This week in Comics Should Be Cheap!, our brave writers face an unenviable task: buying comics on a budget during a big week! Dun dun dun! What will they do as they navigate the halls of their local comic store with only Andrew Jackson guiding them?
Tune in after the jump to see what comics our writers pick if you’re shopping on a budget.
David’s Picks
Strange Science Fantasy #2 ($3.99) – Brandon Burpee (my fellow MC writer) forced this upon me as part of our 4 Color News & Brews video podcast series, and I was enthralled by what might have been the single most unique comic (in issue form) that I’ve read this year. Scott Morse wasn’t a creator I was aware of before, but he is definitely one I’m watching now. Plus…Paul Pope!
The Walking Dead #76 ($2.99) – Given the ending of last issue, I think I’m incapable of not recommending this series from Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard. Hell, given the last 75 issues worth of awesome, it’s impossible not to. Still, the last issue ended particularly well, and it’s going to be one hell of a payoff I feel (although I doubt it will involve aliens at all).
The Unwritten #16 ($2.99) – Besides Scalped, this is my favorite Vertigo series going right now. That’s heady praise given the fact that I’m a massive fan of Fables, DMZ, and American Vampire, but still, it’s impossible to deny the greatness of Mike Carey and Peter Gross’ series. With the previous issue finally giving us the first appearance of Wilson Taylor and the release of the new Tommy Taylor book rapidly approaching, this issue is very likely to be an even bigger dynamo than usual. A must buy, all of the time.
Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #1 ($3.99) – Peter Tomasi on a Green Lantern book? Of course I’m going to buy it. Would I have preferred them to have just kept Tomasi, Guy Gardner, Ganthet and Kilowog on Green Lantern Corps? Sure. But that doesn’t mean I won’t support this new series, especially with previews being enthralling and artist Fernando Pasarin being a burgeoning star.
Daytripper #9 ($2.99) – I didn’t include this in my list of Vertigo books with The Unwritten because this is a mini (maxi?) series, but Gabriel Bá and Fábio Moon’s phenomenal series has been as affecting and emotionally resonant as any series in 2010. Not only that, but this book offers something unique that I adore: contemplation. To me, it’s impossible not to contemplate yourself and what you offer the world while reading this book. It’s a valuable book in many ways other books are not.
Justice League: Generation Lost #7 ($2.99) – In a world where I was able to spend fifty more cents (in this world I am broke as a joke), I’d buy the new volume of BPRD‘s first issue. Instead, I’ll buy one of the best superhero books on the market today: Justice League: Generation Lost. What this book lacks in action, it makes up in pure charm as Judd Winick has proved as capable replacement for J.M. Dematteis and Keith Giffen when it comes to writing the JLI. Plus, last issue’s Captain Atom centric issue was a thriller and a half.
It will be really interesting seeing Winick being by himself – Giffen is out this issue. We’ll see if he can make it on his own here.
Total: $19.94
Matt’s Picks
Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #1 ($3.99) – Peter Tomasi made a name for himself in every Green Lantern fan’s book with his phenomenal work in Green Lantern Crops, and when I heard he was leaving Corps I was shocked (and I’ll assume you were too). Luckily, he’ll be staying in the Green Lantern Corps with a Guy Gardner centric book. This book could easily be great, and the best Lantern book on the shelves as Johns’ book is getting a little tired and true and Bedard hasn’t proven himself yet. It’s definitely not a good idea to miss this first issue.
Justice League: Generation Lost #7 ($2.99) – When it comes to DC’s current bi-weekly series, Generation Lost is where it’s at. Coming completely out of left field for me (since I’m not normally a Winick or Booster Gold fan), JL: GC brings back the JLI in a compelling story that leaves me waiting with baited breath between issues. Highly recommended, and it’s definitely the best Justice team DC has right now.
The Unwritten #16 ($2.99) – The Unwritten is one of the best new Vertigo titles available today, and it’s not too late to easily hop into the Unwritten bandwagon. Starring a satire of Harry Potter, the Unwritten features a wide array of great literary references, expertly written by Mike Carey with fantastic art by Peter Gross. One of my favorite books to read (and, humorously enough, I was originally going to ignore this one and buy Greek Street instead! Woops!)
Walking Dead #76 ($2.99) – Robert Kirkman’s epic zombie on-going is a book I never want to miss. Given last issue’s intense finale, I can only imagine what horrors await Rick this issue, and can only begin to guess what gauntlet Kirkman is going to throw him into now.
Daredevil #509 ($2.99) – It seems that just like Blackest Night, the better Shadowland story will be in Daredevil instead of the main title. Perhaps it’s the moody and atmospheric artwork by Roberto Pascual De La Torre, but you can bet your boots that this issue is going to be rather intense given the ending of Shadowland #2.
Thanos Imperative #3 ($3.99) – I’ll be damned if I miss Marvel’s latest cosmic event. As the Galactus Engine barrels out of the Cancerverse, DnA stand at the middle of the series to creating one of the most dynamite cosmic events to date. We also will supposedly be seeing the formation of the Cosmic Avengers, and with the Guardians of the Galaxy hopefully getting more page time this issue I can only imagine that the halfway point of the event will be quite entertaining.
