More than 150 new single issues and collections drop on Wednesday, May 21, 2025—one of the busiest comics shipping days of the year. Below you’ll find the fifteen releases creating the loudest buzz among retailers, critics, and readers alike. From Marvel’s high-octane team-ups to DC’s groundbreaking representation milestones and Image’s innovative transmedia experiments, this is a can’t-miss week for collectors.
Marvel Spotlight
Spider-Man & Wolverine #1 - Kinetic Road Trip
SPIDER-MAN & WOLVERINE #1
Writer Marc Guggenheim and artist Kaare Andrews unite Marvel's most bankable heroes in a kinetic road-trip that pits them against a shadowy mastermind.
The chemistry between Marvel’s most popular heroes promises spectacular action and witty banter that fans expect. Guggenheim’s experience with both characters (from previous Marvel work and TV’s Arrow) combined with Andrews’ kinetic art style makes this a standout launch. The road-trip concept allows for creative storytelling opportunities while exploring the contrasts between Spider-Man’s optimism and Wolverine’s pragmatism.
Early retailer feedback suggests this could be one of Marvel’s strongest team-up launches in recent years, with variant covers already commanding premium prices in pre-orders.
Collection Tip
Look for variant covers by acclaimed artists. Kaare Andrews’ artistic involvement suggests potential artist variants that typically perform well in the secondary market.
The Vision & the Scarlet Witch #1 - Milestone Celebration
THE VISION & THE SCARLET WITCH #1
Steve Orlando and Lorenzo Tammetta celebrate the couple's 50th anniversary with a reality-bending rescue mission that leaves both synthezoid and sorceress forever changed.
This milestone series explores the unique relationship dynamics that have made this couple one of Marvel’s most compelling. The 50th anniversary angle adds significant collector appeal, especially given the characters’ prominence in recent Marvel Cinematic Universe content. Orlando’s acclaimed work on previous Marvel titles and Tammetta’s distinctive art style promise both critical and commercial success.
The “reality-bending rescue mission” premise suggests major continuity implications that could affect the broader Marvel Universe.
Investment Potential
Anniversary issues historically outperform standard launches. The MCU connection adds mainstream appeal that could drive significant collector interest.
Additional Marvel Highlights
Iron Man (2024) #8 – “The Iron Sellout!” — Spencer Ackerman and artists Michael Dowling & Julius Ohta push Tony Stark back into weapons manufacturing, drawing the ire of Doctor Doom and the Winter Guard. This controversial storyline direction promises significant character development.
Ultimates (2024) #12 — A philosophical rift finally shatters the team in Deniz Camp and Juan Frigeri’s finale, sending one core member into exile. This conclusion to the acclaimed Ultimate universe reboot sets up major implications for future storylines.
Thunderbolts Epic Collection: Targeted for Death — Kurt Busiek’s fan-favorite reformed villains return in a 488-page trade that collects the earliest Thunderbolts arcs in reading order. Perfect for new readers and essential for completionist collectors.
DC Highlights
Supergirl #1 - Trans Creators Lead Historic Relaunch
SUPERGIRL #1
Trans creators Sophie Campbell (writer/artist) and Tamra Bonvillain (colorist) relaunch Kara Zor-El in Midvale—only to find a second Supergirl already guarding the town.
This represents a significant step forward in representation while promising an intriguing mystery about dual identities. Campbell’s distinctive art style and acclaimed writing on previous titles like Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles brings fresh perspective to the character. The Midvale setting returns Supergirl to her roots while the “second Supergirl” mystery sets up compelling storytelling possibilities.
DC’s “Summer of Superman” initiative positioning adds marketing support that should boost visibility and sales performance.
Cultural Significance
Books representing major representation milestones often become historically significant collectibles beyond their initial market performance.
Superman Unlimited #1 — Dan Slott and Rafael Albuquerque kick off DC’s year-long “Summer of Superman” with a modern kryptonite crisis that tests Clark Kent’s optimism. Slott’s proven track record with long-running series makes this a potential long-term success.
Indie & Genre Gems
Exquisite Corpses #1 - Comics Meet Trading Cards
EXQUISITE CORPSES #1
James Tynion IV & Michael Walsh drop twelve assassins into Oak Valley, Maine for a last-killer-standing contest—each issue poly-bags a card from the companion TCG.
This unique transmedia approach bridges the gap between comics and gaming, with each character getting their own collectible card featuring game mechanics. Tynion’s proven track record with horror titles and Walsh’s distinctive art style promise quality storytelling, while the TCG integration represents genuine innovation in comic publishing.
The “Battle Royale” concept combined with trading card mechanics creates multiple collector demographics—comic collectors, card game enthusiasts, and horror fans.
Additional Indie Standouts
The Sickness #7 (Uncivilized Comics) — Lonnie Nadler & Jenna Cha weave WWII trauma with 1950s paranoia in this cerebral horror series’ latest time-skipping installment. Perfect for readers seeking sophisticated horror narratives.
Hit: Complete Collection (BOOM! Studios) — Bryce Carlson & Vanesa Del Rey’s Eisner-nominated noir saga arrives in an affordable paperback omnibus, bringing dirty-cops-versus-the-mob in 1950s Los Angeles to a wider audience.
How to Track & Buy
Why This Week Matters for Collectors
Strategic Collecting Opportunities
Multiple factors make May 21, 2025 a significant week for collectors:
- First Issues Galore: Four major #1 launches across publishers
- Anniversary Appeal: Vision & Scarlet Witch 50th anniversary adds historical significance
- Representation Milestone: Supergirl’s trans creative team represents industry progress
- Innovation Factor: Exquisite Corpses’ transmedia approach could influence future publishing
- Creator Pedigree: Established creators like Tynion, Orlando, and Slott ensure quality
From Marvel’s high-octane team-ups to DC’s identity-driven relaunches and Image’s horror-meets-card-game experiment, this is a can’t-miss week. Whether you’re a Wednesday-warrior or a trade-waiter, there’s a standout title in every aisle.
The combination of major publisher tentpole releases and innovative indie concepts makes this one of the strongest weeks of 2025 for comic book fans. The diversity of genres—from superhero action to psychological horror to transmedia experiments—ensures that every type of reader will find something compelling to add to their pull list.