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!
Vince’s Picks:
Brides of Helheim #1 ($3.99) – How did I not realize this was coming this month? I thoroughly enjoyed Cullen Bunn’s original “Helheim” for its patient, heart-filled storytelling – and even more so for its gorgeous Joëlle Jones art. I haven’t officially made a list or anything, but if you asked me to name my top 10 current artists, I’d definitely find a place for Joëlle among them. Her cartooning stuns me every time.
Gotham Academy #1 ($2.99) – Just trust me, you’re going to want this. Someone else will say something much more eloquent about this book, I’m sure. I’ll just leave it at “trust me.”
Wonder Woman #34 ($2.99) – For 3 years now, this has been DC Comics’ most wonderful book. Nearly perfect by my standards for superhero comics. Among the best Wonder Woman stories ever told, and somehow even more clever and well-rounded than people are giving it credit for, I think. Brian Azzarello has a subtly powerful take on the character and a cerebral interpretation of her world. That’s to say nothing of Cliff Chiang, whose art I will follow to the ends of the Earth to look at. I can’t wait to see what he does next, but I’ll savor every panel of his “Wonder Woman” that we have left.
Thor #1 ($3.99) – Jason Aaron’s “Thor: God of Thunder”, even in its lesser arcs, has been among the best books that Marvel has been putting out over the last couple of years. And though his take on Thor Odinson is so well-defined, the focus of the title is going to shift considerably into one hell of a left turn. The god of thunder is gonna be a lady! I’m absolutely game for that. Russell Dauterman is no slouch on art, either.
Li’l Depressed Boy: Supposed to Be There Too #1 ($3.99) – I am one, and therefore I enjoy reading about one.
Total: $17.95
Keith’s Picks:
Gotham Academy #1 ($2.99) – October has finally arrived! It seems like I’ve been waiting an eternity for Gotham Academy and the other new Bat-books (as well as the new Batgirl creative team! And “Endgame” in Batman!) to finally arrive. This month is sure to be an exciting one for Bat-lovers. The enthusiasm of all the creators on these books has been infectious. Judging by interviews and preview pages of Gotham Academy, the team of Brenden Fletcher, Becky Cloonan, and Karl Kerschl are sure to bring something new to DC Comics and the Bat-world. Batman group editor Mark Doyle is ushering in another new classic-in-the-making Bat-era. He’s put his stamp on the Bat and it shows.
Grayson #3 ($2.99) – The Grayson team is on a role. The first two issues and the Futures End one-shot of this series have been superb. Dick is still Dick, despite the change of garb and scenery.
Wonder Woman #34 ($2.99) – I’ve been in denial since it was announced, but the day is finally nigh. This is Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang’s final issue of Wonder Woman. Before this series, I had never read an issue of the Amazonian’s solo series. I had only admired her heroics in Grant Morrison’s JLA run and elsewhere. I pray the new team of Meredith and David Finch incorporate the changes and new characters that Azzarello brought to such wonderful life.
Detective Comics #35 ($3.99) – Starting with this issue, a guest creative team takes over the title from Francis Manapul and Brian Buccellato. I haven’t read anything by author Ben Percy, but “a plane full of dead passengers” seems like a delightfully horrific mystery. John Paul Leon, on the other hand, is an artist whose covers for The Massive have been magnificent.
Continued belowThe Fade Out #2 ($3.50) – The first issue of The Fade Out introduced us to a world that, by the last page, was already fully realized and full of complex characters. Brubaker and Phillips are masters of noir and I’m ready to get down and dirty in the muck of old Hollywood.
Nailbiter #6 ($2.99) – Writer Joshua Williamson and artist Mike Henderson’s Nailbiter is one of the creepiest comics of the year. With a unique premise dealing with serial killers and haunting art, this team has got me biting my nails in anticipation of the newest issue. That cover with a baby looking all Hannibal Lecter-like is something else. If you have an extra $9.99 in your pocket, make sure to get the first trade!
Total: $19.45
Leo’s Picks:
Critical Hit #1 ($3.99) – Black Mask has been publishing some really interesting comics since they started and Matt Miner has been a regular creator there, writing two volumes of his animal rights vigilante book “Liberator”. Now, he’s taking the “Liberator” characters and taking them in a different direction. “Liberator” surprised me, so I’m interested to see where “Critical Hit” goes.
God Hates Astronauts #2 ($3.50) – Ryan Browne is a genius. A mad genius, but a genius nonetheless.
