Comic Trends and OddballsMixed among the vast assortment of superhero titles on the Hottest Comics index are a TMNT Christmas special and...Destroyer Duck? Who buys this stuff? When you dig deeper into the comics index, you find some overlooked gems. Then again, you also realize that comic collectors can have weird tastes. Time to discover what lies beneath the surface with another round of Comic Trends and Oddballs.

THE CARTOON TIE-INS

Each week, I see more and more comics based on cartoons making their way into the top-1001 comics. While Transformers and G.I. Joe: A Real American Hero have been staples of collecting for decades, I notice other less-likely comic spin-offs climbing the ranks of comic trends. Previously, it was Beavis and Butt-Head #1, and this time...

Comic Trends: The Simpsons818. SIMPSONS COMICS AND STORIES #1 (+181)

If I hadn’t recently spotlighted Beavis and Butt-Head #1, that would have been on the list. Instead, we have Simpsons Comics and Stories #1 cracking the Hottest Comics. Back in 1993, The Simpsons ruled the cartoon world as the series blazed a trail for adult-themed animation. Even better, this was when the show was still funny and at the height of its popularity. This issue gave us our first-ever Simpsons comic, so there is reason to collect it. 

Comic Trends: One Punch Man903. ONE-PUNCH MAN/MY HERO ACADEMIA FREE COMIC BOOK DAY (+96)

One-Punch Man/My Hero Academia Free Comic Book Day may not seem as random as you might think. While those of us in the middle-age and older crowd may not be aware of One-Punch Man and My Hero Academia, practically every teenager in the country can tell you all about them, especially My Hero. Anime and Manga get more popular in the United States by the day, and these are major characters in the world of imported animation. Judging by the amount of My Hero Academia merchandise I see kids wearing, the franchise is only going to get bigger, so don't underestimate their comics. 

AND AN OVERLOOKED BATMAN CLASSIC...

754. BATMAN: THE CULT #1 (245)

Batman: The Cult #1 was the first graphic novel I ever read, and it blew my little mind. My older brother had bought the full set, and I got my hands on his comics. Up until then, I was not used to seeing a thematically dark Batman story that was violent and even featured images of Batman being crucified, more or less. From then on, I was hooked on Batman. As an adult, I appreciate the all-star talent that went into this story, with Jim Starlin writing the script and Bernie Wrightson handling the pencils. I may have to dig up The Cult and give it a fresh read.

WHO’S BUYING THIS STUFF?! THE ODDBALL(S) OF THE WEEK

779. TEENAGE MUTANT NINJA TURTLES MICHELANGELO’S CHRISTMAS SPECIAL #1 (+220)

It was a great week for the oddities of the comic world, and here we have a Christmas special on the list with Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Michelangelo's Christmas Special#1. I understand that Michelangelo has become the face of the franchise after the success of Last Ronin. But a TMNT Christmas special? This feels like a mad grab for anything with Mikey’s face on the cover.

658. DESTROYER DUCK: SPECIAL LAWSUIT BENEFIT EDITION #1 (+341)

When it comes to those oddball comics, Destroyer Duck: Special Lawsuit Benefit Edition #1 one earned the prize. I am accustomed to seeing Howard the Duck grace the Hottest Comics index, but Destroyer Duck? Then I discovered that he was co-created in 1982 by Jack Kirby. That Jack Kirby, yes.  Apparently, this was a middle finger toward Marvel Comics as Kirby’s Destroyer Duck co-conspirator, Steve Gerber, was dealing with a lawsuit over the rights to another of his co-creations, Howard the Duck. That explains the title.

What do you guys think about this week's comic trends? Do you have any of these oddballs on your shelves? Tell us about them!

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