showers bring May flowers – and also new comics. As busy as the year has been, I’m actually not too far behind on the comic series I need to catch up on reading because of the continued paper shortages and shipping delays. That being said, it’s more important than ever to support creators of physical print mediums by pre-ordering their work. Comic shops use pre-orders as a general guideline when ordering the amount of specific comic issues to their shops.
There may not be time to pre-order the May comic releases, but you can still ask your local comic shop to place an issue on hold for you. May is packed with great new titles from the indie comic scene. Additionally, you’ll find several new arcs or prequel series from previously established comic series this month. Whether you’re searching for a lighthearted adventure, action-packed battles, or visceral horror, here are 15 of the best new comics of May to anticipate.
New Comics of May 2022
1. Barbaric: The Harvest Blades＃1 — Michael Moreci, Richard Pace, Addison Duke, & Jim Campbell
Barbaric swung for the fences and chopped them all down last year with the popular comic series about a barbarian and his bloodthirsty talking axe. Vault Comics brings back Barbaric with a special one-shot at the end of May as a primer for the series’ second arc set for July publication.
After the final boss battle and emotional montage sequences in the first arcs’ explosive conclusion, readers can expect more blood and ethics in Barbaric: The Harvest Blade. Owen the barbarian is cursed to do good. Guided by his talking Axe as they slaughter their enemies, the cynical barbarian is sure to find himself in morally compromising situations yet again during the one-shot issue. Prepare for more blood, mayhem, and drama from the Vault-verse hit comic series.
2. Beorn: The Littlest Viking Saga #1 — Ben Bender
First released as a webcomic and then funded through Kickstarter, Beorn: The LIttlest Viking saga is finally coming to print for a broad audience in May 2022. Independent comic book publisher Red 5 Comics is distributing the delightful all-ages comic in single issues in anticipation of a collected trade release later in 2022.
The slice-of-life fantasy tale follows little Viking Beorn who yearns for a life fighting in battles and dueling alongside legendary warriors. Beorn will travel to an uncharted island in search of the heroic adventures dominating his dreams in Beorn: The Littlest Viking Saga #1.
I fell in love with Beorn last year for the first time. Wonderful creator Ben Bender’s cute comedy can now be shared with any comic reader as it hits shelves in a few weeks.
3. Bunny Mask: The Hollow Inside #1 — Paul Tobin, Andrea Mutti, & Taylor Esposito
Bunny Mask returns to haunt you when you’re trying to close your eyes and sleep. The AfterShock Comics series returns with Bunny Mask: The Hollow Inside #1, the first issue in the second volume of the hit horror comic series starting this May.
I don’t know about other indie comic lovers, but Bunny Mask was among my favourite comic series of 2022. From the mystical surrealist aesthetic induced from Andrea Mutti’s art to the depraved nature of Bunny Mask as she emerges like a nightmare from the shadows, the horror comic engendered a sense of delectable dread in every issue.
No spoilers here about the plot, but I personally can’t wait to see Bunny Mask on the page again in this follow-up series.
4. Colorless Vol. 1 — Kent
The May 2022 manga release calendar includes a few new English-printed first volumes, such as Crazy Food Truck Vol. 1 and Kubo Won’t Let Me Be Invisible Vol. 1. Among these titles is Colorless Vol. 1 from Seven Seas Entertainment. The manga is pitched as a noir-punk thriller where the world the characters inhabit is devoid of both color and humanity after a cosmic fallout.
In a story where most people now bear more of a resemblance to mutants than humans after the disaster, Colorless follows the story of an investigator named Avidia. The intelligent Avidia searches for the Earth’s remaining splashes of color when he meets a young woman who may change his fate – and the world.
The debut manga volume from creator Kent sounds conceptually original, thematically textured, and promises instances of neon color hues on two-tone printing paper among its typically monochromatic pages.
5. Dogs of London #1 — Peter Milligan, Artecida, Valentina Bianconi, & Rob Steen
AfterShock Comics has been knocking it out of the park time after time in nearly every fictional (and even non-fictional) genre over the past few years. Their horror catalogue offers some of the creepiest current titles in the comics industry. Though not necessarily a horror comic – but it certainly looks frightening – the first issue in the upcoming Dogs of London supernatural crime thriller series is set to release in May.
