It’s a good week to be a fan of the medium. Lots of great series by lots of great creators are on this week’s shipping list, including multiple ever-enticing debut issues. If it was difficult to choose only $20 worth of comics last week, it was damn hard this week.
Follow the cut for our staff’s picks, and be sure to let us know what you’re planning on getting.
Fantastic Four #588 ($3.99) – By now, everyone knows that Spider-Man will be joining the remaining Fantastic Three to create The Future Foundation. We still haven’t completely wrapped up the story preceding that, though, and that’s what this issue aims to do. The climax of “Three” was the first time I legitimately felt for a superheroes death in quite some time, and it served to prove that, yes, Hickman can stick the landing in a company-owned ongoing series just as well as he can in his own miniseries. Even if this conclusory issue blows (which I don’t see happening), it deserves a purchase if only out of respect for the one preceding it.
Detective Comics #874 ($2.99) – I think it’s safe to say that Scott Snyder is DC’s latest ace in the hole. While the previous issue of Detective wasn’t as good as the preceding two (in my opinion, of course), it was still far better than every other Batman comic released that month. I’m particularly excited for this issue, though, due to it featuring Jim Gordon, one of the medium’s best supporting characters. The dark mystery surrounding Gordon’s long-forgotten son was just as interesting as that of “The Black Mirror,” and I can’t wait to see how Snyder and the underrated Francavilla bring about its conclusion.
Morning Glories #7 ($2.99) – More Spencer? You betcha. Morning Glories is one of the most exciting ongoings on the shelves right now, and one of the few where I honestly have no idea what is going to happen next. This issue promises to be more character-focused, which is something I am all for, especially when that character is Zoe. Those who doubt whether or not Spencer deserved all the attention he was (and still is) receiving clearly haven’t been reading this title, and for that I feel sorry for them – unless they purposefully have been avoiding it, in which case they don’t deserve good comics.
Invincible Iron Man #501 ($3.99) – With so many good comics coming out this week, it’s completely possible that there will be something on par or better than this issue of Invincible Iron Man. It was, however, the first Marvel title that I began purchasing on an issue-by-issue rather than trade-by-trade basis, and thus it will always have a leg up on the competition. There have certainly been a few issues that – while contributing to the overall narrative – have felt a little bit slow, but they always pay off in the end. Judging by the solicit, this next arc will continue dealing with the topics of futurism and transhumanism that Fraction works with so well, so you can count me in. Plus: Asgard!
Avengers #10 ($3.99) – Usually, it is a bit difficult for $3.99 titles to make it onto my list unless I absolutely love them (see Fantastic Four and Invincible Iron Man). This issue, however, includes the entirety of Heroes for Hire #1 as well as the normal feature, all for the normal cover price, without any comic pages being cut from either story. It’s a ballsy move on Marvel’s part, but it’s one that I think we as consumers should encourage. Plus, Bendis has gotten a much better grip on higher-level superheroics in the past year, and his new adjectiveless Avengers title reflects that quite well. I do hate to put Romita Jr. on my buy list, but I can’t pass this up.
Total: $17.96
Matt’s Picks
Iron Man 2.0 #1 ($3.99) – I don’t want to buy this book. I really don’t. I already buy Invincible Iron Man, which is one of my favorite titles from Marvel and is honestly all the Iron Man that I think I need. I don’t believe in buying every single title within a particular franchise (unless otherwise noted, I suppose), and when this book was announced, I said to myself that I would pass on it. However, when it comes to wanting to read (assumedly) good books, I find I waver in my resolve quite easily… but come on! Nick “Morning Glories” Spencer and Barry “The Order” Kitson! I… I just can’t say no…
Morning Glories #7 ($2.99) – Speaking of Nick Spencer, the latest issue of his creator owned ongoing with Joe Eisma is out today. And having had the honor of reading an advance of it thanks to Image, I can say very firmly that this is not an issue anyone wants to miss. Seriously.
Invincible Iron Man #501 ($3.99) – And speaking of Invincible Iron Man, hey! An issue of Invincible Iron Man! Hands down one of the best comics Marvel is currently putting out from a beyond fantastic creative team, and with #501 being the beginning of a brand new arc, it’s a perfect time for new fans to see what they’ve been missing and old fans to continue enjoying the ride.
Fantastic Four #588 ($3.99) – Oh, and speaking of things that are fantastic, it’s the final issue of Fantastic Four before the FF relaunch! There’s really no reason not to get this, is there?
Secret Avengers #10 ($3.99) – I have been loving the crap out of this title. Brubaker is a fantastic storyteller, and the cast is just absolutely wonderful. With his run coming to an end with the next two issues, I am very excited to see on what kind of high note he goes out on before Nick Spencer comes in with Fear Itself.
Total: $18.95
Oh, and if by chance you have an extra 6 dollars or so in your wallet, the first two parts of Age Of X are out this week from Mike Carey, contained within the pages of X-Men Legacy #245 and New Mutants #22. This would’ve made the original list if not for all the $3.99 titles out this week. Ah well.
Josh’s Picks
The Sixth Gun #9 ($3.99) – I may be the token Sixth Gun fan here at Multiversity, but that doesn’t stop the thing from being the best damn book you probably aren’t reading. The rich characters, compelling history and engaging dips into several mainstay genres make this one a complete hit and one of the books I can’t wait to read the most month in and month out. There’s a reason some of the greatest creators in this industry are fans of this one, folks.
Morning Glories #7 ($2.99) – Nick Spencer has had me by the balls with this book since Issue #1 and things have not let up since. Like Matt mentioned above, I also had a chance to read this one already. Now, I hate tooting my own horn like that and very rarely do so, the only reason I am choosing to do so now is because even though I know what happens, I am STILL astonishingly excited to pick this one up and read it in my own two hands…and that says something. Buy this book. Now.
Detective Comics #874 ($2.99) – Given how much of a fan I am of Grant Morrison and his run on Batman, I have no trouble saying that Scott Snyder’s work on this title has made this the Bat-book to beat. The rich subplots, the legitimately fresh take on the characters and the distinct noir tendencies have made this book the underdog hit of the year with me, and I can’t wait to see where Snyder goes with the James Gordon subplot being returned to with this issue.
Continued belowPower Man and Iron Fist #2 ($2.99) – The first issue of this mini-series turned into a delightful surprise for me. I had completely missed the debut of the new Power Man back in the Shadowland: Power Man mini-series, but the basic student/teacher relationship that anchors this story amidst scary clowns with knives, mysterious shadow woman and teen angst really appealed to me as a teacher and as a fan of young heroes. Here’s to hoping this does well enough to gain ongoing status!
Fantastic Four #588 ($3.99) – Jonathan Hickman became one of “those writers” to me a very long time ago in that if he is writing it, I am buying it in some format or another. A large reason that happened is because of what he’s done in this very book, and after killing off one of the most established heroes of the Marvel Universe last issue and teasing some absolutely beautiful things to come in FF next month, I can’t wait to see where he goes next.
Who is Jake Ellis? #2 ($2.99) – I initially missed this one and only after constant praise from my fellow writers did I manage to track down the very last copy a shop I never go to had because every shop I DO go to (+ two more) were completely sold out. I’m glad that I did, because it did everything right in establishing this high action, espionage mystery that may or may not be about an assassin ghost. Intrigued? Me too.
Total: $19.94
(Even though having runner ups wasn’t the point of this, since this is such an immensely loaded week I HAVE to mention that Skullkickers, Action Comics, American Vampire, BOTH Age of X books and Kill Shakespeare would also all be great picks.)
