Jumping On: New Story Arcs Kicking Off On January 12, 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 12, 2022.

New Arcs:

Batman: Urban Legends #11, DC

‘BOUND TO OUR WILL, PART 1 / STIGMA, PART 1 / ETERNITY IN GOTHAM, PART 1 / HOUNDED, PART 1

BATMAN & ZATANNA: Vita Ayala and Nikola Cizmesija join forces to tell a story that will change Batman and Zatanna’s relationship forever. Every year the two have to come together to defeat an evil curse. This year they fail, and the world is in peril because of it.

HOUNDED: Ace the Bat-Hound, the goodest boy in the DCU, has his day in an epic story featuring many DC Super Pets, brought to you by Mark Russell and Karl Mostert.

WIGHT WITCH: Catwoman tie-in/“Fear State” aftermath! Aftermath. The mysterious relationship between Ghost-Maker and Wight Witch is revealed in all its horrifying glory here.’

Notable #1s and One-Shots:

Daredevil: Woman Without Fear #1, Marvel

‘The next pulse-pounding chapter in the saga of New York City’s Guardian Devil, this time starring ELEKTRA as Daredevil! Joined by Rafael De Latorre, Chip Zdarsky continues his landmark run and the DAREDEVIL story that spins directly out of the shocking revelations in the pages of DEVIL’S REIGN! 

Elektra is the world’s deadliest assassin—and she’s taken a vow not to kill. Someone puts themselves directly in her path with deadly consequences. What else would you expect from the MARVEL UNIVERSE’S GREATEST HUNTER?!

DEVIL’S REIGN TIE-IN’

Devil’s Reign: Superior Four #1, Marvel

‘THE FANTASTIC ARE NO MORE. LONG LIVE…THE SUPERIOR FOUR. Otto Octavius has acquired a taste for the infinite. Empowered by Wilson Fisk, Doctor Octopus faces a tantalizing, unprecedented opportunity to scour the Multiverse, amassing an army of…himself. An army to march on our reality, proving Otto’s supremacy—and it all begins with his SUPERIOR FOUR!

DEVIL’S REIGN TIE-IN’

The Scorched #1, Image

‘The first ALL-NEW issue of TODD McFARLANE’s superhero team book!

There’s a threat so big that no single hero can stop it, and the formation of this new supergroup is the only thing standing in its way. Members will include SPAWN, REDEEMER, GUNSLINGER, MEDIEVAL SPAWN, and SHE-SPAWN, with many more heroes waiting in the wings!

Join the battle in this FIRST ISSUE extravaganza as the forces of heaven, hell, and earth collide!

REGISTER PITCH: An Avengers-esque ensemble of superheroes and the latest entry in SPAWN’S UNIVERSE. Hook readers of KING SPAWN and GUNSLINGER SPAWN, as well as longtime SPAWN fans.’

The Death of Doctor Strange: Bloodstone #1, Marvel

‘ELSA AND THE FAMILY BLOODSTONE! Who better to defend Earth from magical invaders than monster hunter Elsa Bloodstone? Elsa is the best there is at what she does—tough, skilled and clever enough to handle any problem…except her brother, Cullen. The siblings will have to put their issues aside not only to protect Earth but also to welcome the latest addition to the Bloodstone clan: their long-lost SISTER! Her awesome set of powers and unique Blood gem have placed a target on her back, and the worst horrors from beyond this realm are on the hunt. 

DEATH OF DOCTOR STRANGE TIE-IN’

Star Wars: The High Republic – Eye of the Storm #1, Marvel

‘ACT I: RO

The Truth. The Lie. The Kill. In which we reveal the true origins of MARCHION RO, the Eye of the Nihil and sworn enemy of the Jedi Order. In which the lie at the heart of his family is exposed. In which the doom of the High Republic begins…with a single kill.’

Wastelanders: Black Widow #1, Marvel

‘WHO IS THE BLACK WIDOW? The LIZARD KING has grown monstrous and deadlier than ever as the lord of his southern domain. But when rumor breaks that critical information is believed to be stored in his impenetrable fortress, only the greatest spy of all is up to the infiltration: the deadly BLACK WIDOW! But who is she, and how has she survived this many decades in the Wastelands undetected? Witness her first appearance in the Old Man Universe!’

Tales Told in Technihorror – Season 2 #1, Scout Comics

‘Black Caravan Imprint: Tales Told in TechniHorror returns for a second season! Continuing the trend of jumping between sub-genres of horror effortlessly, season 2 includes tales from the dark ages, the wild west, a nod to 80’s slashers, and classic horror comics of the 60’s and 70’s, before finishing on a meta story about a comic book artist. All whilst giving it the unique TechniHorror spin. Includes a mini pinup gallery of horrors.’

Justice League vs. The Legion of Super-Heroes #1, DC

‘THE GOLD LANTERN SAGA, PART ONE

One thousand years in the future, a Legion of Super-Heroes comes together to dedicate their lives to recapturing the great age of heroes of the 21st century. When the heroes discover that reality is falling to a great darkness in both times simultaneously, the Justice League and the Legion of Super-Heroes must team up to stop it all. But what is the connection between the secrets of the new Gold Lanterns and the coming of the Great Darkness? A monumental DC epic event miniseries!’

