Jumping On: New Story Arcs Kicking Off On April 5, 2023

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 New Story Arcs, Notable #1s, and One-Shots premiering this upcoming New Comic Book Day, Wednesday, April 5, 2023.

New Story Arcs:

Venom #18, Marvel

“ILLUMINATION” STARTS HERE! As Dylan Brock builds an army, his father and the original Venom, EDDIE BROCK, finds himself more alone than ever before, working through a change unlike any he’s been through ever before! But the real question is: what will Eddie become once he’s on the other side?

LEGACY #218

Love Everlasting #6, Image

“TOO HIP FOR LOVE,” Part One

The critically acclaimed, Harvey-nominated series continues with the launch of an epic new five-issue story arc: “TOO HIP FOR LOVE”!

Joan now understands the horror of her trap. Every time she falls in love, she disappears into another love story and starts again. However, a new boy introduces a new twist, and Joan discovers that what she thought was her life was just the entrance to a maze of madness.

Notable #1s and One-Shots:

Star Wars: The High Republic Adventures – Quest of the Jedi #1, Dark Horse

On the ancient world of Angcord, the Force works in unforeseen ways. When legendary Jedi Knight Barnabus Vim and his intrepid Padawan Bly arrive on this mysterious world, seeking an ancient artifact of the Force, they quickly find more than they were bargaining for. But just what is the mysterious Echo Stone, and what does its existence mean for the continued survival of all those who call Angcord home?

Planet of the Apes #1, Marvel

DAVID F. WALKER & DAVE WACHTER BRING PLANET OF THE APES BACK TO MARVEL COMICS IN SPECTACULAR STYLE! A new era of apes kicks off with part 1 of “Devolution”! The ALZ-113 virus has rampaged across planet Earth, and humanity is crumbling. While well-meaning researchers hunt for a cure, a fanatical group of humans has their own solution: Kill all apes. Peacekeeper Juliana Tobon is one of the few willing to stand against them, but the crisis is spreading, and soon apes will witness the true depths of human cruelty… Eisner-winning writer David F. Walker (POWER MAN AND IRON FIST, Bitter Root) joins forces with artist Dave Wachter (IRON FIST: HEART OF THE DRAGON, Star Wars: The High Republic – Trail of Shadows) on one of the most beloved sci-fi franchises in history!

Disney Villains: Scar #1, Dynamite

A startling new vision starring Disney’s greatest villain, set within the world of The Lion King!  Eisner and Ringo Award-winning author Chuck Brown (Bitter Root) and stunning artist Trevor Fraley tell a tale of fire and fury, centered on an enraged Scar, unable to accept that he will never be king – not so long as long as Mufasa and his new son inhabit Pride Rock. A plan is starting to formulate within Scar’s corrupt mind, which will bring him face-to-face with the mysterious shaman, Rafiki…

Hairball #1, Dark Horse

A brand-new supernatural nightmare that’s Junji Ito meets Hayao Miyazaki from the Eisner-nominated creators of Fear Case and Apache Delivery Service.

A young girl with a black cat begins to suspect the innocuous beast is behind all her troubles: her parents’ fighting, family plagues, and innumerable supernatural horrors. As she tries her best to rid herself of this creature, she discovers that maybe the cat is not evil after all and a greater terror may be behind these horrific events harming her life.

The Nasty #1, Vault

“Calling all scary movie fans!

Scotland, 1994.

Eighteen-year-old Thumper Connell still has an imaginary friend: the masked killer from his favourite slasher film. Thumper is obsessed with horror and always has been. He fills his time with scary VHS rentals and hanging out with his fellow fans, The Murder Club. But everything changes when his local video shop acquires one of the notorious films known as “video nasties” – films so scary, they’re the target of the British Moral Decency League’s crusade to ban and burn. But it’s only a movie, right? It’s all just imaginary, isn’t it?

A story about the perception of evil, the power of genre, the love of fandom, the need to create art, oh, and crap-your-pants TERROR!”

Junk Rabbit #1, Image

A new hero rises from mountains of consumer waste, mass homelessness, and devastating climate change. Some call the hero a myth, an urban legend, but others know that it’s the JUNK RABBIT come to life!

JIMMIE ROBINSON brings a new take to the dystopian tale of how climate disaster alters not only our world, but also the heroes that literally rise from it. Swamp Thing meets RoboCop.

The Expanse: The Dragon Tooth #1, BOOM! Studios

Picking up after the final season of the acclaimed and beloved sci-fi series and filling in the missing years between The Expanse: Babylon’s Ashes and The Expanse: Persepolis Rising, the secret history of your favorite characters are revealed for the first time!

Everything comes together in this epic 12-issue story, tying together the threads of the show and answering lingering questions that will bring readers and viewers alike far beyond the stellar horizon.

