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:
The Multiversity: The Just #1 ($4.99) – “Multiversity” has been stellar. That Chris Sprouse “Society of Super-Heroes” book? That was my jam. This could end up being better than “Seven Soldiers”, and that’s saying a lot.
Arkham Manor #1 ($2.99) – I like Gerry Duggan. I like the method to the madness behind all these Bat-line launches. Let’s do this.
Zero #11 ($2.99) – Ales Kot’s greatest work yet has returned to entertain, make us think, look gorgeous, and be one of the best comics on the stands just in time to remind us to put it on all of our year-end lists.
Oddly Normal #2 ($2.99) – Otis Frampton’s melancholy fantasy tale charmed the hell out of me last month. I’m in it for the long haul, and I sincerely hope he’s afforded the opportunity to tell all that he has planned.
Revival #24 ($2.99) – I feel like I haven’t recommended this one in a while, though I used to put it up here monthly. Don’t let that trick you into thinking that I don’t still have mad love for “Revival” – it’s consistent as hell. I hope you’ve gotten on board by now.
Total: $16.95
Keith’s Picks:
Arkham Manor #1 ($2.99) – The Bat-line is on a role with excellent new series (“Gotham Academy”) and excellent new beginnings (the new “Batgirl” creative team) living up to their hype. Up next is “Arkham Manor”, where writer Gerry Duggan and artist Shawn Crystal bring us the intriguing premise of Wayne Manor becoming the abode for the master of the house’s villains. I’ve never read a book with Crystal’s art, but Duggan’s issue of “Batman” last month was a creepy gem. Judging by interviews with Duggan about “Arkham Manor” and preview art for the title, it seems like it’s going to be a horrific, yet fun ride.
Catwoman #35 ($2.99) – Speaking of new beginnings, I have high hopes for the new team on “Catwoman”. I haven’t liked the writing in a long while on this book, but the premise of this new direction is very intriguing and spins out of the excellent “Batman Eternal”. Selina as the crime kingpin of Gotham City? I’m on board! Especially with the amazing Garry Brown on art, who has become one of my favorite artists since I was first exposed to him on “The Massive” (which I’m a HUGE fan of and highly recommend!). I have never read any of Genevieve Valentine’s novels, but if a novelist like China Mevielle could write an excellent comic (see his “Dial H”), then I have faith that Valentine can reinvigorate one of my favorite characters.
The Multiversity: The Just #1 ($4.99) – My devotion towards Grant Morrison as a writer knows no bounds and he has wowed me once again with this love letter to the characters and world of the DC Universe. I can’t wait to explore Earth-16 (otherwise known as Earth-Me!) and the children of suprheroes in this newest chapter of “The Multiversity”. Like the previous two issues, we’re guaranteed to be introduced to characters we will want to see again and again. And Ben Oliver on art is the delicious cherry on top to a feast of fun!
Superman #35 ($3.99) – Geoff Johns, along with Greg Pak on “Action Comics”, has recently breathed new life into the Man of Steel’s universe. You can tell Johns’ loves Superman and his rich supporting cast. By refocusing on Clark’s Daily Planet life, Johns has brought Superman back to his roots while bringing something new to the mythos with the Supes-like character of Ulysses. The art team is nothing to sneeze at, with the welcome addition of legends John Romita, Jr., Klaus Janson, and Laura Martin on art duties.
Continued belowRevival #24 ($2.99) – This is one of the best horror titles around and remains intriguing because of the many twists and turns Tim Seeley and Mike Norton toss at the reader. With Halloween around the corner, we’ve been gifted with great horror comics. This one should definitely not be neglected. Added bonus: Jenny Frisson, month in and month out, proves why she is one of the best cover artists of this year or any other year!
Total: $17.95
Matthew Garcia’s Picks:
Oddly Normal #2 ($2.99) – One of the things that most drew me into “Oddly Normal” #1 was the preview in the back of all the stuff Otis Frampton has teased.There’s this Neil Gaiman/Hayao Miyazaki vibe to the story and I’m all about that.
Five Ghosts #13 ($3.50) – “Five Ghosts” is back! The best old school adventure serial on the stands returns from hiatus, for hopefully more cliffhanging thrills and far-off landscapes and just sheer awesomeness.
The Wicked + Divine #5 ($3.50) – And while one book resumes, another one closes its arc. I think “The Wicked + Divine” has been an interesting series so far, and one of those cases where I’m having as much fun watching Gillen/McKelvie test the limits of the comic page while trying to figure out exactly what all these characters are up to.
Multiversity: The Just ($4.99) – Like with most of his work, I think Grant Morrison is exploring what superheroes mean to us and how we react to superheroes and, most importantly, how superheroes deal with that. It’s a lot of the same themes I’ve seen with his Supergods book — just in comic form, and with more explosions.
Total: $14.98
David Harper’s Picks:
Starlight #6 ($4.99) – On one hand, I am super annoyed this is $4.99. On the other hand, I’ve loved this book and it’s going to be an extra-sized comic filled with Goran Parlov art. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Lazarus #12 ($3.50) – The Conclave arc started out tremendously, and I really can’t wait to see where Rucka and Lark take us from here.
