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!
Sin Titulo HC ($19.99) – I fell in love with Cameron Stewart’s Gotham City stints – namely his sleek work on Brubaker’s “Catwoman” and Morrison’s “Batman and Robin.” By now I’ve gone back and familiarized myself with most of what he’s done and I have to say, “Sin Titulo” is his most essential work if you’re a fan of his. His cape comics may be pretty, but this work comes more squarely from his heart. Sure, you can get all of “Sin Titulo” for free here – where it was originally run as a web comic, but then you wouldn’t have that gorgeous Dark Horse Hardcover on your shelf to brag about and pass around.
Total: $19.99
MIND MGMT #15 ($3.99) – Astounding character work, emotionally-resonating art, and a plot so deep it could swallow Mt Everest. If you still need to be convinced to buy this book, there’s something wrong with you. Just buy it already.
Green Lantern #23.4: Sinestro ($2.99) – No, not every villain month book has been great. Some aren’t even close to being good. But this one’s Sinestro and Matt Kindt. That’s a winning combination.
Powerpuff Girls #1 ($3.99) – I probably won’t actually be reading this one, but both my wife and oldest daughter are looking forward to it.
Dark Horse Presents #28 ($7.99) – Will this book be 100% good? Probably not. Will it be good enough to justify the cover price? You bet. There’s a reason this thing keeps winning anthology awards.
Total: $18.96
Itty Bitty Hellboy #2 ($3.50) – Aw yeah!
Justice League of America #7.4: Black Adam or Batman and Robin #23.4: Killer Croc or Green Lantern 23.4: Sinestro or Wonder Woman #23.2: First Born or Batman/Superman #3.1: Doomsday ($3.99 each) – Take your pick of a Villains Month title; Black Adam is my personal favorite villain of all time – Sinestro is #2. The Croc story is the first DC work by Tim Seeley, and should celebrated for that reason alone. Greg Pak writing Doomsday might actually make the character compelling. And Brian Azzarello is penning the First Born issue, so it’ll be closer in tone to the series than the Cheetah issue was. Pick one.
Rat Queens #1 and Sex Criminals #1 ($3.50 each) – This isn’t an either/or, this is a both purchase. New Image #1s from solid creators with interesting premises? Why wouldn’t you buy these, ya goof?
Avengers #20 ($3.99) – “Infinity” rolls on. The “Avengers” tie-ins haven’t been as universally great as the “New Avengers” ones have been, but they have still added quite a bit to the overall story.
Total: $18.48
Sex Criminals #1 ($3.50) – Everyone is going to be talking about this book, and for good reason. It’s fun, witty, gorgeously drawn, with a killer high concept. Check one more win in the Matt Fraction column.
Jupiter’s Legacy #3 ($2.99) – I had a few misgivings over the first two issues, but Millar and Quitely go all out in issue #3 in a way that can only be admired. If the series hasn’t won you over yet, this issue might change that. Besides, the issue is worth it based on Quitely’s art alone.
East of West #6 ($3.50) – “East of West” just keeps getting better and better, especially in light of last issue’s major revelations. The first trade, containing issues #1-5, is still hot from the presses, making this the perfect time to get on board.
Continued belowSaga #14 ($2.99) – Do I really need to sell you on this?
Wolverine and the X-Men #36 ($3.99) – Bendis’ and Wood’s contributions to ‘Battle of the Atom’ have great, but I’ve been most excited to see what Jason Aaron and the Jean Grey students brings to this fantastic crossover.
One more 2-D Villains Month book for the road ($2.99) – The final week of Villain’s month has the very real possibility of being the best one yet. With a list of talent including the likes of Brian Azzarello, Greg Pak, Tim Seeley, Geoff Johns, Dale Eaglesham, and Aaron Kuder, it might be hard to pick just one book. Of course, you could always just buy a copy of “Joker’s Daughter,” sell it on eBay, and have enough cash to buy the rest!
Total: $19.96+
Sex Criminals #1 ($3.50) – I’ve written extensively about why this book is great, so just go get it. If you don’t, Chip Zdarsky will show up at your house in a Garfield onesie and a bottle of absinthe. And he won’t share the absinthe. You’ll just have to see what happens after he shotguns it.
Rat Queens #1 ($3.50) – The other big debut from Image this week, Rat Queens is a fun, funny book that fans of Skullkickers will love. And I mean that not just in the sense that if you’ve ever played a DnD campaign you’ll get a kick out of this book, but rather if you’ve never really been able to get into fantasy books and needed a smart and humorous take to get you in, then this is the book for you.
Mysterious Strangers #4 ($3.99) – I wasn’t fully sold on this book until issue #3. Now I’m in, hook, line and sinker. You should be too.
Jupiter’s Legacy #3 ($2.99) – I had and have a lot of reservations about this series, but I keep reading it for the art. Yet, I’ll be damned if I don’t note that this is perhaps the best issue yet, if only because it seems Millar and Quitely have finally gotten to “the point” of the series. I’m honestly a bit intrigued as to see what is next.
Saga #14 ($2.99) – Wait, what? You actually need a reason to buy the latest issue of Saga? Come on.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #26 ($3.99) – With Mateus Santolouco on art, this book has literally never been better. Honestly. Firing on all of the cylinders and then some. If cylinders could be turned up to 11, Santolouco would’ve done just that.
Total: $20.96 – I DO NOT UNDERSTAND HOW THE CORE PRINCIPAL OF THIS COLUMN WORKS APPARENTLY SO I HOPE YOU HAVE CHANGE IN YOUR COUCH CUSHIONS
East of West #6 ($3.50) – Image is having a huge year, like they have been for the past few years, but you can’t find any better proof of that than right here. Hickman and Dragotta rule, and I’m so happy that Image has unleashed them.
Young Avengers #19 ($2.99) – Gillen. McKelvie. Style. Substance. Comics. Awesomeness. Tumblr. #YOLYA
Sex Criminals #1 ($3.50) – I have honestly no idea what to expect from this book, besides batshit craziness from Fraction and Zdarsky. I feel like that won’t be hard for them to deliver on.
Saga #14 ($2.99) – Ho hum. More Saga. It’s had a good second year, not a dynamite one like their debut. Here’s hoping this goes back to the insane awesomeness we’ve come to expect from it.
Revival #14 ($2.99) – No book has risen more in my estimation in 2013 than Revival, which elevated from a decent start to find a home as one of the preeminent horror comics around.
Nova #8 ($2.99) – I had a lot of options for this last spot, but when it came down to it, I just enjoy Nova more. Zeb Wells and Paco Medina took a solid start from Loeb and McGuinness and took it up a notch. Sadly, Wells only has one issue left, but I feel Gerry Duggan will keep this one going.
Total: $18.96
