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:
Tooth and Claw #1 ($2.99) – Ben Dewey’s art in this thing is going to knock your socks off. Plus, you know, that Kurt Busiek guy ain’t too bad himself.
Penny Dora and The Wishing Box ($2.99) – You know me – I’m always up for a new all-ages adventure. This particular comic has art from Sina Grace, one of the most versatile artists in comics today.
Green Lantern #36 ($2.99) – I’ve really been enjoying ‘Godhead’, which is something I did not think I’d be able to say, knowing that I’d have to get through “Red Lanterns” to make it to this point. I look forward to the 2nd act, which starts in “Green Lantern” this week.
Grayson #4 ($2.99) – I still feel like everyone is underselling how great “Grayson” truly is. I mean, now that “Wonder Woman” is gone, I’m one more terrific issue away from calling it the best thing DC is doing right now.
Gotham Academy #2 ($2.99) – What a magical experience the first issue of this series was. It actually made me feel warm and fuzzy about the “youth” of the DCU – something that hasn’t really happened since the New 52 started.
Action Comics #36 ($3.99) – In other “best thing DC has going” news, we get the start of a new arc from Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder on “Action” this week. I kind of fell off during the whole ‘Doomed’ thing, but now they have a chance to win me back all over again. I’m sure they will.
Total: $18.94
Keith’s Picks:
Superman Unchained #9 ($4.99) – I’m looking forward to the last chapter of Scott Snyder and Jim Lee’s Superman saga. Snyder brought depth and fun to this book while Lee has given us his best art since “Hush” (in my humble opinion). Even though the series had a few delays, it has been well worth the wait so far.
Batman Eternal #31 ($2.99) – A team-up between Alfred and Bane? Sounds pretty awesome to me!
Gotham Academy #2 ($2.99) – After reading and re-reading the first issue (which is one of the best of the year), I have high hopes that the second issue will be just as well-written, gorgeous, and addictive as the first.
Action Comics #36 ($3.99) – Horror in a Superman book? If anyone can pull it off, it’s Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder. This team has impressed me so far throughout their run and now, with the “Doomed” storyline wrapped up, I’m excited to see them delve deeper into Clark’s life and his supporting cast (especially Lana Lang and John Henry Irons, who make a cute couple).
Green Arrow #36 ($2.99) – I was shocked when I heard that the stupendous team of Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino was leaving this book and had low expectations for the new team. However, the first issue by Andrew Kreisberg, Ben Sokolowski, and Daniel Sampere was fun and had me intrigued by the surprising twist of an ending. They’re no Lemire and Sorrentino, but I am willing to take a chance and see where they’re taking this book. The writers obviously have a love for the character because of their involvement with the amazing show featuring Oliver Queen.
Total: $17.95 (If the above titles hold no interest for you, I HIGHLY suggest you instead pick up the 25th anniversary edition of the classic “Batman: Arkham Asylum: A Serious House On Serious Earth” by Grant Morrison and Dave McKean. Go over your budget and buy it for $29.99. It’s one of the first books I ever read as a child and remains a book I read at least once a year. It’s seriously one of the best books ever.)
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Matt Garcia’s Picks:
Adventure Time OGN Vol. 4: Bitter Sweets ($12.99) – Boom has truly done well with the Adventure Time property, and everything from the main ongoing to the slew of miniseries to these digest OGNs have provided loving and fantastic romps throughout the world of Ooo. In this one, Princess Bubblegum sets off on an epic adventure with Peppermint Butler. Kate Leth and Zachary Sterling did great work together on “Seeing Red,” so, y’know, my expectations are to the roof.
Grayson #4 ($2.99) – I don’t want to come off as cynical or anything, but I don’t think this is a series long for the shelves. This is superhero comics we’re talking about and eventually Dick will be back in the domino mask. Of course, peeps probably said the same thing when he originally became Nightwing, so. Anyway, Seeley, King, and Janin have made an interesting and intriguing and sexy comic and I’m all about it for as long as it’s around.
Gotham Academy #2 ($2.99) – Not everything landed in the first issue as well as I had hoped, but I think that Cloonan and Fletcher and Kerschel have already set off into thisworld with a strong creator relationship and an understanding of what works for each of them and what kind of story they want to tell. Once they find some solid footing with this story, it has the potential to be a true gem.
Total: $18.97 – Not a lot of titles for me this week, but I’m honestly excited about each one. Not just, “Eh, I follow along with it so whatevs,” excited, but like, “You should all be reading these” excited.
Brian’s Picks:
Tooth and Claw #1 ($2.99) – I had the unmitigated pleasure of seeing a few of these pages in person at Emerald City Comicon last March, and they were fucking stunning. I cannot wait to hold this in my grubby little hands.
