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!
Kevin’s Picks:
“New Challengers” #1 ($2.99) – Has the New Age of Heroes line kinda pattered out? Yes. Wasn’t this book supposed to come out like 6 months ago? Yes, that’s also true. Wasn’t this just a Snyder/Kubert jaunt without another writer> Also yes…so why do I still really want to read this? Cause Andy Kubert is great and this book is the most Scott Snyder-y Snyderesque weird, pseudoscientific premise ever. Yeah that might be it.
“All-New Wolverine” #35 ($3.99) – RIP Tom Taylor making Laura and Gabby good for three years. You will be missed. Goodnight Wolverine.
“The Mighty Thor: At the Gates of Valhalla” #1 ($4.99) – Transitions, transitions. Jason Aaron once again switches the focus of his ongoing Thor epic and we get Ramon Perez and Jen Bartel providing art for this interlude from Jane to Odinson. Excelsior!
“Justice League: No Justice” #2 ($3.99) – This book is nuts and I’m so glad it’s coming weekly.
“Avengers” #2 ($3.99) – Wasn’t as hot on the first issue of this book, but I trust Aaron and McGuinness enough to win me over here as the battle begins.
Total: $19.95
Vince’s Picks:
Assassinistas #5 ($3.99) – One of the great things about what Tini Howard and Gilbert Hernandez have going on here is that you can describe “Assassinistas” in one short statement and while it sounds simple, it’s not deceptive. A former team of assassins is brought back together in surprising ways, because of their kids. The comic is quite literally a straightforward exploration of that simple pitch without any diversions, but that’s what makes it so slick. It’s funny, full of life, and full of great Hernandez art. It’s a great comic, and it’s also one that would be perfect for introducing non-readers to the medium.
Superman Special #1 ($4.99) – If you’re not following Superman now, or your waiting for Bendis, don’t sleep on this one-shot special. It features two of my favorite writing talents in comics: Mark Russell and Ian Flynn. Russell is a DC stalwart, mostly handing the best of the Hanna-Barbera bunch, but Ian Flynn is an unusual name to see on a DC cover. He’s mostly been squarely in the world of video game adaptations like “Mega Man” and, more famously, “Sonic the Hedgehog.” He has an uncanny knack for taking a very basic good guy vs. bad guy conflict and find the humor and excitement in it, even when no one is breaking new ground. He also knows when to stand back and let the art speak for itself. If this is the beginning of a longer stint for Flynn at DC Comics, that would be quite a coup.
The Wild Storm #13 ($3.99) – Speaking of standing back and letting the art do the talking, 13 issues in “The Wild Storm” is still one of the current exemplars of the medium as far as striking the perfect balance between writer and artist. Warren Ellis clearly writes to Jon Davis-Hunt’s extraordinary talents and because of how easily it all goes down, the comic jumps to the top of my pile when it arrives.
Total: $12.97
Justin Beeson’s Picks:
Astro City #52 ($3.99) – This run of “Astro City” has been excellent the whole way through and I’m sad to see it go (even if it’s returning in OGN-form). The current arc is a great example of the small, superhero adjacent storytelling that makes this world so great, and I’m excited to see how Busiek and Anderson wrap it up.
Avengers #2 ($3.99) and Justice League: No Justice #2 ($3.99) – Lumping these two together because I’m picking them up for the same reasons; they’re big fun event-style comics from veteran creators still at the top of their game. There are huge ideas in both that I can’t wait to see play out.
Continued belowThe Dead Hand #2 ($3.99) – The first issue was one of my favorite debuts in recent memory. It seems like a combination of A History of Violence and Wayward Pines, but who knows at this point because I’m sure there are plenty of twists in store.
The Mighty Thor: At the Gates of Valhalla #1 ($4.99) – I think we’ve said plenty about Jason Aaron’s run on Thor and don’t need to justify picking it up. However, this issue features art by Jen Bartel, who I feature in Art of the Week all the time, and I’m excited to see her do some interiors.
Total: $20.95. Thor is worth that extra dollar.
Kate’s Picks:
Assassinistas #5 ($3.99) – It’s no secret how much we at Multiversity love this series; every issue thus far has been reviewed by our staff, which is a rare feat. With the wit of Tini Howard and the art of Gilbert Hernandez, it’s easy to see why. I’m sad that it’s only a miniseries (the next issue is the last issue) and wish it was an ongoing; there’s too much fun to be had to stop things now. (Although I won’t miss misspelling “Assassinistas” more times than I can count!)
Flavor #1 ($3.99) – It’s a culinary “Hunger Games” and with a food consultant on the creative team, you can expect to see the culinary arts treated with as much respect and creativity as the recently concluded “Hungry Ghosts.”
Ballad of Halo Jones Color Edition Vol. 1 ($8.49) – One of the great things about doing social media for a site like Multiversity is discovering new things. (One of the not so great things about doing social media for a site like Multiversity? Discovering too many new things that your wallet can’t handle.) One of those new discoveries was the world of 2000 AD, a British sci-fi magazine that just turned 40 last year. I was looking for a good way to get a taste of the 2000 AD universe, and this new colorized collection of feminist space opera has my attention.
Total: $16.47
Mark’s picks:
“Ether: Copper Golems” #1 ($3.99)— From Matt Kindt and David Rubín… I don’t know how “Ether” #1 flew under my radar, but it did, so I’ve just picked up the trade digitally. (It was $4!) Given the caliber of the creators involved, this should be a good buy.
“Barrier” #3 ($3.99)— I’ll be picking up all five issues of “Barrier” this month.
“Gideon Falls” #3 ($3.99)— I am really digging this mystery.
Total: $11.97.