Across this monumental maxi-series, superstar comics writer Andy Diggle (Green Lanterns, James Bond) and artist Rubine (Voltron: Legendary Defender) broadens The Expanse universe in ways that will change how fans view the entire series forever!

Star Trek: Deep Space Nine – The Dog of War #1, IDW

BORK! An extremely rare purebred corgi from Earth makes its way aboard Deep Space 9 when Quark cuts a deal to procure it for a high buyer. After all, a Ferengi without profit is no Ferengi at all! But Latinum the corgi comes with unexpected cargo that shakes Captain Benjamin Sisko to the core: a Borg component discovered by a crew sent to uncover Cardassian technology after the station’s reoccupation. Don’t miss out on this exclusive “lost episode” celebrating the 30th anniversary of the fan-favorite show Star Trek: Deep Space Nine and debut comic series by acclaimed author Mike Chen (Star Wars: Brotherhood) and Star Trek comics artist extraordinaire Angel Hernandez!

Codename: Ric Flair #1, Scout

MAGIC EIGHTBALL!

The Nature Boy Ric Flair, the Rolex wearing,diamond ring wearing, kiss stealing, wheelin’ dealin’, limousine ridin’ jet flyin’ son of a gun who is regarded by many as the greatest professional wrestler of all time, finally has his own comic series! This brand-new original comic details his fact-or-fiction forays as an international superspy in the 1980s and 1990s. The series purports that Flair, who did in fact travel around the world for wrestling matches, was also a secret agent for the US government, using his persona as the ultimate wrestling heel as the perfect cover. Codename Ric Flair: Magic Eightball follows one of Flair’s missions in the late 1980’s.

Second Coming: Trinity #1, Ahoy

Back again: The book that turned the comics industry upside-down with “quite a bit of humor…[and] a lot of heart” (The New York Times). Jesus Christ, the Son of God, tackles his biggest challenge in 2000 years: babysitting a child with super powers! Meanwhile, his roommate-the superhero called Sunstar-faces his greatest enemy, and his own guilt, in a court of law. Written and co-created by 2022 Eisner winner Mark Russell with art by co-creator Richard Pace and Leonard Kirk.

Frank Frazetta’s Tales of Science and Fantasy #1, Opus

The stunning debut of a new quarterly anthology series, each issue focusing on another masterpiece by the godfather of fantasy art, Frank Frazetta. In this story, inspired by the painting “Alien Crucifixtion,” New York Times bestselling author Denton J. Tipton and exciting newcomer from Spain Miguel Ángel Ruiz chronicle the final days of a brutal planetary dictator pursued by enemies and allies alike.

Robyn Hood: Crawling Chaos #1, Zenescope

Madness has descended on Manhattan and no one knows why… no one except for the mysterious Goddess Nyra. As the city devolves into chaos, Robyn and Ghosthawk’s search for the cause brings them face to face with the cult that serves her. Their confrontation reveals that death may be a welcome escape from the hell that’s about to be released on earth. 

Hey Kids! Comics!: Schlock Of The New #1, Image

A generation of artists ashamed of their careers has come to this, scratching out a living entertaining children who wonder why anyone would want to do anything else.

With the birth of the comics industry comes the afterbirth, a shadow twin that will sustain and occasionally sabotage it for generations to come…

Fandom.

Archie & Friends All-Action #1, Archie Comics

A BRAND-NEW STORY kicks off this collection of tales of mecha monsters, heroic hijinks, and action-packed adventure! In “Super Mecha Teens,” a giant monster threatens to attack Riverdale, and only one teen (with some robot help) can save the day. Unfortunately, that teen is Archie Andrews. But he doesn’t have to do it alone! But who does he choose? Betty with her rugged, self-built mech, or Veronica with her hi-tech, hi-end robotics? As all the mechs are being mauled by the monster, Archie must decide in this story that’s equal parts Transformers and Pacific Rim.

Mystere Annual Spawn of Abyss #1, Zenescope

From the dark recesses of our world, an evil has returned spreading its reach into all ends of the universe-even to the realms of the spirits. Mary “Mystere” Medina, tasked as the Oracle of the Dead, must venture into this unseen plane to quell a disturbance that threatens to shatter the balance of life and death!

Maple Terrace #1, Uncivilized Books

From a multiple-award-winning cartoonist, Noah Van Sciver comes the brand new three-part autobiographical comic series, Maple Terrace. Hilarious and forlorn stories from the author’s childhood, surrounded by 90s comics, cartoons, toys, deprivation, and painful nostalgia. Noah was a regular contributor to MAD Magazine and has written and drawn numerous bestselling graphic novels including One Dirty Tree (Uncivilized), the Fante Bukowski: Struggling Writer (Fantagraphics), and Joseph Smith and The Mormons (Abrams).