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.
Locke & Key: Clockworks #3 ($3.99) – My second favorite ongoing currently being published. To not be reading it is to clearly hate comics. You don’t hate comics, do you?
Journey Into Mystery #632 ($2.99) – I am absolutely enamored with this title right now, and I don’t care who knows it!
S.H.I.E.L.D. #4 ($2.99) – Hands down the best Marvel comic book series Marvel is currently publishing. I have loved absolutely every issue so far, and I can’t wait to see what comes next (and by George, if I could buy one of those pages from the previous issue of the Celestial going mad, I absolutely would.)
Uncanny X-Force #18 ($3.99) – Somebody’s gotta die. I’ve gotta buy this and read it before anyone else on the site, so I can e-mail them who dies and ruin Christmas for everyone.
Carnage USA #1 ($3.99) – If everybody had a symbiote across the USA, then everybody’d be killin’ like Cletus Kasady. You’d see ’em wearin’ their Others; huarachi sandals, too. A bloody, bloody red monster – Carnage USA.
Pigs #4 ($2.99) – Cosby and McCool’s ongoing with Tamura is quite cool indeed.
Total: $20.94 – OH, DEAL WITH IT.
David’s Picks
Uncanny X-Force #18 ($3.99) – If I had a choice between buying this comic for $20 or any mix of other comics for $20 or less this week, I would buy this comic (thankfully, this is not a problem I will have). I am dying to read the finale of the Dark Angel Saga, and I’m hoping against hope that this could end up being my favorite comic of the year (offsetting my existing top pick which is also a Remender joint). It should be pretty amazing one way or another.
Locke & Key: Clockworks #3 ($3.99) – This is one of my absolute favorite books on the market, and the last issue proper was fantastic and the most recent Locke & Key joint (Guide to the Known Keys) was even more incredible. Basically, this book gets better and better, and it’s thanks to the efforts of Messrs. Hill and Rodriguez that it is so great. This is one of the most consistently satisfying books around people. Don’t miss it.
Walking Dead #92 ($2.99) – Already read this issue, but I can say this wholeheartedly: this is one of the best issues in a while. I’m not a person who thinks the book has suffered at all recently (that’s actually the TV show), but this book stands out as a particularly great moment for a particularly great book. Don’t miss it.
The Unwritten #32 ($2.99) – What’s better than The Unwritten? The Unwritten twice monthly! That’s what we’re getting for a little while from Mike Carey, Peter Gross and the guest artist du jour (in this case, M.K. Perker), and if issue #31.5 is an indicator, this whole deal is going to be positively splendid. Splendid I tell you.
Avengers Academy #23 ($2.99) – Oh boy! More Avengers Academy! This book passes my grand excitement test for comics – I know I truly love it when every time it shows up it’s one of the first books I read. And man, this book absolutely makes the cut. Fun fact: these five books (this one and the four previous) all made my best ongoings of the year.
Continued belowTotal: $16.95 (Keeping it to the top five)
Walt’s Picks
Unwritten #32 ($2.99) – It has its ups and its downs, but Mike Carey and Peter Gross’s literary odyssey is and will remain my favorite ongoing for the rest of its publication, barring something awful happening to either of the men’s creative juices. “Tommy Taylor and the War of the Worlds” looks like it’s going to be more bombastic than any Unwritten story so far, and I, for one, can’t wait to see how it turns out.
American Vampire #21 ($2.99) – “Beast Cave” has been a fun break from the main American Vampire story, and guest artist Jordi Bernet has been doing some excellent work within the pages of today’s premier horror comic. How does it end, and how will what we learn about Skinner and Book affect one of my favorite creator-owned series? Hell if I know, but I am ready to find out.
Journey Into Mystery #632 ($2.99) – It’s a Norse god Christmas issue, written by Kieron Gillen. What more do I need to say in order to convince you to buy this?
Batwoman #4 ($2.99) – Williams and company have been doing a fine job with meeting the high bar that Greg Rucka set with his own run with Kate Kane. It doesn’t hurt that Williams was an instrumental part in setting that bar in the first place. I wouldn’t call the my favorite book of the new 52, but best looking? Oh, without a doubt.
