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This Week's Essential Comics: 02/17/14

These are the comics you're looking for.

A wave of brand new comic books is just days away. When they do arrive, there will be an overwhelming amount of tempting covers and, if you're working with a budget, it can be tough to decide what you'll spend your hard-earned money on (or at least we hope it's hard-earned). Well, we here at Comic Vine want to help you prepare for new comic book day. We've checked out the list of new issues coming out on Wednesday and we've each picked a couple or more that we think you should keep on your radar. Once you're done reading what we recommend, go ahead and let us know if there are any other comics that have you pumped for this Wednesday.

Tony "G-Man" Guerrero's picks

DAREDEVIL #36

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It's the final issue. At least until the next issue starts up. If you've been reading this series, you know how much fun it's been. Matt's big thing was denying he was actually Daredevil. But last issue ended with quite the surprise for everyone. We also know what's next for Matt Murdock. Why is he making a big change? Will it be explained here? What about Foggy? There are lots of questions so you won't want to miss this.

Mark Waid and Chris Samnee have made this a wonderful and enjoyable series. Things are going to change for Daredevil and this is where it's going to happen.

Click here to watch a Preview Theatre for this issue!

NEW WARRIORS #1

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It's finally time for a new NEW WARRIORS series. We've seen Justice and Speedball in the pages of NOVA but where does everyone else come from? Chris Yost and Marcus To have to set up the new series and team. There'll be some familiar faces and possibly some new ones.

From the preview, it looks like this could be exactly the sort of fun and action packed series we want and need to keep our comic reading enjoyable.

Oh yeah, and don't forget, Kaine is here too. That's going to make an odd fit that's bound to add to the fun.

QUANTUM AND WOODY #8

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Each month James Asmus brings the funny to this title. Things can get pretty wrong but you can't help but laugh at the absurdity of the situation Woody manages to create.

Quantum and Woody have gotten themselves into quite a mess. Between Quantum's boss and the militia group on the other side, they're going to be pushing their super-hero abilities to the limits in order to survive.

Honorable mention: HARLEY QUINN #3

Mat "Inferiorego" Elfring's picks

GHOSTED #7

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Guys, Anderson is on the cover! It's Anderson! But she's dead and had ghosts possessing her! HOW CAN THIS BE?! Putting the over-amazement on the sidelines, I'm super-excited for the return of this character, even if someone or something else is controlling her. This series quickly became one of my favorite monthly books, right behind CLONE, and writer Josh Williamson has crafted a really interesting series that is a mixture of the horror/suspense/heist genres. Artist Davide Gianfelice did a stellar job on his first issue in this new story and this is a series you need to be reading.

AVENGERS WORLD #3

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I really like what's going on in this series this far. Hickman's and Spencer's writing styles really blend together nicely creating this really intriguing book about the Avengers expanding and spreading across the world. The last issue was a blast, and I can't wait to see what A.I.M. has in store for the next issue. The next issue promises 2- pages of non-stop martial arts action, and while Marvel's martial arts books/characters never really got me pumped, I have a feeling this will pique my interest a bit more because of the writing team and the amazing artwork from Stefano Caselli.

Gregg "k4tz" Katzman's picks

NIGHT OF THE LIVING DEADPOOL #3

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Cullen Bunn absolutely killed it with the last chapter. Instead of focusing on character development or building a supporting cast, he's made it clear this limited series is primarily about having fun and appreciating how out there the zombie apocalypse would be if Wade Wilson was simply wandering around. It's violent, funny, and sprinkled with just enough darkness to remind you Deadpool's hardly an emotionless clown.

It's the penultimate chapter, so I'm definitely hoping for a major reveal to help boost the hype for the final chapter. Maybe another hero (or villain) survived? We'll just have to wait and see, but in the meantime, I'm very much looking forward to more of Ramon Rosanas' artwork and Bunn hitting us with some crazy fun. I mean, the book opens with Deadpool decipatating a bunch of evil old ladies, so it can only get more ridiculous from there, right?