Birthright #2 ($2.99) – #1 was one of the best debut issues of the year – this issue doubles down on a lot of the themes from #1, and is a completely satisfying reading experience – except for the fact that I want #3 right now. Like, now. C’mon.
God Hates Astronauts #3 ($3.50) – Why aren’t you already buying this you crazy person? The sound effects alone are worth the price of admission.
Action Comics #36 ($3.99) – I beat this drum every month – “Action Comics” is the best Superman comic of the past 5 years. If you like Superman and aren’t reading this, I don’t get you.
Grayson #4 ($2.99) – This title has hit on all cylinders thus far, and shows no signs of slowing down.
Tiny Titans: Return to the Treehouse #6 ($2.99) – Until we meet again, fare thee well, sweet princes and princesses.
Total: $19.45
David’s Picks:
Tooth and Claw #1 ($2.99) – Benjamin Dewey is your new favorite artist. Give this man all of the Eisners. Oh, and Kurt Busiek and Jordie Bellaire are also great, as is this comic. Probably. I’m waiting for my print edition to hit before reading it, but I am beyond pumped.
Chew #44 ($2.99) – This is the beginning of the end, and what an issue it is.
Penny Dora and the Wishing Box ($2.99) – Great all-ages comics are a rare breed, and this one has a ton of potential. I recommend checking it out.
Birthright #2 ($2.99) – I was genuinely surprised by how much I liked the first issue. Not that Josh Williamson and Andrei Bressan aren’t all that or anything, but that was a spectacularly assured debut. More please.
Gotham Academy #2 ($2.99) – One of my favorite debuts of the year releases its follow up. Does this gravy train have biscuit wheels? Let’s find out.
Humans #1 ($2.99) – You had me at ape biker gang and Image #1. I really don’t know anything about this, but again, ape biker gang.
Total: $17.94 – super Image heavy but also super awesome healthy
Matthew Meylikhov’s Picks:
Nailbiter #7 ($2.99) – Hands down the best comic of the week already for me. This was an absolute joy to read; Josh Williamson makes the the book accessible to new readers right off the bat and explores the mystery, and Mike Henderson does some of his best work yet. Plus the inclusion of Bendis as a character allows both Williamson and Henderson to play with Bendis tropes and do a massive “Powers” riff that is better than the actual “Powers” comic currently is. If you’ve never read “Nailbiter” before, now is the time to give it a shot and see if it is for you.
Continued belowBirthright #2 ($2.99) – And, I mean, as long as you’re going to buy one book by Williamson, why not both?
Tooth and Claw #1 ($2.99) – If “Nailbiter” hadn’t stolen my heart, this would be my favorite book of the week. However, it’s a very close second. This is everything I like about Busiek condensed into a nice 48-page issue (at $2.99!) with dense dialogue, rich mythology and a whole lot of world building. Plus, Ben Dewey is finally on an ongoing comic. My hero. This is a can’t miss.
Men of Wrath #2 ($3.50) – The first issue of Aaron/Garney’s latest collaboration was brutal. How dare you even think about not getting the second?
Li’l Depressed Boy: Supposed to be There Too #2 and Penny Dora and the Wishing Box #1 ($3.99 and $2.99) – Every time there is a new Sina Grace comic, you buy it. Every. Time. Especially when it’s more LDB and/or a new series that’s an all ages book to boot.
Total: $19.45
Zach’s Picks
The New 52: Futures End #27/ Earth 2: Worlds End #5/ Earth 2 #28 ($2.99 x 3) – I lump the three of these together because, in my mind, they are essentially inseparable at this point. They’re not the best books released each week, but as I’ve stated numerous times in as many venues, they’re always at the top of my stack. With the official announcement of “Convergence,” my interest in DC’s messy, sprawling epic is at a high.
Action Comics #36 ($3.99) – Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder are back to doing their thing, this time working a supernatural twist into the Man of Steel’s post “Doomed” status quo. Plus, that beard. I literally cannot wait.
Tooth and Claw #1 ($2.99) – This book looks incredible, and that’s really all you need to know.
Amazing Spider-Man #9 ($3.99) – I fell off the Slott Spidey-train after “Superior” ended, but “Spider-verse” has gotten me hooked all over again. The event kicks off in earnest this week, and I’m looking forward to all kinds of multiversal antics (are you seeing the trends in my interests. I’m especially excited to see Olivier Coipel work his widescreen cinematic magic on the old wall crawler.
Total: $19.94 – A full week with some fantastic comics.
Leo’s Picks:
5 Copies of Ghost Fleet #1 ($3.99) – As a huge fan of his webcomic “Space-Mullet”, I’m so glad Daniel Warren Johnson is making his debut to monthly comics. The fact that he’s hooked up with writer Donny Cates only makes “Ghost Fleet” all that much more exciting. Needless to say I’m hyped.
Total: $19.95
