Comics Should Be Cheap! – DCnU Edition

If you’ve been visiting Multiversity Comics for a while, you’re probably familiar with “Comics Should Be Cheap!,” our weekly column wherein the Multiversity staff picks what comics they would get that week if they were only given a twenty dollar bill. This week, though, we’re putting a twist on it: as it’s DCnU week here at Multiversity, we’re picking twenty dollars worth of the 52 new DC series.

Walt’s Picks:

Swamp Thing #1 ($2.99) – I was one of the many who vocally complained about Swamp Thing’s return in Brightest Day and how it more or less “undid” Alan Moore’s legendary run. Now the new Swamp Thing book may be the relaunched title that I’m looking forward to most. Don’t I feel silly? Snyder has proven himself to be a master of horror, and it is clear to anyone that follows him on Twitter that he reveres Moore’s work with the character. Tack on Francesco Francavilla and Yanick Paquette (both of whom fit this title almost perfectly, though in different regards), and you have a comic that might as well get a few award nominations before it even starts.

Action Comics #1 ($3.99) – Like half of this site, I’m a rabid Grant Morrison fanboy. That being said, you don’t need to like Morrison that much to know that putting him on a Superman title is a great idea. All-Star Superman was one of his widest successes, and demonstrated just how well the man understood the world’s most iconic superhero. Even more exciting, though, is Morrison’s promise that he and artist Rags Morales will be trying their best to pack each issue with unique storytelling devices that could only be used in comics. Too many comics nowadays are content with being handheld movies, when writers and artists should be embracing the things that make comics unique from any other medium.

Animal Man #1 ($2.99) – Speaking of Grant Morrison, this title has quite the legacy to live up to. If anyone can do it, though, it’s Jeff Lemire. Lemire is a writer who I’ve only recently become acquainted with, but boy has he impressed me in that short amount of time. Judging by the cover that has been released (despite the ancient adage about doing so) Lemire has a story in mind that will explore the concept of “the Red,” and I think I’m not alone in saying that he is more than equipped to do so.

Batman #1 ($2.99) – Snyder’s run on Detective Comics has demonstrated how great of a handle that he has on Gotham. Now it’s time for Bruce to come back, and it would have been crazy for DC to not put Snyder on one of the main Batman titles at such a crucial point. One of the most fascinating things about Snyder’s Batman work is how he views Gotham as an organism of sorts (check out our Spoiler Alert interview with him for more of that), and I’m very interested to see how the overall tone changes with Bruce reentering the stage. I will admit that I’m not so happy to see Greg Capullo on the book, but I’ll read a book with art that I don’t particularly care for if it means getting writing that I enjoy.

Grifter #1 ($2.99) – One of the great things about the relaunch is that it allows readers to become familiar with characters that they have little to no experience with. My experience with Grifter is limited to his appearance in Warren Ellis’ Stormwatch and the few Wildcats comics I’ve read (I’ll get to Point Blank and Sleeper eventually). Now, though, I can just jump in at a new beginning. That being said, I’m not drawn to this by the character; rather, it’s the creators I’m interested in. Nathan Edmondson of Who Is Jake Ellis? and CAFU of Thunder Agents collaborating on a super-powered thriller? Yes please.

Justice League Dark #1 ($2.99) – Much like Swamp Thing, I was highly skeptical about John Constantine returning to the mainstream DCU. That being said, if anyone can handle him correctly, it’s longtime Hellblazer scribe Peter Milligan. I’ve honestly been hoping for a book like this for quite some time, as DC’s supernatural scene has the potential to be just as amazing as Marvel’s cosmic setting. I am, however, the slightest bit hesitant to add this to my pull. When Milligan is on, he is one of the greatest writers that DC has, but when he’s off his comics can be a terrible and confusing mess. Here’s hoping this series is the former rather than the latter.

Total: $18.94

Josh’s Picks:

Animal Man #1 ($2.99) – By far the DCnU title I am the most excited for (I did wish for it, after all). Not only does Lemire plan to continue the unconventional leanings of Grant Morrison’s legendary run, but one of the primary foci of his run is based entirely on Buddy Baker’s status as a family man. Can. Not. WAIT.

