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!
Fashion Beast #10 ($3.99) – I guess this is my final chance to pimp the terrific adaptation of Alan Moore’s 1980’s film script. In the end, “Fashion Beast” doesn’t have as much to say as the already classic stories that Moore was writing during that same era, but it is possibly the most fun that I’ve seen him slip into one of his stories. I laughed quite a bit at some of the more biting lines throughout this story. Toward the end, the issues began to end of some pretty gripping cliffhangers and some of the social commentary started to come through better. I’m not sure how fondly this story will be remembered by comic history, but I know I’ll revisit it down the road.
East of West #3 ($3.50) – As evidenced by my decision to do my “This American Death” annotations of every issue, this “East of West” is lingering in my mind as much as any comic book being released today. If I had to choose just one, I’d have to go with “The Manhattan Projects.” Good thing I don’t have to, because this book rocks my world too.
Astro City #1 ($3.99) – I’m woefully behind with regard to Kurt Busiek’s crowning “Astro City” franchise, but I’m excited to jump into the world and whatever he’s about to do. One hopes that he taps into the same sort of pitch perfect pastiche and reverence that made “Astro City” so wonderful in the 90’s. We all know what “the 90’s” in comics tends to mean. “Astro City” was one of the lights in the dark. You know, with a DC Comics landscape that tends to garner comparisons to 90’s Marvel, this could be just what the doctor ordered.
Dial H #13 ($2.99) – Can’t stop, won’t stop!
Daredevil: End of Days #8 ($3.99) – What a wonderful surprise this has been! Bendis has had this in the can, in some form, for a few years now, but that doesn’t make it any less impressive of a feat. It’s tough to go home again, but he and the terrific art team did it. Having a “Daredevil” title that has this sort of tone right alongside the tone of Mark Waid’s “Daredevil” was somehow very welcome. While this miniseries has been dark, there have been some triumphant moments that really compliment the way that Daredevil’s life tends to get broken down.
Total: $18.46
Locke & Key Omega #5 ($3.99) – The solicitation for Alpha #1 gave away a bit of how this will go, I think, but I don’t care. I’m still nervous about what will happen next. If you aren’t reading this yet, skip everything else this week and buy the first trade. You will not regret it.
Rachel Rising #17 ($3.99) – Apparently, this book is being adapted for television. Buy it now so you can say you liked it before it was cool. That’ll be a lie, though, because this book has been cool since before it was released. If you’re not reading it yet, skip everything else this week (except “Locke & Key”) and buy the first trade.
Green Lantern #21 ($2.99) – I jumped into “Green Lantern” around the time DnA’s “Nova” ended a few years ago to get my space cop fix. I’m excited to see where the book will go without Johns at the helm.
Total: $10.97
East Of West #3 ($2.99) – Hickman continues to be my favourite world-building writer. All of his worlds are so fully realised that even if his stories weren’t cerebral and engrossing (which they are), then just reading about these worlds would be enough.
Continued belowDaredevil: Dark Nights #1 ($2.99) – I wasn’t so sure about this series when I first saw it solicited, but seeing the preview pretty much sold me on it. At least for the first issue. And, honestly, I’m pretty much game for a good Daredevil story no matter what.
Bedlam #7 ($2.99) – I’m still here after the first arc. Let’s see what you’ve got, Spencer. Bring it.
Uber #2 ($3.99) – This is how you do superheroes outside of the Big Two without falling into the creator owned fanfic trap. A lot of writers could learn a lot from Kieron Gillen.
Ten Grand #2 ($2.99) – The first issue of this was far too restrained than it needed to be, but there’s the makings of a good series here. I want to see this shit cut loose and go nuts.
Thanos Rising #3 ($3.99) – This series surprised me with just how much I’m invested in this story, but, then again, I expected nothing less from Jason Aaron.
Total: $16.95
Earth 2 #13 ($2.99) – Last week’s annual was pretty sweet, but this week’s issue has Yildiray Cinar art, which is even sweeter. No offense, Cafu!
Abe Sapien #3 ($3.50) – A heartbreaking, visually thrilling, inspiring piece of comics work. This first arc has been almost unbelievably dope. You heard me: DOPE.
Green Lantern #21 ($2.99) – For the first time since I was a fresh-faced college graduate, there is a book called “Green Lantern” coming out that isn’t written by Geoff Johns. I’m excited to see what the new team of Venditti and Tan will do with this.
