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!
Sweet Tooth #34 ($2.99) – It’s all downhill from here. Well, not quality-wise — at least, I hope not — but Lemire seems to have taken us to the top of the roller coaster, and is about to let us accelerate downward at high speeds toward this series’s finale, though there’s sure to be at least one loop before the end. If you have not been reading “Sweet Tooth,” I urge you to pick up the first trade. It is one of those comics that makes me glad that I am a fan of this medium. Hopefully, you, too, will be proud of what Jeff Lemire has done.
Secret #2 ($3.50) – A lot of my fellow Jonathan Hickman fans were unimpressed with the first issue of this series. Fie, I say! The first issue of “Secret” was enough to let me know that this will be unlike anything else currently on the market, and the strength of Hickman’s writing, the well-composed lines of Ryan Bodenheim, and the carefully selected colors of Michael Garland were enough to convince me that not only will this series be unique, it will be great. Don’t listen to the old adage: secrets, secrets are very fun.
Thief of Thieves #5 ($2.99) – I actually don’t read anything by Robert Kirkman at the moment. I am currently about halfway through “The Walking Dead” and “Invincible” so far, but I have also been at that point for at least a year, maybe longer. The combination of Kirkman and Nick Spencer on this title, though, is too good to pass up, and that is not just going by their names; “Thief of Thieves” rivals Spencer’s own creator-owned work in terms of quality, and even surpasses some of it. Plus, I’m a sucker for good crime stories, and while this one breaks some conventions, that’s what makes it great.
Animal Man #10/Swamp Thing #10 ($2.99 each) – I almost feel sorry for the people who started reading only one of these with the New 52 relaunch. Only almost, though, because they are both two of the best books of the New 52, and the worst you can say about having to read the other when you weren’t originally planning to is “Now I have to spend an extra three dollars a month on a good comic!” Hardly a compelling complaint, if you ask me. The recent “Animal Man” annual was not particularly great, but one dull issue out of ten is hardly something to whine about.
Winter Soldier #6 ($2.99) – For those who want to see Captain America doing superheroic acts, there’s Ed Brubaker’s “Captain America.” For those who read the earlier portions of Brubaker’s run and can’t get enough of his Marvel Universe take on espionage that was prevalent through his “Captain America” run prior to its renumbering, there’s “Winter Soldier.” Don’t get me wrong, Brubaker’s “Captain America” is good, too, but stories like these are why I read Brubaker’s run in the first place.
Extermination #1 ($1.00) – I somehow missed this in the first draft I made of this column. Thankfully, Matt included it in his. What is it? I have no idea. However, a #1 selling for only a dollar is definitely something I am interested in, especially when Si Spurrier is involved.
Total: $19.45
Avengers vs X-Men #5 ($3.99) — Supposedly this is the first real game changer of the event. I hope so because so far it’s all felt like primer. I’m ready to get into the painting process.
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Earth-2 #2 ($2.99) — Issue #1 was awesome and felt like a world I really wanted to come back to and experience more. One of a few DC books that at this moment have me pretty locked in to the story being told.
JLI #10 ($2.99) — Come on, how was this not going to be on my list. I say it all the time this book is money. O.M.A.C., Booster Gold, Guy Gardner?! This book was pretty much made to make me a happy fanman!
Sweet Tooth #34 ($2.99) — I love this book and after last issues transition I am excited and sad to be moving into the home stretch of this amazing series. I can’t wait to see how it’s all going to end but man will I have a giant gap in the first week of every month when this isn’t there.
Ultimate Comics Ultimate Spider-Man #11 ($3.99) — The best Ultimate book on the market, bar none. Also, the best Spider-Man book on the market. I don’t care who is under the mask, this book is solid all around. Engaging storylines, well developed characters and the humor is spot-on.
World’s Finest #2 ($2.99) — The first issue was fantastic. The art and writing were both superb and I already feel vested in finding out what these badass ladies have been doing for the last five years as well as how they’ll develop moving forward.
Total: $19.94
Earth 2 #2/ Worlds’ Finest #2 ($2.99 Each) – “Earth 2” has me seriously excited to go to the store on Wednesday, and “Worlds’ Finest” was a really solid read in its first issue. This little corner of the DCnU seems to be a pretty solid place to be. Plus, James Robinson gets to unfuck Mister Terrific after Eric Wallace turned him into a prick.
Journey into Mystery #639 ($2.99) – Marvel’s best comic/ ‘Nuff said, true believer.