Southern Bastards, Vol. 1 ($9.99) – This takes up half of my budget, but damn if I don’t love “Southern Bastards”. This will even be double dipping in print for floppies and trade, even though I’m primarily digital. Part of this love is the creative team and part of it is that I grew up in an Alabama town a lot like Craw County. I can’t get enough of it now that it’s in comics.
Total: $17.48
David Harper’s Picks:
Gotham Academy #1 ($2.99) – This comic should be everyone’s top pick this week. Becky Cloonan, Brenden Fletcher, Karl Kerschl and Romain Gaschet are going to bring magic into your DC loving eyes, and when you’re done reading it, all you’re going to wonder is “where do I send the fan mail?” Can’t wait to read it.
Men of Wrath #1 ($3.99) – Jason Aaron and Ron Garney telling a tough as nails story in their new creator-owned book? Oh, hell yes.
Alex + Ada #9 ($2.99) – The clubhouse leader for best series of 2014 for me just keeps doing its thang, and its thang is oh so great. If you’re not reading this series from Jonathan Luna and Sarah Vaughn, you’re missing out.
Thor #1 ($3.99) – Thor could be a space alien with a horse face for all I care. If Jason Aaron and Russell Dauterman are involved, so am I. The fact that Thor is a woman shouldn’t matter. If it’s a good comic should be all that matters. This one will be.
The Fade Out #2 ($3.50) – This might be the most Brubaker and Phillips project ever by Brubaker and Phillips. That is most definitely meant as a compliment.
The Walking Dead #132 ($2.99) – 132 issues in and this comic still really entertains. I don’t think it’s cool anymore to like, but I sure as hell do. Good read each and every month.
Total: $20.45 – I went over, but it’s a ridiculous week of goodness
Alice’s Picks:
Action Comics #35 ($3.99) – After seeing the reaction to the epic last page of “Superman: Doomed” #2, I have to admit that I underestimated that crossover. Still, I wasn’t ready to buckle down and follow it through issue by issue. Thankfully, though, I can now return in peace to reading Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder simply destroy the competition by telling the best Superman stories in, what, three years now?
Gotham Academy #1 ($2.99) – I know, I’m as surprised as you are. For the last year or so I’ve been limited to only reading “Batman” and “Action Comics” from DC as I was still hesitant to wander back into the depths of the New 52 after being burned so many times before. But when you have Becky Cloonan co-writing a Gotham-centric book without a focus on the characters of the Batfamily (which, ever since “Gotham Central”, has been one of my favourite Batbook gimmicks) and a focus on kids living in Gotham, then you have my interest piqued. Could this signal DC and I getting back together? Watch this space.
Continued belowGod Hates Astronauts #2 ($3.50) – In case you missed it, I loved “God Hates Astronauts” #1 because it saw Ryan Browne take the off-the-wall absurdist humour of the webcomic and wring it through a well-told story across the full issue, building the basis of a story that could take it through this ongoing series. I can’t wait to see where this goes next.
Bucky Barnes: The Winter Soldier #1 ($3.99) – Honestly, this series could be about anything. This could be twenty pages of someone watching paint dry. But with Ales Kot writing and Marco Rudy’s artwork? It would be one of the best written, most beautiful comics about someone watching paint dry ever published. I’ve been waiting a while for this and it surely will not disappoint.
Thor #1 ($3.99) – Jason Aaron’s first eleven issues of “Thor: God Of Thunder” with Esad Ribic were some of the best Thor issues I’ve ever read. Sure, it had its ups and downs after that, but that spark is still there for me. And with an idea like this? I cannot wait to see were Aaron takes this next. Having one of my new favourite artists, Russell Dauterman (rip in peace, “Cyclops”), providing the artwork makes this a comic to look out for.
Total: $18.46
Brian’s Picks:
God Hates Astronauts #2 ($3.50) – Ryan Browne is one of my favorite creators in all of comics, and this series is hilarious and amazingly illustrated. What’s not to like?
Futures End #22 ($2.99) – This issue is supposedly a big pay off issue, but a number of important details coming to light. That, alone, is reason to check it out. It also will allow you to enjoy the 5 years in the future storylines in one convenient place, as apposed to the 50+ issues that occupied that space in September.
Gotham Academy #1 ($2.99) – Books like this are the reason that many of us are so excited about what DC is doing right now. This is going to be a blast guys – grab it.
Thor #1 ($3.99) – Sell me on this, Jason Aaron. Make me believe that this is more than just a gimmick and I’ll gladly come along for the ride.
