FOC PICKS FOR 3/2/2026

 

Hey CHU Peeps. We are officially in March now…yet the madness seems to have been going for a few weeks already with new releases. Last week it was House of Fowler, Murder Drones and Is Ted Ok. Although none of those reached the heights of White Sky and D’Orc. Nectar is on deck…but it has settled down a bit after going to the moon 2 weeks out. It remains to be seen whether this is just a FOMO blip on the radar or a sign of things to come throughout 2026.

That being said, these are hard to predict. But we do our best in this community to highlight the books we think have the best chance. Or just look like fun reads and covers.

Use code CHU2026 at Third Eye Comics to save 15% off your order

COVERS

 

Those of us from the 80’s remember the school photos where you had a floating head above you staring off into the distance. Who came up with that? Why did parents think that made a great photo of their child? Well, I saw this cover and just had to highlight it. Nailed it, and for that reason it’s the Dirty D Cover-of-the-Week!

 

 

What happens when you send a witch to kill a witch? Time to find out as the daughters of the most powerful magic users in the universe come together at last, forced into combat with devastating stakes–it’s the Witch of the Wild Isle versus Zatanna Zatara, the Mistress of Magic!

Haven’t highlighted a Putri cover in a bit. Typically she likes to work with white backgrounds, but this black background is pretty cool.

 

 

I don’t normally highlight incentive ratios, just because I don’t think the vast majority are worth chasing. But it’s not all that often you see an homage of this cover, despite everyone knowing what book it’s an homage of.

 

 

In this special, oversize 600th issue, Hal Jordan will be tested as never before…and a new Lantern stands poised to step in should he fail. Hal embarks on a mysterious mission while Kyle Rayner finally moves back to Los Angeles and again takes up the mantle of Green Lantern of Earth. Join Kyle as he finds a job, navigates traffic, and chases down escaped villains from Oa! All this, plus a host of legendary guest artists and writers from Lanterns past, and an answer to the question posed to Star Sapphire in the last issue…

Did someone pop the question to Sapphire?

 

 

Concluding the epic storyline from one of the highest-selling independent comic book issues of all time. Featuring a completely silent issue by artist and writer Mark Spears! Picking up directly where Issue #1 left off – following the flashback events of Issue #2 – the savage werewolf finally tracks down Frankenstein’s monster, setting the stage for a brutal confrontation. But neither realizes that Invariant Corp has dispatched a deadly squad of ninjas. MONSTERS VS. NINJAS. Do we really need to say more?

The Spears train has lacked some steam lately, but I do like this Punk cover/monster variant for issue #3, which wraps up this mini-series.

 

 

After the shocking events of DC K.O., Superman is missing. But one hero steps up to take his place…Superboy Prime?! Normally, Prime has only been part of massive DC events, but now he gets a real shot at showing the world he can be just as great a hero as Superman! Superstar artist Dan Mora returns to Superman for an action-packed and fun adventure that changes the face of the DC Universe!

Nice Mora cover to begin a new arc, with Superboy Prime taking over the title.

 

 

Just a cool Spider-Gwen cover…reminds me of the hip-hop variants and Skyline variant covers.

NOTABLE REPRINTS

 

 

 

I don’t think this will be golden age sized. Most likely modern.

 

 

I think I like this second print cover better than the first print.

 

 

 

FIRST APPEARANCES

 

CELEBRATE FIFTY YEARS OF JACK KIRBY’S COSMIC VISION! THE ETERNALS return in an oversized anniversary special honoring the legendary creations of the King of Comics. Discover untold stories of Earth’s immortal protectors, explore their hidden history and witness the debut of a BRAND-NEW ETERNAL – one whose secrets could shake the foundations of the MARVEL UNIVERSE! Featuring CAPTAIN AMERICA, IKARIS, THE REJECT and introducing THE LOST ETERNAL! This milestone issue is a must-have for Kirby fans and Marvel collectors alike!

Not that anyone has ever really cared about the Eternals…but we’re getting a new one.

 

NUMBER TWO’s

Highlighting the second issues of hot #1’s on FOC.

 

The hippos are LOOSE! Yes, an entire amusement park filled with ravenous hippopotami chomping on families and destroying property values! It’s a good thing Miquel Senecoza and Clarke Nebraska are on the case. Although it’s a shame that Nebraska has Miquel tied to a chair while she beats him with a phone book and reveals her tragic backstory that left her hungry…for justice! So adjust your karate belts, and get ready for more daring do…Florida style!

