Picks of the Week: 01/20/2016

After having a shorter list last week, we're back in full force! This Wednesday has a slew of awesome new #1 issues launching (Poison Ivy, Captain Marvel, Devolution, etc.) along with a few of our monthly favorites, like Batman and Star Wars. Here are our picks of the week for 01/20/2016:

POISON IVY CYCLE OF LIFE AND DEATH #1 (OF 6) | Picked by Josh & Colin

Publisher: DC COMICS
(W) Amy Chu (A/CA) Clay Mann
Life. Death. Poison Ivy has power over both. But can she keep her friends and hold down a regular job at the same time? As Dr. Pamela Isley, she joins the prestigious plant sciences department at Gotham Botanical Gardens, but things quickly get complicated when a fellow scientist is murdered and it looks like the work of Ivy. Don't miss the start of this new 6-issue miniseries!

AMERICAN MONSTER #1 (MR) | Picked by Colin & Dave

Publisher: AFTERSHOCK COMICS
(W) Brian Azzarello (A/CA) Juan Doe
In a small Midwestern town, a large man with a horribly scarred face gets off a bus, and takes a room. He spooks the locals--nobody knows him--or do they? It's impossible to say be-cause he seemingly has no face. The man's intentions remain unknown, until he takes on a corrupt sheriff and the rural crew of racist arms dealers. The town's impression of the man changes, and he's seen as a hero...until his real intentions bubble to the surface. The man isn't there to end the gang, but to take it over. And he's just getting started.

BATMAN #48 | Picked by Pat & Adam

Publisher: DC COMICS
(W) Scott Snyder (A/CA) Greg Capullo, Danny Miki
Mr. Bloom's seeds have grown into an army that may turn all of Gotham City against its new Batman. Meanwhile, Bruce Wayne meets a mysterious stranger who could start a chain of events no one can stop.

DEVOLUTION #1 (OF 5) (MR) | Picked by Colin

Publisher: D. E.
(W) Rick Remender (A) Jonathan Wayshak (CA) Jae Lee
Every living creature on Earth has been devolved - the evolutionary clock turned back, reverting all life to odd mutations and prehistoric incarnations. The cities of man are little more than bloody territories ruthlessly dominated by tribal Neanderthals ruling from the backs of mammoths, packs of saber-toothed tigers, and giant man-eating insects. Writer Rick Remender (Black Science, Fear Agent), artist Jon Wayshak (The Authority), and colorist Jordan Boyd (Ant-Man, Planet Hulk) take you on a journey with the last band of "Still Sapien" humans in the hope of locating an antidote and re-evolving the human race.

CAPTAIN MARVEL #1 | Picked by Josh

Publisher: MARVEL COMICS
(W) Tara Butters, Michele Fazekas (A/CA) Kris Anka
Face front, true believers! The Captain has made her return and oh, how mighty it is. It's a bold new frontier for Carol Danvers as she soars to new heights in her greatest mission yet--leader of the all-new Alpha Flight space program. Yup, Alpha Flight. As earth's first line of defense, Carol and her team aim to protect the planet from extraterrestrial threats. But can Carol be a soldier and a diplomat? Especially when an unknown enemy emerges that Carol can't quite punch. The superstar team behind Marvel's Agent Carter television series, Tara Butters and Michele Fazekas, make their comics debut alongside the awesomely-talented Kris Anka.

WRATH OF THE ETERNAL WARRIOR #3 | Picked by Josh

Publisher: VALIANT ENTERTAINMENT LLC
(W) Robert Venditti (A) Raul Allen (CA) David LaFuente
Torn from the world he once knew, Gilad's bone-breaking journey back to Earth and the people he was sworn to protect takes a brutal turn!

Putting all he holds dear on the line to save our world's future, the Eternal Warrior prepares to confront the most nefarious adversary of all - but the cost of victory may be too steep. Valiant superstars Robert Venditti (BOOK OF DEATH) and Raúl Allén (Hawkeye) continue the Eternal Warrior's perilous quest into the unknown reaches of the Valiant Universe!

LUCIFER #2 (MR) | Picked by Pat

Publisher: DC COMICS
(W) Holly Black (A) Lee Garbett (CA) Dave Johnson
Agreeing to team up to find out who killed their Father, Lucifer and Gabriel begin the hunt for clues and suspects. And what better place to search for God's murderer than Lucifer's former realm, Hell? But how will the Lords and Ladies of the Nine Circles respond to the return of their old ruler? Plus, the return of a one-time nemesis of a certain Dreamking.

SINESTRO #19 | Picked by Pat

Publisher: DC COMICS
(W) Cullen Bunn (A/CA) Brad Walker, Andrew Hennessy
The Pale Bishop has declared a holy war on all emotion-and his minions are about to invade Earth! Only the power of fear stands against them. In an attempt to bolster his defensive line, Sinestro has dispatched yellow rings across our world, adding many heroes and villains to the ranks of the Sinestro Corps!

ADVENTURE TIME ICE KING #1 | Picked by Adam

Publisher: BOOM! STUDIOS
(W) Emily Partridge, Pranas T. Naujokaitis (A) Natalie Andrewson (CA) Shelli Paroline, Braden Lamb
What's to Love: The Ice King is probably one of the most tragic and hilarious characters in the Land of Ooo, but we've never had the chance to really focus on him before. Now we're taking a look at just what makes the Ice King tick with Emily Partridge (Adventure Time) and artist Natalie Andrewson (Lumberjanes).

What It Is: The Ice King has always been there, kidnapping princesses, messing with Finn and Jake, and generally being a weirdo. But there's way more to him than that! He's a deep, thoughtful person with a heart full of love! Or...maybe he just really wants to marry a princess. Either way, this is one journey the citizens of Ooo aren't likely to forget!

STAR WARS #15 | Picked by Dave & Adam

Publisher: MARVEL COMICS
(W) Jason Aaron (A/CA) Mike Mayhew
FROM THE JOURNALS OF OBI-WAN KENOBI
•  Another tale of Obi-Wan's exile on Tatooine!
•  Owen Lars took Luke in...but he refused to let Ben be part of his life. Why?
•  What trouble could have been stirred up by Ben protecting Luke?

SUPERZERO #2 | Picked by Dave

Publisher: AFTERSHOCK COMICS
(W) Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti (A) Rafael de Latorre (CA) Amanda Conner
Dru has a surprise guest as her initial plan to become a superhero falls apart and a new plan to radiate some insects is put into effect...and executed to alarming results!

This fun, teen-agnst filled monthly series is created by the sensational writing duo that brings you Harley Quinn and Starfire--Jimmy Palmiotti & Amanda Conner. Aided by new art phenom Rafael de Latorre, this series will pack more punches than an ultimate fighting bout!

Posted in Coming Wednesday.