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!
Rachel Rising #19 ($3.99) – Terry Moore is a master. The “Strangers in Paradise” omnibus just arrived on my doorstep and it has me thinking about just how good he is and the unique path that he took to get to where he is today. “Rachel Rising” is as good as anything else he’s done. It’s just so nice to see a veteran creator doing work that not only hasn’t diminished in quality at all, but actually continues to leave me awed and inspired.
Resident Alien: The Suicide Blonde #1 ($3.99) – I reviewed the #0 issue of “Resident Alien’s” second miniseries, but the real action is going to start here. “The game is afoot!”, as our hero said last issue. I, for one, can’t wait.
Locke & Key Alpha #1 ($7.99) – Two issues left and then that’s all she wrote on Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez’s “Locke & Key”. Well, maybe. Hill’s been hinting at going back to it some day in the form of one-shots or short stories, but who knows – dude’s a busy guy. Nonetheless, it’s possibly the best book on the stands right now (well, maybe next to the one that’s coming up next on my list…)
Manhattan Projects #14 ($3.50) – Nary a week goes by that a Hickman book doesn’t end up on my list. And this is his best one.
Total: $19.47
Infinity Hunt #1 ($3.99) – The main event book left me cold, but there’s no way I’ll miss this tie-in written by Matt Kindt. Seriously, if you don’t equate his name with “Guarenteed quality, buy immediately”, then you must hate comics.
Brain Boy #1 ($2.99) – Don’t let the silly name fool you, this new Dark Horse hero impressed me with his debut in “Dark Horse Presents”. I expect this book to continue the compelling intrigue.
Locke & Key Alpha #1 ($7.99) – I cannot wait to find out how this book ends, but I’m also very nervous to find out who makes it out alive. Hill and Rodriguez have done an amazing job of making these characters real.
Resident Alien: Suicide Blonde #1 ($3.99) – If you missed the first mini of this series, shame on you. If you miss the second mini then shame on…shame on…well, you can’t let yourself miss this a second time.
Green Lantern #23.2/Mongul #1 ($2.99) – Starlin’s work has been more miss than hit lately, but this is him in his element. As long as this cosmic villain doesn’t go after some omnipowerful weapon to destroy all of creation, it should be pretty darn good.
Total: $21.95 (Editor: In honor of the new NFL season beginning, I won’t throw the penalty flag on Drew for going over budget.)
Brain Boy #1 ($2.99) – When two great creators get together on a new project, it is always worth a first issue buy. Fred Van Lente and R.B. Silva both do great work, and their styles seem like they’ll be a nice complement to each other. Plus, I am a sucker for telepathy-based heroes.
Manhattan Projects #14 ($3.50) – This issue gets pretty nuts, pretty quick. And for this book, that is saying a lot.
Avengers #19 ($3.99) – The only event tie-ins ever worth buying are the ones written by the same person who is writing the event. So yeah, this’ll be worth it.
Eternal Warrior #1 ($3.99) – A Valiant #1 is an insta-buy. Throw in Greg Pak? That’s even more incentive.
Continued belowJustice League #23.2 – Lobo ($3.99) – Two reasons to buy this issue: 1) the incredible Ben Oliver on art, and 2) to see just how despicable the Lobo redesign really is.
Total: $18.46
Locke & Key: Alpha #1 ($7.99) – I have no idea if this book is oversized or just a situation where they know people will pay whatever amount they set in front of us, but I don’t care. TAKE ALL MY MONEY IDW I DO NOT CARE! I am sure this will be brilliant and sad and awesome and crazy and dammit people are going to die.
Manhattan Projects #14 ($3.50) – Jonathan Hickman and Nick Pitarra’s Manhattan Projects is one of the best comics around, and there isn’t a week where it wouldn’t make my list unless it was a crazy, crazy week. This is not one of those. Yay Manhattan Projects!
Avengers Arena #15 ($2.99) – One of the best Marvel comics around is coming to an end, and I am sure Dennis Hopeless and Kev Walker are going to give us a fitting close. Really eager to see what comes next given the close to the previous issue.
Rachel Rising #19 ($3.99) – One of the absolute best comics around, this often gets forgotten because I miss Terry Moore’s Abstract Studios when I consult ComicList. NOT THIS TIME!
Total: $18.47
East of West Vol. 1 The Promise ($9.99) – It’s a pretty light week, and for half your dollars you can get the first five issues of this fantastic Western/Apocalypse/Sci-fi mash-up from Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta. I promise you, it will be dollars well spent.
Brain Boy #1 ($2.99) – This silver-age revamp from Fred Van Lente and R. B. Silva is the latest in Dark Horse’s fledgling super hero universe. Having read it, I can tell you the book is a pretty gripping read, one that packs in story and keeps you guessing till the end. Good, fun, super heroics, no controversy required.
X-Men #5 ($3.99) – ‘Battle of the Atom’ kicked off pretty spectacularly last week, so it should be obvious that this week’s chapter 3 is basically required reading.
Pick your poison – 2D Villains Month Book ($2.99) – I wasn’t nearly as down on last week’s Villain’s month books as some of my colleagues, but I acknowledge that many were a disappointment. That said, there’s sure to be at least one book that catches your eye this week. My money is on the Greg Pak penned “Zod” issue, but I know you Snyder Bat-fans will want to check out that “Riddler” issue as well.
Total: $19.96
Locke & Key: Alpha #1 ($7.99) – No matter what the review staff may say, this is the most important book out this week, hands down. It’s the end of the world as we know it, and I do not even remotely feel close to fine.
Manhattan Projects #14 ($3.50) – Manhattan Projects has fallen off anything resembling a regular release schedule, but I still always get excited when I see it on the stands.
Low Society ($4.99) – If you can find this (I can’t confirm any shops around me are going to carry this, unfortunately), this is as close to “new Cerebus” as we’re going to get. Basically, Toronto’s Comic Lab and Rob Walton have put together a series of parody Cerebus stories starring all of the classic characters in the style of Cerebus, wrapped up in a new piece by Sim and Gerhard. As a fan of the series, this is a can’t miss; and if you’re someone who has never read the series, you’ll probably want to after seeing this.
Sons of Anarchy #1 ($3.99) – I’m a big fan of the show, so I have a fascination with this comic. I’m not really expecting anything out of it, but I’m curious as all heck.
Total: $20.47
