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!
The Creep #3 ($3.50) – In my review for the previous issue of “The Creep,” I praised it for being a great example of how to do a penultimate issue. Embarrassingly enough, it wasn’t the penultimate issue, but the antepenultimate one (look at me putting my English degree to good use). That doesn’t matter, though — this is one of those great minis that could easily pass under your radar, and it is your responsibility to make sure that doesn’t happen.
Conan the Barbarian #10/($3.50)The Massive #6 ($3.50) – [Obligatory mention of Brian Wood week.][Obligatory mention of the happy medium that is a $3.50 price tag.][Obligatory oh god these books are awesome.]
Mind MGMT #0 ($2.99) – I hate, hate, hate non-sequential numbering. But I love “Mind MGMT.” What’s a guy to do? Oh, I guess the answer is suck it up and enjoy what is sure to be another great issue — but I reserve the right to complain about the numbering regardless!
Saga #7 ($2.99) – As usual: why wouldn’t you?
Total: $19.47
Locke and Key: Omega #1 ($3.99) – This is the biggest week in David Harper comics in recent memory. It’s hard to pick a top book, but let’s go with the returning Locke & Key. This is the beginning of the end, as Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez wrap this title with Omega. Can’t wait to see how it ends. Just an amazing book.
Saga #7 ($2.99) – Yay! The return of Saga! Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples’ space epic continues this week after a couple months off. Who isn’t excited about that, really?
Punk Rock Jesus #5 ($2.99) – The mini-series of the year (and likely winner of a few other awards in my world when it comes to year in review) finds Chris (aka Jesus Christ Part Deux) continuing on his punk rock path and Thomas McKael likely coming back into his life. Give Sean Gordon Murphy all of the Eisners.
Invincible #97 ($2.99) – This series perpetually rules, but man, it’s been on fire lately. As we build up to issue #100, expect it to get even crazier. I can’t wait. Plus, Ottley on all interiors again (not that Cory Walker is bad).
The Walking Dead #104 ($2.99) – The show may be getting good, but the comic has always been good. Rick’s plan is starting to take hold, even if he did get REALLY emasculated and owned by Negan last issue. Who knows what is coming next, but I know one thing: I can’t wait to find out.
Thor: God of Thunder #1 ($3.99) – Jason Aaron. Esad Ribic. They could be doing a Howard the Duck comic and I’d be in. Can’t wait to see what they come up with. I’m sure it will be spectacular.
Total: $19.94
Thor: God of Thunder #1 ($3.99) – Marvel NOW! has gotten off to a solid start with the terrific Deadpool #1, the solid (but now delayed) Uncanny Avengers #1, and the above average Iron Man #1. The concept of Thor characters from multiple periods was my favorite of the teased Marvel NOW! premises and I think that Jason Aaron is perfectly suited to this world. I think he and Ribic are going to knock this out of the park. This week sees a ton more NOW! titles hitting the shelves, but if I had to pick only one to read, it would be Aaron’s Thor.
Continued belowSaga #7 ($2.99) – Come on. It’s Saga.
Batman #14 ($3.99) – Come on. It’s Batman.
Fantastic Four #1 ($2.99) – I have a theory that Matt Fraction and I have something of a lunar cycle thing going on. Or maybe it’s more an astrology thing. When my “moon” is in the “house of Fraction”, then his comics are like the best things I could be reading. Other times, I find his too cool and funny for school “schtick” tiresome. That said, between Casanova, Hawkeye, and Iron Man (which I soured on during/after Fear Itself, but came back around on), I think Fraction has found a groove at the moment and I can’t wait to see what that means for comic’s First Family.
All-New X-Men #1 ($3.99) – Alright, Bendis. You’re on notice. I’ll give him one arc to prove to me that he has something to say about the X-Men. If the X-Men don’t spend half of the first issue around the Brunch table, that’ll be a step in the right direction. That said, I can’t ignore Immonen art and a concept that could either be emotionally satisfying or, like, the worst thing ever. I feel like the first issue or so is a must-read, but with tons of caution.
Total: $17.95
Fantastic Four #1 ($2.99) – I know I’m setting myself up for disappointment, because I am a devoted Hickman-ite, but I’m willing to give misters Fraction and Bagley a chance to keep this title in my pull list. Your move, dudes.
Batman #14 ($3.99) – Despite a hiccup towards the end of “Court of Owls,” Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo have been killing it on “Batman.” Fellow MCer Brandon Burpee feels me on this, despite him being a much bigger Joker fan than I am. The Joker, when used well, is one of the greatest villains in all of comics. When used poorly, he is pretty insufferable. Here’s to hoping Synder makes it work.
Team 7 #2 ($2.99) – You heard it here first: Justin Jordan is the new, more violent, more bearded Scott Snyder. As Snyder crept into the Bat-verse to ultimately rule it, so has/will Jordan with the Edge books DC puts out. You heard it here first.
Great Pacific #1 ($2.99) – A #1 from Image almost always gets a shot. I see no reason why this should be any different.
Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #14 ($2.99) – Enjoy Matt Kindt writing Frank while you can – by the time Spring Training starts, it will be gone.
Archer and Armstrong #4 ($3.99) – Fred Van Lente is awesome, and so is this book.
Total: $19.94
Saga #7 ($2.99) – This better be on every one’s else list, so help me. The triumphant return of Brian K. Vaughn and Fiona Staple’s epic sci-fi fantasy chronicling the childhood of the most important person in an interpalnetary war. And something gives me the feeling that none of us are ready for this, but it’s going to be amazing either way.
All-New X-Men #1 ($3.99) – With the announcement of Bendis’ “Uncanny X-Men” last week, I am even more excited for this. I’ve been waiting for a long time for someone to shake up the X-Men since Jason Aaron kind of has monopoly on it right now, but I can’t wait to see what Bendis and Immonen bring to the table.
Thor: God Of Thunder #1 ($3.99) – Speaking of Jason Aaron… now, I will always claim that Aaron’s greatest writing for Marvel was when he completely deconstructed and then reconstructed Wolverine in only 16 issues. And now he’s bringing that to the Odinson himself? With a history like that to work from the high concepts he could introduce, count me in.
Avengers Assemble #9 ($3.99) – I’ll openly admit right now that I didn’t read Bendis’ run on this title. But with Kelly Sue DeConnick taking over with fun, self-contained stories focusing on some of my favourite Avengers and not getting cluttered up with outside continuity? Yeah, you can count me in on that.
Punk Rock Jesus #5 ($2.99) – At this point, I doubt I could say anything about this excellent miniseries that hasn’t been said already except the fact that I want a Thomas McKael spinoff! He’s like the Irish Punisher, c’mon! But in all seriousness, this has been a comic unlike any other I’ve read this year and I love it. This is the kind of originality and experimentation this medium needs.
Continued belowTotal: $17.95
Matt’s Picks
Thor: God of Thunder #1 ($3.99) – This is the Marvel NOW! book for me. The only one I was 100% sold on upon announcement. Read it.
Scalped volume 10: Trails End ($14.99) – Keeping the Jason Aaron love train, the final volume of “Scalped” comes out this week. I actually wrote quite a deal about “Scalped” when it wrapped with issue #60, but the roundabout comment would be that — if you didn’t yet read “Scalped,” get on it.
Total: $18.98
