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!
Vince’s Picks:
The Multiversity: Pax Americana #1 ($4.99) – “Watchmen” mixed with the backwards episode of Seinfeld? From Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely? Count me in. “The Multiversity” is on its way to topping “Seven Soldiers” for me, which stands among my favorite Morrison works ever. Morrison and Quitely are probably the most spectacular creative duo that’s still working together today. “Flex Mentallo”, “All-Star Superman”, “Batman & Robin”, “We3”, “New X-Men” – classics one and all. Add “Pax Americana” to the list. I’m guaranteeing it already.
Superman/Wonder Woman #13 ($3.99) – This is a book that I tried to like and just didn’t, while Charles Soule was writing it. Peter Tomasi might have a fresh take on the characters and their interesting (albeit less-than-preferrable, in my opinion) relationship. He took the characters of Batman and Damian and worked them through the ringer over the last couple of years. Maybe he can do the same for Superman and Wonder Woman?
Punk Mambo #0 ($3.99) – Peter Milligan’s legendary years are most certainly behind him, but I’ve really dug the weird niche he’s found in his current books at Vertigo (“The Names”), Dynamite (“Terminal Hero”), and at Valiant. “Punk Mambo” sounds unlike anything that Valiant is putting out, and another testament to their willingness to try new things and get weird.
Total: $12.97
Keith’s Picks:
The Multiversity: Pax Americana #1 ($4.99) – Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely are one of the best duos in comic-book-dom. With the solicit promising a mind blowing story for the fourth part of the best miniseries of the year, this could possibly be the best chapter of “The Multiversity” so far. But I say that about every issue.
Annihilator #3 ($3.99) – Two helpings of Grant Morrison in one week equals one of the best weeks for comics all year. Believe the hype and delve into this trippy comic featuring the art of another great Morrison collaborator. The first two issues of this miniseries may be the best work so far in Frazer Irving’s already stellar career.
Superman/Wonder Woman #13 ($3.99) – “Wonder Woman” isn’t the only Wondy-related book getting a new creative team this month. Peter Tomasi has done an excellent job of combining action and heart in “Batman and Robin” and I look forward to seeing him bring that same combo to Diana and Clark’s relationship. As an added bonus, it’s nice to see Doug Mahnke get another ongoing book. He’s one of the best artists around and has impressed me with his work in titles featuring other Justice League members.
Batman ’66 Meets the Green Hornet #6 ($2.99) – Holy final issue! This miniseries written by Ralph Garman and Kevin Smith (with art by the great Ty Templeton of “The Batman Adventures” fame) has been a fun romp for such a huge fan of the 1960s “Batman” television show as I am (Burt Ward was my first crush!). I’d love to see Garman tackle regular installments of “Batman ‘66” since he’s such a loyal devotee of the classic 60s movie and TV series.
Intersect #1 ($3.50) – After only having read “Constantine” and his issues of “Batman: Eternal”, I’ve been interested in reading something creator-owned by Ray Fawkes. He not only writes, but also is on art duties for “Intersect”. The fully-painted pages that I’ve seen look hauntingly gorgeous.
Total: $19.46 (Buy “Teen Titans Earth One” by Jeff Lemire and Terry Dodson on the side for $19.99!)
David’s Picks:
Deadly Class #9 ($3.50) – A strong contender for my favorite series of the year. This book has one of the greatest advantages in art out of any comic (Wes Craig and Lee Loughridge are gods), but Rick Remender is bringing his A game here.
Continued belowB.P.R.D. Hell on Earth #125 ($3.50) – In a year of flashy new releases and mega events, the always reliable B.P.R.D. continues to be one of the best comics on the market. This issue will likely be no different.
Revival #25 ($2.99) – This comic hasn’t been as spectacular this year as it was last, but it’s still a rock solid book from the duo of Tim Seeley and Mike Norton.
The Multiversity: Pax Americana ($4.99) – I’ll be totally honest, I haven’t thought this book has been that great so far. However, Frank Quitely is REALLY, REALLY good at this comic art thing, and I’m excited to see what he and Nathan Fairbairn have in store for us here.
Axistential Crisis #6 (FREE) – Don’t buy Axis. That comic is hot garbage. However, please do read our column Axistential Crisis, in which James Johnston weekly turns hot garbage into pure gold. GIVE THIS MAN ALL THE EISNERS.
Total: $14.98 – a week that’s on the not so good side, but there are some quality releases here
Brian’s Picks:
B.P.R.D. #125 (3.50) – Two words: James. Harren.
Intersect #1 ($3.50) – Ray Fawkes is one of the most unique artists working in all of comics, and the preview pages for this look absolutely great. This is a book that looks nothing like anything else on the shelves, and that is awesome.
Multiversity: Pax Americana #1 ($4.99) – The Morrison/Quietly reunion we all need is here – all hail Team Flex Mentallo!
Justice League #36 ($3.99) – Jason Fabok, late of “Batman Eternal,” starts his run on DC’s flagship book. Few artists have had as meteoric of a rise as Fabok, and this looks to be another step in his climb.
Green Lantern New Guardians #36 ($2.99) – Godhead? Pretty, pretty dope. Chapter 8 looks to continue that trend.
Total: $18.97
Matthew Meylikhov’s Picks:
The Multiversity: Pax Americana ($4.99): Monday morning I woke up to a message wishing me luck with my ongoing annotations of the series, because apparently this week’s issue is gonzo insanity via Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely. Hooray! Hooray! Just what I wanted!
