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!
Matt’s Picks
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Annual 2012 ($8.99) – The reboot of IDW’s “TMNT” title has been rather fantastic so far, and coming up this week we have the first issue done entirely by co-creator Kevin Eastman in years. As a huge fan of the old series, I can’t wait for this.
B.P.R.D. #100 ($3.50) – BPRD is one of the best ongoing series in comics today. To miss out on this would be a massive folly.
Bedlam #1 ($3.50) – I’ve had the pleasure of reading Rossmo and Spencer’s new comics debut, and let me tell you – this is one of the most exciting new books to come out at the tail end of 2012. If you’re a fan of “Green Wake” and “Morning Glories,” don’t miss this.
Haunt #27 ($2.99) – I absolutely love everything about this book, and every time a new issue comes out I get rather excited. This week is certainly no different.
Total: $18.98
Walt’s Picks
B.P.R.D. #100 ($3.50) – I’ll admit: I have not read a single issue of the Hell on Earth era of B.P.R.D. Still, a) it’s the 100th anniversary issue, b) the price is the same, and c), it’s Halloween. I could not, in good faith, not recommend this to you for these three reasons. Boy I need to get my priorities straight and catch up.
Bedlam #1 ($3.50) – I’ve been giving the review copy of this a few glances, but I am going to try to wait until I have it in my hand. Nick Spencer and Riley Rossmo are Multiversity favorites no matter who they’re working with; put them together, and I can’t imagine how great a combo they will be. Plus, it looks plenty twisted, and… again, Halloween?
Fatale #9 ($3.50) – Are you picking up a theme here? It’s the same old song and dance, though: Brubaker plus Phillips equals instant buy for me. The Lovecraftian horror coming out on Halloween seals the deal.
Ghosts ($7.99) – The last Vertigo anthology, “Mystery in Space” left me feeling kind of burned, but I still have faith enough in the imprint to pick this one up. Paul Pope (for real this time), the late Joe Kubert, and Geoff Johns doing Vertigo work with Jeff Lemire are big enticements for me (Johns’s recent output aside). Also, maybe if I keep buying these Vertigo will start doing a monthly mag! Probably not, though.
Total: $18.49
The Scottish David’s Picks
Happy #2 ($2.99) – Grant Morrison told me at NYCC a couple weekends back that this issue was going to be a “game changer” in a big way and when he’s talking about a comic featuring a flying blue horse following around a possibly psychotic mass-murderer, that’s saying something. You don’t want to miss this.
Bedlam #1 ($3.50) – I’ve already managed to sneak a read of this via the NYCC exclusive, but, boy, I am this close to buying it all over again. This is the horror book to be reading, trust me. Spencer and Rossmo are going to be making some magic with this one.
Steed And Mrs. Peel #2 ($3.99) – I originally grabbed BOOM! Studios re-prints of the Grant Morrison miniseries because of his name being attached and that seems to have followed me as it was Mark Waid’s name that got me to check out the ongoing, but when he starts by blowing up all of freaking London? That’s the kind of thing that keeps me on a title.
Continued belowAvX Consequences #4 ($3.99) – Being one of the few coming out of “Avengers Vs. X-Men” screaming ‘CYCLOPS WAS RIGHT’ I’ve been loving Kieron Gillen’s exploration of an imprisoned Scott Summers. And bringing Hope Summers into the mix is only going to make me love it more.
Captain Marvel #6 ($2.99) – I feel like one of the few people who, instead of raving of Fraction’s “Hawkeye” (which I do love, mind you), is raving over Kelly Sue DeConnick’s “Captain Marvel”. But, c’mon, you’ve got badass ladies kicking ass through time! What more can you ask for?
Total: $17.46
The Alaskan David’s Pick
B.P.R.D. #100 ($3.50) – You guys! B.P.R.D. is turning #100! Not only that, but this issue from Messrs. Mignola, Arcudi and Crook absolutely rules. I know this from experience. This is one not to be missed by B.P.R.D. fans.
