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!
Sweet Tooth #39 ($2.99) – Oh god.
Oh god.
No, no, no.
Daredevil: End of Days #2 ($3.99) – Daredevil is my favorite Marvel superhero, and the team assembled for this miniseries represent some of the best talent to ever work on the character. Plus, it focuses on Ben Urich! Ben Urich is awesome! The first issue of this mini met and exceeded every single lofty expectation I had for it, and I can’t wait to see where we go from here.
Manhattan Projects #7 ($3.50) – Science bad. “Manhattan Projects” good. Have I made that joke before? Who knows, with the delays this book has been hitting. Still, this delightfully twisted little book is one of the most enjoyable ongoings on the market these days, featuring one of my favorite writers and a newly found favorite artist. Keep the great work coming, guys — I’ll wait.
Storm Dogs #1 ($3.50) – Doug Braithwaite on a creator-owned mini that isn’t about gods? Hell yeah, I’ll at least try out the first issue. Not that I don’t think he handles mythologically-related material well (quite the opposite), but it’s cool to see him on something else. And it’s written by the highly underrated David Hine? Image, you shouldn’t have.
Colder #1 ($3.99) – Sometimes a cover grabs your attention, makes you sure to buy a comic you had until then never even heard of. Other times, it repulses you, warding you away even from a favorite writer or, maybe, artist. “Colder” will probably do one or the other for you. I mean, sure, it has an interesting premise about a guy whose body tempe–JESUS CHRIST LOOK AT THAT.
Freelancers #1 ($1.00) – One dollar. Why not?
Total: $18.97
Colder #1 ($3.99) – Look at that cover. Just look at that cover and tell me you’re not intrigued by this book. Or mildly horrified, I get a bit of both to tell the truth. But if the point of covers is to catch your eye and get you to check out the book, this one worked for me. If only it had come out last week then it could have went side by side with “Bedlam”. Editor’s Note: Yes, we had to subject you to that cover once again.
Manhattan Projects #7 ($3.50) – Anyone who knows me can tell you that I just won’t shut up about this book. And for good reason, it’s one of the best books I’m reading right now. And with the introduction of Star City last issue, I cannot wait to see where this goes. If you’re not reading this, I don’t know how to help you.
Daredevil: End Of Days #2 ($3.99) – I had a lot of expectations for this first issue of this. Daredevil is one of my favourite Marvel characters and both Bendis and Mack are two of my favourite creators on Daredevil (their “Wake Up” arc is a work of art). But they knocked it out of the park. With more than enough questions lined up to keep me coming back for more.
Deadpool #1 ($2.99) – An interesting choice to kick off Week One of November’s Marvel NOW! releases and one I’ve been on the fence about for a while now. Deadpool’s always been a character I’ve preferred in moderation (Remender’s masterful use of him in “Uncanny X-Force” being my favourite iteration by a long mile), but after seeing the previews of Tony Moore’s art, I think I’ve been persuaded.
Iron Man #1 ($3.99) – Now, here’s one I know I’ve been looking forward to. I’ve only loosely been following “Invincible Iron Man” for the last couple of arcs, but what Gillen looks to be doing with this title has me by the collar and isn’t letting go. Especially bringing back Tony’s love of specialised armours, something I sorely missed in Fraction’s writing.
Continued belowTotal: $18.46
47 Ronin #1 ($3.99) – Stan Sakai drawing one of the most famous stories in Japanese lore is sure to be an instant classic. I can tell you that this issue is pure gorgeousness all the way through. Sakai clearly wanted to do right by this story and he definitely knocks it out of the park.
Dial H #6 ($2.99) – I’ll keep pumping this book until the day it dies. Pure insanity on every page.
Manhattan Projects #7 ($3.50) – With tons of stuff on Jonathan Hickman’s plate and books coming out left and right (though not necessarily regularly) it’s easy to let books like this fall through the cracks. Don’t. It’s the best thing he’s writing.
Colder #1 ($3.99) – That. Cover.
Shadowman #1 ($3.99) – Justin Jordan’s work deserves a first issue buy every time. Just a cool guy with a unique, young vision. I’m all about fresh blood on old concepts and Shadowman is definitely the Valiant book I am most excited to be reading.
