By Zack Quaintance — Holy wow, there are so many new #1s and one-shots out this week. I have no idea why, so I’ll just chalk it up to coincidence and move on. First, however, I will note that we don’t typically put new #1 issues in our Top Comics to Buy, unless they’re really really special. The reason being that you almost always need more than that to really get a sense of whether a new book is worthwhile. Plus, you all know what #1 comics you’re probably going to buy, and we do our best to review them anyway.

Anyway, what that means is that we have plenty of books in our Top Comics to Buy for September 4, 2019 that are about midway through their first arcs: House of X and Lois Lane, namely, along with the end of an era — The Wicked + The Divine #45 — the always excellent Usagi Yojimbo, and the epic that is Die. But running down the best books of the week is what the next section is for!

So let’s stop wasting time and get right to it!

Top Comics to Buy for September 4, 2019

*PICK OF THE WEEK*
House of X #4
Writer: Jonathan Hickman
Artist: Pepe Larraz
Colorist: Marte Garcia
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Marvel Comics
Price: $4.99
Xavier's dream turns deadly for some of his students as they fight back against the humans' plan to eliminate them. Superstar writer Jonathan Hickman (FANTASTIC FOUR, AVENGERS, SECRET WARS) continues his reshaping of the X-Universe alongside Young Gun artist Pepe Larraz (EXTERMINATION, AVENGERS). The Future of the X-Men begins here!
Why It’s Cool: I’m running out of ways to say this, but this is cool because mad genius writer Jonathan Hickman is steadily re-positioning the X-Men as the center of the Marvel Universe, rather than the silo-ed side group they’ve been for...I don’t know, most of my lifetime? This issue is one of the most consequential yet (for now), and Hickman’s script gives the art team of Pepe Larraz and Marte Garcia so much to work with. Every week of this HOX/POX combo story continues to be an absolute must-read comics joy.

Die #7
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Stephanie Hans
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $3.99
"SPLIT THE PARTY," Part Two
The rest of our heroes have to march the survivors of Glass Town across the featureless Expanse, led by contrite Isabelle and never-contrite-in-his-whole-life Chuck. But is there more than meets the eye here? Like a secret door? Or a soul?
Why It’s Cool: Die, which is one of our favorite creator-owned comics around these parts, is at its best when it combines its fantasy RPG elements with the darkness of decades-old relationships and lives lived with the normal amount of hubris and mistakes and self-denials. This is certainly one of those issues, focusing in on a character that is easy to dislike and giving us some new insights into who they are, how they think, and how it comes to bear on the rest of the group in this excellent story. Meanwhile, Stephanie Hans artwork continues to put forth a fantastic and singular vision.

Lois Lane #3
Writer: Greg Rucka
Artist: Mike Perkins
Colorist: Paul Mounts
Letterer: Simon Bowland
Publisher: DC Comics
Price: $3.99
Jon Kent surprises his mother with a visit to her hideout in Chicago with big news that ties directly into the events of SUPERMAN #15, also on sale this month. While Lois must deal with her now-17-year-old son making life-changing decisions, the two Questions-Renee Montoya and Vic Sage-try to understand their own confusing continuity.
Why It’s Cool: A quiet and slow-burning comic, Lois Lane has quickly become a highlight of the DC Comics superhero line in 2019...even if the book is less talked about on social media than some others that have launched this summer (see Jonathan Hickman’s X-Men). This book is just smart as all get out, from the way it depicts the professional life of its title character, to the engaging and realistic dynamics portrayed within the Clark Kent/Lois Lane marriage. What has also made this book one to look forward throughout its young life, is the way writer Greg Rucka and artist Mike Perkins (with colors by Paul Mounts) is using BOTH of The Questions, effectively putting the classic DC story 52 back into continuity, which has become pretty much whatever you want it to be in this post-Rebirth era.

Usagi Yojimbo #4
Writer: Stan Sakai
Artist: Stan Sakai
Letterer: Stan Sakai
Publisher: IDW Publishing
Price: $3.99
In this explosive new story arc, Usagi goes back to his roots as a yojimbo (bodyguard) when he is hired by Lady Mura, a famous writer, to keep her safe on her perilous journey to her father's home. Making matters worse, Usagi is thrown into a bitter dispute between Lady Mura and her jealous ex-husband (a high ranking lord). A wild tale of action, drama, and adventure!
Why It’s Cool: If you haven’t been reading Stan Sakai’s incredible Usagi Yojimbo epic in recent months or years, this issue is a great place to chance that. It’s the start of an accessible new story arc, carried out with one of the best senses of craftmanship in the entire monthly comics realm. Sakai is a master storyteller, and this book is an utter joy to read, albeit a fairly traditional and straightforward one. In brief, Sakai just tells good stories, using a masterful understanding of comics to do it. This is one of those books that anyone who loves comics should absolutely be reading month to month.

The Wicked + The Divine #45
Writer: Kieron Gillen
Artist: Jamie McKelvie
Colorist: Matthew Wilson
Letterer: Clayton Cowles
Publisher: Image Comics
Price: $3.99
SERIES FINALE! "OKAY," Conclusion: Thanks for reading. We'll miss you.
Why It’s Cool: This marks the final issue of The Wicked + The Divine, which is one of those comics that for me has been a crucial piece of Image’s creator-owned resurgence in the 2010s (along with other books like Saga, Descender, Monstress, and the steady stream of Brubaker/Phillips stuff). Wic Div has just had such a hip and singular aesthetic since its start, bouncing between use of mythology, style derived from obsession with pop music, and an intricate web of always-interesting character relationships that seemed to evolve organically in real time. It’s a massive accomplishment, one that will be greatly missed. Here’s to a brave new future where we all look back at how lucky we were to read a comic this good as it was released.

New #1s and One-Shots

Absolute Carnage: Symbiote Spider-Man #1
Alpha Flight: True North #1
Amazing Spider-Man: Going Big #1
Battlepug #1
Batman Vs. Ras Al Ghul #1
DCeased: A Good Day to Die #1
Everything #1
Ghost-Spider Annual #1
Going to the Chapel #1
Harley Quinn and Poison Ivy #1
Legion of Super-Heroes: Millenium #1
Midnight Vista #1
Pretty Deadly Rat #1
Something is Killing the Children #1
Star Trek Discovery: Aftermath #1
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Dark Temple #1
Triage #1
Vampirella Red Sonja #1
Web of Black Widow #1

Others Receiving Votes

Berserker Unbound #2
Crowded #9
Dark Red #6
Deathstroke #47
Descendent #5
Doom Patrol: Weight of the Worlds #3
Doomsday Clock #11
Giant Days #54
The Green Lantern #11
Immortal Hulk #23
Justice League #31
No One Left to Fight #3
Spawn #300
Supergirl #33
Wyrd #4

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 BatmansBookcase.