For comics shipping 12.24.08 or The Week You Just Realized You Needed to Get Some Shopping Done. Every week I’ll check Diamond’s shipping list to see what you absolutely, positively, no doubt about it need to spend all your hard earned cash on at the Local Comic Shop.

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DARK HORSE COMICS

The Umbrella Academy: Dallas #2

For $2.99 you aren’t going to find a much more complete package than this book. Gerard Way and Gabriel Ba did a great job lulling us into a sense of security. I thought I had a decent grasp on the characters, and then they go and drop those last few pages on me. Oh, 00.05, will your wonders ever cease? I hope not. You may have missed out on the first issue, but I guarantee your shop has a few left over from ordering extra copies, so don’t feel like you’re getting left behind. Jump on quick though, this ride is about to take off.

DC COMICS

Billy Batson and the Magic of Shazam #3

Despite this book not exactly coming out on what you could call a regular schedule, Mike Kunkel’s fantastic work is so worth the wait. For $2.50 you not only get some of the best animation-style art on the planet, but you get a fun little story that people of all ages can get behind. It kills me that this book doesn’t come out monthly, and will thus have a harder time finding an audience, but damn if it isn’t a great book no matter what. Pick it up and be pleasantly surprised.

Gears of War #3

Josh Ortega and Liam Sharp bring us yet another chapter in the prequel to one of the year’s most entertaining games. This book perfectly captures the essence of the game. It should since Ortega is responsible for the story in both. Sharp’s art is pretty close to perfect for this story. I’ve been having a pretty good time reading this. It may be nothing more than mindless action, but that doesn’t mean it can’t be fun. Follow Marcus, and the rest of Delta, for just $3.99.

Top Ten: Season Two #3

Even though Alan Moore doesn’t really have anything to do with this book anymore, Zander Cannon and Gene Ha are doing a pretty damn good job replicating the feel of the original series. It helps that those two were heavily involved in putting the first season out, but just because you watched somebody cook dinner doesn’t automatically mean you know how to cook, know what I mean? Thankfully, Top Ten: Season Two has been really good so far. It may only be a mini-series, but I missed this universe so much, I’ll take anything I can get. Check it out for $2.99.

Wonder Woman #27

Well, looks like some shit is about to go down. It’s been talked about for months and months, but it finally seems like the Gods have had just about enough of Wonder Woman. Gail Simone does the words, and Aaron Lopresti does the pictures. A combination worthy of your $2.99.

MARVEL COMICS

Daredevil #114

It pleases me that just about every week I get at least one Ed Brubaker written comic. This latest arc on Daredevil has been particularly intriguing, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. I love how Bru has been putting the screws to Matt Murdock ever since taking over this book, and there’s no sign he’s going to let up anytime soon. You know you love books with ninjas. Make sure to add this $2.99 book to your buy pile.

Thor #12

This is another book that would benefit greatly from coming out on a more regular schedule. Straczynki’s writing has been absolutely superb, and teamed with Olivier Coipel on art, this book should dominate sales charts month in and month out, but since only about 6 issues of it have shipped this year, interest isn’t anywhere near as high as it needs to be. I know you’re thinking Thor is a lame-ass, but after just a few pages of this comic, you’ll be convinced that you must read his adventures each and every time they arrive in stores. Don’t miss out on this $2.99 issue.

Ultimatum #2

It’s 32 pages of David Finch art for $3.99. That’s all you need to know.

Trade paperback recommendations will return in two weeks, so be prepared.

See you next week.

To find a comic shop near you: 1-888-COMICBOOK