This week on Comics Should Be Cheap!, our column in which our writers have $20 to spend on their books of the week, making them have to make some hard choices. With a slew of exciting creator-owned books, a bunch of X-Books, and one big anniversary issue, it’s even more difficult this week.
Find out what picks they made after the jump.
Memoir #1 ($3.50) – Ben McCool + Nikki Cook = a book I’m going to buy no matter what, but on a new Image Comics series (the hottest publisher out there in my book) and one with an incredibly delicious high concept? Sign me up to bag and board this book right now (especially with that excellent John Cassaday cover).
Invincible Iron Man #500 ($4.99) – The last issue of Matt Fraction and Salvador Larocca’s Invincible Iron Man was undoubtedly the best issue in a long while, and set the 500th issue up to be a particularly intense centennial issue. With a renumbering and a potential showdown between Tony and his crew up against the Mandarin and his disturbed foursome of supporters, this is a must buy no matter the price.
Morning Glories #6 ($3.50) – The last issue of Morning Glories was my favorite issue of the series to date, and this issue is the last before Nick Spencer and Joe Eisma give readers another solid jumping on point 7 issues in. I think this last one will be a doozy. Find out on Thursday in our reviews.
Scarlet #4 ($3.95) – I’m not sure where this comes from, but it just seems like my favorite comics out there have been the creator-owned books lately. This is the third on my list out of four (the fifth is also creator-owned), but it stands out the most because Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev on a creator-owned book is perfect. This story has been superb so far, and it’s a hoot to see my favorite American city featured so well.
DMZ #61 ($2.99) – This ends the two-part Free States Rising arc in which we find the origins of the Free States Movement in America from this series, and the first issue was excellent. Brian Wood’s first issue of this arc was intelligent, elegantly paced and incredibly engaging, while Shawn Martinbrough’s first entry into this series was a remarkable introduction to the art for me. Can’t wait for this issue.
Total: $18.93
Brandon’s Picks
Avengers Academy #8 ($2.99) – This issue promises the Avengers Academy kids vs The Hood. That would be a buy for me even if I weren’t already enjoying this book. I highly recommend you check out one of Marvel’s best ongoing titles if you aren’t doing so already.
Batman: Streets of Gotham #19 ($2.99) – Dustin Nguyen and Paul Dini continue, “House of Hush”. While this title has seen better days the current arc has been pretty darn good and has returned the title to the enjoy ability level it once had. Plus, Nguyen’s Batman is beyond epic. I’ve said time and again he draws my favorite rendition Batman in recent years. Jock is closing in though…
Superior #4 ($2.99) – Mark Millar and Lenil Yu have been killing it on this book. This has been a title that has gotten better with each issue. Millar gives us what appears to be his ode to Superman without losing its own unique wonder while doing so. This book is a solid read and a must buy.
Wolverine #5 ($3.99) – I love this book! You like Wolverine at his best? You like Jason Aaron? You like beards? Well all three of these are involved in this title. If you don’t get the part about beards last you’re out of luck.
Wolverine and Jubilee #1 ($2.99) – Wolverine and Jubilee back together again! Awwww yeah! While some don’t like the new vamp Jubes I think it works. You figure in the 90’s she was a stereotype of a 90’s era teen girl. Now she’s a vamp teen. Sounds like a modern teen girl with a Twilight fixation’s dream. Just saying. Can’t wait for this book. Love me some Jubilee.
X-Factor #214 ($2.99) – The last issue was the best to come from this title in quite some time. I am excited to see if this issue continues on that trend. I love this book and whatever week it comes out it should be assumed it is a must buy.
Total: $18.94
