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.
Incredible Hulk/Wolverine and the X-Men ($3.99 x 2) – It’s Jason Aaron writing two completely bad ass characters in brand new settings. What could possibly go wrong?
Secret Avengers #18 ($3.99) – Warren Ellis! David Aja! Kung fu escapades! Shut up and take my money!
Spaceman #1 ($1.00) – I’d sell your heart to the spaceman, baby, for a buck! For a buck! If you’re looking for a cheaper comic for your pull you’re out of luck! You’re out of luck.
Guarding the Globe #6 ($2.99) – Oh my goodness, this is actually coming? This is actually coming out! I’ll take it.
Red Wing #4 ($3.50) OR Green Wake #6 ($3.50) – On the one hand, I am very excited to grab a copy of the final issue of the Red Wing, the latest of Hickman’s marvelous PLUS! projects over at Image. On the other hand, I am totally digging Green Wake after finally grabbing the trade post-NYCC madness. So, I can’t decide. If you’ve been buying every issue of Red Wing up until now, buy the last. If not, Green Wake it is.
Walt’s Picks
Secret Avengers #18 ($3.99) – You had me at David Aja. Anyone could be writing this, and I would buy it. Why? I repeat, it’s David Aja. And, on top of that, he’s drawing martial arts action. Those two alone are worth a purchase. But wait, there’s more: comics legend Warren Ellis. Two of my favorite creators, both of whom we rarely see work from these days, collaborating for the first time in a genre I adore (well, sub-genre since it’s still a superhero comic)? Pinch me, I must be dreaming.
Captain Swing and the Electrical Pirates of Cindery Island #4 ($3.99) – Two Warren Ellis comics in the same week? I can’t remember the last time that happened. And, well… this might be the last time it happens, due to Ellis focusing on novels for the foreseeable future. Captain Swing is a ridiculous electro-punk (okay, I made that up but I guess it works) tale of airships and social commentary – really, would it be a Warren Ellis comic without the latter? – that has been long delayed. The final issue hits the stands this week, and if you can find the previous three I highly recommend picking them up.
Red Wing #4 ($3.50) – More finales! Jonathan Hickman is awesome. Nick Pitarra is awesome. Time travel is – you guessed it – awesome. Are you at all surprised that I would pick this? If you haven’t been reading this… well, I’m terribly sorry to hear that. Pick up the trade a couple of months from now, or it will never work out between us.
FF #11 ($2.99) – More Hickman! Maybe I’m a sucker, but I am hella excited for Hickman to pull out all the stops in Fantastic Four #600. Until then, I guess i’ll keep reading his wild sci-fi adventures featuring the first family of Marvel (minus one).
Daredevil #5 ($2.99) – This is where I berate Matt for not liking this title. Mark Waid, Paolo Rivera, and Marcos Martin are one hell of a team, and they have converted this diehard fan of the Frank Miller approach to Matt Murdock to their fun, but not necessarily light-hearted take.
Continued belowSpaceman #1 ($1.00) – I know, I know, I keep saying how much I don’t care for Azzarello’s work. I’ll be a hypocrite all I want. The preview of this in Tales to Astonish was pretty interesting, so who cares if I didn’t enjoy… a good majority of his work? Plus, we all know the real reasons to get this: first, it’s a comic illustrated by Risso; second, it’s a dollar. Given the title of this column, I can’t say no to that.
Total: $18.46
Josh’s Picks
The Sixth Gun #16 ($3.99) – Best book on the stands right now. Seriously, it does not matter what kind of comics you like, you can find something you enjoy in this western tinged, monster filled, sometimes sexy instant classic. Seriously!
Wolverine & The X-Men #1 ($3.99) – As a lifelong fan of the X-Men and a very recent fan of Jason Aaron’s Wolverine, I can honestly say this is one of my most anticipated comics of the whole year. Everything from the creative team, to the characters involved, to the supposed plot and story ideas just has me excited about the X-Books for the first time since Messiah Complex. Oh, and Doop is gonna be in this book. DOOP!
