Jumping On: New Story Arcs Kicking Off On May 18, 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, May 18, 2022. 

New Arcs:

House of Slaughter #6, BOOM! Studios

Edwin Slaughter is a Scarlet Mask, one of the secret record keepers of the Order of St. George. He’s enamored with stories of ancient hunters, as well as those in his midst, but he only gets to write the stories and never live them himself. That is, until what starts out as standard reconnaissance for the Order turns Edwin’s world upside down — a legendary monster is discovered, one long thought extinct! It’s taken the lives of countless children, bringing Edwin into the field and into real danger for the very first time.

Angel #5, BOOM! Studios

In this Spike-centric story, Spike is just fine not being the hero Angel is, but when Wesley makes yet another sacrifice for him, Spike goes on a mission to save his life.

Meanwhile, Angel realizes there might be a sinister version of himself running around-and a new movie role outside of Los Angeles on the horizon…

Notable #1s And One-Shots:

Shadow War Zone #1, DC

OLD FRIENDS / INNER DEMON / PANIC ROOM / NINJAS! AT THE ARCADE

A special issue that showcases the spread and impact of the Shadow War on the DCU! Talia al Ghul has put out a hit on anyone who has ever worked with Deathstroke—and that includes Black Canary! Where has Luke Fox been? Talia is sick of watching from the sidelines and joins the battle herself! Also featuring the new villain Angel Breaker! What is her connection to Ghost-Maker?

Savage Avengers #1, Marvel

STREETS OF RAGE

AN ALL-NEW, ALL-DIFFERENT, ALL-DANGEROUS TEAM ASSEMBLES! Since his exile from the Hyborian Age, Conan the Barbarian has conquered the most dangerous foes the modern Marvel Universe has to offer—but what happens when this hard-edged Cimmerian finds himself on the run from the cybernetic soldier of the future known as Deathlok? Outgunned and outmatched, Conan must turn to an unlikely group of loners, berserkers and killers if he hopes to survive the night—but can these Savage Avengers defy Deathlok’s murderous manhunt, or will they become the next targets in the crosshairs of tomorrow? Don’t miss out on a bold new beginning for Marvel’s most savage super heroes, as Ringo Award-winning writer David Pepose (Spencer & Locke, Scout’s Honor) and superstar artist Carlos Magno (KANG THE CONQUEROR, RoboCop: Dead or Alive) introduce a sensational new lineup that will resonate across every era of the House of Ideas!

LEGACY #29

I Hate This Place #1, Image

FOR FANS OF GIDEON FALLS AND HOME SICK PILOTS! 

After inheriting a farm house, Trudy and Gabby are ready to start the next chapter of their lives together…except it’s already home to a mysterious force that’s attracted ghosts, aliens, and all kinds of supernatural beings for decades.

Now, Gabby and Trudy must play by the “house rules” in order to survive living among the most frightening creatures on Earth in this new series from KYLE STARKS (ASSASSIN NATION, THE SIX SIDEKICKS OF TRIGGER KEATON) and ARTYOM TOPILIN (ICE CREAM MAN PRESENTS: QUARANTINE COMIX SPECIAL).

Good Boy #1 Director’s Cut, Source Point Press

Can’t get enough of Good Boy? Then here’s a treat! This director’s cut showcases Kit Wallis’ gorgeous black and white art, has commentary from the Good Boy team, contains material previously only available in the Kickstarter version, and so much more!! It’s one not to miss!

Good Boy, a thrill-packed story set in a world where humans and dogs are equals, follows former mercenaries, Flint Sparks and his human, Jon, who found a way out of an industry where the job is supposed to be forever. However, everything is changed when some of their former “colleagues” break into their home and murder Jon, leaving Flint alive in the bloody aftermath. That was their FIRST mistake.

Don’t worry – they haven’t seen anything yet. And in this cut, YOU will get to see so much more!

Marvel’s Voices: Identity #1, Marvel

THE GREATEST ASIAN SUPER HEROES AND CREATORS RETURN! Just in time for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, comes a new spotlight on the best Asian super heroes in comics! Ms. Marvel! Shang-Chi! Wong! Mantis! Plus, more surprises to come from an amazing lineup of new and established AAPI creators!

Duo #1, Milestone

When Milestone returned, Reginald Hudlin and Denys Cowan weren’t planning to stop there! Now they welcome you to a whole new realm of original characters, extending far beyond Dakota…welcome to Earth-M!

Nanotech engineers Dr. Kelly Vu and Dr. David Kim are committed to only one thing more than each other: using their regenerative nanobots to save the world. And following a violent attack, those very same nanobots end up saving David and Kelly’s lives…sort of. Their salvation comes with an unexpected consequence: husband and wife awaken to realize that they now share one super-powered body!

Writer Greg Pak (Action Comics, Batman/Superman) and artist Khoi Pham (Teen Titans) team up to introduce two thrilling new superheroes in the body of one, with the power of billions of nanobots. But how close is too close, with the love of your life literally in your head? And what happens when a couple so closely bound discovers they have very different ideas about how their newfound powers should be used?

Barnstormers #1, Comixology

A high-flying adventure romance set just after the First World War. This Bonnie and Clyde romp brings together writer Scott Snyder and the breath-taking illustrations of Tula Lotay — her longest sequential work to date.

