Jumping On: New Story Arcs Kicking Off On July 27, 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, July 27, 2022.

New Story Arcs:

Detective Comics #1062, DC

GOTHAM NOCTURNE, PART 1 OF 4

It’s a new era for the detective of the night as we introduce award-winning new series writer Ram V. (CATWOMAN, The Many Deaths of Laila Starr), and artist extraordinaire Rafael Albuquerque (AMERICAN VAMPIRE, SUPERMAN/BATMAN)! Together, they’ll be turning Gotham into a tragic yet beautiful gothic opera for our eyes and ears to feast on. 

Something is terribly wrong with Batman. No matter the tests Bruce takes, nor the numbers he counts, the greatest detective in the world can’t pin down the source of this creeping dread—of his own inner demons and a looming mortality. 

Meanwhile, real demons roam the shadows as an ancient melody haunts the Gotham night. Here now the curtains rise and as the eerie tune streams in…who is human, who is demon, who is to tell? As Batman investigates the songs and the demons of Gotham, he is forced to confront the oldest question…whether there has been a demon within him all along…and if so, what does it want?…and why hasn’t it taken over yet?

The Amazing Spider-Man #6, Marvel

LANDMARK ISSUE #900! The nine-hundredth issue of AMAZING SPIDER-MAN comes out the month of Spider-Man’s 60th Anniversary, and we are pulling out ALL THE STOPS! Someone from Spider-Man’s past has captured the Sinister Six and used them to create the truly terrifying SINISTER ADAPTOID, a being equipped with the abilities of Spidey’s greatest foes: Doctor Octopus, Vulture, Kraven the Hunter, Electro, Mysterio, and Sandman. This is one of the biggest adventures in Spider-History and you will not believe the ending!

Notable #1s and One-Shots:

Gambit #1, Marvel

All-NEW ADVENTURES OF THE LEGENDARY THIEF BY CO-CREATOR CHRIS CLAREMONT! You think you know all there is to know about Remy LeBeau, the Ragin’ Cajun, the mutant known as GAMBIT—but legendary X-scribe Chris Claremont has an ace up his sleeve with this new series! Before he joined the X-MEN, Gambit encountered a mysterious girl named ‘RO—the mutant STORM regressed to her child self by the nefarious NANNY—and the two went up against the forces of the SHADOW KING! Now, revealed for the first time, Gambit finds his path to becoming the heroic X-Man millions of fans call their favorite! Joined by rising star artist Sid Kotian, Chris weaves a story of action, intrigue and revenge that made Gambit the mutant he is and forged his relationship with Storm. You’ll get a charge out of this one, mon ami!

Superman: Space Age #1, DC

After years of standing idle, the young man from Krypton defies the wishes of his fathers to come out to the world as the first superhero of the Space Age. As each decade passes and each new danger emerges, he wonders if this is the one that will kill him and everyone he loves. Superman realizes that even good intentions are not without their backlash as the world around him transforms into a place as determined to destroy itself as he is to save it.

Ant-Man #1, Marvel

Flash back to the early days of Hank Pym’s career as the astonishing Ant-Man! It’s date night for Hank and his girlfriend Janet Van Dyne, but nobody told that to Ant-Man’s enemies! Watch as Hank’s ant-agonists band together to finally take down the scientific adventurer! But will anyone come to his rescue? And who is the mysterious stranger who stalks him? Join Al Ewing (IMMORTAL HULK) and Tom Reilly (THE THING) as they explore the history of every hero (past, present and future!) called Ant-Man!

The Magic Order 3 #1, Image

SUPERSTAR writer MARK MILLAR launches the third volume of his smash-hit horror series with Italian genius GIGI CAVENAGO (Batman) on art for another SIX-ISSUE RUN.

We’ve met the American and British members of the Magic Order. Now it’s time to meet the ASIAN chapter, including a brilliant new major player in the upcoming live-action NETFLIX SHOW—SAMMY LIU. This issue will be a huge COLLECTOR’S ITEM.

Genis-Vell: Captain Marvel #1, Marvel

PETER DAVID RETURNS TO GENIS-VELL, SON OF THE ORIGINAL CAPTAIN MARVEL! Both now back in the land of the living, Genis-Vell and Rick Jones are about to come crashing back into each other! Witness Genis-Vell, Captain Marvel return to the pages of his very own series written by legendary scribe Peter David, drawn by artist Juanan Ramírez! Can Rick Jones save Genis—and himself—before they both fade out of existence? Is Rick’s ex-wife, Marlo, the key? Find out when Peter David returns to take Genis-Vell to all-new heights!

