This second Wednesday of the month has become a tough one, as evidenced by the glut of good book on this list of Top Comics to Buy for August 14. It’s always a fun problem to have when my five recommendations could easily be six, or seven , or even eight. But man, do I have to make some tough calls. You can find my picks below, along with the usual release lists…enjoy!

Top Comics to Buy for August 14, 2024

Babs #1
Writer: Garth Ennis
Artist: Jacen Burrows
Colorist: Andy Troy
Letterer: Rob Steen
Publisher: AHOY Comics
From legendary writer Garth Ennis (The Boys, Preacher) and superstar artist Jacen Burrows (Crossed, The Punisher): Meet Babs, a barbarian thief with an itchy metal wardrobe and the world’s worst enchanted sword (named Barry). Together they travel a fantastic landscape of wizards, dragons, demons, castles-and a band of very angry, very white knights. Babs wasn’t looking for a fight, but she’s never found a bad situation she couldn’t make 100 times worse!
Why It’s Cool: This is the funniest comic I’ve read in a good while. I don’t usually laugh out loud while reading comics, but this one got me twice. It’s just a funny send-up of a certain type of Internet whiner, played out across barbarian comics tropes. The art looks great, the humor is so clever, and I think this might be one of my favorite new #1 comics of the year. Buy it.
Price: $3.99

Dick Tracy #4
Writers: Alex Segura and Michael Moreci
Artist: Geraldo Borges
Creative Consultant: Chantelle Aimee Osman
Colorist: Mark Englert
Letterer: Jim Campbell
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
Detective Dick Tracy and his allies are starting to piece together the mystery of the savage Green Eye killings, but the puzzle is revealing a much bigger and deadly conspiracy one that weaves back its tentacles to some unexpected places. Can the Man in Yellow uncover the truth – and defeat the City’s newest kingpin==in time to survive and prevent all-out war?
Why It’s Cool: This series has just gotten better and better since launch. It’s kind of a pressure cooker book, where the tension is just building toward more excitement. I’m loving it.
Price: $4.99

Gilt Frame #1
Story By: Margie Kraft Kindt and Matt Kindt
Art: Matt Kindt
Lettering: Sophia Hilmes
Publisher: Dark Horse Comics
A classic whodunit murder mystery that spans the globe from Paris to Hawaii to Montenegro as we hustle to keep up with the most unlikely murder-solving duo in the history of murder-solvers. Sam, who is in his early twenties, is an orphan, taken in when he was younger by his well-off Aunt Merry who has an eccentric taste for antiques and travel. Together, Sam and Merry have solved some of the most notorious murders in the world. And true to form, their Parisian vacation is cut short when they stumble upon a murder scene so bizarre that only a raging psychopath could have produced it. But to solve the crime, they have to wrestle with jewel thieves, art forgers, gun-runners, a lost puppy, and a master French detective who may just solve the crime before they do.
Why It’s Cool: This international whodunit is an absolute treat, playing with tropes of the genre while centering its action on the interesting character dynamic between a young man and the aunt who adopted him as a child. It’s subtle and smart and funny, and just an utter joy of a comic.
Price: $9.99

Jonny Quest #1
Writer: Joe Casey
Artist: Sebastian Piriz
Colorist: Lorenzo Scaramella
Letterer: Taylor Esposito
Publisher: Dynamite Entertainment
Get ready to climb aboard the Sea Quest and embark for adventure once more! Legendary boy explorer JONNY QUEST is back, along with his intrepid scientist dad Dr. Benton Quest, bodyguard “Race” Bannon, adopted brother Hadji, and all the rest of the beloved cast from the classic animated series!
Why It’s Cool: I was absolutely floored by how much I enjoyed this new Jonny Quest comic. It’s been I don’t know how long since I’ve seen any media with this character, but the comic does a good job of establishing what these stories are all about… and finding new territory to explore. Plus, the art is fantastic.
Price: $4.99

Morning Star #5
Writers: David ‘DB’ Andry and Tim Daniel
Artist: Marco Finnegan
Colorist: Jason Wordie
Letterer: Justin Birch
Publisher: Mad Cave Studios
All has gone up in flames – Garret family’s burial of their father Nathan, Jolene’s plans for closure and a fresh start for her children Charlie and Marabeth, and now even the Morning Star lookout tower burns! Haunted and stalked through the Kootenai Forest by memories of her past and delirious visions of her missing family, Jolene’s torment has exploded beyond the bounds of reason and so too has her quest to find her missing children. But something far beyond her wildest imaginings reaches out to Jolene to pull her back from the edge of madness. Something that transcends space and time. No telephones. No electricity. No transportation. Don’t escape.
Why It’s Cool: I’ve just loved this book from the start, and I’m happy to report this week that it absolutely sticks the landing, delivering an ending that feels sad yet inevitable and satisfying. More comics like this one please. If you missed it in single issues, get this trade on your list.
Price: $4.99