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!
God is Dead #1 ($3.99) – New Hickman is an auto-buy from me. He could be writing a Maggot vs. Mojo X-book and I’d still be there. Gods are coming back to Earth and Jonathan Hickman is writing that – what else do you need to hear?
Catalyst Comix #3 ($2.99) – Take note. There are several events going on right now, between both DC and Marvel Comics. “Forever Evil”, “Battle of the Atom”, “Infinity”, etc. – but you won’t read a better one than “Catalyst Comix” this week.
X-Men: Battle of the Atom #1 ($3.99) – Okay, now I know I just took a jab at event books, but this one has got me excited. “Infinity” has been no slouch either, but no line of books have entertained me across the board as the X-books have in recent years. Is there a mediocre book in the line? Bendis & Aaron? Do your X-thing, fellas.
Trillium #2 ($2.99) – So massive and gorgeous was the first issue that I almost declared it issue of the year right on the spot. Jeff Lemire, man. When that guy writes in his own world, does he know how to tug at the heartstrings, or what? This series has just about everything I look for in a comic book and is a damn good reminder, in this cynical world, of why I collect in the first place.
Satellite Sam #3 ($3.50) – This is pretty good too. I flipped for issue #2 as you can see in my review.
Total: $17.46
X-Factor #262 ($2.99) – Has the end of this series been a great disappointment to me? Yeah. Artistically and, for the first time ever, from a written standpoint this book has been in a slump for some time for me, but it’s the last issue of a book that historically has been one of my absolute favorites, and I really, really believe Peter David is going to stick the landing. I just really hope Jamie Madrox gets some payoff in this finale.
Chew #36 ($2.99) – In today’s world of comics, we’re given amazing Image debuts right and left, so in some minds it is easy to forget the oldies but a goodies. Chew has been around for a while now, but you know what? It’s still every bit as great as it was during its first Eisner winning year. Plus, this issue simply HAS to be a standout. Keep it up Layman and Guillory.
X-Men: Battle of the Atom ($3.99) – Because I am a god damn sucker for an X-Event.
Superior Foes of Spider-Man #3 ($2.99) – This book has been one of the biggest surprises of the year for me, as Nick Spencer and Steve Lieber have made this one of the most entertaining and unique books in Marvel’s publishing line. If you’re not reading it, you’re missing one of the most rock solid books around.
Batman Black and White #1 ($4.99) – John Arcudi writing for Sean Murphy? Chris Samnee drawing Batman? $5, but man, the class of creators on this book is absolutely staggering.
Total: $17.97
God Is Dead #1 ($3.99) – It’s a new Jonathan Hickman book, what can I say? I can’t stay away.
X-Men: Battle Of The Atom #1 ($3.99) – Oh, it’s a good time to an X-Men fan. While my distaste for Frank Cho is telling me no, my love for the X-Men writers is telling yes.
Continued belowThe Star Wars #1 ($3.99) – Having already checked this out, I can say that this might be the most interesting thing to come out of Star Wars in a while. It’s something remarkably different than anything we’ve seen before now.
Trillium #2 ($2.99) – More like this, less like Trinity War, please, Mr. Lemire.
Satellite Sam #3 ($3.50) – Matt Fraction continues to his prove his ever growing strength in his own writing by blowing everyone else out of the water with deft dialogue and seedy, fully realised characters.
Total: $18.46
Forever Evil #1 ($3.99) – I don’t care which side of the fence you fell regarding the conclusion of “Trinity War.” The prospect of Geoff Johns writing a book in which the likes of Lex Luthor, Sinestro, Black Adam, and the Rogues are the last best hope for humanity is just too good. TOO GOOD.
Justice League #23.1/Darkseid #1 ($3.99) – It’s great to see Greg Pak getting so much DC work these days, with the spectacular “Batman/Superman,” and his promising, upcoming run on “Action Comics.” This issue should be quite an interesting one.
Green Lantern #23.1/Relic #1 ($3.99) – Venditti and crew have been absolutely killing it on the various Green Lantern titles over the last few months, and now we finally get the origin of the enigmatic Relic. Add in some gorgeous Rags Morales art and you have one of the most promising issues of the entire Villain’s month initiative, right out of the gate.
X-Men: Battle of the Atom #1/All-New X-Men #16 ($7.98) – I don’t know how, but Marvel have managed to raise the entire X-Men line to an unreasonably high level of quality. This week sees the first two parts of the ten issue Bendis/Aaron/Wood joint, and you might as well go ahead and grab both. Just take all the money Marvel, take it.
Total: $19.95 (or more likely $17.95, if you can’t get the 3D covers) – It’s an unbelievably great week for capes.
X-Factor #262 ($2.99) – The End 🙁
Chew #36 ($2.99) – There is never an acceptable answer to not pick up Chew when it comes out. Never ever, ever never.
Trillium #2 ($2.99) – The first issue blew me away. I wasn’t expecting to be so absolutely enamored with it, but its true – it was the best thing I read that week and one of my top 5 for the month. Jeff Lemire writing and illustrating his own book can do no wrong in my mind’s eye.
Battle of the Atom #1 ($3.99) – I am hesitant but I am also excited. On the one hand, X-Men crossovers have an excellent legacy of being awesome and Jason Aaron is the mastermind behind this. On the other hand, I’m a bit sick of events and I would rather each X-Book just go and do their own thing rather than get all wrapped up in each other’s business. But, hey, comics.
Catalyst Comix #3 ($2.99) – THIS BOOK IS AWWEEEESSSOOOMMMEEE!!!!!!!!!
God Is Dead #1 ($3.99) – Oh, lets give it a go. It’s Jonathan Hickman. What’s the worst that could happen?
Total: $19.94
Trillium #2 ($2.99) – The only book I can guarantee excellence from this week is “Trillium” – Jeff Lemire’s creator owned stuff never disappoints and is always visually and structurally interesting. Get it.
Infinity #2 ($3.99) – I’ve been really enjoying ‘Infinity’ thus far, but I understand concerns that the book is a little too obtuse, filled with Marvel U history and happy to leave certain things in the dark for now, but in Hickman I trust, and thus far, I’m really enjoying it.
The Star Wars #1 ($3.99) – More of a thought exercise than a book I’m particularly jazzed about, I have heard rumblings about George Lucas’s original Star Wars plans for nearly 25 years now. Let’s see how they work in comic form.
Forever Evil #1 ($3.99) – This has potential to be a lot of fun; it also has potential to be pretty awful. Take a shot with #1 and go from there.
Villain’s Month Title of Your Choice ($3.99) – See what the big deal about the 3D covers are about, and check out a villain that you enjoy. The creative teams are sort of up in the air, so consult the covers and take a chance on one of these books.
Total: $18.95
