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!
East of West #10 ($3.50) – We’ve been getting very short snippets of Death’s trip to see the Oracle for the last few issues. In issue #10, we get to spend a considerable amount of time with him. Needless to say, “East of West” remains endlessly compelling, no matter who we’re spending time with.
Stray Bullets #41 ($3.50) – I wanted to put both “Stray Bullets” issues on this list, but I opted out in favor of including more titles. Still, you’ve just got to pick up both new issues of David Lapham’s essential crime series. No excuses.
Captain Marvel #1 ($3.99) – New relaunch – same great writer, great new artist. Pick this up and give it the fresh start it deserves.
Fantastic Four #2 ($3.99) – I made the first issue of James’ Robinson’s run the Pick of the Week for its ability to throw everything that defines “Fantastic Four” into one melting pot of goodness. It was a terrific jumping-on point. The idea of a long Robinson-penned run with Marvel’s First Family intrigues the hell out of me.
Secret Avengers #1 ($3.99) – The team that blew the doors off of comics with the first issue of Image Comics’ “Zero” landed this gig at Marvel and are going to apply the same sense of propulsive action to some very familiar characters. Fun, fun, fun.
Total: $19.97
Stray Bullets – The Uber Alles Edition ($59.99) – Ok. So. I know what you’re thinking. “Hey, Matt, you idiot! You’re only supposed to spend $20 in this column! What do you think you’re playing at? Are you on some kind of power trip, thinking your stupid Editor in Chief title allows you to break the rules? If we don’t follow the rules, what does that make us? Animals? You are an animal, Matt!”
Yes. To all that.
But, to put it bluntly, the “Stray Bullets” collection that is in stores this week is an absolutely essential piece of comic history that no collection should be without. I recently read “Stray Bullets” upon Image’s announcement of the aforementioned collection and I found myself absolutely blown away; this is a piece of comic history that feels like it was unearthed for a new world, one that should’ve already regularly sung its praises and yet somehow lived in ignorance of its massive importance.
“Stray Bullets” is an uncompromising and intricately plotted noir story. Singularly helmed by David Lapham, the book is as much a guide to storytelling as it is a phenomenal story in its own right. Giving you insights into the lives of several characters while something akin to the shark from Jaws lurks in the background, it’s a dark and twisted narrative that catches you off guard when you least suspect it. People look at books like “100 Bullets” and “Criminal” as modern examples of crime comics at their best, but “Stray Bullets” makes them look like “My Little Pony.”
So really, the only way I’ll allow you to not pick up this book is if you already have it all. In which case, good for you. Just make sure to grab #41 and “Killers” #1 and we’ll call it even.
But if you’re like me and you do not own “Stray Bullets” in a physical form, then now is the time to do so. The book is only being sold on the direct market (so no Amazon deals for you), but it’s very much worth it. If you recently caught up via the digital comics, double dip. If you’ve never tried the book out, stop second-guessing and just buy it before someone else gets what is rightfully yours.
Continued belowTotal: $59.99 plus applicable tax. Just do it.
Avengers Undercover #1 ($2.99) – Conceptually, this is a little weird to me, but I thought the same about Avengers Arena, and Dennis Hopeless and Kev Walker crushed that. Yes, please.
Secret Avengers #1 ($3.99) – Ales Kot + Michael Walsh = guaranteed sale. These are two of the best young creators in comics revitalizing a concept that has never really worked for me. I believe in their ability to do it.
East of West #10 ($3.50) – This issue is completely awesome. Trust me on this.
The Walking Dead #123 ($2.99) – I have to say, I’m high on The Walking Dead lately. The show is actually good lately, I’m playing the Telltale game and that is amazing, and All-Out War has actually been pretty good. Yeah, I’m in on The Walking Dead again.
Superior Foes of Spider-Man #9 ($2.99) – Best comic everrrrrrr!!!
Hawkeye #17 ($2.99) – Matt Fraction and Dave Aja telling “the Dog issue of Sign Language issues” according to the solicit. Sold!
Total: $18.45
East of West #10 ($3.50) – I’ve finally caught back up on this series, and all I can say is “WOW.” That’s literally all I can say. Check it out.
Batman #29 ($4.99) – After last months delightful detour into the future, we return to the past for the oversized conclusion to ‘Dark City.’ This is supposed to be a big one folks, so bat-ten down the hatches!
Secret Avengers #1 ($3.99) – Of all the fantastic books coming out of All-New Marvel Now, this one is the one I’ve looked forward to the most. I can’t wait to see Kot and Walsh bring their super spy skills to a mainstream title, and hope that my love for Kot’s short lived “Suicide Squad” can live on vicariously.
Hawkeye #17 ($2.99) – Wowzers, new Hawkeye again? Brilliant!
Superior Spider-Man #29 ($3.99) – Obligatory mention that I’m sad this series is ending.
Total: $19.46
Captain Marvel #1 ($3.99) – Oh, come on, like I was going to pick anything else. My Favourite Comic In The World returns to go higher, further and faster to make Carol Danvers even more of a badass. Y’all should get this.
Secret Avengers #1 ($3.99) – Ales Kot, who is currently creating one of the most engaging espionage spy thrillers ever with “ZERO”, is taking over “Secret Avengers” with Michael Walsh? Hell yeeeah.
Black Widow #4 ($3.99) – I’m hoping that this issue picks up in terms of presenting an overarching story for the series instead of just another one-and-done because, as much as I like the first three issues, something really needs to kick this book into high gear.
Batman #29 ($4.99) – Every time I think I’m out, they pull me back in. I have dropped “Batman” from my pull so many times and subsequently picked it up again that I’ve lost count. Now that ‘Zero Year’ is back on track after an issue I personally didn’t dig (largely, I think, because I have no investment in “Eternal”?) I can’t wait to read my guilty pleasure book again.
Ghost #2 ($2.99) – It’s back! It’s really back!
Total: $19.95
