Each week we gather up a few titles that we strongly feel will satiate your comic book reading appetite. We recently switched the format from our "10 Comics to Buy This Week."
Now, we’re not trying to tell anyone how to spend their hard-earned money, but our goal for this updated weekly column is for it to be something people can look to for near 100% accuracy when pointing out quality titles. Because as we all know, the problem isn’t finding comics to read, it’s reading the ones that make the most of your limited budget.
Firstly, you’ll notice our typical ten titles have been cut down to five (or there about). But we’re sticking with the old adage: quality over quantity. Lastly, outside further expansion on why we recommend each book, we’re also going to provide preview pages for each title (when available) to give you an idea how the book reads and looks. You can click each image to enlarge.
A PLUS X #1
AVENGERS VS. X-MEN may not have given the conclusion that everyone wanted but it did pave the way for a slightly different direction. There is the return of the outlook against mutants and Captain America is hoping he can use the Avengers' influence and recognition to smooth over the public outcry against them.
A PLUS X may seem similar to the recent AVX: VS series but rather than pit character against character, we're returning to the MARVEL TEAM-UP notion.
Each month, we'll see two separate stories by the "industry's top creators" featuring team-ups between an Avenger and a mutant. It might seem a little forced but part of the beauty of the Marvel Universe is the cohesion between characters and titles. It only makes sense that different characters would run into each other in trying to stop the 'bad guys. This is the perfect opportunity for creators to cut loose and give us fun and exciting stories pairing up unlikely heroes.
The first issue will consist of a Wolverine/Hulk story by Jeph Loeb and veteran INCREDIBLE HULK artist, Dale Keown. How these two will work together along with Keown's art will be something to see.
There will also be a Captain America/Cable story by Dan Slott and Ron Garney. The last time these two faced each other, it was during AVENGERS: X-SANCTION.
BEDLAM #1
Who doesn't like number 1 issues? Readers are always looking for new jumping on points and Image Comics has had a great track record lately with their new titles.
What you should notice is who is working on this title. Nick Spencer, Riley Rossmo and Frazer Irving. Those three names alone should make your ears perk up.
What is the comic about?
Fillmore Press was once Madder Red, a homicidal maniac and criminal overlord who terrorized the town of Bedlam for years. Then he got better. This is what happens next.
I've had some people ask me recently about horror comics. We don't see them often and when we do, they're often hit or miss. With Spencer and Rossmo working on this, it could be just what the doctor ordered. It also looks to give you a nice change of pace in case you were looking for something non-superhero related.
Note: This is for Mature Readers.
GHOSTS #1
You can tell that Halloween falls on new comics day this year.
Vertigo is another publisher that when they put out a new series, it's a good idea to pay attention to what they're doing. GHOSTS is an anthology featuring some of the "biggest talents in the industry."
Who does that include?
Geoff Johns is making his Vertigo debut on a story with art by Jeff Lemire.
Neil Gaiman's "DeadBoy Detectives" returns in a story written by Toby Litt, featuring art by Mark Buckingham.
There will also be stories by Neil Kleid with art by John McCrea, a story with art by Paul Pope and script by David Lapham, a story by Al Ewing with art by Rufus Dayglo and a story written and drawn by Gilbert Hernandez.
This will have a cover price of $7.99 but because it's an anthology, there will be plenty of comic material to make it worth the price. Plus when you look at all the talent behind this issue, there's definitely going to be plenty to enjoy.
Note: This is for Mature Readers.
Happy #2
The second issue of the four-issue miniseries by Grant Morrison and Darick Robertson hits shelves this week.
Trapped in a mob hospital at the mercy of the cold-eyed torture expert Smoothie and his team of dedicated sadists, the only hope for Nick Sax is Happy the Horse! With three days to Black Christmas, can our unlikely duo stay together long enough to stop Pedo-Santa's rampage?
If you read the first issue, you know Grant and Darick aren't holding back on the content. Throw in the fact that our main character, Nick Sax is seeing and talking to a blue flying horse...you know things are going to get even crazier than you could imagine.
Once again, this is for Mature Readers (really, not trying to corrupt any younger readers with these picks).
SWAMP THING ANNUAL #1
Both SWAMP THING and ANIMAL MAN are going through the "Rotworld" story. The crossover started out together but each title veers into a separate direction until the end of the arc. How the world fell to the Rot will be revealed in the pages of the Swamp Thing annual. It looks like Scott Snyder will join forces with his SEVERED co-writer, Scott Tuft to tell the tale along with Becky Cloonan and Marco Rudy handling the art.
The annual will focus on the first meeting and rivalry between Alec Holland and Anton Arcane. This will also show the first meeting between Alec and Abby. To add a twist, there appears to be a reason Alec and Abby don't recall the meeting or the fact that Alec fell in love with her back then.
Snyder and Cloonan recently collaborated in BATMAN #12 so this marks all sorts of reunions.
It's a double-sized issue. Just the thing you'll want as you sit back and enjoy all the Halloween candy you got (or had left over from the trick-or-treaters).
Here's a preview courtesy of DC's blog.