Superman #702 ($2.99) acts as a back-up in case I can’t find one of the books.
Total: $19.94
Brandon’s Picks
Justice League: Generation Lost #7 ($2.99) – This is one of my favorite books on the market right now. The last book was awesome. As a fan of Judd Winick, I also love how the haters are having to eat their words!
Green Lantern: Emerald Warriors #1 ($3.99) – This is a book I a super stoked for. I love Guy Gardner and I am excited to see him be the focus of a book. I know it’s supposed to be a team but I’m holding onto hope that he’ll be the main focus. Either way more GL is ok by me.
Strange Science Fantasy #2 ($3.99) – The last issue was amazing! It was extremely unique and quickly became one of my most anticipated books. Interested to see what this issue will introduce us to. If it’s half as awesome as #1 this is a can’t miss fanpeeps.
Walking Dead #76 ($2.99) – It’s consistently one of the better books on the market. After last issue I highly doubt this book is going to drop in quality and that’s why I love it.
X-Men #2 ($3.99) – While the first issue wasn’t morphenomenal or anything I felt like the characters voices were spot on. I think the vampire’s thing seems forced thanks to things such as Twilight and TruBlood but that’s more a personal taste, as I don’t care for vampires. I’m more a zombie guy and Odin knows the zombie crowd has been more than catered to. I still think the creative team is solid and I’d really like to see them given a swinging chance.
Total: $17.95 (Penny pinching this week!)
Josh’s Picks
DISCLAIMER: The Walking Dead and Astounding Wolf-Man are both fantastic and shall be purchased in trade. Reconize!
Daytripper #9 ($2.99) – Probably one of, if not the best series of one-shots about life, death, heartbreak, searches for self, friendship and loss written this decade. Absolutely fantastic work by Moon and Ba here…may or may not work better in trade, but I’ve gotten the singles thus far and there is zero reason to stop now.
Continued belowGreen Lantern Emerald Warriors #1 ($3.99) – Pete Tomasi, Pat Gleason and Guy Gardiner = Instant buy (despite that magically higher price point without any additional content).
Zatanna #4 ($2.99) – Admitedly I haven’t read issue 3 yet…its sitting on my to read pile as I type this…but I assume it contains the spunky, sharply written magic/mystery fare that made me fall in love with the series in
the first place. Dini has another hit on his hands with this one.
Invincible Iron Man #29 ($2.99) – I’ve tried to drop this book due to financial reasoning more times than I can count…yet the sharp, hyper-real pencils of Larocca and the dry wit Matt Fraction inserts into his Tony Stark keeps bringing me back for more…and in three years it has yet to disappoint.
Ultimate Spider-Man #13 ($3.99) – The rebirth this book underwent following the trainwreck that was Ultimatum has been nothing short of phenomenal. Bendis has rediscovered the balance between teen angst and pure high action super-heroics that made this series a hit back in 2000 and that, combined with the fantastic “south american manga” influenced art of David LaFuente has made this book a complete winner for a year now.
Total: $16.95
Walt’s Picks
Superman #702 ($2.99) – I know that Multiversity is pretty split on this so far, but I’m finding JMS’ Superman stuff to be rather interesting. My biggest problem isn’t even with the story or the writing; rather, I am not a big fan of Barrows’ art. He’s doing better than I’m used to from him, but I still don’t like it.
Daredevil #509 ($2.99) – If last issue was indication, we may be getting something similar to Blackest Night with Shadowland (as in, the Daredevil issues being better than the main event title). It’s certainly true in terms of art; De La Torre’s work is much more impressive than Billy Tan’s, in my opinion. I was crazy excited for this event at first, but now I’m more or less lukewarm towards it. Hopefully that will change soon.
Invincible Iron Man #29 ($2.99) – Last issue took a huge step up from the issue preceding it, and I’m hoping that this one will continue that trend and return this title to the heights it has previously attained. The possibilities of this Stark Resilient story are pretty much endless, and I can’t wait to see where it goes.
Thanos Imperative #3 ($3.99) – Everyone pretty much peed their pants at how awesome the teaser was for this issue, and even if we don’t get the Cosmic Avengers that everyone wants, I’m sure this issue is going to be great. Cosmic Marvel has ben the place to be these past few years, and The Thanos Imperative has so far been continuing that winning streak.
Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #13 ($3.99) – Peter Parker’s life has been more or less pretty good since Ultimatum, if not a bit unstable. It looks like all of that is about to change, though. After a bit of an awkward readjusting period, this book has become just about as good as Ultimate Spider-Man was. I still can’t stand David LaFuente’s art, though.
The Unwritten #16 ($2.99) – This is the best book on the market right now. Shit is about to hit the fan in ways I can’t even begin to explain. If you haven’t been reading this, I’m so very sorry for you.
Total: $19.94
