Jumping On — Series Premieres, One-Shots, And New Story Arcs Kicking Off On December 13, 2023

One of the 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 a few New Story Arcs, Series Premieres, and One-Shots that caught my eye for this upcoming New Comic Book Day, Wednesday, December 13, 2023. There are four featured titles this week. I couldn’t cut it down any further than that. It’s my column. Deal.

Featured One-Shots, Series Premieres, and New Story Arcs:

Godzilla: Best of Gigan #1, IDW

When the tech enhanced Gigan arrives from space, all other monsters are on notice. It takes the mightiest humans, machines, and protectors of Earth to stand up to those brutal blades. IDW collects History’s Greatest Monster #11, Godzilla: Rulers of the Earth #6 & 7, and Godzilla: Rage Across Time #1. 

Spider-Gwen: Smash #1, Marvel

The Mary Janes kick off a four-city tour, opening for one of Earth-65’s biggest rock bands. Gwen has promised that this big break will be all about the music. No web-slinging. Just drums. All well and good, until a mysterious assassin targets the headliner. Rock and roll, attempted murder, and Gwen. What could go wrong?

Phantom Road #7, Image

New story arc from Jeff Lamire and Gabriel Hernández Walta.

Agent Weaver searches for the missing pair, as Birdie and Dom are trapped by a horde of monsters at the roadside circus. They encounter a mind-melting individual, who may be their salvation… but could also be part of the madness surrounding them. 

Masterpiece #1, Dark Horse

Sixteen year old inventor Emma has paid for school with her inventions, and is well known for her slice-of-life webcomics. One day, Zero Preston, a famous billionaire, confronts her with the truth about her parentage. Her folks were behind the greatest casino heist of all time, and they also stole a billion dollars from Preston before disappearing into the wind. Preston has been looking for payback for years, and now that he has Emma, he threatens her into pulling an impossible heist with a bunch of her parents’ old associates. 

More Series Premieres, One-Shots, and New Story Arcs: