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Comics Should Be Cheap! (5/18/2011)

By | May 18th, 2011
Posted in Columns | % Comments


There’s a lot of cool stuff coming out this week, and with the Multiversity staff’s varied interests, our lists reflect the varied selection that’s available today. Whose taste seems to most align with you, and thus best reflect the best choices for you? What superhero appears on all of our lists? Find out after the cut.

Walt’s Picks:

Batman: Gates of Gotham #1 ($2.99) – Scott Snyder knows Batman. In particular, he knows the world in which Batman lives. If you haven’t listened to our massive Spoiler Alert interview with Snyder, he talks a lot about Gotham as a city and as a character, and it’s clear that he has a lot of great ideas for the city. So, can you imagine how excited I am about Snyder doing a miniseries about Gotham and its history? Answer: extremely.

Ultimate Comics: Avengers vs New Ultimates #4 ($3.99) and Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #158 ($3.99) – My interest in “The Death of Spider-Man” has been jumping back and forth, but with the announcement of the massive changes coming to the Ultimate Universe, my excitement has reached an all-time high. Millar’s Avengers vs. New Ultimates is almost (but not quite) back on par with his original Ultimates work – something that had been sorely missed – and Ultimate Spider-Man is just as great as ever. A lot of people are thinking “oh, they’re just talking a metaphorical death, he’s just going to stop being Spidey for a while,” but remember: this is the Ultimate Universe. All bets are off.

Invincible Iron Man #504 ($3.99)Four issue streak! As I’ve said before, Matt Fraction’s Invincible Iron Man is one of my favorite Marvel ongoings. The last arc was nothing that I expected, and I mean that in the best way possible. Fraction has the perfect voice for Tony, and writes stories that suit him excellently. I’m still not sold on Fear Itself (I really want to be!), so maybe Fraction can fully win me over with his Iron Man tie-ins.

Alpha Flight #0.1 ($2.99) – If there’s one thing that I’ve learned, it’s that you can trust Greg Pak and Fred Van Lente, even more so when they’re working together. I’ll be honest and say that I don’t know anything about Alpha Flight, but I didn’t know anything about Marvel’s Hercules when Pak an Van Lente started the new volume of The Incredible Hercules, and look how well that turned out! I do think the number “0.1” is incredibly silly, but that’s hardly a reason to not buy what is sure to be another fun book by these comics greats.

Total: $17.95

Matt’s Picks:

Hulk #33 ($2.99) – I don’t know how many times I’ve said this – buy this book. It is probably the most underrated title at Marvel right now, and fully redeems the Hulk title for Hulk title after Loeb’s run. Three cheers for Jeff Parker! Hoorah for Gabriel Hardman! NOW BUY THE BOOK.

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #158 ($3.99) – This is one of the few books in my pull that I have been buying since I got back into comics. It’s not leaving it any time soon, and with the current arc featuring the Death of Ultimate Spider-Man, I’m very curious to see what Bendis has planned.

Batman: Gates of Gotham #1 ($2.99) – Scott Snyder’s mini promises big things, mainly that of fantastic art, an intriguing murder mystery, and seeds for big things to come. I may not be a big Batman fan, but Snyder hasn’t really steered me wrong yet.

Astonishing X-Men #38 ($3.99) – With this issue, Astonishing begins it’s alternating issue storyline, with Christos Gage assembling a team to fight the Brood (again). I’m curious to see how Gage handles things that have very recently been covered by Kieron Gillen and Warren Ellis, as Gage is a very strong writer who deserves a lot more credit than he gets.

Continued below

Uncanny X-Force #10 ($3.99) – I didn’t really care much for the last issue, but this issue begins the Dark Angel Saga arc of Uncanny X-Force. If I know one thing about Rick Remender, it’s that this is almost certainly a surefire win. Buy without hesitation.

Total: $17.95

Brandon’s Picks:

Avengers Academy #14 ($2.99) — Superhero Prom continues! Last issue was excellent and the addition of an attack by the Sinister Six should make this issue all that more interesting.

Booster Gold #44 ($2.99) — Booster Gold tying into Flashpoint could honestly go either way. One thing that is certain though is it will have BOOSTER GOLD! Sold!

Uncanny X-Force #10 ($2.99) — While last issue was my least favorite issue of the series I don’t feel that this book is losing its appeal. One hiccup issue does not a panic mode make. Also, we are moving closer and closer to a return to the AoA which typically I would groan about but under the pen of Remender I am rather excited.

X-Factor #219 ($2.99) — Do I really need to say anything? What is left to say? This may no longer be the best X-Book on the stands but it is still one of the best month in and month out.

X-Men Giant Sized #1 ($4.99) — Love me some Christopher Yost writing. Also, I am pretty sure I read somewhere in a preview for this that issue that it marks the return of the Neo. I LOVE the Neo. I was a big fan of the Claremont return that jumped a year ahead and introduced the Neo. Hell, I may have been the only fan of it. So to see the Neo return has me excited.

Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #158 ($2.99) — So far this story hasn’t amazed me and the way in which Peter got tagged was sort of weak. Where they go from here hopefully will improve. I must say that I trust Bendis so I’m willing to go on this ride and tune in when the book hits shops. Hopefully, it will be worth the money in the end.

Total: $19.94

Gil’s Picks:

Amazing Spider-Man #661 (2.99) — Ever since the end of the “Brand New Day” franchise direction, Dan Slott has been on a tear. The book is as good as it’s ever been, and in the case of the Future Foundation arc, sometimes even better. Slott was the perfect choice to take over the bi-weekly book. And if that weren’t enough, there’s even a guest spot from the popular Avengers Academy! Pick this up!

Avengers Academy #14 (2.99) — Speaking of the Avengers Academy, this book is still my favorite book with the “Avengers” embossed on the front. Great new characters and established alike, along with great coming of age stories and some awesome art; you should be reading this title.

Power Girl #24 (2.99) — Probably the sleeper hit of the DCU Line of books, Power Girl has been quality since her relaunch about 2 years ago. Last month she teamed up with another Kryptonian and now it’s time to team up with the Dark Knight! If you like Batman, this is probably the book for you!

Teen Titans #96 (2.99) — Some people were initially upset when J.T. Krul, the writer of the much maligned Rise of Arsenal took over the book. Still others were upset when he stole Nicola Scott from the Secret Six book. But the two of them have crafted a book that is not only “good,” but it’s one of the best team books put out by DC. And it’s oh, SO pretty.

Tiny Titans #40 (2.99) — What? You DON’T read Tiny Titans? Well, if you don’t you should. It’s one of the most accessible books written today with short skits and sight gags along with jokes that anyone can get. And you can’t tell me the cover of the last issue wasn’t a dig at the people who thought Supergirl’s pink logo was an insult.

Continued below

X-Factor #219 (2.99) — The most consistent book with an X on it, you can’t go wrong with X-Factor. And you might not believe me if I told you, but the art has been fantastic. It’s strange saying that when this book’s art is usually average or sub-par, but this book is absolutely breathtaking to read. Check it out!

Total: $17.94

Josh’s Picks:

Alpha Flight #0.1 ($2.99) – Despite the unspeakably silly numbering on this one (seriously Marvel? This couldn’t just be Issue 0? You really gotta push the Point One thing that no body cares about THAT hard?), this is probably one of my most anticipated books of the year. Alpha Flight will always hold a special place in my heart to the point that I’d pretty much read the book no matter who was working on it…the fact that this reboot features the original team written by not one but TWO of my favorite writers and drawn by the current favorite illustrator with covers by one of my ALL TIME favorite illustrators is what moves this one way beyond “must buy” status into “will probably buy twice” status.

Batman: Gates of Gotham #1 ($2.99) – After his phenomenal work making Detective Comics a must read book for me (trust me, 14 year-old Marvel Zombie Josh is vomiting everywhere knowing he will in the future utter that last line), Scott Snyder has earned my interest in anything he happens to write, ESPECIALLY if it takes place within the confines of Gotham City (though, if he wrote an NFL Superpro ongoing, I’d probably read it too.)

The Li’l Depressed Boy #4 ($2.99) – It is 100% rare for a comic to represent a musical subculture and the types of personalities it spawns as well as this book does. Struble and Grace have a serious hit on their hands here.

Thunder Agents #7 ($2.99) – Much like Scott Snyder, I’ll read anything Nick Spencer writes. The fact that this book is one of the highest stakes, highest intrigue and highest action super hero espionage books on the market is pretty much just cake.

Generation Hope #7 ($2.99) – I’ve been a fan of Kieron Gillen’s work for going on two years now (I jumped on the Phonogram train late, I’ll admit it), but even that preexisting condition couldn’t prepare me for how much I’ve enjoyed his mutant books as of late. Despite getting off to a rough start, this book has grown into an exceedingly compelling story that I have no doubt will one day rank amongst the best young mutant titles harkening back to the original team, the New Mutants, Generation X and beyond.

Ultimate Spider-Man #158 ($3.99) – Despite existing on the very edge of my comics periphery for quite some time, I am actually very excited for the immediate future of the Ultimate Universe, and this book is a major cornerstone in the building of that new era. Hence, I will stay dialed in to see how this one plays out. Plus, if anyone can make the death of one of the most iconic super heroes in history (albiet a parallel reality version, but still) seem legitimate and non-stunty, its Brian Michael Bendis.

Total: $18.94


//TAGS | Comics Should Be Cheap

Walt Richardson

Walt is a former editor for Multiversity Comics and current podcaster/ne'er-do-well. Follow him on Twitter @goodbyetoashoe... if you dare!

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