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!
Vince’s Picks:
Dark Horse Presents #1 ($4.99) – A newly relaunched anthology book. A new price point. All the same quality you’d expect from Dark Horse Comics and their frequent flyer creatives. “Big Guy and Rusty” is the big deal highlight here, but there’s so much more in store.
The Multiversity #1 ($4.99) – Grant Morrison can do whatever he wants to with a comic book and I’ll show up with cash in hand, every time. I’m guessing, as was the case with “Seven Soldiers”, “The Multiversity” will have more ideas on one of its pages than some comics have in entire issues.
Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland #1 ($3.99) – “Little Nemo” is a true treasure of comics history. More and more, it’s easy to be cynical when approaching relaunches/remakes/returns of intellectual property that has long since passed its expiration date. While the Winsor McCay strips are timeless, it’s tough to see any new approach to them being as potent. That said, if anyone is going to do it, it’ll be this creative team.
The Fade Out #1 ($3.50) – I’m of the opinion that Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips are only getting stronger as a collaborative team. “Fatale” is my favorite thing that they’ve done and I can even see “The Fade Out” topping it.
Total: $17.47
Matt’s Picks:
The Multiversity #1 ($4.99) – I mean, come on.
Total: $4.9– Huh? What do you mean, I need to pick more? You mean, like, a ton of “The Multiversity” variants or something? … Wait, other books come out this week? Huh. Could’ve fooled me. Well, alright, I guess.
Dark Horse Presents #1 ($4.99) – The relaunched/re-imagined “Dark Horse Presents” is off to a great start, because let me tell you: I’ve gotten a look at this issue’s offerings and it is astounding. New “Big Guy and Rusty?” YOU GOT IT! New “Kabuki?” YOU GOT IT!” New “Resident Alien” and “Sabretooth Swordsman?” My friends, this isn’t even the entirety of the issue. You need to get it.
Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland #1 ($3.99) – I have a big affection for McCay’s Little Nemo character, and I’ll willingly look at any homage to him. That Gabriel Rodriguez illustrates this book is just icing on an already prospectively delicious cake to me, as I’d read the phone book if Rodriguez illustrated that. I mean, come on.
Stray Bullets: Killers #6 ($3.50) – There never will come a week that this book comes out that I don’t insist on it being a pick of the week, in my pull and yours. David Lapham continues to excel with every issue, and this is by far the one book that it boggles my mind more people aren’t excitedly ranting and raving about it every week it comes out.
Trees #4 or Supreme: Blue Rose #2 ($2.99) – You get your pick of Warren Ellis books this week. Either the phenomenal “Trees,” illustrated by Jason Howard in a style that almost completely reinvents him as an artist, or “Supreme: Blue Rose,” Ellis’ Supreme re-imagining by the highly imaginative and exceedingly talented Tula Lotay. Either way, you win.
Total: $20.46 – See what happens when you make me keep going? You did this.
David Harper’s Picks:
The Fade Out #1 ($5.99) – Before you freak, no, this is not the regular price. This comic is $3.50 for the regular copy, but for once, I am getting a variant. Or I hope to at least. The Movie Memorabilia Replica cover to this book is something I love, and it’s oversized and has 8 extra pages of process stuff, so I am all for it. Oh, and this is a new comic from Brubaker, Phillips and Breitweiser, and I’ve read it and it is amazing. So, you know…get this comic.
Continued belowThe Multiversity #1 ($4.99) – Don’t kill me, but I don’t love Morrison’s DC work. Specifically, I was not fond of “Final Crisis”, the event comic that is the ancestor of this new title. But with Ivan Reis art and Morrison’s extremely great potential (and the name), I gotta check it out, right?
The Wicked + The Divine #3 ($3.50) – Ugh, boring. A comic that is THREE ISSUES OLD already? Might as well be three hundred issues old, am I right? Oh just kidding. This comic absolutely rules. Gillen, McKelvie, Wilson, Cowles and the rest are crushing it on this, a book that’s equal parts fun and fascinating. And what a beautiful book it is too!
Ms. Marvel #7 ($2.99) – I don’t mean to overstate things, but this comic might be the most fun comic around. Well, it’s definitely in the top two at least, but G. Willow Wilson and artist friends like Jake Wyatt and Adrian Alphona have made a book that is a good time to read and filled with great character moments. Love me some Kamala, and I’m looking forward to the finale of her first team-up.
Total: $17.47 – a small week of expensive comics, but it is a great week potentially.
