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!
Vince’s Picks:
Infinity Man and the Forever People #1 ($2.99) – This could be a huge, huge mess. On the other hand, it could be a charming little gem a la this creative teams’ 2011-2012 “O.M.A.C.” series. What I do know is that these are the kinds of books that I’m happy to take chances on and give a little leeway to when it comes to DC Comics. I wish they would do more of them, but they pretty much instantly go up on cancellation watch.
Figment #1 ($3.99) – Aw, what the hell.
Armor Hunters #1 ($3.99) – The Valiant comics universe is such an anomaly. A purposefully small smattering of monthly titles, and a few miniseries, with above average quality across the board.
Batman Eternal #10 ($2.99) & New 52 Futures End #6 ($2.99) – They got me, you guys. I’m all-in on these weekly DC titles. They’re not absolute showstoppers, but they’re weekly books that manage to hit right around a 7 (give or take) every single week, so far. These are pretty much what I wanted. Weird week for me. I feel weird featuring mostly big two stuff, but I’m feeling frisky this week.
Total: $16.95
Drew’s Picks:
Whispers TP ($14.99) – This miniseries was plagued by delays, but the collection is finally here. If you’re one of the discerning readers who’s enjoyed “Alex + Ada”, this is a book you should look into. It’s by the other Luna brother, and has a very similar art style with a supernatural plot. This trade also comes at a bargain price, giving you six issues worth of material for the price of five.
Blackout #3 ($2.99) – Blackout, as a character, is still taking shape. He shows promise, and the cliffhanger at the end of issue two has been on my mind for a month now. While this book works on becoming a must read, you can enjoy Colin Lorimer’s stunning visuals. His unique work is a perfect fit for Blackout’s surreal abilities.
X #14 ($2.99) – Did you like Rucka’s run on “Punisher”? How about “Boondock Saints”? Then this crazy book is for you. It would be best to start from the beginning, obviously, but it’s written well enough to pick up anywhere. If you haven’t tried it yet, and you’re looking for a fun, action filled story, “X” is for you.
Total: $20.97 – I went a bit over, but I don’t feel bad about it because I’ve been well under the last few times.
David Harper’s Picks:
That’s Because You’re a Robot ($3.99) – A “Buddy Cops” sounding one-shot from a writer of “Veep” and Shaky Kane? Yes, please.
Shutter #3 ($3.50) – This book has been mad genius so far, with clever ideas from Keatinge and top art from rising star Leila del Duca. This is a book everyone should be reading.
She-Hulk #5 ($2.99) – One of Marvel’s best gets a guest artist in Ronald Wimberly whom I think you will all greatly enjoy.
Starlight #4 ($2.99) – Some may call it a Flash Gordon knock off, but I call Mark Millar and Goran Parlov’s latest only one thing: fun.
The Walking Dead #128 ($2.99) – The mini-reboot from last issue was genuinely exciting. Let’s see where it goes from here, but for now, I’m pumped for this book again.
Total: $16.46
David Henderson’s Picks:
Captain Marvel #4 ($3.99) – It’s been a while since I’ve really been able to show my love for this book here, so here goes: I think the reboot has been a rollicking success that has given the title and the character a much needed focus that was lost in the previous volume because of the “Infinity” tie-ins. I am still very much on board with this.
Continued belowShutter #1 ($3.50) – I am also very much on board with this as Joe Keatinge and Leila Del Duca have taken the weirdness levels to all new heights with suit-wearing, possibly Scottish humanoids tigers. This is why I love comics.
Amazing Spider-Man #1.2 ($3.99) – You know, I’ve never been the world’s biggest Dan Slott fan. Even before the whole “Superior Spider-Man” thing I was only really partially invested in his work on “Amazing Spider-Man”. That hasn’t changed much with the reboot, but this? This is solid Spider-Man work as Slott captures the melodrama of Stan Lee’s original writing while doing a good job of merging it with a contemporary setting while Ramon Perez’s feels like Steve Ditko is actually drawing Spider-Man again.
Original Sins #1 ($3.99) – This has a lot of things going for it (well, okay, it has a few things going for it) but the main point is this: Ramon Villalobos drawing a Young Avengers story. That is all.
The Empty Man #1 ($3.99) – Cullen Bunn is rocking the horror thing with “Magneto”, a book that has defied all of my expectations to become one of my new favourite Marvel books, so I am very, very interested to see where this goes.
Total: $19.46
Matthew’s Picks:
Gødland v6: Goodbye Divine ($19.99) – If you, for whatever reason, missed out on Joe Casey and Tom Scioli’s comic opus “Gødland,” then this week prepare to fix the error of your ways because the final volume is here.
“Gødland” is two things. The simple explanation is that it’s a tribute to yesteryear in comics, where Jack Kirby was a giant. Scioli’s artwork is obviously very reminiscent of the King, and quite on purpose; Scioli carries on the legacy of imaginative and bombastic comics in the true Kirby way that very few others do. But beyond that, “Gødland” is a true headtrip of a comic that, to me, represents one of the deepest meditations we’ve had on not just the fluctuating elements of comic narratives but also the trappings of the human condition. The book breaks so many rules throughout its run in terms of what we see as “acceptable” in comics (not in a graphic way or anything, just in terms of traditional narrative qualities) while all the time being matched by really heavy concepts thrown out freestyle like a trumpet solo during a great jazz jam.
See, “Gødland” in many ways represents the ideal of comics. It’s a true collaboration between Scioli and Casey, done “Marvel style” (ie Casey loosely scripts, Scioli illustrates, Casey adds dialogue after) and breaking far above and beyond it’s somewhat humble origins. It’s a real classic comic book experience delivered through 20th century eyes, and Scioli and Casey make a perfect pair towards bringing this intense journey to life in inspiring fashion.
“Gødland” is ideal comics. Find out why if you haven’t already this week, with the truly epic finale.
Total: $19.99 with an honorable mention to Uber #14, because I got caught up with that book over the weekend and damn, it really ramped up in terms of quality.