The Incredible Hulk #1 ($3.99) – Yes, it certainly does seem to be Jason Aaron week at Marvel doesn’t it? I can honestly say that while I am certainly less excited about this debut issue as I am for the other one he has coming out this week, that I’ve been waiting for a Hulk book that I can really sink my teeth into for a few years now, one that really revitalizes the concept in a way I can gravitate towards. If anyone can do that, it is Jason Aaron.
The Flash #2 ($2.99) – Remember that time The Flash was a beautifully illustrated comic book with a compelling story that made you really care about the character of Barry Allen? Well, Francis Manapul and Brian Buccaletto sure do. Get on board with this one before it’s too late!
Spaceman #1 ($1.00) – It’s Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso and it’s one frickin’ dollar. In short: don’t be an idiot.
Gladstone’s School for World Conquerors #6 ($2.99) – One of the most charming books on the market right now, and every month I read it the more I fall in love with it’s surprisingly deep storyline masquerading as an all ages book, it’s characters and most importantly it’s art. This is the very best of Saturday morning cartooning in comic book form, and if you aren’t reading it you really are missing out.
Total: $18.95
Brian’s Picks
The Red Wing #4 ($3.50) — My favorite miniseries of the year wraps up with this issue. If you like time travel, gorgeous art and daddy issues, this is the book for you!
Spaceman #1 ($1.00) — For a buck, what do you have to lose?
Legion: Secret Origin #1 ($2.99) — I have never, ever, cared about the Legion of Superheroes. The mythology has always been too dense for me to take a stab at getting into the series. Let’s hope that Paul Levitz can change my mind.
Flash #2 ($2.99) — One of the clear winners of the first month of the DCnU was The Flash. Francis Manupal’s art alone is worth the price tag, but a fun Flash story can’t hurt either.
Justice League Dark #2 ($2.99) — I don’t get why this book wasn’t better received; some of DC’s best characters working together to fight threats the MFing Justice League can’t handle? That pitch would sell me every time.
Wolverine and the X-Men #1 ($3.99) — Fact: I haven’t bought an X-Men comic since the ‘90s. But I’ve decided to give this a shot, because I love the idea of Wolverine restarting the school. Plus, Jason Aaron’s beard would engulf me if I didn’t.
Continued belowTotal: $17.46
David’s Picks
Wolverine and the X-Men #1 ($3.99) – OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG OMG.
Excuse me. I am really excited for this book. Love Jason Aaron. Love Chris Bachalo. Love the team on the book. Love the idea. Love the school being back. Love the three page preview I’ve seen. Love it all. Cannot wait.
Incredible Hulk #1 ($3.99) – Jason Aaron is deservedly getting a lot of top books for his consistently great work, and this particular joint was the best part of Fear Itself #7 for me (at least the four page preview was). Aaron is a great fit for the character, and I feel like he’ll be the best guy on it since at least Greg Pak and up there with Peter David for the GOAT title when we’re all said and done.
All-Star Western #2 ($3.99) – Yeah, this comic rules. Sure, it’s one of the few $3.99 DC books, but with top work from Justin Gray, Jimmy Palmiotti and Moritat, I say why not? I only complain about the price of a comic when the comic isn’t worth it. This comic is worth it.
Spaceman #1 ($1.00) – A one dollar first issue of a new Vertigo mini-series from the 100 Bullets team of Brian Azzarello and Eduardo Risso? If anyone at MC doesn’t have this book on their list, they’re a crazy person.
Avengers Academy #20 ($2.99) – This is my favorite Avengers book bar none, and in this issue Christos Gage has one of the first team members quit the squad and sends the book in an awesome new direction. The artists may change, but man, Gage always kills it on this book.
