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!
Scarlet #7 ($3.95) – Here we go. It’s kind of a bummer that this series has gone the way of “Powers” (also coming out this week, but I don’t read it), but the Bendis/Maleev combo is worth waiting a year per issue for. That being
FF #9 ($2.99) – Pool party, baby. It was a cool party. Cool pool party. La la la la.
B.P.R.D. #109 ($3.50) – A few paragraphs down, Vince mentions that this is a good week of staples. I totally came up with it first, though, and didn’t just copy it after he sent his CSBC to me early. So, yes, “B.P.R.D.” is one of those staple books, and I am original.
Conan the Barbarian #18 ($3.50) – More staples! This is the last issue with Davide Gianfelice (as far as I know), closing out this great, trippy arc. This ain’t your dad’s Conan, sucker.
Red Sonja #1 ($3.99) – I go hot and cold with Gail Simone, and her recent DC work has been less than inspiring. However, I have a really good feeling about this series, especially with the upcoming miniseries. If only it was at Dark Horse rather than Dynamite — then we could have a $3.50 price tag and a crossover with Wood’s Conan!
Total: $17.93
Avengers Assemble #17 ($2.99) – You know the deal. Kelly Sue DeConnick is an insta-buy for me.
Revival #12 ($2.99) – The little Image comic that no one talks about but is continually really good.
Fantastic Four #10 AND FF #9 ($2.99 each) – “Hawkeye” is good. “Satellite Sam” is good. But Fraction’s real magnum opus is his Fantastic titles which really show two diverse, but interconnected worlds at either end of the spectrum of the Marvel Universe. I love this.
Nova #6 ($3.99) – Jeph Loeb’s revival of Nova was, I think, a lot better than anyone expected it to be and was a really fun. Now, Zeb Wells and Paco Medina are taking over. Can they work the same magic? I don’t know, I haven’t read it yet. But I want to find out.
Savage Wolverine #7 ($3.99) – Speaking of Zeb Wells, he’s working actual magic with “Savage Wolverine” by telling an actually interesting solo story with Wolverine. Shock horror!
Total: $19.94
Elephantmen #50 ($5.99) – We don’t talk about Elephantmen enough here. Elephantmen isn’t talked about enough anywhere. Fans of science fiction – I mean real science fiction – should definitely check this out, if they haven’t yet. It’s got humor and weirdness, which is essential in comic book storytelling that means to set itself apart. But it’s also got that tinge of humanity and sadness, at times, that makes good science fiction hit those personal, humanistic places.
Wonder Woman #22 ($2.99) – This is also a week of what I like to call “the reliables”: comics that I will mention every time in this column, but that actually make it difficult to say much that’s new or different about them. They’re just damn good. “Wonder Woman” is just damn good.
Revival #12 ($2.99) – Another “reliable.” Tim Seeley. Mike Norton. Weirdness. Artistic synergy. It’s all good in the small town Wisconsin ‘hood.
Thor: God of Thunder #10 ($3.99) – Reliable. ‘Godbomb’ has been an even better arc than the stellar opener was. It’s unfair to most other Marvel and DC books that “God of Thunder” could be so good every month.
FF #9 ($2.99) – The Future Foundation gets the classic trope of the “beach episode”? Count me in. Since Fraction and Allred’s (and Quinones’, here) “FF” is never anything but, I can’t imagine this issue not being heaps and heaps of fun.
Continued belowTotal: $18.95
Justice League of America #6 ($3.99) – I may be in the minority, but I’ve rather enjoyed Johns’ “Justice League” work, and the kick off of ‘Trinity War’ has me head over heels. This second chapter marks the first full collaboration between Geoff Johns and Jeff Lemire, as well as the first post-“Green Lantern” work for Doug Mahnke. That’s a winning creative team in my book.
Wonder Woman #22 ($2.99) – This is, consistently, one of the best books in the New 52. With the New Gods officially thrown into the mix, how can anyone pass this up.
FF #9 ($2.99) – You’re buying this, right? You should be buying this. If you’re not buying this, you’re the reason we can’t have nice things.
Mysterious Strangers #2 ($3.99) Chris Roberson and Scott Kowalchuk’s fun new spy series was among the best of this year’s Free Comic Book Day offerings. Pick up the new issue, along with issue #1 if you missed out on the free edition.
Total: $13.96 – I’m feeling cheap and picky this week. Go buy “Batman ’66” #1 in print if you haven’t been picking up the digital chapters, bozo.
The Mysterious Strangers #2 ($3.99) – A lot of people considered this the cream of the FCBD crop, but I wasn’t 100% convinced; maybe somewhere closer to 70%? Either way, it was something that made me want to see more of the series for sure, and I’ll be interested to check out the latest issue of the series and judge it from there.
Scarlet #7 ($3.95) – Never a bad time to buy a book with Alex Maleev art.
FF #9 ($2.99) – Pool party, baby! It was a pool party. Cool pool party – la la la la.
Total: $10.93 – Light week, but what can I say? I’m not too jazzed about a lot. I’m buying more than three books this week, for sure, but in looking over what is coming out there aren’t more than three titles that make me really excited to read — which is strange, but I think that comes with reading too damn much every week
