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This Week's Essential Comics: 2/23/15

These are the comics you're looking for!

This Wednesday, plenty of new comic books will go on sale. From big superhero fun to new indie titles, there's a whole lot of variety out there and selecting what you should buy isn't always an easy decision. Well, we want to help you out with that. The Comic Vine staff has looked at the list of new issues going on sale and we're going to tell you which ones we're excited to read. Once you're finished seeing what we suggest purchasing, chime in with your own list of "essential comics" and tell the world why you're buying them. Now, let's see what the staff is looking forward to reading.

Tony "G-Man" Guerrero's picks

DARTH VADER #2

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It’s a great time to be a Star Wars fan. The first issue gave us pretty much exactly what we wanted. We got to see Darth Vader doing things in his own special way. He has a way of commanding such a presence and doesn’t have to say much to get his point across. The fact that he paid a visit to Jabba’s palace and we got to see a bunch of familiar faces was a bonus.

After the destruction of the first Death Star, we never really got to see what happened next. We didn’t get to see what the Emperor’s reaction was or any consequences that might have occurred. Kieron Gillen has captured the moment and brought us back to this moment a “long time ago” with the help of Salvador Larroca. If you have even the smallest interest in Darth Vader, you’ll want to see what happens next.

BATMAN #39

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This story arc has been pretty nuts. We’ve seen plenty of different versions of the Joker in the past but this one puts him in a new light. The Joker is ticked off. He’s targeted Batman AND Gotham City. He also revealed a juicy bit of information he’s been holding onto for who knows how long.

Scott Snyder has mentioned how this may be the last time he writes Joker and is willing to go all out and write the things he might not have a chance to do later. That means there’s no telling what might happen next. And with the possible backstory for Joker unfolding, I honestly don’t know what to expect other than we’ll get a great story with some superb Greg Capullo art.

A.V. Club has an additional preview page.

SPIDER-GWEN #1

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What is it about Gwen Stacy as Spider-Woman that is so incredibly appealing to us? From her debut, pretty much everyone has been wanting more. Gwen Stacy is such a beloved character and we’re getting to see some of her familiar traits but in a completely new and different setting. This is a fantastic way to bring her character back without silly doing a comic book resurrection.

Besides getting [a different] Gwen Stacy back, we have an incredible costume to go along with her. It’s not often a new look comes about that is so eye-catching. We only got a small taste of what her universe is like and who she’ll be going up against. It’s like reading a brand new series yet there will be so many familiar elements as well. I cannot wait to see this series grow.

CURB STOMP #1

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When I first saw this book announced, I wasn’t sure if it’d be a book for me. We’re really starting to see more and more variety in the types of mainstream comics being put out and that’s a great thing. Not all comics need to be for me personally. But after hearing a little more and actually reading it, I was blown away.

First of all, with a name like CURB STOMP, there’s a certain amount of expectations for the series. What we have is a great new series, with cool characters (with incredibly fantastic names). There were moments I was cringing and squirming a little. The suspense is definitely here. I’ve become attached to the characters right from the start. I need more of this book.

DEATHSTROKE #5

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Deathstroke vs Batman? In many cases, having a character go up against Batman almost feels like a cliché. But when it’s DEATHSTROKE going up against him, it’s almost a mouth-watering idea. There’s so many ways the fight can go. With Deathstroke still adjusting to his recent change, it’s going to be a blast watching this fight unfold.

Tony Daniel is killing it with the art. With him as the writer as well, there’s no stoping his vision in how this encounter can go. With the way the action’s been going, we can safely assume this isn’t going to be a one or two page fight. You can tell Daniel is enjoying drawing and writing the series. And I also have a soft spot for Ravager. Can’t wait to see what happens next.

Visit Newsarama for an extra preview page.

Honorable Mention: GOTHAM ACADEMY #5

Mat "Inferiorego" Elfring's picks

AMAZING X-MEN #17

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I like me some Juggernaut, how about you? I've really been loving this story line which brings the Gem of Cyttorak back into the world of the X-Men, and of course, there's a lot of people lining up to become the next avatar, AKA the Juggernaut.

Writer Chris Yost is really bringing a fantastic story to this book and giving older readers of X-Men something to get excited about. The story feels like a race with a ton of different big contenders going after the prize and that's what is really keeps this story exciting. Will someone else get the power of the Juggernaut or are we going to see a familiar face get the power again? Personally, I'm really hoping for the return of Cain Marko as Juggernaut, but we'll have to wait and see.

AQUAMAN #39

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How about that final page in last month's issue of this book? That was pretty spectacular as we got to see Aquaman's mother looking pretty freaking awesome and very much like a Red Sonja or Conan type character. Aquaman has been on a pretty fantastic ride, especially during this story line, as it's turned more into an adventure book, with the goal being Arthur wanting to find his mother.

