Welcome to Food or Comics?, where every week we talk about what comics we’d buy at our local comic shop based on certain spending limits — $15 and $30 — as well as what we’d get if we had extra money or a gift card to spend on a splurge item.

Check out Diamond’s release list or ComicList, and tell us what you’re getting in our comments field.

Chris Arrant

If I had $15, I’d skip lunch and dig in to the overdue Choker #6 (Image, $3.99). I almost considered waiting for the trade on this one, but I know once I see the shiny object in front of me in stores I’ll want to find out the ending to Ben McCool and Ben Templesmith’s story. After that I’d get Uncanny X-Force #23 (Marvel, $3.99), which still holds the crown for my favorite current Marvel book. I was hesitant of Remender & co. going off into Otherworld despite my fascination with the realm going back to my Excalibur days, but I’m being rewarded with good story for my allegiance. The only thing it’s missing is an appendix reminding me of older stories that he references here. Last up would be a two-fer with Spaceman #5 (DC/Vertigo, $2.99) and Walking Dead #95 (Image, $2.99). I’ve talked about both at length here, and they continue to buffet me with greatness.

If I had $30, I’d first snag Daredevil #10 (Marvel, $2.99) to see more of Paolo Rivera’s work over the solid storytelling by Mark Waid. Then, I’d rub my eyes to make sure I’m not seeing things and pick-up the 5+ year delayed book Sharknife, Vol. 2 (Oni, $11.99). I’ve been a big fan of Corey’s work back when he was doing inspired Mega Man rip-offs, and the chance that I’ll finally see this sequel is exciting and heartbreaking. I hope the quality of the book inside is enough to stave off my feelings about the severe delay the book had.

And for splurging, I’d spend my CBR paycheck on Gone To Amerikay (DC/Vertigo, $24.99). This book is at the intersection of three reasons I’d buy it: Colleen Doran, Derek McCulloch and historical Irish narratives. I’d hold McCulloch’s Stagger Lee up to any graphic novel of the past decade in terms of skill and potency, so to see him pair that with Colleen Doran’s crafty linework bears my immediate attention.

Chris Mautner

If I had $15: I already have copies, but if I didn't I'd grab an extra dollar or two and nab one of the new paperback copies of Yoshihiro Tatsumi's collection of short stories from Drawn and Quarterly -- Abandon the Old in Tokyo, The Push Man, or Good-Bye. These are pretty solid, if grim, tales of lonely, sexually repressed men feeling pushed around by social forces (and women) beyond their control. It's all pretty top-notch stuff, but if you have to go with only one volume, I'd suggest Abandon the Old.

If I had $30, I'd put the Tatsumi back and grab The Sincerest Form of Parody, which collects a number of comics from such '50s era Mad rip-offs as Eh, Nuts, Bug House, and so forth. I was well aware of the number of imitators that attempted to capitalize on Kurtzman and company's success early on, but didin't know much more than that. Were any of these comics any good? Hopefully this book will let me know.

Splurge: Rohan at the Louvre is the latest in NBM's series of Louvre-related comical books. This one is interesting in that it features Hirohiko Araki, the creator of the frequently surreal JoJo's Bizarre Adventure. I'm curious to see how someone who does not come from a Western and specifically European background would go about discussing the work encased in this famous museum, particularly someone of Araki's sensibilities.

Graeme McMillan

If I had $15 this week, I'd jump for 2000AD #1771 (Rebellion/2000AD, $5.50) and clutch it to my chest jealously like some nerdy Gollum; it's the 35th anniversary issue of the series, and the lure of a Chris Weston cover and potential nostalgia definitely has me in its lure. From the sublime to the ridiculous, I'd then take a look at Avengers vs. X-Men #0 (Marvel, $3.99) to see if it feels weighty enough to be worth the price, and then do the same for Dan Abnett's new series New Deadwardians #1 (DC/Vertigo, $2.99), to complete my tour of duty for the new Vertigo books.

If I had $30, I'd follow Chris A's lead and go for Sharknife, Vol. 2 (Oni, $11.99); it's been a long time since the last one, but… more Corey Lewis! That's not a bad thing at all, you know? Also not a bad thing: Angel & Faith #8 (Dark Horse, $2.99). I've been going back and forth about the new Buffy books in recent months, but I'm currently on an upswing, and have found myself thinking this is the better book of the two for some time now anyway (It's the art; Rebekah Isaacs is killing it on a regular basis, here), so into my metaphorical basket it goes.

Splurging, you say? That's another one where I'm likely to take Chris' lead and pick up Gone to Amerikay (DC/Vertigo, $24.99), and all because of Derek McCulloch's Stagger Lee, which I came to late, but love dearly. What can I say? Chris made some great picks this week. I can't help but follow.

Michael May

If I had $15, I'd make a beeline for Atomic Robo: Real Science Adventures #1 ($2.75). I've always loved the back-ups in the Atomic Robo books almost as much as the main stories, so spinning those off into their own anthology series is an easy way to get more of my money. Then I'd grab Roger Langridge's Snarked #6 ($3.99), because I love that series so much. I'd join Graeme in getting The New Deadwardians ($2.99), mostly because I love INJ Culbarb's Sherlock Holmes adaptations, but I also like most of Dan Abnett's writing as well. And finally, I'd get the latest issue of one of my favorite New 52 comics: All-Star Western #7 ($3.99).

If I had $30, I'd see if I could find the Becky Cloonan variant of BPRD: Hell on Earth - The Pickens County Horror #1 ($3.50). Though I certainly wouldn't pass up the Mignola cover if that's what's available. After that, it's about continuing some series that I'm still interested in or curious about: Aquaman #7 ($2.99), Superman #7 ($2.99), Voodoo #7 ($2.99), and X-Men Legacy #264 ($2.99).

My splurge item for the week is easy: Terry Moore's Rachel Rising, Volume 1: Shadow of Death ($16.99). I've been looking forward to finally checking that out in collected form.