FOC PICKS FOR 5/18/2026

Ok CHU Nation. It’s another Sunday night and I’m putting together my FOC orders, looking through what books may be of interest that stand out from the rest. Books that may be worth ordering ahead (and at a discount) or having your LCS put aside for you to not risk missing out.

Not a huge selection this week…been that way for a few weeks now. But still come fun covers and potential sleepers. Let’s run through them!

• Don’t forget to use code CHU2026 at checkout at Third Eye Comics to save 15% on all your comic purchases.

COVERS

 

Not typically the kinda of cover Dan Mora does…Is this Zombie Batgirl? Being issue #2 could be low ordered. Might be worth grabbing one and putting away.

 

 

A standalone adventure set in the same world as hit series GEHENNA: NAKED AGGRESSION! Gehenna travels to Japan to end the Yakuza contract on her life. But she finds they do business a little differently in the Land of the Rising Sun. Featuring gorgeous interior art from infamous mangaka ATSUJI YAMAMOTO (Metal Max, X-Men)!

Not sure why I’m singling this out from the crowd of covers this week…just seems different. A lot of guys like cute females dressed as playboy bunnies, holding guns or swords too…this one has it all!

 

NEW ONES

 

Selina Kyle has carved a good life for herself. Through her ingenuity and skills, she’s become the greatest thief the world has ever known. With high-tech gear and weaponry, there’s no place too secure for Catwoman. But when someone from her past comes knocking at her door, Selina’s life comes crashing down around her and she’ll need to get to the bottom of a mystery taking her all around the globe! Written by Che Grayson and Scott Snyder with art by Bengal, Catwoman bursts onto the scene in the Absolute Universe!

 

 

Estranged from his family and living under a government-issued alias, ex-black ops agent Morgan Power endures a life in suburban exile as a delivery driver for a major global courier company. It’s a 180 from his action-packed classified work abroad, until a routine shift puts him in the crosshairs of a domestic terrorist takedown.

Trapped in the parking garage of a besieged corporate office park, Power goes back to basics with nothing but his survival skills and a delivery van full of unopened packages‚ and endless possibilities‚ to fight his way from floor to floor and free the hostages. But some boxes hold more trash than treasure, and Powers will also have to contend with his intensifying PTSD as the situation escalates and time runs out. A classic lockdown thriller with a fresh twist!

 

NOTABLE REPRINTS

 

There’s a foil variant as well.

 

POTENTIAL FIRSTS

 

OPTIMUS’ NEW AUTOBOT TEAM REVEALED! A new team of Autobots remains on Earth under Optimus’ leadership. But can they come together after the battle between Optimus and Elita?

This cover was supposed to be a spoiler cover…last issue revealed Elita One’s team (and I believe they were on the cover). I’m not familiar with the characters on the cover.

 

READS

 

THE TALK… Peter Parker’s world will never be the same. Don’t miss one of the most pivotal issues in Spider-Man history!

Aunt may is pregnant! I kid…actually, I have no idea what the talk is about…but that would be pretty funny.

 

ASHCAN of the WEEK

 

For every 5 copies of Dispatched #1 ordered, retailers will be eligible to order a pack of 20 ashcans promoting the upcoming series Cult-de-Sac. Bundles come with 20 copies each and are a standard ashcan trim size of 5.5 x 8.5.

I’m like these “Buy 5, get 20 ashcans” deals. Most bigger shops probably automatically get these, but incentivizes small shops to order 5 of a new book…which likely they can sell 5 copies of a new Indy in this FOMO market lately.

 

WOMP WOMP of the Week

 

It’s getting to the point as soon as a cover gets hot, expect a second print of that cover. Makes cover buy spec kind of risky these days. But if you missed out on the first print and just want the cover, this tactic (and new FOC category) is for you.

 

 

PICK of the WEEK

 

An all-new ONGOING series launch from legendary JAE LEE When 17-year-old Dev moves to Japan, she stumbles into an underground world of illegal street racing, where speed is power and mutation wins championships. This high-octane sci-fi drama, set in a near-future Tokyo, is Fast and Furious by way of K-Pop Demon Hunters.

Not much impresses me this week, but this book seems like something that could be different. Like an edgy Speed Racer!

 

Yup, another slim pickin’s week. Helps save up for those upcoming conventions though, if that’s your thing.

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Have a great week!