As usual, our writers are here to give you their suggestions for what you should get if you only have a nice, crisp twenty dollar bill to spend on comics this week. Warning: none of our writers are official financial advisers. Take what they say with a grain of salt (especially if they aren’t suggesting the latest issue of The Unwritten).
From this point on, I will also be keeping track of what books have made it onto my list multiple issues in a row. Let’s see how high these streaks pile up!
Unwritten #23 ($2.99) – Two issue streak! Tom’s latest adventures in the world of fiction have been whale of a tale (and I’m so very sorry for making that joke). Honestly, there isn’t much I can say about this that I haven’t say a billion times before, so I’ll just repeat that this is easily my favorite ongoing that is currently being published, and nearly every issue has been beyond fantastic – and, before you ask, those that haven’t have merely been fantastic. Buy it.
Morning Glories #8 ($2.99) – Two issue streak! Giving The Unwritten a run for its money, Nick Spencer’s Morning Glories is currently my favorite ongoing that is published by Image (sorry, Walking Dead and Invincible fans). The best thing about comics that 1) are creator owned and 2) have a wide cast is that you honestly have no idea what will happen to the characters next – something that Spencer fully acknowledges and pushes to the limit. At this point, I’ve given up even trying to guess (I still make assumptions, but it’s more of a subconscious thing), because I just know that no matter how much time I spend spitballing ideas, Spencer will throw me something completely different. Now, anyone can write something wildly unpredictable, but to do so and come up with a story that is both cohesive and enjoyable? That takes incredible levels of talent.
Amazing Spider-Man #656 ($3.99) – Even if you somehow missed the issue itself, I find it hard to believe that anyone could have avoided hearing how great the preceding issue of Amazing Spider-Man was. Now it is time to see whether or not Slott will keep his streak going, or let us down. My guess? This issue won’t be on the same level as the previous one, but that’s only because #655 was incredible. Slott lives and breathes Spidey, though, so when I say this issue will most likely be inferior to last issue, I still expect it to be a high quality read.
Invincible Iron Man #502 ($3.99) – Two issue streak! Tony Stark is a different man now, and a different man needs different challenges. Maybe I’m the only one (emphasis on maybe, I haven’t seen many reviews for #501), but I think his current challenge – while not quite the most action-packed – is the most appropriate for where Fraction has been taking the character. I understand that those who are used to and desire their Iron Man books with more explosions – myself included – have had a couple of complaints about Fraction’s run lacking the booms and pows every now and then (but certainly not always), but that’s just the thing: Fraction’s Invincible Iron Man is not your standard superhero comic. And thank goodness it isn’t.
Fear Itself: Book of the Skull ($3.99) – I’m in a bit of a predicament. I don’t want to support the event mania that the Big Two have been going through for the past few years. On the other, they keep using creative teams that, at the very least, get me interested. I really can’t say no to an event book by Matt Fraction and Stuart Immonen – two of my favorite writers and artists, respectively – just as much as I can’t say no to a prologue issue to said event written by Ed Brubaker. Here’s hoping I don’t end up regretting spending my money on this event, like I have in the past *ahem*Blackest Night*ahem*.
Continued belowTotal: $17.95
Matt’s Picks:
Knight And Squire #6 ($2.99) – Paul Cornell + the British (and better) Batman and Robin + the Joker = mayhem. Sweet, sweet, beautiful mayhem, that is 100% worth the purchase. It’s such a shame this story is capping at 6 issues, because it really should have been an ongoing.
5 Ronin #3 ($2.99) – Before this issue came two great issues. Why would the third be any different?
Fear Itself: Book of the Skull #1 ($3.99) – As far as summer blockbusters in comics go, I’m excited for Fear Itself. I really am. Fraction and Immonen? Sign me up. It just so happens in that signing up, I get this prologue by Brubaker and Eaton. Added bonus!
Morning Glories #8 ($2.99) – I’ve read this issue. In fact, I have an article with 3000+ words about this issue going up later today. That being said, I can guarantee you this is an issue you’re going to want to buy. And if you’re not buying Morning Glories, then what the hell is wrong with you?
