Another week, another Comics Should Be Cheap! While there’s some overlap, as usual, there are more than a couple of disagreements — I, for one, can’t understand how Matt can call Miller’s Batgirl the best non-Morrison Batman title when Snyder’s Detective Comics is on the shelves. As always, we hope our suggestions can help you make a decision if you’re buying comics on a budget. Follow the cut for this week’s lists.
Batman, Inc. #3 ($2.99) – Finally. As much of a Morrison fan as I am, I can’t stand the many delays in his recent work. Still, I’m sure all my frustration will be wiped away upon reading this next issue of Batman, Inc. As fun as Knight & Squire are, Gaucho was/is my favorite of the Club of Heroes, and I’m excited to see more of him. I’m still not a big fan of the members of Batman, Inc. actually becoming Bat-men (I think ye old Batmen of Many Nations would have been the best approach), but Morrison still has time to sell me on it – which will be made easier with the aid of the excellent Yanick Paquette.
Captain Swing #3 ($3.99) – Speaking of delays, we finally have the third issue of Captain Swing hitting the shelves – but creator-owned works by Ellis are always worth waiting for. Honestly, it has been a while since I read the first two, so I’ll probably have to reread them before reading this, but – from what I remember – the series has been exciting in the most zany ways possible.
The Walking Dead Weekly #10 ($2.99) – As usual, this is my reminder that, no, I’m not buying the Walking Dead in singles, as I’ve been reading it in trades and my obsessive-compulsive nature won’t let me have half of an ongoing series in trade and half in singles. It’s still one of the best creator-owned comics on the shelves now – some might say the best – so I feel guilty not including it. Silly, I know.
Comic Book Comics #5 ($3.95) – On the topic of great creator-owned work, we’re finally seeing the fifth issue of Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey’s fantastic Comic Book Comics. I was a massive fan of their first collaboration, Action Philosophers!, and their newest non-fiction work has been equally informative and entertaining. Non-fiction comics make up probably the smallest fraction of the industry which is a real shame – as I elaborated in my Friday Recommendation for Action Philosophers, sequential art is a great medium for pieces of non-fiction. If you haven’t been reading this, pick up the latest issue and learn a bit of your favorite industry’s history.
Venom #1 ($3.99) – I really didn’t want to get this. I’ve enough books on my pull as is, and I have never been a Venom fan. Then I read the backup introducing the new Venom in Amazing Spider-Man, followed by the great Point One issue, and I decided that I had to at least pick up the first issue. For a split second I thought “maybe the ongoing won’t be as good,” but then I remembered: this is Rick Remender. If Uncanny X-Force is any indication, this book is going to be awesome. Stop forcing me to make unwise financial decisions, Marvel.
5 Ronin #2 ($2.99) – The first issue of this weekly miniseries was awesome, pure and simple. While my interest is definitely piqued in terms of how the story develops, I’m even more interested in what the “twist” behind the Hulk is (if there is one, I guess). Last issue hinted that these 5 Ronin might not have any sort of supernatural powers after all, which could get very interesting with people like Bruce Banner and Psylocke. Tim Bradstreet has a tough break trying to follow Tomm Coker’s excellent artwork on the first issue, but I’m sure he’ll do just fine. The only problem is, as the comic is weekly, adding this book to my pull wasn’t like adding a single mini. Instead, it was like adding five books for a single month. My aching wallet will survive.
Continued belowTotal: $20.90. Ok, so I went a bit over, but I couldn’t choose between my picks. Plus, it’s less than a dollar over.
Matt’s Picks:
Venom #1 ($3.99) – Venom is my all time favorite character. Well, Eddie Brock is, but that’s besides the point. I have every Venom series that Marvel has put out. Hell if I’m going to miss one now!
Batman Inc #3 ($2.99) – I’ll be honest: as much as I am a huge Morrison fan, this series hasn’t exactly blown down any doors. That might be because there has been a two month delay in between 2 and 3. However, In Morrison We Trust.
Batgirl #19 ($2.99) – This is the best (non-Morrison) Bat-title on the shelves, no question.
PunisherMAX #11 ($3.99) – While it was delayed for a long time, the finale to Aaron and Dillon’s Bullseye arc is not only highly anticipated, it’s welcome with arms wide open.
Ultimate Spider-Man #155 ($3.99) – The Death of Ultimate Spidey. Man. I still don’t really believe it. In 5 or so issues, the character that got me back into reading comics full time is going to be dead. How sad. Well, I’m certainly not going to miss an issue now.
Total: $17.95
Josh’s Picks:
The Li’l Depressed Boy #2 ($2.99) – I absolutely loved the first issue of this charming, post-scene slice of life comic. The sheer nuance and emotion inserted into the story combined with the dynamic nature of the art makes for a win win with this bad boy.
The Walking Dead #82 ($2.99) – Even if there weren’t an “event” storyline going on right now, this book would still be one of the most humanistic, emotional and thrilling rides in all of comics…the fact that a lot of people are likely to do over the course of this arc just makes it even more so.
iZombie #11 ($2.99) – This delightfully morbid, charming as all hell book has been consistently great for nearly a year now, and having heard snippets of what Roberson and Allred have in store, I know things only get better from here.
Venom #1 ($3.99) – Rick. Remender. Tony. Moore. Those four words are enough to make this a must buy. The fact that I also really enjoy the concept behind this new Venom is just cake.
X-Men Legacy #246 ($2.99) – As a devout X-Fan, I’ve really been digging Age of X so far. The sheer love of the history of the characters bleeds from the pages, and seeing the basic concepts behind the X-Men boiled down to their core in such an interesting and provocative way gives a lot to love here.
Total: $16.95
PS: I won’t be buying it since I have all the issues anyway, but if you haven’t tuned in before now, do yourself a favor and pick up the first Skullkickers trade. Uber-fantasy uber-violence + zombies + womanizing + sound effects + six issues for only ten bucks? Winner.
