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Comics Should Be Cheap! (6/17/2015)

By | June 16th, 2015
Posted in Columns | 5 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:

Southern Bastards #9 ($3.50) – I think I pick “Southern Bastards” every time it comes out, but it’s for good reason. The Jasons are making one of the best comics on stands, even if it is a bit to slow to come out. Coach Boss has become one of the most unexpected characters which I’ve empathized, which only speaks to how well the story is being told. With a new arc and a big game against Wetumpka, things are sure to be even worse in Craw County.

Manifest Destiny #15 ($2.99) – I still stand by this being one of the most underrated comics right now and it only gets better with each issue. Lewis and Clark exploring the Louisiana Purchase to fight monsters is such a seemingly ridiculous idea, but it’s done with just the right amount of seriousness to make “Manifest Destiny” something great.

Metaphase ($9.99) – This is something that many likely haven’t heard of, but it’s a comic with real heart. Inspired by the writer’s son, it features a superhero with Down’s Syndrome and is something definitely worth checking out.

Total: $16.48

Vince’s Picks:

Alex + Ada #15 ($3.99) – “Alex + Ada” is a comic book that feels to me like it’s been running forever, but then I look at it and see 15 issues that felt like a beautiful, affecting breeze. This was a really important book to me, because not only did it personally touch me, but it made me go back and check out some other Luna stuff I had missed over the years.

Black Canary #1 ($2.99) – The sneak peek from a few weeks ago didn’t bowl me over like I thought it would. Between the art style, the alt-rock sensibility, and the creative pedigree behind it, I was expecting something life-changing. Pretty serious, I know. Instead, what I got was something really enjoyable to read perhaps the biggest disconnect (until I read “Prez”) from the DC Comics we’ve come to expect lately. I have utmost confidence in the creators to come through, when given more than a preview to work with.

Dr. Fate #1 ($2.99) – If it feels like we’ve been pimping DC lately, you’re right, but it’s not because we’re slavishly devoted fans of the publisher. At least not all of us. Being 1/3 of the DC3 podcast notwithstanding, I’ve had a lot of problems with DC over the last 4 years. But that’s why I’m so hyped about the new books that DC is putting out and the new directions they’re willing to go in now. I’m sure when Marvel relaunches their line, we’ll have plenty to talk about, but right now I’m in a holding pattern with them. But enough about that – let’s talk about how great “Dr. Fate” looks. It’s been said that this could be DC’s “Ms. Marvel” – and that maybe so, but I’m just excited that the new direction comes along with a writer like Levitz, who knows the core character enough to take it in a new direction, while honoring the past. I guess that’s kinda the same thing “Ms. Marvel” did, too.

Prez #1 ($2.99) – My reaction after reading the sneak peek was “How in the world is DC Comics publishing this?” – and I meant that in the best way possible.

Lumberjanes #15 ($3.99) – Oh, Lumberjanes. You’re as sure a thing as there is on the comic stands today.

Total: $16.95

Keith’s Picks: 

Black Canary #1 ($2.99) – Brenden Fletcher was one of the writers who brilliantly revitalized and reinvented Batgirl and is now using his pen to change the status quo of Black Canary. Dinah Lance is now the leader of a band bearing the name of her superhero moniker. The sneak peek of this book was not only fun, but previewed the gorgeous look that artist Annie Wu is bringing to “Black Canary”. With “Batgirl”, “Gotham Academy”, and now this book, here is to hoping Fletcher is three for three in successfully expanding the Bat-Universe of books.

Continued below

Robin: Son of Batman #1 ($3.99) – Patrick Gleason is one of the best and probably one of the most underrated artists in comics. His work on “Batman and Robin” with writer Pete Tomasi was stunning in its emotional complexity and dynamo action. Gleason is given both writing and art duties with this book that will feature Damian Wayne on “globe-hopping adventures”.

Justice League of America #1 ($5.99) – This is a big week for writer/artists and this is the granddaddy of them all. Bryan Hitch is writing and doing the art for a book featuring the same big league Leaguers as the “Justice League” book but is definitely bringing his own distinct artistic style to these legends. It will be interesting to see how he is as a writer and we’ll get an extra-sized sample of his writing with this hefty-sized first issue.