Time Lincoln: Cuba Commander #1 ($3.99) – I have a very silly addiction to this series. It’s just so ridiculous! Is it wise for anyone to randomly start buying it now? No, probably not. Then again, the other issues of the series are probably pretty easy to find and there isn’t going to be a trade for a while. Might as well just hop in now.
Uncanny X-Force #5.1 ($2.99) – Last choice was a bit hard, but Rick Remender + Rafael Albuquerque = buy. Ain’t no two ways about it!
Total: 19.94
Burpee’s Picks:
5 Ronin #3 ($2.99) — The first two issues of this series have been fantastic. If this issue can even get remotely close in quality this will be a pleasure of a read. I really recommended this book to everyone.
Uncanny X-Force #5.1 ($3.99) — Rick Remender and Raphael Albuquerque is a great way to sell a book. Add to it that the team up is on Uncanny X-Force where Remender is easily giving us one of the best X-Titles on the market right now and you’ve got a solid sale for me. Top it all off with Lady Deathstrike and the new Reavers and this book becomes a contender for best of the week.
Fear Itself: Book of the Skull #1 ($3.99) — This book is kind of the do or die book for me as far as Fear Itself goes. If I enjoy it I will follow the event. If I don’t care for it I am likely to bail. I am very excited for this issue though as it will dictate a good chunk of my discretionary money over the next few months.
DC Universe Legacies #10 ($3.99) — I am sad to see this book come to an end with this issue. I feel this was easily one of the most underrated titles since its launch. It has retold the history of the DCU through the eyes of a regular Joe in a compelling and entertaining way. I’d love to see DC line up Len Wein to do more of this sort of work in the near future.
Avengers Academy #11 ($2.99) — One of my favorite titles month in and month out. I love the characters and feel attached to them in just the short time we’ve spent with them. They’re not quite on the level of New X-Men but I’d be lying if I said they weren’t getting crazy close.
Total: $17.95
Josh’s Picks:
Thunderbolts #155 ($2.99) – Definitely one of Marvel’s biggest underdog books, Jeff Parker has crafted an immense, widescreen, introspective take on one of Marvel’s modern day staple books thats intriguing as all hell. Rich characters, compelling plots, baits, switches and between Kev Walker and Declan Shalvey, fantastic art. A complete winner if ever there was one.
Continued belowT.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #5 ($2.99) – While I’ve yet to be as floored by Nick Spencer’s mainstream comics work as I was with his independent work, this book has been a fantastic ride since it began and shows no signs of slowing down yet. With last week’s stunning reveal, we have our full team now revealed and the story is just heating up. I’m not sure how long this book will realistically last with Marvel throwing so much work Spencer’s way, but at this point I can safely say we will not disappointed with what we get.
Morning Glories #8 ($2.99) – The more I catch up on what I missed with Lost, the more I enjoy this book. The intrigue combined with great, relatable character work makes this one a “top of the pile” must read from month to month. I’m not 100% sure just what is going on, but I sure as hell know that I like it.
Generation Hope #5 ($2.99) – While undergoing a much slower start than I’ve come to expect from writer Kieron Gillen, this book finally seemed to find its footing last issue, setting it on a path that could very well rival the fantastic “young mutant” books that preceded it. Plus, we’ve got guest art from none other than Jamie McKelvie this issue, and that can’t possibly be a bad thing.
Uncanny X-Force #5.1 ($2.99) – For years, I was that underdog fan that fervently believed that Peter David’s X-Factor was the best book on the market with the letter X in it’s title. Then along came Rick Remender’s take on X-Force. Similar to the Kyle/Yost run in premise, but definitely a beast in and of itself, this book provides so much more that just splattery violence (though there’s plenty of that) as we see the impact of said violence on each and every one of perpetrators and learn that mindless violence does take a toll on even most hardened of psyches.
X-Factor #217 ($2.99) – While in danger of being knocked off the “best X-book” top spot, this book is still the absolute best “D-List Rehab” book for mutants ever conceived. The way in which Peter David takes misfit characters that, prior to their appearance in this book, only really mattered to die hards like myself, and makes them more compelling than the headliners of the “main” X-Books (I’d rather read a Madrox story than a Cyclops story right now) is a wonder in and of itself. Plus, with this issue we see David return to one of his most beloved characters as Spider-Man swings in to guest star.
Total: $17.94
