Cobra Commander Finale & The Best New Comics To Read

Wes and Drew return to review the very best new comics in one of the strongest weeks of 2024 thus far. Leading the way is the Cobra Commander finale from Josh Williamson and Energon. The hottest thing in American comics keeps laying down amazing comics. DC and Marvel contributed only 2 great comics with Superman and Symbiote Spider-Man 2099. Thankfully the indie scene was on far with titles like TMNT, Void Rivals, Rook Exodus, Conan the Barbarian and Feral. Wes and Drew break down the must read new comics in the strongest week in all of 2024. Cobra Commander finale and the best new comics to read.
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Chapters
0:00 Intro
0:19 Cobra Commander #5
2:17 Rook: Exodus #2
4:27 Void Rivals #9
5:51 TMNT Saturday Morning Adventures #13
7:49 Nottingham #12
9:55 Conan the Barbarian #11
12:16 Feral #3
14:07 Symbiote Spider-Man 2099 #2
16:22 Superman #14
Contact Thinking Critical:
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#marvel #dccomics #comicbooks

[@joshuaingobo1559]

0:00 Intro 0:20 Cobra Commander #5 2:18 Rook: Exodus #2 4:28 Void Rivals #9 5:51 TMNT: Saturday Morning Adventures #13 7:49 Nottingham #12 9:55 Conan the Barbarian #11 12:17 Feral #3 14:08 Symbiote Spider-Man 2099 #3 16:23 Superman #14

[@cahe6161]

I love Jason Fabok's art, him, Gary Frank and Ivan Reis are my favorite artists

[@Nadafingah]

This was the one of the best weeks I can remember in a very long time.

[@eomc17]

My favorite 2024 comics are Ice Cream Man and Conan the Barbarian. These titles don't have the b0z0s at Marvel and DC ruining these stories. I look forward to every issue that comes my way.

[@raiderbear1]

Cobra Commander, Rook Exodus, Void Rivals, Nottingham Conan the Barbarian have been brilliant i highly recommend them all

[@mikem3543]

Y’all, this was a GREAT week to be a comic reader. I mean, seriously, bangers from one end to the other. Love the show, y’all. Peace.

[@InfamyOrDeath-__-]

I really hope people buy all these Geoff Johns comics, if you’re one of the guys who’s currently complaining about comics you better be buying these. This is what you’ve been asking for, it’s right here, go buy them. Make this a successful line & hopefully the big 2 will see they’re missing out by publishing all their trash.

[@ianhowe338]

Listening to the current state of comics is frustrating. I tune into your stuff on KZbin and over on Patreon, because it’s entertaining, but also because I hold out hope that eventually things will turn around and you’ll start having more positive stuff to say. I mostly want DC and Marvel to get better, but why not support the good comics being made, even if there aren’t many of them. I saw your video about Ghost Machine and Rook: Exodus and decided to take the plunge. I haven’t bought a single floppy comic since about 2010. I wasn’t even sure where to look. I’ve got some medical issues and am temporarily housebound, so my LCS wasn’t an option. I remembered Midtown has an online store so I went over there. I decided to ease my way back in. I ordered Rook Exodus 1&2, Redcoat 1&2, ghost machine one shot, void rivals 1, and Energon Universe one shot. With shipping it came to less than $40. I’m pretty excited for my books to get here. Thanks Wes!

[@Wes_From_TC]

I hope you're feeling better soon. You're gonna enjoy those books!

[@ianhowe338]

@@Wes_From_TC it’s been a tough decade, but I (hopefully) have one more surgery. Then, I should be on an upward trajectory. Your content has been a helpful distraction during some less than fun times. Keep up the great work!

[@ianhowe338]

@@Wes_From_TC it’s been a tough decade, but I (hopefully) have one more surgery. Then, I should be on an upward trajectory. Your content has been a helpful distraction during some less than fun times. Keep up the great work!

[@Wes_From_TC]

@@ianhowe338 Glad I can help brother!

[@b-dog3131]

I hadn't heard that Peter David was sick, that makes me seriously sad. Some of my favorite comics from the 80s and 90s were written by him I don't think we can afford to lose another great one!

