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.
Follow the cut to see everyone’s picks for the week.
Matt’s Picks
Fear Itself #7 ($4.99) – Alright, Fraction and Immonen. Let’s do this.
Avengers #18 ($3.99) – This is looking like a Marvel heavy week for me, but I’m curious to see how things are shaping up for the Marvel U post-Fear Itself. I’m doubly curious to see how this new Avengers line-up is going to turn about with Acuna on art.
Wolverine #17 ($3.99) – Schism is over, and now it will reverberate into Wolverine’s solo title. How so? Let’s find out!
Uncanny X-Men #544 ($3.99) – The final issue of X-Men, featuring the return of Mr. Sinister. After Sinister died in Messiah CompleX, I had written (in my head) a theoretical pitch for how I would bring back the classic villain. So, for clarification: Gillen cancelled one of my favorite books, and stole my story! Damn you, Gillen!
Batman #2 ($2.99) – The one DC title gracing my pull this week, starring the one DC character I enjoy the least. Damn you, Snyder and Capullo!
Total: $19.95 – I had originally added Vengeance #4 on my pull as well, but the limitations of $20 forced me to sacrifice it. Apologies to Casey and Dragotta, but if you can dig up enough change in your couch, get it.
Josh’s Picks
Uncanny X-Men #544 ($3.99) – Despite this issue being, essentially, a stopgap between two story lines that Marvel us promoting as a major event, it will be nice to see Kieron Gillen stick a flag poll down and reflect on the franchise before saying “this was Uncanny X-Men, stay tuned for more”.
Batman #2 ($2.99) – Easily one of DC’s top three books from last month, Scott Snyder’s grasp on the world of Gotham and the attitude and aptitude of the Bat is unparalleled at this point, and his star seems to only be rising.
Journey Into Mystery #629 ($2.99) – Easily one of Marvel’s most underrated titles, this one absolutely oozes wit and bravado in a way that is not only perfect for the character of Loki, but fits the “dark corners magical kinda-sorta-espionage” archetype the book has built for itself.
Wonder Woman #2 ($2.99) – I am shocked at how much I liked the first issue of Azzarello and Chiang’s run given my general willingness to write-off and avoid the character of Wonder Woman during my tenure as a fan. And that says a lot.
Wolverine #17 ($3.99) – Jason Aaron’s Wolverine is one of those books that just works on such a level that it doesn’t even matter who is drawing it. Aaron’s deeply rich story can and has applied to so many visual styles over the course of his tenure with the character, meaning the amount of lag present in the run is almost non-existent.
X-Factor #226 ($2.99) – While this story has ebbed and flowed a bit throughout its more recent seven year run, Peter David has found a groove again and is once more proving why if you can only read one book starring Marvel’s merry mutants, it should be this one.
Total: $19.94
David’s Picks
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Russia #2 ($3.50) – Regardless of who the artist is (in this case, Tyler Crook), B.P.R.D. is one of the most consistently great comics out there. Mike Mignola and John Arcudi are telling an epic and often frightening tale throughout the many mini-series, and this one finds my boy Johann Kraus and Kate Corrigan off dealing with some freaky Russian business while the rest of the home office is in disarray. Great stuff. Can’t wait for the second issue.
Continued belowWonder Woman #2 ($2.99) – My second favorite DCnU book in month one, I dig the living hell out of Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang’s take on the character and story. It’s a blast to read, and did the impossible: made me like the character.
Batman #2 ($2.99) – Scott Snyder and Batman go together like peanut butter and jelly, Redford and Newman or Yorick and 355. It’s just meant to be. The first issue was great. I expect it to only get better.
30 Days of Night #1 ($3.99) – I really enjoyed the earlier 30 Days of Night stuff from Steve Niles, and to see the book starting as an ongoing with Niles writing and Sam Kieth on art is pretty fantastic. It’s my random pick of the week. I hope it works out, but we’ll see!
Superior #6 ($2.99) – I love this comic. It’s such a good time. I called the fifth issue a blend between Captain America: The First Avenger, Captain Marvel and Big. Let’s hope that Mark Millar and Leinil Francis Yu can build on that. At the very least, we’ll get some sweet, sweet Ormon action. Yay monkey in an astronaut suit!
