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 Lune’s Picks:
The Green Lantern #1 ($4.99) – So I normally like to use this column to highlight new indie books that folks might otherwise miss, but this week the Big Two are coming in hot with a one-two punch aimed right for me. First up is a new Grant Morrison superhero series, with the excellent Liam Sharp on art. Grant Morrison is my favorite writer, and while I’m not a huge GL fan, I’m excited to see what he does with the character.
Marvel Knights 20th #1 ($4.99) – When Marvel Knights was introduced the first time around, I was just getting into Marvel comics, and while a lot of it hasn’t aged particularly well, books like “Daredevil” and “The Punisher” blew my mind. I’m looking forward to seeing what Donny Cates comes up with for this.
Empty Man #1 ($3.99) – I loved the original miniseries of this when it came out a few years ago, and had no idea that there was an ongoing coming out until I read this week’s solicits. There’s a lot of scope for a full series within the story too, so this should be suitably chilling.
Giant Days #44 ($3.99) – There has never been a bad issue of “Giant Days” which, 44 issues in (plus specials) is something very rare indeed. Not perhaps the best place to jump in, but absolutely a series worth catching up on.
James Bond 007 #1 ($3.99) – While I’ve jumped on and off the various “James Bond” series that have come out over the last few years, this one – an “Odd Job Epic” if the solicit is to be believed – sounds just too good to pass up.
Total: $21.95 – Week after week, it’s getting harder to get in under $20…
Vince’s Picks:
The Green Lantern #1 ($4.99) – It’s no exaggeration to say this is the best Green Lantern has been in years. Keeping in mind that I’m a Grant Morrison mark, this comic has layers of weirdness that defies description. GL has generally been DC’s main home when it comes to exploring alien characters and alien worlds, and yet Liam Sharp is getting to draw things that look impossible to the eye. Grant imbues the Green Lantern Corps with grandeur and spectacle (and a fair bit of humor). It’s as good as superhero comics get.
Border Town #3 ($3.99) – A brash book that isn’t afraid to tell you exactly who the real enemies are. Reading this issue is on Wednesday would be a wonderful treat to give yourself for having voted on Tuesday.
Dragon Ball: That Time I Got Reincarnated As Yamcha ($9.99) – Dear Penthouse, I never thought this would happen to me…
I had the pleasure of picking this up early at the Viz booth at New York Comic Con and I have to say: if nothing else, it’s silly fun. It contains all the manga tropes, including some very mild perversion that would be right at home on Master Roshi’s island. The thing I like most about it is that it focuses on Yamcha, who I think is probably the Dragon Ball character who has the most unexplored character potential. A really strong concept, executed pretty well.
Total: $18.97
Justin Beeson’s Picks:
The Green Lantern #1 ($4.99) – One of my favorite all-time writers writing one of my favorite all-time characters? This is the first book I’m reading on Wednesday.
Marvel Knights 20th #1 ($4.99) – I don’t know much about this series other than Donny Cates being the writer. I’ve been really liking most things he’s putting out right now so this is a no-brainer.
Continued belowUnited States Vs. Murder, Inc. #3 ($3.99) – Of all the new and returning Jinxworld books, this one has me most excited so far. The first two issues seemed to be the previously announced and canceled annual while still at Icon, so this should be the real continuation of the main story.
X-Men: Red #10 ($3.99) – I will cherish the best of the X-books while it lasts.
Total: $17.96. I have a feeling this is going to be a really good week for comics.
Kevin’s Picks:
Runaways #15 ($3.99) – I keep telling y’all this book is gonna be at the top of my list the week it’s out every month, and here we are. Give me more of that beautiful Kris Anka art. I love this book and it still may be the best book Marvel is putting out at the moment.
The Green Lantern #1 ($4.99) – Grant Morrison is back in the saddle for a return to monthly comics a long time coming. Liam Sharp and Steve Oliff make this book look like it’s straight outta ages past and that seems to be the vibe this creative team is going for. Come celebrate the past of comicdom in the present with some of the best talent this industry has ever seen.
Marvel Knights 20th #1 ($4.99) – Speaking of celebrating the past, the first issue of this miniseries celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Marvel Knights imprint hits stores this week with Donny Cates riding shotgun for the celebration. Something tells me this whole present is going to be a beautiful, darkly fun, meaningful treat.
Justice League #11 ($3.99) – And of course more ‘Drowned Earth’ this week as with more earth-shattering antics, more Francis Manapul art, and more Jarro. Really I’m here for Jarro.
Border Town #3 ($3.99) – If the only good thing to come out of the recent Vertigo relaunch is this book, it’ll have been worth it. Bravo.
Total: $21.95. Again, a little over, but the Big Two aren’t slowing down as we hit the penultimate month of the year.
Nick’s Picks:
Yotsuba&! volume 14 ($13.00) – A simple, adorable slice-of-life book about all the joy and wonder a 5-year-old gets out of ordinary things. This is one of many manga series that I recently discovered and am slooowwwly getting caught up on, but every time I sit down and read a chapter, I’m instantly charmed.
The Green Lantern #1 ($4.99) – I started reading comics during the lead-up to Blackest Night, i.e. the biggest the Lantern franchise has ever been, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. GL has had a rough time since then, but if anybody can inject new life into these characters and concepts, it’s Morrison.
Total: $17.99.
Mark’s pick
“Giant Days” Not on the Test Edition – Volume 3 ($34.99)— An issue of “Giant Days” is good, a trade is even better, but you really can’t top a deluxe hardcover. It’s absolutely the best way to read the series. Like the previous two volumes, this collects eight issues (#17–24). It also collects the third and final issue of the original webcomic issues written and drawn by John Allison, which will fill in the events allude to by Susan back in the first issue of the Boom Box series (fighting four snooty private school girls, crushing the gross lad ruining Esther’s good name, and the whole Black Metal Society incident). For fans of the Bobbins Universe, this is a must-get book.
Total: $34.99. Blew the budget. Totally worth it.
Ken’s Pick:
“Justice League” #11 ($3.99): While already entering a crossover so early on, “Justice League”‘s creative team has earned enough good will this last year to see this one through.
Total: $3.99
