Space Mullet Vol 1 cover - cropped Columns 

Comics Should Be Cheap! (4/27/2016)

By | April 26th, 2016
Posted in Columns | % Comments

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:

Space-Mullet: One Gamble At A Time TPB ($17.99) – You guys. “Space-Mullet” is finally coming to print. The name alone should sell you on it, if the cool sci-fi doesn’t. This is a comic that I’ve been reading for years – I first discovered it on Christmas Eve back in like 2012 and was immediately enamored. Daniel Warren Johnson has slowly, but steadily posted something like 300 pages of a comic that is weird and hilarious and somber and serious. It deals with death and love, but also has space goblins and a monster spawned from a dirty dishwasher. Watching the growth of Dan as an artist/creator over the years and chapters of “Space-Mullet” has been pretty cool, as has seeing the story evolve one page at a time. I pretty much called that “Space-Mullet” was coming to print soon back in my year end piece in 2014, so this is a really nice thing. Plus, I happen to be both pull quotes on the back of that trade. I just really love “Space-Mullet”, you guys.

Postal #12 ($3.99) – I’ve said a lot of nice things about “Postal” in CSBC, but it’s all pretty much true. This book continues to be one of those gems that most people are missing out on. Do yourself a favor and pick it up.

Total: $21.98. A little over, but it’s worth it for two of my favorite comics out there.

Drew’s Picks:

Fourth Planet #1 ($3.99) – This new quarterly from Chapterhouse may be one of the best new comics of the year. In the distant future, some mistreated human slaves steal a warship and seek a peaceful existance far from their oppressors. They crash on an inhabitable planet, but find it’s already occupied by three intelligent native species. These aliens have been at war with one another for a long time, but their most advanced weapon uses gunpowder. This inverted invasion is smartly written, beautifully illustrated, and holds a lot of promise. Don’t miss.

Oddly Normal vol 3 ($9.99) – I was pretty bummed when this series disappeared from the monthly solicititations, but I’m glad that it’s sticking around in (affordable) OGNs. Otis Frampton’s humorous take on a fairy tale high school hits all the right notes, and has the added bonus of being something you can share with kids.

Creepy #23 ($3.99) – This is the penultimate issue of the horror anthology, and I’m going to miss it when it’s gone. Not all the stories are winners, but it’s always been more hits than misses. Here’s hoping some of the short stories still find their way into “Dark Horse Presents” from time to time.

Total: $17.97 – the “Oddly Normal” trade bumped off a few good books (“Postal”, “Velvet”, “Roche Limit”), but I have no regrets.

Alice’s Picks: 

The Fiction Vol. 1 ($14.99) – Now, you may remember that I reviewed the first issue of “The Fiction” #1 and really enjoyed it. Well, that first issue blossomed into a fantastic miniseries that combined the incomparable talents of Curt Pires and David Rubin. If you missed this series first time around, now’s your time to get it all at once.

4 Kids Walk Into A Bank #1 ($3.99) – There’s a chance that your LCS may have gotten its copy of this comic last week, but if you didn’t you’ll still have your chance when it comes out for real this week. Matthew Rosenberg, writer of the amazing “We Can Never Go Home”, teams with Tyler Boss for a crime caper disguised as “Wes Anderson remaking Reservoir Dogs” which will should immediately sell you on the book, honestly. It’s amazing.

Continued below

Total: – $18.98 – A light week for me, but any chance to reread “The Fiction” makes for a good week.

Vince’s Picks:

Batman #51 ($3.99) – If I have any meaningful criticism to level at Scott Snyder & Greg Capullo’s mega “Batman” run, it’s that they left us little time to breathe. Every arc aimed to be a major, paradigm-shifting entry into the Bat-canon. I think, for the most part, they definitely succeeded, so it’s not like these weren’t some great comics. Still, Gotham never got a break, which is apparently what this issue means to accomplish. Snyder is basically making a nod to the fact that every arc was explosive and deciding to turn the tables for an issue. Call this a victory lap for Snyder and Capullo. They’ve earned it, and I think they’ll surprise us with this one.

