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!
Nemo: Heart of Ice ($14.99) – By taking this, I am leaving room for only one other comic on my list. I am okay with this. Say what you will about Alan Moore, say what you will about “Neonomicon,” but the whole Century arc was, in my opinion, incredible. Moore has worked with many, many talented artists in his day, but the synergy between him and Kevin O’Neill is astonishing. Both are incredibly talented creators in their own right, but they truly bring out the best in each other to a degree that few teams can rival. Promising to be “a full-color 56-page adventure in the classic pulp tradition,” perhaps this graphic novel will be more in line with the first two, more action-driven but still cerebral volumes… but even if it is a full-on info dump like the Black Dossier, I can’t wait.
Uncanny Skullkickers #1 ($3.50) – There are a few great comics coming out this week, but for my second and final pick I can’t choose anything over “Uncanny Skullkickers.” There are a few reasons: First, I am a nerd in many other ways than reading comics, and Dungeons and Dragons is something close to my heart — a part of my heart this appeals to; second, this is a great fantasy comic and we do not have enough fantasy comics; third, this is a great comedy comic and, while we have more comedy books than we do fantasy ones, we still don’t have enough; fourth, the whole relaunch schtick is hilarious. There are four comics with “Uncanny” in the title out this week — yes, really. If you can only choose one of them, choose this one.
Total: $18.49
Batman Incorporated #8 ($2.99) – A major cover leak potentially spoiled this bad-boy a couple weeks ago. Whether that cover leak can be taken literally or not (and comic covers have a tradition of intentionally faking their readers out), whatever Grant Morrison has planned for this storyline is sure to turn heads. “Batman Inc” has felt entirely removed from anything else going on in the New 52 and that makes it a refreshing book. Hell, even within its own continuity, you’e never sure what the next issue will be about. Here’s hoping that his work on Batman and Superman is not truly the end of his superhero work and that when he does come back he’s allowed the same free reign.
The Unwritten #46 ($2.99) – Is this the longest running Vertigo book left? Well I hope it gets to run for a long, long time. And with a new “Unwritten” graphic novel comic down the pipe there seems to be plenty of life left in this criminally underrated world and its characters.
Rocketeer: Hollywood Horror #1 ($3.99) – Mark Waid and Chris Samnee’s “Cargo of Doom” miniseries was, on the whole, terrific. I don’t see any reason why a team of Roger Langridge and J. Bone wouldn’t be able to produce the same quality product with “Hollywood Horror.” With a title like “Hollywood Horror”, you know that this team will have a good grasp the wacky pulp adventure feel that makes the Rocketeer such a fun character.
FF #4 ($2.99) – I’m in love with a muscly green woman, but only because she’s a Mike Allred drawing.
Hawkeye #8 ($2.99) – Even if you didn’t already know that this was one of the best books that Marvel is putting out. Even if everything with interior art from David Aja wasn’t automatically worth buying. You would buy this book because of that cover, wouldn’t you?
Continued belowYoung Avengers #2 ($2.99) – I’m going to be honest. I only liked issue #1. I didn’t love it. Then again, it was clearly not a 1st issue designed to go balls to the wall with showing you everything the book can be. It’s not like “Thor: God of Thunder” where Aaron and Ribic basically said: “this is everything you’re going to get with our book, now strap in for the ride.” Gillen and McKelvie are more low-key than that and I have a feeling that the book is going to unravel into something terribly wonderful eventually. And if their past works are any indication, there’s going to be a whole lot of feels down the road.
Total: $18.94
FF #4 ($2.99) – Is it fair to call this the most entertaining comic on the stands after just three issues? Maybe not, but I’m going to do it anyways. Matt Fraction and Mike Allred are crushing it.
Hawkeye #8 ($2.99) – Probably FF’s biggest competition, this comic, to me, is arguably the BEST comic on the stands. Plus, we got some Dave Aja action going on. Oh yeah, and these are both Matt Fraction joints. Awesome.
Avengers Arena #5 ($2.99) – The best Avengers book. I know a lot of petition crafters out there would disagree, but this book is good.
Young Avengers #2 ($2.99) – Okay, the heir to Arena’s throne. I can’t say YA is the best Avengers book having just released one issue. Maybe after two? Let’s find out this week. Take me there Kieron and Jamie.
