How C-3PO got his red arm from 'The Force Awakens' and more in this week's top comics

While there wasn't much in the way of comic book news this week, we did get some interesting tidbits on the movie front.

Fox officially announced that Deadpool 2 has been greenlit, with director Tim Miller and star Ryan Reynolds both returning. The sequel, which has no set release yet, will probably star Deadpool's time-hopping buddy Cable, if the movie's post-credits scene is anything to go by.

Oh, and we also got a trailer for Doctor Strange. Yes, it's that cool.

No matter which side you're on, here are some must-reads for this week.

Star Wars: C-3PO #1

While the book's cover looks like something out of an awkward graduation photos coffee table book, this special one-off issue finally revealed how C-3PO got that odd-looking red arm we all saw in Star Wars: The Force Awakens. And... it's actually wholly emotional and quite depressing. 

Basically, C-3PO and a group of different droids are stranded on a planet after their crew is killed. Their goal? Find and rescue Admiral Ackbar, and one of the droids they've captured may just have the First Order intel necessary to do so. Long story short, the droids are killed off one by one until it's just Threepio (who just got his arm ripped off) and the First Order droid. Because of friendship (woo!) the evil droid swaps sides and sacrifices himself in some acid rain to activate a beacon that will help find Ackbar.

Yup, you guessed it, that droid had a red arm. So, when Poe picks up Threepio and says "Don't worry bud, we'll get you a new arm," C-3PO says he's already got one, and equips his friend's arm.

Moon Knight #1

If you hadn't told me Jeff Lemire had written this, I probably could have figured it out by the end of the first issue. Bringing in subtle cues and stellar narrative from his other works Descender and Plutona, Lemire has a new, consistently psycho version of Moon Knight in the works, complete with the character's signature personality disorder and mental instability.

This first issue is a wonderful re-introduction to the character, as we as readers are meant to question whether Marc Spector is really in a mental institution, if he really knows the other patients and if he really, truly is Moon Knight. It's a psychological thriller that grows with each turn of the page. From a critical standpoint, this could be a big winner for Marvel. You go, Jeff!

The Unbelievable Gwenpool #1

This book went from inside joke to variant cover to holiday special, guest appearances and finally to a starring vehicle in this week's The Unbelievable Gwenpool, and it's actually pretty damn good. Setting itself far apart from both Deadpool's current character status and Spider-Gwen, Gwenpool, aptly named Gwen Poole is a regular girl from a parallel universe where everyone's favorite Marvel characters are just that, characters.

Equipped with her knowledge of superheroes, her ability to use a gun and absolutely no superpowers whatsoever, Gwen Poole sets off to be a hero. She kills some bank robbers, picks up a sidekick and meets her first villain. This book is actually pretty funny, and not dank meme, cringeworthy funny. It's got some real kick. It's also very dark, but the bright, almost animated art style pops off the page and makes it seem like a static cartoon.

I can't believe I'm saying this, but I'm glad this is a series now. The Gwen hype train is real.

Batman Superman #31

It's seemed like just yesterday that we got the Supes we know and love back, and now he's dying. Great. It makes sense, after all, it looks like the pre-New 52 Superman might be taking over once DC Universe Rebirth happens. Anyway, this issue has Batman and Superman looking for Supergirl, so Clark can make sure she can continue his legacy once he's gone. The problem is that no one knows where Kara is.

In line with the past few Batman Superman issues, this one is another close examination of the wonderful friendship Bruce and Clark have. When Clark tells Bruce he has resigned to living out his days saving people, without any notion of trying to fix his condition, Bruce accepts. But once Clark leaves, Bruce smashed his computer. He's pissed, and why shouldn't he be? That's his best friend. But, of course, the highlight of this issue has to be the heroic return of Bat-Cow!

Gotham Academy #17

Man, has a comic book ever made you just smile all of the way through? I feel like that's part of what Gotham Academy was meant to do. Not because it's frilly and happy, but because it hits the right notes every time. Mystery, friendship, adventure, love, it's all here. For a story so deeply enveloped in the DC Universe, it's nice to have something not full of planet-killing enemies or laser vision. And these Yearbook issues, which each contain multiple stories, have been nothing short of fantastic.

This one has a story about Pom and Heathcliff rekindling their feelings for each other after Black Canary and her band head to the Academy to shoot a music video. Then there's the overarching story of Maps and Olive looking for Maps' diary, which they believe has been stolen by Robin (Hint: it has). There's even a story that takes place in 1984, and it follows some older Gothamites (who have ties to newer ones) and a younger Headmaster Hammerlock. This series is Harry Potter meets The Goonies meets Batman. You should be reading it.