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 Unwritten #49 ($2.99) – The previous issue of “The Unwritten” was super good, and had one hell of a final page. On the one hand, I can’t wait for this arc’s sure to be stunning conclusion; on the other, I am very, very tentative about the not-a-crossover the book is having with “Fables.” Until then, though I’ll just shut up and enjoy the great comics — and who knows, maybe even someone who doesn’t care about “Fables” will be able to enjoy the next arc.
Occupy Comics #1 ($3.50) – Time to find out what this is all about.
Massive #12 ($3.50) – How good was the previous issue, ‘Megalodon?’ So good. If I remember correctly, this issue rounds out the current batch of one-shots before we head back into the main arc, and to be honest, I’m slighty vummed about that. Some people disliked the amount of tangents that “DMZ” took, but I love how devoted Wood can be to fleshing out his settings. Oh well — I’m sure there will be more to come in the future.
Mind MGMT #11 ($3.99) – Having just read Red Handed this weekend, I don’t think I will ever miss a Matt Kindt comic again. Wowza.
Oh, and “Mind MGMT” has been super good since issue one, too.
Batman Incorporated #11 ($2.99) – Oh, so they’re extending it a bit more. I’m sure no one saw that coming. I’ll live.
The Bounce #1 ($2.99) – I haven’t read this yet, but beard-in-chief Matt has described it as “the anti-Invincible.” Needless to say, that’s a pretty good hook. Add the fact that it’s written by Joe Casey and I don’t see why I would miss out on it.
Total: $19.96
Lobster Johnson: Satan Smells a Rat ($3.50) – Come on – it’s Lobster Johnson! Kevin Nowlan does gorgeous work. I’m happy to say that this one-shot is a nice rough & tumble outing for LJ. You don’t want to miss it.
Five Ghosts: The Haunting of Fabian Grey #3 ($2.99) – I gave issue #2 an extremely positive review, so I’ll be sticking with this until the very end. Every page, hell, every panel is a beautiful piece of storytelling.
Sex #3 ($2.99) – Alright – I’m all in on this one. There’s just something magnetic about Joe Casey’s superhero ode to doin’ the nasty. The art from Piotr Kowalski is revelatory and the mood and feel of the storytelling recalls the enigmatic Nicholas Winding Refn film, Drive. I dig it very much.
Revival ($2.99) – I don’t go back to my unassuming central Wisconsin hometown very much anymore. My parents lament the fact that I don’t visit more often. I tell them that I’m afraid to come back after everything I’ve seen in “Revival.”
Daredevl #26 ($2.99) – Mark Waid “Daredevil”, I will love you ’til the end of time.
Young Avengers #5 ($2.99) – As long as Gillen is writing Kid Loki, I’ll be there. He’s a magnificent bastard.
Total: $18.45
Lobster Johnson: Satan Smells a Rat ($3.50) – A LoJo one shot? Don’t mind if I do!
Green Lantern #20 ($7.99) – The grand finale to the nearly 9 year Geoff Johns “Green Lantern” era is here. Sure, this is super expensive, but as the book that got me back into comics, I can’t imagine not buying this on Wednesday. Fare thee well, Geoff.
Avengers #12 / Young Avengers #5 ($3.99, $2.99, respectively) – We all live on an Avengers world, son.
Continued belowTotal: $18.47
Mind Mgmt #11 ($3.99) – By now, you shouldn’t need a reminder to buy this book. Its consistently great, and one of the very few books which actually earns its cover price. “MIND MGMT” is the premiere example for how engaging a monthly comic should be.
Daredevil #26 ($2.99) – Last month’s brawl was highly entertaining, and I’m excited to see where Murdock will go next. This book never fails to deliver some excitement.
Dark Horse Presents #24 ($7.99) – Every now and again, the question of what every comic fan should have in their collection comes up. My suggestions are always very broad and vague, and one of them is “an anthology book.” It doesn’t have to be DHP, and not all the stories in here are winners, but the book’s average of good to bad is higher than most.
Deep Sea #1 ($2.99) – Speaking of good stories from DHP, this one shot is a collection of one of the better ones. It’s listing as a #1 instead of a #0 makes me afraid the story won’t be continued, so please do me a personal favor and buy this so Dark Horse will see fit to print more of this adventure. Thanks.
Total: $17.96
Nowhere Men #5 ($2.99) – A rich and complicated science fictional world paired up with one hell of an eye-catching aesthetic, slow-moving and full of intrigue and whatever that mysterious quality is that makes you feel invested in a series. What’s more, the bits and pieces of plot we’ve been getting so far are finally starting to come together. Exciting stuff.
Five Ghosts #3 ($3.99) – Barbiere and Mooneyham knocked it out of the park with the first and second issues of this pulp-inspired story – such that it’s already looking to be a strong contender for best miniseries of the year. I almost wish this weren’t the halfway point, and that we could look forward to even more from this team.
Revival #10 ($2.99) – Sing it with me if you know the words: this is an excellent, consistent, haunting series, increasingly complex and interesting. Why the hell would you look away now?
Dia De Los Muertos #3 ($4.99) – It’s sad that this is the last one, but things are being capped off with a bang in this Rossmo-illustrated anthology: we’ve got stories by Kurtis Wiebe, Joe Keatinge, and Alexander Grecian. Plus it’s Golden Age format, and the paper smells real nice.
The Bounce #1 ($3.99) – This Casey/Messina series sounds awfully perky. Satirically so? Let’s find out!
Total: $18.95
Matthew’s Picks
The Bounce #1 ($3.99) – New Joe Casey with fantastic art by Dave Messina? As if anyone can miss this this week. Come on.
Sex #3 ($2.99) – A double dose of Casey? Heck yes.
Young Avengers #5 ($2.99) – Kieron and Jamie are doing magical things with this title. They’ve got the magic in them.
The Unwritten #49 ($2.99) – This book is getting so good, I’m surprised it isn’t repeatedly rocking the world of comics every week it comes out. Get with this series. Now. Now. Do it!
Batman Incorporated ($2.99) – This is a side issue moving away from the main story, but I’ll allow it.
Lobster Johnson: Satan Smells A Rat ($3.50) – Always a good time for some new LoJo, as they say.
Total: $19.45