Written by comics veteran Peter Milligan, Dogs of London #1 is a brutal British gangster tale. The preview pages illustrated by Artecida and colored by Valentina Bianconi give us a noir-tinged glimpse of the death, violence, and tragedy the narrator endured in a high-profile gangster mob in swinging 1960s London. The story spans multiple timelines as the trauma of their past actions weighs heavily on the narrator recalling how far the men went in their thirst for blood and vengeance.
Don’t sleep on this glamorously illustrated story about men who won’t let sleeping dogs lie when issue #1 arrives soon.
6. Eight Billion Genies #1 — Charles Soule, Ryan Browne, & Chris Crank
Eight Billion Genies #1 kicks off the start of a new eight-issue series published by Image Comics. The solicit information and charming cover art will undoubtedly grant the wishes of any reader searching for a breezy comic read.
Built upon the premise where every person on earth is suddenly assigned one genie to grant one wish, Eight Billion Genies #1 paves the way for an intriguing character drama. The genie designs from Ryan Browne sparkle with energy and charisma on the preview pages.
This comic seems like a lot of fun: an ideal read in our everyday lives embroiled with the mundane and lacking fantastical wish fulfillment.
7. GRIM #1 — Stephanie Phillips, Flaviano Armentaro, Rico Renzi, & Tom Napolitano
BOOM! Studios announced GRIM a few months ago, and my enthusiasm hasn’t waned since. The new ongoing comic series boasts an all-star cast of creators who are sure to bring their unstoppable genius to the series with nuance and flair.
GRIM #1 centres on a young woman who must solve the mystery surrounding her own death. Jessica Harrow becomes a Reaper in the afterlife to help other souls cross over to their final resting place. Yet she’s the only Reaper who can’t remember how or why she died.
The supernatural mystery comic glows with mind-blowing, ethereal artistry and a concept exploring a unique side of life after death I’m sure will blow readers away.
8. I Hate This Place #1 — Kyle Starks, Artyom Topilin, & Lee Loughridge
Skybound, the Image Comics publishing imprint, embraces a startling horror series about an alien invasion and dread over unpredictable futures this May with I Hate This Place #1.
Writer Kyle Starks has been killing it in the indie comic game as an author with recent titles like The Six Sidekicks of Trigger Keaton and Old Head under his belt. Combined with masterful artists Artyom Toplin and Lee Loughridge, there’s no question regarding the hype around this title. Alternatively, readers can also purchase a redressed explicit variant aptly titled “F*ck This Place.”
The general plot summary informs readers about duo Trudy and Gabby as they inherit a farm house and start making new strides in their relationship together. Unfortunately, their plans for the future are put on hold. Trudy and Gabby don’t even have time to settle in when they discover a decades-old force inside their home has been perpetually attracting supernatural beings to the residence.
I Hate This Place #1 forces its characters into dire straits inside a spookily drawn setting immediately, setting up a hopefully spectacular comic series.
9. Jurassic League #1 — Daniel Warren Johnson, Juan Gedeon, & Mike Spicer
There’s a new comic series rumbling on the horizon that has comic fans roaring with excitement. In a perplexing but comedically apt twist, DC Comics will release the first issue of Jurassic League #1 on May 10th. It’s a tale as old as time.
The six-issue limited series reimagines the Justice League as dinosaur superheroes from the Jurassic period. DC Comics has kept further details about the comic fairly tight-lipped, so as not to ruin what could be one of the top comics of the year. With Daniel Warren Johnson at the writing helm, along with the preview pages bursting with dynamic action and color from artist Juan Gedeon and colorist Mike Spicer, Jurassic League #1 already looks like a hit.
And who’s to say there weren’t super-powered dinosaurs running around in Earth’s prehistoric era?
10. Lars the Awkward Yeti Vol. 1 — Nick Seluk
Daily webcomic Lars the Awkward Yeti will finally be distributed as a print volume to the public published through Rocketship Entertainment in May. Lars the Awkward Yeti is known for its synergy of humour and heart that speaks volumes about what those who struggle with social interactions endure on a daily basis.
