On this week’s edition of Comics Should Be Cheap, Brandon, Matt and myself choose the books we’d buy if we only had $20 to spend at the comic shop. This is a big week with a lot of great (and more expensive) releases that promises diversity from the three writers, but still, if you’re looking for guidance on what comics to buy on a budget, look no further than this post.
Find out our choices after the jump.
Last Days of American Crime #3 ($4.99) – Rick Remender and Greg Tocchini’s dystopian crime saga comes to a close with this issue, and I for one cannot wait to see how it wraps up. This Radical Comics book is one of the most underrated books on the market. I know it hasn’t been hugely read in issue form, but I imagine this book will take on a new life when the trade comes out. For me, it’s a must buy.
Stumptown #4 ($3.99) – I’m very disappointed by this release. While I love the book and its creators Greg Rucka and Matthew Southworth, I for one had no idea it was only going to be a mini-series. With that said, I can’t wait to see how Rucka and Southworth close out this Dex Parios adventure, and I hope that the positive response from readers will warrant further looks at this character and her lovely city (love Portland!).
Wolverine #1 ($3.99) – Jason Aaron + Wolverine = gold mine. I’m not a scientist, but I know that equation is right. Even with Ron Garney off the book, I’m fully confident that Jason Aaron will continue to write the Wolverine books that I want to read and always have wanted to read. I just wish Marvel didn’t force Daken and X-23 crossovers down our throat. Here’s hoping this book stays fairly insular like Weapon X did.
Scarlet #2 ($3.95) – The first issue of this new Icon series from Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev was a HUGE hit with me. I loved it, and I felt like it was a bold step by the team supreme in a new direction. Scarlet herself was a dynamic lead and I loved the way Bendis had her address the audience. Bonus points for more Portland love, and I for one can’t wait to see where this book goes.
Secret Six #25 ($2.99) – Secret Six makes my list because I had spent so much money on my other books, but after an issue of randomness from Gail Simone and J. Calafiore, I feel confident in the thought that they’ll make a dynamite return to greatness with this milestone issue.
Total: $19.91
Matt’s Picks
Stumptown #4 ($3.99) – In our indie article posted yesterday, Stumptown came in for both of us as a top 10 pick. I think it would be very foolish of me to praise a book as much as I did yesterday and then not support it when it comes out! Besides, the book is released at such an odd schedule that I’m just happy to have a new issue.
Wolverine #1 ($3.99) – Jason Aaron completely surprised me with his run on Wolverine: Weapon X in a world where Wolverine was simply a character that had a million comics and none of them were too interesting. Now that Wolverine is being given his title back and the general insanity behind him and his million series is gone (though we will still have a few), I fully want to support Aaron in his vision to send Wolverine to Hell. With the promise of Sabretooth once again being a comic character, I’m very interested to see how Aaron is going to be handling the idea of resurrection for a character who was killed with a weapon that promised to leave him dead. The ball’s in your court, Jason Aaron!
Scarlet #2 ($3.99) – Everyone has pretty much universally said that Scarlet is the book we all want Bendis to be writing. With Alex Maleev on art, it harkens back to his Daredevil days while also reminding us that this is the guy behind Jinx and Goldfish. I love Bendis’ early crime work, and Scarlet #1 was very promising. I definitely want to support this series and hope that it doesn’t fall victim to the same situation other indie Bendis books have had lately.
Continued belowAvengers: The Children’s Crusade #2 ($3.99) – I am a huge Young Avengers fan. I adore the group, I adore the concept, and I love Heinberg and Cheung’s original work. I will be damned if I miss this, despite incorrect costumes and wonky timelines.
Heroic Age: One Month To Live #1 ($2.99) – This is the only book I will be starting with out any background this month. From all I’ve read about the book, I think the concept is intriguing (a guy is given super powers at the same time he finds out he has 30 days to live, so he interacts with various heroes for a month), I think the writing talent behind the book is a great group (Stuart Moore, John Ostrander, Rick Remender, Rob Williams), and what I’ve seen of the art so far looks great (Mike Del Mundo, Andrea Mutti, Koi Turnbull). Everything about this comic calls my attention, and I love that it’ll be weekly for a month before ending at a $2.99 price range. I hope that the book is as good as I am amping it up to be!
Total: $18.95 for a Marvel heavy week. Marvel – My Universe!
Brandon’s Picks
Wolverine #1 ($3.99) – Finally there is a Wolverine title starring Wolverine again. On top of that it’s written by Jason Aaron who clearly has a grasp on the character. Then on top of all of that Wolverine is going to hell. I’m pretty sure this happened a few years ago but this should be better. It’s Jason Aaaron.
Avengers: The Childrens Crusade #2 ($3.99) – The first issue of this had some of the best art that I’ve seen in a book over the course of the last few months; absolutely gorgeous stuff. The writing wasn’t too shabby either mind you. This issue will see Magneto taking a greater role in the title as well. I am honestly buying this book to see more of Jim Cheung’s Magneto. He looks fucking awesome!
Sweet Tooth #13 ($2.99) – If you aren’t reading this book it’s a shame. This is a unique book to say the least. Animal children in a post apocalyptic world. Don’t know what I’m talking about? I have your interest piqued though right? So go buy the book!
Brightest Day #9 ($2.99) – Not sure what else to say about this book. I really dig it and love the focus on the non A-List cast. Back at the beginning of the year this is just the sort of book I had on my list of DC New Year wishes. Why wouldn’t I buy a book that I wished for? That’d be just plain stupid.
Deadpool Pulp #1 ($3.99) – Deadpool is over used. I’m pretty sure I don’t need to tell most of you that. If I didn’t say that somebody would have whined about this pick and stated he was overused. I just wanted to beat that person to it.
I think this book looks really cool. Deadpool in a Pulp comic sounds like a lot of fun. I enjoy the look of the art as well but for the most part I am going to get it because it sounds like fun.