Action Comics #1 ($3.99) – It’s Grant Morrison writing the Man of Steel and rebooting possibly the most important comic books series of all time. As far as no brainers go, this one is pretty on the nose.

Batman #1 ($2.99) – I have never, ever loved a Batman book more than I love Scott Snyder’s work currently wrapping up on Detective Comics. The fact that he gets to continue it with Bruce Wayne in the cape and cowl, and with no less than Greg Capullo on pencils? I couldn’t be more on board.

Swamp Thing #1 ($2.99) – I’ll admit, I’ve read very few (two, to be exact) comics featuring Swamp Thing in any large capacity, though what I know I absolutely am intrigued by, and with Scott Snyder at the helm I’m more than willing to take a chance on this one.

Green Lantern: New Guardians #1 ($2.99) – The only one of the relaunched Green Lantern books (other than Red Lanterns I guess… but not really) that is legitimately different from what we’ve got going now, capitalizing on one of the best elements of the power ranger lanterns era of the Geoff Johns run (inter-corps interaction). Could be great, could suck… I’m betting the answer lies somewhere in the middle.

Grifter #1 ($2.99) – I might as well use this relaunch to try something completely new for me, and I know next to nothing about Grifter other than he was a Wildstorm creation and has an intense dislike of the bottom half of his mask. Much like the vast majority of these relaunched titles, I’m gravitating toward this one on the strength of the creative team and nothing spells “instant classic” quite like Nathan Edmonson and CAFU.

Total: $18.94

Brandon’s Picks:

Justice League #1 ($3.99) — Jim Lee and Geoff Johns are rebooting the DCU and it starts here. This is the title that launches the DCnU and I intend to be there for the beginning. To be honest, I’ll probably buy the Digital/Print combo because as a collector I think it will be the most memorable of all the #1s as it will be looked back upon as the first salvo in the move to day-and-date; at least, the first serious attempt to do this, in my opinion. (I didn’t put that one here though because it would have put me over the $20 limit).

Justice League International #1 ($2.99) — Guy Gardner and Booster Gold in one title again! Excuse my language but FUCK YEAH! The JLI is back baby! I CAN. NOT. WAIT. When it was announced that this book was coming at the end of Justice League: Generation Lost this is not what I was expecting but I still think it looks most excellent.

Green Lantern #1 ($2.99) — As far as I can tell this book is carrying on as usual despite the relaunch going on around it. With Geoff Johns still guiding the book and the franchise I wouldn’t dare drop this book. I’m interested to see where things go after the Green Lantern war.

Green Lantern Corps #1 ($2.99) — Tomasi is back on Green Lantern Corps and it sounds so good. Oh, and Guy Gardner being part of the title sure as hell doesn’t hurt either.

Batman #1 ($2.99) — Scott Snyder is the best Batman writer out there right now. I am sure some would argue for Grant Morrison but I would disagree. I appreciate that instead of reinventing the wheel Snyder instead just gives us the perfect wheel. Snyder genuinely enjoys the character and it’s obvious. Adding Greg Capullo who has been killing it on Haunt is great. I’m really looking forward to this book. I really wish they would have put the pair on Detective Comics, though, as I feel this is a more prestigious pairing than what we actually got.

Action Comics #1 ($3.99) — Grant Morrison and Rag Morales is a pair I can get behind for the relaunch of Superman. Everything I’ve read so far makes me believe this title will retell the origin of Superman in some shape way or form. It seems that this title will set the tone for the DCnU as much as Justice League. I think his has a solid chance of being one of the better books to come from the relaunch.

Total: $19.94

Matt’s Picks:

Action Comics #1 ($3.99) – Not only is this Grant Morrison once again writing Superman, but this is the title that is considered the “cornerstone” of the new DCU. Count me in.

Superman #1 ($2.99) – While Grant Morrison is writing the “origin” of Superman and the DCnU, George Perez will be writing and offering breakdowns for the current Superman as is. Considering I am a rather big fan of the character, I see no reason not to follow both this and Action. Perez is one of the few artists turned writers at DC who has had some good work to his name, so I’m willing to trust him with the new Superman.

