By Zack Quaintance — Ah yeah, once again here we are with the Top Comics to Buy for February 24, 2021, and you know what? It’s another of these lists that features books from a wide variety of publishers, including both of the Big 2, Image, and upstart AfterShock. It is, simply put, a very good week for smart comics, be it in terms of satire (Superman vs. Imperious Lex) or with high-concept sci-fi (X-Men).

Enjoy!

Top Comics to Buy for February 24, 2021

PICK OF THE WEEK
Future State: Superman Vs. Imperious Lex #2
Writer: Mark Russell
Artist: Steve Pugh
Colorist: Romula Fajardo, Jr.
Letterer: Carlos M. Mangual
Publisher: DC Comics
It’s really happening: Lexor has joined the United Planets! While surveying, Lois Lane and Superman discover that the planet is rich in minerals, causing Lex Luthor to try and exit the federation to make a pretty penny! Realizing he can’t leave without agreement from Earth, he imprisons Lois Lane, then whips up the propaganda machine against Superman. Now the power couple must work together to break free and stop Luthor’s plans! But how can they fight a whole planet that’s designed to hate them?
Why It’s Cool: Future State: Superman Vs. Imperious Lex is not only one of the best comics within Future State, it’s also becoming of the best Superman comics of our recent era. It’s just so good, excellently-depicting so many things that make Superman one of my favorite characters in fiction, especially his relationships, from Lois Lane to Lex Luthor to with the wider united planets. Part of me wishes this were an ongoing book (it’s three issues, total), but another part of me is just so grateful we’re getting a new Superman comic this good.
Price: $3.99
Read It Digitally: Superman vs. Imperious Lex #2 on comiXology
Buy It Physically: Superman vs. Imperious Lex #2 via Amazon

Department of Truth #6
Writer: James Tynion IV
Artist: Elsa Charretier
Colorist: Matt Hollingsworth
Letterer: Aditya Bidikar
Publisher: Image Comics
Acclaimed artist ELSA CHARRETIER (NOVEMBER) joins JAMES TYNION IV (Batman) and THE DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH to uncover the deep tangled roots of the Department of Truth—roots that stretch as far back as the Middle Ages. What is the Inquisition? Who are the Illuminati? And what is the truth behind the Phantom Time Hypothesis?
Why It’s Cool: I don’t keep (careful) track of this sort of thing, but I think we as a site have collectively heaped more accolades on Department of Truth than any other series debut in the past year, and the reason is that this is a complex comic that comments on our times without ever feeling exploitative or gratuitous. Every issue is also relentlessly well-done and this one is no exception, featuring as it does guest artwork from the uber talented Elsa Charretier. Don’t miss out on this comic.
Price: $3.99
Read It Digitally: Department of Truth #6 on comiXology
Read the First Trade Physically: Department of Truth Vol. 1

I Breathed a Body #2
Writer: Zac Thompson
Artist: Andy MacDonald
Colorist: Triona Farrell
Letterer: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
Publisher: AfterShock Comics
A science fiction horror series about social media, big tech and influencer culture.
As the world reels from the most depraved livestream ever put online, Anne and her co-workers lean into the violence. Horrific appetites are revealed, death is made into spectacle, and the world changes in an instant. Step behind the curtain of online outrage to see the people pulling the strings. Become those who push the limits of what’s acceptable, deny responsibility and make billions in the process.
Why It’s Cool: I Breathed a Body #1 was one of the best debut comics of 2021 so far, and this second issue brings the intensity, razor sharp commentary, and tinges of body horror that made the first issue alternately thought-provoking and disturbing. If you like your comics unpredictable, well-done, and important, this is the book for you.
Price: $3.99
Read It Digitally: I Breathed a Body #2 on comiXology
Read Zac Thompson Comics Physically: The Lonely Receiver

Ice Cream Man #23
Writer: W. Maxwell Prince
Artist: Martin Morazzo
Colorist: Chris O’Halloran
Letterer: Good Old Neon
Publisher: Image Comics
“LATE NIGHT SPLASHES”
Here, in writing, is our best attempt at describing the terrible incident that occurred on the set of Tonight, Tonight with Mack Benson.
Why It’s Cool: If Department of Truth is the book that we as a site have collectively heaped the most praise on, Ice Cream Man is the book that I personally have singled out as my favorite, naming it my favorite comic of both 2019 and 2020. Well, now in 2021 it’s uncontested title as heavyweight champion of my favorite comics continues, with yet another issue that blends formalistic experimentation with poignant storytelling. I was a bit hesitant with this prose-heavy issue, just because I think the vast majority of comics writers tend to struggle when shifting out of visual medium, but W. Maxwell Prince could clearly be working in prose if he so choose. Just a great read start to finish.
Price: $3.99
Buy It Digitally: Ice Cream Man #23
Buy Physical Trade Collections: Ice Cream Man Vol. 1

X-Men #18
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Mahmud Asrar
Colorist: Sunny Gho
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Marvel Comics
INSIDE THE VAULT!
It's been a long time since the team went into the vault. A long time.
Why It’s Cool: Several issues back in this X-Men comic, a team of X-Men went into a time vault as part of writer Jonathan Hickman’s mad genius seeding for future plot points amid the excellent Krakoa era re-invention of the franchise. Now, that group (which includes most notably Laura Kinney Wolverine) is coming out. That’s it. That’s why it’s cool. It’s going to be great.
Price: $3.99
Buy It Digitally: X-Men #18 via comiXology
Buy X-Men Trades Physically: Giant-Sized X-Men by Jonathan Hickman Vol. 1

Others Receiving Votes

• Batman Black and White #3

• Black Panther #23

• Crimson Flower #2

• Edgar Allan Poe Snifter of Blood #5

• Future State: Aquaman #2

• Future State: Batman and Superman #2

• Future State: Dark Detective #4

• Magnificent Ms. Marvel #18

• Monstress #32

• New Mutants #16

• Post Americana #3

• Skulldigger and Skeleton Boy #6

• Something is Killing the Children #15

• Usagi Yojimbo: Wanderer’s Road #4

New #1s and One-Shots

• Captain Marvel: Marvels Snapshots #1

• Future State: House of El One-Shot

• Generations Forged One-Shot

• Marvel Voices Legacy One-Shot

• Nuclear Family #1

• Stray Dogs #1

• Two Moons #1

Trade Collections and Graphic Novels

• Faithless II TP

• From Hell Master Edition HC

• Department of Truth Vol. 1 TP

• Girl Haven TP

• November Vol. 4 HC

• Nubia Real One TP

• Superman by Grant Morrison Omnibus HC

• Swamp Thing: The Bronze Age Vol. 3

• Write It In Blood TP (read our review!)

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.