DC: Mech #1, DC

At the end of World War II, Earth was invaded by giant mechanized Parademons from a planet called APOKOLIPS. The planet’s protectors, the Justice Society of America, were devastated and with them, the age of Super Heroes came to an end, and the era of the Mech began.

In the ensuing years, the world has stockpiled colossal battle suits piloted by elite warriors, waiting for the day Apokolips returns. But when Kal-El, the last son of a dying world, crash lands in Metropolis with his own warsuit, he’ll face down two of earth’s greatest Mech fighters, The Flash and Batman.

The dawn of a brave new mechanized DCU is here from the rising star creative team of Kenny Porter (Flash: The Fastest Man Alive, Fearless) and Baldemar Rivas (Robins, Batman: Urban Legends).

Catdad & Supermom: What Makes a Hero? #1, Scout

Here comes Catdad and Supermom! A young boy’s real-life super-heroes are his wonderfully ordinary parents. They help Jaxx navigate life’s challenges and the everyday lessons of growing up. In his dreams, they transform into costumed super-heroes who help teach him right from wrong. In What Makes a Hero Jaxx has a disheartening encounter with a celebrity hero at a comic book convention. Later he embarks on an action-packed imaginary adventure and discovers the true heroes who never let you down!

Wild Cards: The Drawing of Cards #1, Marvel

THE LEGENDARY GEORGE R.R. MARTIN SUPER HERO SERIES COMES TO MARVEL! Spanning more than 25 novels, more than 20 short stories, released over three decades and written by more than 40 authors, the Wild Cards series tells the story of an alternate history in which the Earth is home to super-powered individuals. When a human is infected with the alien “Wild Card” virus, the odds are that they will be killed…which is referred to as “drawing the black queen.” Of those who survive, the bulk of them become “jokers,” left with some strange mutated form. A lucky few are called “aces,” those gifted with super-powers they can put to use toward heroes goals…or villainous ones. Now, for the first time in comic book form, see how the Wild Cards universe began with an adaptation of the very first stories in the original Wild Cards novel. Based on stories by Harold Waldrop, Roger Zelazny and series mastermind and editor, George R.R. Martin, Wild Cards is a stellar introduction to a whole new world reshaped by the emergence of superpowers.

Young Justice: Targets #1, DC

Queen Perdita has been kidnapped! Mysterious armored assailants have snatched the Vlatavan royal out from beneath Bowhunter Security, leaving Green Arrow and Black Canary poisoned and comatose in the process! Now a rallying cry echoes around the globe, and across super-teams, to band together and rescue Perdita! Continuing the story of Young Justice: Phantoms, now streaming on HBO MAX, is the six-issue, digital first Young Justice: Targets.

The Hollows #1, Image

In this specially priced, extra-length comic, artist SAM KIETH and writer CHRIS RYALL transport you to a dystopian near-future Japan, where spectral, once-human husks prey on the unfortunates who couldn’t find salvation in the skyscraper-like trees that now dominate the decimated landscape. A discredited scientist works furiously to find a cure, until a one-eyed orphan girl and her pet, uh, urp, force him to rethink everything he knows…

Vampirella: Year One #1, Dynamite

Following the explosive conclusion to Vampirella/Dracula: Unholy comes the next chapter in Christopher Priest’s Vampirella saga! Wanted for murder, and with every demon, shaman, vampire, whack-job zealot, reporter, and law enforcement officer on Earth hunting for her, Vampirella has taken refuge in an undisclosed location where she questions why she came to our world in the first place.

Razorblades: Small Cuts Special #1, Image

RAZORBLADES: SMALL CUTS SPECIAL #1 collects all of JAMES TYNION IV’s contributions from the first year of RAZORBLADES into one issue, and includes art from MARTIN SIMMONDS (DEPARTMENT OF TRUTH), JOSH HIXSON (Batman/Fortnite: Foundation), and more. This special collector’s item also reprints the debut of KILLBOY, TYNION’s original character with Batman collaborator Ricardo Lopez Ortiz. 

Book of Shadows #1, Valiant

“Shadowman. Punk Mambo. Eternal Warrior. Doctor Mirage. The supernatural protectors of the Valiant Universe unite for the very first time to stand against a terrifying ancient threat. No one is safe as Exarch Fane has his cold hands on the Book of Shadows.

