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!
Leo’s Picks:
The Goddamned #1 ($3.99) – That the team that brought us “Scalped” is coming back with a new creator-owned series is something I’m so ready for. Seeing Aaron and Guera trade in reservations for a post-Eden world that’s on the verge of its first apocalypse should definitely be something worth reading.
Southern Bastards #12 ($3.50) – As I’m sure you’re well aware, I really like “Southern Bastards”. This issue will prove to be a little different as Jason Latour is writing instead of Jason Aaron. I don’t know what Latour has cooked up, but I know I’m definitely reading it.
Just Another Sheep #1 ($3.99) – I remember finding “Just Another Sheep” a few years ago in the sea of webcomics and almost immediately being engrossed in it. Now it’s coming to comic shops through Action Lab and it’s going to be great to see a wider audience experience the adventures of Banning as he navigates the tumultuous times that the late 60s were.
Birthright #11 ($2.99) – “Birthright” is a consistently good comic and should only get better as we dig more into Mikey’s time spent in the fantasy world.
Total: $14.47
Kevin’s Picks:
Batman #46 ($3.99)– “Batman” has been building to this for a few issues, Bruce Wayne, Jim Gordon and Mr. Bloom. The potential here for a great battle and more insight into Bruce’s current mindset has me salivating. This current arc has been a great swerve from the tried and true “Batman” mythos. Kudos to Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo (along with Jock) for taking a risk, making The Dark Knight something unique to their vision.
Illuminati #1 ($3.99)– All-New All-Different Marvel needed a book like this. Something that was out of the wheel house and with a great mind behind it. I am a huge Josh Williamson fan and to see him get a title like this is simply awesome. It does remind me a lot of “Secret Six” but I am sure that will deviate largely from that. Putting villains on equal footing is something I find very intriguing, especially considering how different the Marvel U is at the moment.
Superman: American Alien #1 ($3.99)– Max Landis is a guy who really knows how to tell a good story. Like his father John Landis, he is unabashed in what he enjoys. Having him take on a Superman origin tale is a smart move by DC. Granted, this is going to retread on things we have seen before, but I have faith in Landis to do it right. The rotating artist for the series also adds a lot of intrigue to the proceedings.
Airboy #4 ($2.99)– “Airboy” was a total surprise for me. From the preview pages it looked like the off the wall stuff I enjoy. But it was surprisingly deep and emotional, not without controversy however. That aside, it was a nice deviation from the normal sci-fi niche Image Comics is known for. I recommend grabbing the trade when it becomes available.
The Goddamned #1 ($3.99)– Jason Aaron has carved out a nice slice of the comic pie for himself over at Marvel. Now, he goes back to work with R. M. Guéra, of “Scalped” fame for an epic. Aaron’s work on “Thor” has set himself up for this, which is going to have all the violence and mythology you can ask for. While some might not be sure about Aaron’s writing, I am a fan of his work and this looks to continue that tradition.
The Last Sons Of America #1 ($3.99)– Boom! Studios is one of my favorite publishers out in the market place. They have a wide array of titles and they have a small niche for “realistic” stories. “The Last Sons Of America” on paper looks to be a splinter of “Americatown” if the focus was on the people behind the scenes. My hope here is that “The Last Sons Of America” does not fall into the same trap “Americatown” did with no few details and not enough of a hook. I applaud Boom! for still pushing stories like this out there to give the readers something else to sink their teeth into.
Continued belowTotal: $22.94 – Another stacked week for new content and the end of one of the best mini-series of the year. Oh and of course Batman, I mean because Batman!
Ken’s Picks:
The Autumnlands #7 ($2.99): “Autumnlands” is going to be one of the most underrated books of 2015. Busiek, Dewey and Bellaire, in just six issues, created such a wondrous world that is so immersive. It has been a long time since the last issue, this is a return most welcome.
Descender #7 ($2.99): Speaking of welcome returns. Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen’s “Pinocchio Meets Mass Effect” finally makes its own return after a hiatus.
Justice League Darkseid War: Shazam #1 ($3.99): Why doesn’t Shazam have an ongoing? Are we really just waiting for Johns/Frank to keep churning out “Batman: Earth One” that prevents this from happening? Because I really really liked that Shazam origin and I want to see more focus on Billy. And now he’s getting a one-shot for the Darkseid War from writer Steve Orlando and artist Scott Kolins.
Secret Wars #7 ($3.99): It all comes crashing down for God Doom. Hickman spent the last two issues setting up all the pieces for the third act and now we are finally going to get it. If anything, it’s three more issues of Hickman writing Doom before he’s turned over to Brian Bendis.
Imperium #10 ($3.99): Valiant’s best book continues moving right along.
Total: $17.95- Very solid week for comics. Or, you know, just go buy Fallout 4 or something.
Keith’s Picks:
Superman: American Alien #1 ($3.99) – With a rotating roster of the crème de la crème of artists for this seven issue miniseries by writer Max Landis, “Superman: American Alien” will at least be a visual stunner of a book. Nick Dragotta is first up for this issue that focuses on a young Clark Kent and his adoptive parents. I predict lots of heart if it’s written well.
The Goddamned #1 ($3.99) – The “Scalped” team of Jason Aaron and R.M. Guera are back for a biblical epic that looks to feature the same visceral violence and operatic emotions as Aaron’s current “Southern Bastards” series.
Batman #46 ($3.99) – Batman and Bruce Wayne versus Mr. Bloom? The showdown is guaranteed to be another exciting issue of Snyder and Capullo’s same Bat-time, same Bat-book!
Justice League: Darkseid War: Shazam #1 or Justice League: Darkseid War: Green Lantern #1 ($3.99) – The writers of these two one-shots just happen to be two of my favorite current writers: Steve Orlando on “Shazam” (with art by Scott Kolins) and Tom King on “Green Lantern” (with art by Doc Shaner, whose amazing art just happened to grace the “Shazam” Convergence miniseries). The fact that King writes a fascinating Kyle Rayner in “Omega Men” makes me interested to see how he’ll handle Hal Jordan.
Catwoman #46 ($2.99) – Genevieve Valentine has written one of the best Catwoman stories with her run that ends with this issue. Selina Kyle as mob kingpin was one of the many great things to come from “Batman Eternal” and Valentine brought the story to some dark and emotional territory. She also had the honor to work with two great artists: Garry Brown and David Messina.
Total: $18.95
Greg’s Picks:
Superman Adventures v1 TPB – ($19.99): Batman: The Animated Series gets a lot of love, both for the TV series and the comics. And all of those accolades are well-deserved, to be sure. But the core of that Bat-team followed those up with a run of Superman cartoons & comics that were just as good in their own way. Tracking those comics down have been a bear until now, with DC finally putting out standard trim-size collections of that series. Paul Dini and Rick Burchett are joined by Mr. “Understanding Comics” himself, Scott McCloud, to tell ten issues worth of straight-ahead, classic Superman tales. Remind yourself why you like the Man of Steel with this collection!
Matt Garcia’s Picks:
Adventure Time Vol 6: Masked Mayhem ($14.99) – These short graphic novels have been a consistent joy to have. This one features Detective BMO searching for a rogue prankster, and I’m already all about that.
Twilight Children #2 ($4.99) – That first issue was a stunning piece of work from two masterful cartoonists. The mystery thickens and the invasion begins (probably).
Total: $19.98