Jeff Parker and Paul Pelletier are doing an amazing job on this run and creating an incredibly fantastic story. I'm pretty pumped to see the upcoming battle between Aquaman's mother and her son and daughter-in-law because she obviously doesn't want them there. Maelstrom is a story you need to read if you're an Aquaman fan, so catch up already!

CBR has another preview page.

Honorable Mention: RASPUTIN #5

Gregg "k4tz" Katzman's picks

TMNT #43

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There's a huge battle taking place and Shredder and General Krang are right in the middle of it. The promise of seeing these two big bads face off should be an immediate selling point for any TMNT fan. In case "Shredder vs. Krang" isn't good enough for you -- but really, it should be -- this issue looks like it'll be the explosive payoff to a lot of buildup. The Ninja Turtles have manipulated their enemies, Baxter Stockman is doing his own thing (the cover certainly teases his role well enough!), and who knows what'll happen back in New York as Bebop and Rocksteady stand over Donatello.

IDW's latest TMNT story is smart, fun, and full of great artwork. It's mandatory reading if you're a fan of the heroes in a half shell or if you're just interesting in seeing why so many of us love the franchise. It's disappointing to think this series may end with issue 50 (maybe it won't if you buy it?), but at least the series is heading towards its conclusion with some epic stories.

DEADPOOL #42

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Omega Red vs. Deadpool? Okay, I'm sold. There's just one problem, though: aren't both versions of Omega Red dead? Hopefully this is something co-writers Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn will address, but even if they do totally gloss over the villain's resurrection, I'm still feeling optimistic about how this will be handled. They've filled this series with so much humor, action and heart, so there's no reason for me to believe this issue won't entertain.

It's too bad the end is near for this book (then again, that applies to pretty much all Marvel books now, doesn't it?), but at least that means the story will more than likely get into heavier material sooner rather than later; we know that's something the co-writers can handle extremely well. Plus, I really like Salva Espin's animated visuals; the style works incredibly well with the funnier material.

THOR ANNUAL #1

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Let's be brutally honest here: annual issues don't always feel like they're worth the expensive cover price. Sometimes they feel like totally unnecessary and filler-ish side stories. Whether this one will be filler has yet to be seen, but it absolutely looks like it'll keep my attention. A story about young Thor that's illustrated by CHEW'S Rob Guillory and it marks CM Punk's writing debut? Consider me interested. I haven't been a wrestling fan in several years, but seeing someone passionate about comics getting a chance to work on them is always something that's worth checking out -- you can't help but want to root for them. Additionally, we have Noelle Stevenson and Marguerite Sauvage presenting a new story about the Goddess of Thunder, and Jason Aaron is bringing back the Girls of Thunder. Will this be a must read for the new Thor's story? Maybe, maybe not. Does it look like it'll be a good amount of fun and embrace all that this mythos has to offer? Most definitely. If you've been against the current run, then obviously your money will be better spent elsewhere. But, if you've been enjoying Aaron's latest run, it's looking like this just may be worthy of your $4.99.

Honorable Mention: D4VE #1

Corey "Undeadpool" Schroeder's picks

AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #15

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After an ending that nearly brought the Comic Vine podcast to (internet) blows, Dan Slott delivers the epilogue to Spider-Verse. Besides introducing Silk properly to 616-New York (though her opening issue has done a fantastic job of that already), it's unclear exactly what's going to happen, but it's likely that we'll see a great many of the other dimensional Spideys head home (some of them hopefully with some follow-ups in the future). Giuseppe Camuncoli tends to take the helm on darker issues, so something sinister may still be brewing and there's plenty left to talk about.

NEW AVENGERS #30

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One of the most significant books in the Marvel Universe charges on while worlds burn and the Cabal finds themselves with one of their most dangerous, vicious allies yet: the villainous Reed Richards of the Ultimate Universe. We've also encountered a world of Beyonders and while everything is building to Secret Wars, that doesn't mean Jonathan Hickman will be sitting on his laurels or failing to deliver a satisfying, big event. While I haven't seen a great deal of Dalibor Talajic's art, what I have seen has been great, and I'd wager he'll fit in just fine on this, considering his experience with the apocalyptic DEADPOOL KILLS THE MARVEL UNIVERSE.

DAREDEVIL #13

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At last, after months of teasing, Daredevil's newest reforged villain returns in the form of The Owl. Mark Waid's ability to take pre-existing characters and turn them into something much darker and more menacing may not face its GREATEST test with Owl (that honor belongs to The Spot), but it's certainly going to be interesting to see a formerly non-powered character gain powers, if for no other reason than to see what they are. Chris Samnee's returning on art, and at this point that deserves its very own: 'nuff said.

Honorable Mention: CHEW #46

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