Shaolin Cowboy: Cruel to Be Kin #1, Dark Horse

In Phase 4 of the SCU, the Shaolin Cowboy finds his parenting skills being tested when he is forced to homeschool during a pandemic of unparalleled violence, in this story torn from yesterday’s viral twitter feeds.

Can he get a kung fu grip on the situation before a horde of .45 loving human monsters and not so human monsters send him to the ICU?

Only guns, swords, and flying guillotines will tell!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

AMITOUFU!!!!!!

Spectro #1, AfterShock

A Quartet of Quintessential Horror Tales from the Multi-Talented Juan Doe – Presented in a Single Prestige-Format One Shock!

SPECTRO explores the unnerving spectrum of fear through four terrifying stories rooted in a cosmic game of twisted karma and phantasmagoric terror:

1. What is at stake when sentient technology manipulates a man with projections of his desired self?
2. What are the consequences of excommunicating a member of the “nine” planets?
3. What is discovered when an explorer travels to Mars to ascend the tallest mountain in the solar system?
4. What happens when a scientist aboard the International Space Station is confronted with the most horrifying aspects of humankind?

In what realm of fear do these stories exist? SPECTRO.

Written and illustrated by Juan Doe (BAD RECEPTION, DARK ARK, ANIMOSITY: THE RISE), SPECTRO is a horror anthology from deep within the recesses of the mind of one of comics’ most prolific talents!

TMNT: Best of – Rat King #1, IDW

Ahead of this summer’s Armageddon Game, check out the best stories of one of the Turtles’ most enigmatic foes, the Rat King! Spanning several publishers, this collection is the place to get familiar with the monarch of vermin himself!

Doctor Who: Origins #1, Titan

A brand new, never-before-seen adventure featuring the Fugitive Doctor in her comics debut!

Working for the mysterious Divisoin on a dangerous assignment, the Doctor uncovers something insidious afoot.

Discover why this regeneration became known as The Fugitive!

The Free Comic Book Day 2022: Doctor Who Comic leads into this new arc!

The Wrong Earth: Purple #1, Ahoy

The Wrong Earth event of 2022 continues! Meet the masked vigilante Dragon-Fly of Earth-Kappa-a world of big hair, shoulderpads, and funk music, where the 1980s never ended and Greed is always Good. Written by Stuart Moore with stunning art and color by Fred Harper. All five Wrong Earth specials feature covers by co-creator Jamal Igle and a special incentive variant cover by legendary artist Gene Ha. This issue also features a second variant cover by Jerry Ordway.

The Fox: Family Values #1, Archie Comics

Archie Comics is setting the stage for the return of everyone’s favorite “Freak Magnet” Paul Patton, Jr. in The Fox: Family Values #1. Coming to comic shops and digital retailers May 18, 2022, the new one-shot comic will follow the adventures of the Pattons, The Fox, She-Fox, and their son Ghost Fox, as they try to be the best hero family of Foxes they can be! Featuring all-new stories by writer/artist Dean Haspiel, writer Vito Delsante, artist Richard Ortiz, and colorist Matt Herms with veteran letter Jack Morelli, The Fox: Family Values #1 will also include a reprint of a classic The Fox story by Alex Toth, providing new readers with a perfect introduction to this family of iconic characters.

Red Sonja & Battle Fairy and The Yeti #1, Counterpoint

What happens when Asidor, a shadowy figure from Red Sonja’s past, teams up with Orsula the mortal enemy of Serena the Battle Fairy…. MAYHEM of course! 

The plan was simple… transport Red Sonja from Earth to Spriten (The Battle Fairy’s home world) with the assumption being, a warrior as skilled as Red Sonja pitted against Serena can eliminate her and therefore remove the main obstacle in Orsula’s grip as supreme ruler of Spriten. Meantime, with Red Sonja off Earth, she can no longer foil Asidor’s plans of domination. 

But we know what they say about plans… and someone forgot about the Yeti! 

Rivers of London: Deadly Ever After #1, Titan

When Chelsea and Olympia accidentally break an enchantment in the woods, deadly fairy tales from a mysterious old book begin coming to life. To set things right, Chelsea and Olympia must unravel a mystery dating back to the 1800’s before they become victims of a lethal sorcery.

My Brother Teddy #1, Source Point Press

Remember when you were a kid lost in your imagination with your toys scattered across the floor? You with your favorite toy; maybe it was a cowboy, an action figure, a doll or a teddy bear. It doesn’t matter which one you had because we’ve all felt that unbreakable bond that a kid has with their favorite toy. But what if that bond was tested? What if the bond was so strong, the toy took on a life of its own to leap into hell with the hope of returning you home?

Belle: Labyrinth #1, Zenescope

Legends speak of an ancient labyrinth, one filled with horrifying and deadly creatures, as well as the remains of the brave warriors foolish enough to trek its elaborate web-like corridors. But at the center of this dangerous network of blood and beasts lies the key to a world beyond our existence, and Anabelle “Belle” DiMarco is on a mission to scour this vast maze in search of a priceless reward.

Getting in is easy, but finding her way out can prove more of a challenge than she imagined. Because what she finds within might cost her more than her life, as her soul hangs in the balance!