Superman/Wonder Woman #28 ($3.99) – Part 4 of Tomasi’s ‘Super League’. So far it’s been a tour through Superman’s friends and colleagues, as we’ve had visits with Lana, Lois, Bruce & Alfred, Supergirl, and now Wonder Woman. I must admit that the side plot of ‘Super League’ (people around the world getting Superman’s powers) isn’t grabbing me just yet, but all the moments with the extended cast are hitting their marks.

Micronauts #1 ($3.99) – I was born at the end of the ’80s, but I lived much of the toy & cartoon crazes of the era through my older brother & the prevalence of re-runs. Whenever they try to revive something like this, I usually give it an honest chance. At worst, I get to take a short trip down memory lane.

Star Wars #18 ($3.99) – “Star Wars” has been such a solid title, but this particular solicitation sounds especially good. A highlight issue for Leia, Sana Solo, and Aphra (usually seen in the “Darth Vader” ongoing).

Total: $15.96

Keith’s Picks: 

Batman #51 ($3.99) – Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s swan song on “Batman” is probably going to be a tear-inducing issue. It has consistently been the best book of every year since their run started in 2011. Criminally overlooked by the Eisners, they have already won a spot in my heart for one of the best Bat-runs ever. I can’t wait to see what the duo have in store for us at DC in the future.

Dark Knight III: The Master Race #4 ($5.99) – If this issue is as stunning as the previous three, then the long delay will have been worth it. This series has been a more than respectable follow-up to the greatest book ever (“The Dark Knight Returns”, naturally).

Justice League #49 ($3.99) – The penultimate issue of Geoff Johns’ “Darkseid War” is here. After “Justice League” is finished next issue, let’s hope he has another series coming for “Rebirth”. My personal wish is for a “Shazam” series. He wrote him wonderfully in that story he wrote in “Justice League”, which everyone should buy in trade form now.

Omega Men #11 ($2.99) – It’s sad to see this series ending, but I trust Tom King to bring this surprisingly brilliant series to an epic close. Space opera has never been so intricate and exciting at the same time.

Midnighter #11 ($2.99) – Like “Omega Men” this week, “Midnighter” #11 is the penultimate issue of the series. Maybe he can bring along Midnighter to National City with him when he begins writing the new “Supergirl” series.

Total: $19.95 – This is a huge week chock full of excitement. If you have extra cash I would pick up the “Airboy” hardcover by writer James Robinson and artist Greg Hinkle. It could possibly end up being my pick for best miniseries of 2016.

Matt Garcia’s Picks: 

Disney’s Darkwing Duck #1 ($2.99) – Nostalgia trippers rejoice, because the Terror that Flaps in the Night is back. Joe Books found some great talent with their “Disney Princess” book, and now they’re going for the superhero game with this new series from Aaron Sparrow and James Silvani. I’m not even sure if they still air Darkwing Duck, but it’s kinda nice to see him still quacking around.

Continued below

4 Kids Walk Into a Bank #1 ($3.99) – Described as “Wes Anderson remaking Reservoir Dogs,” the new Black Mask Comic from Matthew Rosenberg and Tyler Boss is definitely attention-grabbing. And if that teaser comics from a few months back is any indication, this series could be one of the best debuts of the month, if not the year.

Star Wars #18 ($3.99)This is me every time a new issue of this drops.

Saga #36 ($2.99) – I sort of realized the other day just how much “Saga” we have. 36 issues in and the series continues to go in surprising and entertaining directions. Here’s the end of the sixth arc.