Animal Man #10/Swamp Thing #10 ($2.99 Each) – In “Animal Man,” Jeff Lemire brings his JL Dark gang over for a visit, and in “Swamp Thing,” Anton Arcane is back. Despite the excitement around these books crossing over in a few months, there is some damn fine stuff happening in these books right now. Don’t wait for “Rotworld!”
Creator Owned Heroes #1 ($3.99) – It should come as a surprise to no one that Image is publishing something interesting, new, and unexpected this week. I don’t know what the long-term plans are for this book, but two stories by solid creators, a long Neil Gaiman interview and some extras sounds like something worth my cash, at least for a first try.
Total: $18.94
Extermination #1 ($1.00) – If there are two things I am happy to trust implicitly, it is a $1.00 comic and Si Spurrier writing off-beat cape comics. Very excited to give this a read.
Journey into Mystery #639 ($2.99) – It’s back to All-Gillen All The Time now that ‘Exiled’ is over, and from what he discussed with us some time ago in regards to the ‘Manchester Gods’ arc, I must say that I am incredibly excited to see what Gillen has planned next for the series.
Morning Glories #19 ($2.99) – As always, I have read this issue in advance, and while I won’t say too much I will say this: this issue is quite big.
Dark Avengers #175 ($2.99) – The song changes, but the band remains the same. I loved “Thunderbolts” with Parker and Hardman, I find it hard to believe I won’t also love “Dark Avengers.” What’s in a name, anyway?
Sweet Tooth #34 ($2.99) – In reading ‘the Underwater Welder’ advance the other night, I was reminded exactly why I love Jeff Lemire’s work. “Sweet Tooth” hasn’t made it onto my CSBC list in some time, but I must say I’m anticipating this week’s issue quite a bit.
Mudman #4 ($3.50) – This comic does not come out enough for my tastes. Grist is a great storyteller, and while I wish this came out on a more regular schedule I can’t help but get excited when it does come out. So, hey, welcome to my collection, issue #4. Enjoy your stay.
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Secret #2 ($3.50) – Truth be told, as much as I enjoy Hickman as a writer the first issue of “Secret” didn’t really pull me. I love Bodenheim’s art and am happy to buy a book for that alone, but I’m crossing my fingers here that the second issue will impress me more than the first. I’m willing to give this team the benefit of the doubt, though.
Total: $19.96
Action Comics #10 ($3.99) — Last month had a “Kraven the Hunter” type guy who was hunting dinosaurs! The only thing that makes Superman books better for me are books with dinosaurs, people. Instant buy.
Animal Man #10/Swamp Thing #10 (5.98 or $2.99 each) — These books are so weird, and reach “Grant Morrison” trippiness, but that’s not a bad thing. They still get on my list, too, despite a less than stellar annual.
Earth 2 #2 ($2.99) — The last issue was pretty good, and I can’t wait to see how the new Alan and Jay work out as younger heroes on the second Earth.
Journey into Mystery #639 ($2.99) — Now that the “Exiled” crossover is done, you want to keep reading this. I promise. “JiM” is a wonderful series and one of Marvel’s best.
Morning Glories #19 ($2.99) — Apparently I’m a silly person and picked “Morning Glories” last week when it comes out this week (ed. note: and Walt is the silly editor who didn’t notice). So I’ll just add that to this week’s picks! – We all love this book at Multiversity, but the last issue was a special. Not only was it a stellar book in an already stellar series, it also proved that Nick and Joe aren’t afraid to take chances to tell their story. Pick it up.
Total: $18.94
David’s Picks:
Before Watchmen: Minutemen #1 ($3.99) – Darwyn. Cooke.
Morning Glories #19 ($2.99) – This is a consistently strong book, and while it regularly finishes outside of my top ten books every month, it is a damn fine book from Nick Spencer and Joe Eisma. Much love!
Secret #2 ($3.50) – I think I might have liked this book way more than anyone else here did. In fact, I’m one of the only people on the planet who liked this more than The Manhattan Projects. And you know what? I still do a month later.
X-Factor #237 ($2.99) – Ladies road trip! This will be a fun issue – I have strong faith in that. Just like I have faith in Peter David and Leonard Kirk, if only because all they do is make good comics.
Journey into Mystery #639 ($2.99) – I’m just glad Exiled is over. It actually made me temporarily drop this book after a torrid love affair with it for some time.
Sweet Tooth #34 ($2.99) – While I was not a very big fan of the last issue, I’m very interested in this issue, if only because we’re so close to the end and this issue promises to fill in some major story beats in a one-off story from the creative team of Jeff Lemire and his collaborative partner Jeff Lemire.