BATMAN AND TWO-FACE #28

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The Big Burn took a bit of time to really get rolling, but with the past two issues, it has established a much stronger emotional connection and really picked up the pace. Sure, a few changes to Harvey's origin take a bit away from the character and we all know he'll make it out of this story alive, but we're in the homestretch and I'm plenty interested in seeing how Peter J. Tomasi plans to wrap this all up. His work with the series has certainly earned my faith and support. Plus, more of Patrick Gleason on a bat book is always a good thing.

This may not be as gripping as the book's debut arc, but it's definitely improved with each issue and hopefully it'll conclude with quite a punch.

Uproxx has the last preview page.

UNITY #4

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UNITY feels a lot like Valiant's answer to AVENGERS or JUSTICE LEAGUE. It's the publisher's "big book," incorporating key characters from across its universe and bringing them together for something exceptional. Except this isn't your traditional superhero team -- not at all. Writer Matt Kindt has given this series an explosive vibe and I'm stoked to see where this book is heading after the last cliffhanger. Throw in Doug Braithwaite's impressive artwork and you have a Valiant book that feels like a blockbuster movie month after month. Oh, and how can any Valiant fan possibility resist a cover like that? Sold.

Honorable mention: BLOODSHOT & H.A.R.D. CORPS #19

Jen "MissJ" Aprahamian

UNDERTOW #1

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I love seeing new #1 issues that look completely different from anything else on the stands, and UNDERTOW definitely fits that bill this week. Billed as a "pulp monster adventure," this new series explores Atlantis and the undersea deep, and immediately sets tension with the promise of an escape plot and a dangerous beast. I'm calling this an Essential pick for its mysterious giant creature and for Artyom Trakhanov's illustrations (peek at that Preview for more!).

ALEX + ADA #4

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ALEX + ADA has been intriguing me since the start -- and, let's be honest, it's been creeping me out a bit, too. In a good way. In a makes-you-think way. I'm digging near-future concepts lately (I adored Her!) and robot-human interactions always fascinate me, so this book ascended to my must-pull list on concept alone. Four issues in, it's staying there because of its creative and deliberate exploration of that concept, and because it feels surprisingly relatable for a book involving robots.

Corey "Undeadpool" Schroeder's picks

UNCANNY X-MEN #17

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My favorite X-Roster returns as the students of Cyclops' school are left to fend for themselves. With the New Kids From the Past out in space, we can refocus on the new crop of mutants that were in the spotlight when this book launched and they are, in my opinion, the linchpin of this title. Brian Bendis has always had a knack for introducing new characters and giving them their own distinct, unique voice very early on and this book has certainly been no exception. Chris Bachalo returning on art is all I need to get all manner of hype as his voice has come to define the series' as much as Bendis' across the months.

X-MEN #11

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Another X-Book that's made one helluva great first impression, even despite me knowing very little about its initial cast and, in particular, villains. Brian Wood helped establish them right out of the gate, both explaining who they are and what they can do while not being overly expository and keeping everything compelling and now that everyone's found their footing ,we are off and running with an All New Sisterhood NOW! and plenty of wild cards still in play. Kris Anka returning on interiors is definitely something to look forward to as his style was more subdued, but felt like it was getting a good foothold last issue, and I can't wait to see how it develops.

GREEN LANTERN: NEW GUARDIANS #28

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I honestly don't know precisely WHAT I'm looking forward to in this book, but that's not a bad thing. This has been one of the most delightfully unpredictable books, having separated Carol and Kyle from the rest of the Corps, allowing them to flesh out and breathe, even establishing some new dynamics. But Justin Jordan's done far more than that: he's expanded the DCU into some strange, hitherto unseen places and situations. By deemphasizing straight-up combat and aggression, he's told some absolutely fascinating stories with these new locals. With Brad Walker and Andrew Hennessey, two series regulars, on the art, I cannot wait to see what's next and I truly have no clue what that might be.

Go to Crave Online to read another preview page.

Honorable mention: KRAMPUS #3

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