In a tight economy, it's not always clear what you should spend your hard-earned money on, and with comic books getting more and more expensive, your dollar doesn’t go as far at the comic shop as it did in the past. We here at Complex feel your pain, so we're providing you with a rundown of the best comics coming out on April 6, 2011.
Sweet Tooth #20
What it’s about:Sweet Tooth is undoubtedly one of the best and most unique comics on shelves now. Centering on a post-apocalyptic world where humanity is struggling to survive while a new generation of human/animal hybrids are being born, Sweet Tooth is a dark fairytale that usually delivers a punch to the gut every issue.
It’s heartbreaking, enraging, and exquisite. This is a great comic to pick up for people who don’t usually like comics.
What to expect this month: It’s only a couple of times a year that a comic allows a reader such a great point to jump onboard and this issue of Sweet Tooth is one of those times. Starting a new story arc titled Endangered Species, this issue continues to explore the tenuous relationship between Gus, a deer-antler-having youth, and his beefy protector Jepperd as they go on a rescue mission.
Jeff Lemire has done nothing but impress on this book and he has somehow improved this title with every issue.
Chew #18
What it’s about: Chew can make you laugh, cringe, and vomit all in the same page. It’s one of the most hilariously vile comics on shelves and it’s also the best. The book follows the exploits of FDA Agent Tony Chu as he tries to investigate various crimes that require the attention of a Cibopath.
A Cibopath is a person who can get a psychic impression off of anything they eat. So nibbling on a murdered corpse can elicit a vision of the last moments of the victim’s life. Oh and don’t worry, there is plenty of cannibalism in Chew.
What to expect this month:Flambé continues this month as Tony Chu must figure out why there is a burning alien message in Earth’s atmosphere and why his boss keeps trying to kill him.
This issue also marks an appearance by perhaps one of the most badass chickens to ever grace a comic. And he’s out for blood.
Amazing Spider-Man Annual #38
What to expect this year: Annuals are the scourge of comic fans everywhere. They are usually a way for a company to test out a new creative team on a book or an excuse to print a neglected story that had been lying around the office for years. They usually don’t have much to do with the current storylines and they often make better bird cage liners than they do stories.
However, every once in a while an Annual comes along with such a great creative team that it winds up being totally worth it. With Chew creator John Layman getting his shot at writing Spider-Man, Deadpool, and the Hulk all in one book, this is easily the most promising Annual in a while.
Featuring work by fan favorite artist Lee Garbett, Amazing Spider-Man Annual #38 exists for readers to simply kick back, relax, and let the ludicrous mind of John Layman wash over them. Don't forget, this is just one part of a three-part story that continues in the Hulk's Annual and Deadpool's annual in the coming months.
Fear Itself #1
What it’s about: This is it. Marvel has been building to this issue for months and it looks as if Fear Itself is primed to be Marvel’s biggest comic event since Civil War, which made our list of the 10 Most Earth Shattering Comic Events. Written by Matt Fraction with art by Stuart Immonen, Fear Itself promises to have a lasting impact on every Marvel book that comes after it.
In past comic events, shocking revelations and Universe-altering deaths were abundant, so readers should expect nothing less from Fear Itself. Nobody is safe when these comic events hit shelves.
What to expect this month: Sin, the new Red Skull and the original’s daughter, has discovered a secret that her father had been keeping since WWII. This secret gives way to the return of the God of Fear! And the result will rip the Marvel Universe apart with panic!
Marvel has done a great job of surrounding Fear Itself with an air of mystery. And like most good comic events, expect HUGE shocks in the opening issue.
Uncanny X-Men #534.1
What it’s about: Uncanny X-Men has been Marvel’s flagship mutant title for decades. First published in 1963, the book has seen some of the most legendary comic creators attached to it, including Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Chris Claremont, and Neal Adams.
While other X titles have since come and gone, Uncanny X-Men has stayed at the top of the heap for decades as the shining example of how to do mutant stories right.
What to expect this month: In another installment of Marvel’s “Point One Initiative” Uncanny X-Men #534.1 is the perfect place to start reading for new fans. With Magneto now being a part of the X-Men, the mutants must explain his presence to the world all while trying to trust their onetime nemesis.
With Kieron Gillen teaming up with the ultra-talented artist Carlos Pacheco, this issue begins a new chapter for the venerable mutant team. So if you've been out of the X loop for a few years, this is the perfect place to start reading again.
Green Lantern Secret OriginNew Printing (Collects Green Lantern#29-35)
What it’s about: With Geoff Johns’ tweaking of the Green Lantern backstory during The Sinestro Corps War (another of the 10 Most Earth Shattering Comic Events), it was only natural that he went back in time altogether and gave readers a completely fresh take on Hal Jordan’s origin. Including recent aspects of the Green Lantern’s world such as the prophecy of the "Blackest Night" and the inclusion of the rageaholic alien, Atrocitus, Green Lantern Secret Origin fleshes out one of the most popular origins in all of comics.
Johns portrays Hal Jordan as a rookie Green Lantern who is both brash yet unsure of himself at times. The story also recounts Jordan's relationship with his then mentor Sinestro and his trainging with Kilowog.
This is easily the best Green Lantern story to pick up for any new fan of the character and it makes the transition into reading The Sinestro Corps War, Blackest Night, and The War of the Green Lanterns that much easier. What Batman: Year One did for the Dark Knight, Secret Origin does for GL.
This new edition also features an introduction by Ryan Reynolds who, of course, plays Hal Jordan in the upcoming Green Lantern film. And obviously you can't live without that.
