Welcome back to 10 Comics to Buy This Week. As you're probably well aware, there are a metric crap-ton of comic books hitting shelves every single week. And for the common consumer, it's financially impossible to pick up everything. That's where this column steps in like your superhero savior, drawing your attention to 10 books worth your hard-earned dollars during any given week.
We not only going to spotlight tights and capes books, but also some indie titles off the beaten path, which, if all goes well, will broaden your reading horizons.
Amazing Spider-Man #688
The Lizard returns, and just in time for release of The Amazing Spider-Man film. Look how that worked out. Probably wasn't planned at all...
Film/comic synergy notwithstanding, we're really pumped for the return of one of Spider-Man's greatest foes, courtesy of Dan Slott and artist Giuseppe Camuncoli. But Lizard isn't the only one Spidey has to deal with. Spidey also has to watch out for Morbius the Living Vampire. Pete just can't catch a break, can he?
American Vampire #28
It's the start of a brand new story arc in the pages of American Vampire. Welcome to the "The Blacklist."
We're still in the 1950s, but the focus has shifted back to Pearl and Skinner Sweet, who return to where it all began -- Hollywood. Vertigo is promising major revelations in this arc, the kind of stuff that drastically shifts the direction of a series. Here's hoping Scott Snyder and artist Rafael Albuquerque deliver.
Batman: The Dark Knight #10
That's right, we're choosing to spotlight an issue of Batman: The Dark Knight over something like Batman Incorporated this week. Blasphemy! But before you grab your pitchfork and torch and start b-lining it towards the ComicVine office, we have a legitimate reason for doing so, so hear us out: this issue marks the debut of Gregg Hurwitz writing the series.
Hurwitz blew us away with his work on Penguin: Pain and Prejudice, so we're obviously expecting great things from his run on The Dark Knight. It also doesn't hurt that artist David Finch is sticking around to pencil Hurwitz's tale. Fingers crossed Batman: The Dark Knight finally becomes tolerable.
Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #1
Outside the stumble that was Comedian #1, things have been pretty solid for DC's venture back into the world of Watchmen. This week sees the release of J. Michael Straczynski and Andy Kubert's Nite Owl. Nite Owl was one of the most fascinating characters from Watchmen, so hopefully Straczynski and Kubert can do the character justice while simultaneously peeling back some new layers.
If nothing else, the book will at least look pretty with artwork by the father/son duo of Joe and Andy Kubert.
Fatale #6
The start of Fatale's second arc has arrived. In present day, Nicolas hunts for more information about the mysterious Josephine. Meanwhile, in the mid 1970s, Josephine tries to establish a new life.
If you haven't picked up an issue of Fatale yet now's the time. Or, you can be smart and pick up all five of the back issues and this week's #6 to be caught up on one of the best series currently hitting stands.
Hit-Girl #1
Hit-Girl gets her own spin-off series by Mark Millar and John Romita Jr. Taking place between the events of Kick-Ass and Kick-Ass 2, Hit-Girl follows Mindy McCready as she tries to settle into a normal life with her mother and step-father.
Unfortunately, being "normal" isn't something that comes easy to Mindy. So when her parents go to sleep, she sneaks out to deliver sweet justice to the thugs of New York City and train Kick-Ass to be a better warrior.
Justice League Dark #10
It's time for Jeff Lemire and Mikel Janin to continue their adventure with the DCU's best team for tackling magic and the unexplainable.
We loved the first issue of Justice League Dark, and we expect the same reaction to Lemire's second issue on the title. Because let's be honest, Lemire is firing on all cylinders right now.
Mind the Gap #2
The mystery behind Elle's accident continues to build in issue #2. We'll get some answers to questions posed by the first issue, but don't expect everything to be made clear. In fact, expect to have a lot more questions after reading this week's installment.
Jim McCann and artist Rodin Esquejo's new series had one hell of a first issue, introducing a slew of great characters and an interesting yarn to keep us coming back month-to-month. If you didn't pick up the first issue of Mind the Gap, make sure to snag it this week along with issue #2.
Scalped #59
The end of Scalped is right around the corner and we are very sad about it. We plan to cherish these final two issues like it's no one's business.
We don't know much about this issue other than it features an epic Mexican standoff, but that's honestly all we need to hear. Bring it on, then!
Spider-Men #2
The first issue of Spider-Men really surprised us -- it didn't feel like a cheap crossover in the slightest. We also got Brian Michael Bendis writing the main 616 universe Spidey outside an Avengers book. That's a win right there.
Now that the setup is out of the way, it's time to get to the real meat of this story. We're ready for hijinks to ensue now that Peter Parker has run into Miles Morales, the Spider-Man of the Ultimate Marvel Universe.
Erik Norris is a freelance writer for sites such as ComicVine, IGN and CraveOnline.com. You can stalk him on Twitter @Regular_Erik.