By Zack Quaintance — The headliner for this list of the Top Comics to Buy for January 26, 2022 — and, really, the headliner for the young year in comics — is Saga #55. This issue marks the return of one of the most popular monthly comics series, as well as my personal favorite, after a hiatus that began all the way back in July 2018 (phew!). And while I haven’t read the new issue yet (no review copies are available until the day of release), my anticipation is so strong it was easily enough to land it as today’s pick of the week.

Check out the full list of top comics to buy for January 26, 2022 below…and enjoy!

Top Comics to Buy for January 26, 2022

PICK OF THE WEEK
Saga #55
Writer: Brian K. Vaughan
Artist: Fiona Staples
Letterer: Fonografiks
Publisher: Image Comics
At long last, Hazel and her star-crossed family are finally back and here to kick off a NEW STORY ARC! So, where the hell have they been? As thanks for fans’ endless patience, the SAGA team is proud to return with a double-length issue—44 pages of story for the regular $2.99 price point—without variant covers or gimmicky renumbering. Just more pulse-punding adventure, heart-wrenching character drama, and gloriously graphic sex and violence, as SAGA begins the second half the series and the most epic chapter yet!
Why It’s Cool: Like I mentioned in my intro, Saga is my personal favorite ongoing comic series and I’ve been waiting for 3 1/2 years for this return. I haven’t read the book yet, but preview material indicates we can expect a time jump and new characters after the devastation of Saga #54. Also, I’m just so excited to see what this book looks like now that the creative team has had time off to miss it and recharge. Expect a full review ASAP on Wednesday morning.
Price: $2.99
Order It: Via Amazon, or digitally via comiXology

Batman/Catwoman Special #1
Writer: Tom King
Artists: John Paul Leon with Bernard Chang, Shawn Crystal, and Mitch Gerads
Colorist: Dave Stewart
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: DC Comics
Some great romances are destined to be. The Batman/Catwoman series shows readers the romance between Bruce Wayne and Selina Kyle as it changed over their lives, but what about their connections from before they became costumed adventurers? This special one-off issue, meticulously illustrated by John Paul Leon (Batman: Creature of the Night), traces the life of Selina Kyle from her earliest days to her entry into the criminal underworld, and reveals that Bruce was actually a presence in her life all along. Whether it was fate or coincidence, this story gives even more reasons why Selina and Bruce’s connection is one of the most enduring love affairs in comics.
Why It’s Cool: This is one of the more touching Batman/Catwoman issues yet, feeling a little bit free from the time-jumping narrative of the main series, but more importantly, this 86-page special makes my list this week because the entire second half of the book is an excellent tribute to the late John Paul Leon, a major comics talent who passed away last year, far too soon.
Price: $9.99
Order It: Via Amazon, or digitally via comiXology

Black Panther #3
Writer: John Ridley
Artists: Juann Cabal, Ibrahim Moustafa. and Juni Ba
Colorist: Matt Milla
Letterer: Joe Sabino
Publisher: Marvel Comics
CELEBRATING THE 200TH ISSUE OF BLACK PANTHER AS T'CHALLA TAKES ON THE X-MEN OF MARS! With assassins closing in and Wakanda's faith in him shaken, T'Challa goes to visit Storm on the newly terraformed Mars. But this will not be a happy reunion, as T'Challa has ulterior motives for his visit. And back home, Shuri discovers who is behind the attacks on Wakanda's secret agents, a revelation that will change everything…
Why It’s Cool: First of all, just look at that cover. It’s fantastic. Second, this new Black Panther series has been excellent, combining a sort of conspiratorial murder thriller with Wakanda and T’Challa. Now, it’s introducing Storm? Great stuff. Finally, this #200th issue (ever) celebration also features an amazing back-up story by cartoonist Juni Ba, who is making some of the freshest comics in recent memory.
Price: $5.99
Order It: Via Amazon, or digitally via comiXology

Ice Cream Man #28
Writer: W. Maxwell Prince
Artist: Martin Morazzo
Colorist: Chris O’Halloran
Letterer: Good Old Neon
Publisher: Image Comics
“THE ETYMOLOGIST RISES”
The term “comic book” is an etymologically confusing one, as they (the comics) are most often not humorous, nor are they in the traditional sense books.
Why It’s Cool: Ice Cream Man is about to go on hiatus until April, but before it does, it delivers another fantastic issue. This one delves into etymology (the study of words), using it’s lead characters obsession with it to play with form in really interesting ways, as this series also does. It’s also another issue that teases elements of the book’s larger cosmic interest, the sinister Ice Cream Man, Ricardus. Great stuff.
Price: $3.99
Order It: Via Amazon, or digitally via comiXology

Monstress #36
Writer: Marjorie Liu
Artist: Sana Takeda
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Publisher: Image Comics
A betrayed Maika hovers near death, and Kippa must navigate the intricate politics of the Dusk Court on her own.
Why It’s Cool: Saga is not the only long-running Image Comics series making a return this week. While it hasn’t been off for nearly as long, Monstress also returns to shelves with its first new issue in several months, picking up where we last left our lead character — poisoned and in a coma. This gives our side characters a chance to shine as the threats in our intricate fantasy world continue to build. Make sure to read that first page recap, sit back, and enjoy. We’ll also have a full review of this one later in the week…
Price: $3.99
Order It: Via Amazon, or digitally via comiXology

Others Receiving Votes

Action Comics #1039
Aquaman/Green Arrow Deep Target #4
Black Hammer Reborn #8
DC Vs. Vampires #4
Death of Doctor Strange #5
Detective Comics #1050
Devil’s Reign #3
Frontiersman #5
Hellboy Silver Lantern Club #4
House of Slaughter #4
Human Target #4
Iron Man #16
Joy Operations #3
Static Season One #5
Superman ‘78 #6

New #1s and One-Shots

Cowboy Bebop #1 (read our full review!)
Devil’s Reign: Winter Soldier #1
Marauders Annual #1
Mary Jane and Black Cat Beyond (One-Shot) #1
Peacemaker: Disturbing the Peace (One-Shot) #1
Star Trek - The Next Generation: Best of Captain Picard
Superman and Robin Special (One-Shot) #1
Usagi Yojimbo: Lone Goat and Kid #1
X Deaths of Wolverine #1

Trade Collections and Graphic Novels of Note

All Star Superman The Deluxe Edition HC
Borders GN
Cruel Summer TP (read our full review!)
Made in Korea TP
Mister Miracle: The Great Escape TP
X-Men Hellfire Gala 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.