[@captainscomicsandcomments8079]

The letterer of Conan, Mr Starking, is an acquaintance of mine. He always kills it. A true professional.

[@Dolan_waddick23]

Tell him we said he’s amazing!

[@captainscomicsandcomments8079]

@@Dolan_waddick23 will do!

[@natemachado9113]

Cobra Commander #5 is wonderful. Just read it. This is a prime example of how to world build, especially with a established product that has a long history that you need to re-invent without loosing all the elements that made it a success all these years ago. There is a reason for all the players coming together (Cobra Commander and Destro) that makes sense, all the while you know nobody really trusts each other and they will make their plays to further their own goals even though they appear to be coming together for common interest. Excellent use of even the smallest characters here as Mercer, Destro's right hand man, is brought in to play despite just being a minor character in the GI Joe movie from 1986. Cobra Commander is just a completely terrifying individual on a quest for power and anyone in their right mind has reason to be afraid of this guy. Which is as it should be. The continued connection with the Transformers is there as well, and we have Golobulus finally realizing how much he has been played by Cobra Commander, even though his intention was to eliminate the Commander anyway for his treasonous ways. Get this series...you won't be disappointed. Don't forget the collected Transformers trade is coming out this week too. Transformers is just off the chart as well. So get the trade if you missed the series first six issues. WTF20.

[@mr.dccomics9018]

Superman vs Lobo should have been the whole book. That's my only gripe with comic book fights, they are way too short.

[@smackroscoe]

That’s some of my fav current comics. A MANLY read…MANLY!

[@ljkelty1766]

Cobra Commander has been one of the best series of 2024. I never thought Cobra-La could be so cool and menacing. Skybound really it out of the park with Void Rivals, Transformers, and Cobra Commander. Duke and ARAH are good as well, but not perfect.

[@incubustimelord5947]

T.M.N.T. Saturday Morning Adventures is exactly why I like dimension travel, space travel and time travel stories. Whenever a comic book has a Multiverse, the super-hero characters should do what the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles do. That comic, issue # 13, shows writers how you do it right.

[@TacoExistential]

these best of the week videos always jar me after another week of doom and gloom...whew, there are still good comics out there it seems...😆

[@raiderbear1]

Fantastic reviews guys

[@sidneyrivera3578]

Thanks for the video Wes and Drew. Great picks this week. Agree with all of them, bought most of them✌️

[@raiderbear1]

Awesome work guys

[@joejunjulas7917]

All three of the Energon books get a 5 out of 5 for me ! Can't wait to see what's next for them! But whatever it is , I am on board !

[@jeromemaida4933]

Great choices, Wes! I would just recommend "Gun Honey: Collision Course #1" from Titan, which has gorgeous art, beautiful women and absolutely kicks ass!

[@edwardhipkiss281]

Great week for comics. Picked up Cobra Commander#5, Void Rivals #9 and Rook: Exodus #2. Conan should arrive in the mail shortly. I've enjoyed the Peter David mini-series he's been doing, but haven't picked up this latest Symbiote Spider-man one. Possibly unfair of me, based on one page shown in your video Wes, but Roge Antonio still hasn't worked out that you're supposed to draw backgrounds from the looks of it. It's why I always avoid anything with his name on it - occasional things that are obviously mentioned in the script to include are included as background details, otherwise just speedlines and blank backgrounds all the way. So lazy. Then again, if he's on a basic Marvel page rate, can't blame the guy really. On a happier note, surely Void Rivals is going to include Nebulos at some point in this huge space opera that Kirkman is slowly creating? That would be so cool seeing those characters before they become headmasters, targetmasters and powermasters!

[@raiderbear1]

Outstanding recommendations guys

[@AL-ws5yi]

I just read Void Rivals and boy was it good! My only complaint was it was too short.

[@andrewprowant6999]

Hey, Wes! What do you think about Geiger or Junkyard Joe? Have you read them yet? I have not, but am intrigued.

[@Essex__]

Really loving the comics so far, and I can't wait for a good Gi Joe x transformers Cinematic Universe 🔥🔥🔥

[@mlynskey520]

Im happy Lobo is getting a story at least. He's a little off from the traditional Lobo but hopefully the rumors are true he might get a series 3 of his own title.

