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!
Keith’s Picks:
Batman #44 ($3.99) — The best series around has worthy guest creators contributing to the latest issue. Brian Azzarello joins Scott Snyder as co-writer to help tell the origin of the new villain, Mr. Bloom, through flashbacks. As an additional treat, we also get Jock as guest artist. This run of James Gordon as Batman has been exceptional so far.
Justice League United #13 ($3.99) — Stargirl! Steel! Robotman! Batgirl! Vandal Savage! The rotating team of the Justice League United gains an intriguing bunch for the new story arc. And if there has to be a guest artist, then artist Paul Pelletier (who was excellent with “Justice League United” writer Jeff Parker on “Aquaman”) is a perfect choice to fill in for regular artist Travel Foreman.
Virgil ($9.99) — “Midnighter” writer Steve Orlando writes a graphic novel about a gay Jamaican cop who is outed and out for revenge in this graphic novel. I’ve enjoyed “Midnighter” immensely and look forward to soaking up JD Faith’s art. From what I’ve seen, it looks gorgeous.
Total: $17.97. There’s a bunch more books to be excited for this week, but these stood out among the many.
Mark’s Picks:
Harrow County #5 ($3.99) — This issue kicks of the second arc “Twice Told”. In many ways this issue is a departure in tone from the previous arc, but that’s part of the fun of it. I can’t praise Cullen Bunn and Tyler Crook’s comic enough. It’s my favourite comic at the moment, and I simply can’t get enough of it. If you’re new to the series, this one covers enough of the previous arc to get you up to speed, but I recommend picking them up anyway. There’s great stuff in there.
Head Lopper #1 ($5.99) — Andrew Maclean has been self-publishing “Head Lopper” since 2013, but now the series has found a home at Image Comics, resulting in a double-sized issue with eighty story pages and a pin-up gallery. This massive first issue collects the two previous self-published chapter of “Head Lopper”, plus one new chapter.
I loved Maclean’s “ApocalyptiGirl: An Aria for the End Times”, so this is a no-brainer. Plus the concept of a bigger issues coming out quarterly instead of monthly is rather appealing to me.
Abe Sapien #26 ($3.50) — This series can be a bit hit and miss for me, but this latest arc “The Shadow Over Suwanee” has been a joy to read. Sebastián Fiumara steals the show with his art in this issue. He pushed himself in some interesting directions, and it paid off. Plus the last little teaser at the end has me very anxious for future installments.
Total: $13.48. I did it. I finally stayed under $20.
Ken’s Picks:
Descender – Volume One: Tin Stars ($9.99) — This tale that Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen have forged is the classic tale of a boy and his dog meets “Mass Effect” and it is at once adorable and terrifying. Plus: All the world building that is done in six issues is astonishing. Catch up for the return of the book in November.
Journey to Star Wars: The Force Awakens: Shattered Empire #1 ($3.99) — It’s run-on title and abuse of colons aside, while Marvel has had some problems with their superhero comics, their Star Wars line has been firing on all cylinders. Now we have our first comic look into the Star Wars universe post-Battle of Endor. And we have the magnificent talent of Greg Rucka and the highly underrated Marco Checchetto teaming up for the first time since “Punisher”. It’s gonna be sweet!
Continued belowGotham Academy #10 ($2.99) — Currently the best young adult book DC is doing. (Yes, better than Batgirl. Deal with it.)
Ninjak #7 ($3.99) — I will admit, Ninjak when first introduced didn’t appeal to me. But now that he’s solo, I have become more intrigued in not only him, but the world that Kindt has been building up these last six issues. Plus, that cover is so creepy.
Total: $20.96. Went a little over, I know. Treat yo’ self.
Matt’s Picks:
Tyson Hesse’s Diesel #1 ($3.99) — Even if I wasn’t a sucker for a.) Boom! Box’s output or b.) oddball fantasy adventures, Tyson Hesse has done some baller work on “Adventure Time” and “Gumball” and his webcomic, “Boxer Hockey” (which is about characters playing hockey in their underwear—with frogs as the pucks). Expect the same level of humor, weirdness, and energy from this.
Head Lopper #1 ($5.99) — Andrew MacLean, who’s “ApocalyptiGirl” was a real stunner from earlier this year, brings his adventure comic to Image, in these oversized, quarterly editions. It’s crazy.
The Wicked + the Divine #14 ($3.50) — Jamie McKelvie and Matt Wilson turn their attention to WicDiv this month to deliver what Kieron Gillen is calling the most complicated and experimental thing he’s ever attempted. Those are some pretty strong words, yo. I can’t wait to see where this goes.
Catwoman #44 ($2.99) — This is shaping up to be the best Catwoman book since Darywn Cooke and Ed Brubaker were in charge. And one of the more outstanding entries in DC’s recent line.
Total: $16.47.
Greg’s Picks:
Atomic Robo and the Ring of Fire #1 ($3.99) — New “Atomic Robo” series! New “Atomic Robo” series! Now that Robo and the fightin’ scientists of Tesladyne have moved over to their new publisher IDW, it’s time for another mini-series. I think this is volume 10 in the series, but the beauty of “Atomic Robo” is that it’s one of the most new reader-friendly books on the stands. Have no fear about coming in with this issue; I guarantee you won’t regret it!
Star Wars: Shattered Empire #1 ($3.99) — I’m not 100% sure I got the title right on this one, but just look for the Star Wars comic by GREG RUCKA on the shelf and you’ll be fine. He gets to re-team with his “Punisher” cohort Marco Checchetto and tell us what went down right after the last chorus of Nub Nub died down on Endor after the second Death Star blew up in Return of the Jedi. The Emperor is dead, what could possibly go wrong?
Batman #44 ($4.99) — Capullo & Snyder are killing it on this title. Just killing it, so I can’t wait to see what they bring to the table this… Wait a sec… You don’t spell Capullo J-O-C-K! Ohhhh, this looks like a special issue in their run with a guest artist that Snyder worked magic with all the way back during his Bat-Grayson run on “Detective Comics”. Ahhhh, I see. Well, if you’re not going to have Capullo this month, getting Jock is certainly a different but welcome flavor. I could do without the $5 price tag, tho…
Head Lopper #1 ($5.99) — DC gives you 20 to 22 pages of story for 5 bucks, but Andrew MacLean serves up 80 pages of story PLUS a pinup gallery for the first issue of “Head Lopper” over at Image this week for 6 bucks! Granted, this is going to be a quarterly comic and some of that material has appeared elsewhere I think, but its all new to me! Plus there’s a Rafael Grampa variant cover! What’s the actual book about? Couldn’t really tell you; trying to go into this one completely cold, although I know there’s a huge-ass barbarian of some decapitating variety involved.
Total: $18.96.
Brian’s Picks:
Head Lopper #1 ($5.99) — Andrew MacLean is a beast of an artist, and this book is dope. DOPE, I say.
Justice League United #13 ($3.99) — The best team book DC is putting out and, outside of “B.P.R.D.,” the best team book in all of comics at the moment.
Continued belowPhonogram: The Immaterial Girl #2 ($3.99) — Five more times.
Shattered Empire #1 ($3.99) — When this book was announced, I was sort of excited—somehow, it is now the most anticipated book of the week for me. Damn you, Lucasfilm and your hold on my heart!
Star Trek/Green Lantern #3 ($3.99) — A super fun crossover continues – a really interesting mix of superheroics, sci-fi, and swashbuckling adventure.
Total: $21.95. I’m a baaaaad lil’ boy
