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.
Criminal: The Last of the Innocent #1 ($3.50) – Yes. Yes. Yes. If you like crime comics and don’t read Criminal, you are a fool. Brubaker’s stories are awesome, and his even better narration and dialogue make the writing tastier than an expertly-crafted red velvet cake. Sean Philips’ line work blows my mind every time, and Val Staples’ colors make the whole product sing almost as beautifully as Ella. That is not a compliment that I just hand out willy-nilly, even when I’m talking in metaphors that obscure exactly what I’m saying. This is a new story (note the #1), so there is absolutely no reason not to buy this.
Moon Knight #2 ($3.99) – I always give a Bendis and Maleev team-up a shot. And, if it’s good enough, I’ll continue checking it out. Moon Knight #1, as you might have guessed, was good enough. These are the sort of stories that Bendis excels at, not the widescreen, universe-changing ones that he has been doing a lot of over the years. And Maleev? Maleev is always awesome. Some people are worried about Bendis changing the character, but I think a good story comes first. Then again, I’m not much of a Moon Knight fan to begin with.
S.H.I.E.L.D. #1 ($3.99) – Another volume of Jonathan Hickman and Dustin Weaver’s mind-blowing alternate history of the Marvel Universe? Marvel, you shouldn’t have.
Flashpoint #2 ($3.99) – I was expecting… well, pretty much nothing from the first issue of Flashpoint. Turns out, it was actually pretty good. Then again, I’m only saying that because the world Johns & co. have created seems pretty interesting. Even the most promising idea can fall flat on its face without proper execution. Still, I hope that this ends up going somewhere, so long as that somewhere isn’t the complete rebooting of the DCU.
Fear Itself #3 ($3.99) – I really, really want to like this event. So far, though, my loyalty has not been rewarded. There’s still hope, though. If Bucky dies in this issue, as is rumored, I will make some sort of ridiculous “threat” – such as never buying a Marvel book again – and ultimately never follow through with it.
Total: $19.46
Matt’s Picks:
SHIELD #1 ($3.99) – Volume 1 of this title was one of my favorite books while it was coming out. I can’t see why this would be any different at all.
Hellboy: The Fury #1 ($2.99) – The epic collision of years of Hellboy storytelling cascading together for a dynamic finale. You can’t be a Hellboy fan and NOT want to read this. It’s just impossible.
Flashpoint #2 ($3.99) – I suppose, as a comic book aficianado/journalist, it would be kind of silly not to get this now, huh? It’s ok. I liked the first issue.
Fear Itself #3 ($3.99) – Marvel’s event might not be relaunching it’s entire line, but that doesn’t make it any less enjoyable. At least, not to me.
Moon Knight #2 ($3.99) – One of my favorite characters, written by one of my favorite writers and featuring one of my favorite collaborators of one of my favorite writers. Essentially, this is a cant miss tittle.
Total: $18.95
Patrick’s Picks:
Thunderbolts #158 and Avengers Academy #14.1 ($2.99 each) – Marvel’s two best ongoings, in the same week, at the same time, with the same guest star (well, not really).
Criminal: Last of the Innocent #1 ($3.50) – Can’t say anything — even a pithy and glib thing — that hasn’t already been said literally dozens of times before. Looking forward to this and more forever.
Moon Knight #2 ($3.99) – Still giving it a shot. Not sure I’m sold on ‘Mookie having imaginary friends’ but I’m even less sold on ‘yet more Khonshu blah blah blah’ so it’s got a leg up for the moment.
A $5 Sandwich – Because I’m writing this at work and I’m hungry. I will imagine that the sandwich was written by Jeph Loeb.
Total: $18.47 ($13.47 sans sandwich)