Men of Wrath #1 ($3.50) – This book requires no selling by Mr. Aaron. A creator owned book about violence in the South. Isn’t he already doing that? Oh well, I could use another in that vein anyway.
Grayson #3 ($2.99) – “Grayson: Futures End” #1 might have been the best single issue of the last month (or longer) – I’m looking for the team to keep the nice streak of the book’s first few issues going here. Don’t disappoint me, fellas!
Total: $19.96
Matthew Garcia’s Picks:
The Rise of Aurora West Volume 1 ($9.99) – The Battling Boy saga continues! This time in a massive flashback, with art courtesy of David Rubin. It’s also black-and-white and even smaller than “Battling Boy.” So you can take it anywhere. Aurora West was a great character in probably my favorite book from 2013. And while it’s not a continuation of the “Battling Boy” main story, anything Pope is attached to gets my immediate attention.
Gotham Academy #1 ($2.99) – And DC is about to experiment with something new and different. I’ve been waiting for this book since it was announced and literally everybody making it is awesome.
Grayson #3 ($2.99) – Frankly, I would probably read this title even if it wasn’t that great, because Dick Grayson is just pleasant to look at. Luckily, Seeley, King, and Janin have also made an interesting and intriguing story, so I’m all about it.
Wonder Woman #34 (2.99) – I have no commentary for this. Other than I’m excited. And this has probably been the best Wonder Woman run of all time. Certainly, it’s the best book DC’s been putting out. The best book either of the superhero companies have been putting out.
Adventure Time #32 (3.99) – Ryan North, Shelli Paroline, and Braden Lamb collaboration have helped make what could have been a disposable licensed comic into something that ranks with the best episodes of the show.
Continued belowTotal: $22.95 – I’m $2.95 over budget but a new Paul Pope book is way more than enough justification.
Matthew Meylikhov’s Picks
Morning Glories #41 ($3.50) – Unpopular opinion alert: I only really need one book about a weird school month in and month out, and there is a new issue of “Morning Glories” out this week. And while it may not be the trendy option this week, it’s a great issue on which I HAVE MANY OPINIONS ON THINGS IN IT. Also, I make what is easily my best reference ever in Study Hall! What is it? Buy it and find out, or don’t and subtweet me about it so multiple people can forward it to me and tell me I got burnt!
God Hates Astronauts #2 ($3.50) – Ryan Browne is a national treasure. Well, no, I take that back — he’s not Steve Harvey. But Ryan Browne draws a mean Steve Harvey, and that’s like the next best thing, so read “God Hates Astronauts.”
Li’l Depressed Boy v2 #1 ($3.99) – One of my favorite books, a series I can never say enough good things about, and I would highly encourage you to see what all my hype is about. RIYL: being sad, listening to Kepi Ghoulie and Andrew Jackson Jihad, going to movies alone because you don’t have any friends.
Nailbiter #6 ($2.99) – The book sold me pretty quickly (having gotten to read the first two issues back to back), and I have to say that I think the first arc did a great job of really pushing not only the bounds of my own personal comfort in regards to biting my nails, but also the talents of Williamson and Henderson. It’s a really solid read, and with the first trade out alongside the sixth issue this week, it seems like a great opportunity to hop on the bandwagon and see what all the fuss I’m making is about.
Rat Queens #8 ($3.50) – Rat Queens! Everyone loves this book now, right? We already did the song and dance we did for Nailbiter in which I tell you it’s good and you go and check out the trade and then hop in on the single issues, right? We’re all going to pick up the eighth issue of this absolutely raucous, unbridled and ridiculous fantasy series about four kick-ass ladies and one ugly tentacle monster, right?
Total: $17.48 – Even though there are some other things I’m interested in at other publishers this week, it feels like a good week to go full Image. Wait, what’s going on in “Thor”?
Zach’s Picks
Godhead #1/Green Lantern #35 ($7.98) – The current Green Lantern run has essentially been in a state of fun and innovative, if slightly uneven, perpetual crossover since it began. That kicks into high gear with this week’s double shot of Lantern/Fourth World goodness. I have a few reservations, but as this is essentially my dream crossover, consider me all in.
Action Comics #35 ($3.99) – Ummmmm…..you saw the last page of “Superman Doomed” #2, right?
Gotham Academy #1 ($2.99) – The first in DC’s line of quirky new Batbooks finally hits the stands. The New 52, and the comic world in general, is better for it.
Wonder Woman #34 ($2.99) – It’s been far too long since we’ve gotten to visit with these dear friends.
Total Price: $17.95 – It’s so good to once more feel genuine excitement about DC Comics.