Brandon’s Picks:
New Avengers #23 ($3.99) – The current arc has been awesome. The last issue was one of my favorite reads of the year. The way these heroes have fallen so spectacularly has been so deftly executed that it all seems feasible. It’s been a very slippery slope and it’s been a fun one to watch the characters slide down. I am also very interested to see where this issue leaves off before it moves into the future next issue. Lots to look forward to here.
The Multiversity #1 ($4.99) – I’m not going to lie and say I’ve been waiting for this book for years like some. When it was announced I thought it would be great since I had loved 52 and wanted to see the multiverse explored. As time passed I really became less jazzed as it seemed we’d never actually see it. Once it was a for sure thing I was fairly ambivalent to be frank. In the last month though we’ve seen the multiverse map released and those greats multi-page ads in the back of DC books showing previous stories like Final Crisis and 52. Now those have me excited. I am very interested to see where this goes and what it means for DC as a whole.
Teen Titans #2 ($2.99) – Was the last issue the best #1 ever? Nah. Was it the best Teen Titans issue i’ve ever read? Nope. Was it enjoyable? I thought so. I really enjoyed Kenneth Rocafort’s art and thought Will Pfeifer had a better handle on what TT should be than what little I read of the last volume of the series. So while there is room for improvement, as a TT fan, I prefer to embrace the hopeful upside of the title. It’s worth it to check out the first arc at the very least for me.
TMNT Annual 2014 ($7.99) – Kevin Eastman doing the art and writing chores for a Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle book. Here’s my fucking money!
Total: $19.96
Brian’s Picks:
The Multiversity #1 ($4.99) – Our namesake, our greatest hope: bring it home, Grant Morrison.
The Saviors #5 ($2.99) – There is nothing I don’t like about “The Saviors” – it is totally unlike either creator’s previous work, and yet embraces some of their key traits that made them the beloved talents they are.
The Life After #2 ($3.99) – Last month’s #1 was one of the most surprising and fun debut issues of the year. Gabo is going to be a name you won’t be forgetting anytime soon.
B.P.R.D. #122 ($3.50) – The best comic on the shelves? The best comic on the shelves.
Total: $15.47
James’ Picks:
The Wicked + The Divine #3 ($3.50) – Oh hey, I recommended “The Wicked + The Divine”. What a shock.
Continued belowReally though, WicDiv has quickly become one of my favorite comics and my go-to recommendation for anyone who wants to get into comics. If you’re not already caught up then… bruh? What’s your deal? Baphomet’s in this issue and trust me, Baphomet is the new sexy.
Secret Avengers #7 ($3.99) – Kot and Walsh’s “Secret Avengers” has easily been one of the most violent, quirky, and meta comics Marvel’s put out in a while. So of course Deadpool starts his guest-star role with this week’s issue. As a huge fan of Deadpool, and someone who isn’t a fan of his overexposure, I’m excited to see him broing it out with Hawkeye. Plus, with MODOK and Maria Hill’s machinations, Kot and Walsh have crafted one hell of a thriller.
New Avengers #23 ($3.99) – “New Avengers” has been bonkers lately. After an alright “Infinity” tie-in and some mucking about, The Illuminati have been tackling that incursion problem head on in some very dire ways. Please support this book, if only so we’ll one day get a “Namor: Imperius Rex” series from Hickman.
Multiversity #1 ($4.99) – Good luck googling our site for the next few months.
Total: $16.47
Drew’s Picks:
Umbral #8 ($2.99) – Great world building. Great characters. Great artwork. This book is everything a fantasy story should be, and you should be reading it.
Super Secret Crisis War: the Grimm Adventures of Bill and Mandy #1 ($3.99) – I’m way behind in reading this crossover, but my wife and daughter assure me it’s perfect.
Daredevil #7 ($3.99) – The crossover with “Original Sin” felt like a really awkward way of launching the current arc, but I’m excited to see where its going. Waid and his artists always deliver entertainment.
Simpsons #214 ($2.99) – Speaking of entertainment, every book from Bongo is so consistently good, I’ve run out of ways to say you should read them. I always save these books for last, because I like to end my comic reading with a laugh.
Total: $13.96
David Henderson’s Picks:
The Multiversity #1 ($4.99) – I’m still awaiting the moment that we all wake up from the collective hallucination that this book is coming out because I refuse to believe it is real. Saying that, as hyped as I am to finally read this, I worry that with each issue solicited Morrison is going too gimmicky with this one. Then again, “Final Crisis” is my favourite comic book so what do I know.