Secret Avengers #18 ($3.99) – My second favorite Avengers book as long as Warren Ellis is hanging out, this is combining the talents of Ellis with one of the preeminent artistic voices in comics – David Aja. It could be about the Secret Avengers fighting Wonder Man’s insanely stupid “Revengers” and I’d be all over it.
Total: $19.95
Gil’s Picks
Angel & Faith #3 ($2.99) — Did you know I’m a big Whedonite? Did you know I love this book? Did you know you can read a review here tomorrow from me? You did? Well, then why are you wondering why this is on my list? It’s a good series! It has my favorite characters from the show! Yay!
Aquaman #2 ($2.99) — If Brightest Day and Batman: Brave and the Bold are any indication: this is Arthur Curry’s time. DC even put their top writer on it to make sure it sells. And guess what? It’s good! Aquaman is poised to be the breakout star in the new universe. Wouldn’t you like to say, “I was a fan BEFORE he was popular? Of course, you would.
Avengers Academy #20 ($2.99) — This is still the best book with “Avengers” in the title. Silly references to Angels & Airwaves aside, Gage is one of Marvel’s underrated bright spots. Check out the fallout from the Fear Itself event and see where the title is going in the future! Who stays? Who goes? Just read it, will ya?
Daredevil #5 ($2.99) — Mark my words, this is the best solo title coming from Marvel at the moment (aside from my bro Herc, who’s getting canceled☹). When I look for a new superhero book, the most important thing I’m looking for is “fun.” Waid and Martin deliver that in spades. Read this book!
Flash #2 ($2.99) — Hey look, artists CAN write! Manapul’s debut writing arc continues as the Fastest Jerk Alive continues his adventures in Central City! Check out Manapul’s slick art, and stay for the fun story starring Barry Allen!
Secret Avengers #18 ($3.99) — This is the second best Avengers title. However, that’s by no means a bad thing. Warren Ellis and David Aja? Sign me up! This book is much better than it used to be, and I’m only more excited for the title as this goes from Ellis, one of the luminaries in comics, to Remender, another of Marvel’s underrated bright spots! This book owns, check it out.
Continued belowTotal: $18.94
Brandon’s List
Spaceman #1 ($1.00) — One fucking dollar! How can you not pass up a book brought to you by the creative team of 100 Bullets that will only cost you a third or fourth of the usual books you buy? The answer is you can’t. This is a steal and one that won’t end you up in a human zoo where you share a metal toilet.
Wolverine and the X-Men #1 ($3.99) — Oh hell yes! This book can’t get into my hands quickly enough. I have hyped this book up in my own mind so much that I’m pretty sure it can cure cancer, rebuild the American economy and even make Twilight enjoyable. While the last scenario is clearly not possible, the other two are certainly still on the table. Buy this book!
Justice League Dark #2 ($2.99) — This was a surprise hit for me last month. I wasn’t originally holding out much hope for this title but it ended up riding into my Top 8 of the month over on 4 Color News & Brews. Will this issue solidify this book as an ongoing buy for me or burn out as fast as it came in? No clue and that’s a lot of fun.
Aquaman #2 ($2.99) — While I enjoyed the last issue I didn’t love it. Having said that the first issue did a lot in the way of setting the groundwork for the direction of the series. It got my interest piqued and now I’m back to see where DC takes the character from here. Also, can you believe how gorgeous that last issue was? My guess is this will be equally beautiful.
Avengers Academy #20 ($2.99) — One student and one faculty member leave. Who goes and why?! This is a favorite of mine and I am extremely excited that it is finally moving beyond the shadow of Fear Itself, which I didn’t care for one iota, and back to being a book that stands on its own two feet.
The Flash #2 ($2.99) — Another DC book I was not jazzed about going into it but found I was completely wrong about. The book had both great looking art and an interesting story. I found myself actually enjoying Barry Allen for the first time since he was brought back to lay waste the DCU with his selfish behavior.
Total: $16.95