The Wicked + The Divine #5 ($3.50) – Multiversity has an email thread where all of our writers chat in a cacophony of nonsense, and Matt, our EIC, emailed everyone to say we should read our advance of this book ASAP. I read it in print, but if Matt was saying something like that, crazy things are likely to happen.
She-Hulk #9 ($2.99) – As a reminder, Charles Soule and Javier Pulido’s She-Hulk is one of the best Marvel comics right now, easily.
Axis #3 ($3.99) – Let your freak flag fly, weird ass Marvel event! It’s like Rick Remender read Original Sin and said, “I can top that!” In this issue, Magneto, Jack O’Lantern and like 10 other super-villains versus Red SkullSlaught and two gigantic Adamantium Iron Men (are they still Iron Men if they’re made of Adamantium?)? Hell yes, weird comic!
Total: $18.97 – let’s get weird! let’s get weird!
Matthew Meylikhov’s Picks:
Multiversity: The Just ($4.99) – There’s no way I can legally miss an issue of “The Multiversity.” Honestly, I think if I didn’t include it on my list I might get in trouble. Please send help. And a copy of the issue.
Zero #11 ($2.99) – The return of what I presume will be Ales Kot’s magnum opus series! With art by Ricardo Lopez Oritz, this is a great return to the series and easily the most personal issue of the series yet. It’s deadly, it’s honest, it’s as intimate as an action film has ever been.
Secret Avengers #9 ($3.99) – Speaking of Ales, I’m going in for the double dip with the latest issue of “Secret Avengers.” Great art from Mike Walsh, fantastic colors from Matt Wilson and a highly entertaining story makes this a can’t miss book in my mind.
The Wicked + The Divine #5 ($3.50) – And hey, speaking of Matt Wilson, the finale issue of the first arc of “The Wicked + The Divine” is the best issue of the series yet. The creative team really nails it home in spectacular fashion. Don’t miss it.
Continued belowStray Bullets: Killers #8 ($3.50) – The last “Stray Bullets” (for now), and I can’t wait to see how David Lapham wraps this up until the next arc.
Total: $18.97
Brian’s Picks:
Arkham Manor #1 ($2.99) – DC’s #1s have been, for the most part, doing a nice job of diversifying their line and bringing an enjoyable comic out of the process. This is the latest experiment, not surprisingly from the Bat-line, the home of most of DC’s best experiments.
The Multiversity: The Just #1 ($4.99) – Four words, great on their own, but delicious together: Ben Oliver Grant Morrison. Sold!
Secret Avengers #9 ($3.99) – This might be my favorite Marvel comic right now, and for good reason: it is awesome. Plus, M.O.D.O.K.!
POP #3 ($3.99) – One of the finer Dark Horse miniseries as of late – don’t skip on this one.
Total: $15.96
Leo’s Picks:
Goners #1 ($2.99) – Goners is exactly the sort of book I like seeing from Image, fairly unknown creators who are making a book that obviously love. Family history and responsibilities, and world mythology mix with Johnny Quest and Monster Squad to make something that should be on everyone’s list.
Sheltered #12 ($2.99) – Sheltered has been consistently great over it’s run. As we get near the end of the story, it’s definitely worth reading just to see what craziness Lucas comes up with next.
Memetic #1 ($4.99) – It’s kinda pricey, but it’s also 48 pages, so I don’t know. I like James Tynion IV’s creator-owned work so I’m giving this a try. A story about a weaponized meme has to be good, right?
Total: $10.97 A bit of a light week for me, admittedly.
Greg’s Picks:
Afterlife With Archie Magazine #1 ($4.99) – “Afterlife With Archie” was one of the biggest surprises of 2013 for me, in that it was so much better than the gimmick it had every right to be. Francavilla and Aguirre-Sacasa turned in an honest-to-God horror book with the Archie characters; not analogues or thinly-veiled ripoffs, but the actual characters! Astonishing! And this reprint includes the entire first issue plus extra material, and best of all, it’s magazine size! So the chills are chillier and the scares are scarier! If you haven’t read this already, this is the version to get! If you already have, you haven’t read it like this!
Judge Dredd: Anderson, PSI Division #3 ($3.99) – This IDW mini shows why Cassandra Anderson is every bit as tough on crime as her colleague Joseph Dredd. She’s hard as nails, smart, compassionate when necessary, and she’s a mind-reader. Smith and Critchlow are absolutely nailing this story of Anderson going up against a Keyser Soze-like vapor of a criminal mastermind for Mega-City One. Sci-crime at its finest!
Lazarus #12 ($3.50) – It’s party time! Or more specifically, it’s time for the Conclave, where almost all the family heads and their Lazari meet for deliberations and grand balls. But don’t let the fact that nary a shot is fired make you think there isn’t action and intrigue a’plenty in this issue. Rucka and Lark continue to kill on this book.
Five Ghosts #13 ($3.50) – I’m actually way behind on this series, but I’d been waiting until this issue hit stands to catch up. Now that it’s here, I can start with the re-reading. But hearing everyone else talk about how good its been helps me know I’m in for a treat!
All-New X-Factor #15 ($3.99) – Yes, this is getting cancelled in a few issues. Yes, that sucks. No, that doesn’t mean I’m going to bail right before the finish line. I’m gonna power on through and end this race as strong as I started, because I have no doubt that Peter David’s going to keep things interesting right up to the last page.
Total: $19.97
