It’s okay, change happens. It’s not the end of the world, we promise. As you may have noticed, we’re bringing a slight format change to what used to be “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.
Animal Man #13 - $2.99
It’s finally upon us. The Rotworld crossover between ANIMAL MAN and SWAMP THING officially kicks off this week with Part One of their respective storylines. Here in ANIMAL MAN, we get “Rotworld: The Red Kingdom.” This issue guest stars the Justice League Dark, Beast Boy and a few other surprises.
ANIMAL MAN has been one of DC’s most consistent series in the New 52. Jeff Lemire has been building up to this event for some time now, including issue #12’s prologue. Finally we’re going to get to see what Anton Arcane has done with the world following a full-on Rot invasion.
If you haven’t yet bought into ANIMAL MAN, this week’s issue might be a solid place to jump in. Or, you could just run out and pick up the previous 14 issues (#1-12, #0, Annual #1). Trust us, it’s well worth it.
Daredevil: End of Days #1 - $3.99
Brian Michael Bendis returns to writing The Man Without Fear. Bendis teams up with writer David Mack and artists Bill Sienkiewicz, Klaus Janson and Alex Maleev to detail the final days of Daredevil’s life. Consider this series a swan song for Matt Murdock, written and drawn by the folks who helped make the character what he is today.
If you’re a fan of Bendis’ run on Daredevil from a few years back, as I am, then you’ll want to pick up DAREDEVIL: END OF DAYS #1. This first issue is a return to that dark, gritty procedural approach Bendis perfected on the last volume of DAREDEVIL. It really feels like a bookend to Bendis stellar run on the character.
Furthermore, there’s a great mystery set up in this first issue. I dare not spoil anything for you, but suffice it to say, the conclusion of END OF DAYS #1 will leave you drooling for more. And isn’t that what a good first issue is supposed to do… hook ya?
Legends of the Dark Knight #1 - $3.99
If you’re a digital reader, chances are you’ve already read this stellar first issue of the new LEGENDS OF THE DARK KNIGHT series. Up until this point, this series has been a digital exclusive, telling standalone Batman stories by some of the industries hottest talent.
Well, the anthology series finally comes to print, allowing those who prefer to hold physical copies of their books the opportunity to see what all the fuss is about. This first issue teams up writer Damon Lindelof with artist Jeff Lemire to tell a story about the early adventures of Batman.
Having read the book a few months ago, I can fully endorse this issue; it’s a stellar story with a great moral. Lindelof’s writing is witty and sharp, and Lemire’s pencil work fits the Dark Knight’s world surprisingly well. Don’t let this one pass you by if you have the $4 to spare.
Swamp Thing #13 - $2.99
While Animal Man is stuck dealing with the Red Kingdom, Swamp Thing remains trapped in the Green Kingdom. This issue marks the first part of Swamp Thing’s adventures in the Rotworld crossover. Expect some cameos from Poison Ivy, Deadman and the Parliament of Trees.
What is there left to say about Scott Snyder and Yanick Paquette’s SWAMP THING? This series has been firing on all cylinders since its first issue, and things haven’t let up since. With the start of the Rotworld event, the stakes are now even higher.
But with Scott Snyder penning and Paquette drawing, we doubt SWAMP THING #13 will drop the ball. It’s been a longtime coming, but thank God the Rotworld event is finally here.
CBR has the exclusive preview for this:
Uncanny X-Force #32 - $3.99
We’re inching closer and closer to the end of Rick Remender’s phenomenal UNCANNY X-FORCE series. Judging from what we’ve seen thus far, the end of this series is probably going to brutally dramatic and quite explosive. We say: bring it on.
Now that X-Force has been reunited, they’re heading out to take the Brotherhood of Evil Mutants once and for all. However, judging from what we saw as a teaser for things to come at the beginning of last month’s issue, things are probably not going to go according to plan. But then again, when do they ever?
This book will be an obvious must-buy for those currently caught up on UNCANNY X-FORCE. For those who have not yet checked out the series, you might want to hold off and start with the series first story arc and work your way through it chronologically. The payoff of events will be so much more rewarding. For everyone all caught up, this is a definite buy this week.
[Preview not available.]
Erik Norris is a freelance writer for sites such as ComicVine, IGN and CraveOnline.com. You can stalk him on Twitter @Regular_Erik.
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