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!
Vince’s Picks:
The New World #1 ($4.99) – Always down to clown with a new Ales Kot book. The global political climate has always been a chief interest to Kot, but I’m loving how overt he’s getting about exploring the exact political moment that we’re living in. It’s fascinating stuff. And when the art comes from Tradd Moore (who is still responsible for the art on my favorite issue of Kot’s wonderful “Zero” series), well I don’t think anyone could find an excuse not to check this out.
Action Comics #1001 ($3.99) – Bendis’ “Superman” #1 was a stunningly good issue and I see no reason why that won’t be the case for his first issue of “Action”, especially with Patrick Gleason on board.
Justice League Dark #1 ($3.99) – Alvaro Martinez Bueno’s art on this one is something to see. Stunningly beautiful and very, very gross at times. And pretty much every major mystical, magical character (even ones we may not have seen in a while) show up. It’s a fun time.
Tank Girl All Stars #2 ($3.99) – It’s only a matter of time before Brett Parson gets scooped up to do some major big two work, right? I can think of 2 dozen books I’d love to see him on. Or hey, he could just stick with making Tank Girl one of the most visually enjoyable reads on the stands each month.
Total: $16.96
“Blackwood” #3 ($3.99)— I feel like this is the issue that lays a lot of “Blackwood’s” cards on the table and makes a strong statement about the direction and tone of Dorkin and Fish’s new series. And if this is the direction they’re taking it, then I hope Dark Horse is going to greenlight a second arc soon.
“Bone Parish” #1 ($3.99)— A new book from Cullen Bunn and Jonas Scharf. I haven’t read this one yet, but the dead returning through the people using their remains as a drug… that sounds like an intriguing premise.
“Royal City” #13 ($3.99)— The penultimate issue… I can’t believe this series is nearly over, but at least it’s ending on Lemire’s terms and not cut short or extended artificially. I just thought we’d get to spend longer with this series.
“Saga” #54 ($2.99)— This is the explosive “season finale” to SAGA’s most shocking storyline yet according to the solicitation for this issue, which is ambiguous to say the least. The term “season” as used in comics is incredibly ill-defined and varies widely not just from publisher to publisher, but even comic to comic. What is a season of “Saga”? I’ve no idea. Is it a six-issue arc? Is it three arcs? Six? Nine? Is everything to date the first season? Anyway, baffling word choice borrowed from the television lexicon aside, big stuff is happening in this issue. If you’re a “Saga” reader, this is one you have to pick up.
“Descender” #32 ($3.99)— The series finale of another Lemire title. Don’t be too upset though; “Ascender” is coming next year.
Total: $18.95 – Man, this is an ending-heavy week. A penultimate issue, a “season finale,” and a series finale.
Matt Lune’s Picks:
X-Men Grand Design Second Genesis #1 ($5.99) – The first two issues of this series were nothing short of incredible. Ed Piskor turning his “Hip-Hop Family Tree” talents and format to the “X-Men” franchise was a genius stroke, and I cannot wait to read more.
New World #1 ($4.99) – There are a few creators out there that are ‘buy on sight’ for me, and two such creators – Ales Kot and Tradd Moore – are working together on this book, so you can tell how hype I am.
Continued belowJustice League Dark #1 ($3.99) – I’m digging the new direction of DC’s “Justice League” books, so I’d probably have picked this up anyway, but this is where James Tynion IV has ended up after his stellar run on “Detective Comics,” so now I’m very excited.
Action Comics #1001 ($3.99) – I was not expecting to say this, but I’m really enjoying Bendis at DC. Don’t get me wrong, I’ve always liked the longtime Marvel creator, but his later work there didn’t grab me. It’s safe to say that this move has re-energized Bendis though, and his work on “Superman” shows that he’s still capable of producing awesome work.
Total: $18.96 – A bit “Big-Two” heavy this week, but Piskor’s “Grand Design” is worth the price of admission on its own.
Kevin’s Picks:
Justice League Dark #1 ($3.99) – This has been the New Justice book I have been anticipating the most. I loved the original New 52 “Justice League Dark.” I got in to reading comics regularly after following up on most of The New 52 trades, of which, “Justice League Dark” was one. I felt like I had to read all the lead up trades in order to read “Trinity War” and beyond (which was totally wrong), and I thought it was a fun, weird, sometimes confusing, but enjoyable ride. Ming Doyle, James Tynion IV and Riley Rossmo’s “Constantine: The Hellblazer” was one of the first few series I bought in singles. Seeing Tynion return to this wheelhouse he seems fairly comfortable in, and bringing Alvaro Martinez with him, makes this a must for me. I love the mystical side of the DCU.
Mr. and Mrs. X #1 ($3.99) – The recent “Rogue & Gambit” miniseries from Kelly Thompson and Pere Perez was also another fun and great series, and I know next to nothing about the X-Men. Now that they’re marries, and Thompson is back for the party, I’m excited to see where this leads.
Harbinger Wars 2 #3 ($3.99) – Still going, still good, still hoping Valiant doesn’t take soon.
Action Comics #1001 ($3.99) – Call me crazy…but Bendis in the Superman world has been an inspired choice. “Man of Steel” and his “Superman” debut were really, really good. This book is set to focus more on Clark rather than Supes, which I think means a look at the weird mysterious fires from “Man of Steel.” I think Bendis is good again and here to stay. Also how many times do you get to buy an issue #1001?
Wonder Woman #51 ($2.99) – So we can mostly all agree that James Robinson’s recent run on “Wonder Woman” was…less than stellar? That’s polite right? I know Steve Orlando is only on for a guest arc before ‘The Witching Hour’ and G. Willow Wilson and Cary Nord’s takeover, but Orlando has become one of the most underrated, big idea guys at DC. I loved Shea Fontana’s guest stint after Rucka’s run, and with the supporting cast Orlando is putting together for this arc, I think it’ll be extremely enjoyable as well.
Total: $18.95
Nick’s Picks:
Blackwood #3 ($3.99) – I genuinely don’t understand how this book is so engaging. It’s a group of misfit teens at a Harry Potter-type school, which would be derivative if not for the way Dorkin and Fish slowly pull you into the story until you’re suddenly in too deep and can’t get out. Needless to say, I’m in until the end.
Justice League Dark #1 ($3.99) – Tynion’s been growing better as a writer with every new series he takes on. I love the underused mystical side of the DCU, so this is going to be a blast.
X-Men: Grand Design – Second Genesis #1 ($5.99) – I’m not the most well versed on the X-Men, but Piskor has been helping remedy that. His cartooning has never been better, condensing an entire issue down to one page, or an entire heist into a single panel. Looking forward to his take on the X-Men’s most celebrated era.
The Long Con #1 ($3.99) – This one’s a blind buy based solely on the premise. Cons can be fun, and they can be exhausting, and they can contain such concentrated bursts of absurdity as to turn the most strong-minded insane by the end. So imagine if a con never ended?
Continued belowTotal: $17.96.
Kate’s Picks:
Royal City #13 ($3.99) – This is such a beautiful series on many levels, and I don’t want it to end.
Tinseltown #3 ($1.50) – Welcome to 1915 California, where Abigail Moore is breaking ground by being the first female police officer in Tinseltown. It appears to be on the surface an easy job – – smile, wave, and occasionally do some light crime-fighting. But there’s a lot more to the shiny Tinseltown than what the surface shows. We’re at the halfway point of this series, and things are just getting started.
Pizzasaurus Rex ($14.99) – This looks like it would have been a Saturday Morning cartoon straight out of my GenX childhood, so I’m all in for this solely for the pseudo-nostalgia factor. And the pizza.
Total: $20.48
