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!
Happy #4 ($2.99) – Today is the day of Grant Morrison finales, but this is the one I’m most interested in. In fact, it’s the only one I’m interested in, considering I dropped “Action Comics” around the first arc. Look how cool I am, everybody! Seriously, though, “Happy” has been excellent from issue one, and a welcome return to the creator-owned front by Morrison. Plus, Darrick Robertson. Hot damn.
Black Beetle: No Way Out ($3.99) – Francesco Francavilla. Done.
Saga #10 ($2.99) – When we got the review copy of this issue, Multiversity Editor in Chief Matt Meylikhov told me he would give this episode, in his words “an F minus.” Panicked, I sped home and cracked open the .pdf to find… that it was another excellent issue. Matt is just upset about something that happens in the issue. You probably will be, too. But still, that’s good!
Mind MGMT #8 ($3.99) – Matt Kindt is, frankly, a visionary. This series keeps surprising and pushing the medium in ways it has not been pushed before. Even with the newsprint paper, this is one of the few $3.99 comics on the market that is worth every penny.
Conan the Barbarian #13 ($3.50) – On to the next arc! Brian Wood writing a story featuring two lovers on different sides of a war? There’s no way this will be a political allegory applicable to the real world!
Thief of Thieves #12 ($2.99) – While “Thief of Thieves” hasn’t been as sizzling as its first arc since James Asmus took over, Asmus has surprised me a few times with his issues. Here’s hoping he continues to impress. We don’t even have to hope that Shawn Martinbrough will continue his great work — I don’t think he could draw a bad page if he tried.
Total: $20.45 – I know, I know, we need to get better at this $20 limit. For what it’s worth, I’m one of the lesser offenders… I think.
Action Comics #17 ($3.99) – I’m a huge Grant Morrison fan, but even I can admit that “Action Comics” has been a mixed bag. There was some stuff that I really dug and some other stuff that seemed to obtuse for its own good. But hey, we’ve got another issue to go and there’s a chance that the man could tie things up brilliantly. He’s done it before. Anyhow, even the worst Grant Morrison comic is preferable to me over other books that don’t even try. After listening to Grant on the Kevin Smith podcast last week, I’m clamoring to revisit everything the guy has written. There’s no one else like him.
Wonder Woman #17 ($2.99) – Oh “Wonder Woman”, when even “Batman” #17 lets me down, you’re there to cradle me in your novelistic web of wonderful long-form storytelling.
G.I. Joe #1 ($3.99) – A relaunched G.I. Joe by Fred Van Lente and the reliable Steve Kurth. I was into the G.I. Joe relaunch when IDW first got the property back in 2009, but I eventually fell out of love with the extremely slow burn pace that things were going at. I’ve always had a soft spot for G.I. Joe and I like this creative team. I don’t know. Might be cool.
Saga #10 ($2.99) – Yadda Yadda Yadda Saga Yadda Yadda.
Thor: God of Thunder #5 ($3.99) – Jason Aaron’s “Thor” saga got off to a terrific start and while the last couple issues weren’t as wonderful as the first couple, Aaron is a typically strong finisher. I’m in on this book for the long haul and this is one of the first titles I recommend when trying to turn people on to comics and convince them that they’re more than muscly dudes in tights.
Continued belowTotal: $19.95
Locke & Key: Omega #3 ($3.99) – It’s a tough week to be number one on my list, as there are a lot of books that tickle my fancy dropping. Yet, this is the one who takes the top spot because Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez’s book is a) nearing its end, b) coming off an AMAZING issue, and c) comes out more rarely than the others. So you are my winner L&K!
Saga #10 ($2.99) – Saga! You’re a loser! Okay, that may be rough, but it’s the number two book for me this week. What else can I say about BKV and Fiona Staples’ work? It’s outrageously amazing. You have to buy this.
Happy #4 ($2.99) – I have to admit, I am very curious as to how Morrison is going to end this. I have no idea, but so far I can trust that Morrison and Robertson will, at the very least, deliver something that is tremendously entertaining.
Thor: God of Thunder #5 ($3.99) – This book has been spectacular so far, and it’s convinced me that Aaron and Ribic are a team of destiny for Thor. Plus, the God Butcher is lining up to be an all-time great Thor arc. What more could you want?
B.P.R.D. 1948 #5 ($3.50) – This is a very, very good book that doesn’t necessarily escalate this story to a huge conclusion, but man, what an artistic tour de force full of great character moments.
