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!
Unwritten #39 ($2.99) – Shock and awe. Once again, I am picking “The Unwritten,” and once again it is at the top of my list. Bet you regular readers didn’t see that coming!
Adventure Time #6 ($3.99) – This is one of the most fun comics on the shelves, and one of the few $3.99 comics out that is worth every penny. The writing is great, the art is top-notch, and the backups are wonderful. On top of all of that, it is all-ages, so nobody has any excuse not to read it beyond not getting their allowance this week (and if you’re parents are withholding allowance the week that “Adventure Time” comes out, I’m sorry, but you have bad parents).
Skullkickers #16 ($3.50) – This is another one of the most fun comics on the shelves, and has been since its debut. The laughs have not stopped yet, but the past two issues have been a bit more daring than the earlier ones. How? Well, I can’t spoil that for you! Some may not have liked the revelations of the previous two issues, but to me it proved what I knew about “Skullkickers” from issue #1: there is more to this book than meets the eye.
Wonder Woman #11 ($2.99) – Sorry, haters: this is Wonder Woman as I’ve wanted her for some time. Diana doing modern super-heroics is fine in a book like “Justice League,” but when it comes to her own book, I love when the mythological aspect is played up. Brian Azzarello is doing a great job of doing just that, and is not shying away from the more uncomfortable aspects that doing so entails. Even more importantly, though, he is writing one entertaining read. That’s what matters, isn’t it?
Saga #5 ($2.99) – I will say what I bet everyone else is going to say: You are buying “Saga,” right?
Captain Marvel #1 ($2.99) – Kelly Sue DeConnick on Captain Marvel — not Ms. Marvel — had me interested. A $2.99 price tag made me on this one like sweat on oh god this analogy is to horrible to finish.
Total: $19.45
Captain Marvel #1 ($2.99) – Carol Danvers/Ms. Marvel is one of my favorite underrated characters, with the Brian Reed 50 issue run that started in 2006 being one of my favorite runs in comics in the past decade. I loved “Avenging Spider-Man” #9, so I can’t wait to see what Kelly Sue is going to do with Dex Soy.
Journey into Mystery #641 ($2.99) – The end of the title has been announced for October, and our collective hearts broke. It would be foolish to miss an issue now, now wouldn’t it?
Extermination #2 ($3.99) – Loved the first issue of the book. Si Spurrier writes a fantastic buddy (dark) comedy, and Jeffrey Edwards draws the hell out of an alien ravaged alien wasteland. What’s not to like?
BPRD Hell on Earth: The Devil’s Engine #3 ($3.50) – BPRD has had an epic spring/summer run with a mass expansion in the line, but “the Devil’s Engine” sees the official creative team moving one of the loose ends forward on a wild and intense roadtrip. This issue is certainly not one to miss if you’re a fan of the Mignolaverse.
Glory #28 ($2.99) – Joe Keatinge and Ross Campbell continue to knock it out of the park with “Glory,” one of my personal favorite comics being released right now. I mean, have you seen these covers that Campbell is putting out for the book? That in and of itself should be enough to make you want to see what’s inside — and boy, when you get there, it’s quite a trip.
Continued belowSaga #5 ($2.99) – Oh, please. As if this book needs any justification. It’s “Saga.”
Total: $19.45
Adventure Time #6 $3.99 – In my humble opinion, Adventure Time is the greatest all-ages title on the market today. Written by Ryan North, and with a rotating cast of webcomics stars on art and back-up story duties, the book has managed to capture the spirit of the show perfectly. And if there was ever a book to give to a child to introduce them to comics, this is it!
Baltimore: Dr. Leskovar’s Remedy #2 $3.50 – Baltimore is probably my favorite character in the Mignolaverse, and if you haven’t read any of his books yet, now is the perfect time to start. The first issue of this two-issue mini was the perfect introduction to the character, and the second is a no-holds-barred vampire-killing rampage!
Extermination #2 #3.99 – Si Spurrier’s post-alien-invasion hero/villain team-up book was a delight to read, due to the quality of the banter between hero Nox and evil mastermind The Red Reaper. The art by Jeffrey Edwards is pretty spectacular as well.
