Steve Orlando joins the Capes and Tights Podcast for Episode 248 on October 22, 2025. To prepare for the conversation, we have compiled 13 comics by Orlando you should read.
Orlando has written for every major American comic book publisher. He’s received Eisner Award Nominations for Outlaw Territory (Image Comics) and Rainbow Bridge (AfterShock Comics). Steve is also known for his work for DC Comics in Batman, Martian Manhunter, and Wonder Woman, and two series starring Midnighter, which were nominated for a GLAAD Media Award. More recently Orlando has written Scarlet Witch, Godzilla vs. America: Boston, and the upcoming War Wolf.
Exorcists Never Die (Mad Cave)
The eternal battle between Heaven and Hell rages on with your soul as the prize. All that stands between them and us are the Combat Exorcists, sworn to knock demons back into hell through their unique mastery of the God flow — the ability to channel the unique traits of divine beings from different levels of angels to old testament creatures to horrific beasts featured in the Book of Revelation.
Syd Miller and Ellen Blair are the world’s two premiere Combat Exorcists — the only problem? After a nuclear break up years ago, they can’t stand each other. But when the biggest soul auction in history kicks off beneath Los Angeles, Syd and Ellen have no choice but to come together to raid the HELLSCRAPER, an infernal tower going straight down into the Earth. With thousands of souls on the line, Syd and Ellen must fight their way to the bottom, or die trying.
While not really our kind of plot, Exorcists Never Die has everything you could want in a comic book – great artwork, gripping story, and outstanding lettering that ties it all together nicely. Whether you’re a fan of horror comics or just looking for something new to read, Exorcists Never Die should definitely be on your list! – CLICK HERE to read the entire first issue review
Justice League of America (DC)
Batman leaves the team—and the JLA is at each other’s throats! As Vixen tries to affirm her role as team leader and fill the vacuum, the villain Prometheus arrives in Happy Harbor to prove to the world that the Justice League must be destroyed and lay waste to the heroes once and for all. And he’s brought a friend…
The Might Beyond the Mirror, the great threat that Batman assembled the Justice League of America to stop, has arrived in the form of the Queen of Fables. With her reality-warping power, her intent is to take over the real world and the imaginary and rule over everything–and without Batman, does the Justice League stand a chance against her? Can their mysterious new member, Promethea, help them? Or will reality crumble at the Queen’s whim?
Scarlet Witch (Marvel)
In a witchcraft shop in Lotkill, New York, the Scarlet Witch and Darcy Lewis sell magical remedies and assist those who wander in through the Last Door, a portal that appears only to people with nowhere else to turn. Recently, the Wizard disrupted their peace by targeting Wanda and her brother, Quicksilver, at the behest of a mysterious patron he called his “angel.” Wanda and Pietro survived the attack, but the mystery lingers…
Jacopo Camagni and Steve Orlando have captured Wanda’s character wonderfully. Truly showcasing her ability to be calm, cool and collected until she needs to be a force of nature. This debut issue sets the stage for what seems like will be a wonderful series at Marvel Comics. – CLICK HERE to read the entire first issue review
Bulls of Beacon Hill (AfterShock)
Doctor Christopher Boldt has everything he ever wanted: A successful career as a surgeon, a supportive and loving boyfriend, and an overload of hype on his rumored run for Boston City Council. But there’s one problem – it’s all held up by a lie. For years, Chris has been hiding in plain sight, desperate not to be connected to his father, Orin Paige, one of Boston’s most notorious gangsters. Until now, Chris has been able to live with the secret. And Chris’s father has been just as happy to deny any connection to his queer son, who he sees as a liability in the mob world. Now, Chris’s political aspirations have put father and son on a collision course.A collision course bathed in blood.
Supergirl (DC)
Supergirl moves to National City! As Kara Danvers, high school student, Supergirl must balance her life as a superhero with her new life on Earth. But some demons from her Kryptonian past are coming back to haunt her, and Kara will find herself face to face with her father, the sinister Cyborg Superman!
Avengers Assemble (Marvel)
When vampires attacked, a ragtag group of Avengers changed the tide of battle. And in the aftermath, Captain America has formed the Avengers Emergency Response Squad! Steve’s handpicked team of veterans and newcomers live and train in Avengers Mansion — and when Captain America sounds the mission horn, whoever’s on base has seconds to pack up and deploy. When the Red Skull’s daughter discovers a dangerous artifact, Cap, Wasp, Photon and Shang-Chi set out to stop her — while Hawkeye hosts a poker game for the late arrivals. Will the AVENG.E.R.S. pass their first real test? And did someone say… jackets?