The Ray #1 ($2.99) – One of my favorite things about the DCnU is that, amidst all the offerings that are the same thing we’ve seen a billion times before, there are some offerings that stand out. The Ray looks to be one of those. Sure, it’s another superhero book, but come on… when was the last time you read a Ray comic? And look at those credits: The stellar team of Palmiotti and Gray, plus Jamal Igle? How could you not at least try this first issue?
S.H.I.E.L.D. #4 ($2.99) – Jonathan Hickman continues telling the secret history of Marvel with Dustin Weaver. Are you kidding me? Buy.
Total: $17.94
Brian’s Picks
Demon Knights #4 ($2.99) – I just can’t get enough of the jolly Vandal Savage of the Middle Ages! Plus, this is a really good comic.
The Shade #3 ($2.99) – Despite evidence to the contrary, I’m hoping I finally like an issue of this mini.
Green Lantern #4 ($2.99) – If it turns out that Sinestro is really dead and it is the Man in Black occupying his corpse, I’m going to be really upset.
Batwoman #4 ($2.99) – One of the most visually pleasing comics of 2011 – worth the cover price for the art alone.
Superboy #4 ($2.99) – A Christmas issue four installments into a new series? Count me in! Oh yeah, and RB Silva is awesome.
Walking Dead #92 ($2.99) – My wife would kill me if I didn’t bring this home on Wednesday.
Josh’s Picks
Black Panther: The Most Dangerous Man Alive #526 ($2.99): Unlike some other recently cancelled Marvel books that appear to be content with phoning in their last few issues, David Liss and Shawn Martinbrough intend to have T’Challa go down swinging as the latest attempt at an ongoing series for him comes to its close. Now, more than ever, is the time to tune in and see one of the best, most overlooked Marvel books of the year earn that title.
Orchid #3 ($3.50): This post apocalyptic fable from former Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello may be a little heavy on the exposition, but it’s depiction of a post-societal Earth gets more compelling the more I read. Combining elements of several disparate genres, this book is shaping up to an epic, futuristic folk song in comic book form, which I suspect is the point. For now, I’m in.
Continued belowBatwoman #4 ($2.99): JH Williams III writes and draws this and if you don’t read it then you are wrong. Like, Tex Richman wrong.
Severed #5 ($2.99): Scotts Snyder & Tuft and artist Attilla Futaki’s terrifying journey through early century America is equal parts horrifying and compelling and worst (or best) of all, stunningly realistic. The impact of this series has yet to really be felt, but as someone that has already read this issue, I can say the slow build will only make the payoff more worth it.
Journey Into Mystery #632 ($2.99): Kieron Gillen writing Kid Loki. Done.
SHIELD #4 ($2.99): The flagship of Jonathan Hickman’s exploration and redefinition of the Marvel Universe. Every new issue raises the bar for historical graphic fiction and it shows no signs of letting up yet. Oh and also, Dustin Weaver is a BEAST since this is the best looking comic not drawn by JH Williams III on the stands right now. Period.
Total:$18.45
Gil’s Picks
Avengers Academy #23($2.99) — This book needs more readers. It doesn’t deserve to be as low as it is on the sales lists. Pick this up!
Batwoman #4 ($2.99) — JH Williams III. ‘nuff said
Buffy The Vampire Slayer Season 9 #4 ($2.99) — Last issue was pretty damn awesome. Here’s hoping it keeps up!
Demon Knights #4 ($2.99) — This is arguably my sleeper hit of the DCnU. I did not expect it to be as good as it is, but it’s inexplicably awesome. If only Cornell’s other book were as amazing.
Magneto Not A Hero #2 ($2.99) — JOSEPH IS BACK WTFFF?!??!?!?!!? Also: Clay Mann’s art is off the chain. You want to check this out.
Uncanny X-Force #18 ($3.99) — The DARK ANGEL SAGA ENDS HERE! SOMEONE WILL DIE! I BET IT’S WARREN! This book is awesome!
Total: $18.94