Martian Manhunter #1 ($2.99) – J’onn J’onnz has always been a Justice League supporting player who has never kept an ongoing comic for very long. There is so much story potential with this character and last month’s sneak peek had some intriguing teases for where writer Rob Williams and the very talented artist Eddy Barrows could take the Martian Manhunter.

Prez #1 ($2.99) – The adventures of the first teenaged president of the United States sounds like an idea ripe for satire and parody. It’s refreshing to see DC continuing to take risks with books like this revamp of an obscure and very short lived 1970s title created by Joe Simon and Jerry Grandenetti. Writer Mark Russell has been very enthusiastic about this twelve issue miniseries in interviews and the sneak peek art by Ben Caldwell promises fun and inventive artwork that will hopefully match the story’s tone and execution.

Total: $18.95

Matt Garcia’s Picks: 

Mad Max: Fury Road – Furiosa ($4.99) – The next in the series of Mad Max prequel comics. I don’t care if this is a Wikipedia article with pictures like the first tie-in, because Furiosa.

MIND MGMT #34 ($3.99) – Just strap yourselves in because you’re in Matt Kindt’s hands now and he’s killing it with these last issues.

The Fiction #1 ($3.99) – David Rubin did strong work with “The Rise of Aurora West,” and he and Curt Pires might have been enough for me to pay attention to this book, but the stories-into-other-dimensions premise throws this into the excitement level.

Ei8ht ($3.50) – Albuquerque has turned in a fun, vibrant, and roller coaster story so far. I’m interested to see how it’s going to end.

Lumberjanes #15 ($3.99) – Stevenson, Watters, and Allen delve deeper into the Lumberjanes’s history/mythology. Also, it’s “Lumberjanes” and I’m not not going to recommend this book.

Total: $20.46. I think I can dig up an extra couple quarters for this week.

Brian’s Picks:

B.P.R.D. #132 ($3.50) – The heartbreaking Johann-centric arc continues in a book that should be selling 10 times what it does.

Prez #1 ($2.99) – This is actually a book DC is publishing – I can hardly believe it.

Martian Manhunter #1 ($2.99) – The “Divergence” preview had me very interested, and I’ve generally enjoyed the superhero work that Rob Williams has done in the past, so I’m excited. It has been insanely long since there was a Martian Manhunter ongoing, and I’m glad to see DC finally rectifying that.

Dr. Fate #1 ($2.99) – The most interesting pairing of creators in this entire relaunch is Paul Levitz and Sonny Liew. I cannot wait to see what they have in store.

Black Canary #1 ($2.99) – I have hope that this won’t be a “Batgirl” retread – prove me correct, Fletcher and Wu!

God Hates Astronauts #9 ($3.50) – The most consistently funny comic on the stands.

Total: $18.96

Jess’ Picks:

Dr. Fate #1 ($2.99): I have high hopes for this book. Most, if not all, of DC’s series feature heroes who have been at this for a while. Either that, or they’re on a big name team, like the current Power Ring. “Dr. Fate” gives DC the chance to do something new from the ground up but what will make or break this series is if Levitz and Liew can balance the mysticism with real life challenges.

Continued below

Black Canary ($2.99): This one makes me nervous. I am worried this will be too “Batgirl” and not enough Black Canary. The rock star angle could be interesting but what I want from a Black Canary series is crime fighting and martial arts. I am all for making characters more accessible for a new audience but I do hope this doesn’t drive me, a long time fan, away.

Alex + Ada #15 ($3.99) : “Alex + Ada” has been one of the best and most consistent series over the last year. I’m very sad it’s ending but fifteen issues is a really nice amount of time to tell this single story. After last issue, I can’t possibly guess how this story ends but I’m excited to find out.

Southern Bastards #9 ($3.50): We’ve learned the story of Coach Boss but now it’s time to get back to the here and now. Jason Aaron and Jason Latour are doing big, popular properties in “Star Wars” and “Spider-Gwen” but this series is where they truly shine.

Runaways #1 ($3.99) : Brian K. Vaughn is my favorite comic creator of all time and this property is his creation. I will be critical with this one but I think Noelle Stevenson has the ability to do something really cool with these characters within the “Secret Wars” event. Her work on “Lumberjanes” has been a blast and it shows that she understands young voices.

Prez #1 ($2.99): This is unlike anything DC has ever published. Trust me, you want this.


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