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!
Fatale #6 ($2.99) – The second of supposedly three “Fatale” arcs begins this month. There’s not much more I can say, and, to be honest, there’s not much I should have to say. It’s Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips. Put these two together, and the product is always worth buying, and that isn’t even an exaggeration. I don’t have to tell you this, do I? Sheesh.
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen v3: Century #3 – 2009 ($9.95) – Some people thought that the previous installment of ‘Century’ was too laden with references to make out a clear story. Fie, I say! So far ‘Century’ has been telling a great story that is relatively clear, aside from that surreal Alan Moore quality that most of his works have, and completely understandable even if you don’t get all the references — I should know, since I got maybe one in each hundred. While Moore gets all the attention, though, because he’s… you know, Alan Moore, Kevin O’Neil does such an amazing job on this book that it blows my mind every time, topping his previous astronomical efforts with each issue. Anyone whose reaction to Moore’s Before Watchmen backlash was “When was the last time Moore wrote a good comic?” should be slapped.
Batman Incorporated #2 ($2.99) – The relaunched “Action Comics” has disappointed me tremendously, but the first issue of “Batman Incorporated” seems to hint that the Grant Morrison I — and many others — know and love is back. Sure, the first issue may not have been as thought-provoking as other Morrison comics, even in the DC universe, but so what? It’s the first issue of a Batman comic; even from Grant, we can only expect so much. As much as I love Morrison, though, I am buying this just as much for Chris Burnham’s excellent artwork. Burnham has always been great, but if last issue was just a sampler of what’s to come from his bag of tricks, then we are in for a treat so long as he is on the book — which is hopefully just as
Manhattan Projects #4 ($3.50) – We are only a few issues in, and already we have learned that the “Science. Bad.” tag line for this series should really be “Science. Very, very bad.” And things only get worse in this issue. Jonathan Hickman and Nick Pitarra are proving themselves to be the next power duo with each issue they release; their respective writing and drawing styles complement each other quite well, each filling in the little gaps that the other might have. Don’t wait too long to get into this series, especially if you are a fan of science fiction in particular.
Total: $19.94
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Exorcism #1 ($3.50) — In part, perhaps, because I read every B.P.R.D. comic in a critical way for Mignolaversity, I haven’t been loving the B.P.R.D. titles lately as much as I have in the past. This issue changes all of that; this is a contender for comic on the month, right up there with the spectacular “Before Watchmen: Silk Spectre” #1. Cameron Stewart kills it; this is a slam dunk buy if you like good comics.
The Manhattan Projects #4 ($3.50) — We’ve seen a lot of Einstein’s room so far, but for the first time we get some insight into exactly what is going on in his room. It fits perfectly with the theme of the book thus far, and Nick Pitarra continues to impress with his pencils.
Continued belowBatman The Dark Knight #10 ($2.99) — This, the most inessential monthly Batman book, is getting a boost from incoming writer Gregg Hurwitz, fresh off of the fantastic “Penguin: Pain and Prejudice.” David Finch isn’t my favorite artist, but I’m looking forward to seeing these two styles coming together for some muscly, cerebral Bat-action!
The Flash #10 ($2.99) — The reintroduction of comics’ greatest villains continues, with the Weather Wizard taking center stage this month. This comic has been so solid that it sometimes slips off my radar, simply because I expect it to be great each month, and each month, it is.
Justice League Dark #10 ($2.99) — Jeff Lemire is doing a yeoman’s task in attempting to give logic and reason to this book, and to making them an actual team with a purpose, instead of just a collection of magic heroes/vampires who hang out together. And Mikel Janin is as underrated an artist as there is in comics.
Batman Incorporated #2 ($2.99) — The first issue of this rebooted series was near perfect; can Morrison and Burnham do it again?
Total: $18.96
Batman Incorporated #2 ($2.99) – While I did not enjoy the previous iteration of Batman Inc. I really enjoyed the last issue. Bruce and Damian are paired perfectly by Morrison and the knowledge that Talia and potentially her father lie in wait makes me even more excited.
