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.
Unwritten #33.5 ($2.99) – I love The Unwritten as is. Lately, though, Mike Carey and Peter Gross have been adding in these .5 issues that further flesh out the background of the series. Complaints about stupid numbering processes aside, the two .5 issues we have had so far have been the bee’s knees. Honestly, I’m as excited for this issue as much as I am for the next installment of the “main” series. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: If you are not reading The Unwritten, you are missing out.
American Vampire #34 ($2.99) – I love American Vampire as is. Lately, though, Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque have been making the series even more of a blast by introducing a new protagonist and moving the setting into the 50’s. My reusing of the same format of the last entry aside, this book has always been great, is currently great, and will probably be great until it’s finally over. This current arc is shaping up to be tons of fun, and – so far – is completely friendly to new readers. You have no excuse.
Fantastic Four #602 and FF #14 ($2.99 a pop) – I will buy Jonathan Hickman’s Fantastic Four work until he is no longer on the book. Even if he did something completely stupid that I wholly disagreed with, I probably wouldn’t be able to kick my addiction. I can’t even drop FF, even though I find Juan Bobillo’s art… okay, I won’t mince words: It’s pretty damn terrible. Sometimes, though, you endure art you dislike in order to get to a story that you do like – and vice versa – and this is one of those cases.
Secret Avengers #21.1 ($2.99) – Warren Ellis had a fun little stint on this book, but it’s time to see what longterm goals Rick Remender has for Marvel’s covert team. It’s an interesting team, for sure, including “pet character” Venom, and the combination of the characters involved and the “idea” behind the team should work well with Remender’s strengths as a writer. And, yeah, okay, I also just want to see how the torch is handed from Steve’s team to this one.
Total: $14.95 – The chipotle chicken and cheese is Subway’s $5 featured foot-long for the month of January and it is delicious.
Brian’s Picks:
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Russia #5 ($3.50) — Not to brag, but I’ve read this, and if you’re a new B.P.R.D. fan or a longtime reader, this issue will not disappoint. Especially if you’ve been reading for a while — there are a few surprises that will make you giddy.
The Flash #5 ($2.99) — Francis Manupal and Brian Buccaletto have been crafting the definitive post-resurrection Barry Allen story, and have done so in the most artful way possible. Maybe my favorite comic I’m buying right now.
I, Vampire #5 ($2.99) — The biggest surprise of the New 52 for me — I’m really hoping this escapes the next wave of cancellations.
Walking Dead #93 ($2.99) — Who doesn’t buy the Walking Dead?
Justice League #5 ($3.99) — I’m about ready for this initial arc to be done and, lucky for me, this is the penultimate issue of the team-building story. This has not lived up to my expectations, but is fun enough.
Continued belowAll-Star Western #5 ($3.99) — I’ve been catching up on this book, and it is genuinely great. The older I get, the more I like westerns. Shit, am I turning into my dad?
Total: $20.45 (Dig in your couch cushions for a quarter and two dimes)
Matt’s Picks
Astonishing Spider-Man and Wolverine ($19.99): I’m going to be a bit weird here. There are certainly a lot of comics out this, and a lot of good ones at that (new Bulletproof Coffin, Stuff of Legend and BPRD, to name a few), but I would instead like to recommend a particular trade for a story that I have quite some affection for.
Jason Aaron’s Astonishing Spider-Man and Wolverine was the book that gave me quite grand affection for Aaron as a writer. While he had been doing great work in other titles at the time (Scalped, Wolverine: Weapon X, Ghost Rider), Astonishing was the only title of his that truly felt like Aaron was trying having pure fun with a comic. Hopping around timestreams and alternate dimensions, featuring characters like Doom, The Living Planet and Czar/Big Murder, all wrapped up in gorgeous art by Adam Kubert, this is the book that truly shows off how fun comic books can be when the writer and artist cut fast and loose with their action and concepts.
Besides, any comic that ends with the writer literally giving one of the stars of the title a beer to unwind a bit is truly a comic book worth reading. It comes highly recommended.
Total: $19.99