Thunderbolts #5 ($2.99) – You guys, I can’t stress enough how surprising this book. It entertains me so much. So ridiculous. So Daniel Way. So Steve Dillon.
Uncanny X-Men #2 ($3.99) – CHRIS BACHALO. YES. Entertaining first issue as well.
Total: $18.94 – MAKE MINE MARVEL NOW!
Punisher: War Zone #5 ($2.99) – Here it is, folks, Greg Rucka’s final farewell to Frank Castle. Remember how emotional Matt got over Gillen leaving JiM? Yeah, that’s me and this book. Let me go find Mourning Trumpet on YouTube.
The Legend of Luther Strode #3 ($3.50) – This series has not missed a beat in my book. I need all of it now.
Guardians of the Galaxy #0.1 ($3.99) – I loved last week’s “Nova,” now for the other half of Marvel’s new Cosmic line.
Hawkeye #8 ($2.99) – Like there isn’t anyone already buying this damn book.
FF #4 ($2.99) – Matt Fraction’s other best book on the shelves. I’d happily shell out $2.99 each month just for a book dedicated to Mike Allred’s Shulkie.
Journey Into Mystery #649 ($2.99) – Not even my dislike of “Superior Spider-Man” is going to stop me from this one.
Total: $19.45
FF #4/Hawkeye #8 ($2.99 each) – Matt Fraction is writing two of the most fun comics on stands right now, and both come out this week. I don’t know how anyone could be missing these books. For real.
Comeback #4 ($3.50) – As a huge time travel nerd, let me say this: “Comeback” gets it all right. They set rules and then abide by them – that is how you tell a time travel story. Plus, have you seen this thing? It looks like a million bucks.
Batman Incorporated #8 ($2.99) – SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS SPOILERS.
Justice League Dark #17 ($2.99) – Can it be that, for the first time since the New 52 started, all of the books with the words “Justice League” in the title are good? Better believe it, nephew! This is still, hands down, the best of the bunch.
Young Avengers #2 ($2.99) – I wish I could quit buying so many Marvel NOW! Avengers books, but they’re so good! In particular, this book is everything I could ever ask for from this creative team or this title.
Total: $18.45
Guardians of the Galaxy #0.1 ($3.99) – C’mon, Bendis! You returned to form with your two X-Books! Make your third ongoing a slam dunk!
Continued belowYoung Avengers #2 ($2.99) – Kieron and Jamie’s new Marvel ongoing was an absolute smash with the first issue. I can only imagine it gets even more groovy in the second issue.
Batman Incorporated #8 ($2.99) – As if I, the guy who titled the site after an unpublished Morrison book, am going to miss one of the most important chapters in Morrison’s Batman epic. Come on. How can you?
Massive #9 ($3.50) – Wood’s post-DMZ ongoing is epic, and Garry Brown is a fantastic artist. Something big happens in this issue, and I can’t wait to see what.
Legend of Luther Strode #3 ($3.50) – I feel like the best way to sum up this book is with this video.
Hawkeye #8 ($2.99) – Love is in the air, everywhere I go.
Total: $19.96 – Walt hates when I don’t write serious recommendations for these books, but I hope you like the “Blood” video anyway.
The Answer! #2 ($3.99) – The first issue of this story about a brilliant librarian and an ad-hoc superhero was smart and funny, and had lovely art. This issue is just as good. What more do you want?
Comeback #4 ($3.50) – I still have no idea what’s going on in this series. Maybe this issue, the second-last, will let us in on it? I’m not sure I even care. The going has been super fun – if frustrating.
Witch Doctor: Mal Practice #4 ($2.99) – More sardonic, clever and grotesque goodness from Seifert and Ketner as this miniseries crosses the halfway point. And the plot threads are coming together in some pretty interesting ways, too.
Hawkeye #8 ($2.99) – Anyone else super eager to see what Fraction and Aja will do with this Valentine’s Day (ish) issue?
Young Avengers #2 ($2.99) – The first issue somehow managed to be both glossy and genuine, and had some pretty interesting things to say about being 18 years old to boot. Why can’t all YA titles be this good?
Total: $16.46