Storm #2 ($3.99) – Hey, guess what. This book is really good. With just one issue Greg Pak and Victor Ibanez proved that they could take Storm to places that could make this series the new big thing at Marvel. All hail the second coming of Pak.
The Wicked + The Divine #3 ($3.50) – In two issues this series has grabbed me more than the entirety of “Young Avengers” ever did. For that, I’m glad I’m finally getting to experience the millenial worship of Gillen and McKelvie that James goes through each month.
The Empty Man #3 ($3.99) – There have been some surprisingly good horror comics come out this year and easily in the top five is this one from Cullen Bunn and Vanesa R. Del Rey. If Del Rey doesn’t become a sought out artist by pretty much everyone after this, I will be surprised.
Total: $16.47 – Unless you have an extra $0.46 for “Elektra” #6.
Zach’s Picks:
The Multiversity #1 ($4.99) – I’m going to be honest, this is really the only book I have eyes for this week. I’ll probably read this thing a dozen times before I even think of picking up another book. I would recommend you take your $20, buy a copy for yourself and three more for your closest friends/family members/strangers on the street. Of course, I think Vince would be sad at me if I did that. So, I guess I’ll pick some other books too. But seriously, buy this book.
Adventure Time #31 ($3.99) – I enjoy this book every single time I pick it up. Can this issue top the perfect “10” I gave last issue? Who knows? Number ratings are super arbitrary, but this book is undeniably fun.
Continued belowThe Fade Out #1 ($3.50) – “Fatale” is on its way out, and “The Fade Out” is gearing up to take its place as the gorgeous and classy noir book every one talks about. Plus, those sweet Bettie Breitweiser colors.
Supreme: Blue Rose #2 ($2.99) – If “The Multiversity” doesn’t satiate your craving for esoteric comic book mind-effs, then maybe this will do the trick.
Total: $15.47
Greg’s Picks:
The Saviors #5 (2.99) – I was just about to send a search party out to look for this book. Bone brings his style to a more mature book and continues to establish himself outside of Darwyn Cooke’s shadow, while Robinson gets to flex a few muscles of his own. Glad to have you back, fellas.
Dark Horse Presents #1 (4.99) – Third time’s the charm on this one. Although successfully relaunched back in 2011, this perennial award-winner never quite seemed to catch fire with a readership the way it should have given the talent involved. Maybe it was the $8 price point; even though that was for a monthly of at least 80 ad-free pages, I can see how some of you might balk at that. But this volume is cheaper and still a decent chunk of pages per issue. So buy it now and be able to tell your friends you were reading all their future favorites before they were.
The Fade Out #1 (3.50) – We covered this book on podcasts and in site interviews. Why? Because it’s awesome. It’s Brubaker/Phillips/Breitweiser. It’s noir. It’s a no-brainer.
Little Nemo: Return to Slumberland #1 (3.99) – I haven’t read “Locke & Key”, so while I recognize the name of artist Gabriel Rodriguez, I don’t have a clear mental ‘file photo’ of his art style. But if it’s anything like what he’s bringing to this book, I’m going to go buy all the trades tomorrow. While the Locust Moon HC is still the belle of the ball when it comes to Nemo product this year, the team of Rodriguez and writer Eric Shanower do Windsor McCay a huge tribute by making this book as gorgeous and imaginative as it looks.
Storm #2 (3.99) – I’m kinda particular when it comes to my Claremont-era X-characters (feel free to check out the Bendis X-Men episode of Robots From Tomorrow to hear me express my … enthusiasm). In particular, I’ve never felt that Storm was really given the right amount of spotlight or voice since those days when she had no powers but still lead the X-Men and could keep Wolverine from gutting some fool who clearly deserved it simply by her force of personality. We don’t quite see that Storm here, but Pak did such a great job with the first issue that I feel like I’m catching up with an old friend. We’ve both changed, but the core is still there.
Total: $19.46
Dodge’s Picks:
The Multiversity #1 ($4.99) – Grant. Morrison.
Sensation Comics Featuring Wonder Woman #1 ($3.99) – As the only member of the DC Trinity without a second solo book, Wonder Woman deserves another spot on the shelf. The lack of emphasis on continuity could be a huge asset to the series, and provide solid one shot stories from some great creators.
The Fade Out #1 ($3.50) – The exclusive deal that Ed Brubaker and Sean Philips made with Image was huge news in the comics world. Their first project since the announcement has all the makings of prestige series.
Daredevil #7 ($3.99) – Yes it’s an ‘Original Sin’ tie-in, but Mark Waid and Chris Samnee got me every month and they know it.
Total: $16.47
