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.
Walt’s Picks:
Ultimate Comics Avengers vs New Ultimates #5/Ultimate Comics Spider-Man #160 ($3.99 each) – Oh man oh man oh man. I try to not buy into hype. I really do. But the previous issue of Ultimate Comics Spider-Man was enough to make me buy into everything surrounding this event, if you can call it that. Not only that, but Millar has been giving us some solid work with Ultimate Comics Avengers vs New Ultimates, almost (but not quite) matching his pre-Ultimatum work in the Ultimate Universe. Bring it.
Batman: Gates of Gotham #2 ($2.99) – Between this mini and the announcement of Batman #1, it looks like the Batman franchise is being transferred from Grant Morrison’s hands to Scott Snyder’s. You know what? I am 100% fine with that. But let’s not forget the solid scripting work that Kyle Higgins has been doing. If he proves himself to me on this book, I may end up picking up Nightwing after all, much to my wallet’s dismay. The first issue made it look like this mini is going to go in some interesting directions. Let’s see if it follows through with that.
Mystery Men #2 ($2.99) – I love pulpy goodness (come back Friday and you’ll see what I mean). The first issue of this gave me just that. This is one of those books that I didn’t really read anything about, and just ended up reading on a whim. Thankfully, it was really damn good. I applaud Marvel for putting out a book like this that doesn’t have any obvious direct ties to their superhero-based world, and hope this means that they might continue in that direction. Pick up the first issue if you missed it, and get this one, too. Don’t bother reading #1 first to make sure you’ll like it. You will.
Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost #1 ($2.99) – Sterling Gates is DC’s most sadly underused talent. It looks like this mini is the closest we are going to get to the Speed Force ongoing that we were promised, and so the arrival of this series is bittersweet indeed. I’m going to go ahead and say that if you’re going to read any Flashpoint tie-in mini, you’re going to want it to be this one. Plus, the covers are by Francis Manapul, and hasn’t it always been said that you should judge books by their covers?
Total: $16.95 ($19.94 if you count Mystery Men #1, which you probably didn’t pick up)
Matt’s Picks:
Ultimate Spider-Man #160 ($3.99) – I’m terrified.
Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost #1 ($2.99) – This is one of the few tie-ins that I am legitimately interested in, and with Sterling Gates as the writer I am definitely down to buy it. (Oh, how I wish Gates was the writer of the Flash books post-event…)
Wolverine #11 ($3.99) – Over the years, Jason Aaron has proven to me that if he writes a comic book that I’ll enjoy it. So here we are again!
The Mission #5 ($2.99) – I am enjoying this indie over at Image quite a bit. The story of a man who is told to go out and kill people because God says so has offered up a rather deep and interesting portrayal of the impossible task that is asked of poor John, and so far I’ve loved every issue (including this one, which I have actually already read).
Continued belowDMZ #66 ($2.99) – Hands down the best Vertigo title. We’re in the final year now, and there are but 6 issues left after this. I’m not ready to let it go, but I can guarantee you this comic will be worth the buy.
Fables #106 ($2.99) – This book, while being one of my favorites, does not make it to my list quite often enough. I aim to rectify that this week as the latest arc comes to a close.
Josh’s Picks:
Wolverine #11 ($3.99): Jason Aaron has been doing spectacular work on this book, such that it has very quickly become one of my top must-reads in any given month. With Renato Guides back on board this issue and Wolverine set to take revenge on all those that have wronged him over the years, this arc can’t NOT entertain.
Flashpoint: Kid Flash Lost #1 ($2.99): I’ve been way, WAY more into the world of Flashpoint than I expected to be or any rational human being SHOULD be (just to set the standard for that comment, I bought the Legion of Doom tie-in last week), but even if I wasn’t I would have probably bought this particular book. I have heard monstrously good things about Sterling Gates, and throwing him into the mix with one of my favorite DC Characters ensures this one to work spectacularly.
Flashpoint: Lois Lane and The Resistance ($2.99): Amongst the various sub-plots going on within the wide world of Flashpoint, I’ve really liked the ongoing saga of the Amazon/Atlantian war, particularly Abnett and Lanning’s sister book to this one, Wonder Woman and the Furies. If they manage to keep up the quality presented by that one, I’m sure this one will work just as well.
New Mutants #26 ($2.99): Oh look, another DnA appearance on this list. I thought their debut issue on this title last month was absolutely fantastic and believe that the energy and legitimate purpose they’ve brought to these characters (plus the inclusion of some Age of Apocalypse favorites) makes this book an absolute must-read.
Ultimate Spider-Man #160 ($3.99): Frankly, I want to read this just to see if they’ll ACTUALLY do what they say they’re gonna do and not pussyfoot out at the last minute with some deus ex machina. The rest of this arc has been great though, so the chances of the big finish paying off are very high.
Total: $16.95
