By Zack Quaintance — There really is nothing like a good Friday, when after a hard work week I spend most of my morning browsing the best comiXology sales so that I can offer a robust list to all of you for weekend reading. This week, I’ve got more Greg Rucka, my favorite comic from Dawn of X, manga that had a giant influence on pop culture, and more. You can check out my full list of picks below…enjoy!

Best comiXology Sales: Weekend of April 23, 2021

Black Magick, Vol. 1 - Vol. 3
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Nicola Scott
Publisher: Image Comics
Detective Rowan Black works robbery/homicide for the Portsmouth PD, but her greatest mystery is the truth about herself...both who she has been, and who she will become. Yet there are others in Rowan's world with very long memories, and the power that one person holds, another will always covet. PLUS, each issue also features an all-new work of original fiction by GREG RUCKA! A new gothic-noir ongoing series about legacy, destiny, redemption...and the price of magic.
Why It’s Cool: This book is such a great collaboration between two of my favorite creators. In it, they deliver a story that feels both real and fantastical…and relentlessly driven by a rich central character. One of my favorite touches in this book is the way that most of the world exists in monochrome…right up to the point that magic appears and imbues it all with bright colors. It’s a great story and a great use of the comics medium.
Price: $18.97 for all three
Buy Them Here: Black Magick, Vol. 1; Black Magick, Vol. 2; and Black Magick, Vol. 3

Hellions, Vol. 1
Writer: Zeb Wells
Artist: Stephen Segovia
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Bad is the new good! When the new nation of Krakoa opened its doors to all mutants and forgave all past crimes, its leaders knew they’d have to accept some of their worst foes into the fold — but they didn’t plan for what to do with them. Not to worry — Mister Sinister has his own ideas for the troublemakers. Meet his new Hellions: Scalphunter, Wild Child, Empath, Nanny, Orphan-Maker, Psylocke…and Havok?! They’re the new mutant team you’re going to hate to love! Though right now the Hellions can barely keep from killing one another. Of course, that might be just what Mister Sinister is counting on when he sends them to clean up his messes! But can this dysfunctional new squad handle the return of the grand dame of the damned: the Goblin Queen, Madelyne Pryor?!
Why It’s Cool: I made a joke on Twitter the other day that suggested House of X / Powers of X was an extended introduction for the landmark comic, Hellions. It was just usual Twitter goofiness, but the kernel of truth to it is that Hellions is actually my favorite of all of the Dawn of X line of X-Men comics, barring just the main book itself. It’s a really really good comic, one that I think more fans (especially those who enjoy the X-Men), should be checking out.
Price: $2.99
Buy It Here: Hellions, Vol. 1

Ironheart, Vol. 1 - Vol. 2
Writer: Eve Ewing
Artist: Luciano Vecchio
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Riri Williams steps boldly out of Tony Stark's shadow to forge her own future! When one of Spider-Man's old foes holds a group of world leaders hostage, Ironheart must up her game. Luckily, Riri has a will of steel, a heart of iron and a new A.I. on her side! Unluckily, the search for a kidnapped friend will send her stumbling into an ancient power — and it's deadly! Plus: When Miles Morales goes missing, who better to search for him than his fellow Champion Riri? And more amazing friends join the fun — including Nadia Van Dyne, the unstoppable Wasp! The Sorcerer Supreme, Doctor Strange! And Princess Shuri of Wakanda! But can Riri and her allies stop the sinister Ten Rings and their plans for destruction?
Why It’s Cool: It may have only lasted 12 issues, but this brief run about Ironheart Riri Williams was an absolute delight. It also did all the things you want a comic about a teen legacy hero to do, building out the new protagonist’s own world in a way that felt unique and additive. There are new side characters, new interests, and great new frenemy villains. It’s also a really good-looking book.
Price: $3.99 per volume, or $7.98 total
Buy Them Here: Ironheart Vol. 1, and Ironheart Vol. 2

Transformers, The Manga Vol. 1 - Vol. 3
Writer: Masumi Kaneda
Artist: Ban Magami
Publisher: Viz
The Autobots and the Decepticons have been locked in a brutal civil war for eons, and now their battle has come to Earth! The Autobots seek peace and coexistence, while the Decepticons seek power and control. Earth and its populace are caught in the middle as these mighty factions go head-to-head. Transformers took the world by storm shortly after their debut, and these previously uncollected stories were a vital part of that takeover!
Why It’s Cool: This is my favorite era of Transformers, right around/leading up to the 1986 Transformers: The Movie. And these volumes of manga are perhaps the central texts for that era, responsible for so much of the story and the characters as we know them today. These three books are a must for Transformers fans, as well as an interesting curiosity to pop culture aficionados who pay attention to how mythos develops.
Price: $11.99 each, or $35.97 for all three
Buy Them Here: Transformers, The Manga Vol. 1; Transformers, The Manga Vol. 2; and Transformers, The Manga Vol. 3

The Wrong Earth, Vol. 1; with Dragonfly and Dragonflyman, Vol. 1
Writer: Tom Peyer
Artists: Jamal Igle and Peter Krause
Publisher: AHOY Comics
On dark, gritty Earth-Omega, masked vigilante Dragonfly punishes evil maniacs and evades corrupt authorities. On sun-splashed Earth-Alpha, costumed crook-catcher Dragonflyman upholds the letter of the law. Now they're trapped on each other's worlds, where even the good guys don't share their values! This volume also collects all the original Stinger and Dragonflyman backup stories, plus extra behind-the-scenes features.
Why It’s Cool: This book is exhibit one for what AHOY Comics does best — create relentlessly-clever comics predicated on ideas that love the absurdity of the medium but don’t feel condescending. It’s just such a good read for anyone who’s been involved with comics for some time, and now you can get it with the follow-up companion series, Dragonfly and Dragonflyman, Vol. 1
Price: $18.48 for both
Buy Them Here: Wrong Earth, Vol. 1; and Dragonfly and Dragonflyman, Vol. 1

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.