By Zack Quaintance — This week is one of those odd fifth Wednesdays, which means comic book releases are just a bit curtailed…yet our list for Top Comics to Buy for June 30, 2021 is as strong as any set of books we’ve had all year. In it, you’ll find one of our three favorite debut issues so far this year, with Barbaric #1 (shout out to Blue Flame #1 and Nice House on the Lake #1 for being the other two), as well as a pair of very strong superhero stories along with some of Image’s smartest books.

It is, in other words, a good week…enjoy!

Top Comics to Buy for June 30, 2021

PICK OF THE WEEK
Barbaric #1
Writer: Michael Moreci
Artist: Nathan Gooden
Colorist: Addison Duke
Letterer: Jim Campbell
Publisher: Vault Comics
Owen the Barbarian has been cursed to do good with what remains of his life. His bloodthirsty weapon, Axe, has become his moral compass with a drinking problem. Together they wander the realm, foredoomed to help any who seek assistance. But there is one thing Owen hates more than a life with rules: Witches.
Welcome to the skull-cracking, blood-splattering, mayhem-loving comic brave enough to ask: How can a man sworn to do good do so much violence? Hah! F***ing with you. It’s just…BARBARIC.
Why It’s Cool: First and foremost, this comic rules because the main character wields a talking axe that gets literally drunk on the blood of its foes. On top of that, it’s just a supremely entertaining and well-done comic, one that sort of subverts expectations for mythical and norse comics stories in really interesting, thoughtful ways. Not to spoil things, but we have a review coming for this book later this week, and it just might get a perfect 10, our third such score of the year so far…
Price: $3.99
Buy It Here: Barbaric #1
Read THE definitive Barbaric interview with writer Michael Moreci!

Department of Truth #10
Writer: James Tynion
Artist: Martin Simmonds
Letterer: Aditya Bidikar
Publisher: Image Comics
Some fictions manifest in reality as dangerous, half-formed things. The Department of Truth relies on hunters to track down and contain these wild tulpas before they become too real. It's time for Cole Turner to see this side of the job firsthand. It's time for Cole Turner to join his first Bigfoot hunt.
Why It’s Cool: It might be enough for long-time fans of this series to just say, this is the Bigfoot issue. See, this is a series about the nature of conspiracies, about reality being malleable based on the beliefs of people, and about a clandestine branch of the government (maybe? I feel like the jury is still out on how official the department is…) tasked with investigating all of it. So, of course there is a Bigfoot issue, and you know what? It’s great.
Price: $3.99
Buy It Here: Department of Truth #10

Green Arrow 80th Anniversary Spectacular #1
Writers: Various
Artists: Various
Colorists: Various
Letterers: Various
Publisher: DC Comics
CELEBRATING THE EMERALD ARCHER'S 80TH ANNIVERSARY! For the last eight decades Green Arrow has been one of the premier (and loudest) characters in the DCU, always at the forefront of where the superhero genre is headed. This over-sized anniversary issue follows in those footsteps, as an all-star lineup of Green Arrow creators, alongside some of the gifted creators of the modern era who have been inspired by Oliver Queen, unite to pay tribute to the Battling Bowman. See what the past, present and future have in store for Oliver Queen, Black Canary, Connor Hawke, Arsenal, Red Arrow, Speedy, and more in this epic special!
Why It’s Cool: Long-time readers of the site probably know that I tend to scoff at die-hard fans of one corporate-owned superhero character, and yet, I myself am a die-hard fan of all things Green Arrow (hey, what can I say? people are complex), which means this week was a special treat for me. Why’s that? Well, because DC Comics is releasing the Green Arrow 80th Anniversary Spectacular #1, which delivers 100 pages of Green Arrow stories, and you know what? Friends, this stories are actually good! Highly recommend this one, even if you’re not a giant Green Arrow fan as I am.
Price: $9.99
Buy It Here: Green Arrow 80th Anniversary Spectacular #1

Made in Korea #2
Writer: Jeremy Holt
Artist: George Schall
Letterer: Adam Wollet
Publisher: Image Comics
SETUP DOESN’T WORK
To fix setup issues with your Proxy:
Check that your child is on.
Check that your child is connected to Wi-Fi.
Reboot your child.
Reset your child to its factory settings:
1. Press and hold the Action button (behind left ear).
2. Wait until the light ring turns green (about 25 seconds).
Why It’s Cool: I absolutely loved Made in Korea #1, and I’m happy to report that the book remains excellence through this second issue. The original well-done premise of the first issue remains, made even poignant here by Jesse’s desire to go to school…entirely to make friends and try to fit in. Add in an interesting corporate subplot and a great last-page cliffhanger…and you’ve got a very strong second chapter for a great new book.
Price: $3.99
Buy It Here: Made in Korea #2

United States of Captain America #1
Writer: Christopher Cantwell with Josh Trujillo
Artist: Dale Eaglesham with Jan Bazaldua
Colorist: Matt Milla
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
The shield has been stolen! No one understands the value of the shield like those who’ve wielded it, so Steve Rogers and Sam Wilson set out on a road trip across America to chase down the thief. But instead, they find the Captains, everyday people from all walks of life who’ve taken up the mantle of Captain America to defend their communities. And for some reason, the shield thief wants them all dead. Can Sam and Steve get to them first? Christopher Cantwell and Dale Eaglesham lead a can’t-miss miniseries to celebrate Captain America’s 80th Anniversary, joined by a rotating series of creative teams to tell the stories of each new Captain—starting with Aaron Fischer, the Captain America of the railways, brought to life by Josh Trujillo and Jan Bazaldua!
Why It’s Cool: I absolutely loved this first part of a five-part Captain America story, the concept of which involves new people across the country taking up the shield and the mantle of Captain America all on their own. It’s a powerful concept, one of those superhero stories that is wholly new and interesting, yet rooted in its character in a way that makes you wonder why it’s never been done before. My only complaint here is that this is only a contained five-issue series and not the start of a brand new ongoing Cap book. It’s that good.
Price: $4.99
Buy It Here: United States of Captain America #1

Others Receiving Votes

• 20 Fists #3

• Beta Ray Bill #4

• Canto and the City of Giants #3

• Daredevil #31

• ENIAC #4

• Money Shot #12

• Monstress #35

• Shang-Chi #2

• That Texas Blood #7 (read our interview with the creators!)

• Undone by Blood: The Other Side of Eden #4

• Vampire The Masquerade #9

• Witchblood #4

New #1s and One-Shots

• Batman and Scooby-Doo Mysteries Extravaganza #1

• Black Cat Annual #1

• Buffy the Vampire Slayer Tea Time #1

• Catwoman Annual #1

• Giant-Size Amazing Spider-Man Chameleon Conspiracy #1

• Godzilla vs. Hedorah #1

• Infinite Frontier Secret Files #1

• Mighty Crusaders #1

• Parsomnia #1

• Teen Titans Academy Yearbook 2021

• Usagi Yojimbo Dragon Bellows Conspiracy #1

• White #1

Trade Collections and Graphic Novels of Note

• Batman by John Ridley Deluxe Edition HC

• Chibi Usagi: Attack of the Heebi Chibis GN

• EC Archives: Saddle Justice HC

• Everyone is Tulip TP

• Future State Superman TP

• Kane and Able TP (read our interview with Shaky Kane!)

• My Own World TP

• Reign of X Vol. 1 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.