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!
Star Wars #7 ($2.99) – Dark Horse really doesn’t want me to able to afford law school. Just as I contemplate switching to trade on this book (which, as those who follow our CSBCs closely will know, is definitely not because I am not impressed by it), they add Ryan Kelly as the artist. Have you seen those preview pages? As my poor girlfriend can attest, I am on a huge Star Wars kick lately, so this will probably be the first thing I read this week.
Hawkeye #12 ($2.99) – I love Francavilla, but the Eisner-baiting “Hawkeye” #11 is a tough act to follow-up. Still, the preview pages for this issue have looked great, and I trust that it will be a solid follow-up to his previous issue, #10.
Uncanny X-Men #8 ($3.99) – Bachalo is back! Don’t get me wrong, as an artist overall, I prefer Frazer Irving over Bachalo, but Bachalo just screams X-Men to me significantly more than Irving does. As I’ve said again and again, I am enjoying Bendis’s X-Men work significantly more than I thought I would.
East of West #4 ($3.50) – I’m not as bonkers about this book as some are, but boy that Nick Dragotta can draw sci-fi landscapes like whoa.
True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #2 ($3.99) – I wasn’t a huge fan of the first issue, and $3.99 is a big price tag for a second chance, but between this being a light week (for me) and Becky Cloonan’s artwork being absolutely gorgeous, it makes the list this week. I do think it has potential, though!
Total: $17.46
7 Against Chaos HC ($24.99) – I am officially announcing & shaming myself for my first cheat in my opening year as a CSBC contributor. I will contend that you can pick this up through various online retailers for prices that dip below 20 dollars, thereby circumventing the price limit of our column. Nonetheless, I will take my lumps from my fellow writers, all of whom will be free to beat me with copies of Grant Morrison’s “Invisibles” omnibus.
Oh yeah – my pick is an original graphic novel from Harlan Ellison. That should be “nuff said”, but since that’s a Marvel thing and this is a DC published title, I’ll go on. Ellison is simply one of the brightest minds in science fiction & fantasy and I can’t think of a better pairing for him than the art of Paul Chadwick (of “Concrete” acclaim). Harlan Ellison and Paul Chadwick tackling the end of the world with an original super-team? I implore you all to give this one a glance.
Total: $24.99…I guess.
Quantum & Woody #1 ($3.99) – Quantum & Woody was one of my favorite books when it originally came out, as Christopher Priest and MD Bright created one of the most hilarious and strange superhero teams ever. Now, James Asmus, Tom Fowler and Jordie Bellaire are following them up, and I have the utmost faith their legacy will be upheld. KLANG, BITCHES!
East of West #4 ($3.50) – What can I say, I am completely hooked on this book. Hickman and Dragotta are crushing it so far, and the third issue was the best yet. I can’t wait for what’s next here.
Sheltered #1 ($2.99) – I remember hearing about this book back around its conception, and it looks freaking awesome now that Ed Brisson and Johnnie Christmas are finally bringing it to life. Can’t wait to read it.
Chew #35 ($2.99) – Chew is awesome. John Layman and Rob Guillory are awesome. Don’t tell them I said so.
Continued belowAvengers Arena #12 ($2.99) – This comic is amazing. Suck it haters. Looking forward to what’s next, but pretty much every issue has been great so far.
Young Avengers #7 ($2.99) – Oh man, I love this book. Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie are crushing it, and I can’t wait to see what they have for us in this issue that takes us three months forward.
Total: $19.45
Hawkeye #12 ($2.99) – C’mon, bro.
Young Avengers #7 ($2.99) – This series seems like a “too good to be true” situation – creators applying their singular and interesting talents to the perfect book for their sensibilities not on a creator owned title. Situations like this don’t come up too often folks, dig in.
East of West #4 ($3.50) – This is your Hickman fix for the week. Soak it up.
Superman Unchained #2 ($3.99) – The first issue was a good start, and it appears that DC is taking Superman seriously again as a character, which is good for comics all over. If only they could get Lobdell off of the “Superman” title…
Justice League #22 ($3.99) – Trinity War could be an interesting event – the best part about it, however, is its short run time and limited tie-ins. Let’s go!
Green Lantern Corps #22 ($2.99) – The first issue of this new creative team clicked well enough for me to stick around. A John Stewart based series is something that, for whatever reason, has never worked all that well. Here’s to hoping that Jensen and Chang can reverse that trend.
Total: $20.45 – Dig in those couch cushions or check under the car seat.
Sheltered #1 ($2.99) – I can assure you: this is one comic not to be missed this week. Brisson and Christmas gosh darn kill it, I do declare.
Ballistic #1 ($3.50) – This comic will most likely F your S right up with its crazy-ness. The gun talks, and it hates you.
The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys #2 ($3.99) – Killjoys! Continue to make some noise!
America’s Got Powers #6 ($2.99) – This book? Here again? I don’t believe you, but I’ll take it!
Young Avengers #7 ($2.99) – McKelvie is back! Hooray!
Hawkeye #12 ($2.99) – You are not allowed to not buy “Hawkeye” when “Hawkeye” comes out.
Total: $19.45
Hawkeye #12 ($2.99) – Hawkeye is never going to give us up / let us down / turn around and desert us. It’s kind of humbling, really.
Sheltered #1 ($2.99) – The latest from the Bri$$! It’s fabulous. And chilling.
Breath of Bones #2 ($3.99) – The first issue was slow but lovely. Jump on this.
Ghosted #1 ($2.99) – A high-concept Image series with more than its fair share of potential. I mean, you never really can go wrong with ghosts and heists.
Peter Panzerfaust #12 ($3.50) – An intriguing (and decidedly more grouchy) new arc is just kicking up. I have no idea where any of this is going, and in a book that’s (ostensibly) an adaptation, that’s saying something.
Storm Dogs #6 ($2.99) – The end of an underrated and thoughtful sci-fi miniseries. I hope it lives long and prospers in TPB.
Total: $19.45
