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!
Five Ghosts #6 ($3.50) – I’ve written plenty about this book and how gorgeous the art was during Frank J. Barbiere and Chris Mooneyham’s original 5-issue “pilot” miniseries (now turned ongoing). I can’t imagine that gorgeousity falling off with Garry Brown’s art stint on this issue either. Simple premise: dude has the powers of 5 different classic literary figures and he gets thrown into swashbuckling pulp adventures like he’s Indiana Jones or something. There, now go pick this up.
Sex #8 ($2.99) – I don’t know about you, dear readers, but I cannot wait to see what indescribable pleasures and weirdness surrounds the Saturnalia orgy. I’m sure it’ll all be very tasteful.
Saga #15 ($2.99) – Speaking of pleasures! Oh my, that cover. This book looks like it belongs in the spinner rack by the checkout at your local supermarket. Of course, we all know better – it’s a top 5 book in comics – and it wouldn’t be “Comics Should Be Cheap!” without it.
Prophet #40 ($3.99) – I don’t even care what’s happening in any given issue (this book takes a lot of well-earned diversions) – I’m having too much fun watching the art duties bounce around and blend together into one delicious hard sic-fi smoothie.
Sandman Overture #1 ($4.99) – I’m not sure how to feel here. On the one hand, I know that it’s going to be gorgeous. J.H. Williams III has never done anything that’s not gorgeous. I’ve likewise never once been let down by the great Neil Gaiman. So, why do I feel intense trepidation? I guess I’ve always tended to doubt creators and projects that either try to go home again or hang on too long. So very few projects turn out as well as James Robinson’s return to “The Shade” did. Gaiman has more than enough sense to know when he’s got a story or not. Who am I to question that? The answer is nobody. I’m nobody and I shouldn’t be worried. This is gonna be great. Right?
Total: $18.46
Captain Midnight #4 ($2.99) – MC pal Joshua Williamson is crafting a really fun story featuring the titular time-displaced hero. Dark Horses’s superhero initiative has been coming up aces thus far, and “Midnight” is a big reason why.
Sandman Overture #1 ($4.99) – This was my most anticipated book of 2013…over a year ago when it was announced. Now? Well, I can’t say I’m not looking forward to it, but the bloom has come off the rose a little bit. I’m sure getting some sweet JH Williams art and Neil Gaiman script will reverse my fears right quick, though.
Green Lantern Annual #2 ($4.99) – “Lights Out” has been a very well-handled event thus far. I am legitimately excited to see how it turns out.
Five Ghosts #6 (#3.50) – Now an ongoing! Yay!
Infinity #5 ($3,99) – The pace of “Infinity” has been pleasant – especially when compared with the seemingly endless “Forever Evil” release schedule. The event is really starting to coalesce, and I’m looking forward to Hickman sticking the landing.
Total: $20.46 (I’m over, I know, but deal with it. And before you tell at me – I buy “Saga” in trade)
Saga #15 ($2.99): In a tremendously small week, at least one of the comics I am getting is Saga. After a bit of a surprisingly down spot for the book – meaning it had a gap in publishing and it had a “good” issue instead of an astoundingly great one – issue #14 floored me, and I am hoping this issue continues down that path.
Continued belowFive Ghosts #6 ($3.50): This comic is great and all, but there is a character named after me in it so of course I am buying it. Vanity, thy name is David Harper (and you are an overweight therapy patient).
Infinity #5 ($3.99): I’m not even particularly excited for this. It just happens to be the only other comic I am buying this week. Here is hoping for some sweet Thane on Thanos actual. Or something. I don’t know, Let’s hope Black Bolt yells at someone.
Total: $10.48 – Never read Sandman, sorry, I’m a philistine.
Sandman Overture #1 ($4.99) – Couple of fun facts about me. 1. “The Sandman” was the first non-Big Two comic I ever read and it was the first comic to make me want to write comics. 2. I finally met Neil Gaiman just a couple months ago and told him this and he then shook my hand. Yeah, you could say I’m a little excited for this.
Itty Bitty Hellboy #3 ($2.99) – This level of adorable should be outlawed, but I am so thankful it’s not.
Damian: Son Of Batman #1 ($3.99) – Hey, why not? What the hell, I’ll give it a shot.
Saga #15 ($2.99) – Oh, come on. We should just have this as a banner for every CSBC when it comes out.
Infinity #5 ($3.99) – Usually towards the ends of events is when my event fatigue hits because that’s when my naivete blinded me to what might not be the best story ever. Thankfully, I’m still really hype on “Infinity”. Especially now that the tie-ins are just the same set of scenes with different perspectives.
Total: $18.95
Fox #1 ($2.99) – I really like Foxes. My favorite childhood movie was The Fox and the Hound. For real, my nickname in college was “Fox” (long story). Oh, you wanted a reason why you should read this book? Does the name Mark Waid mean anything to you? What does the fox say?
Damian Son of Batman #1 ($3.99) – I’m a little trepidatious about Andy Kubert as a writer after the “Joker” Villain’s Month issue. However, he’s still a great artist, and I’ll take any opportunity I can get to read more about awesome future Damian.
Sandman Overture #1 ($4.99) – I honestly can’t believe this is coming out. With the original creator attached and an incredible artist like J.H. Williams III, hopefully it will fare better than “Before Watchmen.”
Saga #15 ($2.99) – SAAAAAAAAGAAAAAAAA.
X-Men Battle of the Atom #2 ($3.99) The latest X-Men crossover comes to a close this week. If you fell of the wagon somewhere along the way, you might be interested to know the “Thor: God of Thunder” creative team takes the reigns for the finale.
Total: $18.95
Sandman Overture #1 ($4.99) – Pretty much have to get it, right?
Mara ($12.99) – This week is kind of an unexciting week. There’s stuff coming out, but none of it is particularly exciting enough to make it to this list outside of the return of Sandman, which in turn kind of overshadows everything else. I mean, the Battle of the Atom finale? New Saga? The penultimate installment of Infinity? Who cares. Sandman!
But you know what is coming out that is really cool? The collected edition of Ming Doyle and Brian Wood’s “Mara,” which starts at Point A and ends up at Point Z. It’s an interesting character study, one that I think has really stood out from this year’s crop of minis — and while the ending is something I’ve not fully decided if I like or not yet (you’ll see when you get there), it’s still a highly recommended read if only for the fantastic combination of Wood’s words with Doyle’s art and Bellaire’s colors. It’s a beautiful book.
Total: $17.98
