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Comics Should Be Cheap! (12/24/2014)

By | December 23rd, 2014
Posted in Columns | 10 Comments

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!

Vince’s Picks:

Master Keaton Vol. 1 GN ($19.99) – Rumor has it that this has been hitting shops already, and low and behold, it’s available on Amazon.com as we speak. Normally that would be a ‘Comics Should Be Cheap!’ party foul, but Diamond lists it among their releases this week, so I’m going with it. I’m building quite the Naoki Urasawa library here at my house. Urasawa is right up there with Tezuka and Toriyama as far as historically influential and popular mangaka is concerned. “Master Keaton” is a globe-trotting adventure starring a mild-mannered investigator for-hire. I can’t say enough about the epic scope of “Master Keaton” and the talents of Urasawa, which are as enjoyable and accessible as comics get – even to those averse to manga. As a bonus, if these releases are anything like the Perfect Editions of Urasawa’s “Monster” – they’re going to look very classy and legitimate on your bookshelf.

Total: $19.99

Matthew Meylikhov’s Picks:

They’re Not Like Us #1 ($2.99) – Eric Stephenson and Simon Gane’s new series is probably the last most anticipated series of the year. Stephenson an incredibly smart guy, and “Nowhere Men” was a wonderful read despite delays. Gane is an incredible artist and his take on the not-superhero genre is sure to be stunning. There’s just nothing about this book that’s not worth anticipating, and if you like smart, sharp comics this one’s for you.

Secret Avengers #11 ($3.99) – The clock is ticking on Ales, Mike and Matt’s wonderfully fun romp through the super-spy landscape, and everything is super dire. Every issue raises the stakes just a little bit more, and this issue sets up the last of the dominos to be kicked over now that the true villain of the series has revealed himself. Oh, and the issue comes with an ad for the Charles Atlas program, because it’s 2014 and that’s a thing that still happens.

Magneto #13 ($3.99) – I think I said this last time in CSBC when “Magneto” came out, but this accidentally became my favorite Marvel comic. The only book I wasn’t keeping up with at all during “AXIS,” I gave it a read from #1 up just to see what was happening and came away insanely impressed. It’s a dark, dense and nuanced read, carefully constructed and unlike anything Bunn has done before. I can’t recommend this series enough.

MIND MGMT #29 ($3.99) – I really love “MIND MGMT,” though I don’t often talk about it. The reason is because I buy it in single issues and then binge read it in arcs. It’s essentially trade waiting, but I get to support the book at the same time. And seeing as we’re at the end of the year and now is as good a time as any to sit and read a bunch of Matt Kindt comics, I am very excited to see what has been going on with Meru since I last left her.

Avengers and X-Men: AXIS #9 ($4.99) – Look: everyone’s going to be reading this comic this week. Whether you buy it in store or digital, or whether you just pirate it online and don’t tell anyone. “AXIS” has been bugshit-crazy, absolutely nonsensical and completely out of left field in a time that is both pretty good for Marvel and great for Remender. Every issue has begged the question “how did this get made?”, and I’m sure that the finale is going to be even more insane than the past 8 issues have been. So screw it, lets go all in. Rut and roll, ladies and gentlemen, because this book is just country.

Continued below

Total: $19.95 – Happy last night of Hannukah, everyone! And probably some other holiday too, I don’t know!

David’s Picks:

Axistential Crisis #9 (FREE) – It all ends here people. Will Multiversity’s James Johnston be changed forever, or will he even survive the experience of reviewing/recapping all nine issues of Marvel’s garbage fire of an event comic? We’ll find out here, but I’m pulling for a Christmas miracle.

They’re Not Like Us #1 ($2.99) – A new Image #1 from Eric Stephenson, Simon Gane and Jordie Bellaire that’s only $2.99? Speaking of Christmas miracles, this is clearly one.

She-Hulk #11 ($2.99) – This series has been a delight, and I will miss it. Plus, the Blue File will be revealed in this issue and Pulido’s up in this joint. Yes please!

Revival #26 ($2.99) – This book continues to be a great one that doesn’t get much attention. I don’t know how much longer it will be around, but as long as it is, Seeley and Norton get my hard earned cash.

Total: $8.97 – It’s Christmas. Spend your money on someone else!

Keith’s Picks:

Robin Rises Alpha #1 ($4.99) – Last week’s “Batman and Robin” #37 was an intensely emotional and satisfying read. This final issue to the “Robin Rises” storyline is sure to cause more tears and fist pumping shouts of joy. I have a feeling this is going to be as satisfying of an end-of-the-year present for us as it’s going to be for Bruce Wayne.

