Not every week in comics is a winner—and this week on Panel Chewing: Pick of the Week, we felt that.
From books that didn’t quite land to a few that left us scratching our heads, this was one of those weeks where the pull list felt more like a gamble than a guarantee. But buried in the stack were a few bright spots—and one book that completely stole the show.
🎧 The Highs, The Lows, and The Trombones
This week’s episode covers a wide range of titles, including:
- Absolute Batman – intriguing ideas, but not fully clicking
- Absolute Superman – strong world-building and standout art
- Ice Cream Man #45 – a creepy, thought-provoking return
- Dead Teenagers #2 – a confusing follow-up that loses momentum
- Smile for the Camera #2 – difficult to follow without context
- Deathstroke – a solid but not groundbreaking entry
On the indie side, Human Nature surprised in a big way with its strange, sci-fi premise, while Hyde Street continues to impress with its storytelling and atmosphere.
Still, it was a week filled with more misses than hits, a rare occurrence, but one that makes the standout books shine even brighter.
🏆 Pick of the Week: Savage Sword of Conan #13
Sometimes, the simplest formula is the most effective.
Savage Sword of Conan #13 delivers a near-perfect comic experience, blending classic Conan storytelling with stunning black-and-white artwork.
With a story by Roy Thomas and art that captures the spirit of the original run, this issue feels like a return to form for sword-and-sorcery fans.
It’s a self-contained adventure packed with action, intrigue, and a classic Conan ending—proving that great storytelling never goes out of style.
If you read one book from this week, make it this one.
📚 Group Read: Batman and Son
We’re nearing the end of our current group read: Batman and Son by Grant Morrison.
This week’s issues gave us two very different experiences:
- A visually stunning murder mystery with incredible artwork
- A confusing jump into a separate storyline that left us with questions
With only a few issues left, we’re hoping everything ties together in a satisfying way.
📖 You can read along for free using:
- Libby
- Hoopla
💬 What Should We Read Next?
We’ll be wrapping up this run soon, which means it’s time to pick our next group read.
Have a favorite comic run you want us to cover? Let us know—we’d love to have you read along with us.
