Creator owned books are probably the greatest thing about the comics industry for a variety of reasons. As a punk rock, do-it-yourself kind of guy, I love the lack of corporate involvement in creator owned comics. You see, when you read a book from Marvel or DC Comics, you’re reading a book that has editorial mandates and corporate interest from Disney and Warner Bros., respectively. To emphasize what that means, it restricts creator input in a series that you’re putting your hard-earned money towards. You’re not just reading a comic from Grant Morrison and Chris Burnham, you’re reading a comic by those two, Jim Lee, Dan DiDio, Mike Marts, and many others who should have no business having input on a comic made by incredibly creative people. You’re not reading a comic that’s sole intention is to be good, you’re reading a comic that a company thinks will sell units. The primary goal of these comics is to make money. So, in essence, you’re losing so much with editorial involvement that’s not there when you read a creator owned book. No one tells these people what they can and cannot have within the pages of their creations. And while I adore characters like Batman and many other mainstream heroes, there’s something magical and pure about reading a comic written and drawn by the creators of the property.

So, it’s in honor of Creator Owned Day that we wanted to take the time to have a look at some Creator Owned Comics That You Should Be Reading if you’re not already.

The deal of the day over at Things From Another World today is the Captain America: Man With No Face trade paperback for only $5.99 (that’s 63% off the list price of $15.99).

Note – This deal is valid only for today, Sunday, February 26, 2012, til 11:59PM PST while supplies last (and they will sell out, so hurry!). Visit the TFAW’s Deal of the Day page to view the hours left in the sale as well as quantities left on the item.

If the deal, which is on the “nick and dent” version (meaning used) of Captain America: Man With No Face, does sell out before the end of the day, there’s a new version for on sale at Amazon for 27% off for $11.67.

Icon, the creator-owned subsidiary of publisher Marvel Comics, has possibly one of the best stables of creators and comic book titles in their arsenal, and care of Comixology, you can catch up on titles like Criminal, Powers, Casanova, and more with a cool 20 percent off sale.

Yes, that’s right! You’ve seen the praise for Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips‘ creator-owned work on this site before, and that’s with good reason, as Criminal and Incognito are two of the most innovative works in their fields. Both comics completely suck you in to their gritty, crime-ridden world setting and tell a story that is simply unforgettable. I even suggested that you catch up on Criminal on this past week’s GoD List, so if you for some reason weren’t listening to me, here’s your perfect opportunity. There’s not a single issue of Criminal or Incognito for over the price of $1.50. What are you waiting for?

Winter Soldier #1
Written by Ed Brubaker
Art by Butch Guice
Color Artist: Bettie Breitweiser
Letters by VC’s Joe Caramagna
Cover by Lee Bermejo
Marvel Comics
Release Date: February 1, 2012
Cover Price: $2.99

For decades, we all thought that Bucky Barnes was one of the two characters in the Marvel Universe who WAS dead and would actually STAY dead. After reading Winter Soldier #1, I’m sure glad that surviving death is a regular occurrence in the Marvel U.

Here’s where Ed Brubaker‘s years of writing Bucky and Captain America pays off. Yes, it’s paid off for several years now, but this is different. If it was anyone else but Brubaker writing this series, it might not go over so well. But, Brubaker knows this character like the back of his hand and it shows. It almost feels like you’re reading an issue of Captain America where Bucky takes over as the central character.

Each and every week “I don’t read love stories” MK2Fac3 and “All I read are love stories” Henchman21 read a lot of comics. Seriously you guys, a lot of comics. Maybe too many comics. I mean, it is possible”¦ theoretically. They look forward to some more than others, I mean, who doesn’t? So, let’s take a look into the depths of their pull lists, grab some comics, and we’ll let YOU know what the top books to look forward to are for the week of February 15, 2012. Single issues and trades, they’re all here.

HOOOOORAAAYY!!! It’s The Henchman’s birthday!! So, in honor of his birthday, he’ll be going first as we list off all of the comics that we are looking forward to this week. Spoiler alert! MK2Fac3 isn’t happy about any new comic books this week, so he’ll be telling you about comics that you need to be reading or getting caught up on. So, sit back, slick your hair, fix yourself a drink and read our thoughts on comics and stuff! After that, go find The Hench’s Amazon wish list and buy him stuff, he likes free stuff. Anyway, here’s The GoD List!