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Comics Should Be Cheap! (11/4/2015)

By | November 3rd, 2015
Posted in Columns | 2 Comments

Buying comics can be an expensive hobby. A lot of fans simply can’t afford everything they’re interested in, due to rising prices and the over-saturation of the market with superhero titles.

That’s why we’re here. Every week, the Multiversity staff is asked “What would you buy this week if you couldn’t go over $20?” and shares their reasons why, in order to help others who might have similar tastes make their own decisions in buying comics on a budget. Be sure to leave your own picks in the comments!

Leo’s Picks:

Citizen Jack #1 ($3.99) – A comic about a presidential candidate with a demonic hookup is a great concept. When it’s written by Sam Humphries and drawn by Tommy Patterson, that’s even better. But given the current presidential race in the USA, it’s a stroke of genius. I’ve already read “Citizen Jack” #1 and I can tell you without a doubt that it’s well worth your $4.

Paper Girls #2 ($2.99) – While I’m not old enough to appreciate all the nods to 80s pop culture, “Paper Girls” was a book that was a surprise in the best way. This is BKV bringing some of his best and Cliff Chiang is just killing it on art.

Exodus: The Life After #1 ($3.99) – As far as I know, this is the only comic on stands that features Ernest Hemingway as a prominent character. That alone should make it a must read. But if that’s not enough for you, it features interesting takes on all corners of the afterlife, making for a comic that’s as funny as it is thoughtful.

Saints #2 ($2.99) – Another comic dealing with divine things, “Saints” deals with reincarnated saints and a larger battle. It’s always interesting to see talented voices from outside comics give comics a try, and playwright Sean Lewis really seems to be finding a nice groove in comics as he and Ben Mackey delivered a solid first issue.

Total: $15.96

Keith’s Picks: 

Klaus #1 ($3.99) – Grant Morrison is the only writer who can describe his new miniseries as “Santa Claus: Year One” and cause me to dive into it without hesitation. I love discovering artists I’m not familiar with and Dan Mora is one of them.

Paper Girls #2 ($2.99) – The first issue of this ongoing series by Brian K. Vaughn and Cliff Chiang was one of the best debuts of the year. With a twist ending involving these paper delivery girls living in the 1980s, the second issue is sure to delve deeper into the thrilling and unexpected.

Unfollow #1 ($3.99) – A thriller involving social media sounds intriguing. With promising first issues of “The Twilight Children” and “Clean Room”, Vertigo Comics could be on a roll. This series is being written by Rob Williams, who is writing the quirky and enjoyable “Martian Manhunter”. Like with “Klaus” #1, I’m looking forward to taking in Michael Dowling’s are for the first time.

Batman and Robin Eternal #5 ($2.99) – The cover of this issue teases the ending of last issue, which should cause some explosive dissent among the Robin ranks.

Midnighter #6 ($2.99) – Steve Orlando has been writing one of DC’s best new series and his love for Midnighter shows in each issue so far.

Total: $16.95 – I could have added another book in this list, so take your pick among this bunch: “Detective Comics” #46, “Justice League: Darkseid War: Superman” one-shot, or the “Justice League: Darkseid War: The Flash” one-shot.

Ken’s Picks: 

James Bond #1 ($3.99)– Okay, here’s my thing with this. Every criticism this character and franchise gets, I can’t rebut any of it. It is all accurate. “A sexist, misogynist dinosaur. A relic of the Cold War, whose boyish charms, though lost on me, obviously appealed to that young girl I sent out to evaluate you,” as M (played by Dame Judi Dench, the best M) placed it so well in Goldeneye. And yet, there’s such a camp lunacy to it that makes it my ultimate guilty pleasure. And now you have the king of insanity Warren Ellis writing it. Yes please.

Continued below

Batman & Robin Eternal #5 ($2.99)– “Grayson digs deeper into Red Robin’s true origins.” Oooooh boy this leaves me nervous considering the “origin” we got in “Teen Titans #0”. The book has been slowly winning me over, but this could make or break it.

