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.
Dead Man’s Run #1 ($3.50) – I mostly know Greg Pak from his solid Marvel work, but Vision Machine proved that he works best when given a good deal of freedom (okay, in that case it was complete freedom, but I digress). We talked to Greg about Dead Man’s Run while at NYCC, and Josh reviewed the preview issue, and it’s pretty clear: This is going to be a comic you won’t want to miss.
Daredevil #8 ($2.99) – Mark Waid’s Daredevil run so far has been credited as one of the best comics coming out currently by many comic fans, and I’d have to agree. In fact, I’d easily call it Marvel’s best series. Waid has proven that Matt Murdock’s life doesn’t need to be god awful in order to be interesting, and alternating artists Paolo Rivera and Marcos Martin have been churning out some gorgeous artwork. So long as Waid is on the title, you can bet this will be on my list.
Batman #5 ($2.99) – Scott Snyder. Greg Capullo. Batman. You do the math. Though, I must admit, this book might disappear from the list sometime soon, as I’m finding it harder and harder to justify buying a $3.99 superhero comic. Still, we can enjoy it while it’s still $2.99, and I’ll probably keep loving it even after the price hike. But I won’t be happy about it!
Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #6 ($3.99) – Now, I just said that I don’t like paying $3.99 for a company-owned comic, but this is one of the few exceptions. Why? Because that price includes a digital copy. No ridiculous combo packs or anything like that. Marvel is beginning to understand that it’s ridiculous to ask customers to pay for something they already owned, and hopefully we’ll soon see other publishers follow this model. The icing on the cake is that this is a great book. I guess that should be the primary reason, but come on, you understand how great this is, don’t you?
Wonder Woman #5 ($2.99) – I’m very bitter about this book. I can be a bit tough on Brian Azzarello, but I am finding nothing to complain about with this title. It’s really shaping up to be everything Wonder Woman should be, and I’m very picky about my Wonder Woman portrayals (Geoff Johns, please just stop it). It’s a shame that the incredible Cliff Chiang had to take a break from the book, by Tony Atkins is a good artist as well, so I don’t think it will terribly affect the quality of the book.
Prophet #21 ($2.99) – I may have grown up in the 90s, but I know nothing about Liefeld’s Extreme Studios. From what I hear, though, that’s fine. Each of the comics may be resuming their numbering, but the team is trying to make them as accessible as possible. Prophet, in particular, has been getting rave reviews, from our own David Harper, as well as Internet Jesus himself, Warren Ellis. The book looks amazing, and I quite simply can’t wait to pick it up.
Total: $19.45
Matt’s Picks:
Prophet #21 ($2.99) – I’m sure everyone recommending this book plans to make some kind of sassy remark along the lines of, “Oh, I never thought I’d want to buy a Liefeld comic, hur hur hur,” but forget that noise. I’m excited to buy a Liefeld comic, even more excited to buy a comic that is just a Liefeld property, and even more excited to buy a new comic written by Brandon Graham with art by Simon Roy that is clearly influenced by the wonderful world of European comics, like The Incal. It is a comic that appeals to both my distant past, recent past and present.
Continued belowMorning Glories #15 ($2.99) – I don’t have a cameo in this issue, but it is still good.
Near Death #5 ($2.99) – I oddly do not hear a lot of people discussing this series. I would like to correct that, right here, right now.
Chew #23 ($2.99) – This arc of Chew has been nothing short of fantastic. But then again, that can be said for every arc, or any issue, of this series.
Memorial #2 ($3.99) – In Roberson and Ellis I trust.
Total: $15.95 (almost holding the line at $2.99)
Brandon’s Picks:
Batman #5 ($2.99) — Great book with great art that is telling an engaging story. One of the best DC books going right now without a doubt.
Generation Hope #15 ($2.99) — I actually prefer this books in James Asmus hands over Keiron Gillen’s. I have just found the story to be much more enjoyable. I especially love the developments with Martha. They make the book worth buying all on their own.
Red Hood and the Outlaws #5 ($2.99) — I know I am in the minority here but other than issue 2 I’ve enjoyed the hell out of this book. The art from Rocafort is a big part of my enjoyment but character moments like the Red Hoods memory reveal a couple issues ago make the book a buy for me month in and month out.
Superior #7 ($3.99) — Jesus Christ how long has this thing been running? About time it ends. This has been a great mini but I’d really like to see how this ends. I still won’t believe this book is actually shipping until I have it in my hands.
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #6 ($3.99) — It was a slow build to this point but it was all worth it. Now we’ve got Miles in costume and accepted by the rank and file superheroes of the Ultimate universe it’s time to see him start kicking some ass! I know I’m excited. How about you?
Uncanny X-Force #20 ($3.99) — Best book on the market at this time. Fact. Buy it.
Total: $20.94 (Ok, I’m over but were playing this loose and fast so who cares right?!)
Gil’s Picks:
Batman #5 ($2.99) — As long as Scott Snyder is writing this book, it’ll be on my CSBC List. Full stop. Pick. It. Up.
Chew #23 ($2.99) — This is still my favorite book, month in, month out. The humor and the art are second to none. I love it!
Daredevil #8 ($2.99) — The best solo title I’m reading from Marvel, and probably one of the best solo books out there period. Great book.
Morning Glories #15 ($2.99) — My second favorite Image book and actually second favorite book overall. Sometimes confusing, always awesome, you should be reading this.
Uncanny X-Force #20 ($3.99) — I limited myself to only one “Uncanny” book this week, and the book where Betsy is coming into her own as an omega level mutant was the one to pick.
Shut up, Walt.
Wonder Woman #5 ($2.99) — One of the more surprising relaunch books. People expected it to be good, but not THIS good.
Total: $18.94
