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!
Daredevil: End of Days #1 ($3.99) – The fact that this is finally coming out gives me a nerd boner. I shudder to think what will happen when I have it in hand.
Sweet Tooth #38 ($2.99) – No, I am still not ready. Anyone who says that they are is a dirty, twisted liar.
Animal Man #13 ($2.99) – “Swamp Thing” may be a snooze-fest, but boy is Jeff Lemire’s “Animal Man” great, and this half of ‘Rotworld’ is sure to be a wild read (albeit one that could benefit from original series artist Travel Foreman). Don’t buy into the crossover mentality, though; only get this issue, and show with your dollar that Scott Snyder needs to write his “Swamp Thing” less boringly, while reading the copies of your less-discerning friends.
Doctor Who #1 ($3.99) – I turned off the premiere of the seventh season of Doctor Who, and haven’t looked back — when it comes to television. Andy Diggle and Mark Buckingham working together on a Who comic, though? That could give me my fix until Moffat learns that lots of fast talking does not inherently make for clever television. I’m more familiar with Diggle’s action-centered work, but his short story in DC’s “Mystery in Space” was a good enough indication of his ability to write science fiction.
Fatale #8 ($3.50) – Ed Brubaker plus Sean Phillips equals buy. How have you not realized this yet? I am prepared to be spooked.
Total: $17.46
Danger Club #4 ($2.99) – It’s been out of commission for a while, but one of my favorite new books of 2012 is back with more from the team of Landry Q. Walker and Eric Jones. I can’t wait for more sweet, sweet Danger Club action!
Fatale #8 ($3.50) – While Fatale was perhaps a little slower to be amazing than Criminal, Incognito or Sleeper were, this collaboration from Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips has really hit its stride now. I’m very much enjoying this arc, and can’t wait to see what is next.
Thief of Thieves #9 ($2.99) – This book is actually sneaky amazing, and it hasn’t lost a step with James Asmus taking over primary writing duties from Nick Spencer. As long as Shawn Martinbrough is there, it’s guaranteed to be pretty at the very least.
Avengers vs. X-Men 12 ($4.99) – Because at the very least, it will be good for a laugh.
Daredevil: End of Days #1 ($3.99) – It’s not that I am extremely interested in revisiting these creators on this book, but the idea of Bendis, Mack, Sienkiewicz, Janson and Maleev working on a final Daredevil story together is pretty damn exciting.
Total: $18.46
Fashion Beast #2 ($3.99) – I was pleased and a little surprised to have enjoyed “Fashion Beast” #1 as much as I did. I thought it was fantastic. Though it probably won’t reach the heights that some of his well-known work has, you can definitely tell it was written in the prime of Alan Moore’s catalogue. Facundo Percio’s art is a revelation.
Action Comics #13 ($3.99) – Grant Morrison is heading towards a finish on his “Action Comics” run. As up and down as it’s been, I think Morrison is traditionally a really strong finisher. This issue reportedly features art from Travel Foreman, which is always out of the ordinary and always good. Also, Krypto!
Detective Comics #13 ($3.99) – John Layman’s “Chew” is one of the most original and delightful series on the market today. It’s like a gift to mainstream cape comic readers that he’s being brought into the fold at DC. It’s also special in that Detective may be readable for the first time since Scott Snyder left pre-“Flashpoint.”
Continued belowDial H #5 ($2.99) – Zero issue misstep aside, this has been something special that’s going relatively unnoticed.
Earth 2 #5 ($2.99) – James Robinson’s Justice Society (or whatever they’re going to be called) is far more interesting than any team book on DC’s prime Earth. The first week of the month in DC’s line is the strongest lineup of superhero titles and Earth 2 just might be the best one, if you ask me.
Total: $17.95
Danger Club #4 ($2.99) – This book hit some delays and has been missing for a bit, but it’s one of my absolute favorite new Image books of 2012. You know that “Avenger Arena” thing that Marvel is doing for their NOW! hoopla? This is that concept already done right.
Minimum Carnage: Alpha ($3.99) – I’ve been oddly amused by Marvel’s resurrection of Carnage, and I think Zeb Wells did a great job of making his return an enjoyable endeavor as opposed to a forced and subpar story. Let’s see if Bunn and Yost can keep that ball rolling.
Defenders #11 ($3.99) – I’ve been loving what Fraction has been doing with this book, and while I’m sad it got cancelled and that McKelvie is no longer illustrating this issue, I can’t help but still be excited by THE DEATH CELESTIAL.
Daredevil: End of Days #1 ($3.99) – I guess this is the book you’d be crazy NOT to be this week, right? Right.
Sweet Tooth #38 ($2.99) – We’re so close to the finale now that I almost don’t want to recommend buying the book, if only because we’re admitting to ourselves that it is ending. But then again, how could you possibly not want to see what happens?
Total: $17.95 – leftover change goes to a small iced pumpkin coffee at your local Dunkin’ Donuts!
Green Lantern #13 (2.99) – The zero issue didn’t wow me, but I’m willing to give Johns another shot at making me like this new Lantern.
Futurama #63 ($2.99) – A comic which is usually as entertaining as the show, with art which is a perfect match? Shut up and take my money!
Total: $5.98 — The rest of my $20 is going toward the second “Criminal” hardcover, which is totally worth going over my weekly limit.
Avengers Vs X-Men #12 ($4.99) – How will this end? Will it warrant a relaunched Marvel U status quo? Not sure but I am very interested to find out. I, for one, am excited for Marvel Now! and I am interested to see how we get from where we are today to that.
Danger Club #4 ($2.99) – Love this book. Love it. Teenage heroes with a solid smattering of bloody good violence. My only complaint is that it isn’t monthly.
Earth-2 #5 ($2.99) – One of my favorite DCnU books. I love the new takes on the characters. I also am having a lot of fun watching old favorites be reintroduced as we move along. This book is how the DCnU relaunch should have been done in its entirety.
Sweet Tooth #38 ($2.99) – This book is almost complete and it will be a sad day when it’s wrapped. For now, though, I am just going to enjoy it while it lasts. If you haven’t been reading this you better get those trades.
Uncanny X-Force #32 ($3.99) – BUY THIS SHIT!
Total: $17.95
Detective Comics #13 ($3.99) – On the Hour Cosmic, we said that John Layman needed to get hired by DC and viola, it happened. I am anxious to check out his first issue on “Detective,” and I want to say publicly that the Hour Cosmic endorses DC hiring the three of us on as paid consultants.
Earth 2 #5 ($2.99) – DC’s best series. What are you waiting for?
Non-Humans #1 ($2.99) – An Image #1 usually gets a buy from me, and the premise of “Blade Runner meets Toy Story” is too amazing to pass up.
Daredevil: End of Days #1 ($3.99) – This is the type of book that both Marvel and DC used to do more of, and that has gone to the wayside. Which is a real shame, because alternate/possible futures make for fun books. Plus, Bendis on Daredevil is as close to an instant buy as Marvel can come by these days for me.
Total: $13.96 – Saving the rest for New York Comic Con
