This week on Comics Should Be Cheap, we just have MC EIC Matt and myself making our picks, and with one major book at $8 and a slew of other big choices, this is a particularly tough week. If you need some guidance on what books you should be grabbing, feast your eyes on our choices after the jump.
Turf #3 ($2.99) – This book and its first two issues has been one of the biggest surprises of 2010 for me as well as one of my favorite books period. Jonathan Ross and Tommy Lee Edwards combine to make beautiful and engaging comics, and this book is one of the most unique and inviting genre blends I’ve seen in some time. If you haven’t been reading it, you’ve also been missing one of the best values in comics – it’s a HUGE read for just $2.99.
Morning Glories #3 ($3.50) – Nick Spencer is rapidly climbing up my list of favorite up-and-coming creators, and this book is a big reason why. It’s my favorite of his rapidly growing list of Image projects, and alongside Joe Eisma he’s quickly created a book with characters I care about and a story that greatly intrigues. In short, this book is the bees knees.
The Walking Dead #78 ($2.99) – Two Image books on my list before this one, but come on, everyone knows: The Walking Dead is the premier Image book. In fact, I’d be hard pressed to say that there is a book on the market that is better than Robert Kirkman’s magnum zombie opus. This book is so consistently great that almost no one wants to review it here anymore. It’s hard to find a new way to say how awesome it is. I will say this – if you aren’t reading it, you’re failing at comics.
Kick-Ass 2 #1 ($2.99) – That’s right. A Mark Millar special, with the second run of his comic/film franchise taking off. It brings back Millar and John Romita Jr., the team from the first back, and throws them back in with all of the characters that made the first Kick-Ass a mostly great affair. I’m excited to see where it goes next, even if early buzz isn’t super positive.
Fables #99 ($2.99) – Once upon a time, this was my favorite comic out there. With a recent upswing, it’s climbing back up the list, as this current Rose Red story is bringing back the awesome. Bill Willingham and Mark Buckingham are two of the best in the business, and with just one issue remaining until issue #100 this will assuredly be another big issue with major ramifications on the series.
DMZ #58 ($2.99) – This was, interestingly enough, a toss up between two Brian Wood joints – this and DV8: Gods and Monsters. When it got down to it, I just like Wood’s Vertigo title more. Still, if you have a little extra money, a little more Brian Wood makes any comic reader’s week that much better.
Total: $18.45
Matt’s Picks
Vertigo Resurrected #1 ($7.99) – I wanted this to be the MC Book of the Week, but everyone started crying about the price of it. To me, though, the return of a lost Vertigo story arc that caused a lot of controversy due to it’s content is one that HAS to be purchased. The first Vertigo Resurrected title is Warren Ellis’ Hellblazer one-shot “Shoot”, a controversial story dealing with school shootings as a reaction to Columbine. Talk about heavy! BUT THAT’S NOT ALL. The book ALSO contains unpublished material from writers like Grant Morrison and Brian Azzarello, and considering what we’ve seen published from them on Vertigo, I’m anxious to see what was “Too Hot For Shelves.”
Batman and Robin #15 ($2.99) – This is it. The penultimate issue to Grant Morrison’s epic Batman story.* It’s the Joker vs. the Black Hand vs. Batman and Robin vs. ?????. If you miss this, you must hate yourself or something, because I see NO reason not to buy what is sure to be an explosive finale to “Batman and Robin Must Die!”
Continued belowWalking Dead #78 ($2.99) – While the book has been quieter recently, we’re just two issues away from what I can only assume is a disaster almost on the same scale as the Governor’s invasion of the Prison. We also saw some things beginning to heat up with the last issue, so call this “the uneasy calm before the storm” and pick it up.
Supergirl #57 ($2.99) – This is the beginning of the end of Sterling Gates and Jamal Igle’s run on Supergirl, and that makes me incredibly unhappy. This book has been nothing short of great since they came on the book, and I am not too happy about their leaving. I will, however, continue to purchase every damn issue, because I’ll be damned if I don’t support this book and this team every chance I get.
X-Factor #210 ($2.99) – I feel like my lists have been dominated by certain titles and I haven’t given enough love to this book. It’s definitely one of the best on the market, and one that more people should really be getting into/talking about. It’s definitely much more consistent quality-wise in comparison to other X-titles.
As an additional note, Morning Glories #3 would have made my list if Warren Ellis and his damn school shootings hadn’t gotten in the way.
Total: $19.95
*I don’t know why most of us aren’t lumping in Batman Inc into this story. Huh.