Before Watchmen: Nite Owl #1 ($3.99) – So far the Before Watchmen books, for me, have been really enjoyable. Aside from the end of the issue I even enjoyed the first issue of Comedian. That whole crying with the other guy thing seemed off to me. Anyway, this book has Andy Kubert and that is usually a buy for me. All in all this book has a good chance of being good in my opinion.
Superman Family Adventures #2 ($2.99) – Last issue was fantastic and fun. It wasn’t Tiny Titans but it did have a similar feel. It was also the best Superman book since the DCnU launched almost a year ago. It really was that damn good. With that said, is there any doubt that adding Bizarro to the mix this issue will be pure gold?!
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #11 ($3.99) – This is probably my favorite title on the stands at the moment. We are almost a year in and we’ve barely scratched the surface of the TMNT lore that comprises this version of the turtles. If you’ve loved TMNT in the past then you’ll love this book. It is essentially all of the best parts of all of the best TMNT versions rolled into one epic TMNT. TMNT Alpha if you will fanpeeps.
Wolverine and the X-Men #12 ($3.99) – Kid Gladiator vs the Avengers single-handedly the solicitation promises. You know what I promise? That I am buying this issue and that I am highly likely to love it. Kid Gladiator is fucking awesome! Just wanted to make that clear to those who didn’t know.
Total: $17.95
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen v3: Century #3 – 2009 ($9.95) – The name’s certainly long enough, isn’t it? Either way, it basically comes down to this: Top Shelf is putting out a new graphic novella in the seminal series that stands as an ode to literature and does more in 6 or 4 pages than most comic books can do in 64. Given the past two installments of Century, the finale will assuredly be heartbreaking, breath taking and as intense a read as any other installment of the book. With Kevin O’Neill in the art department and Alan Moore’s intense intellect driving the ship, you can be damn sure that LoEGv3:C3-2009 will be the most worthwhile purchase on the stands this week bar none — and looking over everything else this week, that doesn’t seem like a statement that needs much evidence to back it up with.
No matter what you may think of Moore, his comments on the industry or how the industry in turn treatments, the fact remains: it’s a new comic book by Alan Moore. How on Earth are you going to pass this up?
Continued below(Besides, it’s set in 2009! You may not have to spend half your evening on Wikipedia to get all the references!* *But you probably will.)
Batman Incorporated #2 ($2.99) – Outside of the highly anticipated finale to Moore and O’Neill’s latest, Morrison and Burnham’s second issue of the grand finale to Morrison’s Bat-Epic will probably be the second best thing published this week. Probably.
BPRD – HOE: Exorcism #1 ($3.50) – It’s Cameron Stewart, people! Cameron. Stewart. What more do you need?
Manhattan Projects #4 ($3.50)/Mind the Gap #2 ($2.99) – Pick one of these two books to round out the $20 you’re bringing to the comic shop this week, not including tax. You can’t go wrong with either of them, really.
Total: $19.94/19.43 depending on which of the last two books you’ve gone with.
Aquaman #10 ($2.99) — Aquaman is one of the most fun books on the market right now, and you never would have known it if you never gave him a chance. Pick it up, I don’t think you’ll be sorry!
Justice League #10 ($3.99) — Sure it’s like a Michael Bay flick. What’s wrong with that?
Spider-Men #2 ($3.99) — The last issue ended with the titular heroes meeting on the last page. Now we get to see them duke it out until they realize it was all a misunderstanding! Sure it’s a common comic book trope, but I’m still stoked for the book!
Superman Family Adventures #2 ($2.99) — It’s the best Superman book on the market. You bet it’ll make my list, even surpassing the main “Superman” title for my list!
X-Men Legacy #269 ($2.99) — Last issue was Gage’s best since joining the title a few months back, and now I want to see where he goes from there!
Total: $16.95