Mars Attacks #2 $3.99 – John Layman and John McCrea killed it in the first issue in this series based on the original Topps trading cards that inspired the Tim Burton film by the same name. IDW has been rebooting a lot of classic franchises lately, most of them quite successfully. Mars Attacks is definitely one of the winners.
Saga #5 $2.99 – I almost feel like including this on my list is a waste, since everyone should be reading this book already and I only get $20 to work with here… but the fact is, Saga is one of (if not THE) best comics coming out right now. If you only had $3 to spend, you should spend it on Saga.
Total: $18.46
Wonder Woman #11 ($2.99) – I’m really enjoying Brian Azzarello’s world-building in this series. Its cast and its plot structure reminds me of a Deadwood-esque television drama. And when Cliff Chiang isn’t taking a break from an issue, I think actual magic happens.
Unwritten #39 ($2.99) – It’s what you should have started reading after you got bored with Fables.
Daredevil #15 ($2.99) – Waid’s run has had very few lulls, but one only has to think of where Matt Murdock was before this relaunch to thank their lucky stars that its fun to read again.
X-O Manowar ($3.99)– Sort of a slow-burn, up to this point, but one that is worth supporting for the time being, as Valiant has clearly put a lot of honest to goodness effort in relaunching their line with quality over quantity.
Reset #4 ($3.50) – Peter Bagge is something of an Underground Comix hero and he’s a funny son of a gun, to boot. If you like really cynical, painfully self-deprecating humor – or if you full on hate yourself – you’ll probably be laughing your way through this book.
Saga #5 ($2.99) – Because I’d like you to tell me why you WOULDN’T spend 3 bucks every month on this.
Total: $19.45
Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre #2 ($3.99) – Holy wow, I did not expect this book to have one of my favorite #1 issues of the year, but it did. Amanda Connor and Darwyn Cooke handled every beat in the first issue perfectly, and I can’t wait to read more.
DC Universe Presents ($2.99) – Vandal Savage books get bought. ‘Nuff said.
Glory #28 ($2.99) – Joe Keatinge is doing amazing things on this book. Pick this up before his stock rises to superstar levels when his Thanos book comes out and you won’t be able to find this anywhere.
Journey into Mystery #641 ($2.99) – The damned Marvel NOW! initiative is killing this beloved book, so I’m going to be extra thankful for the last few issues. Lil’ Loki 4Ever!
Birds of Prey/Nightwing #11 ($2.99 Each) – Two really good Bat-books that both are a bit under the radar and deserve your bucks.
Continued belowTotal: $18.94
Daredevil #15 ($2.99) — The last issue ended on a positively heart breaking note, with Matt’s senses taken from him completely, even down to his radar sense. And wouldn’t you look at that: this book won a bunch of Eisner Awards over the weekend, including best continuing series! Suck it, Matt! Even if you may like it now!
Glory #28 ($2.99) — I keep saying this is one of the highlights of Liefeld’s Extreme Imprint. You should believe me now. Ross Campbell’s unique style works really well with the stylized action and his character designs are great. That’s not even mentioning the fun, if somewhat dark, story from newly minted “Thanos” scribe Joe Keatinge!
Journey Into Mystery #641 ($2.99) — Kid Loki’s book is ending, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be reading it. Check it out.
Saga #5 ($2.99) — Brian K. Vaughan, Fiona Staples, Image Comics; three of the best things IN comics. You want your fix for high fantasy and TV’s having sex? This book is for you.
Wonder Woman #11 ($2.99) — get your Greek mythology on here! Wonder Woman is the best Justice League-related book on the market and that’s due in no small part to Brian Azzarello and his stable of artists, led by the unbelievable Cliff Chiang (who just so happens to be drawing this issue too!)
Captain Marvel #1 ($2.99) — Carol has a new book, a new creative team, a new name, a new haircut, a new outfit, and what looks like a new attitude. Here’s hoping she sticks around for the long haul!
Total: $17.94
