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.
X-Club #1 ($2.99) – I’ve actually gone to great lengths to talk about this before, and I won’t be the only one on the internet to say this, but the X-Club was the greatest thing Matt Fraction did during his run on Uncanny X-Men. Then along came Si Spurrier with two short X-Club one-shots during Second Coming and that whole vampire stuff, and we all waited with baited breath for the X-Club to have their own full adventure outside of an issue here or there. MY FRIENDS! THAT TIME HAS COME! REJOICE!
Strange Talent of Luther Strode #3 ($2.99) – Justin Jordan and Tradd Moore are writing a book that puts Mark Millar to shame, and it does so without debasing itself. I’ve had a peek at the issue already, and I’m already salivating for the fourth one. Join me.
Punisher #6 ($2.99) – I’ve been reading the Punisher regularly since at least Dark Reign when Remender took over the book from Matt Fraction. Having since read back on at least a decade’s worth of Punisher stories, I have to marvel at how every writer who comes to the point always chooses to accentuate a different element of the Punisher’s id, and, in a style and fashion reminiscent of his work on Gotham Central, Greg Rucka has chosen to simply write the Punisher as force of nature, moving in the background of the book while the rest of the cast deals with what is left in his wake — and I am fucking loving it.
Hulk #45 ($2.99) – At some point (I have no idea when), we will be publishing our Most Overlooked Books of 2011 list here at Multiversity. For this piece, I have done a write-up about Jeff Parker’s run on Hulk, currently with artist David Zircher. I ended up writing the most about this one title than I have for any of the other Best Of 2011 columns so far, so it’d be kind of silly if I didn’t have this in my pull, wouldn’t it?
Avenging Spider-Man #2 ($3.99) – Spider-Man/Spider-Man/Does whatever a spider can/Written by Zeb/pencilled by Mads/this comic is/abundant with abs/LOOK OUT!/Here comes the Spider-Man!/Is it good?/Listen bud/This book’s got radioactive blood/What does that mean?/I don’t know/Just buy the book/It doesn’t blow/HEY THERE!/Buy the Avenging Spider-Man!
(I have a degree in audio engineering, that I got while pursuing a career as a frontman of a band — stereotype incarnate, right? But clearly all that time spent writing “meaningful lyrics” has paid off, because I can now be the “Weird” Al of this site.)
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Micro Series – Raphael #1 ($3.99) – It was between this and the latest issue of Action Comics for the last spot in my pull this week, but I ultimately went with this one if only because for one thing — I could not stop singing HEROES IN A HALF SHELL! TURTLE POWER! in my head.
Total: $19.94
David’s Picks
Chew #22 ($2.99) – It feels like it has been forever since we’ve had an issue of Chew released, and I have to admit – I miss it. I’m excited to see what happens next for Tony Chu, as we get back to the 27th issue that we’ve already read and answer the question that everyone is wondering: why do Brandon and I run over D-Bear? Let’s hope we find out soon.
Continued belowReed Gunther #6 ($2.99) – I’ve already read this issue and it’s fantastic. Another great issue from the brothers Houghton, and the best part is that this is a completely standalone issue that is welcoming to both new and old readers. It’s a big winner all around.
The Strange Talent of Luther Strode #3 ($2.99) – Another issue I’ve already read, and this is another really solid issue from Justin Jordan and Tradd Moore. Luther Strode starts getting out there in the world of superheroics, but with a darker direction than most would go in. It also features the first meeting between Luther and a mysterious man connected to his power gain, and it’s going to be an important one for the remainder of the mini-series.
Irredeemable #32 ($3.99) – I genuinely have no idea what is going to have month-to-month in this book, as Mark Waid has created a world of uncertainty and sweet, sweet violence. This next issue should build off the insane close to issue #31, and if it is anywhere near as crazy and awesome as that, it should be a blast to read.
Sweet Tooth #28 ($2.99) – This issue ends the Matt Kindt drawn three issue “The Taxidermist” arc, and with the potentially series altering close to the past issue, I can’t wait to see how it will pay off now and in the future. We know there is sadly not that much Sweet Tooth left, but writer/artist Jeff Lemire has shown us that he won’t let us down at all.
X-Factor #228 ($2.99) – Because it’s always good, and because I have to find out how Peter David explains the absolutely batshit crazy ending to #227. With an ending like that, I’d be shocked if he could, but it’s Peter David. He always has an answer.
