Well, it’s almost the New Year! Can you believe it? It feels like just yesterday it was January 1st, 2010, and we were all so happy that the world didn’t explode. But as the year comes to a close, we have one last week of comics to go through, and unlike last year this won’t be a week full of indie books. Not that that’s a bad thing – I actually loved ICBW. Looks like this year just has too much going on for everyone to want to take a break, though.
So – what should you get? What should you spend your hard earned cash on? Well, never fear! While most of the Office is closed until next year, we’ve got some reviews coming your way as well as your regular dose of Comics Should Be Cheap!! So to find out what you should spend your hard earned cash on, click behind the cut and get illuminated, friends!
SHIELD #5/Secret Warriors #23 ($2.99 each) – You better believe there’s a double dose of Hickman-y goodness this week, and you better believe I will be buying both – and so should you. SHIELD #5 definitely has the coolest variant cover of the series yet (featuring Papa Stark and Richards!), and you can slowly feel this and Hickman’s other work connecting. It’s a very exciting read. Meanwhile, Secret Warriors is plugging away toward what I can only assume will be an absolutely breath-taking finale. After the end of the last arc, I expect big things.
Flash #8 ($2.99) – A Reverse-Flash centric issue? Count me in. Johns is taking a very slow pace with the current run of Flash (all delays and puns aside), but I am very interested to see exactly how Eobard fits into Brightest Day and considering he has been rather noticeably absent since his resurrection, I’m hoping this Brightest Day tie-in will have some answers. Cross your fingers, fans!
Action Comics #896 ($3.99) – Paul Cornell made quite a name for himself with this book, and considering that it’s absolutely fantastic it shouldn’t really be a surprise. As the book continues to put Luthor into a brand new corner and really develop his character beyond the simple constraints of “Superman’s villain”, we’ll keep buying it like crazy.
Incognito: Bad Influences #2 ($3.50) – You can’t go wrong with Ed Brubaker and Sean Philips. You just can’t. We ranted and raved about the first Incognito, and now it’s back and better than ever. If you want to see Brubaker and Philips at their best, you have your book.
Teen Titans #90 ($2.99) – I can’t quite put my finger on the why of it all, but this is the most I’ve enjoyed Teen Titans in quite some time. Krul is certainly not a writer I regularly gravitate to (yes, I’m bringing up Rise Of Arsenal for the millionth time, just like every kid on the internet does), but his Teen Titans has been amusingly infectious, and I’m rather curious to see what he plans to do with Damian. Given that the book is at $2.99 before $2.99 became cool, I figure it can’t hurt to give it a few more issues (at least until the Red Robin crossover).
Total: $19.45
David’s Picks
Detective Comics #872 ($3.99) – The first issue of Scott Snyder and Jock’s run on Detective Comics was one of my top five issues of the year, and something that I think will only continuously build into a new, wonderful era on the book. Throw in Francesco Francavilla’s incredible art on the Jim Gordon book, and you have one of the few $3.99 books out there that is absolutely worth the money.
Incognito: Bad Influences #2 ($3.50) – Any time you have the names Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips’ on the cover, it’s a must-buy. The first issue of Incognito: Bad Influences was superb, and I have no doubt this gravy train will keep its biscuit wheels turning until the end of this mini and beyond.
Continued belowNemesis #4 (Of 4) ($2.99) – Sometimes I feel like I’m the only person who likes this book, but there is something that is very basely entertaining about this Mark Millar and Steve McNiven violence fest. While McNiven hasn’t been bringing his typical standard of outstanding work (it’s still good), there is something that really makes it work. Probably the sheer insanity of it, but either way, being bad feels really good in this case.
Osborn #2 ($3.99) – I LOVED the first issue. I thought it was wonderfully evil and a great read, and something that featured great writing, art, and a top notch back-up to boot. It set up the rest of the mini to be even more exciting than the first issue was, and for that, it has to make my list.
Scalped #44 ($2.99) – It’s Scalped. At this point, if you don’t know this is my favorite series, you haven’t been reading the site. I think this is the best series on the market, and it just gets better with each passing issue. Plus, a Nitz-centric issue with Davide Furno on art? Yes please.
Total: $17.46
Walt’s Picks
S.H.I.E.L.D. #5 ($2.99) – It has been a little bit since the last issue of Jonathan Hickman’s newest series came out, but my excitement hasn’t died down in the slightest. With every issue I’m not quite sure where Hickman will be taking us next, but I do know that 1) it will be incredibly imaginative and 2) it will be beautifully drawn by Dustin Weaver. And that’s really all I need to know.
Detective Comics #872 ($3.99) – The first issue of Snyder’s Detective Comics blew me away. In only one issue Snyder demonstrated that he knew exactly how to write Dick Grayson and James Gordon, who are probably my two favorite characters in the Batman franchise. After two more issues, we’ll know for sure if he knows exactly how to write a Batman story, but right now I’m betting on yes. Plus, it’s always nice to get Jock working on the inside of a book, rather than just the outside.
Secret Warriors #23 ($2.99) – The previous issue of this series was a bit controversial here in the Multiversity offices, but that wasn’t enough to turn me off to one of my favorite series Marvel has been putting on the shelves. Nick Fury! Spies! Intrigue! It really doesn’t get much better than this, especially when the series in question is being penned by Jonathan Hickman. Sadly, we’re nearing the end, but until then I’m going to be buying every issue, and I urge you to do the same.
Action Comics #896 ($3.99) – Paul Cornell’s Lex Luthor-centric run on Action Comics has showcased various other villains besides everyone’s favorite baldy. Is it any surprise, then, that Lex would be running across fan-favorites the Secret Six? While the team is pretty much synonymous with Gail Simone at this point, I’m interested to see how another favorite writer of mine handles the group. And don’t forget Nick Spencer’s great Jimmy Olsen back-up, which brings a nice modern twist to the fun and surreal adventures he had in the Silver Age.
Green Lantern #61 ($2.99) – I said this last time, but I’ll say it again: I enjoy Geoff Johns’ Green Lantern quite a bit. I’m still not sure if I want to add two books to my pull, though, for the upcoming War of the Green Lanterns. I’ll keep buying the title until this arc is over, since it has been good, but you have until then to sell me, Johns.
The Flash #8 ($2.99) – This, on the other hand, I would pick up two tie-in books for in a second. On this title Johns has really regained that facility superhero comics that made him so popular in the first place. I don’t even care that it’s Barry rather than Wally. Johns gets accolades for his Green Lantern work, but I really think he knows how to handle the Flash much better. Here we get another one of his infamous villain-centric issues, and the one thing Johns knows better than how to write heroes is how to write villains.
Total: $19.95
