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.
Fatale #2 ($3.50) – I adored the first issue of this comic. My expectations were high, due to Criminal: Last of the Innocent being hands-down the best miniseries of 2011 (and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise), but Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips managed to exceed those expectations. At this point, I accept that exceeding expectations is what they do. It’s crime fiction meets Lovecraftian horror, by a team that has proven themselves to be the masters of the former and are shaping up to be equally adept with the latter. Buy it.
Sweet Tooth #30 ($2.99) – Vertigo’s second-best ongoing seems like it’s entering its “third act,” so to speak. The mysteries are slowly being revealed, which is the perfect time for things to go horribly awry. Last issue’s cliffhanger might have been a tad obvious in some regards, but there was a little extra “oomph” to it that surprised me. While I’m interested in what Gus and Jeppard encounter in the wilderness, I’m even more ready to see how things play out back in the dam.
The Strange Talent of Luther Strode ($2.99) – There’s a fine line when it comes to blood and gore, that line that separates maturity with “maturity.” Luther Strode comes close to crossing that line, but manages to stay… well, tasteful isn’t the right word, but something like that. That Luther Strode is probably the most violent comic I’ve seen that hasn’t gotten me to roll my eyes means it deserves being looked at. That it’s incredibly well-written and illustrated means it deserves being purchased.
Winter Soldier #1 ($2.99) – Almost a year ago, I f&*$ing called it.
Animal Man #6 ($2.99) – Buddy Baker as an indie movie star, written by Jeff Lemire, and illustrated by John Paul Leon, with framing sequences by Travel Foreman. I don’t need to give you any commentary beyond the facts.
Swamp Thing #6 ($2.99) – Now that all the exposition is out of the way, this is a close contender with the above-mentioned Animal Man for my favorite New 52 title. Good thing they’re closely-related, so I don’t really have to choose between them!
Total: $18.45
Matt’s Picks:
Locke and Key: Clockworks #4 ($3.99) – Hands down the best horror comic on the market (yes, over that book with all the zed-words). One of the few books I literally can not wait to read month in and month out, to the point my excitement reaches a fever pitch and I write more about it in this CSBC paragraph than any of the other books I recommend this week.
The Twelve #9 ($2.99) – It’s about fucking time.
Winder Soldier #1 ($2.99) – The Brubaker title I always wanted but never had.
Hulk #48 ($2.99) – How many times do I have to rant and rave about this book before my point is made?
The Punisher #8 ($2.99) – Greg Rucka has been doing fantastic work on this title, and I will sing its praises until the end of the world (and then some).
The Strange Talent of Luther Strode #5 ($2.99) – The issue in which shit, quite literally, gets real.
Total: $18.94
Brian’s Picks:
Alpha Girl #1 ($2.99) — Even though I am #1’d out, this sounds like a John Hughes movie meets From Dusk ‘Til Dawn — and that is a combination I can’t be expected to resist.
Continued belowThe Twelve #9 ($2.99) — I was in the camp that thought this would never see the light of day — let us be glad and rejoice!
Batwing #6 ($2.99) — Going in, I had firmly believed that Scott Snyder’s Batman and JH Williams’s Batwoman would be the only Bat-books worth reading. Both Nightwing and Batwing (the ‘wings?) have proven me wrong, with Batwing in particular being a quality book month in, month out.
Action Comics #6 ($3.99) — For a guy with a reputation for heavily-layered storytelling, Action Comics has been pretty simple so far. Expect that all to change when present day Superman must save 5-years ago Superman with help of an alternate Legion of Superheroes! So glad the New 52 straightened out all that confusing stuff, am I right?
Swamp Thing #6 / Animal Man #6 ($2.99 Each) — You know why you should be buying these — because they’re really good.
Total: $18.94
