This is a new weekly column by Rollin Bishop suggesting new comics to grab that clock in under $20 total. Publishers come out with lots of comics, and it can be hard to tell what to spend your hard-earned cash on. That's where we come in. Nobody's made of money, after all.
It's a big week for comics, what with Marvel releasing even more new titles that take place after Secret Wars.
However, every publisher has a little something worth picking up, and some honorable mentions this week include the Rat Queens hardcover, which is just too expensive to be included, and stuff like the ongoing Invader Zim and Bob's Burgers comics. Maybe next time, folks.
Without further ado, here's a good assortment of stuff you should maybe pick up this week when they release on Dec. 2.
Black Jack Ketchum #1: $3.99 (Image Comics)
Words: Brian Schirmer
Art: Claudia Balboni
Look, the reason Black Jack Ketchum #1 is on here is simple: Western comics are cool. Plus, Image is also putting out Copperhead, which gives me hope that Ketchum will end up decent, at least. Add to that a case of mistaken identity and a kid with a rifle? Yes, please.
In a dreamlike version of the Old West, Tom Ketchum struggles to clear his name — and stay alive — when he's mistaken for wanton outlaw "Black Jack" Ketchum. With the aid of his talking sidearm, a secretive gambler, and a mute girl with a Winchester, Tom evades the mysterious Union and its supernatural enforcers, the faceless Dusters, as he's forced to question his identity, his sanity, and his very existence.
Daredevil #1: $3.99 (Marvel)
Words: Charles Soule
Art: Ron Garney
Not only is the Man Without Fear returning to his old digs in New York City, he's also donning the black costume once more. Added bonus? New sidekick! Well, sidekick might be a bit demeaning, but even so — Blindspot's a thing now. If you're looking for a place to start with Matt Murdock after mainlining Netflix's offerings, you could do a lot worse. Why not start at his fresh start?
Back in black and on his home turf, Daredevil begins again in New York City as a new enemy emerges. Meanwhile his alter ego, Matt Murdock, is on a new side of the law in the District Attorney's office. Fighting crime in the shadows, prosecuting bad guys in the light, it's a whole new chapter for our man without fear — including the arrival of the devil's advocate. Welcome to Hell, Blindspot.
Prez #6: $2.99 (DC Comics)
Words: Mark Russell
Art: Ben Caldwell
Generally speaking, I'm not one to suggest folks pick up a series in the middle of things, but I'm going to make an exception for Prez #6 because of how incredible the run has been so far. It features a teen president elected after a goofy video of her goes viral in a darkly-twisted version of the world we live in. This marks the end of the first six-issue half of the 12-issue total limited series.
As the cat flu ravages the nation, President Ross has to ward off an angry Senate, while her transgender robot bodyguard saves her from virus rights protesters.
Rocket Girl #7: $3.99 (Image Comics)
Words: Brandon Montclare
Art: Amy Reeder
Rocket Girl picks up after a lengthy hiatus by returning to our heroine as she continues to deal with fallout from time-travelling shenanigans. Like Prez, there's some backstory here that's worth catching up on, but it's likely fine if you're looking to get in on a good thing now rather than later. Even if this weren't a well-written series — which it is — it'd be worth a grab for Amy Reeder's gorgeous art alone.
"NOW WHAT!?" DaYoung Johansson was prepared to live a normal life — as normal as 1986 New York City could ever be for a teenage cop from a high tech alternate reality 2014. But time travelling isn't so simple: changes made in both the future and past are now at war, with the present stuck in the middle.
Totally Awesome Hulk #1: $4.99 (Marvel Comics)
Words: Greg Pak
Art: Frank Cho
That's right: Hulk's not Bruce Banner this time around. It's kind of unclear exactly how Amadeus Cho, an incredible smart young man that already existed in Marvel continuity, became Hulk, but one assumes that will be revealed when the Secret Wars event finally wraps. In terms of the timeline, Totally Awesome Hulk #1 takes place after that series wraps, so, yeah.
THERE'S A BRAND NEW HULK IN TOWN, AND HIS NAME IS AMADEUS CHO! Get ready for the craziest Hulk story of the millennium as a kid genius decides he's gonna be the best Hulk ever — and just possibly brings the entire Marvel Universe crashing down into chaos! Totally awesome beach day! Massive monster mayhem! She-Hulk and Lady Hellbender! Massive heart and ridiculous action brought to you by PLANET HULK writer Greg Pak and superstar artist Frank Cho! Is it possible for us to fit in one more exclamation point? YES!
