We’re back with another week of Comics Should Be Cheap!, our weekly column in which each of our writers select the books they would read if they only had $20 to buy all of their comics. Given that each of us spend more than that because we’re hooked on comics like Mel Gibson is hooked on crazy, this is a difficult exercise for us.
With that said, we take into consideration cost, value, how it reads without other books tying in, writing, art – everything. Everything that should factor into making a purchase on a budget. Feel free to share your picks in the comments, and let us know if you have any suggestions.
PunisherMAX #9 ($3.99) – The ending of Jason Aaron and Steve Dillon’s exceptional “Bullseye” arc is much anticipated by your’s truly, as Jason Aaron has quickly proven himself every bit the match for Garth Ennis in terms of handling The Punisher in the world of MAX. I can’t wait for this issue, in which Aaron assured us Frank will not escape very healthy at all.
American Vampire #5 ($3.99) – This book has quickly vaulted up my list of favorite books on the market, as Scott Snyder, Stephen King and Rafael Albuquerque (and friends) have given us a book that exists in two eras but is massively entertaining in both. This marks the culmination of the first arc as well as the last issue for King, but I think it’s safe to say as long as Snyder and Albuquerque are around, we’re in good hands.
Northlanders #30 ($2.99) – The arc that begins in this issue is titled “Metal,” and sees the collaboration between the deadly duo of DMZ move into the world of Vikings. Brian Wood and Riccardo Burchielli have been one of the best teams for the past five years, and I’m very, very excited to see their work combined in a new realm.
Fantastic Four #581 ($2.99) – Jonathan Hickman’s Fantastic Four has been my favorite FF run I’ve ever read, and it hasn’t even been going on for that long. While Dale Eaglesham (the evolutionary Jack Kirby, as I like to call him) is gone now, Neil Edwards keeps the book trucking along until Steve Epting unleashes his awesome on the book with (I believe) issue #583. This is my favorite Marvel team book, bar none.
Justice League: Generation Lost #6 ($2.99) – This book is about as much fun as any book on the market. While Keith Giffen may not be scripting and J.M. Dematteis may not be involved, Judd Winick has taken the JLI formula they established long ago and run with it. Not only that, but the plot continues to intrigue, Max Lord has evolved a villain, and the stable of the artists continue to impress.
Green Lantern #56 ($2.99) – Last issue was the best GL issue in a LONG time, and it was thanks to a resurgence in focus from Geoff Johns (as well as an infusion of fun) and flat out brilliant art from Doug Mahnke. The latter creator has long been a favorite of mine, and I am so glad to see him getting the renown he deserves on this HUGE book.
Matt’s Picks
Action Comics #891 ($3.99) – Paul Cornell is currently a “writer to pay active attention to” in my book. Following up some unexpectedly great work at Marvel, his first issue of Action Comics was out of left field awesome. As a comic I wasn’t originally planning to buy and only bought because it was voted MC BOTW, I’m happy to follow this book further along if it manages to stay as good as the first issue was.
Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #4 ($3.99) – Grant Morrison is my favorite writer, and this is an integral part in his Return of Bruce Wayne saga (obviously, hence the title). It also was originally slated to be Cameron Stewart’s issue, but nevertheless. I haven’t missed an issue of Morrison’s Batrun yet, and I won’t start now.
Continued belowFantastic Four #581 ($2.99) – Jonathan Hickman is an amazingly refreshing voice in comics, and for someone like me who has never been a huge fan of Fantastic Four to find the title one of the most incredible books on the market worth several reads per issue, I think it’s saying something to Hickman’s ability. With the foreboding “3” arc starting now, it’ll be interesting to see Dr. Doom finally make his appearance under the hands of Hickman.
Thor #612 ($3.99) – Kieron Gillen is, without a doubt, an author who I will read anything he writes. His Thor run has been absolutely astounding, and something that I wish wouldn’t end (as much as I may like Fraction). With Gillen tying up some loose ends, these are issues no one wants to miss.
