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.
Wolverine #18 ($3.99) – I wasn’t very hot on the first issue of this arc, but it’s Jason Aaron writing Wolverine. I’m going to buy it no matter what at this point.
Ghost Rider #5 ($2.99) – Rob Williams is absolutely killing it at Marvel lately, between this and Daken. I’m happy to give this my $2.99.
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #4 ($3.99) – I am loving me some Miles.
Unwritten #31 ($2.99) – Mmm… more Unwritten. What’s not to be happy about?
Magneto: Not A Hero #1 ($2.99) – Oh, who am I kidding? I’m a sucker for Magneto stories.
Journey Into Mystery #631 ($2.99) – I voted Kieron Gillen as Best Writer of October 2011. I’d be kind of dumb if I didn’t put this on my pull, now wouldn’t I?
Total: $19.94
Gil’s Picks
Batwoman #3 (2.99) — One of the most gorgeous books on the market, and one of the most engaging as well. You should check out this book ASAP. Plus, who doesn’t love Kate? The soulless, that’s who.
Buffy the Vampire Slayer Season 9 #3 ($2.99) — I love Buffy. If you don’t know that by now, you are either new to the site or actively avoid my articles. To which I reply, why do you hate me? Do you hate AMERICA, son? Anyway, this book is a lot of fun, and it’s in the bay area! Yay localisms!
Demon Knights #3 ($2.99) — God, this book is so much FUN. Vandal Savage has always been a villain, but in this book, he’s almost adorable. He’s a kind of lovable oaf that has all the right things to say to make you laugh. Vandal Savage: the breakout star of this book.
Huntress #2 ($2.99) — The last book was GORGEOUS. Even if you don’t like Paul Levitz, Marcus To’s work was downright breath-taking. The book in and of itself was a lot of fun last month too! Pick it up!
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #4 ($3.99) — Miles Morales: the most adorable superhero since Takio (appropriately another Bendis creation). This book is a little on the slow side, but Miles is winning me over in a real way. Now that even have a timeline of when he gets his powers, it feels more realistic.
Uncanny X-Force #17 ($3.99) — I caught up on this book in about a week. Now it’s one of my favorite Marvel books, and probably one of the best team books out there. Pick this up! And I usually avoid books that star Wolverine and Deadpool!
Total: $19.94
Walt’s Picks
Unwritten #31 ($2.99) – Things got all kinds of real with last month’s issue, and I am all kinds of ready for the “War of the Words.” I’d like to take a moment to go on a tangent about scheduling: Normally, I am annoyed when comics ship more than twelve times a year. It just makes budgeting very difficult to do. I’ve had to miss out on all the Ultimate titles because they ship once some months, twice on others. What The Unwritten is doing is different. It’s shipping twice a month consistently. No matter what month, so long as the title is doing this .5 thing (which… well, whatever), I know it should “count” as two books on my pull. That makes things a lot easier.
Continued belowAvenging Spider-Man #1 ($3.99) – Okay, I’m not the world’s biggest Joe Madureira fan. He’s alright, I guess. And Zeb Wells writes some pretty neat stuff, but on my budget I typically can’t make room for his work. Why this title, then? Three words: Free download code. Seriously, this book needs as much support as it can get, because this should be the standard for how purchasing comics in the digital age should work. You don’t even have to read it, just buy it!
Journey Into Mystery #631 ($2.99) – The launch of Journey into Mystery was easily the best thing about Fear Itself. Now that the event is over, I am incredibly excited to see what Kieron Gillen plans to do now that he has more or less free reign with his own God Squad.
Point One #1 ($5.99) – I’m not buying into your latest marketing ploy, Marvel!
…okay, so maybe I am. Damn you and your lineup of half great, half average writers and the probability that I’ll be able to get this marked down somewhere. What can I say, I’m a sucker sometimes.
Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #4 ($3.99) – That stuff I said earlier about missing out on the Ultimate line? Ignore that for a moment. Brian Michael Bendis is doing wonderful things with the title that he has launched three times. After his record on the book, are you really surprised? While Bendis’s Avengers titles might not be my favorites, I will never miss out on him doing the whole street-level, young hero kind of thing. And let’s not forget the impeccable line work of Sarah Pichelli.
Total: $19.95
Josh’s Picks
Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive #525 ($2.99) – There have been loads upon loads of smartly written, impeccably crafted super hero crime stories that have come before this one. However, I missed them all at the time, which makes having been on board at the top of this sprawling epic that much more rewarding. Plus, Francesco Francavilla!
Batwoman #3 ($2.99) – Easily one of the strongest New 52 titles that had not planned to buy before the moment I stepped into the shop on the day #1 came out. I do not regret it one bit as this one balances intense mystery with poignant interpersonal conflict to an absolute T.
Journey Into Mystery #631 ($2.99) – Yay! No more Fear Itself banner! Time to cut loose, Kieron!
Frankenstein: Agent of SHADE #3 ($2.99) – Jeff Lemire writes this comic book. I will buy this comic book.
Ghost Rider #5 ($2.99) – I suspect given it’s low-end numbers that we won’t be seeing much more of this book, but for what its worth I have never, ever cared about Ghost Rider as much as Rob Williams has made me care about Ghost Rider. Plus, raunchy wit meets demonic fantasy is always a winner.
Demon Knights #3 ($2.99) – In all honesty, I suspect this book was the one Paul Cornell was born to write, with it’s surprisingly fresh take on the middle ages and distinctly modern comedic bent. Even if high stakes conventional fantasy isn’t your boat, you still might dig this one.
Total: $17.94
Brian’s Picks
Green Lantern #3 ($2.99) – Initially, I thought Sinestro as Green Lantern would be a stunt move for the first month or two of the new series, but I think the story being told has had some interesting twists so far, and I hope that Sinestro stays a GL for the foreseeable future.
Superboy #3 ($2.99) – RB Silva has been KILLING it on Superboy. This is also, hands down, the best book Scott Lobdell is writing right now. I know that is sort of like being the world’s tallest midget, but hey, it’s better than all his books being like Red Hood and the Outlaws.
Point One ($5.99) – I am, clearly, the DC fanboy on the staff, but I’m still going to pick this up, in hope that one of the teased titles can pull me away from the Distinguished Competition.
Continued belowDemon Knights #3 ($2.99) – I feel like every week, I read an issue of one of the New 52 and think “This is such a pleasant detour from the normal DCnU books” Welcome to this week’s detour through the Middle Ages.
Frankenstein: Agent of S.H.A.D.E. #3 ($2.99) – As an old-school horror fan, this book appeals to me on just about every level. Also, see what i said re: Demon Knights, but replace “Middle Ages” with “Monster Planet.” Plus, Alberto Ponticelli continues to create one of the most singular looking books in all of comics.
Total: $17.95
