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.
Follow the cut to see everyone’s picks for the week.
Our Love Is Real ($3.99) – I wrote a review of it that will be up on the site at some point, so I won’t say too much. Until then, just shut up and buy it.
Fear Agent #32 ($3.50) – I have also written a review of this. But, I mean, it’s Fear Agent #32. Why do I even have to justify this?
The Strange Talent of Luther Strode #2 (or #1’s second printing) ($2.99) – This title won Best New Book of the Month. If you didn’t get a copy of the first issue, now is your chance. If you did get the first issue, why stop there?
Moon Knight #7 ($3.99) – One of my favorite Marvel books. Bendis plus Maleev plus Moon Knight very much equals win.
Action Comics #3 ($3.99) – Oh, right! Grant Morrison is writing Superman! Yeah, let’s buy that.
Total: $18.46
Josh’s Picks
Uncanny X-Men #1 ($3.99) – One of my all time favorite writers relaunching the book that got me into comics and kept me deeply locked in for over 10 years. Oh, and Carlos Pacheco art. Can’t go wrong!
Infinite Vacation #3 ($3.50) – Finally Nick Spencer and Christian Ward’s cross dimensional epic continues, inching closer to its conclusion. Many have said it before, but this might be one of Nick Spencer’s strongest efforts in his young career and I can only hope that I don’t have to wait as damn long for the next two issues as I did for this one.
Action Comics #3 ($3.99) – Grant Morrison writing Superman. Done.
Animal Man #3/Swamp Thing #3 ($2.99 x 2) – Not just two of my favorite DCnU titles, but two of the strongest comics being put out currently and the closer they inch to their now highly publicized crossover makes the fact that they come out on the same day that much more convenient.
The Strange Talent of Luthor Strode #2 ($2.99) – One of the strongest debut issues of the year, I’ve taken to calling it “the more violent version of Kick-Ass with stronger writing and stunningly better art.” PS: for those wondering if the book holds after its strong debut, I’ve read this issue and yeah, buy it.
Total: $20.45 (I bet you 20 dollars you have 45 cents in your couch or under the seat of your car. If not, sell your body. Luthor Strode is worth it.)
Walt’s Picks
Action Comics #3 ($3.99) – Grant Morrison can make the most ridiculous, unknown character pretty much the coolest thing ever. Now, keeping that in mind, imagine him re-imagining the superhero that started it all. Yeah. It’s a few kinds of awesome.
Our Love Is Real ($3.99) – For those of you that, like me, missed out on the independent printing of this runaway success. Let’s see what all the fuss is about, shall we?
The Strange Talent of Luther Strode #2 ($2.99) – Justin Jordan and Tradd Moore are two of the coolest guys ever. Does that have anything to do with this comic? Well, not really, but that’s besides the point. Luther Strode had one of the strongest debut issues I’ve seen in a while, and I can tell you due to our press benefits that things only get better from here. Much better.
Continued belowInfinite Vacation #3 ($2.99) – Dear God, it actually exists? After a long period of time, the third issue of Infinite Vacation is finally hitting stands, and I’m pumped. The first two were easily my two favorite comics written by Nick Spencer (sorry, Morning Glories fans), so here’s hoping the third doesn’t disappoint. Rumor around the Multiversity staff email thread is that it does at least a little bit, but goddamn it I refuse to believe them.
American Vampire #20 ($2.99) and Swamp Thing #3 ($2.99) – Scott Snyder is probably my favorite writer of this “generation,” so to speak. It has been a long time since I have read comics that give me chills to the degree that his do, and I bet it will be a while before I find someone else whose work does the same thing. Whether we’re talking creator-owned vampires or company-owned elemental beings, Snyder is just an excellent writer whose work should never be passed up on. Plus, holy cow has he been teamed up with some excellent artists.
Total: $19.94
David’s Picks
Avengers Academy #21 ($2.99) – I said it last week and I’ll say it again – this is the best Avengers book, and in my estimation, it’s by a good amount. Christos Gage has developed a stellar cast in this book, and if last issue is any indication, Avengers Academy is only going to get better from here. I can’t wait.