Citizen Jack #1 ($3.99)– Everything I’ve heard about this book screams not only that it will be amazing, but incredibly relevant (which is really sad, unfortunately).

Doctor Strange #2 ($3.99)– “Doctor Strange” had the strongest launch from this All-New All-Different-But-Kinda-Not-Really thing. Bring me more!

Total- $14.96

Matt Garcia’s Picks: 

Pacific Rim: Tales from the Drift #1 ($3.99) – I guess any Pacific Rim is good Pacific Rim, especially as the movie series’s future seems murky after Crimson Peak sort of tanked at the box office (though you should see it) and Legendary can’t seem to get their shit together. Anyway, Joshua Hale Fialkov wrote this and Marcos Marz turned in the art.

Klaus #1 ($3.99) – If anything, Grant Morrison has consistently shown his ability to take a myth or a mythological figure and mold it into some new, trippy, and cool narrative. Dan Mora has this style that reminds me of, like, Skyrim, so the fantasy setting definitely seems lodged in place. There’s a lot that seems to be going for this book, but then again, there was a lot that seemed to be going for the Clive Owen vehicle, King Arthur, and I can’t say I was that into Morrison’s last holiday-themed book, “Happy!” I’m remaining cautiously optimistic.

Niobi: She is Life #1 ($3.99)– What this book represents (which we talked about here means more than the plot. I hope Stenberg and Jones are able to overcome the tropes and conventions of the genre to make something special and relateable to their audience.

James Bond #1 ($3.99) – Just in time for the upcoming movie, Dynamite puts out a new comic series, the first in like 20 years. Scripted by Warren Ellis and illustrated by Jason Masters, the storyline sounds like a classic Bond adventure.

Paper Girls #2 ($2.99) – Cliff Chiang, yo.

Total: $18.95

Kevin’s Picks:

Unfollow #1 ($3.99)– Another week and another Vertigo #1. This time the subject matter has to do with social media. Normally I would not be so thrilled, but there is a good hook here. How exactly that aspect of the story plays out, remains to be seen. For now, I think this is worth a look.

Citizen Jack #1 ($3.99)– I am a sucker for a good political themed story. Add in a little bit of horror to go with it that is a recipe for success. The aim for this book seems to be lampooning the political game, which could really use it given the current climate. And this is a timely book too with the Presidential election exactly a year from the release date.

Drax #1 ($3.99)– It is cool that Drax is getting an ongoing title, but the real draw here is who is writing it. Former WWE and current UFC superstar CM Punk is a no-brainer for this title. In conjunction with Cullen Bunn, I anticipate hard hitting action and a decent amount of humor. Let’s see what Punk can do with this title.

James Bond #1 ($3.99)– I find it hard to believe that it has been almost 20 years since James Bond had a comic run. Given how popular the films are, you would think one would have popped up. Thankfully, Warren Ellis is here to rectify that mistake with his sure to be awesome take on the character. James Bond + Warren Ellis = a happy Kevin!

Saints #2 ($2.99)– I had the pleasure of reviewing “Saints” #1 to which I was very surprised how good it was. I had one major complaint that I actually mentioned to artist Ben Mackey at NYCC ’15 this year. That pertained to the colors of the issue, which Ben attributed to “bad monitor calibration.” I have faith that has been corrected. As for the story, I am very curious to see what Sean Lewis has planned next. But I can say that Ben & Sean are very great guys who have a passion for this book.

The Vision #1 ($3.99)– Vision has always been a character in the Marvel U that I have found interesting. With this volume, it makes sense to head in the direction of him wanting to be even more human. For long time fans, this makes sense. For new readers coming in from The Avengers: Age of Ultron, it might not be a great introduction. Luckily, it appears Marvel understands this and will not make the focus squarely on Vision alone. This has an “indie book” feel much like Fraction & Aja’s Hawkeye did.

Total: $22.94 – This is a stacked week with a few other great books I did not mention. So if you feel the need to splurge a bit, this is the week in 2015 to do it.


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