This is an especially odd week of comics, and one that finds our writers having wildly different lists. With a huge amount of books at the higher $3.99 price point, it’s a tighter week than usual, but definitely a good one.
American Vampire #9 ($3.99) – Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque’s American Vampire continues to get better and better with each passing issue, and this one wraps up the second arc of the series but hopefully doesn’t find new favorite Chief McCogan exiting stage left. Whatever happens, I know it will be the best direction for the book in these two stellar creators.
Strange Science Fantasy #6 ($3.99) – Scott Morse’s IDW offering has been one of the most inventive and fun books of the year, as well as the most unexpected. With this last issue, Morse told 4 Color News & Brews (our video podcast) that we’ll find the previous five issues tie together in a satisfying way. Here’s hoping he’s right.
Shadowland #5 ($3.99) – Speaking of books that need to tie-up in a satisfying way but face a far more significant challenge than Morse’s book, Andy Diggle and Billy Tan’s Shadowland has been oddly disappointing for readers with high expectations. Given that I didn’t have high expectations, I’ve found it to be strangely underrated. Here’s hoping it lives up to the soft admiration I’ve had for it to date.
Taskmaster #4 ($3.99) – Fred Van Lente and Jefte Palo seriously need to be making an ongoing Taskmaster book. Like now. This issue should not wrap up a mini-series, but lead into the world’s most awesome ongoing series featuring a character wearing a skull mask who fights entire towns filled with fake Hitlers. Which…you know, is a small niche. But a great one!
King City #12 ($2.99) – Confession: I have all of these but am not caught up yet. However, I am getting caught up for this last issue and I can’t wait. Brandon Graham is one of the most talented artists out there, and this book is very fun to read. It should be a blast to see how he wraps up this critically beloved book.
Total: $18.95
Josh’s Picks
Action Comics Annual #13 ($4.99) – Paul Cornell has been hitting it out of the park with his Action Comics run. Every character he touches flourishes under his unique storytelling voice…and this issue he gets his hands on Darkseid. ‘Nuff said.
Sweet Tooth #16 ($2.99) – This story has been absolutely riveting since the very beginning and it shows no signs of stopping. Every single issue adds pounds to the ongoing epic and as Sweet Tooth continues to grow and his connection to Jepperd becomes more defined, I find myself even more invested.
Marineman #1 ($3.99) – These days, in the wake of Chew, Morning Glories, Skullkickers and Halcyon, it’s hard to not give a new Image book a shot. Plus when you consider the pedigree of Ian Churchill, it should be interesting to see what he comes up with when he finally flies solo.
Ant-Man and The Wasp #2 ($3.99) – The first issue of this mini was a pleasant surprise. Tim Seeley really has a great handle on the personalities of Hank Pym and Eric O’ Grady and the mad science meets buddy comedy angle the series seems to be taking is shaping this one up to be quick burst of comic hilarity.
Taskmaster #4 ($3.99) – Never before has a c-list character been more deserving of their own ongoing than the Taskmaster. Don’t get me wrong I absolutely love the character and have since his appearances in Gail Simone’s Deadpool run, but the extent to which the character has flourished under Fred Van Lente’s pen is nothing short of spectacular. Can’t WAIT to see how this one ends.
Total: $19.95
Matt’s Picks
Heroes For Hire #1 / Iron Man/Thor #2 ($3.99 each) – Aside from a mini series and the mysterious “Project GROOT,” DnA are off the cosmic books now that Thanos Imperative is done. This makes me a sad panda. However, having them on another book means that I should probably get that instead to fill the void. With HFH bringing back an old concept in a new way, it’s a comic that I am definitely looking forward to checking out, and the first issue of Iron Man/Thor surprised me with how good it actually was.
Daredevil #512 / Shadowland #5 ($2.99 / $3.99) – This is it! The final fate of Daredevil! Does he die? Or does he just “die”? How will the Beast defeated? And will anyone be reading past this issue to the Black Panther book? Shadowland could have been the event of the year for me, but so far it’s been rather up and down in quality, with the main Daredevil title featuring the better story. Having followed Daredevil for quite some time now, I am hoping that it does out with a bang rather than a whimper.
Action Comics Annual ($4.99) – Lex Luthor + Darkseid + Ra’s al Ghul + Paul Cornell + Marco Rudy + Ed Benes = definite must buy. A bit pricy for an annual, yes, but I’m hoping that the story makes up for the interiors – and with Paul Cornell writing DARKSEID, I’m almost 100% positive it will.
Total: $19.95
