One format note before we get started: You’ll notice I reworked the picks of the week section to include the diamond order code for the comics discussed here. This is so you can order titles mentioned here easily by copying these codes and emailing them to your local shop. As suggested via email by Rob_P. Thanks Rob, and keep the suggestions coming.

Even though there was a holiday this week, for some of us anyway, comics will still be arriving this Wednesday. Post-President’s day-blues got you down? Click here to read Marvel’s digital President’s Day special starring Spider-man, Captain America and Abe Lincoln. It’s truly a team-up we’ve all been waiting for and the perfect remedy for your hard-partying President’s Day hang-over.

Here’s a look at my pile of comics for this Wednesday, Feb. 18, 2009. For a complete list of this week’s comics click here. To find a comic shop near you click here.

Batman and the Outsiders #15
Conan The Cimmerian #8
Dark Avengers #2
Guardians Of The Galaxy #10
Robin #183
Supergirl #38
Uncanny X-Men #506
X-Factor #40
X-Men: Kingbreaker #3 of 4

I know what you’re thinking: “seems like a pretty light week for WorthPoint’s head comic nerd.” Well, you’re right. To supplement my reading this week I’ll be adding Ed Brubaker’s last three Criminal mini-series to my long box of unread back issues. I read and loved the Criminal mini, “Coward,” but for some reason missed out on the other three. Shameful, I know. If you haven’t read Brubaker’s Criminal and you’re a fan of Pulp-criminal-fiction you’re missing out. Good luck finding the back-issues. My quest may send me on a nationwide hunt. “But Matt, why don’t you just buy the collected editions?” you may ask. To which I’d reply, “because I collect comics, not reprinted trade-paperbacks, suka!” Naturally, in a Mr. T voice.

And now, on to the Speculator Picks of the Week. These are books that, for one reason or another, may sell out quickly and become instant collectibles. If you don’t pay attention and get to your local comic shop in a timely fashion, you could be paying way to much for these comics very soon.

Batman and the Outsiders #15: DC Comics

Solicitation: Featuring an “Origins and Omens” backup story! Continuing where the epic BATMAN AND THE OUTSIDERS SPECIAL #1 left off, the mystery of who and what “The Insiders” are opens into a labyrinth of dread and deceit as The Outsiders, in their newest incarnation, follow Batman’s final directives into a heart of darkness. If you’ve waited to pick up this title, jump on now for this exciting new era!

Written by: Peter J. Tomasi; Pencils by: Lee Garbett; Inked by: Trevor Scott. 32 PGS; $2.99 US; DEC080115

Why it’ll go fast: Last week’s Bats and the Outsiders special set the stage for the new direction of the book and fans loved it. Peter Tomasi is one of the hottest an up-and-coming writers in the DCU and both fans and retailers are now beginning to take notice. I would expect this book to sell on the level of Green Lantern Corps, in the lower 50′s on the monthly top 300 selling comics list, which will make these early Outsiders issues hard to find in the coming months. For a peek into the future of this title watch what happens to prices on the recent Green Lantern Corps back-issues as the “Blackest Night” event approaches. Pick up this comic now! You’ve been warned.

Dark Avengers #2, Marvel Comics

Solicitation: The Dark Avengers have made themselves known to the world and as the world takes them in, Morgana le Fey comes looking for blood! Once you learn who the Dark Avengers are you’ll see why this is the buzz book of the year! The Dark Reign is here!

Written by: Brian Michael Bendis; Pencils by: Mike Deodato; Inked by: Mike Deodato; Cover by: Rainier Beredo; 1:18 Variant Cover by Mike Choi. 32 PGS; $3.99 US; DEC082313

Why it’ll go fast: Issue #1 sold out instantly and has already been slated for multiple printings. Marvel’s “Dark Reign” event is fueling huge sales on all the Avengers comics, much like last years “Secret Invasion”, creating higher prices on all the Avengers titles online. Whether the prices continue to increase remains to be seen. For now, back issues and variant covers of Dark Avengers (NYCC variant edition on eBay) are hot. Normally, I don’t espouse the value of variant covers, however, with the regular cover comics selling at the high levels they are, in the long term the variant covers may be the high priced collectibles.