Total: $18.46
AVX: Consequences #5 ($3.99) – Going into this I hadn’t loved Gillen’s work on X-Men. So color me surprised that this mini has been one of my favorites of the year. It’s wrapping an era and launching us into the new BendiX era and I think it’s been doing a fine job. I’m really hoping this ends with the Extinction team being essentially the new Brotherhood. It would make for a very interesting dynamic that stories could easily be built off for some time.
Deadpool #1 ($2.99) – I just think this book is going to be incredibly fun. Just look at that cover! Fun! Remember fun books? I’m ready to remember them again. Feels like they’re few and far between.
Earth 2 #6 ($2.99) – The characters may be younger and they may be different but this book is awesome. The way this Earth has been unveiled and the slow boil introduction of the characters has made this the book one of the more successful titles of the New 52 for me. If the New 52 was supposed to be new reader friendly why aren’t the other titles more like this?
Uncanny X-Force #33 ($3.99) – Remender is almost through here. If you haven’t read this run you’ll need to get the back issues or the trades. Otherwise i’m not sure that you can show your face in your local shop without being ashamed. It’s that damn good.
New Avengers #32 ($3.99) – As is the trend with current Marvel books, another one of my favorite runs is coming to an end. Sadly, this run hasn’t aged as well as I would have liked but there is no denying that up until Secret Invasion this was one of the most exciting books on the market. I’ll miss it when it’s gone but it isn’t gone yet.
Total: $17.95
Harvest #4 ($3.50) — This Shadowline miniseries about the illegal organ transplant market has been both chilling and eerily realistic so far. We’re on the second to last issue now, and I’m anxious to see how things begin to unravel for our unlikable protagonist and the dire situation he’s gotten himself into.
47 Ronin #1 ($3.99) — Who doesn’t love a classic samurai story? Besides, Stan Sakai’s artwork looks charming as anything.
Manhattan Projects #7 ($3.50) — I haven’t been as bananas about this title as nearly everyone else I know who’s reading it, but there’s no doubt that “Manhattan Projects” has been wonderfully consistent in the way it delivers the weirdness month after month. I can’t get enough of those minimalist covers, either.
Colder #1 ($3.99) — So the first instalment of this new miniseries from Dark Horse has, um, quite the cover.
That wouldn’t be enough reason to buy it on its own, of course, but the story sounds pretty neat as well: involving a main character whose body temperature keeps dropping, and who seems to have insight into the madness of other people, it sounds a bit like an off-kilter Rachel Rising. Juan Ferreyra’s whimsically macabre work on the interiors looks promising as well.
Continued belowStorm Dogs #1 ($3.50) — A brand new science fictional miniseries from Image? Gee, that doesn’t sound like my kind of thing AT ALL.
Total: $18.48
Detective Comics #14 ($3.99) – Layman and Fabok’s first issue was head and shoulder better than the 13 that had preceded it, and I am excited about “Detective” for the first time since Scott Snyder left the book.
Manhattan Projects #7 ($3.50) – This issue is where the two centers of scientific innovation – Star City and the Manhattan Projects – start to work together. The results will surprise you.
Earth 2 #6 ($2.99) – The first arc wraps up here, and the beginnings of the book’s direction are starting to take shape. James Robinson and Nicola Scott can do no wrong in my book.
Iron Man #1 ($3.99) – I’m trying to be open minded about “Marvel NOW!,” and so I will give this book a shot. I really dig Gillen’s work; Land’s, not so much, so we shall see which flavor is the more dominant.
Colder #1 ($3.99) – A few months ago, David Harper and I spoke with Scott Allie about all things Dark Horse, and he made reference to getting an image on his desk that gave him chills because it was so disturbing. This cover was that image:
Total: $18.46 – If you have some extra cash, check out Justin Jordan and Patrick Zircher’s “Shadowman” #1 from Valiant.
Matt’s Picks
Defenders #12 ($3.99) – Fare thee well, Defenders. We hardly knew thee.
Iron Man #1 ($3.99) – Oh, lets give it a go then, shall we? After the glowing 10.0 review I gave to “Journey”, I can’t imagine me passing up on a new Gillen book seems like something I’d do.
Manhattan Projects #7 ($3.50) – One of my favorite books on the market right now.
Sweet Tooth #39 ($2.99) – I’m frightened.
Daredevil: End of Days #2 ($3.99) – The first issue was super fantastic. I would wager this one will be too.
Total: $18.46