[@charlesharrison1907]

Batman the first knight should be mentioned.

[@ChrisP58]

What if Venom is doing the same as the Awesome Peter David is doing with Symbiote Spider-man 2099. Fast pace, fun, entertaining and lots of cool cameos.

[@regishel]

Where is the timestamps!!?

[@kalkella8822]

The chains being able to hold Superman was explained in the very next panel.

[@gnayr1305]

Thanks again for another set of recommendations. You 2 do a great job! I’m going to pass on most of them, but I am subscribed to Rook & Conan and look forward to reading them. 🙏 On a side note, my wife & I will be making the 5 hour trek to Indianapolis this Thursday to watch Caitlin Clark and the Indiana Fever take on the Seattle Storm. Go Fever!

[@Wes_From_TC]

Thanks 👊 And we hope you have a great trip.

[@gnayr1305]

@@Wes_From_TC Thank you Wes! It’s our first stop. Day 2 we’ll be going to the Ark Encounter in Williamstown, KY.

[@Dolan_waddick23]

Hope you have a great time here in Indy! Check out St Elmo’s steak house, Harry & Izzy’s, or Iaria's Italian Restaurant

[@gnayr1305]

@@Dolan_waddick23 Thank you for the recommendations. I’ll make a note. 🙏

[@franklinachu2937]

Great recommedations guys. Thoughts on the batman first knight #3 Did it stick the landing ?

[@Dolan_waddick23]

It was alright. Felt like it went on a bit too long in the third issue.

[@IBFilia]

Last Mermaid.

[@TheMenacingScarletSpider]

I would add Pooh vs Bambi #2.

[@namelesswhocares8648]

Hope peter David's health gets better

[@andrewgonzalez2356]

I enjoyed Rook: Exodus #2. I think it’s the weakest of the three Ghost Machine books (for me personally), but that’s not an insult at all. Conan #11 is fantastic. I can’t freaking wait for the next issue in June. The Unholy Nightmare preview cover looks good. Dallas Con is going to be cool. Good vid.

[@PrivateCitizen84]

Dude that's more words than the average modern trade paper back.

[@carl0maldonado46]

His flash run ended perfectly…. Did you guys even read it…😂😂

[@joshuaingobo1559]