Uncanny X-Men #1 ($3.99) – I’m putting this on here because, simply put, it’s probably the only time in my life I’ll be able to own the first issue of Uncanny (of course, the first volume was simply called “X-Men” so it’s probably the only time anyone will). While I tend to find Kieron Gillen a maddeningly inconsistent writer (outside of the incredible S.W.O.R.D.) and this book will continue to employ the awful Greg Land (but it’s Carlos Pacheco here), what I’ve seen makes this look like it could be a solid start. Poor it following up on Aaron and Bachalo’s stellar Wolverine and the X-Men though.
Witch Doctor #4 ($2.99) – I love this book. It’s funny, original and filled with beautiful art, which are three things this week in comics are shockingly short of. It’s a great book though and deserves love from fans who dig great horror comic storytelling.
Invincible #84 ($2.99) – I’ve already read this issue, and I can say that, while I love Invincible as it is, Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley are taking this book in an exciting new direction with this issue. It’s still the best Spider-Man book on the market, I’d say (I swear that makes sense), and one of the no-brainer buys for me every month.
Swamp Thing #3 ($2.99) – The only DCnU week one book that I genuinely love, Scott Snyder is killing it on this book, as is his artistic collaborator Yanick Paquette. It hasn’t been a top five book for me either month so far, but it’s been one of the best two or three DCnU books to-date.
Goon #36 ($3.50) – Because I love The Goon. Because this book is always awesome. Because of Franky. Because I know this comic will be completely different than anything else I read this week.
Gil’s Picks
Witch Doctor #4 ($2.99) – Did you ever wonder what Dr. House would be like if he were mixed with The Exorcist? YOU HAVE? Well, now’s the perfect time to check it out. This is one of my favorite Image Books, and hopefully it’ll come back for an ongoing soon!
Action Comics #3 ($3.99) – This is probably my favorite book to come out of the new 52. Are you surprised? Not really, if you know me at all. Grant Morrison and Rags Morales are at the top of the game. Check this book out!
Animal Man #3 ($2.99) – This book may not be pretty, but it’s the better for it. The heavily stylized and gritty work actually serves the story, which is not something I expected to say about Travel Foreman, whom I declared was the worst artist of the month some months back. But even if the art doesn’t grab you, the story is so engaging, you know you want to.
Continued belowAvengers Academy #21 ($2.99) – Still the best title coming from the Avengers camp, and the most fun as well. And with the Academy expanding to include all willing participants, this looks like it could be a lot of fun, and even the Avengers companion to the wonderful Wolverine and the X-men.
Swamp Thing #3 ($2.99) – The perfect companion to Animal Man, you should read these as a set. The art is remarkably better, which might make it an easier read. It’s also a tad on the wordy side, but if you don’t know anything about Swamp Thing, that’s probably a good thing.
Uncanny X-Men #1 ($3.99) – Did you know I love the X-Men? It’s true! Did you know I love Kieron Gillen? It’s true! Did you know I love Cyclops ten times more than Wolverine? IT’S TRUE! NO MORE GREG LAND?! IT’S TRUE! I’m so excited for this book, you have no idea.
Total: $19.94
Brian’s Picks
Batwing #3 ($2.99) – This book went from my go-to DCnU punchline before it was released to one of my most anticipated books of the month. Between Generation Lost and this, Judd Winnick is doing some of the best work of his career.
Swamp Thing #3 ($2.99) – I haven’t been quite as high on this book as some of the other MC folks, but in Snyder I trust.
Action Comics #3 ($3.99) – I got really excited, thinking this was the issue that Joshua Hale Fialkov’s Steel back up feature was in, but then I realized that is next month. Oh well, still buy it.
Stormwatch #3/Justice League International #3 ($2.99 x 2) – Each of these team books were highly anticipated, and each has been a let down so far. However, I think both have the creative teams in place to turn these books around, so they each get another month from me.
Animal Man #3 ($2.99) – How am I supposed to give myself nightmares without Travel Foreman’s art?
Total: $18.94
