A Batman Event, Aquaman’s Birthday and More Staff Picks for Sept. 1

Each week, ComicsXF staff offer their recommendations for what to read. New DC comics come out Tuesdays, everything else Wednesdays.

Cover by Ben Oliver

Matt’s Pick: Batman: Fear State Alpha: Shine the event signal! The Scarecrow plot cooking in Batman culminates in this new big-deal story written by James “Substack” Tynion IV and drawn by Riccardo Federici. ($4.99) Previously, in Batman stuff …

Cover by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado

Cori’s Pick: Aquaman 80th Anniversary 100-Page Super Spectacular: Celebrate the king of Atlantis’ birthday with this oversized, overpriced anthology featuring stories by Dan Jurgens, Geoff Johns, Brandon Thomas, Stephanie Phillips, Michael Moreci, Marguerite Bennett, Dan Watters, Jeff Parker, Francis Manapul, Steve Epting, Paul Pelletier, Trung le Nguyen, Doc Shaner and more. ($9.99) Check out the latest from Cori.

Cover by Peach Momoko

Karen’s Pick: Demon Days: Cursed Web #1: Mariko Yashida journeys deep into a dark forest to find answers about her past. Instead, she finds a magical wolf with three toes and a strange girl with a pet spider. Peach Momoko’s unique spin on the Marvel Universe continues. ($4.99) Check out the latest from Karen.

Cover by Mitch Gerads

Dan’s Pick: Infinite Frontier #5: Lotta threads to keep straight in this one. What is Darkseid’s big scheme to destroy the multiverse, and how does it involve Barry Allen? How will the Black Lantern ring treat Roy Harper? Will Alan Scott and Obsidian be reunited with Jade? And how much deeper in love will Dan fall with Director Bones? Written by Joshua Williamson and drawn by Xermanico, Paul Pelletier and Jesus Merino. ($4.99) Check out the latest from Dan.

Cover by Filipe Andrade

Armaan’s Pick: The Many Deaths of Laila Starr #5: Laila is tempted with her old job back and Darius is tempted with immortality in the conclusion to Ram V and Filipe Andrade’s BOOM Studios series. ($3.99) Previously, in The Many Deaths of Laila Starr …

Cover by Simone Di Meo

Vishal’s Pick: We Only Find Them When They’re Dead #8: Tensions come to a head between the Harvesters and the Worshippers at Malik’s Flight as Marlyn Chen’s true plan is revealed. Written by Al Ewing and drawn by Simone Di Meo for BOOM Studios. ($3.99) Check out the latest from Vishal.

Cover by Phil Noto

Tony’s Pick: Star Wars: The High Republic #9: The Nihil are in retreat, hunted by the Jedi. Wayseeker Knight Orla Jareni is attacked by a lone Nihil Stormship in deep space. Which of Starlight Beacon’s number have joined the Nihil Horde? And how far will they turn from the Light? Written by Cavan Scott and drawn by Ario Anindito. ($3.99) Previously, in Star Wars stuff …

Cover by Stephen Segovia

Adam’s Pick: Hellions #15: Sinister leaves the team to fend for themselves against Tarn the Uncaring and his Locus Vile. Sounds right. Written by Zeb Wells and drawn by Roge Antonio. ($3.99) Previously, in Hellions

Cover by Martin Simmonds

Zack’s Pick: New Mutants #21: Something’s up on the moon. Also, the team turns on itself. In the middle of a Shadow King plot? The devil, you say! Written by Vita Ayala and drawn by Rod Reis. ($3.99) Previously, in New Mutants

Cover by Esad Ribic

Mark’s Pick: Eternals Vol. 1: Never die. Never win. Such is the lot of the Eternals, gods who walk the Earth in a never-ending struggle against the Deviants and, all too often, themselves. What shocking discovery will change everything they’ve ever known, and who sold them out to Thanos? Find out in this collection of the first six issues by writer Kieron Gillen and artist Esad Ribic. ($17.99) Get to know the Eternals.

Cover by Ron Wilson

Austin’s Pick: What If, the Original Series Vol. 1 Omnibus: What if Spider-Man joined the Fantastic Four? What if the Hulk kept Bruce Banner’s intellect? What if Jane Foster found the hammer of Thor? What if ifs and buts were candy and nuts? Get the answers to most of these questions in this ombunus collecting most of the first 22 issues of Marvel’s alternate-reality anthology series. ($100) Hey, we talked to Roy Thomas about this book!

Dan Grote is the editor-in-chief of ComicsXF, having won the site by ritual combat. By day, he’s a newspaper editor, and by night, he’s … also an editor. He co-hosts WMQ&A: The ComicsXF Interview Podcast with Matt Lazorwitz. He lives in New Jersey with his wife, two kids and two miniature dachshunds, and his third, fictional son, Peter Winston Wisdom.