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!
Rocket Girl #2 ($3.50) – I absolutely loved the energy of the first issue from Amy Reeder and Brandon Montclare. Reeder is a huge talent in comics that hasn’t truly gotten her due yet. I hope “Rocket Girl” does that for her, because some of the spreads in this book are so good, it’s nuts.
Resident Alien: The Suicide Blonde #3 ($3.99) – While this miniseries was considerably darker than its predecessor, if my memory serves me, “The Suicide Blonde” has been quite good. Even better, I have absolutely no idea how this is going to end with only one issue left. I hope there’s more “Resident Alien” down the road for us to enjoy, but if not, at least we’ll have another nice collected edition coming our way.
Manhattan Projects #16 ($3.50) – The hottest writer in comics and what is perhaps the best comic running. It will likely never miss my Comics Should Be Cheap! list.
Umbral #1 ($2.99) – I’ve read the first issue and I can tell you, it’s absolutely delightful. I spoke with Antony Johnston at NYCC and he definitely didn’t undersell it. The Chris Mitten art is gorgeous and the coloring from John Rauch actually enhances it in some unexpected ways.
Marvel Knights X-Men #1 ($3.99) – Brahm Revel is a talent that I never expected to see drawing and writing his own X-Men story. I’m sure as hell not complaining. If “Marvel Knights” can be a new banner for creators to flex their creative muscles and get a little looser with their stories, no matter which Marvel characters they want to use, there’s a potential for them to establish yet another bulletpoint for how creator-friendly they are when compared to their competition.
Total: $17.97
Marvel Knights: X-Men #1 ($3.99) – I was pleasantly surprised by how much I enjoyed “Marvel Knights: Spider-Man” so I’m hoping for much the same here though any book that teams up Wolverine and Kitty Pryde knows how to get my money.
Shaolin Cowboy #2 ($3.99) – The grand supremor, Matthew Meylikhov, has asked me to say that I endorse all buying of “Shaolin Cowboy” at my own behest and now through threatening my position here at Multiversity.
Three #2 ($2.99) – Wow, this Karen Gillan guy is going places.
Manhattan Projects #16 ($3.50) – It still surprises me that even though this was one of the first Image comics I picked up, it’s just as strong if not stronger than when it started.
Batman #25 ($4.99) – Goddamn you, Scott Snyder. I wish I knew how to quit you.
Total: 19.46
Abe Sapien #7 ($3.50) – The travelogue of a fishman brings the book to Arizona for the second half of “The Shape of Things to Come.” Equal parts heartbreaking, perplexing and engaging.
Manhattan Projects #16 ($3.50) – Chainsaws! Swarms! Piranhas! Missing Ears!
Green Lantern Corps #25 ($3.99) – Boo Zero Year, and boo an extra dollar for the suckers collecting the entire crossover. That said, yay for Venditti/Jenson/Chang. This book has been remarkably consistent and fun.
Superior Foes of Spider-Man #5 ($2.99) – Steve Lieber is one of my “instant buy” artists, and this book, initially just purchased for his art, has become one of my favorite books, month in and month out. He and Nick Spencer are telling some of the most fun stories in all of comics here.
Continued belowUnity #1 ($3.99) – Matt Kindt and Doug Braithwaite? C’mon, fools.
Total: $17.97
Marvel Knights X-Men #1 ($3.99) – Brahm Revel Brahm Revel Brahm REVELLLLL!!!! The creator of Guerillas, one of the sneaky best books of the past few years, goes Marvel Knights with the X-Men, and I really think he’s going to kick ass in the process. We’ll see.
Rocket Girl #2 ($3.50) – I called this a John Hughes time travel story, and I love that. This book is fantastic.
Manhattan Projects #16 ($3.50) – Ho hum. Another week, another great issue of Manhattan Projects. Hopefully you’re reading this book, otherwise you’re missing out on one damn good title.
Umbral #1 ($2.99) – I honestly have no idea what this book is all about. I do know its drawn by Chris Mitten, a guy who is a super badass. Thus, I will be buying it.
Deadpool #19 ($2.99) – This book has been the surprise of the year for me, as Gerry Duggan and Brian Posehn have managed to give Deadpool some substance, and this arc has been rendered with power and emotion by Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire. Really damn solid book, right here.
Avengers Arena #17 ($2.99) – The penultimate issue, this might be the issue where the hammer is really dropped, as the final one might have clean up. Either way, I’m in, as I have been since the beginning.
Total: $19.96
Shaolin Cowboy #2 ($3.99) – I can not find the words to properly share how happy it makes me that this book is back in all of our lives.
Wraith: Welcome to Christmasland #1 ($3.99) – I loved NOS4A2, one of the few novels (actually, I think the only novel) I read in full this year. As a big fan of Joe Hill’s comic work, it was nice to see that his latest efforts in the field of prose hadn’t been destroyed by years of writing for comics. Not that it would, of course, but I can’t think of a better way to segue into the fact that I’m just very excited for this to come out. And also, Charles Paul Wilson III is the best and I love his work and his love of cheeseburgers. So it’s just a very exciting time for me in general.
Umbral ($2.99) – I’ve gone ahead and already read this debut and I will tell you that it is one of my favorite fantasy books around. Given that there aren’t a lot of fantasy books in comics right now doesn’t diminish this whatsoever, and I am very excited to see how it evolves.
Rocket Girl #2 ($2.99) – The first issue of this book was so good. Like, so good, you guys. One of the most fun I’ve had reading in comics this year. I definitely can’t wait to see what happens in this week’s issue.
Resident Alien: The Suicide Blonde #3 ($3.99) – One of my favorite underrated Dark Horse titles comes to the close of its second outing this week, and I am very excited to see the latest cliffhanger the book will bring.
Marvel Knights: X-Men #1 ($3.99) – BRAHM REVEL DRAWING THE X-MEN! It’s not new “Guerillas,” but fuck it, I’ll take it.
Total: $21.94 – I’VE BROKEN THE RULES, SO QUICK, EVERYBODY READ THIS LIST BEFORE VINCE CATCHES ME AND WHIPS ME
