This week, DC announced their new $2.99 across the line initiative, which is a hugely exciting news story for this column. We’re all fans of comics, but with the rapidly increasing prices a lot of fans have been forced to cut down on their purchasing habits, hence the need for Comics Should Be Cheap.
This week on Comics Should Be Cheap!, our writing staff picks from an oddly small first week of the year with their $20. Even on a small week, it’s a tough time to pick. Find out what we’d buy after the jump.
The Walking Dead #80 ($2.99) – This is zombie fiction at its finest, and when creator Robert Kirkman himself says that an issue is set to change everything forever, you better realize it’s going to change significantly. Plus, Kirkman and Charlie Adlard are two of the most consistently great creators out there. It’s a must buy issue of a must buy series.
Ultimate Comics Captain America #1 ($3.99) – Jason Aaron is my favorite writer in comics right now (as Brian K. Vaughan is currently inactive), and even though this series itself feels unnecessary to me, the combination of Aaron and his frequent collaborator Ron Garney is too awesome to ignore. The creative power behind this series could easily turn it into one of the best Ultimate offerings ever.
Who is Jake Ellis? #1 ($2.99) – This is my latest hype book, as Nathan Edmondson and Tonci Zonjic look to strike gold once again for Image Comics with their new spy series. Spies + Zonjic art + everything I’ve seen so far makes this series look like one to watch. Here’s hoping my instincts are correct with this one.
Ant-Man & Wasp #3 ($3.99) – Tim Seeley has been killing it on this series so far, giving us the best Eric O’Grady since he was in Robert Kirkman’s hands. Any time someone can write good O’Grady, I’m on board. I’ll be sad to see this go.
Thanos Imperative: Devastation #1 ($3.99) – Dan Abnett and Andy Lanning write some mean cosmic stories, and this will give us the first look at that side of the Marvel Universe without leaders Nova and Star Lord. While Star Lord was without a doubt my favorite character in the Cosmic realm, I have faith in DnA, and with this being the unofficial 7th issue of the recent Cosmic event, I’m excited to see how it wraps up.
Total: $17.95
Matt’s Picks
Ultimate Comics Captain America #1 ($3.99) – If there is one thing I’ve learned from reading an excess amount of comics on a weekly basis, it’s that if you see Jason Aaron’s name on a comic book you should be buying it. Marvel has been experimenting with the Ultimate line recently, doing a set of mini’s for specific characters rather than a lot of ongoing stories, and with Aaron coming in to handle Captain America and his dealings with Frank Simpsons aka Nuke aka Scourge is something to get excited about. It’s just the kind of character you know Aaron is going to write well.
The Walking Dead #80 ($2.99) – Is there ever any reason not to get this comic? Seriously. It is the definitive zombie comic book of all time, and it’s still going after 7 years! And going quite strongly, I might add. With the brand new and assumedly horrifying “No Way Out” arc starting with this issue, you can bet it’s going to keep the punches coming.
Sweets #4 ($2.99) – I’ve actually made a New Years Resolution to stop buying minis so often, because as fellow writer Josh has pointed out they sometimes become “long box fodder.” It’s a good thing that Sweets doesn’t fit that description at all, and with the last two issues set to be released this year, I’m excited to see it conclude. Buy it today and give a digital/monetary high five to Kody Chamberlain, who deserves a lot of credit and acclaim for the amount of work and pure awesome put into this book (and I promise I’m not just saying that).
Continued belowGeneration Hope #3 ($2.99) – Speaking of high fives, Kieron Gillen gave me a high five once. That will lead me to support him forever, and definitely not the fact that he is actually known for writing great comics like SWORD, Dark Avengers: Areas, Beta Ray Bill: Godhunter, an all-too-short run on Thor, Phonogram, a Sabretooth one-shot, a newuniversal one-shot, Warhammer: Crown of Destruction, an eight-page Dazzler story, a Namor short story, a New Mutants one-shot, a short story in the CBGB mini, a Doctor Strange short story, World War Hulks: Spider-Man vs Thor, and the immediate future when of Uncanny X-Men. Nope. None of those have anything to do with anything. I’m just still happy I got a high five.
