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!
Leo’s Picks:
Postal Vol. 4 ($14.99) – “Postal” is one of my very favorite books each month and this most recent arc is probably the strongest one so far. This arc has the criminals in the town of Eden dealing with an external threat: Aryan Brotherhood members who are out to kill a former member who now resides in Eden. Bryan Edward Hill does a great job of characterizing both the former and current Aryan Brotherhood members and how they interact with the other characters. As always, Isaac Goodhart does a fantastic job on art. In short, get this trade. Read “Postal”.
Green Valley #3 ($2.99) – I’m honestly surprised by how much I liked this book. Max Landis and Giuseppe Camuncoli are making a thoroughly enjoyable fantasy book that is both playing towards tropes and bucking them at the same time. I’m definitely sticking around.
Total: $17.98. Only a couple things for me this week, but still a pretty good week.
Brian’s Picks:
Deathstroke #8 ($2.99) – Simply put, one of the best books every two weeks. In an absurdly shitty year, it seems only fitting that the character everyone wrote off an ongoing from would prove to be so unbelievably good.
Reborn #3 ($3.99) – Speaking of things I didn’t expect, this is the first Mark Millar book I’ve liked in years. Greg Capullo’s art is part of it, but there’s something else to it. The fact that the book is almost entirely devoid of cynicism is, perhaps, the best part of it.
Hawkeye #1 ($3.99) – I applaud Marvel giving its Hawkeye title to Kate Bishop, as well as to an exciting creative team. Let’s hope this lasts.
Rockstars #1 ($3.99) – I love everything about this concept, and I can’t wait to check out the book.
Shadows on the Grave #1 ($3.99) – Richard Corben, Need I say more?
Red Sonja #0 ($0.25) – What else are you going to spend a quarter on?
Total: $19.20
Matthew’s Picks:
Foolkiller #2 ($3.99) – The first issue of Max Bemis’ new Marvel ongoing was the most Max Bemis-y comic since “Polarity” in its self-indulgence. That this character, who had been regularly appearing in “Deadpool”, suddenly decided to reference Weezer probably tells you everything you need to know. But it was fun, and I’m enjoying seeing where the book continues to go.
Green Valley #3 ($2.99) – Speaking of celebrities from other entertainment mediums and their work in comics, Max Landis has been really impressing me lately. Between “American Alien” and Dirk Gently (which was fucking phenomenal, btw), I’m expecting really good things from “Green Valley.”
Motor Girl #2 ($3.99) – New Terry Moore series = insta-buy. I’ll admit: I actually tend to like his stuff more when it’s done and collected, but I can’t help reading along issue-to-issue as well.
The Flash #12 and Wonder Woman #12 ($2.99 each) – My two favorite DC books, aka the two DC books I actually read. Grab both, miss neither.
Total: $16.95 – You’ve got some extra this week. Go do something nice with it.
Greg’s Picks:
Shadows on the Grave #1 ($3.99) – Richard Corben has been drawing comics for half a century, racked up enough awards to furnish a mid-sized apartment comfortably, and shaken more readers to their very souls than anyone this side of Lovecraft. That said, the man still doesn’t get enough due for his work. This new Dark Horse 8-issue mini is your latest chance to see an absolute master doing what he was put on this earth to do: unsettle readers with the stories he tells, and unsettle cartoonists with the ease and longevity with which he’s created them.
Continued belowBatman/TMNT Adventures #2 (of 6) ($3.99) – If you can’t fork over the $20 and get the first volume of “Batman & Robin Adventures” reprints this week, picking up this crossover is the next best thing. Getting right what the last bat/terrapin teamup got wrong, this outing feels pretty close to one of those Saturday morning cartoon specials airing in prime-time; everyone involved is taking a little extra effort to show off what they can do, in hopes of bringing new readers to the property in question. And when that property is the Batman or Turtles AU, that’s a good thing.
The Four-Color Comic Book History of Comics #2 ($3.99) – Van Lente & Dunlavey are back this month to bring you another slab of comics history — this time revised and in color! And just in time, too, as we find ourselves at the point where superheroes land on the scene. Lots of the usual “did you know?”’s and barrels of truth-stranger-than-fiction, along with “The King” himself making his entrance onto the stage, all that and more as IDW represents this essential look at the history of comics!
Total: $11.97
Matt’s Picks:
Sun Bakery #4 (5.99) – I cannot keep recommending this book enough. It has so much imagination, such a restless spirit, and multitudes of energy, it’s almost overwhelming. Corey Lewis has been doing some great work for himself, and to see it here, in print, is a real treat. There’s a rumor going around that “Sun Bakery” has been picked up by Image in February. Which is great because Lewis’s book will be more readily available to people, especially those who don’t want to read it digitally or pay high prices for back issues. Anyway, expect the same craziness and kinetics here.
Total: $5.99
Mark’s Picks:
Rumble – Volume 3 ($16.99): This latest arc is certainly the best yet, pulling together plot threads from all the previous arcs. In that way it feels like the end of the first act of “Rumble.” I recommend picking this one up and reading through all three volumes back to back.
Total: $16.99. I’m buying other stuff too, but everything else totally blows the $20 budget.