Wonder Woman #1 ($2.99) – Wonder Woman is one of those characters who I just really want to enjoy more than I do. Every time I’ve tried to get into Wonder Woman, though, something has always come up to make the enjoyment factor not very great. While I’m very nervous about Azzarello writing the character due to his past work, Cliff Chiang’s work should at least give one beautiful comic book out of the whole experience. I’m willing to risk it.

Stormwatch #1 ($2.99) – I don’t think any announcement, except maybe the Morrison one, made me as excited as this. I am a rather big fan of the Authority, which spun from Warren Ellis’ Stormwatch run. However, as Wildstorm died, so did both the rest of Stormwatch and the Authority, to an extent that I feared that these fine heroes would never be seen again. Fortunately this is not the case anymore, as Paul Cornell has come to save the day. If there’s anyone you can trust with the future of this organization, it’s Brit-extraordinairre Paul Cornell!

Animal Man #1 ($2.99) – The return of Animal Man to the DCU as written by Jeff Lemire! Gee, I don’t think you could’ve made a better match-up if you tried.

The Flash #1 ($2.99) – I love the Flash. After Superman and Captain Marvel, he’s my favorite hero in the DCU. That being said, he’s gotten some rough treatment since Barry Allen returned to take the mantle. I’m just crossing my fingers that Francis Manapul, who seems to have a legitimate affection for the character outside of using him as a tool for a mainstream event will be able to write and illustrate a poignant story starring the character and his extended family as they come against new villainy in the DCnU.

Total: $18.94

Patrick’s Picks:

Batwoman #1 ($2.99) – I was planning on getting this anyway. JH Williams III could draw the adventures of, I don’t know, Heckler, Invisible Kid, anyone, and I’d still be following it. Especially Invisible Kid — that’d get freaky. But Batwoman is fine too.

Action Comics #1 ($3.99) – While not the obvious choice of partnership, I’m honestly a little excited to see what comes of Grant Morrison being drawn by Rags Morales. With any luck, the rooting of Morrison’s fantastic ideas in a thoroughly ‘comic book realist’ artist like Rags’ world will prove an interesting dynamic. And if there’s not that, at least there’s the fact that Morrison’s tricky bon mots will be spouted by severely overacting characters, like Nic Cage in a movie written by space.

Wonder Woman #1 ($2.99) – This isn’t going to be as good as “Architecture and Mortality.” For one thing, it’s not even named after an Orchestrael Manoevres in the Dark album, which makes it only tenuously worth my time at best. But flat out, Azzarello and Chiang’s punk gob-to-the-face moment passed and they’ll never pogo as exuberantly ever again. Still, I mean, I bought tickets to see the Damned this fall.

Suicide Squad #1 ($2.99) – This point and beyond, we’re in the “maybe” category. And you don’t get more “maybe” than the cover they released for this one, wow. On the other hand, Deadshot being back where he belongs makes it worth flipping through. Maybe.

Batman #1 ($2.99) Greg Capullo was a really nice guy at Boston Comic Book Con. That’s all I’ve got.

Grifter #1 ($2.99) – Sure. Why not. I don’t know. It’s at least something they haven’t done within the last billion years. Sort of. I guess.

Total: $18.94

Gil’s Picks:

Justice League International ($2.99) — I’m picking this up based solely on the fact that I loved Justice League: Generation Lost THAT much during Brightest Day. The only thing I hope it gets sooner rather than later is a Beetle to complement its Booster. I’m jazzed about everything else.

Justice League #1 ($3.99) — If there was ONE book that needed a reboot, it was the JLA. Just the fact “of America” made the title something that only Americans would most likely care. But now that’s it’s simply “Justice League” (and the big guns are back on), I’m interested again. Not to mention the names Geoff Johns and Jim Lee. Pick this up.

The Flash #1 ($2.99) – I really enjoyed the past year on The Flash. Geoff Johns and Francis Manapul, among others. It was exciting to be jump on, as I had never really followed The Flash (something for which I bet the guys here will give me Hell.) And while Geoff Johns isn’t helming the book anymore, I’m excited to see what kind of chops Manapul has as a writer. If they’re half as good as his art, we’re in for a treat!
Red Hood & the Outlaws ($2.99) — I like Jason Todd. He’s arguably the most interesting member of the Bat-family. And now he’s teamed with the other cast away Roy Harper, along with a personal favorite in Starfire. And I’ll say it one last time; it seems Arsenal has been…re-armed. YEEEEEEEEAAAAAAAHHHHH.