Johnny Monster #1, Image Comics

Solicitation: Johnny Monster is the world’s foremost super-star monster hunter, but what the world doesn’t know is that he was raised by the same monsters he’s “hunting!” Now, in order to save his adoptive family… he must fight them! From the acclaimed writer of DEAR DRACULA and Necessary Evil, Johnny Monster mixes Tom Strong with Godzilla movies by way of Tarzan and the Phantom to create a compelling and different monster mash!

Written by: Joshua Williamson Pencils; cover by: J.C. Grande: 32 PGS:$3.50 US
DEC082275

Why it’ll go fast: Like all great Image titles, Johnny Monster has a great plot paired with a great writer and great art. Like the other great Image titles before it (Walking Dead, Invincible) I’m predicting Johnny Monster to be under-ordered, fun to read and to sell out as word gets around resulting in spectacular back issue prices when the plans for a movie/TV adaptation is announced. Check this one out now or you’ll be sorry later.

Indy Comic of the Week:

Johnny Boo Volume 2: Twinkle Power: Top Shelf Comics

Solicitation: Johnny Boo has boo power and his pet ghost Squiggle has squiggle power. But which is better? And might there be a power that is greater than them both? Wiggle power? Giggle power?! Squiggle goes on a quest to learn the secret of twinkle power from the twinkling stars, but doesn’t have much luck. Instead, a strange and hilarious secret is discovered about Johnny Boo’s hair. This book will have the kids howling with laughter!

Written by: James Kochalka. $9.95: OCT084391

Why you should care: If you’re heart doesn’t melt when you read a James Kolchaka comic chances are you’re a sociopathic-monster on the order of Christian Bale circa American Psycho or Dick Cheney everyday of the week. Kolchaka is one of the best working Indy-comic-artists today. Kolchaka also has a successful recording career as James Kolchaka Superstar although his music is definitely for more matur audiences with a good sense of humor. I dare you not to love his stuff.

Nerdy Question of the Week:

Apparently, in the pages of Final Crisis #7, the original Aquaman returned to the DCU. I know, I barely noticed myself. The question is, do you care or has this character been so mishandled for so long rendering him nothing more than a bad joke?

No “yes” or “no’s” here I want detailed answers. Let’s discuss the future of Aquaman.

Thanks again for your continued input and keep the answers to the nerdy questions coming. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question in the Comic Book community forum. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint for free and post your titles in the “Ask A Question” section. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

Matt Baum is a Worthologist who specializes in comic books.

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth

Speculator Picks of the Week: Batman #686

Spring is almost upon us and with it comes convention season. Last weekend was the New York Comic-con, and already convention exclusive variant figures and covers, along with sketches and signed comics from guest artists, are selling on eBay. Personally, I’d love to grab one of the Dark Avengers NYCC exclusives. I love convention season, and if all goes as planned, I’ll be attending Chicago-con this year. If not, then I’ll play along at home watching the comic news-sites as they update with news from each discussion panel and scoop up the exclusives I want on-line. For a complete list of the upcoming comic conventions, click here and start planning your nerdy weekend getaway now.

All convention news aside; let’s not forget that it’s Wednesday and time to take a look at this week’s new comics. Below is my list of comics I’ll be purchasing this Wednesday, Feb. 11. As always, I’d love to hear your feedback on what am or should be collecting. For a complete list of this week’s comics click here. To find a comic shop near you click here.

Action Comics #874
Batman #686
Batman and The Outsiders: Special
B.P.R.D.: The Black Goddess #2 of 5
Captain Britain and MI:13 #10
DMZ #39
Green Lantern Corps #33
Hellboy: The Wild Hunt #3 of 8
Incognito #2
Nightwing #153
Thor #600
X-Infernus #3 of 4

And now, on to the Speculator Picks of the Week. These are books that, for one reason or another, may sell out quickly and become instant collectibles. If you don’t pay attention and get to your local comic shop in a timely fashion, you could be paying way too much for these comics very soon.

Batman #686; DC; Written by Neil Gaiman; Art by Andy Kubert; Covers by Andy Kubert (1:50 sketch Variant) and Alex Ross (50/50 variant); 48 pages; $3.99.

“Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader?” part 1 of 2!