Batman #51 ($3.99) – All right, so the New 52 started just as I was getting into monthly comics, and frankly the whole thing was a big train wreck. Rebirth is probably going to be a big train wreck. DC You was fine, though DC never gave it enough time to develop or evolve into its own thing. But Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo’s run on the Dark Knight carried through all these events and iterations. There were some great moments, there were some not-great moments, but they were all Snyder and Capullo’s moments. That consistency probably helped make this series one of the stronger DC titles in the past few years (though nothing’s breached Brian Azzarello and Cliff Chiang’s “Wonder Woman”). Anyway, this looks like the cap to their work, a coda to the last five years or whatever.

Total: $17.95. Also, check out the “Bartkira” collection, where various artists redrew scenes from “Akira” with characters from The Simpsons. The joke might have gone on too long but hey, it’s being published in a giant hardcover with all the proceeds going to a couple charities, so….

Ken’s Picks: 

Imperium #15 ($3.99): I am soooooooooo sad this book is ending with issue #16. It’s one of the most fascinating superbooks I’ve seen in a while. There is some solace in knowing that Dysart isn’t done with the Harbinger side of Valiant yet, but page-for-page it has been my favorite from that company.

4 Kids Walk Into A Bank #1 ($3.99): Already got a look at this book and it was real good. It’s heavily influenced by Tarantino, so if that’s not your thing, I’d opt out. That said, “We Can Never Go Home” was a book I got into late and it did so much to earn good will that I’m intrigued to see where this goes.

Doctor Strange #7 ($3.99): This book has kind’ve flown under the radar and I’m not sure why. It’s mad fun. Aaron’s been doing a great job with the Sorcerer Supreme and this is the first time I’ve actually liked Chris Bachalo’s artwork.

Ultimates #6 ($3.99): And here’s your best Avengers book on the map right now. I am so glad this book turned around from a -in my opinion- not great preview back when ANAD Marvel began. Granted, I do read this book a little as “What if the Illuminati had Better PR”, but it’s still a interesting and fun book.

Total: $12.96

Mark’s Picks:

Injection #9 ($2.99) — Virtually all my recommendations this week are books I’ll be buying in trade, so I’m not up to date with any of them. I loved the first arc of “Injection” at once, so I’ve been avoiding reading anything about the second arc at all. I haven’t even been reading the solicitations. Although I have to say, I love the covers for this series. Declan Shalvey and Jordie Bellaire work really well together.

Saga #36 ($2.99) — Another series I’m behind on. I like a big hit of “Saga” all at once, so I’ve been reading this eighteen issues at a time… which means I’ll be reading #19–36 as soon as the next hardcover comes out. It’s going to be awesome.

Sex Criminals #15 ($2.99) — I’ll admit, I always feel a little awkward recommending this one because of the title, but it all clicks once you start reading it. This series keeps getting better, maintaining a delicate balance of humour and character, making it both fun and honest.

Continued below

The Unbeatable Squirrel Girl #7 ($3.99) — No link on this one. Why? Because, oh my god, it is so hard to search for this and not get the #7 that came out in July last year. I don’t really read Marvel or DC, so this is pretty much my first time butting up against the insane numbering of these things. It’s an old complaint, I know, but it’s new to me. My god, it’s stupid. I gave up searching after a full minute. (My Google patience is very limited. I want the thing I’m looking for at the top, damn it!)

OK, I’ve got that out of my system now. This issue’s solicitation is intriguing. I guess this is a kind of choose-your-own-adventure comic. I’ll be interested to see how that works. Coming from the author of To Be or Not to Be, I’m guessing this’ll be pretty interesting.

Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1953—Beyond the Fences (Part 3) ($3.50) — Hey, here’s one I’ve actually read before I write my recommendation! As you’ll see in my review on Wednesday, I loved this issue, and I loved this arc. Paolo Rivera’s work on this series was fantastic. I hope he’ll be back for more in future. This story was did an excellent job of feeling like it was a part of the established universe while also being a departure in terms of location. I have nothing but enthusiasm for this title.

Total: $16.46.


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