Batman Annual #3 ($4.99) – James Tynion IV writes this annual that ties into the “Endgame” storyline that’s currently going on in the “Batman” title. Tynion’s back-up stories during this epic Joker story have been fantastic and I’m looking forward to a creepy oversized annual written by him that involves the Clown Prince of Crime. Plus there are huge revelations promised in this issue! Speaking of Tynion: Don’t forget to buy the third and final issue of “Memetic” for $3.50. It’s a very merry Tynion week!

Arkham Manor #3 ($2.99) – It’s too bad Gerry Duggan has signed on to be exclusive to Marvel Comics. At least we’ll get six issues of this series from him and artist Shawn Crystal. Crystal’s art has been stunning in this series so far and hopefully DC puts him on another book. His Batman is a beast and I love the way he draws those Bat-ears.

The Massive #30 ($3.50) – Last month’s penultimate chapter of this series by writer Brian Wood, artist Garry Brown, and colorist Jordie Bellaire (with covers by J.P. Leon) was breathtaking and appeared to be a satisfying conclusion by itself. With this final issue of one of my favorite series of the last few years and “Robin Rises Alpha” coming out this week, I predict a tear or more for Christmas week. I hope Wood has another creator owned book planned for 2015.

Toe Tag Riot #2 ($2.99) – I reviewed and loved last month’s first issue of “Toe Tag Riot” and recommend you demand your local store to stock up on this punk rock zombie book that’s raucously fun and delightfully political. One Millions Moms and the Christian Coalition definitely need their comeuppance during this holiday season and writer Matt Miner and artist Sean Von Gorman are just the people to do it!

Total: $19.97 – Feel free to skip the “Batman” annual (if you must) and instead buy the annual for “Grayson”, “Catwoman”, or “Green Lantern”. This is a big week for comics and it was hard to narrow my list. I suggest splurging and getting anything your comic-loving heart desires!

Matt Garcia’s Picks:

Adventure Time #35 ($3.99) – An era ends! Ryan North, Shelli Paroline, and Braden Lamb turned in something special with the Adventure Time comic, staying true to the spirit of the series while also joyfully exploring their own wild subsection of Ooo. They challenged themselves to tell stories that could only exist in comics, and the book became more than just another licensed tie-in. They’re bowing out with the same grace and style that’s carried them for the last three years.

Continued below

Mind MGMT #29 ($3.99) – Meru continues to fight her way through the ranks to get to The Eraser, while Kindt continues to completely kill it on th estory. I don’t think we have any idea what we’re in for as “MIND MGMT” starts to draw to its conclusion, but I get the feeling it’s going to be completely bonkers.

The Massive #30 ($3.50) – All right, look: “The Massive” was far from perfect. I think this arbitrary 30 issue thing Wood set up made the story lull in more than several places as Wood scrambled to fill the page count. It was still a fascinating read, taking place at the moments right after an apocalypse as the world tries to figure out what they’re doing next, balancing the gritty with the supernatural, moral dilemmas in new circumstances that don’t support them anymore. I admire the ambition and I think these last few issues have seen more of the realized potential of what the series could have been. Also, let’s hand it to Garry Brown and Jordie Bellaire for more than frequently keeping this series afloat. (Ha.)

Grayson Annual #1 ($4.99) – Stephen Mooney steps in to illustrate the origin of Helena Bertinelli. Seeley and King have invested a lot of care and effort into making this series work, and I’m glad they’re using this oversized issue as an opportunity to explore more of the SPYRAL world.

Secret Avengers #11 ($3.99) – Intriguing and frequently fun, Kot’s done a nice juggling act with all these disparate elements, while Walsh connects it all together vibrantly and energetically. This is a book that’s all over the friggin’ place, but never feels like it’s gone completely off-the-rails to be off-putting or boring.

Total: $20.46 – What? It’s Christmastime. Treat yo’self.

Drew’s Picks:

Zoohunters #2 ($3.99) – I’d never read an Aspen comic before, but the premise for this one – space traveling animal catchers – interested me enough to pick up the first issue. It wasn’t what I expected, but it impressed me enough to be my top pick in a week with a new Jay Faerber book and “MIND MGMT.” The story was surprisingly heartfelt, and the art moved the story along at the perfect pace. I highly recommend you give this book a chance.

Mind MGMT #29 ($3.99) – I’ve said a lot about this book, and I’ve said it at least once a month for the last two years. At this moment, I’m out of ways to express my support for it. Please see here, here, here, or here for why you should be reading it. If you’re new to the series, buy the first hardcover instead of this issue.

Graveyard Shift #1 ($3.50) – Faerber has written some really good comics, and I don’t expect this noir-horror mashup to be any different. I was going to trade wait it, but I don’t think I can wait that long.

Total: $11.48


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