ComicBook Countdown: The Week of May 25

The world of TV and at the movies are finally slowing down after a month of big finales and releases. But worry not, as the comic shelves are still loaded with exciting new releases. That makes this the perfect week to swing by your local comic book store if you haven’t been in a while. As “Convergence” draws to a close, DC Comics is publishing some of their most exciting new releases of the year. There’s so much good stuff coming from DC this week, that we didn’t even have room to include the director’s cut of The Muliveristy: Pax Americana. That says a lot.

5. San Andreas | Warner Bros. Picutres

There have been plenty of movies featuring disasters this summer, from a crumbling city in The Avengers: Age of Ultron to the fire-filled Mad Max: Fury Road. San Andreas is the first true disaster flick of 2015 though, and it looks to be a doozy. Falling skyscrapers and exploding dams fill the trailers, but there’s only one solid reason to check this one out: The Rock. He’s the kind of actor who combines big drama and bigger stunts into popcorn flicks that allow you to settle back and enjoy the CGI slugfest.

4. Game of Thrones “Hardhome” | HBO

Game of Thrones is drawing very close to the end of its fifth season now, and it’s hard to know what to expect at this point. As a book reader, I’ve been blown away from the very start with lots of changes being made, and almost all of them improving upon the source material. Jon Snow’s story has stayed largely on track, but his visit and alliance with the Wildlings is bound to shock book-readers and show-watchers alike. “Hardhome” may come one week before Game of Thrones‘ notorious episode 9, but I don’t think we can only expect the unexpected.

3. The Sandman: Overture #5 | Vertigo Comics

I won’t actually believe this is coming out until it’s end in my hands, but assuming the solicits are correct, then we call all be excited about the release of The Sandman: Overture #5. The increasingly delayed mini-series is proof that long waits can lead to greater rewards. Neil Gaiman’s return to his comics opus has been as lovingly detailed and poetic as fans expected, but for me this series is all about J.H. Williams III. His painted compositions are without peer, bringing the wildest dreamscapes from Gaiman’s script into vivid reality. It is a truly beautiful piece of art, one that we will hopefully get to see a new chapter of this Wednesday. Hopefully.

2. The Valiant TPB | Valiant Entertainment

Ever since their return to the comics industry, Valiant Entertainment has been setting a bold example in superhero comics. Their series all reflect unique ideas, genre elements, and artistic styles. Nowhere is their focus on revitalizing superheroes more apparent than in this four-part blockbuster of a crossover. It’s tightly written, epic in scope, and beautifully realized, everything you could want from an event. Even better, it’s entirely accessible to new readers. Matt Kindt, Jeff Lemire, and Paolo Rivera have outdone themselves in The Valiant. This is a must-read for anyone who likes superhero comics.

1. Convergence: Shazam #2 | DC Comics

I have not been the biggest fan of the Convergence event. It’s just not my cup of tea. But there has been one enormous exception: Convergence: Shazam. Doc Shaner, Jeff Parker, and Jordie Bellaire, the same team that revitalized Flash Gordon at Boom, has brought the magic of Shazam to life. It is a beautiful fever dream of Golden Age superheroics summoned by some of the greatest talents of modern comics. There is so much to love about their version of Shazam, that I have to doubt the humanity of anyone not enjoying this two-part series. We’re lucky to have received both of these issues, and maybe we’ll be lucky enough to see DC Comics offer this team an ongoing series down the road. They certainly deserve it.

What new comics, shows, and other releases are you looking forward to this week? Share in the comments below.