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!
American Vampire: Lord of Nightmares #5 ($2.99) – Even if he would prefer to illustrate Batman until the end of time, Dustin Nguyen has proven with this miniseries that he was born to illustrate horror comics. Sure, Scott Snyder’s writing is pretty impressive in this title, and he created the property, but Nguyen is the star of these five issues. Amazing art is always worth buying for $2.99, and Nguyen truly is nothing short of amazing.
Godzilla: The Half Century War #3 ($3.99) – If amazing art is always worth buying for $2.99, outstanding art is even worth buying for $3.99. A $3.99 comic usually has to be quite good to make it on my list, and “The Half Century War” fits that criteria like a glove. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, though — all I should have to say to sell you on this book is “Stokoe.”
Daredevil #19 ($2.99) – Hold on a minute… I think I missed an issue of this! Well, even so, Waid’s “Daredevil” run is a great example of how to do ongoing superheroics, and boy does it look beautiful. Would I call it Marvel’s best comic, though? Well, no — that would go to…
Hawkeye #3 ($2.99) – Issue two was so good that it completely invalidated this series’s youth, instantly qualifying it for the title of best Marvel title, if not the best superhero comic coming out now. I will miss David Aja whenever he has to sit out, considering I am buying this more for him than for Matt Fraction at this point, but until then you would be crazy to miss a single issue of 2012’s best new series.
Wonder Woman #13 ($2.99) – Brian Azzarello is kind of a mean, unpleasant person, but he writes an enjoyable Wonder Woman. Kirby’s New Gods, though, seem even more out of his ballpark than Diana. Could he prove us wrong again? I’m very excited to find out (if only because I will pass out the pitchforks if he screws up some of my favorite comic book characters of all time).
Total: $15.95
Hawkeye #3 ($2.99) – You read the first 2 issues, right? So you’re aware that these are some of the most gorgeous issues of any book in recent memory, right?
Marvel NOW! Point One ($5.99) – Because I guess I’m going along with this.
Sword of Sorcery #1 ($3.99) – Both stories did enough to keep me pulling the book. Hopefully now that the introductory formalities are over, writers Christy Marx & Tony Bedard will dial up the fantasy factor. Mainstream comic books needs more of it.
Ex Sanguine #1 ($3.99) – Thanks to Revival, I’m pulling everything my hometown hero Tim Seeley writes for the foreseeable future. The solicit promises “hard hitting psychological horror”, which is my favorite kind. My fingers are crossed that it delivers.
Total: $16.96
Mudman Volume 1 ($9.99) — This is one of the best superhero books currently being published by any publisher, but its somewhat erratic schedule makes it tough to pick it up in floppies, which is a shame, as this is Paul Grist’s love letter to monthly comics. However, the story and art are fantastic and, as has been said online many times, this is probably the best Spider-Man comic being published today. Well worth your ten bucks.
Marvel NOW! Point One ($5.99) — I love anthologies, and I applaud Marvel’s commitment to hyping their new books. Even if last year’s Point One has been surprisingly not accurate in terms of where the line was going (Coldmoon and Dragonfire? Age of Ultron?), the “FF” and “Young Avengers” teasers are worth the price of admission alone.
Continued belowWonder Woman #13 ($2.99) — After the Orion tease, the Silver Age zero issue, and the amazing covers released month after month, how can this not be on your pull list?
DC Universe Presents #13 ($2.99) — Black Lightning and Blue Devil are two of my favorite C-list DC heroes. I don’t really get why they’re paired together, but I’m in!
Total: $21.96 (Check the couch cushions! Ed. Note: Or borrow a few bucks from Walt, as seen above)
B.P.R.D. 1948 #1 ($3.50) – Whenever there’s new BPRD to be had, it’s a great week. This week sees the end of the 1940’s trilogy begin, and I can’t even begin to guess what is going to happen as it all ties together.
Wonder Woman #13 ($2.99) – After issue #12, it should be very interesting to see where Azz and Chiang take this story from here.
Godzilla Half-Century War #3 ($3.99) – James Stokoe drawing Godzilla! What more could you possibly want?
Glory #29 ($3.99) – I’ve been largely missing this title, so it’s great to see it back. Don’t miss out on this.
A-Babies Vs X-Babies #1 ($2.99) – Everything is better with babies involved.