Florida Man #1, American Mythology

Laugh-out loud funny and unapologetically offensive, but with a heart of gold, this is the comic book personification of all those wild and weird “Florida Man” news stories we’ve all been shocked by – and laughed at for years. Eisner award winning writer Mike Baron (Punisher, The Flash, Nexus, Star Wars) brings to life the tall tales of the most hilarious and notorious Florida native ever to be Google searched more than Kim Kardashian… Florida Man! Based on Baron’s series of critically acclaimed Florida Man novels, this outrageous comic dives into the heart of many of those bizarre stories we’ve all seen in news headlines and funny internet memes with a heart-warming story that’s squarely aimed at grown-ups who still love comics.

Cradle of Filth : Maledictus Athenaeum #1, Opus

In the ruined halls of the Maledictus Athenaeum lie occult histories, sealed records, and cursed artifacts-this unholy archive explores the far corners of Cradle of Filth’s musical legacy, a vast universe of Ageless Vampires, Mythical Creatures and Vengeful Gods. Within this hidden vault, we revisit The Succubus and Nemesis in stories from an all-star roster of comics talent.

Macabre Motel #1 Shot, Comics Experience Publishing

Writer/creator Frank Martin welcomes you to The Macabre Motel, a Twilight Zone-inspired weird horror story that will leave you feeling deeply unsettled long after the final page! Anxious about meeting his girlfriend’s family, Steve decides to rest his eyes at the only motel around. But once inside, the bizarre cast of characters leaves him shaken, terrified and questioning his very sanity! Are you ready to enter… The Macabre Motel?

The Wrong Earth: Meat #1, Ahoy

The multi-Earth event concludes in a special written by Wrong Earth co-creator Tom Peyer! On Earth-Alpha, have Dragonflyman and Stinger met their match in Dr. Meat? Can Stinger’s nightmare all be a bad dream? Meanwhile, on Earth-Omega, Dragonfly meets someone he can talk to and help out in a time of need – for both of them. All five Wrong Earth specials feature covers by co-creator Jamal Igle and a special incentive cover by legendary artist Gene Ha. This issue also features a second incentive cover by Bill Morrison (The Simpsons).

Bloodborne: The Lady of the Lanterns #1, Titan

New comic series based on the critically acclaimed gothic gaming hit, Bloodborne!

Enter the city of Yharnam through the eyes of its citizens, when new hunters take to the streets to fight against the cruel and unusual epidemic that has gripped the city. In the black of the night, families and faith will be tested…

Fan-favoirte artist Piotr Kowalski returns to the series with Eisner nominated writer Cullen Bunn (The Sixth Gun, Wolverine, Spider-Man: Season One)!

Sulfur Wells #1, Blood Moon

Around the rim of a large man-made lake resides a rural community. The lake has provided the community with commerce and recreation but it has also taken. While two young friends navigate the waterways and the complications of southern poverty they also must remain vigilant of an elusive local cryptid species.

Rick and Morty: Big Dumb Summer Vacation #1, Oni Press

It’s the worst summer vacation ever. When Rick picks a planet with strange rules regarding beach access, Jerry does everything he can to break them. What could be worse than sunburn? Sun Parasites.

Bush Leaguers #1, Scout

The Brooklyn Bridegrooms baseball team is the shame of late nineteenth century New York City. The cranks can’t stand them, the team owner wants to burn the stadium to the ground, and the police want to send them up the river. Can they make a comeback, or are they history? Find out, in this comedy adventure from Scout Comics.

Enjoy the first issue of this NON-STOP! title followed by the entire story collected soon after in one volume.

Vox #1, Comics Experience Publishing

Can knowledge lead to salvation? Vox explores a colorful society teetering on the brink of annihilation and asks: can anyone resist succumbing to the voice of truth? Creators Jai and Alexandria Huntington delve into extremism and fanaticism through the lens of philosophical satire in this 32-page one-shot. 

Crucified: Exorcisms #1, Scout

And just like that, we’re back! The Christ finally sits down for his eagerly anticipated and heavily hyped first LIVE TV interview with a surprising network and even more surprising choice of interviewer. During this interview, after recounting in vivid detail a recent exorcism he performed on a child in Haiti, The Christ’s claims of divinity are challenged. He is put to the test in front of a national audience. SPOILER: You won’t see the end coming!