Blue Beetle #1 ($2.99) — I’m a big fan of Blue Beetle. I haven’t read his first solo title yet (but you can bet I will before this one starts). If I can’t get him in JLI, I’ll take him here.

Action Comics #1 ($3.99) — This is a no-brainer, right? I bet you might have expected me to pick both Superman books, but I decided against it and instead chose to pick the one that most excited me. Even before the relaunch was announced, there was one thing I wanted post-Cornell (which was fantastic) and post-Grounded (which was mediocre) and that was a Grant Morrison penned Superman book in-continuity. This book is a dream come true. I’m beyond excited for this. September can’t come soon enough.

Total: $19.94

David’s Picks:

Blue Beetle #1 ($2.99) – Out of everyone in my comic community at home in Alaska and at Multiversity, I am the biggest and most absurdly obsessed Jaime Reyes fan. I loved his first solo title and think that, in particular, John Rogers and Rafael Albuquerque’s run was an underrated modern classic.

While this does not fulfill my dream of them returning to the book, I can say that it seems like Tony Bedard gets it (family and friends are as important to this character as his superheroics are), they aren’t messing with what works, and they hit a home run by putting Ig Guara on this book. Many people are likely unaware of him because he has primarily worked on Pet Avengers books with Chris Eliopoulos, but man, this guy is VERY talented and would likely have been my number two choice for the book assuming Albuquerque was out. I really cannot wait to read this book. If given the chance, I likely would buy this 6 times over anything else another time.

Action Comics #1 ($3.99) – The one $3.99 book I will buy because Morrison just gets Superman entirely, and I cannot wait to see what he does with essentially his own start to the book and character. Throw in the awesome Rags Morales (Hourman!!!!) and you have a very intriguing book that easily could be the flagship book of the restart.

Frankenstein: Agent of SHADE #1 ($2.99) – The hot thing at Multiversity to do was to go Animal Man, but for me, the Lemire book to grab is Franky. I mean, it’s Lemire – who we all know and love – but it is also the phenomenal talents of Alberto Ponticelli. If you guys did not read Joshua Dysart’s Unknown Soldier, you missed a damn fine book that featured stunning visuals from Ponticelli. I am extremely excited to see what he can do with this book, and what the two can do together.

Stormwatch #1 ($2.99) – I’m a Stormwatch lifer. From the beginning to Bendix going nuts to Aliens eating a good portion of the remaining team (as in Ripley Aliens) to The Authority business and (in most underrated fashion) to Christos Gage and Doug Mahnke’s Stormwatch PHD run, I am a big fan of Stormwatch and all it entails. To give them a restart in the DCnU with Paul Cornell behind the curtain, while also throwing in Martian Manhunter into the mix (who, due to his extremely analytical and cold nature, would have been a great fit for the Ellis days), you have a stunning start to a book. My main problem is I am not a huge Sepulveda fan, but he’s decent and you have to take what you can get here – most of these titles feature one creator who is less than spectacular.

Justice League International #1 ($2.99) – While I like Jurgens more than most, he’s never been a very comedic writer in my mind and that is something you need for JLI (WHY NO WINICK?!). Still, I have faith that he can pull it off, I love the cast (although Vixen flat out sucks), and Aaron Lopresti was by far the best artist on JL:GL and is a tip top talent in the industry.

Batwoman #1 ($2.99) – This last spot was a really, really tough one for me. Not because there were so many choices I am over the moon about, but because I genuinely have only half faith in the rest of the books so it makes it hard to choose another one. This is hypocritical of me to choose this given the fact the main reason I would not is because it will likely feature heavy delays (hypocritical because it is the reason I didn’t choose WildCA…err…Justice League), but I have more faith in JH Williams III than Jim Lee and I also think this book has higher upside. Plus, JH Williams III has had like…a year and a half to prep an issue one. He probably has like 6 issues in the can already.

Also, like in basketball when struggling to decide what team will win a playoff matchup, you should go with the team who does their one thing the best. JH Williams III is a better artist than everyone else on these DC books (and perhaps everyone else in the industry), so this book has to be the last pick. May god have mercy on my soul.