Sweet Tooth #17 ($2.99) – When Sweet Tooth #1 came out, I was shocked that no one on MC had covered it because of how phenomenal a debut issue it was. 16 issues later and I’m still impressed with every issue I read, and it has put Jeff Lemire on the map like nobodies business. Now is the time to be reading it – not later, not in trade, but now. Jeff Lemire is a masterful storyteller, and with the current arc literally featuring all Hell breaking loose, there’s no better time to be reading (also, when I say “Hell”, I’m being figurative – just for the record).
She-Hulks #3 ($2.99) – Believe it or not, this is one of the most enjoyable mini’s on the market. I’ve oddly been following the Savage She-Hulk Lyra since her arrival, and I’ve found it rather interesting that she is one of the few characters introduced in a Dark Reign mini that Marvel is doing anything with. To have her in a nice Young Adult friendly comic that wraps up one of the aftermath situations resulted in World War Hulks conclusion makes it a great and accessible new title featuring positive female heroes. People moan about not enough kid friendly comics and a lack of good female superheroes. Well, here ya go.
Total: $18.94
Brandon’s Picks
Brightest Day #17 ($2.99) – Another Hawkman centered issue means another selection as a must for me. While this book has been hit or miss for me I still seem to find myself drawn to it like fanboy to an Elektra cosplayer. Maybe it’s because I really like the characters involved and I am happy to see them get play even if it’s sometimes sloppy pay. Maybe it’s because the creative team has a stellar track record. Whatever the reason here it is yet again on my list and I am honestly excited to have it in my grubby hands.
Superboy #3 ($2.99) – This book brings together one of my favorite creators of recent times and one of my favorite characters of all time. This book is an instance where a better pair could not have been made. While I did not enjoy the last issue as much as the first I did appreciate the tone of the book. It has some nice light and fun elements mixed in with more dark and foreboding elements. These come together to create a book that breathes new life into a character who just a couple years ago was dead as a doornail.
Sweet Tooth #17 ($2.99) – Jeff Lemire’s brilliant post apocalyptic title carries on. This has been a title that has been a success in both the art and writing departments. This issue is one that I am especially excited for considering the cliffhanger that we were left with at the tail end of last issue. Is it true? Is this just a manipulative ruse? There is only one way to find out fanpeeps. So buy this friggin issue and love the shit out of it.
Ultimate Comics Captain America #1 ($3.99) – Jason Aaron, writer of Scalped and Wolverine, teams with Ron Garney to provide us a story of Captain America versus the Captain America of the Vietnam War. Wait. What?! Yes, you and I both read that correctly. This has to be awesome right? My Magic 8 Ball says, “Affirmative”.
Walking Dead #80 ($2.99) – What is there to say that hasn’t been said before? Hell, I think I’ve said that before about this book. Buy this shit or go to hell.
Continued belowWeird Worlds #1 ($3.99) – This is an anthology title based in space focusing on two new characters and Lobo. Lobo is a character I rather enjoy and the other two characters I don’t know much about. What I do know is that one of the new characters names is Garbageman. SOLD! Will it be worth sticking around for 6 issues? Not sure. I am sure though that Garbageman sounds like the best thing this side of the Toxic Avenger. Fact.
Total: $19.94
Walt’s Picks
Who Is Jake Ellis? #1 ($2.99) – As I write this, it has been less than a day since I first heard about this series. By that, I mean David mentioned the name. Fifteen minutes before I wrote this, I read the solicit. So far, that’s all I have read about this series, but I have to say: that was a well-written solicit. I’m always willing to try out a new series, especially with the recent success Image has been having with their #1s.
Thanos Imperative: Devastation ($3.99) – All things must come to an end, including DnA’s ground-breaking work in the Cosmic Marvel setting. The Thanos Imperative was one of my favorite minis of 2010, and while it concluded nicely within the mini this one-shot should be an interesting look at where exactly the cards are laying now.