For Titans, I like that we’re able to see Vanadia’s origins on how she had her powers and wanted to become a Titan since she first saw them in 1980 before she was turned into an android by Professor Morrow and was brainwashed by him as part of Waller’s plan to destroy the Titans and prelude to Absolute Power. The good things about this comic are Dick realizing that Raven is evil thanks to his version of Zur-en-arrh (who is the good and and more heroic version of himself) and the Titans trying to defeat Vanadia and free her from control. My only criticism of this comic is Dark-Wing Queen Raven because evil Raven has been tiresome and repetitive since the Wolfman-Perez era. I hope that the Titans were able to free Vanadia from mind control via Morrow and Waller and work together to save the original Raven from Dark-Winged Queen Raven in the next few issues of this arc. Overall, this comic is alright, but it doesn’t made up the first few issues of this arc or this series in general, in my opinion. For World’s Finest, the great things about this comic are Bat-Mite doing a DCAU Batman pose (which looks cool); the JLA, Dick Grayson Robin, Supergirl, and Jimmy Olsen defeating their villains and their imps (with Priscilla Rich returning as the original Cheetah because pre-Crisis continuity being restored); Mxy giving Jimmy upgrades via homaging his adventures all throughout the Silver and Bronze ages of comics; Bat-Mite feeling Clark and Bruce before they were sent to the Sixth Dimension; and this comic ending with Jimmy becoming Earth’s mightiest hero. Mark Waid has done excellent job on how to handling the World’s Finest and their families as well as making Jimmy Olsen be Jimmy Olsen and using the Sixth Dimension from Scott Snyder’s Justice League run. Same thing with Dan Mora because his art being retro pre-Crisis continuity. Overall, this comic is great! For Catwoman, the only passable thing about this comic is Scandal explaining Selina (and us readers) why she worked with her father during the Gotham War, which is because of money in which it’s dumb. If Gail Simone told Tini Howard about Scandal Savage between Gotham War and this, then Tini would’ve said that Scandal became a double agent by working with Selina to betray her dad Vandal before she left and spend some time with her wives until her appearance in this comic. That way, it would’ve been a better explanation than what we’ve got. For Nightwing, The good things about this comic are Dick (with a nice beard) and Haley traveling around the mountains to gain himself back again and a flashback showing Dick, Bruce, Barbara, and Damian attending a gala to talk about Alfred and the Pennyworth Foundation. Also, Damian hating classy/formal suits and being impressed that Dick knocked Heartless’ teeth when they were kids and Dick fighting a criminal who stole chicken. I hope that Dick will learn Heartless’ identity since he hasn’t been doing anything for THREE YEARS up to this point. I also hope that Dick will be able to defeat him and save Blüdhaven from harm. Overall, this comic is good, and I hope that Tom Taylor will end this run on a high note instead of a lackluster note. For Green Lantern: War Journal, I’m actually impressed that John traveled to space to save some people and do cosmic stuff while Ellie had to protect her mom from Varron. Let’s hope that John and Ellie will defeat the Revenant Queen and Varron and save the world. Overall, this comic is good! For JL vs. Godzilla vs. Kong, the great things about this comic are Clark being rejuvenated and Lois saying yes to his proposal; the JLA and others using the Bat-Mech, Beast Boy as King Kong, and a construct giant mech to defeat the Legion of Doom; Clark freeing Billy Batson from the Legion of Doom and convincing Godzilla to join him in battle; King Kong becoming a Green Lantern (or a King Lantern), which is ridiculously cool because King Kong got something on him; and this issue (and this entire series) ending with the JLA, King Kong, and Godzilla saving the day and Clark and Lois having a picnic together. Overall, this comic is great! For Wonder Woman, I like that Diana conjured up a version of Steve so that they can talk to each other about what she’s doing, why she became a superhero, talk to him about their decades-long romance, and to keep herself from going insane by the Sovereign. The missed opportunity should’ve included Diana and Steve talking about their pre-Crisis Earth-One marriage during the first Crisis in 1985, since the post-Flashpoint Steve and Diana are continuations of the pre-Crisis Earth-One and pre-Flashpoint New Earth versions. However, the one thing I can criticize is Diana’s dialogue because it is stilted and annoying and that Diana calls him Steven instead of Steve and that she’s a few inches older than him (in which I prefer that Diana would be a few inches shorter than or around the same height as Steve). Overall, this comic is okay, but the dialogue needs improvement. The only good thing about this comic is the artwork because it is good. Also, referencing Diana kills Maxwell Lord via neck snap and the mod era from the Silver Age of comics. For the Super Sons backup, I like that Lizzie spent a month taking care of a corgi Jon and Damian before they were turned back to normal. It’s wholesome, hilarious, and sweet! Also, Jon as Supercorgi and Damian as Batcorgi, becoming the World’s Finest Corgis. For Superman, the great things about this comic are Clark and Lobo having a fight, Lobo siding with the Czarnians because he wants to have a family for a change de, Lex telling Supergirl that he’s working with Brainiac because of survival before they were saved by Brainiac 2, and Brainiac using the Superman Family and others to create the Brainiac Queen (whom I thought was a clone of Brainiac and Lex that was teased in Geoff Johns’ Adventure Comics run). Joshua Williamson and Rafa Sandoval continued to do a great job on the House of Brainiac storyline. I hope that they’ll continue the next part in Action Comics. Overall, this comic is great! For ASM, I actually feel bad that Norman had to carry his sins before he tortured and tormented Peter into becoming the Spider Goblin. Also, Norman (or Norman’s sins) secretly doing something since Nick Spencer’s run and a few issues ago (i.e.. Michelle breaking up with him). I hope to that Peter will be free from his Spider-Goblin persona and that he'll be able to free Norman's sins from him in the next few issues of this arc. Overall, this comic is interesting. For SSM, the good things about this comic are Peter mentioning Spider Island and encountering Robbie, J. Jonah, and Aunt May (with the minds of Doc Ock); Doc Ock telling Supernova about how he became the Superior Spider-Man after she learned the truth; and Doc Ock being impressed and honored that the thousands of New Yorkers has his mind. Also, Superior Spider-Boy being here, in which he only appeared for a few pages instead of the entire book, which is fine and would’ve been irritating if he had appeared in this entire comic. Overall, this comic is okay, and I hope that the final issue will involve Peter defeating Doc Ock, curing Supernova of her powers, and freeing the citizens of New York. For Spider-Gwen, I actually feel bad that Gwen was forced to stay in the main Marvel universe for reasons that will be explained. I hope that later issues will show O.B. telling Gwen why she had to stay there and that she’ll team up with or meet and interact with the Spider-Man Family so that she’ll save Earth-65 and return to her universe after this. This comic is interesting, and I hope that her adventures from Earth-65 (i.e. Storm twins, Em Jay having a crush on her, Orlando Octavius’ Sinister Six, etc.) will be mentioned in this comic or in her next ongoing or limited series. Overall, this comic is good, but it might get canceled after at most twelve issues. For Spectacular Spider-Men, I like that Peter and Miles lived a fantasy life where Peter was married to Gwen and have their children Benny and Helen, while Miles formed a romantic relationship with Kamala (although, in the main universe, I prefer her with Bruno). I hope that they’ll work together to realize that something is wrong and that they’re trapped by Arcade. Overall, this comic is great! For Symbiote Spider-Man 2099, I like that Miguel and Kron (and their symbiotes) worked together to fight some criminals working for Alchemax and interact with Strange 2099. It’s wholesome and sweet! Also, Gabe being told by his mom that Kron is his and Miguel’s brother. For Sensational She-Hulk, it’s bold and daring for Jack to tell Ganymede what’s going on and that Jen has nothing to do with something before Ganymede apologizes to Jen for misunderstanding it and for Jack and Jen to admit their feelings about each other and that they love each other, rekindling their relationship. It’s wholesome and sweet!

