Every Wednesday, tons of new comic books come out and we have to figure out what to buy as our wallets to empty from all the awesomeness modern comics have to offer. To help ease your mind, the staff at Comic Vine picked some books out they can't wait to read. Let's get right down to it and see what books are essential.
To see everything coming out this week, click here.
Tony's Picks
CYBORG #1
(DC)
Written by David Walker
The moment we’ve been waiting for is here. With the inclusion of Cyborg as one of the founding members of the Justice League with the New 52 relaunch of the DCU, we’ve been left wondering why he was the only member without his own ongoing series. While often playing an important role in the stories, there were also many times it felt he was being pushed aside for the other characters to spend time in the spotlight. With a character more machine than man, perhaps it was a matter of what more could you do with him?
David Walker is ready to show us that there is more to him than we realized. The Sneak Peek turned things for Vic Stone on its side as he was brutally attacked. The revelation of what followed is setting the stage for this series as we’ll get to explore more about him and find out what the attack was all about. It appears Cyborg has evolved a little and it’s going to be interesting to see what that means for him. If that wasn’t enough of a reason to pick this up, don’t forget that the art is by Ivan Reis and Joe Prado. That should be more than enough to make you want to buy this.
ALL-NEW HAWKEYE #4
(Marvel)
Written by Jeff Lemire
Art by Ramon K. Perez
Two new HAWKEYE issues, two weeks in a row. It’s been a treat having two great HAWKEYE series with some familiar traits but completely different as well. Jeff Lemire is making this his own series yet this volume acknowledges the previous. Too many times when series get a new volume, there’s a lack of connection between them. Lemire is exploring Hawkeye’s past as a child with his brother while mixing the story with the current situation he and Kate have gotten themselves into.
If that wasn’t enough, we also get the gorgeous artwork by Ramón Pérez. Each issue has been mixed with the story in the present and the flashbacks. It’s such a joy when you get a series with a character you really dig that has both great art and fantastic art.
SONS OF THE DEVIL #3
(Image)
Written by Brian Buccellato
Art by Toni Infante
Little by little we’ve been seeing the story unfold. We’ve been seeing the story in the present along with flashbacks to 1989 where the story begins. There’s been a heavy and creepy feeling bubbling underneath the surface of the story as we get more facts about the story. The idea of being in a cult is something we’ve seen glimpses of in other stories. Seeing it presented here gives you that squirmy feeling inside that you can’t turn away from, even if you wanted. In some ways, we’re in the same boat as the lead character, Travis. He doesn’t know much about his past. But that past is now coming and ready to bit him in the ass.
If you’ve watched the live-action short already, you’ll see some familiar scenes in this issue. Buccellato and Infante are carving out an exciting and creepy story.
FIGHT CLUB 2 #3
(Dark Horse)
Written by Chuck Palahniuk
Art by Cameron Stewart
This series continues to be a strange and fascinating journey beyond the events of the film (and novel) we all loved. I’ve mentioned before how I never imagined how the story could continue or that it should. Chuck Palahniuk is brilliantly taking his story to another level. Along the way, we are slowly discovering more about Tyler Durden. It turns out he’s been around longer than we might’ve thought.
With such a beloved and complex character, it’s fascinating and scary seeing these characters fleshed out more. Palahniuk isn’t just giving us cheap thrills. The story gets deep at times and it’s clear there’s a bigger picture to be seen. Along with Cameron Stewoart’s art and Dave Stewart’s colors, this is a vivid and enticing book I look forward to each month.
Honorable: ARCHIE VS PREDATOR #4
Mat's Picks
PREZ #2
(DC)
Written by Mark Russell
Art by Ben Caldwell
The original four-issue miniseries PREZ is something I love. It was silly and hit the reader way too hard over the head with its message. Also, it was super-groovy and some moments people would consider horribly offensive today. It's a weird part of my growing up as a comic book reader.
The PREZ reboot is different... VERY different, but it captures the essence of the original book, takes away the Native American sidekick, and gives it a much-needed plunge into the 21st century, with social media being the forefront of human interaction. Most importantly, it's really funny. If I don't see a well crafted "Taco Drone" t-shirt, drawn masterfully by Ben Caldwell, then this book has failed. Anyway, it's great to see a DC book on the shelves that is anything but a DC book. It's entertaining, silly, and a nice break from the superhero routine. You need to check this one out.... Taco Drone.
