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.
Follow the cut to see everyone’s picks for the week, and feel free to share your own list in the comments!
Walt’s Picks:
Dial H #1 ($2.99) – Sometimes a great cover can do wonders for sales, and Brian Bolland’s covers are always great. I swear, he could have done the covers for “Hawk & Dove,” and I would have considered buying the first issue – considered, but would not have done it. The covers that we’ve seen for this new series are reminiscent of Bolland’s covers for Grant Morrison’s “Doom Patrol,” which is a big green light for me. The hero dial is one of those wacky old concepts that has always seemed like it has some potential, and it will be interesting to see what “weird fiction” author China Tom Miéville has to bring to the relaunched series.
Mind the Gap #1/Epic Kill #1 ($2.99 each) – I am not going to lie, guys – I’ve been slammed by exams lately, and have not had the chance to check out what either of these series are about, beyond the solicitations. I know, shame on me for recommending a blind buy for you that is an equally blind buy for me, but let me put it this way: I know that I would most likely feel my money was better spent on a $2.99 creator-owned series than a $3.99 “event” comic. It is your choice, though!
Sweet Tooth #33 ($2.99) – “Sweet Tooth” is part of the must-buy Vertigo trifecta, along with “The Unwritten” and “American Vampire.” We’re 33 issues in, and not a single one has come close to being a disappointment. Even for the better ongoing series, that is one hell of an achievement, and – so long as you do not subscribe to the faulty law of averages – makes it seem less and less likely that we’ll be seeing a disappointing issue any time soon. Jeff Lemire’s “Sweet Tooth” is great post-apocalyptic fiction, and great comics in general.
Animal Man #9 ($2.99) – Speaking of Jeff Lemire, his “Animal Man” is probably the best book of DC’s New 52. The loss of artist Travel Foreman to the likes of “Birds of Prey” is a shame, since he fits on this book much more than he does on that one, but Steve Pugh is no slouch when it comes to artistic talent. As we enter [what I believe to be] the final arc before the “Animal Man”/”Swamp Thing” crossover, it will be interesting to see how things get even worse for the Baker family. Then again, John Constantine shows up in this issue, and we know how well people turn out when they get his help, don’t we?
Daredevil #12 ($2.99) – Rejoice! “Daredevil” #11 was good enough to win over our naysaying editor-in-chief Matthew Meylikhov, who was grumbling about the new direction since day one. If Waid can win over him, he can win over anybody. Now that ‘The Omega Effect’ is over, it will be interesting to see where the book goes. My guess? It will still be one hell of a book, especially with the addition of artist extraordinaire Chris Samnee.
Total: $17.94
Brian’s Picks:
Earth 2 #1 ($3.99) – As Multiversity’s most ardent proselytizer of the work of James Robinson, it would be downright rude of me not to endorse this book. I had a bit of this spoiled for me, but it actually made the book far more interesting. I don’t think issue #1 will be amazing, but i think the first trade will be a great collection of stories, building to something really special. Give Robinson a world to build and watch him do what he does best. Plus, Nicola Scott. I haven’t been this excited about a book in a long time.
Continued belowAction Comics #9 ($3.99) – Super-Obama is still probably polling way lower than he should running against Bat-Romney.
Batwing #9 ($2.99) – Even though my enjoyment of the book has decreased since Ben Oliver left, this is still a really fun sidebar in the Bat-verse, totally worth your three bucks a month. Plus, this is a Night of the Owls tie-in, so there’s that.
Animal Man/Swamp Thing #9 ($2.99 each) – I have run out of things to say about these books other than “buy.”
Dial H #1 ($2.99) – Most of the MC staff is more excited by this book than I am, but I’m intrigued enough to take a look. Plus, the art looks pretty incredible.
Total: $19.94
Josh’s Picks:
The Spider #1 ($3.99) – For those of you keeping track, I am a pretty unabashed fan of novelist David Liss’ comics work. Now that his fantastic run on Black Panther is over and it looks unlikely that his Mystery Men will get an encore appearance after their maiden mini-series, this brand new reimagining of the classic pulp hero The Spider is the only outlet fans of his work have to enjoy. And with the fantastic pencils of Colton Worley bringing his word to the page, enjoy it I shall!
Dial H #1 ($2.99) – I’m not too familiar with the DC Classic Dial H for Hero that this book is reimagining, but I wasn’t too familiar with Swamp Thing before DC relaunched that book and it became one of my total favorites month in and month out (if I could fit another 3 bucks on this list, Swamp Thing would be partying up here too). That fact, combined with all of the good things I hear about China Meiville and the fact that Karen Berger is stepping out of the Vertigo Universe to edit this one lands it pretty high on my “to read” list.
Daredevil #12 ($2.99) – One of the comics that continually reminds me how fantastic, heartfelt, hilarious and intriguing super hero comics can be. This is the next Mark Waid classic in the making, and given the other classic runs that have sprung from his pen that should definitly say something. Plus, Multiversity favorite artist Chris Samnee jumps on board the book with this issue, making this slam dunk into a giant, flaming slam dunk being slammed by a giant robot monkey that shoots chocolate cake out of its butt.
Animal Man #9 ($2.99) – Jeff Lemire writing Buddy Baker with Steve Pugh arting it. If that doesn’t excite you then you are just a poor, unfortunate soul.
