By Zack Quaintance — We’re on the homestretch here with the Top Comics to Buy for December 29, 2021, the second to last entry in this weekly series of the year (and maybe the last, because I’ll be travelling next year and we’ll see…). It’s a good bunch though, and I’m excited to talk about them. Also exciting? The Best Comics of 2021 - Staff Picks list, which is slated to go up on the site tomorrow and having seen the picks I can tell you, it’s real real good.

Anyway, on to the list…enjoy!

Top Comics to Buy for December 22, 2021

PICK OF THE WEEK
Catwoman - Lonely City #2
Everything By: Cliff Chiang
If Selina Kyle is going to break into the Batcave at her advanced age, she’s going to need a crew to help…and luckily for her, some of Gotham’s craftiest former villains have time on their hands and bills to pay. But who is the mysterious OGBeast? And with political pressure mounting, how long will Mayor Harvey Dent let this cat stay out of the big house?
Why It’s Cool: Like I said above, we’ve got all kinds of Best of 2021 coverage coming, and I don’t think it’s much of a spoiler to say that Catwoman - Lonely City will feature prominently within it. Now halfway finished with the advent of this issue, this story is shaping up to be one of the best Batman comics in years, driven by a mix of great ideas, Chiang’s vast talents as an illustrator, and an attention to detail that makes this an incredibly immersive read. Grab this book (and the first issue if you somehow missed it), and enjoy.
Price: $6.99
Buy It Here: Catwoman - Lonely City #2

House of Slaughter #3
Story By: James Tynion IV and Tate Brombal
Script By: Tate Brombal
Artist: Chris Shehan
Colorist: Miquel Muerto
Letterer: Andworld Design
Publisher: BOOM! Studios
As the House leaders discuss the fate of "the Last Butcher", Aaron and Jace escape the watchful eye of Helen and the White Masks and sneak into the forbidden outreaches of Chicago.
Then, in the present-day, Aaron finally comes face-to-face with the monster that he's been tracking...which is much more powerful than expected.
Why It’s Cool: This book just continues to do such a great job expanding the world of Something Is Killing The Children, while at the same time standing on its own as an excellent character-driven story.
Price: $3.99
Buy It Here: House of Slaughter #3

Iron Man #15
Writer: Christopher Cantwell
Artist: Ibraim Roberson
Colorist: Frank D’Armata
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
IRON MAN HAS BECOME THE IRON GOD!
Only trouble is Korvac has once again become cosmic as well. Their conflict now spills out across the universe as both newly nigh-invincible entities vie for absolute dominance. What does it look like when two massive egos with celestial-sized abilities duke it out? What kind of havoc does it cause as they tear through galaxies and dimensions? And how can a handful of tiny humans stop them in hope of saving their old friend Tony Stark?
Why It’s Cool: For starters, just check out that cover. It’s so good. But also? this entire run is so good, just the best kind of mash-up of what sci-fi and superhero stories can bring to the adventure genre. It’s also filled with great nods to Marvel Universe continuity. Put simply, I love this run so much.
Price: $3.99
Buy It Here: Iron Man #15

Joy Operations #2
Writer: Brian Michael Bendies
Artist: Stephen Byrne
Letterer: Josh Reed
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics - Jinxworld
It's the second big chapter of the fiercely-ambitious new sci fi odyssey: Joy Operations.
Fifty-five years from now. Joy is an EN.VOI. A special agent of one of the Jonando Trust. Trusts are corporate-owned cities that are the centerpiece of modern society. She rights wrongs for the trust. She is excellent. Perfection. Hard on herself. Driven. Almost legendary in some parts. Except now she has this voice in her head that is not her. Either Joy is losing her grip or an EN.VOI from a neighboring trust has entered her consciousness to get her to betray her cause.
Joy is pissed off. Really really pissed off.
Why It’s Cool: Joy Operations #1 (which I enjoyed quite a bit) did a great job of introducing us to the sci-fi world of this story and its lead character. Now Joy Operations #2 gets to kick our story into full gear, and it’s a whole lot of good times.
Price: $3.99
Buy It Here: Joy Operations #2

That Texas Blood #13
Writer: Chris Condon
Artist: Jacob Phillips
Publisher: Image Comics
"WHAT BUSTER GREER GOT FOR CHRISTMAS"
At the office Christmas party in 1981, Sheriff Sam Cooper spins a ghostly yarn about the low-down scoundrel Buster Greer.
Why It’s Cool: One of the best comics of the year is doing a holiday-themed issue, one that blends the season with all the themes and storytelling motifs the book has done so well throughout its run. More of this in comics, please. And the best part is that this issue a great and relatively self-contained read. Overall, it’s just a really nice cap on what has been a stellar year for one of 2021’s true breakout indie comics. Pick up this issue if you’ve been a fan of the book, but also if you’re looking for a neo-noir crime comic story that speaks to this time of the year.
Price: $3.99
Buy It Here: That Texas Blood #13

Others Receiving Votes

Amazing Spider-Man #82
Black Hammer Reborn #7
Black Panther #2
Catwoman #38
Hellboy: Silver Lantern Club #3
Justice League Incarnate #2
Kang The Conqueror #5
Maw #4
Moon Knight #6
Nightwing #87
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #6
S.W.O.R.D. #11
Time Before Time #8
Venom #3
Wonder Woman: Evolution #2

New #1s and One-Shots

Avengers Forever #1
Batman: One Dark Knight #1
Darkhold Spider-Man #1
King Conan #1
Ms. Marvel: Beyond The Limit #1
Wastelanders Hawkeye #1 (One-Shot)

Trade Collections and Graphic Novels of Note

Barbaric Vol. 1 Murdarable Offenses HC
Copra Round Six
Enigma Definitive Edition HC
George Sprott HC
Hellboy Universe Essentials BPRD TP
Post Americana 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.