The only travesty about PREZ is that it was knocked down to a six-issue mini-series instead of twelves-issues.
Want to know more? Check out our SDCC interview with writer Mark Russell... Be glad you can't see how sweaty I am.
WEIRDWORLD #2
(Marvel)
Written by Jason Aaron
Art by Mike Del Mundo
Moving forward with books from the "Big Two" that don't really fit the "Big Two" profile is WEIRDWORLD. There's something about this book that I love, and even though I'm not a Conan (the Barbarian... I'm not talking O'Brien here) fan, I found the first issue to be incredibly awesome and quite the fun ride.
SECRET WARS is offering up a variety of books, many of them aren't just stuck in the superhero genre as well, and there's nothing as cool as seeing a dude walk around with a sword and beating people up.
It also doesn't hurt that Del Mundo is doing the artwork on this book too. It looks spectacular and is easily the best looking tie-in to SECRET WARS. The title "WEIRDWORLD" is exactly what it sounds like as Arkon makes his journey throughout the world. This is an issue you'll want to check out.
WE ARE ROBIN #2
(DC)
Written by Lee Bermejo
Art by Rob Haynes and Khary Randolph
I was a bit leery about the first issue. It wasn't too sure what to expect and honestly, it felt like DC had way too many Gotham City books to begin with. However, I quickly had my foot in my mouth after reading the first issue because it's a unique take on the idea of Robin.
That's actually what's so cool about the book is the fact it's more about taking up a mantle, a symbol, in order to do what's write and that's easily the most intriguing part of this brand new series. The first issue was a total surprise and I can't stop thinking about it.
There's a big mystery here as well. Who is running this new team of collective Robins? How soon are we going to find out or are we going to be strung along? Regardless of that answer, I highly recommend checking out this new series.
Honorable Mention: BIRTHRIGHT #9
Corey's Picks
MARVEL ZOMBIES #2
(Marvel)
Written by Simon Spurrier
Art by Kev Walker
The further we get into Secret Wars, the more apparent it's becoming that the small stories are just as, if not more, interesting as the larger ones. The tales of people barely eking out an existence on this hellish planet are as compelling and driven as the stories of the planet itself's survival and it's here that we find Elsa Bloodstone. From footnote in the Marvel Universe handbook to sardonic anchor of NEXTWAVE: AGENTS OF HATE to erstwhile monster hunter, Bloodstone's never been the most prominent Marvel character, but with Simon Spurrier and Kev Walker, she's at least a fascinating one to follow. The darkly humorous journey continues with just enough mystery to keep the pages turning and anticipation for the next issue as high as needs be.
OLD MAN LOGAN #3
(Marvel)
Written by Brian Michael Bendis
Art by Andrea Sorrentino
Last issue left us at the feet of the literal Apocalypse as the wizened old Wolverine made his way over the wall and into a whole new realm. His strange journey has already twisted and turned far beyond what the old man could have possibly expected, but this is a development that's likely to have some implications, both far-reaching and close to the chest. Brian Bendis and Andrea Sorrentino are both trying something different with this series, where Bendis is taking a more staid approach to the dialog and Sorrentino's art is actually more bombastic and explosive than in previous endeavors. It's paid off so far, and there's little reason to think it won't continue to for the rest of the series.
SINESTRO #13
(DC)
Written by Cullen Bunn
Art by Brad Walker and Andrew Henness
Thaal Sinestro has become one of the most compelling villains of the DCU, partially owing to the fact that his motivations have crystallized over the last several years, but unlike a Magneto who becomes more sympathetic, Sinestro is actually as hateable as he's ever been, but he's also entirely, almost inexplicably, charismatic. This series has made him into a fleshed out, realized character even moreso and Cullen Bunn and Brad Walker have transformed him from Hal Jordan's ultimate nemesis into a character worth following, even if it's just to see how far he'll go or how he'll fail in his quest for domination.
That's it for this week's edition of Essential Comics. Let us know what your books you're super-duper excited for this week in the comment section below!