Total: $18.94
Josh’s Picks
Animal Man #4 ($2.99) – My #1 new series of the year continues with the mystery, suspense, action, blood (so much blood…) and wit that I expected it to contain as soon as it was announced. Jeff Lemire, you delightful bastard, you just keep impressing me.
Sweet Tooth #28 ($2.99) – See the last sentence above and add “Matt Kindt” to it wherever you feel it’s appropriate.
X-Club #1 ($2.99) – The two Si Spurrier penned one-shots staring the X-Men’s motley crew of vague science based ruffians have been complete and total diamonds in the rough in the X-Verse and now that they’ve graduated to their own mini, I expect the poignant social commentary, side splitting humor and real world science fact to be ramped up to 11!
The Strange Talent of Luther Strode #3 ($2.99) – Another gigantic win for Image and a fantastic debut from two soon to be top tier talents. If you aren’t reading this one, you are missing out and if you liked Kick-Ass and aren’t reading this one then you have exactly zero taste.
Swamp Thing #4 ($2.99) – I couldn’t really say I cared much for Swamp Thing before this relaunch, but Scott Snyder and Yanick Paquette have made me a believer in so many different ways. Seriously, pick this one up.
Defenders #1 ($3.99) – I believe in Matt Fraction. And more importantly, I believe in Matt Fraction writing Iron Fist is something I can’t not enjoy, so this one gets locked in based on that alone.
Total: $18.94
Gil’s Picks
Action Comics #4 ($3.99) — Another week another Superman book. I’ll spare you the “OMG IT’S SUPERMAN!” word vomit and simply say this book feels like the old school Superman from the 30’s. He’s rough and tumble, he’s young, and he’s written by Grant Morrison!
Animal Man #4 ($2.99) — Despite its questionable art, this book is one of the books I’m most interested in. I also can’t wait for the inevitable crossover with Swamp Thing, but that’s for another time!
Chew #22 ($2.99) — I can’t for the life of me figure out why you’re NOT reading this book if you aren’t.
Continued belowSwamp Thing #4 ($2.99) — Hey look, it’s the other half of the Animal Man/Swamp Thing duo! Who’d have thought? This book also has the privilege of having Yanick Paquette on art, so double yay!
X-Club #1 ($2.99) — This is the best thing that came out of Fraction’s run of Uncanny X-Men, bar none. I’m glad Marvel finally decided to give them a mini-series! Is it too much to ask that everyone buys this so we get an ongoing? Please?
X-Men #22 ($3.99) — I really hate that I love this series, but I do. This is everything I want from an X-Men series: Colossus being badass, Psylocke being badass, and they’re interacting with the Marvel Universe at large! Oh happy day!
Total: $19.94
Walt’s Picks
Batman: No Man’s Land Volume 1 ($29.99) – I figure that everything else I would suggest will already be suggested by fellow Multiversity members, so instead I’ll recommend something that I’m sure won’t be picked by my fellow members – probably because I’m breaking the rules of this column quite a bit in order to suggest it. But come on, sometimes you have that week where you splurge and step a bit out of your price range for something neat, and now is the week to do that.
“No Man’s Land” was one of the best crossovers to ever be published by either of the Big Two, featuring some of the most criminally-underrated writers and artists of the industry in the late 90s and early 2000s, including some new guns that would eventually become some of the biggest names in comics. Alex Maleev and Greg Rucka who? The only superhero crossover that I would consider superior is “DC One Million,” and even then that was the product of a single writer’s vision being interpreted by a variety of other writers, whereas “No Man’s Land” was the incredibly impressive result of a massive collective of creators working in tandem.
Now it’s back in print, in two massive paperbacks. If you missed it when it was serialized, I understand. If you missed it when it was first collected across five trades… well, okay. If you miss it now? Leave.
Total: $29.99
Brian’s Picks
Batwing #4 ($2.99) – Even though Ben Oliver isn’t doing the art this month, this has still become one of my most anticipated books of the month. Who’d have thought that the book I initially picked to review because “I love subtle racism” would turn into one of my favorites?
Action Comics #4 ($3.99) – The Steel back-up is intriguing, plus [insert Grant Morrison comment].
Animal Man #4/Swamp Thing #4 ($2.99 each) – You know why you should be buying these.
Stormwatch #4 ($2.99) – This book is improving each month, but I think a lot of people still aren’t buying, based on the sub-par first issue.
Defenders #1 ($3.99) – I’m a sucker for a story that is going to try and “explain everything” (even if the Point One story left me a little cold).
Total: $19.94