Ultimate Comics: Captain America #1 ($3.99) – I was a bit late on the Jason Aaron love compared to the rest of the Multiversity staff, but after reading some older work of his I have become quite the admirer. I’ve always felt that Ultimate Cap should get his own mini, and there are few people that I can think of that would do the job as well as Aaron could. Pair him with Weapon X collaborator Ron Garney and you’ve got yourself an insta-buy.
X-Factor #213 ($2.99) – I haven’t caught up with the last two issues of this series yet, but unless Peter David went Frank Miller on us in the middle of the arc I doubt that I would have to remove this from my list. I’ve been interested in seeing how Rictor would react upon finding out that Rahne’s child (Spoilers!) isn’t his since she reappeared. Let’s find out, shall we?
The Walking Dead Weekly #1 ($2.99) – Confession time: I haven’t been buying The Walking Dead. I know, I know. I’ve been reading a friend’s trades as he gets them instead and, as such, I’m way behind on the story. The Weekly is, in my opinion, a great idea (especially with the rise of interest in the television show), and I’ll be using it to catch up — and to avoid not having Walking Dead on my Comics Should Be Cheap list when a big issue comes out!
Total: $16.95
Josh’s Picks
X-Factor #213 ($2.99) – Ah yes, my old faithful friend X-Factor. My #1 ongoing series for 2010 and with very good reason: since 2005 Peter David has been weaving paper into gold within these pages and elevating the D-List all the way up to the A-List and beyond (anyone who thinks Scott Summers is a better leader of mutants than Jamie Madrox at this point is a deluded fool.) Given the extreme happenings that went down for poor Darwin last issue and his announced leaving of the team (but not the book, it seems) this issue, I can’t wait to see where David takes the character as well as the other members of his fantastic ensemble cast next.
Sweet Tooth #17 ($2.99) – Since we began Comics Should Be Cheap many moons ago, Sweet Tooth has been on my list every single time it came out. This is because it is one of my engaging, beautiful, heartrending stories being told using sequential art today. Jeff Lemire’s warped, despairing (but still oddly hopeful) view of our world to come has not disappointed for over a year and it shows no signs of letting up now.
Continued belowSuperboy #3 ($2.99) – Speaking of Jeff Lemire, his recent forays into the main DC Universe have been a mixed bag. While his Atom stories leave a little much to be desired, the first two issues of Connor Kent’s newest ongoing have been rather fantastic. The charm, stoicism and small town wisdom Lemire inserted into his earlier independent works is proving to be alive and well within Smallville, and I can’t wait to see where he takes Superboy and the denizens of the small Kansas town where everyone knows your name.
The Walking Dead #80 ($2.99) – 80 issues. Most writers need to make a deal with the devil to get their books to live this long. However, I have long since believed that Robert Kirkman is, in fact, the devil himself. There is no other way I can rationalize a series wherein the revolving door cast can be tortured, beaten down, mentally and physically scarred, and then literally eaten being so engaging, so powerful and so entertaining for 80 issues. A whole new generation of fans are now accidental satanists…nice work, Image.
Ant-Man & The Wasp #3 ($3.99) – Hack/Slash creator Tim Seeley’s recent romp into the Marvel Universe comes to a close this issue as the unlikely duo of Hank Pym and Eric O’Grady band together to foil the malicious plans of the ever-nefarious AIM and rescue the soul of Bill Foster, the dead hero known as Goliath. While not the pinnacle of graphic storytelling, this mini has been fun as hell and I can’t wait to see how it ends.
Generation Hope #3 ($2.99) – I give this book a little bit more credit than its due, largely out of my love of writer Kieron Gillen and young mutant books. While the story is certainly smartly written and witty, as is expected of Gillen, the sub-par art of Salvador Espin just took me completely out of it last issue. Either he needs to shape up or a new artist needs to be found for this book, because it’ll be on the one way train to dropsville once my eyes reach their limit.
Total:$18.94
