The comic book industry appears to be having a pretty good year, but that doesn’t necessarily mean every comic is benefiting.

This week on Panel Chewing, Jarrod and I start with a conversation about what I learned from talking with the owner of my local comic shop.

Recent numbers point toward increased comic shop revenue and more customers making purchases, but the reality for smaller titles can be much more complicated. My local shop owner explained why they may only order a handful of copies of an independent title, why later issues can become difficult to find, and just how dominant books like DC’s Absolute line have become.

It’s an interesting look at the business behind the shelves and why discovering great independent comics isn’t always as easy as walking into your local shop.

This Week’s Comics

After that, it’s time to get into the stack.

We discuss Absolute Batman #23, Detective Comics #1111, Punisher #7, Conan the Barbarian #33, Shell Shock #1, and The Dirt Beneath the Devil #1, among others.

Jarrod also catches up on Rook: Exodus, reading issues #7–10 and finding even more reasons to recommend the series.

Picks of the Week

Jarrod’s Pick of the Week is Black Star #1 from Titan Comics, a new story set in a Canadian frontier town where a doctor suddenly discovers he possesses a mysterious ability.

My pick is Fire and Ice: Dark Wolf #2 from Dynamite. This issue is essentially one long chase, but the artwork, coloring, lettering, medieval atmosphere, and Dark Wolf himself made it my favorite comic of the week.

Lone Wolf and Cub Volume 11

Finally, we continue our Lone Wolf and Cub readalong with Volume 11.

After the intensity of Volume 10, this installment slows things down and gives us something much more introspective. Ogami and Daigoro remain separated for much of the volume, allowing us to see each character differently before their paths finally converge again.

Daigoro is particularly fascinating. Despite being raised on the assassin’s road, he continues to demonstrate empathy and an instinct to help others. It raises an interesting question: Is Daigoro becoming another Ogami, or is he developing his own version of the code his father taught him?

Volume 11 may not have the explosive action of its predecessor, but it’s another reminder of why Lone Wolf and Cub has remained so compelling throughout this readalong—and why the series still feels surprisingly timeless decades after it was created.

Join us for comic industry talk, this week’s reviews, our Picks of the Week, and another trip down the assassin’s road with Lone Wolf and Cub.