X-Factor #226 ($2.99) – Awww yeah! I love me some X-Factor. I will buy this book so long as Peter David is in control and, more than likely, well beyond that. Such a great book.
Total: $19.45
Walt’s Picks
Batman #2 ($2.99) – Usually, sales aren’t the best indicator of quality – especially when #1s are involved – but there’s a reason this book was at the top of September’s charts. Scott Snyder is the hero that Gotham deserves, and Greg Capullo has gone above and beyond my expectations of his work. This is the only Batman book you need.
Zorro Rides Again #4 ($3.99) – Yeah, it’s a $3.99 price tag, but I guarantee you that this comic will be better than at least 80% of the $3.99 books out this week. Probably more. Matt Wagner is one of those creators whose work should never be missed, but often is. If you hear someone you don’t know laughing behind your back this week, it’s probably because you didn’t read this.
Invincible Iron Man #509 ($3.99) – I’m pretty much repeating myself at this point, but Matt Fraction has done great things with Tony Stark. I know there are plenty that disagree with me, but very few characters in the Marvel Universe are currently so well-defined as Tony is. Matt gave us a bit of a rundown on what’s to come in the book post-Fear Itself, and believe me you, you don’t want to miss it.
Wonder Woman #2 ($2.99) – I’m still hesitant about Brian Azzarello’s work on this book, but at least he wrote a pretty good intro issue that was better than the majority of the DCnU books. More important, though, is the godsend that is Cliff Chiang, easily one of the best artists in DC’s pocket. Buy it for the art, but it’s not like the writing is going to hurt you in any way.
Fear Itself #7 ($4.99) – We’ve come this far. Might as well stick around for the ending.
Total: $18.95
Brian’s Picks
Justice League #2 ($3.99) – 7 weeks between issues; is this a sign Jim Lee is already behind? The newly announced “The Curse of Shazam” back up has ensured I’ll be buying this book for the foreseeable future.
Batman #2 ($2.99) – As in as I already was on this book, being part of Multiversity’s chat with Scott Snyder Sunday at New York Comic Con got me even more excited. Plus, I was initially down on Greg Capullo when he was named the artist on this, but he has been killing it on art. The most anticipated book this week, hands down.
Nightwing #2 ($2.99) – I’m a sucker for Dick Grayson. Instant buy.
Wonder Woman #2 ($2.99) – Worth 3 bucks just for Cliff Chiang’s artwork; throw in Brian Azarello’s fresh take on the character, and this is another no-brainer.
DC Universe Presents #2 ($2.99) – I really enjoyed issue #1, and I am a big supporter of this type of anthology book, so this is a half “buy because I want to read it” and a half “buy because I want to see the series continue.”
Green Lantern Corps #2 ($2.99) – I’m a DC Zombie. And, more specifically, a Green Lantern Zombie.
Total: $18.94
Gil’s Picks
Herc #9 ($2.99) — HERRRRRRRRCCCCCCCCCCCCCC. WHY MUST YOU BE LEAVING ME SO SOON? I bet I’m the only one buying you, but I still love you. I hope that I’ll see you in the funny pages sooner rather than later.
Justice League #2 ($3.99) — Superman’s gonna beat the snot outta Batman, I can feel it! LET’S GET IT ON!
Uncanny X-Men #544 ($3.99) — It’s the last book that was never rebooted or renumbered in any way, but after this issue, that title will go away. Let’s see how Kieron Gillen will end it, all right?
Wonder Woman #2 ($2.99) — Wonder Woman #1 was awesome. I wasn’t sure how Azzarello was going to tell the new Wonder Woman arc, but it looks like it’s a lot of fun. To bring it back to Herc for a second, I always thought Herc got a story that Wonder Woman needed, but never got. I am optimistic for this one.
X-Factor #226 ($2.99) — The second best X-Book after Uncanny X-Force. You should really be reading this book. I can’t wait to see how this will fit into the new status quo, too. The Gold Squad is STACKED!
Total: $19.94
