Comic Nexus Buying Guide – November 14, 2012

We’re trying something new here at the Comic Nexus home office. This is our weekly buying guide, a guide that gives you insight into what comics the Comic Nexus staff are excited about in this week’s comics.

Now keep in mind, these are not reviews of comic books that anyone here has read already (that is unless my fellow Nexus writers are bogarting their secret stash!). We can’t get comic books any earlier than Wednesday afternoons, the same as anyone reading this guide.

Top 10 Anticipated Comics for November 14, 2012

The following are the top 10 comics that are most likely to be purchased by the members of the Comic Nexus staff.

BATMAN #14 (Death of the Family Tie-In)
ARCHER & ARMSTRONG #4
FANTASTIC FOUR #1 (Marvel NOW )
BLOODSHOT #5
SAGA #7 (MR)
DEMON KNIGHTS #14
INVINCIBLE #97
WHERE IS JAKE ELLIS #1
GREEN LANTERN CORPS #14 (Rise of the Third Army)
ULTIMATE COMICS ULTIMATES #18

Bagged or Bored List

The Comic Nexus staff ranked their interest in the top comics for the week. The following is the full break down.

Staff Picks

The following section, the members of the Comic Nexus Staff give their opinions of the book they are most looking forward to this week:

Mike Maillaro – Fantastic Four #1
	Hawkeye is actually the first book I read by Matt Fraction, and I love it. Mark Bagley was my first favorite comic artist, and still easily in my top two or three. I have always been an on and off Fantastic Four fan, but Fantastic Four and FF are by far the two books I am most excited about from Marvel NOW!
Joe Smith – Batman #14
	I’ve been anticipating this book ever before I finished reading the last issue. I can’t wait to see the Joker’s face again. Last issue we saw it, but it was quick and pretty gritty. I’m sure we’ll get a couple of close ups this issue. Also, I’m a sucker for cliffhangers and I want to see what happens with Alfred. There hasn’t been an issue that I haven’t liked in this series thus far and I don’t see that trend stopping now. I don’t think that there’s going to be a throwaway issue in this arc. After all, the last arc (which was eleven issues) didn’t stall for me at any point. Even casual comic readers that I know are looking forward to this one. I’m anticipating this comic the most this week (with Extermination coming in at second place for me).
Matt Graham – Punk Rock Jesus #5 (of 6)
	Sean Murphy’s Punk Rock Jesus #5 of 6. Sean Murphy is a phenomenal artist, and the story he’s written is a wickedly intelligent and sinisterly satirical comic that belies its title. The tale of Jesus Christ’s clone being raised through a reality show by his whitewashed reality television victim mother (poor Gwen had her hair dyed blonde and her breasts enlarged by at the producer’s request so she could look “more American”) is a scathing cautionary tale of our media-saturated, celebrity-obsessed landscape. It’s been a dense, exposition heavy and character driven journey.Last issue saw our lead finally pushed to the edge and lash out at his creators by sharing his truth with the world. This issue sees our lead and his band clash internally while the bigger conflict with the New American Christians turns violent. The title alone smacks of attention-seeking, but Sean Murphy has managed enough twists and depth into his message and characters that this truly is a punk rock odyssey. This is a pure, stripped down, confrontation with the black side of culture designed to shock the mainstream into action. You still have time to listen.
Indy Book of the Week – Where is Jake Ellis #1
	Each week, we hope to spotlight a comic book that is not published by Marvel or DC. This week Jim Lang gives his thoughts about Where is Jake Ellis #1 from Image comics:Nathan Edmondson and Tonci Zonjic really impressed me with Who is Jake Ellis?, their spy adventure series about a man who has another man living in his head who can help him analyze situations and see outside of his immediate area. This sequel promises to be as quick-paced, and as beautifully illustrated
Trade of the Week – Scene of the Crime (Hardcover)
	Additionally each week, we also want to spotlight a trade paperback that would be a good addition to a collection. This week, I’ve selected the new Scene of the Crime hardcover edition being published by Image Comics (listing at $24.99)(According to Diamond Comics the following title is being released this week, but Amazon lists the available date as November 27, 2012) This short mini-series was originally published by Vertigo Comics in 1999, and was the first major series by Ed Brubaker. This mini-series is the first team up the talents of Ed Brubaker, Michael Lark, and Sean Philips. A combination of these creators would go on to create/write the following award-winning titles: Gotham Central, Sleeper, Daredevil, Criminal, Incognito, and the current series: Fatale.The series is pure modern comic book noir style of a modern private detective whose uncle was a crime scene photographer, who teaches his nephew how to study scenes from a photographic stand point. It has been ages since I read the series, and I look forward to the hardcover treatment. Definitely check it out if you have the money.

Conclusion

Well, according to Comic Nexus, Batman #14 is definitely the book to pick up this week, and there are several other good suggestions in this column. Let us know if you think of other things that we can add to this column that would help you make good purchasing decisions.

Hope you find something good out there.