I read the first issue…a bit strange…a bit of a 70s campy style. But at the very end of issue #1 the boss trying to get away dumps a large amount of cocaine onto his hippos who happily devour it…and off they go into the crowd. Little known fact, those cute hippos are actually one of the most dangerous animals in the world, responsible on average for 500 deaths in Africa…they tend to trample people in a panic. Can only imagine how dangerous they are tripping on dust. Or, we can just read the next 3 issues and find out.

 

 

After being violently separated from her father, Violet now faces the horrors of this world on her own. Unsure of what to do, she meets the unlikeliest of allies, a psychic-medium named Walter who’s being held prisoner under the Bay Bridge Toll Plaza.

Also read the first issue. Wasn’t much of a read as it was few words. I guess it left enough in question about what’s going on I’ll read the next issue.

 

THE NEXT D’ORC?

(Formerly Indy Spotlight)

 

Novelist C. Scott Frederiksson hasn’t written anything of note in years. He’s about to lose his adjunct position at the University, be dropped by his agent, and possibly dumped if he doesn’t publish a hit and soon.

Scott has it all figured out. A masterfully scripted spectacle to dazzle the masses without doing any real harm. A local celebrity will be robbed of her prized possessions, and Scott will come out on the other side as an antihero, showered with publicity and a lucrative new book deal.

But he can’t do it alone. Every compelling heist needs a crack team of like-minded crooks, and Scott’s top recruits are his old high school D&D group and their ragtag townie friends coming in clutch with the getaway Geo Storm.

It’ll either be the greatest story C. Scott Frederiksson has ever told, or someone’s going to end up dead. Maybe both!

Ok, it’s not the next D’Orc…not even close. May possibly be over ordered due to FOMO speculators. but it does sound interesting and perhaps worth checking out the first issue.

 

PICK OF THE WEEK

 

I AM DA KNIFE! My body is full of DC K.O. energy! After the thrilling conclusion of our latest crossover, I’ve got a new lease on life–and it’s darker and grittier than ever! You know Batman? Well, you can call me Batquinn now! I’m like Batman, but I do things…a little differently! Bricks are gonna be flying tonight, baby!!!

Sounds like Harley is getting a mashup with Batman. Something as a result of the DC K.O. fallout. And as silly as this sounds (and as silly as she looks on Cover A), this book, in particular this variant, could be a sleeper. Especially with Poison Ivy being the woman Batquinn is protecting. One to keep an eye on. And for that reason this book is the Dirty D Pick-of-the-Week.

 

DREK of the WEEK

 

When journalists Clark Kent and Peter Parker find themselves chasing the same story, the conspiracy they uncover could change the world–especially if Brainiac and Doctor Octopus have anything to say about it. Good thing our intrepid newshounds are secretly Superman and the amazing Spider-Man.

Tom King and Jim Lee tell a tale of Lois Lane and Mary Jane Watson. Matt Fraction and Steve Lieber revisit Superman’s pal Jimmy Olsen…and Carnage! Sean Murphy, meanwhile, takes us to the future with Superboy (Legion) and Spider-Man 2099. Gail Simone teams up with Belen Ortega for a look at what happens when Power Girl meets Punisher. Christopher Priest and Daniel Sampere show us a time when Superboy Prime (who reads all the comics) decided to visit Spider-Man right after he got the black suit. Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott take us on an exciting race–between the Daily Planet and the Daily Bugle. Plus, we finally get to answer the age-old question of who would win in a fair fight, Pa Kent or Uncle Ben! Just kidding, those guys are too nice to fight each other, but Jeff Lemire and Rafa Sandoval will take us deep into the past to see the two men bond in the face of adversity. Celebrate 50 years of DC/Marvel crossovers with eight new original stories by some of DC’s top talent!

There are A LOT of variants for this book. Not all that impressed by any of the covers…the only thing going for this spec-wise is the $7.99 price tag…that will keep some covers lower print runs. But I’m sure the better ones by the more popular artists will be ordered heavy regardless.

If you have to have this book, pick the cover(s) you like and leave it at that.

 

Parting Thoughts

Hopefully new comics stay hot. Hopefully this list helps you find those ones that do. It’s been a good start to the year so far! Have a great week.