Uncanny X-Men #526 ($3.99) – Fraction’s X-Men is a very polarizing read for fans, but I’ve found it all pretty entertaining. I think that now, with Second Coming over and a brand new direction ahead and all of the X-books very clearly split up, it should be a very interesting time to see what ideas Fraction is bringing to the table as Bendis’ “no more mutants” is undone.
Total: $18.95
Gil’s Picks
Justice League: Generation Lost #6 ($2.99) – Plain and simple, of the two mini’s tying into Brightest Day, this one is the best. There’s a cohesive story from the beginning, and it doesn’t feel like it’s meandering. Plus: Rocket Red is amazing.
Green Lantern #56 ($2.99) – Probably the anchor to the Brightest Day arc, it’s probably the most important to the status quo. Plus, what is going on with that little Guardian guy? Creepy!
Uncanny X-Men #526 ($3.99) – The start of a new status quo for the X-Men; their enemies have been defeated and their numbers growing for the first time in ages. It’s exciting! Plus, no Greg Land!
Fantastic Four #581 ($2.99) – Probably the most mind-bending team book on the market, but it’s still pretty easy to follow. It’s a lot of fun, and you can’t help but love all the precocious kids!
Wonder Woman #601 ($2.99) – This has made my list because we should actually read the book before we condemn it so much. I’m in.
Action Comics #891 ($3.99) – Shaping up to be the best of the books in the Superman brand, it’s letting the bad guy be the bad guy. I love Lex Luthor and I’m ready to root for the bad guy. But this time it’s not Mel Gibson.
Total: $19.94
Brandon’s Picks
Green Arrow #2 ($2.99) – While some have panned this title I actually really dig this book. I think that it starts Green Arrow in a great new direction as a Robin Hood of his own Sherwood Forrest. I think it is a great idea to make Green Arrow’s city it’s own unique place and I think the character and the DCU in general will really benefit from it.
Green Lantern #56 ($2.99) – Come on do I really need to explain why this book is a fucking must? No? Didn’t think so.
Green Lantern Corps #50 ($2.99) – This is a lot like GL in that this book is a must. Green Lantern Corps is continuously good and is a must for me every time it hits the stands.
X-Men Legacy #238 ($2.99) – Mike Carey is the best current X-Writer outside of Yost and Kyle. With Legacy focusing on Magneto, Rogue and some New X-Men characters I am on board. Easy sell to one such as myself.
Uncanny X-Men #526 ($3.99) – The Five Lights begins here! What’s the deal with the new generation of mutants? Well read this book to start on the journey to the answers that you seek young padawan.
X-Factor Forever #5 ($3.99) – If you haven’t been reading this book then you’re really blowing it. While X-Men Forever hasn’t been all that some hoped it would be this title has been everything and more. The best thing that could happen would be a sequel.
Continued belowJosh’s Picks
Fantastic Four #581 ($2.99) – Good lord is this book good…like jesus christ…Jonathan Hickman is very VERY quickly climbing my “best american comic writers in recent memory” list so quickly he might as well be written by Geoff Johns (get it? Its a Flash joke.) I’ll admit, I was disappointed when I heard Dale Eagelsham was leaving the book…until I read the first issue without him and I didn’t even notice since I was far, FAR more enthralled by Hickman’s writing than I was by Eagelsham’s pencils, as awesome as they were. This is not only how the FF should be written, not only how super heroes should be written, but how good comics in general should be written. I can’t sing its praises enough.
Action Comics #891 ($3.99) – One of the snarkiest British writers out there today (Paul Cornell) writing a story about a sharply dressed, intriguing sociopath with a strong desire for power and extreme resentment of most things good and decent (Lex Luthor) accompanied by clean, precise yet still edgy pencil work (Pete Woods)? Also, Mr. Mind? Yes please. (Despite that ungodly cover price.)