[@EvandroACruz]

You make so mentions to Pre-Crisis,but Pre-Crisis universe isn't canon anymore for a very long time.

[@EvandroACruz]

More and more indies books are replacing Marvel and DC books in popularity.

[@user-zd9yn5mz1f]

Looking forward to that Conan, but what a terrible cover!

[@robertgray1365]

The main cover is infinitely better, I don't know why Wes featured the cartoony variant. Unfortunately no De La Torre variant for this issue though.

[@ishbuelbrooks4621]

What about Daredevil?

[@Dolan_waddick23]

Who?

[@manofaction1807]

I've been picking them up. Not a fan of all of the scattered miniseries, but the story has been ..ok. Better then the shit Marvel and DC are showing. Real American Zombie Guys vs G.I. Joe is pretty good, though. The artist is ass, but the story is passable. Notice how the DC Greats are going over to Ghost Machine, and your seeing NOT-DC art and story lines? Noice!!!!!

[@sebastiansantos5498]

It just dawn on me Wes, why havent you talk about the RIPPARVERSE, you got some bad juju with him or what?, hes doing more than any "indie" comic you ever mentioned...

[@Arthurmaan]

He has but not recommended or said anything bad about it.

[@kylebrown6445]

I got the first two Isom books only because I never read the first one until I got the second. If you’re recommending good comic books, you wouldn’t recommend those. It’s cool Eric is making his own space, but they’ve got a long way to go before they’re making good books.

[@Maddharl]

I’m sure it’s something to do with shipping costs and the time it takes to get to the Philippines. He’s reviewing new books and probably not really worth it due to when he would receive it. I live in the UK and I’m not buying any funded books as shipping is about £30, that’s almost $40. I don’t know if they’re available digitally?

[@sebastiansantos5498]

@@kylebrown6445 thats why eric has always said to tell him your real toughts on the books, because he listen to his fans, so he can make that long way youre talking about...and yeah, i would recommend them before any other generic or woke "indie" comic, specially alphacore by Chuck Dixon. Take care.

[@sebastiansantos5498]

@@Maddharl i understand, to each, its own, and yes, you can find them online. Take care.