Sweet Tooth #33 ($2.99) – Speaking of Jeff Lemire, his massive post-societal epic has been a must read for over two years now and as it enters its final acts it is just as engaging, thoughtful, heartfelt and impactful as it was when it began. If that doesn’t scream “quality” to you then I have some Korn CDs you might want to buy.
Mind the Gap #1 ($2.99) – Rodin Esquejo making the jump from ungodly cover artist to crazy good interior artist would have been enough to make this book a must-read. The fact that Jim McCann has crafted a compelling, mysterious and bizarre tale to accompany the pretty pretty pictures is just sugar on top of an already tasty cake.
Total: $18.94
Brandon’s Picks:
Avengers vs X-Men #3 ($3.99) — First issue was fun. Second issue wasn’t as amazing. I am very interested to see what happens here. I really want this even to be great and to be a game changer but so far it’s been a rather slow build. With it shipping twice monthly I guess this isn’t that surprising but would it hurt to have a big moment each issue?
Continued belowEarth 2 #1 ($3.99) — Of the 2nd wave this is the book I am most looking forward to. JSA bitches! It’ll be a different JSA than I am used to but I’m okay with that as long as it is a good different and not a different in the same vein as bestiality.
Justice League International #9 ($2.99) — OMAC! Guy Gardner! Fighting! Booster Gold! Fighting! YES! YES! YES!
Smallville Season 11 #1 ($3.99) — I stuck it out through even the last few seasons which were pretty bad so of course I’ll come back for this. Smallville was a big staple of my TV watching for a long time. How long can they keep this going and will it be worth it? I am not sure but you better believe I’ll eye fuck the hell out of the first issue!
Sweet Tooth # 33 ($2.99) — This book is in my top three almost monthly on 4 Color. How could I not be excited for the book that I find most consistently enjoyable month in month out? Better yet, how can it be that other people don’t?! Are there really people not reading this book? I am aghast!
Venom #17 ($2.99) — This has been a surprise hit for me as I originally blew it off after a couple issues. I then went back and reread them and picked up the subsequent issues. I will not be making the mistake of dropping this book again (not until Remender leaves at least). This arc in particular looks to be rather good as it works toward concluding some of the long standing plot threads in the book such as the big bad introduced in the first issue.
Total: $20.94 What do you mean it’s more than $20?! Are you saying my math skills are shit?! How dare you!
David’s Picks
Fury MAX #1 ($3.99) – Garth Ennis does a mean Fury when he has his own sandbox to play in, as the last Fury MAX mini revealed to us. Pair him with Goran Parlov and throw in some Dave Johnson covers? I’m in.
Daredevil #12 ($2.99) – This is one of the few books where Chris Samnee could join the art team and the quality of art might go down. But I don’t care. I’m all about some Samnee action, and this book is flat out good.
Mind the Gap #1 ($2.99) – Read this already. You can see my review here in a little bit. Here’s a spoiler: it’s good. Plus, it’s double-sized for a normal price. You can’t top that.
Sweet Tooth #33 ($2.99) – Jeff Lemire has been doing a great job on this book for some time now, and while I think it might be a little overrated by my fellow MC brethren, it is definitely a pretty damn good book and I’m excited to see where it goes as it nears its final year.
X-Factor #235 ($2.99) – Just a ridiculously consistent book. The art has been steadied by the presence of the gifted duo of Emanuela Luppachino and Leonard Kirk, but as long as Peter David is around, this book is a must buy.
Exiled #1 ($2.99) – Kieron Gillen and Carmine di Giandomenico tell the first part of a Journey into Mystery and New Mutants crossover. That’s plenty for me.
Total: $18.94
Matt’s Picks:
Mind The Gap #1 ($2.99) – Jim McCann and Rodin Esquejo’s new ongoing book is really quite solid, and as a big proponent of longform mysteries in comics like “Morning Glories” you’d be hard pressed to see me not supporting this endeavor as well. You’re going to like the way it looks. (I guarantee it.)
Exiled #1 ($2.99) – Anything “Journey Into Mystery” related is an immediate buy, no questions asked, for me.
Invincible Iron Man #515 ($3.99) – This is the one, right? The one Fraction has been teasing us up to for forever and a day? Yeah, I’m going to want to want check that out.
Continued belowEpic Kill #1 ($2.99) – Raffaele Ienco has put together a nice little genre-blending book here that is sure to give you a literal bang for your buck.
Pigs #7 ($2.99) – It’s been a little while since we last saw “Pigs” as the book suffered a few delays, but I can assure you having read the book that the issue does not miss a beat. It also reads as a self-aware comic that knows it is late, and makes the story incredibly approachable for those who may have forgotten a bit of what has happened.
Bulletproof Coffin: Disinterred #4 ($2.99) – I should preface this recommendation by noting that this comic probably isn’t for everyone. This issue in particular is quite an experimental one at that, and I will happily admit that after a few readings of it I can not in any particular way give you an elevator pitch as to what the comic is about. I will say, though, that Hine and Kane wear their influences on their sleeves on this one and by putting themselves out there like that with an issue like this… well, this is the comic people should really be talking about this week over 90% of the stuff coming out alongside it.
Total: $18.94