Green Lantern #56 ($2.99) – I know some people are tired of them, but I’m still down with books about colorful rings…especially now that Johns has decided to look into and reveal the natures of the Entities that power these rings. Needs more Larfleeze though…he’s been suspiciously absent these last few months.
The Flash #4 ($2.99) – Yes, more Johns love on my pull-list…I think I love the art on this book more than I love the story and the character it is being told about. I will always have a soft spot in my heart for the scarlet speedster…any scarlet speedster really…but Francis Manapull is just KILLING it on this book…and Johns is adapting his story telling to better fit Manapul’s art, resulting in a very old timey feeling but still undeniably modern, almost pulpy-tale with (so far) twists and turns around every corner. Like Zatanna last week, I fully acknowledge that the basic premise of the series (AKA Barry Allen) can hold my attention forever, I am currently enjoying this…for lack of a better term…run.
Uncanny X-Men #526 ($3.99) – I really have no choice…I’ve been picking up this book consistently since I was 13 years old, so I’m pretty much stuck…it also helps that the X-Men are the single reason I read comics at all and I’ve been loving Fraction’s take on them enough to put up with Marvel’s magical “gonna give as much content as any other book but charge more for this one” logic and keep with it. Also, finding out more about The Five Lights, Hope and the fallout from her Second Coming and the current fate of Kitty Pryde also has my interest piqued.
At this point I was going to attempt to decide between Green Lantern Corps and X-Men Legacy and while in reality both of them were on my DCBS order, when faced with paying full price for them, neither of them really come out worth it. So…
Total: $16.95 (the extra three dollars and five cents will be put toward half of a veggie burrito at Chipotle…or maybe some pretzel M&Ms….)
Walt’s Picks
Batman: The Return of Bruce Wayne #4 ($3.99)/Secret Avengers #3 ($3.99) – Honesty is the best policy, and I’m just being honest admitting that I love Grant Morrison’s work. I do, however, acknowledge that his work is highly polarizing, and that not everyone finds his comics as enjoyable as I do, so in case you have no interest in The Return of Bruce Wayne I instead highly recommend the next issue of Ed Brubaker’s Secret Avengers. Only two issues in and Brubaker has already done such a great job with such a bizarre team dynamic. Throw in that he is one of the most reliable writers in the industry and you’ve got a great pick.
The Flash #4 ($2.99) – Brightest Day may be letting me down, but I have to say that few people (aka only Mark Waid) write The Flash like Geoff Johns. This new volume has been nothing but fantastic so far, especially with Francis Manapul kicking ass and taking names in the visual department. I was wary of Barry’s return at first, as I grew up with Wally West as The Flash, but I’ve been enjoying this title too much to really care about that anymore.
Continued belowGreen Lantern #56 ($2.99) – While Johns’ earlier work on The Flash was excellent, Green Lantern was the title that made him truly famous, and with good reason. While I have yet to catch up with Brightest Day, it seems like this arc ties-in without making it unreadable if you aren’t reading Brightest Day, which is as it should be. Johns is very much at home on this book, and I’m quite excited to see where this new arc is going.
Wonder Woman #601 ($2.99) – Despite all the complaints about the new costume, I don’t see how this can’t be good. JMS showed how well he could balance superheroes with mythology on Marvel’s Thor, so I’m sure that he will do just fine with Wonder Woman. I know some are complaining about the changed origin, but if you can’t see that it is only going to be temporary for the purposes of the story, you clearly haven’t been reading comics very long. If I’m wrong and it’s “permanent,” I’ll eat my hat.
Fantastic Four #581 ($2.99) – Jonathan Hickman. That’s all I need to say.
Uncanny X-Men #526 ($3.99) – While X-Men Legacy tends to be slightly better than Uncanny, it’s more of a companion to the flagship that is Uncanny. We have a brand new direction for all the X-titles, so now is a good time to jump onto the main book if you haven’t been reading it recently. Matt Fraction’s last few arcs have been much more solid than some of his earlier ones, so let’s hope that he continues with that trend.
Total: $19.94