Silver Vessels (Maverick/Mad Cave)
A group of friends go on a mission in the Florida Keys to uncover a lost treasure and end up getting more than they bargained for.
What happens when a bunch of teens get together at the Florida Keys for an unforgettable summer of Treasure hunting?
After obsessing over a history lesson at school, Joshua enlists his two best friends to travel to the Florida Keys for the summer to hunt for the treasure of Our Lady of Atocha, a Spanish treasure galleon and the most widely known vessel of a fleet of ships that sank in a hurricane off the Florida Keys in 1622. Staying up, sneaking out, and searching for a legendary buried treasure is just the beginning of the summer of their lives!
Silver Vessels is a captivating graphic novel that combines adventure, friendship, and heartwarming themes into one unforgettable story. With Steve Orlando’s dynamic storytelling and Katia Vecchio’s stunning artwork, this graphic novel is sure to delight readers young and old alike. The graphic novel is a great grab for all ages. – CLICK HERE to read the entire review
Wonder Woman (DC)
At the urging of Aztek, Diana and Artemis join her for a trip to Mexico, but there’s no sightseeing on the agenda. Instead, they must rescue a long-lost Amazon who’s being held captive by rogue deity Tezcatlipoca, who’s trying to break into our world. Can these three heroes save the missing Amazon, stop a raging god and not kill one another in the process?
Star Wars: Ewoks (Marvel)
The breakout stars of Return of the Jedi, the beloved Ewoks, return for an all-new adventure!
A team of Imperial-led bounty hunters and scavengers arrives on the forest moon of Endor searching for a secret cache of deadly weaponry! But are they prepared to face off against the battle-ready Ewoks who took down so many of their ranks? Plus: Who is the mysterious new warrior Ewok returning to Bright Tree village, and what is their connection to Wicket W. Warrick?
The Scale Trade (Magma Comix)
A blend of magical realism and procedural investigation… with dragons! In a modern-day world one step removed from our own, dragons are a highly respected—and highly endangered—species, but poaching is an existential threat. When young idealist Carmen Tritos joins the federal agency tasked with managing dragon populations, he quickly discovers that the entire system is corrupt. After seeing firsthand the cruelty of the system, our newly radicalized dragon savior takes matters into his own hands!
Midnighter (DC)
Between the supercomputer wired into his brain and the enhancements saturating his body, the living weapon known as Midnighter doesn’t face a lot of real challenges to his uncanny combat skills. Lucky for him, he enjoys beating the tar out of low-level bad guys as much as the high-end ones—and since his recent breakup with his first love (and fellow superhuman) Apollo, he’s had plenty of chances to engage in his unique brand of physical therapy.
Now, insanely dangerous weapons are beginning to pop up all over the globe, wreaking havoc on society and complicating Midnighter’s professional and personal life. As the outbreaks pile up, tracking them back to the original thief becomes an overriding imperative.
Martian Manhunter (DC)
The team of writer Steve Orlando and artist Riley Rossmo reteam for a reinvention of the Manhunter from Mars in this twisted, unexpected series. Back on Mars, J’onn J’onzz was about as corrupt as a law officer can be, and when a reckoning comes for his entire society, he’ll get a second chance he doesn’t want or deserve! One shocking murder, and an unexpected fragment of the Mars he lost, will change his life forever!
War Wolf (Mad Cave)
After he fends off an alien invasion, Thomas Bruin goes from a nobody security guard to Earth’s greatest hero! He’s got a supercharged launchpad and no ceiling. Bruin rises from celebrity to congress, then to the head of the planet’s first orbital security force. He’s married into one of the country’s most powerful political families, he’s surfing a wave of endorsements, and he’s the very symbol of human resilience. So why is Bruin nervous? Because only he knows his great victory is a lie. When the aliens return to Earth, stronger than ever, Bruin has no choice but to be the hero he’s fooled the whole world into thinking he is…or die trying.
War Wolf is a great new sci-fi dark humor romp, showcasing Steve Orlando and Marco Perugini at the top of their game. The premiere issue lays an excellent foundation for what’s to come: plenty of twisted laughs, high-energy battles, and a wild ride that makes for a seriously fun read.
