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!
Hawkeye #7 ($2.99) – Matt Fraction is donating every cent of his profits from this issue to Hurricane Sandy relief (it’s still necessary, people). That includes any future reprints. Let’s make this issue sell out at every store, people. I know I’m getting multiple copies.
Unwritten #45 ($2.99) – Oh man. Oh man. Last issue’s ending. Oh man. The solicit for this issue makes it sound like we won’t be picking up exactly where #44 left off, but boy I can’t wait until we find out what exactly happened to… well, if you’re reading, you know.
Batman Incorporated #7 ($2.99) – It seems like we are (once again) moving into the endgame of Grant Morrison’s Batman work. I was a bit uncertain about the new “season” of “Batman Incorporated” with the first two issues, but it has been dynamite since then. The final issue hasn’t even been announced, and I’m already missing this fun ride of a book.
Adventure Time #12 ($3.99) – What time is it?
…I’ve forgotten. Probably time for something exciting, though.
Nowhere Men #3 ($2.99) – I actually missed out on this series when it started, but I picked up the first two issues the other day and loved them. This past year has spawned a lot of great science fiction series, of varying scales, and if nowhere men continues at this rate, it is going to be near the top.
Mara #2 ($2.99) – I am a big Brian Wood fan, but I’ll admit that I wasn’t enthralled with the first issue of “Mara.” As always, though, I’m laying this one on first issue syndrome. I’ll give it another try and then cast my judgment. At least Ming Doyle’s artwork is gorgeous.
Total: $18.94
Glory #32 ($3.99) – A truly interesting way to begin wrapping up the series; this issue serves as an anthology of the various characters’ “final moments” are shown, illustrated by a few relatively unknown young artists. This is one of comics’ most underrated and creative series. There are only a few issues left; buy it while you can.
I, Vampire #16 ($2.99) – The latest DC title to get the cancellation ax thrust upon its neck, “I, Vampire” has consistently been one of the more solid books of the New 52. Seeing Andrea Sorrentino exit the title is admittedly not great, but the book is strong enough to suffer a personnel change and still thrive. “Glory” rules apply; buy it while you can.
Hawkeye #7 ($2.99) – C’mon, bro. Are you really not going to buy this, bro? What’s wrong with you, bro? You know you want it, bro.
Avengers #4 ($3.99) – Thematically, just about as far as you could possibly get from “Hawkeye” is “Avengers.” Big action, giant consequences, relatively few dogs. This issue kicks off a three-issue run of origin stories for some of the lesser known avengers, with Hyperion getting the spotlight. More world building and character development from Jonathan Hickman is almost always a good thing.
Justice League Dark #16 ($2.99) – It is always a good week when “JLD” is coming out. Co-writer Ray Fawkes injected some additional spark last issue, and with he and Jeff Lemire also taking on “Constantine,” be on the lookout for this series to continue to be the linchpin of the Dark line of books.
Total: $16.95
Mara #2 ($2.99) – Brian Wood and Ming Doyle and Jordie Bellaire. Really, that’s all I need to say as a recommendation, but this comic is great and I love it and I hate that it’s only a limited series. I just want to explore more of this universe.
Continued belowNowhere Men #3 ($2.99) – What a trippy ass comic. Give me more.
Hawkeye #7 ($2.99) – Matt Fraction is putting his paycheck for this issue towards donations to the Red Cross. We should be buying hundreds of copies.
Avengers #4 ($3.99) – C’mon, do I even have to? Who isn’t buying this comic? Hickman is killing on this.
Journey Into Mystery #648 ($2.99) – I know a lot of people (Matt) love Kieron Gillen’s “JiM”, but honestly? I am loving Kathryn Immonen’s just as much. Especially the focus of Sif. Also having Jason Aaron tell Thor stories focused on Thor and having “JiM” have more Asgardia focus is the best thing in the world.
Total: $18.94
Invincible #100 ($3.99) – This comic is definitely going to surprise some people, but it is undoubtedly one of the biggest comics of the week. Kirkman and Ottley’s work on Invincible is tremendous, and the fact that we have gone from Kirkman being “that cool new youngster with the fun ideas” to centennials of two of his seminal works is astounding. And, man, just wait until you open that book and see the first page.
Hawkeye #7 ($2.99) – It’s impossible to want to buy comics this week and not want to give this book money. Make Fraction pay! #makefractionpay
Nowhere Men #3 ($2.99) – If you haven’t caught on to this series yet, please listen: you don’t know what you’re missing.
