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:
Q2: The Return of Quantum & Woody #1 ($3.99) – One of the best, most entertaining comics of the dreaded ’90s is making its return. If you haven’t read the original run from Priest and Bright, get in here and see what all the fuss is about.
Earth 2: Worlds End #2 ($2.99) – I was actually blown away by how much I enjoyed the first issue of DC Comics’ 3rd weekly event. All three events have been worth the time, but “Worlds End” was the one I was questioning most. I was pleasantly surprised and impressed with the way that issue #1 recapped “Earth 2” for you and brought all of the characters together into the ongoing narrative. Even if you haven’t read “Earth 2” before, it’s not too late to hop on with the weekly. It might be the best of the 3, actually.
Lumberjanes #7 ($3.99) – A book that warms my heart, makes me laugh, and hits me right in the counter-culture sweet spot.
Deadpool’s Art of War #1 ($3.99) – Peter David has been doing some sneaky funny scripting on “Spider-Man 2099”, but the MVP on “Deadpool’s Art of War” is probably going to be Scott Koblish. I’ll admit that I’ve fallen victim to Deadpool overload lately, but the interstitial time-traveling issues where Koblish does the art? Those are essential reads. I look forward to seeing what he does with a whole miniseries.
Supreme: Blue Rose #4 ($2.99) – The weirdness keeps coming with a take on “Supreme” that I never knew I needed.
Total: $17.95
David’s Picks:
Q2: The Return of Quantum & Woody #1 ($3.99) – Back in ye olden days of comics, I read the original Quantum & Woody from Christopher Priest and M.D. Bright when it was arriving monthly. No big deal. That comic was amazing though, and an irreverent, hilarious and strangely insightful buddy action comedy. Now, it’s back in some weird way with the original team involved, and by god, am I all over it. Make mine, Q2.
Deadly Class #8 ($3.50) – A serious contender for my favorite title of the year. It’s going to be hard to knock Craig and Remender’s master class of comic craft off my CSBC list.
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth #124 ($3.50) – My #1 from last year is still as great as ever. B.P.R.D. is part of the greatest shared universe in comics, and you should be reading it.
Ms. Marvel #9 ($2.99) – So. Damn. Fun. We can always use more fun in comics, and this book is one of the most fun of all.
Trees #6 ($2.99) – For those that question Warren Ellis’s sustained genius, this is a pitch perfect example of him when he’s on. Plus, that Jason Howard guy is pretty damn great.
Total: $16.97 – enough for one more book, a game time decision
Leo’s Picks:
The Life After #4 ($3.99) – We saw Tumor God in the last issue and already have Ernest Hemingway causing trouble in the afterlife. This series has it all.
Manifest Destiny #11 ($2.99) – Manifest Destiny wraps up its second arc and remains one of the more underrated and least talked about Image books. The blend of sci-fi, fantasy, and alternate history is fantastic.
Turok Dinosaur Hunter #8 ($3.99) – Turok is my favorite title out of the Gold Key relaunch, maybe because I apparently just like alt-history stories set in the middle of the US involving Native Americans.
Whichever Valiant “$1 Debut Editions” I haven’t read (~$4) – Those Valiant series have been consistently pretty good, but I haven’t read them all. For a single dollar, I’d be crazy not to sample the first issues of those series I haven’t tried out.
Continued belowTotal: $14.97 (give or take $1)
Keith’s Picks:
Batman Vol. 5: Zero Year – Dark City” ($24.99) – This week is a pretty slow one compared to the busy one last week when we were gifted with tons of delectable releases (including two of the best first issues of the year: “Wytches” #1 and “Sabrina” #1!). Although there are also some pretty great comics coming this Wednesday, the fifth volume of “Batman” is a must buy for any discerning comic book reader. It collects the remaining issues of the epic origin “Zero Year” storyline from the best book on the stands by the best team in comics: writer Scott Snyder, artist Greg Capullo, inker Danny Miki, and colorist FCO Plascencia. Not only do Snyder and Capullo regale us with an origin that brings the best character to life on the page in astounding ways, but we also get one of the best stories featuring the Riddler. As a devoted acolyte of the Dark Knight, I can recognize that same devotion in Snyder and company. They attempt (and succeed) in telling an epic, yet very personal, tale that demonstrates their love for the character and what he stands for. Despite being rather recent, Snyder and Capullo’s run already belongs on the shelves next to the classics. And they’ve only just begun!
Total: $24.99 – I know, I know. I broke the rules. But it’s the goddamn Batman!
Alice’s Picks:
Supreme Blue Rose #4 ($2.99) – Honestly, I can’t admit that I know exactly what’s going on in this book. Warren Ellis’ writing is dense in detail, but sparse in exposition and with Tula Lotay’s dreamlike artwork, it feels almost like a superhero comic as created by David Lynch. The boundaries of reality within this comic seems so blurred and so malleable that even without the presence of the titular superhero, this feels like the most interesting superhero book out there.
