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 make up for lost time and get the first collection of Mind the Gap (Image, $9.99). Rodin Esquejo is an absolute gem in my opinion, and Jim McCann looks to have crafted a story with some definite suspenseful power. After that I’d get James Stokoe’s Godzilla: Half Century War #3 (IDW, $3.99). This has become one of my favorite serials to come out, which for a work-for-hire book is tough. Instead of doing a story in service of the concept, it uses the concept to create a great story – and Stokoe really loves Godzilla and puts a face to those humans who oppose him. Finally, I’d get the free Cyber Force #1 (Image/Top Cow, $0) because, well, it’s free. I have an unabashed love for the original Cyber Force, and previous reboots haven’t really gelled the way I wanted to. I’m excited to see what Matt Hawkins brings to this, and I’m glad Silvestri is involved even if only on covers and designs.

If I had $30, I’d first stop for Glory #29 (Image, $3.99). I tend to read this series in built-up bursts, and I’m overdue to catch up. I like the monstrous rage Ross Campbell brings to this, and seeing Joe Keatinge capitalize on the artist he has to create a broader story is thrilling. After that I’d get a Marvel three-pack in Hawkeye #3 (Marvel, $2.99), Daredevil #19 (Marvel, $2.99) and AvX Consequences #2 (Marvel, $3.99). I’d buy David Aja illustrating a phone book – seeing him getting a great story is icing on the cake.

If I could splurge, I’d lash onto Charles Burns’ The Hive (Pantheon, $21.95). I’m reluctantly late to the game when it comes to Charles Burns, but X’ed Out clued me into his awesome cartooning power. After devouring his previous work, I’m excited to read The Hive as it first comes out. I don’t quite know what to expect, but after finally coming around to Burn’s skill I’m up for pretty much anything.



John Parkin

If I had $0 to spend this week, I still wouldn't leave the store empty-handed, as I'd grab the new Cyber Force comic (Top Cow, free). I'm not even sure what to expect from it, to be honest, but you can't beat the price.

If I had $15, I'd start with Godzilla: Half Century War #3 (IDW, $3.99) for the reasons Chris mentioned. I'd then get two Marvel titles I've been enjoying lately: Dark Avengers #182 and Daredevil #19 (both $2.99). Then I'd wind it up with the latest Billy the Kid miniseries from Dark Horse ($3.50), by Eric Powell and Kyle Hotz. I've enjoyed their take on the famous cowboy and his band of circus sideshow freaks over the past few years, so another mini is welcome.

If I had $30, I'd add the last volume of Van Jensen and Dusty Higgins' Pinocchio the Vampire Slayer ($10.95) which brings the wooden puppet's saga to an end. That leaves me just enough to pick up the latest issue of The Sixth Gun (Oni Press, $3.99).

Splurge: There are a bunch of trades to pick from this week. I'd recommend Mudman and Bloodstrike (both $9.99) to anyone who was thinking of trying them. My pick, though, is The Shadow: Blood and Judgment ($19.99), a collection of the Howard Chaykin mini that DC published way back in the 1980s. It hasn't been collected in more than 20 years, so this is a treat.



Graeme McMillan

If I had $15 this week, I'd be far too tempted to buy three copies of Zaucer of Zilk #1 (IDW, $3.99) and give two away to those who need to be converted, but I'll hold myself back. After all, I really want the first Mind the Gap collection (Image, $9.99); I loved the first issue, but quickly realized that, like Morning Glories and Fables, this would be something I'd far prefer to read in collected format, and now I have my chance.

If I had $30, I'd add another Image collection, Mudman, Vol. 1 ($9.99), and then likely the Marvel NOW! Point One issue (Marvel, $5.99), if only for the Young Avengers teaser strip by Gillen and McKelvie.

Should I find myself splurging, I'm following Chris A's suggestion: Charles Burns' The Hive (Pantheon, $21.95). I've heard really, really good things about how terrifying this book is supposed to be, and so I'm sold on the scary potential alone.



Michael May

If I had $15, I'd buy the latest issues starring some of my favorite female characters: Courtney Crumrin #6 ($3.99), Supergirl #13 ($2.99), and Glory #29 ($3.99). I'd also grab Hawkeye #3 ($2.99), because -- holy crap! -- that's so much better than a Hawkeye series deserves to be. Actually, I'm sorry that last comment sounds even a teensy-bit negative, because I don't have a single bad thing to say about Matt Fraction and David Aja's current series. Finally, like everyone else, I'm not gonna pass up free comics. Cyber Force #1 ($0.00) goes in the bag too.

With $30, I'd just add more single issues, starting with Captain Marvel #5 ($2.99) since it's DeFraction week at Marvel. I'll also join my R6 compadres in reading Eric Powell and Kyle Hotz' Billy the Kid's Old Timey Oddities and the Orm of Loch Ness ($3.50) as well as Godzilla: Half Century War #3 ($3.99). Then I'd finish off that purchase with Thun'da #3 ($3.99). I'm liking Thun'da okay, but it's moving slower than I want it to. Hoping that the introduction of a cavegirl in this issue will fix that.

My splurge this week is the same as Chris and Graeme's. I've already read The Hive ($21.95), but not in a format I want on my bookshelf. Gonna need the real deal for re-reading.



Chris Mautner

If I had $15: I'll be honest, I don't honestly plunk down much money any more for "pamphlet" comics. But I definitely plan on being at my comic store this Wednesday to plunk down my hard-earned cash for a copy of Zaucer of Zilk #1. Why? Because Brendan McCarthy. And if I'm feeling extra spendthrifty, I'll also grab Issue 3 of Classic Popeye for some old-school laughs.

If I had $30: It's not on Diamond's list this week, but it looks like some stores might be getting Ralph Azham, Volume 1: Why Would You Lie to Someone You Love, Lewis Trondheim's new fantasy series about a town pariah that might have more going on than first glance would suggest. Trondheim has proved with his contributions to the ongoing Dungeon series that he's quite comfy in the fantasy milieu, able to create intricate worlds and stories that blend free-spirited humor with emotional gravitas. I expect this will be more of the excellent same.

Splurge: Well, a few people have already mentioned Charles Burns' The Hive, which is easily the book of the week, so I'll be contrary and go with Totally Mad, a coffee table-type devoted to the house that Harvey Kurtzman built.