Marvel’s Voices: Heritage #1, Marvel

‘THE HIT VOICES SERIES CONTINUES WITH AN EXTRAORDINARY ARRAY OF INDIGENOUS TALENT! Year two of Marvel’s Voices kicks off with a celebration of Indigenous characters and talent! Get the full story behind River, the mysterious stranger from the pages of Rebecca Roanhorse’s new ECHO series! Discover Snowguard’s greatest hopes and fears in a tale by celebrated filmmaker Nyla Innuksuk! And many more reveals to come. New and established creators explore the wonders of the Marvel Universe—catch the next big wave here!’

Rain #1, Image

‘THE FIRST IN CHRIS RYALL & ASHLEY WOOD’S NEW SYZYGY PUBLISHING IMPRINT LINE OF TITLES AT IMAGE COMICS!

On a seemingly normal August day in Boulder, Colorado, the skies are clear, and Honeysuckle Speck couldn’t be happier. She’s finally moving in with her girlfriend Yolanda. But their world is literally torn apart when dark clouds roll in and release a downpour of nails—splinters of bright crystal that shred the skin of anyone not safely under cover. RAIN makes vivid this escalating apocalyptic event, as the deluge of nails spreads across the country and around the world, threatening everything young lovers Honeysuckle and Yolanda hold dear.

So begins a gripping 5-issue presentation of New York Times bestselling author JOE HILL’s acclaimed novella, adapted by rising stars DAVID M. BOOHER (Canto), ZOE THOROGOOD (The Impending Blindness of Billie Scott), and CHRIS O’HALLORAN (Ha-Ha).’

We Ride Titans #1, Vault

‘Kaiju hit hard. Family hits harder. Trying to keep your family from imploding is a tall order. Kit Hobbs is about to find out it’s an even taller order when that family has been piloting the Titan that protects New Hyperion from kaiju for generations. Between a spiraling brother, a powder keg of a father, and a whole bunch of twenty-story monsters, she’s got her work cut out for her.’

Hell Sonja #1, Dynamite

‘Welcome to HELL…SONJA. She’s the Queen of Damnation. She lords over the fiery pit of eternal hunger and suffering. But now, she’s had enough of this evil s**t. She will bind together lost souls, and rove the multiverse to fill Hell’s belly with only the most deserving of its punishment. If someone so wicked is beset upon you, if you’re desperate enough, if no one else can help, maybe your prayer will be heard by… HELL SONJA.

By CHRISTOPHER HASTINGS (Deadpool, Gwenpool) and PASQUALE QUALANO (Sonjaversal)!’

Distorted #1, Scout

‘Somewhere in the world, there is someone who feels different/special/cursed, who is losing their mind right now. You’re not alone. Take James for example. He would like to run away from his parents and from a life that doesn’t belong to him. On the other hand, Tom is forced to face his past and hunt down his own kind, like a hound on the leash of an unknown master. Brennar is on the hunt for money and a peace he can’t find anywhere. They are three people whose superpowers are more like a burden. In this world, there are no superheroes.’

Quad #1, Behemoth

‘In the last decades of the 21st century, a Massive Solar Storm hit planet Earth, destroying all technology in its way. Global communications were lost, nuclear reactors collapsed, the climate suffered the worst drastic changes and financial systems were gone. The survivors had to adapt to the harsh new reality. New societies were built over the ruins of those that crumbled. Four generations have passed.

The mechanic Terah and her black cat Elvis accept a quick and simple repairing job in the middle of nowhere. There’s something odd about this job. It’s never really simple.’

New Men #1, Action Lab

‘It’s the near future, and those who face death without fear are given the abilities of gods – superpowers! People are tying themselves to train tracks and running into burning buildings to gain these powers. Few succeed. Most die. Those that succeed are “New Men”, but they’re hunted down by the badass bounty hunter, Shade! Dive headfirst into the mind-blowing world of bio-punk superhuman action straight from amazing first-time African creators, Ayodele and Akande!’

Grimm Fairy Tales Presents: Robyn Hood – Home Sweet Home #1, Zenescope

‘Take aim, and don’t miss this oversized 32-page issue! After all of the roadblocks and hellish delays she has had getting back home, thanks to Smitty, Robyn would love more than anything to just relax. But, she has few issues she’s determined to square away first. Robyn will stop at nothing to get to the bottom of Smitty’s recent motives and she might not be ready for what she finds!’

Rockabilly Monsters #1, Second Sight Publishing

‘Candy, a girl who seeks to solve the mysterious disappearance of her family, by chance of fate is involved with a group of monsters of different races: a wolf, a vampire, Frankenstein’s monster and a sea creature. Together, they will form a unique alliance and put aside their rivalry of hundred of years, which will take them to the very ends of reality when they try to stop the arrival of a ancestral evil force to our earthly plane.’