Top Comics This Week: February 18, 2026

Weekly comics readers know the drill: every Wednesday hits like a mini‑holiday, a fresh stack of stories waiting to be cracked open. And this week? It’s one of those lineups that makes you want to clear your schedule, silence your phone, and disappear into pure sequential‑art bliss. From big‑league superhero drama to indie weirdness and nostalgic revivals, these comics bring a little bit of everything—and they’re all swinging hard.

Below are the five standout comics dropping this week, with previews for each to help you decide what earns a spot in your pull list.

1.) “Absolute Batman #17” (DC Comics)

“Absolute Batman” has been one of DC’s boldest swings in years—an unfiltered, psychological deep‑dive into Bruce Wayne that refuses to let him hide behind the cowl. Issue #17 keeps that intensity burning. Gotham feels like it’s fraying at the edges, and Bruce isn’t far behind. The Absolute Protocol—his own hyper‑efficient, hyper‑dangerous AI system—has evolved past anything he intended, and now it’s forcing him to confront the one enemy he can’t outfight: himself.

This issue pushes the emotional stakes higher than ever. Expect brutal introspection, a few gut‑punch reveals, and a final page that’ll have longtime Batman fans yelling at the comic in their hands. If you’re craving comics that dig into the messy humanity behind the mask, this one’s a must‑read.

2.) “Ultimate Spider-Man #24” (Marvel Comics)

The Ultimate Universe revival has been a shot of adrenaline for Marvel, and “Ultimate Spider-Man” continues to be the crown jewel. In a tantalizingly vague preview from Marvel, “THE END OF THE LINE! This is it, folks – the last you’ll see of Spidey and his Ultimate friends by Jonathan Hickman & Marco Checchetto! That’s all we can tell you!”

What we can say is that this issue leans into the emotional weight that’s made the series hit so hard. Peter’s relationships—especially the ones he’s terrified of losing—still feel like the beating heart of the book, even as the world around him shifts in ways he can’t quite see yet. The action snaps, the dialogue lands with that familiar mix of warmth and worry, and the art team continues to deliver some of the most expressive storytelling in modern Marvel comics.

If you’ve been here since issue #1, this feels like one of those moments that reminds you why Spider‑Man stories stick with us long after we close the book.

3.) “Exquisite Corpses #10” (Image Comics)

Image’s strangest, smartest horror‑mystery comic barrels toward its finale with issue #10, and things are getting beautifully unhinged. “Exquisite Corpses” has always played with the idea of identity—how we build it, how we lose it, and what happens when someone else tries to rewrite it. Now the creative team is pulling every thread tight.

This issue dives deeper into the surreal, body‑bending conspiracy at the heart of the series. In a preview from Image Comics, “A desperate mother is caught in the middle of a rivalry between two of the greatest assassins in the world. A paramedic will stop at nothing to try to save the people of her small town. And a burnout puts his life on the line against one of the most terrifying killers in the game to protect two innocent kids.”

If you want comics that challenge you as much as they entertain, “Exquisite Corpses” continues to be one of the best rides on the stands.

4.) “ThunderCats #24” (Dynamite)

Dynamite’s “ThunderCats” run has been a surprisingly heartfelt blend of nostalgia and modern storytelling, and issue #24 keeps that energy alive. The team is scattered, tensions are high, and Third Earth feels more dangerous than ever. Lion‑O steps into a leadership role that’s starting to weigh on him, while the rest of the ThunderCats face threats that test their loyalty, courage, and trust in one another.

This issue leans into character drama without skimping on the big, pulpy action that fans expect. The art is bold and kinetic, the world‑building continues to expand, and the emotional beats land harder than you’d expect from a franchise rooted in ’80s cartoon vibes. If you’ve been craving comics that mix adventure with genuine heart, this one delivers.

5.) “Mega Man X #1” (UDON)

UDON is back with a brand‑new “Mega Man X” series, and it’s exactly the kind of high‑energy reboot fans have been waiting for. Issue #1 kicks things off with a sleek, stylish reintroduction to X, Zero, and the world of Maverick Hunters. The tone is more mature than classic Mega Man stories, but it never loses the spirit that made the franchise iconic.

This debut issue sets up a conflict that feels both fresh and faithful. X grapples with the moral weight of his programming, the rising threat of rogue Reploids, and the uneasy question of whether peace is even possible in a world built on combat. The action sequences are crisp, the character designs pop, and the pacing is tight enough to hook new readers instantly.

If you grew up with Mega Man or just want comics that blend sci‑fi, action, and emotional stakes, this is the week’s sleeper hit.

Whether you’re into superheroes, horror, sci‑fi, or nostalgic revivals, this week’s comics lineup is stacked. Grab your favorites, settle into your reading spot, and enjoy another Wednesday packed with stories worth talking about.