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!
The Massive Volume 1: ($19.99)
“The Massive” is one of the best comics coming out, and a personal favorite. That being said, “one of the” and “a” are rather broad statements. Would I call “The Massive” the best comic coming out right now? Maybe not. Is it my absolute favorite? Not quite. What I would call it, though, is the most important comic coming out right — or, at the very least, the most important one I’m reading. If you missed out on the first few issues of this excellent new(er) series, now is the chance to see what has been lacking in your comic reading life. Written by Multiversity favorite Brian Wood and illustrated by the immensely talented artists Kristian Donaldson and Garry Brown, plus industry marvel colorist Dave Stewart, “The Massive” is a scary “what if?” of what we are doing to our ecosystem, and an excellent story to boot. Highly, highly recommended.
Total: $19.99
Constantine #1 ($2.99) – As sad as I was to see “Hellblazer” go, I think a Constantine-centric New 52 series can work, especially given the character’s solid foundation from his place in “Justice League Dark.” Fawkes/Lemire are a writing pair to trust, and Renato Guedes provided some really nice artwork for the “New Krypton” storyline, so I’m cautiously excited about this series. We’ll see if it manages to be as essential to the New 52 as it claims to be.
BPRD #105 ($3.50) – Peter Snejbjerg is the artist on this arc. That should be all I need to say, but I’ll add in a few more teasers: we see Abe Sapien outside of his coma for the first time, Varvara gets a whole lot more interesting, and the series has, in my opinion, a very “Lost” moment. It is damn good, and you’re a fool if you’re not reading this!
New Avengers #4 ($3.99) – Not as fun as “FF,” not as brilliant panel by panel as “Hawkeye,” but every bit as masterful in the long run, Marvel’s most intellectual book is a must buy.
Harbinger #10 ($3.99) – The best book you’re not reading. Josh Dysart is knocking this out of the park, kids. Get on the train now.
GI Joe Special Missions #1 ($3.99) – Damn you, Chad Bowers, making me excited to read GI Joe comics.
Total: $18.46
Daredevil #24 ($2.99) – Not only is Daredevil just so damn consistent in its greatness (I don’t mention it nearly enough in this column), but that cover. Oh my word – that cover.
Action Comics #18 ($3.99) – Okay, so now it’s Grant Morrison’s real finale to his run with Superman. I liked #17 quite a bit. Bat-shit mad as it is, it actually is coming together in a fun way.
Wonder Woman #18 ($2.99) – A terrific series keeps rolling on. No reason to stop picking this book up any time soon. Completely unhindered by the worst traits of the New 52.
G.I. Joe #2 ($3.99) – I liked Fred Van Lente and Steve Kurth’s relaunch well enough that I’ll be sticking with it for a little bit, as evidenced by my reaction in the G.I. Joeversity Roundtable Discussion we had on it a few weeks ago. It was a little more fun than we’ve had from a main Joe title in a while and I hope that Van Lente continues down that path, because that’s the Joe I want to read.
Continued belowRevival#8/Saga #11 (both $2.99) – yadda yadda yadda Revival yadda yadda yadda Saga
Total: $19.94
Captain Marvel #11 ($2.99) – If you’re not reading this book, I don’t like you as a person. Simple as that.
Saga #11 ($3.99) – If you’re not reading this book, I don’t like you as a person. Simple as that.
Editor’s Note: David is not here to make friends.
Nova #2 ($3.99) – Wow. That first issue was surprisingly enjoyable. I’m so here for this.
Action Comics #18 ($3.99) – Okay, Grant. Give me what you’ve got. Bring the house down with this shit.
Avengers #8/New Avengers #4 ($3.99) – Either or at this stage for me. I’m leaning towards “New Avengers” more and more, but that last issue of “Avengers” was a lot more fun than the issues with Kubert before them. Eeny meeny miny mo.
Total: $18.48
Five Ghosts: The Haunting of Fabian Gray #1 ($3.50) – Premiered at NYCC last year, and has only been getting more buzz since then. If you like stylish, pulp-inspired art and rip-roaring adventure stories, get this – and if you don’t, still get this, because it’s one of those comics that transcends its influences and steps into the realm of all-around fabulousness.
Comeback #5 ($3.50) – It all ends here! But just how it’s going to do so is anybody’s guess. At least sharp, colourful art while it’s doing so is a guarantee.
Revival #8 ($2.99) – So #7 took things in an even more disturbing direction than usual – heaps of body parts, whoo! – and incorporated even more mysteries into the mix. Probably the most well-paced and downright hooky ongoing out there.
It Girl and the Atomics #8 ($2.99) – This is a guaranteed loopy-fun read, every month – and it’s only been getting better and better since the zany first arc.
Storm Dogs #4 ($3.50) – Not a lot of buzz surrounding this series, which is a shame, because it’s full of well-thought-out SF concepts and interesting little details. Resist the urge to tradewait!
Saga #11 ($2.99) – YOU HAD BETTER MAKE THIS RIGHT, BKV AND STAPLES.
Total: $19.47 – A fantastic week for Image titles!
Saga #11 ($2.99) – Don’t you want to know what happened after the horrible ending to last issue? I know I do.
Supergirl #18 ($2.99) – Honestly, I quite enjoyed Supergirl when it first launched, but I had no interest in reading a crossover with the other Super-titles. I’d be interested to swing back in now, see how things are going, if only for some great art by Mahmud Asrar.
Nova #2 ($3.99) – One of the most surprising books of the year (yeah, I know, it’s only March), I absolutely loved Nova. Very interested in sticking with this book to see where it goes.
Comeback #5 ($3.50) – I wouldn’t recommend missing this finale.
Action Comics #18 ($4.99) – Morrison’s Action run is FINALLY ending. I say finally and it seems like I’m exasperated, but honestly, I’m just anxious to see how he’s planning to wrap it all up, see if everything really does tie around in the end. Lets find out together.
Total: $18.46
This was a tough week to stay under budget, with a lot of books which would normally be no-brainers not making the cut.
MIND MGMT #9 ($3.99) – There’s no reason not to be reading this. The book has received universal praise, and not just from here. Don’t believe me? Google “MIND MGMT negative review.” You’ll get one hit, and the guy changed his mind and put it in his “Best of 2012 list.”
All Crime #1 ($3.95) – When Brubaker and Phillips quit making “Criminal”, I filled the gap with Faerber’s “Near Death” and “Point of Impact”. Now the noir hole in my pull list is empty. Here’s hoping this new book will be up to par.
Dark Horse Presents #22 ($7.99) – This book is never 100% perfect, but there’s enough quality material to be worth the price. Plus, it has introduced me to at least six new series I would’ve passed without a second glance otherwise.
Continued belowFive Ghosts: Haunting of Fabian Grey #1 ($3.50) – I know very little about this book beyond the solicitation, and I may regret picking this first issue over other tried-and-true books releasing this week, but sometimes it’s good to try something new just to break up the pull-list inertia.
Total: $19.43
Runners-up: “Justice League of America” #2 (for the Matt Kindt backup story), “Avatar the Last Airbender” vol 4, and “The Massive” vol 1.
