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!
Punk Rock Jesus #1 ($2.99) – Fact: Sean Murphy is one of the best artists in the industry. There are some areas where opinion does not actually come into play, and that is one of them. Sorry I am not sorry. I know little regarding the series’s concept beyond what the title suggests, but you know what? I am fine with that. Murphy is one of the few artists whose work I will buy regardless of who the writer is — that being the case, you can be sure I will buy something that he is both writing and drawing.
The Massive #2 ($3.50) – The first issue of “The Massive” was an incredibly promising start, and — spoilers — this issue is just as good. While I am mainly buying it because “DMZ” converted me into a diehard Brian Wood fan, Kristian Donaldson’s art is looking better than it ever has before. The level of detail Donaldson brings to each page is astounding, and doubly so considering the fact that he accomplishes it without any of his pages looking the slightest bit busy. From writer, to artist, to colorist, to letterer, this is one of those comic dream teams that can’t help but turn everything they touch to gold.
American Vampire: Lord of Nightmares #2 ($2.99) – The latest issue of the “American Vampire” ongoing did not fill me with hope, and the previous two-part story was a bit dull, but hot damn was the first issue of “Lord of Nightmares” amazing. It’s a rare day indeed when you see Dustin Nguyen working on something that does not involve Batman, and rarer still when the comic is not company-owned. Both in terms of the writing and the art, this miniseries already looks like it might compare to the truly fantastic “Survival of the Fittest” — no easy praise, since the previously lauded Sean Murphy was that book’s illustrator.
Enormous ($9.99) – $9.99? Isn’t this supposed to be “Comics Should Be Cheap?” What’s with the big price tag? Well, “Enormous” is enormous in the literal sense; this is probably the physically largest comic you will have purchased in quite some time – in terms of width and height, at least. With Multiversity’s main man Tim Daniel using all this space to draw giant monsters, you know that is going to be space well spent.
Total: $19.47
Enormous #1 ($9.99) — This book is a huge, gorgeous, well written epic from our friend Tim Daniel. Tim has done some absolutely amazing design work for us (look at that sweet Comics Should Be Cheap banner up above), and proves himself to be just as capable a writer as he is a designer. This is well worth your ten bucks.
Punk Rock Jesus #1 ($2.99) — I like Punk Rock! I like Jesus! I like comics! What could possibly go wrong?
The Shade #10 ($2.99) — I was really down on this book for the first few issues, but ever since the Shade has found himself traveling outside of Opal, the story has improved. Frazier Irving is a delight on pencils, and James Robinson loves to write his Shade stories. As this mini wraps up in a few months, I’m interested to see where the Shade fits into the DCnU, if he does at all.
The Massive #2 ($3.50) — Brian Wood’s environmental epic is one of the most promising new series this year. Kristian Donaldson’s art has been nothing short of magnificent, and the story is plausible enough to be scary.
Continued belowTotal: $19.47
Avenging Spider-Man #9 ($3.99) — It’s the debut of Carol Danvers as Captain Marvel! Not only is this issue and arc written by the new Capt. Carol book, but it’s illustrated by the amazing Terry Dodson!
Chew: Secret Agent Poyo #1 ($3.50) — It’s Poyo! Chew’s breakout chicken finally gets a book of his own and you know you want to read it.
New Mutants ($2.99) — Yay! New Mutants! This is a great week for X-Men fans. There are no less than three stellar X-Men books coming out this week, and two of them make my list. New Mutants is the first and it deserves its spot. DnA are telling a fun story and have even brought back some of the original New Mutants! What’s not to love?
Spider-Men #3 ($3.99) — Peter and Miles continue their adventure throughout the Ultimate Universe. They were the most logical choice to cross over and it’s been a hit so far! Pick it up!
Uncanny X-Force #27 ($3.99) — This book has been consistently one of the best team books on the market. You should be reading it. I love it, and not just because I love Psylocke.
Total: $18.46
If you have more than $20, say…$30, for instance, to spend you should totally pick up Enormous #1 ($9.99), Damn these $20 limits!
Enormous ($9.99) – We’ve written a lot about Enormous on the site (see this week’s “Pick of the Week” selection for more), but it all boils down to this: Enormous is enormous fun, and I absolutely recommend it.
Defenders #8 ($3.99) – McKelvie! McKelvie! McKelvie!
The Walking Dead #100 ($3.99) – Oh, who are we kidding here? If you aren’t getting “The Walking Dead” #100, you might as well just wear a t-shirt that reads “I H8 Comix” on your way to your local shop this week. Shit’s about to get real. Ed note: By that logic, the three preceding writers must hate comics!
Total: $17.97 – Tough week for those with only $20. Use the last few dollars to invest in a lottery ticket to hopefully be able to afford the plethora of great stuff out this week.
