Few comic fans can afford to buy every book they want to read each week, so some great reads slip through the cracks. Here are five series worth checking out if you haven't already:
Hawkeye: This is one of the best titles Marvel has going. Matt Fraction is putting out some of his best work, and David Aja's artwork is brilliant. The covers are works of art. It's a different pace from your usual Marvel comics, blending the regular-guy life of Clint Barton with his life as sharpshooter/ superspy/Mighty Avenger Hawkeye.
Todd, the Ugliest Kid on Earth: This is definitely dark humor. Really, really dark humor. The story tells of a kid (Todd) whose dysfunctional parents make him wear a bag over his head because he's so repulsively ugly. Todd gets blamed for the murder of a girl neighbor, who is far cuter than he is, and ends up taking the fall for the other victims of a serial killer who preys on kids. It's not for everyone, for sure, but if you like your comedy a little twisted, this Image title is worth checking out.
America's Got Powers: Another Image title, "America's Got Powers" has been surprisingly good. The first two issues were the best, but an irregular release schedule made it hard to keep readers engaged (three months elapsed between issues 2 and 3, and then another four passed before No. 4). Still, artist Bryan Hitch's fight scenes have been impressive, and Jonathan Ross has penned an intriguing tale of a world where teenaged superheroes battle on a reality show while a Sarah Palin-lookalike villain pulls the strings behind the scenes.
Captain Marvel: There simply aren't enough comics with female heroes in the lead, especially from Marvel and DC. "Captain Marvel" is the second best out there, and it isn't far behind Gail Simone's "Batgirl." Kelly Sue DeConnick has made accessible a character that oftentimes became a sidenote to other heroes in recent years. Dexter Soy's art on the book has been amazing, lending artistic credibility to this comic similar to Aja on "Hawkeye." Hopefully less-than-impressive sales won't lead to an early end to this title.
Danger Club: Like "America's Got Powers," this is another title hurt by an irregular release schedule (the delays are understandable here, with the longest coming after two of colorist Michael Drake's children were hit by a truck). The story by Landry Q. Walker has been excellent throughout, and Eric Jones's artwork gives the issue a very distinct look, including some great images of sidekicks battered and bruised after fighting each other. The first four issues are already collected in a trade paperback, so new readers can get caught up before No. 5 hits the shelves.
