Welcome to The A.V. Club’s monthly comics preview, where we recommend new books to check out over the next few weeks. This month, we’ve got five noteworthy picks, including a romance about a librarian falling for the devil, a middle-grade graphic novel exploring gender identity, a superhero slasher thriller, and the return of a beloved manga.
Clara & The Devil Vol. 1 by Olivie Blake and Little Chmura (May 5)
Sexy, creepy, alluring—the cover of Clara & The Devil Vol. 1 (23rd Street Books) projects the perfect vibes for this dark romance following a woman tempted by the devil who walks into her public library. Fingering a red flower while naked men are wrapped around her like a baggy flesh coat, Clara looks like she’s ready to start some mischief, and the image is indicative of the style and attitude that artist Little Chmura brings to every page. You would never guess that this was originally published as a vertical-scrolling digital comic on Webtoon, and Little Chmura is able to overcome the hurdles of shifting formats by primarily laying out the artwork across two-page spreads rather than single pages, allowing her to experiment with flow and timing in captivating ways. The art heightens the seductive qualities of Olivie Blake’s story, which taps into the classic idea of the bad boy showing a good girl how to access the power that is capped by her propriety.
Clara & The Devil Vol. 1 (Image: 23rd Street Books)
Opting Out by Maia Kobabe and Swati “Lucky” Srikumar (May 5)
You may have heard of Maia Kobabe’s Gender Queer, one of the most banned books in the U.S. over the last five years. Kobabe’s graphic memoir exploring gender identity and sexuality stirred up national controversy that ultimately drove more eyes to the book, and its message resonated with younger readers, which in turn fueled more controversy. Now Kobabe speaks directly to a middle-grade audience with Opting Out (Graphix), co-written and drawn with Swati “Lucky” Srikumar. Their two voices blend together seamlessly to tell the story of a young aspiring writer and fantasy novel enthusiast entering adolescence and feeling at odds with her developing body and the gender binary. It’s a book about questioning, the fear that comes with not having answers, and the bravery it takes to ask when it feels like the world wants you to stay silent. There’s a lot of tenderness in the storytelling, particularly in Saachi’s relationship with her parents and how the creators use her family’s Hindu beliefs to illuminate the book’s theme of transformation. With recent news of the FCC challenging if “shows with transgender and gender non-binary programming” are appropriate for children, media like Opting Out is even more vital in helping young people understand their minds and bodies from an empathetic perspective.
Opting Out (Image: Graphix)
Flash Gordon: The 1995 Special by Mark Schultz, Al Williamson, and Tom Roberts (May 12)
Al Williamson’s artwork on Flash Gordon stands as some of the most stunning sci-fi imagery ever put on the comics page, and his last major work with the character gets a new collection in Flash Gordon: The 1995 Special (Mad Cave). Co-written by Williamson and Mark Schultz with colors by Tom Roberts, this two-issue miniseries, originally published by Marvel Comics, showcases the imaginative design and impeccable detail that defines Williamson’s work on the character. The story is exactly what you’d expect from a Flash Gordon tale, taking readers to majestic lands where Flash and friends encounter alien creatures and a scantily clad villain, offering pulpy thrills paired with visual splendor. It’s a masterclass in immersion and the culmination of Williamson’s decades developing his craft across various genres and properties, including Star Wars comics that were directly indebted to his work on Flash Gordon.
Flash Gordon: The 1995 Special (Image: Mad Cave)
Absolute Green Arrow #1 by Pornsak Pichetshote, Rafael Albuquerque, and Marcelo Maiolo (May 20)
DC’s Absolute line loves shock value, so it shouldn’t have been a surprise when Oliver “Green Arrow” Queen was brutally murdered in the Absolute Evil one-shot, released just a few months after DC announced an Absolute Green Arrow title from writer Pornsak Pichetshote, artist Rafael Albuquerque, and colorist Marcelo Maiolo. With Queen six feet under, Absolute Green Arrow #1 (DC Comics) shifts the focus to Dinah “Black Canary” Lance, who investigates the mysterious killings of corrupt billionaires found with green arrows in their corpses. A superhero slasher mystery is a compelling angle that distinguishes this from the rest of the Absolute titles, and Pichetshote’s work on books like The Good Asian and Exquisite Corpses proves that he can craft twisty stories with spectacular violence and complex characters. This is also a full-circle moment for Albuquerque, who was the original artist attached to Absolute Superman but wasn’t able to work on that title due to the flooding in Brazil in 2024. The horror-tinged concept of Absolute Green Arrow feels more attuned to the strengths of the artist that developed his voice on American Vampire, and he creates a suspenseful, moody atmosphere around this dark interpretation of DC’s emerald archer.
Absolute Green Arrow #1 (Image: DC Comics)
Yotsuba&! Vol. 16 by Kiyohiko Azuma and Stephen Paul (May 26)
For over 20 years, the titular green-haired rascal of Yotsuba&! has brought joy to readers around the world as she discovers the wonders (and occasional terrors) of everyday life. Yotsuba&! Vol. 16(Yen Press) is the first new U.S. release since 2021, and it features exciting adventures like decorating a Christmas tree and hiking a nearby mountain. Everything is exciting for Yotsuba, and Kiyohiko Azuma has a keen talent for capturing her emotional highs on the page in ways that are both very sweet and hilarious. Translated by Stephen Paul, these stories are a reminder that the smallest things can mean something big when they are new. This is inspiring to the adults around Yotsuba but also a bit melancholic, especially for her father, who recognizes that his daughter discovering the world means that she will eventually drift further away from him. This phase of her life will end one day and so will this manga, but until then, we can still cherish Yotsuba’s playfully naive spirit and the light she brings into the lives of others.
Keep scrolling for more great stories.