Annihilator #3 ($3.99): And, hey, lets keep the Morrison train rolling with “Annihilator” #3. Morrison and Frazer Irving have been doing something kind of wonderful with this series that’s surprisingly understated, with stray connections from this book to past works like “The Filth” (the role of the writer), “Flex Mentallo” (in terms of visual imagery) and perhaps a direct link to “The Invisibles” (the role of the sentence and its period). Say, don’t “Flex,” “Invisibles” and “Filth” represent a thematic trilogy for Morrison? Hmm… (Editor’s note: congrats, Matt — you found a way to work annotations into CSBC, you maniac.)
Morning Glories #42 ($3.50): Speaking of annotations, this week’s issue of “Morning Glories” is perhaps one of my favorites of the entire series. To borrow a phrase from a pretentious film goer who was sitting behind me when I saw Birdman, this issue is rather pregnant with ideas worth discussing and debating. I’m looking forward to it.
Zero #12 ($2.99): One of my favorite series continues, as the latest issue of Ales Kot’s “ZERO” sees one of the more understated aspects of the series coming to the forefront alongside a stray return to normalcy. But what is normal in this series? Is it something like this issue? I can’t answer that for you, but I can urge you to continue reading this series.
Magneto #12 ($3.99): When “AXIS” came along, I found that the only series I wasn’t reading that tied into the event was “Magneto”. So, on that lark, I decided to go back and read the entire series just because. And wow, was I rewarded on that endeavor; this is maybe Cullen Bunn’s best book to date, and Gabriel Walta is doing some kind of dark magic with the series as it walks a very fine line between a brutal revenge fantasy and an incredibly nuanced character story about the only man in the Marvel Universe more violent and with more anger in his heart than Frank Castle. This is a highly recommended series, folks. Get into it.
Continued belowTotal: $19.46 – Grab the Interstellar soundtrack to listen to while reading these. It’ll enhance the experience on pretty much all fronts.
Matthew Garcia’s Picks:
The Multiversity: Pax Americana ($4.99) – Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely are one of those creative teams who bring out the best in each other, and so them regrouping for the latest installment in this universe-shattering adventure is a definite cause for excitement. It also makes you wish they were working on another series together, instead of Quitely wasting his time with “Jupiter’s Legacy.”
Lumberjanes #8 ($3.99) – What was supposed to be the end of the series is now just the end of the arc. And thank goodness for that. This has been a wonderfully realized adventure and hopefully Stevenson, Ellis, and Allen will continue to allow it to grow and evolve.
Princess Ugg #4 ($3.99) – Ted Naifeh’s “Princess Ugg” has been charming and hilarious. I’m hoping he starts showing his hand a little more about the direction of the story, and here at the mid-point seems like a good place to begin delving deeper into his world.
Zero #12 ($2.99) – I’m up and down with Ales Kot’s writing, but there’s no doubt he’s throwing his soul into this series. For this issue, Kot’s joined by Adam Gorham, as a deadly fungus starts to spread.
Total: $15.96
James’ Picks:
Amazing Spider-Man #10 ($3.99) – Peter Parker, Doc Ock, and Miles Morales teaming up? Sploosh.
AXIS: Carnage #2 ($3.99) – I’ve been, uh, less than kind to “AXIS” as a whole but the Spidey-villain tie-ins have been nothing but great. I would love to see maniac hero Cletus Kasady stick around when this is all said and done. Plus, Sin-Eater
The Multiversity: Pax Americana #1 ($4.99) – I’ve been waiting for this comic for roughly a quarter of my life. How funny would it be if I just straight up never read it?
Lumberjanes #8 ($3.99) – Surprising absolutely no one, “LumberJanes” is still a hit around the Multiversity offices. If you haven’t checked this series out, yet get on it ASAP as possible.
Total: $16.96
Matt Dodge’s Picks:
The Multiversity: Pax Americana #1 ($4.99) – Grant. Morrison.
Justice League #36 ($3.99) – The idea of a virus sweeping through the city is morbidly on-the-nose timing, and also creates an interesting enemy for the League. Let’s see Superman punch his way through germs (I know he probably did this in the 60’s, so there’s no need to leave angry comments).
Wonder Woman #36 ($2.99) – It is going to extremely hard to follow the generation defining run from Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang. David Finch, however, is a very talented artist, and the new story from Meredith Finch at least deserves a chance. It’ll be interesting to see if the series remains in its own corner of the DCU, or if there will be a greater overlap with “Justice League” and “Superman/Wonder Woman”.
Daredevil #10 ($3.99) – Mark Waid and Chris Samnee keep bring the good every month. I’m running out of ways to say how good this series is.
Intersect / Sinergy #1 – There are a couple of interesting first issues coming out from Image, and something new and unique is always worth a shot. Pick up which ever one strikes your fancy.
Total: $19.46
Leo’s Picks:
Intersect #1 ($3.50) – Image has been putting out all kinds of exciting books. Intersect will hopefully be one of them.
Goners #2 ($2.99) – I’m digging what Semahn and Corona are doing with Goners so I’m definitely sticking around for issue 2.
Zero #12 ($2.99) – Zero is a consistently great comic, even as the artist changes with every issue. Ales Kot is some sort of mad genius.
Total: $9.48. It’s a light week for me. Go throw $5 at a Kickstarter or something.