Total: $17.46 – Use left over cash to invest in some Advil and maybe a coffee
Ex Sanguine #1 ($3.99) – Are you getting tired of vampire stories? Well, you would be too, if you were forced to live in one for an eternity, like this book’s protaganist, Saul Adams. But when a female serial killer dubbed the Sanguine Killer puts this ancient vampire’s work to shame, he rediscovers his thirst for blood–and a twisted romance that would make a Twilight fan run in terror. From Tim Seeley of “Hack/Slash” fame. A sure buy!
Billy the Kid’s Old Timey Oddities and the Orm of Loch Ness #1 ($3.50) – With a title long enough to put even a “B.P.R.D.” miniseries to shame, Eric Powell’s answer to “The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” is back, and headed to Loch Ness to face off with Count Dracula. None of it makes any sense to me–but it sure sounds like a good time. Count me in!
Hawkeye #3 ($2.99) – “Hawkeye” has quickly jumped to the top of my Marvel list–hell, it’s the best thing I’m reading from either of the Big Two! Matt Fraction and David Aja are absolutely killing it. Nearly every issue is a one-and-done, so jump in any time, you won’t regret it!
B.P.R.D.: 1948 #1 ($3.50) – The third and final installment of the “Secret Origins Trilogy” has arrived! With things heating up in the main B.P.R.D. storyline, it’ll be a nice diversion to take a look back into the Bureau’s history. But lest I make you think they’ll be slowing things down, here’s the details: Scientists have begun an experiment in nuclear-powered space travel–and naturally everything goes wrong and strange monsters appear in the Arizona desert. It’s classic B.P.R.D. fun!
X-O Manowar #6 ($3.99) – Ninjak is back, and his showdown with Aric has already begun. Who will win? Where will this battle lead? Is this the beginning of a long-lasting rivalry, or will they soon make-up and team-up? Let’s find out!
Cyber Force #1 ($0.00!) – I don’t know anything about Cyber Force, but I don’t have to. At the low price of free, why wouldn’t you take a copy?
Total: $17.97
Not My Bag ($12.99)
– This weekend at NYCC, one of the frequent topics of discussion we had was how when you meet a creator and they are nice, it just makes you want to support their work. That works vice versa too, of course, but for this book, it’s hard not to be excited about it because Sina Grace – the cartoonist who created it – is one of the genuinely nicest and coolest guys you could ever meet. Of course, it doesn’t hurt that he’s incredibly talented, and if he’s half as good at writing as he is at art, we’re in for a hell of a book here.Continued belowThe Walking Dead #103 ($2.99) – This is the final issue that Image is embargoing from advance release, and given the way issue #102 ended, we’re in for hell of an issue. What’s Rick going to do, and who isn’t going to die? I don’t know the answer to either of those, but I can’t wait to find out.
Chew #29 ($2.99) – You guys, we’re one issue away from the next big issue of Chew. The next beefcake, game changer of an issue. But screw all that. Chew is awesome every month, and I am certain this is in line to be the funniest comic I read every month. Layman and Guillory are the team supreme, and they complete the Image sweep this week for me.
Total: $18.97
Not My Bag (12.99) — I’m familiar with Sina Grace’s art from the excellent Image series “Li’l Depressed Boy”, and with every issue I fall more in love with his subtle and understated style. Now he’s applying his talents to a long-format personal project, his own memoirs about working in retail, and as someone who has done her time in that field of work, I’m thinking Grace would be just the man to capture that peculiar brand of mingled angst and boredom… without being boring. It’s also supposed to have a Gothic feel, so that’s something new.
Ex Sanguine #1 (3.99) — A brand new miniseries from Tim Seeley of “Revival” and “Hack/Slash” fame? I’m in. I mean, it centers on a fairly overdone topic (vampires), but if Seeley puts as interesting a spin on them as he did with zombies in “Revival”, this can’t fail but be a worthwhile read.
Batwoman #13 (2.99) — The whole Batwoman/Wonder Woman crossover play may be a little hokey, but W. Haden Blackman and J.H. Williams III made it work surprisingly well in issue twelve. And, as I’ve said before, Williams’ art would probably make a story about Batwoman doing her groceries look awesome. I’m looking forward to gorgeous double-page spreads with innovative layouts, and a highly contrasting pair of heroines kicking all kinds of mythological ass. And really, what more do you need?
Total: 19.97