Green Arrow #21 ($2.99) – Lemire and Sorrentino have completely changed this book’s place in my interest flowchart. This book is now among the top 10 books DC is putting out each month, from its former perch of “bottom 5.”
East of West #3 ($3.50) – I’m a well known James Robinson fanboy, but my Jonathan Hickman fanboy-ism is growing at a pretty steady rate. This book hasn’t grabbed me in the way I thought it would just yet – but I’m patient, and I have no doubt that it’ll come around.
Avengers #13 ($3.99) – Just about everything I said above, but throw in some onomatopoeia fight noises.
Total: $19.96
Ten Grand #2 ($2.99) – The first issue was iffy but striking, thanks in no small part to Ben Templesmith’s art. Let’s see where this glowy/gritty noir tale goes.
Rachel Rising #17 ($3.99) – It’s been a little while since I gushed about Rachel Rising, but it’s going strong and slow and creepy and meditative as always. I say this every time, but it really deserves a wider audience.
Abe Sapien #3 ($3.50) – The end of an interesting, if not altogether perfect, first round of Abe Sapien fun. That said, this story is building up into something big.
Polarity #3 ($3.99) – I caught up on this series with issue #2, and was pleasantly, pleasantly surprised. There’s humour, there’s introspection, there’s fantastic art, and there are superpowers.
Total: $14.47
Polarity #3 ($3.99) – Most awesome and surprising debut in comics? Most awesome and surprising debut in comics.
Locke and Key: Omega #5 ($3.99) – The finale to Omega is just as bleak as you’d imagine it would be, and it’s impossible to be a comic fan and not read Locke and Key at this point.
Bedlam #7 ($3.50) – This is the issue where Ryan Browne jumps on board the party bus! And believe me, when Ryan Browne jumps on the party bus, the party is only just beginning — and it’s about to get fuuuuuuuuucked up.
Daredevil: End of Days #8 ($3.99) – Oh, are we going to learn what the heck Mapone is now? Cool.
East of West #3 ($3.50) – Hickman! Dragotta! Come on, now.
Total: $18.97
Ultimate Comics: Ultimates #25 ($3.99) – Through recent works like “Last of the Greats” and “I, Vampire,” Joshua Hale Fialkov has become one of my favorite writers in comics. While his runs on “Green Lantern Corps” and “Red Lanterns” sadly didn’t pan out, I absolutely can’t wait to see him screw over the Ultimates in that way he does so fantastically. Name-checking “Avengers: Disassembled” for his first arc, you can expect him to seriously shake things up, and hopefully add relevance to this languishing book.
Continued belowGreen Lantern #21 ($2.99) – Geoff Johns made me love Green Lantern. Now my enjoyment of the character and his stories will be put to the test, as Robert Venditti becomes the series torchbearer. I’m cautiously optimistic, but the early buzz presents what seems to be a refreshing new take on Hal Jordan and the corps.
Astro City #1 ($3.99) – After a several year-long hiatus, Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson return to the world they created two decades ago. Bringing brand new characters into the mix, it remains to be seen whether or not the duo recaptures their old magic. However, their track record is in their favor, and any chance you can take to support the endangered Vertigo imprint is a chance you should take.
Earth 2 #13 ($2.99) – One of DC’s consistently innovative books, this is a cant miss title. The fact there are are only a handful of issues remaining before the departure of writer James Robinson makes each issue even more precious.
East of West #3 ($3.50) – Jonathan Hickman’s enigmatic, post apocalyptic genre bender is my favorite new creator owned book this year. Whether or not this issue makes the story any more decipherable is irrelevant when the art and world is so wonderfully compelling. Although, some clarity wouldn’t hurt.
Total: $17.46
Locke & Key: Omega #5 ($3.99) – It all ends here, as we get what amounts to the finale of the regular series before the Alpha follow-ups. What will happen? Who lives? Who dies? I’m not sure, but if Joe Hill and Gabriel Rodriguez are involved, I am too.
Astro City #1 ($3.99) – I never read Astro City originally, but color me intrigued. I have to join up for this run, for sure.
Avengers Arena #10 ($2.99) – In my book, bar none the best Avengers book on the market. True story.
East of West #3 ($3.50) – While I don’t love this book yet, the kernels are there, and when they are there, Hickman takes us the rest of the way. Plus, Nick Dragotta. Good god.
Rachel Rising #17 ($3.99) – Somehow I always miss this book when it comes to this column, so it’s a late add for me. I love this book. It’s phenomenal, and it features Terry Moore doing a smart, scary horror story with excellent characters. What’s not to like?
Total: $18.46
