This Week's Essential Comics: 03/13/13

This week is sure to make our wallets cry. Most of us are working with a limited budget and that makes this hobby an incredibly difficult one. So many titles, so little cash. Narrowing down the options from an overwhelming amount of new comics definitely isn't easy, so we'll do our best to help you out every week. We've picked five comics that we think we'll enjoy, and hopefully, you will as well. And because there's a gargantuan amount of comics this week, we've provided a rather lengthy honorable mentions list, too. 

Click here for a full list of this week's new issues.

AGE OF ULTRON #2

You had my curiosity, Brian Michael Bendis. But now you have my attention. Despite being hugely similar to previous event *cough* Age of Apocalypse *cough* Bendis did a solid job with the first issue. Instead of taking our hands and walking us through the traditional course of events, we were tossed right into the middle of this dark world. Focusing on a new take on classic characters and plenty of action, AGE OF ULTRON is something we're definitely looking forward to.   

 Enjoy an extended preview below.

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BATMAN #18

Scott Snyder and Andy Kubert. Do I really need to say anything else? Oh, I do? Okay, then how about this creative team tackling the aftermath of BATMAN INCORPORATED #8? It'll also include a backup story where Harper Row tries to comfort Batman. 

Head on over to TODAY News for the rest of the preview.  

 

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BATMAN AND ROBIN #18

Peter J. Tomasi warmed our hearts with his Damian stories... now it's time for him to crush them. Grant Morrison has killed the little dude, and now this series will dedicate itself to how Batman is coping. This silent issue is sure to be a tearjerker, so have a box of tissues on standby. 

Go to USA Today for a preview of the silent issue.  

 

BLOODSHOT #9 

If you like action (you do, don't you?) then there's really no reason to not give this title an honest chance. It really is the quintessential shoot 'em up title. But what helps set this apart from a '90s Arnold movie is there's a legitimately interesting plot here, too. Plus, the publisher's first crossover event, 'Harbinger Wars' is right around the corner. While this isn't mandatory reading for it, it'll certainly help immerse you in the world and appreciate the upcoming chaos much more.
 
Feast your eyes on a preview below. 

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STAR WARS #3

Before the classic characters return to the big screen, you can enjoy their latest adventures right here in the panels. Written by Brian Wood and illustrated by Carlos D'Anda, this issue will focus on the Empire coming after Han Solo. Plus, it's a good jumping on point, so no need to worry if you haven't read issues 1 and 2 yet!
 
Visit Dark Horse's site for the final preview page. 

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Honorable Mentions

 

• ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #8
• AVENGING SPIDER-MAN #18
• FANTASTIC FOUR #5
• FEARLESS DEFENDERS #2
• GREEN LANTERN CORPS #18
• DEATHSTROKE #18  
• THE WALKING DEAD #108  
• THOR: GOD OF THUNDER #6
• UNCANNY X-MEN #3  
• SECRET AVENGERS #2
• ULTIMATE COMICS WOLVERINE #1
• WOLVERINE #1

Gregg Katzman is a freelance writer for Comic Vine and IGN Entertainment. This is the part where he shamelessly plugs his Twitter page in hopes of getting a new follower or two.