Jumping On: New Story Arcs Kicking Off On January 5, 2022

One of the hardest and most frustrating things about finding new comics to read and enjoy is finding a good jumping on point. It can be confusing and disheartening to pick up a single issue from the middle of an arc without having the context of the previous chapters.

With that in mind, here are some titles kicking off New Story Arcs, notable #1s, and One-Shots premiering this upcoming New Comic Book Day, Wednesday, January 5, 2022.

New Story Arcs:

Detective Comics #1047, DC

‘THE TOWER, PART ONE / HOUSE OF GOTHAM, PART 1

“The Tower” begins! The 12-part weekly Detective Comics event starts here. Arkham Asylum has fallen, and in its place, Arkham Tower has risen in the heart of the city, a pitch made by the mysterious Dr. Wear. Unlike the Asylum, Dr. Wear promises his methods and drug treatments will heal Gotham’s criminally inclined for good—a claim that skeptics like Deb Donovan and the Bat-Family don’t believe. There’s something wrong with the tower, with Dr. Wear’s methods—and with Batman away from Gotham City, the rest of the Bat-Family is going to find out what…but not before everything explodes. Written by critically acclaimed author Mariko Tamaki, continuing her incredible Detective Comics run, and drawn by DC Comics legend Ivan Reis! 

PLUS! “House of Gotham” begins! For a long time two houses have overlooked Gotham City, beckoning its broken: Wayne Manor and Arkham Asylum. In this epic 12-part backup story, writer Matthew Rosenberg and artist Fernando Blanco will explore the impact that Batman and Arkham Asylum have had on the city…through the eyes of a boy whose life was changed forever by The Joker one dreadful night early in the Dark Knight’s career!’

Notable #1s and One-Shots:

Nocterra: Blacktop Bill Special #1, Image

‘HALL OF MIRRORS 

Behold the book of Blacktop Bill. In the wake of the first arc’s explosive finale, the origin of NOCTERRA’s most terrifying creature will at last be revealed in this special one-shot issue! Witness the horror that awaits our heroes as SCOTT SNYDER and legendary artist DENYS COWAN present a penny dreadful you won’t soon forget. 

REGISTER PITCH: A standalone tale perfect for NOCTERRA fans looking for more nightmarish storytelling or readers new to the series.’

Darkhold: Omega #1, Marvel

‘THE FATE OF ALL EXISTENCE LIES IN THE HANDS OF FIVE TWISTED MINDS! Five of the world’s greatest heroes—Spider-Man, Black Bolt, Blade, Wasp, and Iron Man—took a chance and read from the cursed Darkhold. They were meant to gain the power to fight back the dread elder god Chthon—but instead they’ve lost their minds and all they once held dear. Was it worth the cost? And who is their bold new ally—a product of Chthon’s dark dimension, or something else entirely? Steve Orlando and Cian Tormey deliver a heart-pounding conclusion to the epic Darkhold event—and introduce a hero who will take the Marvel Universe by storm!’

The Fourth Man #1, Artists Writers & Artisans Inc

‘Three dead bodies lay in a rural morgue – all murdered in the span of three weeks. It’s up to two detectives from opposite sides of the tracks to determine who put them there, if the murders are linked and what, if anything, they have to do with a pair of dueling car dealerships. A dark comedy mystery thriller by Jeff McComsey (Grendel, Kentucky) and Mike Deodato Jr. (The Amazing Spider-Man, The Resistance) that is inspired by an outlandish true crime story, The Fourth Man story will keep you guessing till the last page.’

Wastelanders: Doom #1, Marvel

 

‘THE ONCE AND FUTURE KING! DOCTOR DOOM helped wipe out the heroes on the Day the Villains Won, but even as he rules his domain in the Wastelands, a greater destiny calls to him. When a mysterious power blocks his oversight of a particular region, what he discovers will have ripple effects across the WASTELANDERS stories!’

Elektra: Black, White & Blood #1, Marvel

‘Fact • noun • fakt – Definition of Fact 1 a: something that has actual existence b: an actual occurrence c: ELEKTRA NATCHIOS IS THE BEST ASSASSIN IN THE MARVEL UNIVERSE!’

Monkey Meat #1, Image

‘DJELIYA creator JUNI BA introduces a new fantasy universe in this ANTHOLOGY SERIES! The Monkey Meat Company made its fortune selling cans of processed meat all around the world. Using that money to fuel their wacky experiments, they turned their native island into a magical hyper-capitalist hellscape where even demons have to pay rent! Follow the lives of the creatures of Monkey Meat Island in this fun, action-packed romp. Each issue is its own story!’

Pantha #1, Dynamite

‘A cruel Egyptian queen eternally cursed to transform into a savage beast. For millennia, Pantha has endured her punishment for angering a powerful goddess, hiding herself away from the world and the ugliness of her humanity. But now someone-something-is killing the gods, and now so it falls upon Pantha to save the pantheon! In exchange for her help comes the promise of redemption and freedom from her curse, but even that comes with a price! Featured in her own series for the first time in a decade, and spinning out of the pages of SACRED SIX, Pantha’s back!’

From Blood #1, Cosmic Times

‘From Blood is an action packed comic book about the mysterious Patient 27 and the secrets he holds. For years he has kept silent … a hulking indestructible mountain of a man, but after a visit from Doctor Reese … the door has been opened and all hell breaks loose.’