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!
Leo’s Picks:
D4VE #3 ($3.99) – “D4VE” is just something special. I think I’ve picked each issue for CSBC and gone on about how much I love the book, Ryan Ferrier, and Valentin Ramon. Point is, “D4VE” is fantastic. It was one of the best Monkeybrain titles when it was releasing there and I’m sure there will be plenty that find it in print that fall in love with it as well.
Punks, Vol. 1: Nutpuncher ($14.99) – “Punks” is quite unlike any other comic that I know of. It features Abraham Lincoln, a skull, a dog, and a fist as the main characters, is made by taping pictures together, and is actually really, really funny. I don’t think there are enough people that give Josh Fialkov and Kody Chamberlain credit for just how unique and enjoyable “Punks” is. Definitely give it a look if you’re up for something a little different and something with some humor.
Total: 18.98
Matt Garcia’s Picks:
Sabrina #2 ($3.99) – Holy crap. It’s back.
Shutter #11 ($3.50) – This has rapidly become one of my favorite ongoings right now. I’m not planning on missing an issue of it.
Oddly Normal #6 ($2.99) – Otis Frampton’s charming and fantastic magical world tale returns. The story is cute enough, but Frampton’s really selling it on his creature designs and world.
Strange Sports Stories #2 ($4.99) – I had more fun with the stories in the first issue than practically any of the other Vertigo anthologies. “Young Bottoms in Love” Tim Fish, “Prince of Cats” Ronald Wimberly, and “HowToons” Nick Dragotta contribute to this issue.
Lumberjanes #13 ($3.99) – Brooke Allen returns for this special one-shot: a massive flashback to when the LJs first met each other. Carolyn Nowak did a great job for her brief arc, but having Allen back is definitely aces.
Total: $19.46
Keith’s Picks:
Sabrina #2 ($3.99) – It’s been too long of a wait for the second issue of this series. Robert Hack’s art in the debut issue of this Archie-related book was stunning and I instantly became a fan. Roberto Aguirre- Sacasa’s story was fun and surprisingly dark and moving. With this and “Afterlife with Archie”, he has proven his adeptness at horror and crafting compelling stories from the Archie universe.
Toe Tag Riot #4 ($3.99) – I’m going to miss the punk rock zombies that writer Matt Miner and artist Sean Von Gorman have introduced us to in this miniseries that mixed gore, guts, and social responsibility. Zombie punks battling the Westboro Baptist Church should be enticement enough to pick up this book. I’ll be looking for more books by these creators and hopefully they work together again very soon.
The Fade Out #5 ($3.50) – As the solicitation for this issue says, this issue is a great place for new readers to discover one of the best series of 2014. Brubaker and Phillips mix mystery and old Hollywood to create complex characters and shadowy plots. You should definitely snatch up the first trade (which also comes out this week) and this issue when you walk into your local comic book store.
Chrononauts #2 ($3.50) – Sean Murphy was my sole motivation to get the first issue of this series, yet it ended up being some of the best writing I’ve read by Mark Millar. After last month’s intense cliffhanger, the time traveling shenanigans are about to be considerably amped up.
Convergence: Shadow of the Bat #1 or Convergence: Man of Steel ($3.99) – Whether you read “Knightfall “or the fallout from the death of Superman in the ‘90s (or both, like I did), the prospect of seeing Azbats and Steel in these books will make your inner child giddy with excitement. Steel has returned recently in the excellent “Action Comics”. Now it’s Jean Paul Valley’s time to step into the spotlight. I’m hoping the teams on these books can convince new readers of these characters’ greatness.
Continued belowTotal: $18.97
Mark’s Picks:
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth #133 ($3.50) – This is a the beginning of a major arc for Johann, and it doesn’t disappoint. There’s a melancholy in this story that I love already.
Sixth Gun: Dust to Dust #2 ($3.99) – I haven’t read this one yet, but the first issue was great, and I’ve been enjoying the hell out of Tyler Crook’s work lately, especially his work with Cullen Bunn. And it’s The Sixth Gun, which is consistently excellent.
Ei8ht #3 ($3.50) – I’ve got a soft spot for time travel stories. Plus, you know, Rafael Albuquerque.
Chrononauts #2 ($3.50) – As I said, I’ve got a soft spot for time travel stories. Plus, you know, Sean Gordon Murphy.
Total: $14.49
Matt Dodge’s Picks:
Archie vs Predator #1 (3.99) – There is no other book you need to buy this week. You’ve seen Archie and the gang take face big challengers before, like high school tests, beach sports and Jughead’s seemingly insurmountable tab at Pop Tate’s Chok’lit Shoppe, but nothing that has prepared them for the Predator. Fortunatly for them, if there’s one thing that growing up on the rough streets of Riverdale has taught the Archie gang, it’s that if it bleeds, they can kill it.
What? AvP: Riverdale isn’t good enough for you? Fine. When you’re doing with this once in a lifetime crossover there a still a couple other books you can check out.
Fade Out #5 ($3.50) – This was one of my favourite new series from last year. Every subsequent issue has grown and expanded this noir version of Hollywoodland in different and exciting ways. It’s already apparent that this story will be a lot more than a simple whodunit, and I can’t wait so see that next twist that Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips have planned in the second act of this book.
Chrononauts #2 ($3.50) – I am admittedly not a big fan of Mark Millar (before I get comment thread hate, I’m not saying Millar’s work is bad, it’s just not for me) but the first issue of this series avoids some of the familiar elements in his work and was actually a pretty refreshing addition to his canon. Sean Murphy is one of my favourite artists, and anything that he pencils is worth the money. His artwork is still the big draw for me personally, but I’m cautiously optimistic for this book.
Total: $10.99
