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.
Dark Horse Presents # 7 ($7.99) – A Mike Mignola illustrated Hellboy story and a new Brandon Graham story. Worth the price of admission, that bit is.
Batman Incorporated: Leviathan Strikes! ($6.99) – Goodness, we’ve been waiting some time for this, haven’t we? Morrison + Stewart + Burnham = definite buy.
Fantastic Four #601 ($2.99) – My favorite Fantastic Four continues his Fantastic Four family-fueled epic. Johnny Storm is back — now make it work, Hickman.
Total: $17.97
Walt’s Picks
Batman Incorporated: Leviathan Strikes! ($6.99) – Grant Morrison. Cameron Stewart. Chris Burnham. The long-awaited return of Batman Inc. Oh yeah, kids, Christmas came early this year. Or, well, a few months late, but you get what I’m trying to say.
Daredevil #7 ($2.99) – I honestly have to say that I think this is the best superhero comic that Marvel is currently publishing. Really, Waid, Rivera, and Martin have put together a true delight with this series, and every issue continues to impress me. If there’s one writer whom I can trust to make a Christmas-themed issue that doesn’t seem hokey or cheesy, it’s Waid, and with Rivera back on board this is going to be one gorgeous-looking issue. And have you seen the preview? Matt’s “I’m not Daredevil” shirt is the best thing to come out of the comic since those delicious, delicious “Decalogue” covers.
Batman #4 ($2.99) – Scott Snyder was my pick for best writer of 2011, and he won the title in our poll. Do I need to justify this further? Ugh, fine. The mystery of the Court of Owls that Snyder is cooking up seems quite gripping so far, and we’ve already seen with Gates of Gotham that he knows how to weave a tale into Gotham’s history without tugging too hard at the fabric. Then, of course, there is Greg Capullo, who is doing greater things than I ever expected, due to my – I admit it – blind hatred for Spawn-related creators. On the one hand, it’s a pretty standard Batman story that doesn’t do anything too crazy; on the other, it’s spectacularly well told. The latter counts for a lot.
Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #5 ($3.99) – After four issues, I think it’s safe to say that Miles Morales has the same amount of charm that Ultimate Peter Parker had under Brian Michael Bendis’s pen. In the Ultimate Universe, that’s a good thing. If you read the first volume of Ultimate Spider-Man, though, you don’t need me to tell you that. What I do need to stress is that Sarah Pichelli is absolutely killing it on this book. Her style is perfect for the kind of story that Bendis is telling, and, even if it wasn’t, goddamn is it amazing. What a clean-looking book.
X-Factor #229 ($2.99) – It’s a bad reason, but the reason this issue made it over the other strong contestants for this week is because goddamn it PAD, last issue didn’t answer anything in the slightest! Well, okay, it answered one important matter, but the really, really big one. Sorry for the vagueness. Spoilers, and all that.
Total: $19.95
Josh’s List
New Mutants #35 ($2.99) – I’ll admit, this book was just about dropped once Regenesis kicked in, however the new status quo Abnett and Lanning have built for the characters plus having the first major villain of this status quo being an assumedly mystically empowered metal band earns them my dollars for now.
Continued belowBatman #4 ($2.99) – This comic book features Scott Snyder writing Batman, therefore the chances of this being the best book of the week are incredibly high.
Invincible #86 ($2.99) – For such a simple concept, Robert Kirkman has really taken this book to immensely compelling places over the last few years, and this current chapter is (so far) no different. Sold.
Fantastic Four #601 ($2.99) – This comic book features Jonathan Hickman writing the Fantastic Four, therefore the chances of this being the best book of the week are incredibly high.
Uncanny X-Force #19 ($2.99) – After last week’s heartbreakingly mysterious cliffhanger, I’m eager to see where this book goes now that it has caught up with the rest of the Regenesis shenanigans.
Wolverine and the X-Men #3 ($3.99) – Jason Aaron. X-Men. Best book of week. Blah blah.
Total: $18.94
Brandon’s Picks
Batman #4 ($2.99) – Scott Snyder has been killing it on this book and so has Greg Capullo. If you aren’t reading this book then you are missing out and all of those types of hype machine cliche things. Just buy the damn book already!
Red Hood and the Outlaws #4 ($2.99) – Hated by many but loved by me. This books is one of my favorites month in and month out. The last page of the last issue was a great hear warming page yet extremely sad in the same breath. I wish people would give this book another chance. If anything you have got to check out what Kenneth Rocafort is doing on art here. Great stuff!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #5 ($3.99) – Cowabunga! Fucking heroes in a half-shell! This book is tubular dude! Buy it!
Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #5 ($3.99) – Last issue was my best of the month for 4 Color News and Brews. This book is coming into its own and doing so in a strong slow build that has been paying off in fun ways. I am certain the book can continue the momentum and I am excited to see what is in store for me on Wednesday.
Uncanny X-Force #20 ($3.99) – Last issue should have been my book of the year for 2011 but we had to do our rankings early to get them to you guys before the end of the year. I am not alone in saying and believing this. Issue of the year! I also chose this title as my overall ongoing of the year. High recommendations all around. Starting with a new arc here so if you haven’t been reading it now is your chance.
Wolverine and the X-Men #3 ($3.99) – Krakoa, Frankenstein’s monsters with flamethrowers, Doop, Maggott references, Jason Aaron and Chris Bachalo.
Do I really need to go into any more detail? Didn’t think so.
Total: $21.94 (You might say I am over, but you’d be wrong according to Burpee math)
Brian’s Picks
Nightwing #4 ($2.99) – One of my favorite characters in all of comics, starring in a really good book. What isn’t to like?
Dark Horse Presents # 7 ($7.99) – I would gladly pay the cover price just for the Hellboy in Mexico piece.
Justice League #4 ($3.99) – Am I the only one who thinks this has been sort of fun so far? Oh, I am? Ok then.
BPRD Hell on Earth: Russia #4 ($3.50) – I’ve spilled a lot of pixels on why I love this book already, so let’s just say it’s worth your time.
Batman #4 ($2.99) – Ask Santa for $1.46 to cover the extra book, because this one is certainly worth it.
Ask for the Batman Inc Absolute Edition for Christmas 2013 and skip the Batman Inc: Leviathan Strikes issue.
Total: $21.46