The socially awkward, fuzzy, beloved blue Yeti has been barely functioning in daily situations since 2012. Lars the Awkward Yeti Vol. 1 collects the first volume of these stories where you’ll laugh and cringe at its unfortunate relatability.
It’s the first of a collected edition trilogy perfect for the similarly socially inept, sociology lovers, or yeti fans.
11. The Recount: Preamble #1 — Jonathan Hedrick, Gil Lopez, Lorenzo Palombo, & Joel Rodriguez
Scout Comics released The Recount #1 back in the beginning of 2021 and I’ve never stopped thinking about its almost prophetic contents. Rarely has there been a more prescient comic series that was conceived as an allusive commentary on current events before a highly disturbing yet similar American historical event occurred. The synopsis includes a minor spoiler for the original The Recount series.
The Recount: Preamble #1 is set before the upsetting consequences of the uprising in The Recount. This sequel comic series focuses on key Recount player Phil Pontus. Before his assent to leader of “The Masses” terrorist organization, Phil Pontus was a member of the military.
The Recount: Preamble smartly details Phil’s backstory in this new character-focused comic set for a May release date.
12. Star Wars: Obi-Wan #1 — Christopher Cantwell, Ario Anindito, & Phil Noto
In lieu of the upcoming Obi-Wan Disney+ series, Star Wars: Obi-Wan #1 introduces another endearing canon story about the Jedi into the Marvel Comics Star Wars Universe.
The illustrious Jedi master appears as an old man living out his final days somewhere in a Tatooine desert in the first issue. Star Wars: Obi Wan #1 chronicles Obi-Wan’s life as he ruminates on his time as a Padawan , the Clone Wars, and his former adventures.
The artwork beautifully captures the childhood appearance of the Jedi Knight. The 5-issue prequel comic series should entice any Star Wars buffs to pick up an issue.
13. Tales From Harrow County: Lost Ones #1 — Cullen Bunn & Emily Schnall
May seems to be the month picked to host continuation/prequel comic series. Yet another return to familiar ground, the acclaimed southern-gothic horror series Harrow County follows up on Emmy’s story in the newest Dark Horse Comics issue.
In the aftermath of the events in the original comic conclusion, Tales From Harrow County: Lost Ones #1 looks forward to all that has occurred since Emmy finally left Harrow County. The tale of woe investigates Emmy’s life outside the supernatural town for the first time.
Harrow County comics never fail to engage readers with its unsettling horror and quietly creeping dread.
14. Twig #1 — Skottie Young, Kyle Strahm, Jean-Francois Beaulieu, & Nate Piekos
Sadly, Netflix just canceled their upcoming Bone comic Netflix adaptation. But similar in feel and aesthetics to Bone, Image Comics’ 5-issue series Twig releases in May to help curb all our depression.
In Twig #1, the eponymous blue creature Twig sets out as a journeyer. Twig will have to shed his shyness and put on a brave face in his heroic quest to save his fantastical world. Brimming with incredibly cute character designs and imaginative fantasy, this already selling-out comic series will appeal to all age groups. Twig #1 will not disappoint.
Perhaps there will be some merch and plush toy releases in the future? I’m definitely purchasing prints of that gap-toothed blue fellow.
15. The Wrong Earth: Purple #1 — Stuart Moore, Fred Harper, & Rob Steen
If you haven’t read any of The Wrong Earth comic issues from AHOY Comics yet, stop and consume the first volume right now.
The Wrong Earth, first published back in 2018 as one of the flagship AHOY Comics titles, continues to impress with each bold spin-off and continuation series. 2022 has witnessed the release of one-shot titles set in The Wrong Earth multidimensional universes. The Wrong Earth: Purple #1 marks the third self-contained entry in this metal superhero satire series.
Penned by comics veteran Stuart Moore, illustrated by the incomparable Fred Harper, and lettered by everyone’s favourite AHOY letterer Rob Steen, this new one-shot in The Wrong Earth event calls back to the 80’s comic crossover heydays. The Wrong Earth Purple #1 welcomes yet another multiverse universe into the fold with the glossy 1980’s nostalgia world of Earth-Kappa.
Dragon-Fly must wiggle into his rubber latex costume on a shiny nostalgia ride to the past in this funky upcoming comic.
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