Solicitation: Best-selling author Neil Gaiman (THE SANDMAN) and superstar artist Andy Kubert (BATMAN, Marvel 1602) join forces for a special 2-part BATMAN event! “Whatever Happened to the Caped Crusader” is a captivating and mysterious tale the likes of which Batman and friends have never experienced before. Delving into the realms of life, death and the afterlife, Gaiman leaves no stone unturned as he explores every facet and era of Bruce Wayne’s life.

Why it’ll go fast: Put Neil Gaiman’s name on any comic and it’s an instant sell out. Put Neil Gaiman’s name on a Batman comic that will redefine the Bat-titles in the wake of Bruce Wayne’s death and I’m not sure what will happen. I would guess that this will be one of the highest selling comics of the year. Whether your a fan of Gaiman, Batman, Andy Kubert or all of the above, this will be must read comic-material. By the way, I saw Gaiman’s “Coraline” this weekend and loved it. You will too.

Batman and The Outsiders: Special; DC; Written by Peter J. Tomasi; Art and cover by Adam Kubert; 40 pages; $3.99

Solicitation: Spinning out of “Batman R.I.P.” and DC UNIVERSE: LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT, this special features the birth of a new era for the Outsiders and is a perfect entry point for past and present readers alike. FINAL CRISIS has changed the universe forever, and though Batman may be gone, his legacy must endure. Forces are set in motion that give rise to a new team ready to combat the secret evil that the Outsiders were truly formed for all those years ago. Is Geo-Force the best leader? Or will Black Lightning prove to be a challenger? Plus, the introduction of a never-before-seen character important to the Batman mythos!

Writer Peter J. Tomasi (GREEN LANTERN CORPS, NIGHTWING) is joined by Adam Kubert (DCU: LAST WILL AND TESTAMENT) for this extra-length one-shot spectacular, which is the opening chapter of an epic storyline that will continue within the pages of February’s THE OUTSIDERS #15!

Why it’ll go fast: No one has been reading Batman and the Outsiders since the soap-opera-esque exit of writer Chuck Dixon with issue 10. The title fell from the 41st spot in November to 80th in December on the top 300 selling comics list. Fans are bailing out on this book and for good reason; it’s been fill-in story after directionless fill-in story written by “Mr. Fill-In” himself, Frank Tieri. Until now. Peter Tomasi, one of my favorite new DC writers, reinvigorates the Outsiders with a new direction in the wake of Batman’s death. Don’t expect to see piles of this issue as most store owners aren’t sold on Tomasi’s name to cause a sell-out yet. However, Adam Kubert’s art might just do the trick.

Thor #600; Marvel Comics; Written by Chris Giarrusso, J. Michael Straczynski and Stan Lee; Art by Chris Giarrusso and Olivier Coipel; Covers By Olivier Coipel, Marko Djurdjevic (50/50 wraparound variant) and Gabriele Dell’Otto (1:20 variant); 104 pages; $4.99

Solicitation: The mighty God of Thunder hits a major milestone! THOR goes back to its classic numbering for this issue 600 mega-event, and even Stan “The Man” Lee joins the party with an all-new story! J. Michael Straczynski and Olivier Coipel bring their widely acclaimed run to a major culmination! And Chris Giarrusso lays down an epic Mini Marvels Thor adventure!

PLUS jaw- dropping wraparound covers by Olivier Coipel and Marko Djurdjevic! Miss this issue?! We say thee NAY!

Why it’ll go fast: Every issue of J.M.S’s Thor has sold out at the printers and fans of the Thunder god agree that these are some of the best Thor stories ever printed. Thor #600 is a big anniversary issue that will bring fans, both old and new, out to the shops. The $4.99 cover price may scare some retailers from ordering big on this issue so get it while you can. Also, the Dell Otto variant looks amazing but could be pretty pricey.

The Indy Book of the Week will return next week.

Nerdy Question of the week:

As a comic collector, have you begun to feel the burn of $3.99 comics, or do you feel the quality and increased page count has made up for the increase in price?

Thanks again for your continued input and keep the answers to the nerdy questions coming. If you have any questions about these books or anything else in the comic book world feel free to contact me or post your question in the Comic Book community forum. Want to know what your comics are worth? Join WorthPoint for free and post your titles in the “Ask A Question” section. Remember to post the title, issue number and cover price.

Matt Baum is a Worthologist who specializes in comic books.

WorthPoint—Discover Your Hidden Wealth