Rachel Rising #12 ($3.99) – You can’t get more creator-owned than this, and you can hardly get better than this. Terry Moore is doing horror and female characters better than anyone else in comics right now with this book. The latter is a surprise to no one. The former is.
Fatale #9 ($3.50) – Somehow, this book from Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips has been one of the best kept secrets of 2012. It’s not quite on the same level of Sleeper, Criminal or Incognito, but it’s not far off either.
Wolverine and the X-Men #19 ($3.99) – Broo might not be dead. Amongst many reasons, this is one of the books I absolutely will not miss this week.
Bedlam #1 ($3.50) – Because it’s Nick Spencer and Riley Rossmo. Because it’s an Image #1. Because shit looks cray. Choose your own reason.
Total: $18.48
Vince’s Picks
Fashion Beast #3 ($3.99) – I’ve been tickled pink that Fashion Beast has turned out to not only be a comic book worth reading, but something that reminds me of why I like Alan Moore in the first place. This could have been completely forgettable and instead it’s something that I enjoy seeing pop up every month. It’s also one of Alan Moore’s most fun to look at comic books, thanks to Facundo Percio’s art.
Joe Kubert Presents #1 ($4.99) – I don’t know much about this release, other than it’s got new Joe Kubert work in it, which is even more momentous considering his recent passing. Celebrate Joe by checking this out.
Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom #3 ($3.99) – I’ve reviewed the first 2 issues of this Waid/Samnee Rocketeer mini and have found it to be nothing less than a treat. Picking this series up has been a no-brained that delivered on the hype. Bonus: Look for me to review the 3rd issue this week!
Bedlam #1 ($3.50) – Nick Spencer & Riley Rossmo are beginning something big here. And just in time for Halloween. I’ll bet I’m not nearly the only one in this column saying something to that effect, either.
Total: $16.47
Michelle’s Picks
Bedlam #1 ($3.50) — We’ve all been looking forward to this one — so much that I don’t think I have much to add, besides NICK SPENCER RILEY ROSSMO OMG, and did you know it’s a double-sized issue? (I didn’t.) The plot sounds interesting and unconventional as well (it’s all about what comes after a serial killer’s reign of terror), but then, I wouldn’t expect anything less from the minds that gave us “Morning Glories” and “Rebel Blood”. If you’re not excited to read this, you should be.
The New Deadwardians #8 ($2.99) — I’ve raved about this series quite a bit, and am pretty sad to see it coming to an end. I’m fairly certain, though, that Abnett and Culbard will stick the landing in just the same way they’ve been hitting all the right notes so far. Creating a believable Edwardian universe wherein zombies and vampiers are an integral part of the class system, this has been one clever and inventive series, and definitely something to look out for in trade if you haven’t been following it so far.
Ghosts ($7.99) — So I’m a bit of a sucker for things appropriate to the time of year, and I don’t think it gets more appropriate — or awesome — than an anthology of horror stories coming out on Hallowe’en. The fact that these are DC writers and artists being given some room to experiment — and with such a fun theme, too — is really just icing. The orange and black, Hallowe’en cupcake kind.
Continued belowRachel Rising #12 ($3.99) — I think I’ve gone on enough about how much I love “Rachel Rising”. Things are doubly exciting these days, though, because the answers to the mysteries are arriving thick and fast, and the stakes (ahem, pun) are higher than ever. Likely the most consistently creepy and unsettling comic on the shelves these days, “Rachel Rising” is a must for your dark (and hopefully not too stormy) Hallowe’en evening.
Total: $18.47
Drew’s Pick
Rachel Rising #12 ($3.99) – If the solicitation is anything to go by, this issue should be a game-changer for the series. If you haven’t been following it, this probably isn’t the issue for you. If you have, then you already know every issue in this series is a must-buy. No filler issues here.
Total: $3.99 – A very light week for new books. Use the extra to pick up some trades or back issues you’ve been putting off.
