacked high ready to fly.
#26> ROUND TWO: G.I. JOE AND NIGHT FORCE WON’T BACK DOWN!
The epic battle between the two teams takes a dangerous turn as a new Joe enters the fight!
Can Baroness’s secret mission stop the war?
(S) Joshua Williamson (A) Tom Reilly
Smurfs Take> So many twists and turns in this story so far and it’s only getting deeper. The question for all of this in my mind is what’s Zartans end game? It’s one thing to cause a little chaos when you’re working for Cobra but that’s not the case. He’s a free agent when you think about it and while the teams pull themselves apart what’s he busy doing and how does the new Joe affect the balance.
: The Shadows Hand #1> Years ago, The Joker trained with the League of Assassins, and when he learned all he could, he slaughtered everyone. But out of the wreckage of what was left came Lady Shiva and her daughter, CASSANDRA CAIN. Learn the origin of the Absolute Universe's most formidable assassin and how her story is one that is intertwined with the world's greatest thief, Selina Kyle, Catwoman!
(S) Che Grayson (A) Matias Bergara
Smurfs Take> I’ve always loved Cassy as Batgirl and for her to get the Absolute treatment is fantastic. We’ve always known she capable of more intense tactics but limits herself because of the Batfam. Now we get to see her without limits and raised by Lady Shiva, this is going to be a blood bath to whoever crosses her path is what I’m thinking. Excited to see the new take on the character.
: #4> A KEY MOMENT IN IIIIARVEL HISTORY AS A NEW CHARACTER TAKES THE STAGE... The Marvel Universe changes forever right here and right now! The Avengers are torn apart as a shocking character makes their debut, setting the stage for November's AVENGERS #1!
(S) Chip Zdarsky (A) Frank Alpizar, Delio Diaz Cespedes
Smurfs Take> New characters all over the shelf this week, and to be fair it’s been a while since we’ve had a new Avenger. The story so far has been what I expected for the Avenger with very little surprises to this point. It’s actually been nice to have a solid Avengers feel series reminiscent of the 80’s that I could really get into and if this is what we have to look forward to in the new title, I’m in.
#4> VENOM ASCENDING! As the war between Hela and Knull gets personal. Tyr unleashes his final weapon on the beleaguered Avengers! Meanwhile. in the Baxter Building, Reed Richards investigates Codex's half-symbiote power... with cataclysmic consequences! Will the end of Venom's golden era coincide with the end of Planet Earth?
(S) Al Ewing (A) Paco Medina
Smurfs Take> Carnage, carnage, and more carnage. The Queen in Black series is moving at a record pace, and I’ve had to revisit a few issues to make sure I have the story right or haven’t missed anything. And while the visuals of the story are good the story feels rushed and choppy in more than a few places. That might also be a Marvel thing as the editors make adjustments, but the core story has been entertaining, and I’ve been happy seeing Hela get the page time she deserves.
#55> A new story arc begins and leads our heroes into the crosshairs of the League of Assassins and their leader, Ra’s al Ghul! Will Talia stand between her father’s goals and her beloved Dark Knight?
(S) Mark Waid (A) Adrian Gutierrez
Smurfs Take> I don’t know what it is, but ever since issue #50 this title has become a big hit for me. I mean, I would always pick it up and it was a good read, but the flow has definitely improved and is just hitting all the right spots that I’m eager for it every month and even discussing with other fans. I haven’t done that concerning this title since Batman rolled Superman on top of a bomb praying to be the man of steel. Moreover, I’m excited to just see a Ra’s story after thinking he’s dead.
Picks from the Vault
#5> At the mercy of Hector Hammond, Black Canary and the Green Arrow Killer finally bear witness to the depraved horrors Hammond has been hiding. But when a horrible sacrifice evens the odds…will Dinah have traded one threat for an even more terrifying danger?
(S) Pornsak Pichetshote (A) Rafael Albuquerque
Smurfs Take> Wellllll, didn’t see that coming and I love it. Every issue has been a gem of a read. I have to say I’m thrilled that I have no idea where this is going and can’t even predict what’s going to happen next. Best of all is how the base of these characters has been built upon and elevated to a level I don’t think any fan ever imagined. Most creative of the Absolute line right here.
#1> THE X-VIRUS UNLEASHED! The X-Men and 3K. Each steered by an original heir of Xavier, each with their own vision for the mutant people. Each at one another's throats. Cyclops and the Chairman both experienced the future of the Age of Revelation and came home with a renewed mission: The X-Men to prevent that future. 3K to own it. While the X-Men seek out the Fantastic Four to help save one of their own, the White Beast begins his plan to unleash the X-Virus in a major population area! EVOLUTION IS CONTAGIOUS!
(S) Jed MacKay (A) Federico Vicentini
Smurfs Take> An interesting take on the future of the X-Men and the surrounding universe. Just from the character designs (White Beast) I think this will be a fun read taking us on a wild What If style ride.
