Jumping On: New Story Arcs Kicking Off On May 31, 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, May 31, 2023.

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Saturday Morning Adventures Continued #1, IDW

After an accidental encounter with an unknown element in the sewers of the city, the Rat King finds his ability to control the hearts and minds of rodents is waning. But in its place, he finds the ability to control reptile life, which will totally make things harder for the heroes in a half shell! Grab a bowl of cereal and be there for part one of “The Turtle King!”

The Rocketeer #1, IDW

It’s a wall-to-wall adventure in a trio of Rocketeer stories in this terrific all-new special!

First, the writers of the Rocketeer film, Danny Bilson and Paul De Meo, and illustrator Adam Hughes bring us a tale featuring pioneering aviator Amelia Earhart. Second, Robert Windom (Seven Sons) and Jae Lee craft a story of the Rocketeer fighting a Japanese Zero in the South Pacific. And the third entry is by Kelvin Mao (director of the Dave Stevens documentary Drawn To Perfection, and co-writer of Seven Sons) and artist extraordinaire Craig Cermak. While on a date with Betty, our man Cliff encounters a vaguely familiar adventurer/archeologist. What kind of trouble will this spell for our hero? You’ll have to grab a copy of this special one-off issue to find out!

Savage Strength of Starstorm #1 Image

SERIES PREMIERE

Orphaned amnesiac high school student Grant Garrison is just attempting to navigate his present and recall his past when a meteor decimates his school. In the rubble, Grant discovers a strange artifact from another galaxy, the weapon known as the Starstorm, and the power that resides within it will determine not only his and his friends’ future-but the fate of the entire universe.

The North Valley Grimoire #1, Whatnot

SPYCRAFT MEETS SPELLCRAFT in North Valley: a slick, James Bond-style adventure fused with the supernatural suspense of The Magicians.

In this thrilling debut, a CIA black-ops division clandestinely hunts – and eliminates – the most dangerous threat in history: MAGICK.

On a routine assignment, Agent Malek discovers a grimoire more powerful than a nuclear weapon … but when The Agency wants to recover the spellbook instead of destroy it, he begins to question their endgame.

Written by bestselling author Blake Northcott (Catwoman) with art by Giuseppe Cafaro (Suicide Squad), The North Valley Grimoire is an enchanted tale of espionage like none other.

Pathfinder: Wake the Dead #1, Dynamite

New creative team! New party of Iconics! New lands of Golarion to explore! The tantalizing prospect of a rendezvous with a Geb defector in possession of priceless secrets from that undead nation brings a diverse group of adventurers to the Nexian metropolis of Ecanus. When they find themselves cornered by the city’s remorseless Deathsealers, can the Iconics band together for survival – and escape a city full of hostile wizards alive?

Featuring playable character stats for Seelah, the iconic paladin, and new character options for inhabitants of the magical military city of Ecanus; officially sanctioned by the Pathfinder Society!

Lady Death: Diabolical Harvest #1, Coffin Comics

Chapter 16 (Part 1) in the Coffin Comics Lady Death Universe. “World War Death!” official tie-in! Suffering a devastating defeat at the hands of the psychotic Lady Virtue, the diva of death nearly meets a gruesome fate. Only one thing pulls Lady Death back from the edge of oblivion-Vengeance! But how do you defeat an adversary who can steal your very life essence? Can Lady Death and warrior angel Serena finally put a stop to HALO and Matthias? Or will they fall victim to Lady Virtue’s twisted desires?

Cat Fight #1, IDW

John Wick meets Kill Bill, meets CATS?! Felix lives a life of high fashion and indulgence. Sure, he steals to get it, but he gets it on his own, nonetheless. When a mysterious character by the name of Schrodinger threatens Felix’s only surviving family member in an attempt to recruit him into a crime syndicate, Felix is sent on a globetrotting game of cat and mouse in a heightened world of colorful criminal masterminds.

Destiny, NY: Mystic Mafia #1, Black Mask

Lilith Aberdine is the last surviving daughter of a mystical crime family. She has spent her whole life running from her past, but now those old demons are finally catching up to her. She thought she was meant to be with former prophecy girl Logan McBride, but life has pulled them apart. Now, with Lilith in New York and Logan in California, will destiny reunite them or drive them further apart?

Impossible Jones / Holly Daze #1, Scout

Impossible Jones (a thief pretending to be a hero) and Holly Daze (a former hero, now a thief) join up for a Girls’ Night Out of drinking, dancing… and danger! With Holly’s ex, Krampus, lurking in the shadows, Imp learns that sometimes the only thing harder than being enemies-is being friends! Added bonus: first glimpse into the secret Dark Files being kept on Impossible Jones and other crime-fighters and criminals in New Hope City!

Catrina’s Caravan: The Night of La Lechuza #1, Scout

CHISPA. The mysterious figure of Doña Catrina sweeps into a small town with her traveling carnival and tells a gathered crowd a dark tale. A father and son are captured by a group of militiamen who use terror to “patrol” the border. At their darkest moment, the refugees find a fierce ally-but can they truly trust a monster once it has killed the other monsters?

Snow White Zombie Apocolypse: Legendary Edition #1, Scout

Snow White awakens to True Love’s kiss…28 days later. Shoulder-to-shoulder with his tough-as-nails paramour Rapunzel-the lovable-but-philandering Prince Charming braves the darkness of Snow White’s enchanted forest in a desperate bid for survival. But how long can the pair hold out as the denizens of Grimm’s Fairy Tales rise from their graves to devour the flesh of the living?

Tales from the Pandemic #1, Band of Bards

An anthology of 8 stories to mark the third anniversary of the COVID-19 pandemic. While the world continues to try to make sense of these events, an extraordinary group of comics creators tell their tales in an attempt to express their feelings and experiences.

Hope #1, Source Point Press

Julie Lavelle’s superhero identity has been revealed, her daughter has been taken from her, her home has been destroyed, and she finds herself the target of villains and the media alike. Now, her husband is awakening from a coma… but will it make things better or worse?

Puc the Artist and the Myth of Color #1, Scout

NONSTOP. A story is something you are drawn into-in this case, literally. Puc and his friends live in a world where paintings and drawings can come to life. But, unknown to them something important is missing…Color. Whatever Puc draws comes to life. Of course, there’s nothing special about that. This is perfectly normal for artists in his world. Puc’s home is a land full of monsters, kingdoms, and armies-all brought into existence by artists. But while all the other artists work in black and white, Puc just found out that he can paint in Color!