Trees #6 ($2.99) – Speaking of Warren Ellis, this week is double Ellis goodness as the other most interesting book drops this week. Part introspective character piece, part political drama, part science fiction, this book is doing something that no other comic book is. It’s quiet, it’s beautiful, it’s powerful. It eschews this notion that comics are bombastic soap operas filled with beefcakes in tights. Not that there’s anything wrong with that, but getting something different is like a breath of fresh air.
Ms. Marvel #9 ($2.99) – Five years ago, this series wouldn’t last six issues. A superhero book not only about a young girl trying to find her identity now that she has superpowers, but she’s Muslim and Pakistani-American? Five years ago, I’d be surprised this book would have even been greenlighted. This is one of the strongest indications that the comic book industry is changing and reacting to a wider, more diverse audience looking for more diverse books. And you know what? It’s fun as hell too. G. Willow Wilson has captured the magic of the teenage superhero origin archetype and put her own spin on it with Kamala’s experiences with her upbringing and her religion. With Adrian Alphona’s art giving the book a grounded, but vibrant feel it looks gorgeous too. There’s no reason you shouldn’t be buying this.
Original Sin Annual #1 ($4.99) – There might be some merit with the argument that Marvel is getting a little event happy when Axis is kicking off while there’s still wrap up from Original Sin happening. Still, the idea of the Man On The Wall, a figure out there in the Marvel universe protecting it from the challenges no one else can tackle, was one of the more interesting ideas presented in that event. While Ales Kot and Marco Rudy look at Bucky Barnes’ new position as that man, Jason Latour and Enis Cisic are taking a look at the previous Man On The Wall. This should be interesting.
Total: $13.96 – A slow week, go treat yourself to whatever your best local fast food place is.
Matthew Meylikhov’s Picks:
Deadly Class #8 ($3.50) – I am a huge fan of what Remender and Craig are doing with this series. Each issue is raw and exciting and so visually evocative, it remains one of the best series on the stands.
Continued belowSupreme Blue Rose #4 ($2.99) – Speaking of writer/artist teams I am in unconditionally in love with, Ellis and Lotay have done an incredible job of the Supreme relaunch. They’ve basically re-invented the entire mythos, which is impressive considering that Supreme himself is just another mythology re-invented. Suffice it to say, I am willing to go down the complex and twisted road that Lotay and Ellis are setting out for us all.
Edge of Spider-Verse #5 ($3.99) – This is the week of can’t beat teams, as Way and Wyatt bring Evangelion to Spider-Man in a huge and assumedly fantastic way. These one-shot jaunts into unknown territories have been fun and exciting experiments with the Spider-Man archetype, so I’m willing to go wherever Way and Wyatt want to take me.
Original Sin Annual #1 ($4.99) – Woodrow McCord appeared for the smallest of scenes in “Original Sin”, yet he has made such a lasting impression. The Man On The Wall concept is pretty intriguing, one that Ales Kot and Marco Rudy have utilized pretty well for one issue in “Winter Soldier,” so who is to say that Latour and Cisic can’t have equal amounts of fun with the concept? And with McCord supposedly starring in an upcoming mini as well, I’m looking forward to seeing how Latour fleshes out the man of mystery a bit.
Q2: The Return of Quantum & Woody #1 – Oh my goodness. It is actually happening: Priest and Bright are back together again for more “Quantum and Woody” in a comic that I can physically touch, a comic that I can pick up in my hands and rub all over my face and bask in the glory of. Hooray for the year 2014! Hooray for Quantum and Woody! Hooray for comics!
Total: $19.46
Matthew Garcia’s Picks:
Lumberjanes #7 ($3.99) – It’s like I’ve been stuck on repeat every time a new chapter of this book comes out, but Stevenson, Ellis, and Grace’s creation is fantastic. Great creatures. Great characters. Great art and storytelling and colors and just great everything.
Uncle Scrooge: The Seven Cities of Gold ($29.99) – Have you guys been seeing these reprinted collections Fantagraphics have been putting out? Finally, a publication as stupendous and wonderful as the actual stories contained within it. Carl Barks always deserves more attention.
Total: $33.98 – It’s Carl Barks. It’s worth it.
i’m putting in some filler text because brian and garcia both wrote short capsules.
Brian’s Picks:
B.P.R.D. #124 ($3.50) – Tyler Crook is back for a one and done story – let’s do this!
All Three DC Weeklies ($2.99 each) – Simply put, these are the most fun superhero comics coming out right now – they are full of surprises and fun – don’t write them off.
Total: $12.47
