By Zack Quaintance — The Top Comics to Buy for November 24, 2021, is a non-Big 2 heavy list, which is always a little more fun (and less predictable). Headlining the group is the new Jinxworld title from writer Brian Michael Bendis and artist Stephen Byrne. That new beginning aside, this group also features some great endings (for now), and some new Chris Samnee comics.

It’s all good things, and you can check out the full list below — enjoy!

Top Comics to Buy for November 24, 2021

PICK OF THE WEEK
Joy Operations #1
Writer: Brian Michael Bendis
Artist: Stephen Byrne
Letterer: Joshua Reed
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
To celebrate this big, new partnership; Jinxworld and Dark Horse are proud to present the debut of a fiercely ambitious, science-fiction odyssey: Joy Operations. Brian Michael Bendis, the New York Times bestselling, Peabody and multi-Eisner award winning co-creator of Miles Morales, Naomi, Jessica Jones, and Powers, teams up with scorching hot comics sensation Stephen Byrne (Wonder Twins, Legion of Superheroes) for their very first creator-owned blockbuster series. 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. Until one day a voice pops in her head trying to get her to betray everything she has ever believed. This meticulously-designed Akira meets All of Me journey shows us a new future like only comics can. All this and also an exclusive look behind-the-scenes and a look forward to other Jinxworld projects coming exclusively to Dark Horse.
Why It’s Cool: Brian Michael Bendis’ long-running creator-owned imprint, Jinxworld, is now moving to Dark Horse Comics (after starting at Image and making stops at first Marvel and most-recently DC), and while all the existing titles will be coming along — Powers, Pearl, and probably Scarlett, too — the first book to see print at Dark Horse is this week’s Stephen Byrne collaboration, Joy Operations. And friends, it’s pretty good. This book does a lot of things that comics can get bogged down in — there are full pages of talking heads, and the entire thing is largely reliant on a mysterious inner monologue — but Byrne’s artwork is so damn stylish and good, it all works. This book also sees Bendis doing something I’d been hoping for for a while — writing an older character with a whole lot of experience, much like the writer himself has become.
Price: $3.99
More Info: Joy Operations #1

Decorum #8
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Mike Huddleston
Letterer: Rus Wooton
Designer: Sasha E. Head
Publisher: Image Comics
There are many assassins in the known universe. This is the story of the most well-mannered one.
"You can get through a kill with bad manners, but it's easier with good manners."
Why It’s Cool: This book has taken more visual risks than any mainstream monthly comic in recent memory, armed as it is with fascinating and versatile Mike Huddleston artwork, plus top-tier production design by the great Sasha E. Head (who also just so happened to design the branding and logos for this very website — anyway!). What also make this book work really well is a preternatural knack for playfully teasing out the greatest strengths of that Huddleston artwork by writer Jonathan Hickman. Simply put, nobody on this title is playing it safe, and that makes for some truly compelling comics when the talent level of the creative team is as high as it is on this book.
Price: $4.99
More Info: Decorum #8

Iron Man #14
Writer: Christopher Cantwell
Artist: Cafu with Angel Unzueta
Colorist: Frank D’Armata
Letterer: Joe Caramagna
Publisher: Marvel Comics
BEHOLD THE BIRTH OF COSMIC IRON MAN! Iron Man has tasted a higher power and is forever changed. Moments before, he was locked in mortal combat with his worst adversary in years — KORVAC — but now he finds his very existence altered beyond recognition. Indeed, fundamental concepts like space and time have taken on a new meaning. But what does this portend for Tony Stark, a man who even when stripped bare feels he knows best? What happens when his ego — often challenged, condemned and even derided by both foes and friends — is suddenly given a limitless avenue? It could certainly mean radical and drastic change for the entire universe…and reality itself.
Why It’s Cool: I simply will not rest until this book gets its due. It’s so good, such a perfect ideal of what we should all want in superhero comics — complex character work, interesting gigantic sci-fi ideas, and a reverence for continuity that always feels earned without over-dictating storytelling decisions. This issue is yet another must-read, introducing readers to cosmic Iron Man, and it’s awesome.
Price: $3.99
More Info: Iron Man #14

Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters #2
Writers: Chris Samnee and Laura Samnee
Artist: Chris Samnee
Colorist: Matthew Wilson
Letterer: Crank!
Publisher: Oni Press
The road to finding your family can be long and...slimy?! Still on the road looking for their missing father, Rainbow and Jonna take an unexpected detour through some very ooky monster-created tunnels.
Why It’s Cool: Armed with Chris Samnee’s kinetic artwork, this book has been a blast from its start. What I’ve liked about the second arc even past that, however, is that this book has been evolving, going from its somewhat sunny premise to something much more interesting, much more character-driven and almost surprising from issue to issue. Simply put, this book is what a good monthly comics reading experience is all about.
Price: $3.99
More Info: Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters #8

That Texas Blood #12
Writer: Christopher Condon
Artist: Jacob Phillips
Publisher: Image Comics
“EVERSAUL, 1981,” Part Six
The “EVERSAUL, 1981” storyline ENDS here! Joe Bob wrestles the ghosts of the past as he recounts the frightening conclusion of the Cult of Night’s ritual.
Why It’s Cool: This issue marks a finale for what has been a very strong second arc, arguably stronger than the first arc that established this book as one of the best new indie titles in recent years. We’ve had damn near every issue in this arc on this list, but it’s a really interesting flashback structure combined with the minimalistic storytelling sensibilities and focus on setting that have made this such a rewarding comic to follow month-to-month since it launched.
Price: $3.99
More Info: That Texas Blood #12

Others Receiving Votes

Amazing Spider-Man #79
Aquaman/Green Arrow Deep Target #2
Black Hammer Reborn #6
Death of Doctor Strange #3
Deathstroke Inc #3
Detective Comics #1045
Echolands #4
Hellboy Silver Lantern Club #2
House of Slaughter #2
Human Remains #3
Killer Queens #4
Robin #8
Time Before Time #7
Usagi Yojimbo #24
X-Men #5

New #1s and One-Shots

Black Panther #1
Friday #1 (LCSD Edition)
Grrl Scouts Stone Ghost #1
Hawkeye Kate Bishop #1
Hulk #1
Star Wars Life Day #1
X-Force Killshot Anniversary #1

Trade Collections and Graphic Novels of Note

Batman By Scott Snyder & Greg Capullo Omnibus Vol 2 HC
Fine Print Vol. 1 GN
Kull the Destroyer Original Marvel Years Omnibus
Leonard Cohen On A Wire HC
Reign of X Volume 6 TP
Sandman Deluxe Edition Book 4 HC
SFSX (Safe Sex) Vol 2 Terms Of Service TP
Suicide Squad (2021) Vol 1 Give Peace A Chance TP
Tunnels HC

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.