Mara #2 ($2.99) – I loved the first issue of Mara personally, but that should be no surprise for me. I mean, Brian Wood? Ming Doyle? Jordie Bellaire? It’s like a comic dream come true. Definitely give this series room in your home now.
Unwritten #45 ($2.99) – MR. BUN!!!!
Adventure Time #12 ($3.99) – About a year later after the book’s debut, and it’s still one of the most fun and friendly and entertaining books on the market any week it comes out. What time is it? Buy all the copes at your LCBS time!
Total: $19.94 – And if you HAPPEN to have an extra $20 lying around, maybe grab that Global Frequency collection, eh? It was hard to honestly not just put that for my pick this week, so instead I’m cheating and mentioning it here.
Mara #2 ($2.99) – I bought this book but didn’t read it til I got back from a vacation, and man, when I finally got to it, I was blown away. This is GREAT Brian Wood and, on top of that, Ming Doyle and Jordie Bellaire on art. It’s phenomenal stuff, and I am excited for more.
Hawkeye #7 ($2.99) – Maybe the best comic in comics, and this is a special Hurricane Sandy special. Not to be missed.
Nowhere Men #3 ($2.99) – This book has been incredible so far, from the characters and concept by Eric Stephenson, to the astounding art from Nate Bellegarde and Jordie Bellaire, to the one-of-a-kind design work by Fonografiks. This book is the total package people, and is not to be missed.
Invincible #100 ($3.99) – This book is the one I am most conflicted about. On one hand, it’s Invincible, long one of the best books on the market. On the other hand, besides spectacular Ryan Ottley art, this issue just didn’t really do it for me. Because it’s such a big issue – in theory – I say it’s one of my lead books, but having read it, it’s a bit of a let down.
Avengers #4 ($3.99) – Speaking of let downs, I am a little on the fence on this book so far even though I thought it would be one of my favorites. Will a little Hyperion and a little Adam Kubert be enough to rocket this book back on track? I’m excited to find out.
Unwritten #45 ($2.99) – Because it’s always good. Because Mike Carey and Peter Gross are the men. Because you should be reading this.
Total: $19.94
Rachel Rising #14 ($3.99) –
If you like horror stories, stories with strong women in central roles, and/or great art, you should be reading this series. It hits all the right notes, but somehow continues to escape most people’s notice. If you haven’t been reading it, buy this issue and the first trade tomorrow.Continued belowPunisher War Zone #4 ($2.99) – This series hasn’t been quite as good as the rest of Rucka’s run, but it’s still superior to most other supertights comics and is a solid coda to the rest of his work. Sure, there’s only one issue left after this, but jump on anyway and see why everyone’s mad at you for not buying it sooner and preventing it from cancellation.
Green Lantern Corps Annual ($4.99) – I don’t read “Green Lantern Corps,” and have been happy the various Third Army stories have been independently good reads without requiring me to buy it. I was a bit miffed last week when not one but both of the GL titles I do read told me to go back to the store and buy GLC #16. It wasn’t as bad as it was when I dropped it about a year ago, and I’ll buy this for the conclusion to the arc, but I won’t be picking it up after this is over. You know, unless the First Lantern arc says I need to.
Futurama #65 ($2.99) – The comic is just as good as any episode, with art which looks just like the animation. Shut up and take my money!
Alternate pick: Bad Medicine vol 1 ($19.99) – This X-Files like series from Oni wasn’t perfect, but it wasn’t awful and has lots of potential if it continues. This is billed as volume one, but no new issue has been solicited for months. Give this a browse, and keep an eye on it if it comes back.
Total: $14.96 – Tuck the extra money away like a squirrel hiding an acorn for the winter, and dig it out when an expensive week comes along.
Rachel Rising #14 ($3.99) — A perennial “buy” that’s getting weirder and weirder with every issue.
Mara #2 ($2.99) — The first issue of this series about a sports-obsessed near future was solid and stylish, with great art from Ming Doyle and (as always) gorgeous colours from Jordie Bellaire. And then, of course, it’s written by Brian Wood, so by all counts it should be on your pull list already.
Nowhere Men #3 ($2.99) — The series that reads like an estranged cousin of “The Manhattan Projects” — if that cousin were a ginormous Beatles fan. We’re still waiting for the plot proper to show up, of course, but it’s been fun, classy reading so far.
Hawkeye #7 ($2.99) — It took me obscenely long to get caught up this series, but now that I am I’m happy to say that it’s just as awesome and unusual as I’d heard. Plus this issue is a one-shot, so it’s a great place for new readers (i.e. schmoes who are as slow on the uptake as I am) to jump on.
Total: $12.96
