Sometimes it’s a surprise indie title that steals the spotlight. Other weeks it’s a long running favorite reminding you why you’ve stuck with it for years. This week delivered a little of everything, from superhero action and psychological horror to creator owned experimentation and one of the funniest satires currently on shelves.

Before diving into the week’s books, we also spent some time discussing the current comic book market. Marvel’s sales expectations, the growing divide between major publishers and independent creators, and the challenges smaller publishers face all made for an interesting conversation. It reinforced something we’ve talked about before: comics are healthiest when there’s room for both blockbuster superheroes and ambitious creator-owned stories.

This Week’s Comic Reviews

This week’s stack included:

• Absolute Superman #21
• White Boat #3
• Assorted Crisis Events #9
• Fury of the Firestorm #4
• King Spawn #57
• Fear of Death #0
• Odin #3
• Star Crossed #1
• American Caper #9

As always, not every book landed equally. Some impressed us with inventive storytelling and standout artwork, while others simply weren’t for us. That’s part of the fun of reading widely, you never know which comic will become your favorite until you take a chance on it.

Pick of the Week

Steve’s Pick of the Week went to American Caper #9, a wildly satirical series that continues to blend absurd humor, social commentary, and unforgettable characters into one of the most entertaining books on the shelves today.

Jarrod chose The Voice Said Kill, the latest oversized release from DSTLRY Comics. What began as an unexpected read quickly became one of his favorite comics of the week thanks to its imaginative storytelling, metafictional approach, and beautiful presentation.

Continuing Our Lone Wolf and Cub Readalong

In the second half of the episode, we continue our community read of Lone Wolf and Cub with Volume 9.

This volume feels like a turning point for the series. While each chapter still tells its own self-contained story, the larger conflict between Ogami Itto and the Yagyu clan begins to move into the foreground. The stakes continue to rise, and the series starts hinting at a much bigger narrative to come.

We also discuss:

• The series’ exploration of tradition versus change.
• How historical research strengthens every story.
• The role of honor, loyalty, and social hierarchy.
• Why Ogami often feels more like a force of nature than a traditional hero.
• The incredible visual storytelling that allows entire scenes to unfold with little or no dialogue.

Read Along With Us

Our Lone Wolf and Cub readalong is open to everyone.

The series is available through Libby and Hoopla, making it easy to follow along with nothing more than a library card. Whether you’ve been reading with us from the beginning or you’re just discovering this classic manga, there’s still time to join the discussion.

If you’re looking for thoughtful comic reviews, indie recommendations, and conversations that go beyond simply rating books, Panel Chewing is the place to be.

Thanks for reading, thanks for listening, and we hope you find your Pick of the Week!

Click here to listen to the episode on your favorite podcasting platform