Total: $17.46
B.P.R.D. 1948 #5 ($3.50) – This title is worth the price of admission for Max Fiumara’s art alone – especially the heartbreaking final page.
Justice League of America #1 ($3.99) – In my head, I know this book is certain to disappoint; in my heart, I can’t not buy this book. Stargirl, Martian Manhunter, Green Arrow, Baz the Green Lantern and Hawkman form the core of this bizarrely rostered team, with Catwoman, Vibe and Katana tagging along. David Finch is not my favorite artist, but his work seems like it could fit this sort of book very, very well. Geoff Johns has it in him to make this work; I just hope this is more “JSA” than “Justice League.”
Avengers #6 ($3.99) – The final piece of the tryptic of the lesser known cosmic characters on the team focuses on the new, female Captain Universe. Adam Kubert has done a fine job on this arc of character studies and, as nice as they’ve been, it’s time to get back to some big team action.
Harbinger #9 ($3.99) – Not just my favorite Valiant book, but one of the books that worms its way into my brain most of any I’m reading. Joshua Dysart is killing it over here, folks – take notice.
Wonder Woman #17 ($2.99) – More Orion! More faux-Wesley Willis!
Total: $18.46
Happy #4 ($2.99) – Here we go, folks, the wrap-up of the Grant Morrison and Darrick Robertson team-up. Was it weird? Yep. Did it remind me a lot of Garth Ennis? Yeah, it did. Was it awesome? Undoubtedly. I can’t wait to see how this ends.
Saga #10 ($2.99) – Really? Do I even need to?
Revival #7 ($2.99) – This is fast becoming one of my most looked forward books each month and is a really underrated comic. You should check it out.
Captain Marvel #10 ($2.99) – Carol is grounded. Literally. But will that stop this book from being my hands down favourite Marvel book? Highly unlikely.
Nova #1 ($3.99) – Despite his somewhat shaky reputation the last five or so years, I remain a steadfast fan of Jeph Loeb and I can’t wait for this.
Indestructible Hulk #4/Thor: God Of Thunder #5 ($3.99) – It doesn’t matter which you get because with either you’ll be getting great action, great art and a book well worth your money.
Total: $19.94
Nova #1 ($3.99) – I don’t have any particular fondness over Nova back in the DnA days of Cosmic Marvel; at least, not as much as I do Guardians of the Galaxy. Yet, I’ll be damned if my curiosity isn’t peaked a little bit. Loeb can be a great writer, despite what some commentators choose to believe, and he and McGuinness can put together fun – albeit usually nonsensical – comics. Nova? Could be good.
Continued belowSaga #10 ($2.99) – Prepare yourselves. This issue is going to probably cause a bit of a stir.
Locke and Key: Omega #3 ($3.99) – I am dreading whatever is to come. Dreading.
Action Comics #17 ($3.99) – Grant Morrison’s last Action? Hmm. The run has honestly been a bit of a mess, but I have faith Morrison can stick the landing.
Happy #4 ($2.99) – The other Morrison finale this week. See if you can’t snap up the Frank Quitely variant while you’re at it.
Total: $17.95 – Weird mixed bag this week, but on the plus side you have left over change for a small coffee.
The Black Beetle #2 ($3.99) – You can’t really go wrong with a second helping of this deliciously orange and black pulp universe from Francesco Francavilla.
Batwoman #17 ($2.99) – The end of the batshit insane – but surprisingly fun – Wonder Woman crossover arc, and the last issue (at least for the next little while) to have J.H. Williams III on art. Sad stuff, that, so let’s all get our share of vaguely Lovecraftian awesomeness while we can.
The Hollows #3 ($3.99) – Unlike its protaganist, this lovely and odd and wonderful and weird little series is still flying below the radar, which is a shame. This is the second to last issue, and while I have no idea where things are going, they’re sure to be gorgeous and dreamlike and epic.
Revival #7 ($2.99) – How complicated is this story getting? How many unanswered questions have we got in the air so far? Why is this series so good?
Saga #10 ($2.99) – Things have been moving at a more leisurely pace lately, but Vaughan’s writing and Staples’ art are so strong – and so well matched, particularly in terms of portraying character development – that it barely feels like a break. Plus we get to check in with the very sassy Izabel this month, so that should be fun.
Thor: God of Thunder #5 ($3.99) – The last issue of an arc that we’ve been going nutzo for.
Total: $20.94. I think an extra ninety-four cents can be forgiven when a CRAZY GOOD week for comics is at hand. Check your couch cushions!
