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!
Resident Alien #3 ($3.50) – This miniseries may not have been as flashy or extravagant as some of the other titles out there, but it is still one of the most interesting and well put-together comics that I have seen in a while. Dark Horse has been trying to take back its creator-owned title from Image, and while there are now a lot of great series from the original third party publisher (not literally, but you know what I mean), it is this little mini-that-could that lead the most recent charge.
Batman Incorporated #3 ($2.99) – Even though I am a massive fan of Grant Morrison, even though Chris Burnham is an astounding artist, and even though Morrison’s “Batman” run is one of the series that made me a diehard comics fan, I still did not care for the last issue of this “new” ongoing. That could, however, be because it reference a storyline I strongly dislike, which is, admittedly, unfair of me. Of course I’m still picking it up — I’d be crazy not to.
Manhattan Projects #5 ($3.50) – While I agree with a few other readers that the ending of “Manhattan Projects” #4 was a bit too repetitive, that has been the only disappointing moment of this absolutely wild series. So long as things like last issue’s ending do not become a trend, then the killer combo of Jonathan Hickman and Nick Pitarra are nowhere near close to being dropped.
Debris #1 ($3.50) – Alright, world: Image is giving you another chance, even though you fucked up “Green Wake.” Most people don’t get that chance, you know? Don’t screw this one up, too.
Axe Cop: President of the World #1 ($3.50) – Axes plus cops equal unbelievable hilarity. This comic is a gem, people, and even if you fell behind around the time of “Bad Guy Earth,” who the hell cares? It’s Axe Cop, for Christ’s sake!
Total: $19.98 – I have the advantage of knowing that Matt is going to only choose ‘Underwater Welder,’ so I can still come up with other picks — but, still, buy ‘Underwater Welder,’ too.
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth: Exorcism #2 ($3.50) – Cameron Stewart absolutely kills it on this mini, which is maybe my favorite B.P.R.D. mini of the year. Trust me, this is well worth you money.
Justice League Dark #11 ($2.99) / National Comics Eternity #1 ($3.99) – Any week when you can get two Jeff Lemire books is a good week, and in reality, you get three this week, as “The Underwater Welder” also comes out this week, but I’m assuming that you’ve already pre-ordered that and therefore don’t have to put all of your $20 budget towards that comic. I’m intrigued to see what Lemire does with Kid Eternity, and his “JLD” has been a ton of fun so far.
Manhattan Projects #5 ($3.50) – Shit gets even more real in this issue – the scope of the series gets blown out and the stakes get upped significantly.
Total: $13.98 (Take the remaining 6 bucks and put it towards “The Underwater Welder” if you’re one the silly folks who didn’t pre-order it)
Superman #11 ($2.99) – Is there any real surprise this made my list? Not really. If you are surprised, you’re either new to our lovely site or you have somehow never seen me go on about my love for Superman.
Superman Family Adventures #3 ($2.99) – Truth be told, however, this is the best Superman book on the market. The other books are lost in a kind of reboot confusion where they don’t know what they’re doing sometimes (even though “Action Comics” finally seems to be on track). This book, however, perfectly captures the spirit of the superhero in a form anyone can enjoy. If you don’t like this your soul is broken.
Continued belowGreen Lantern #11 ($2.99) – Geoff Johns! Green Lantern! It surprisingly doesn’t suck anymore!
Uncanny X-Force #28 ($3.99) – This is my favorite X-Book, and not just because Rick Remender knows how to write Psylocke. You should be reading this.
Wolverine and the X-Men #14 ($3.99) – Oh man, Kitty Pryde A) has a mystery date, and B) it’s a tie into AvX! Based on the cover, I’m going to guess it’s War Machine. Any other guesses?
X-Men Legacy #270 ($2.99) – Gage’s run on AvX has been pretty solid for a guy who didn’t get much chance to do much besides get ready for an event. Also: it’s Rogue and Ms. Marvel (did AvX not get the memo…?)! What’s not to like?
Total: $19.94
My heart tells me to just tell you to go buy Jeff Lemire’s The Underwater Welder and that would finish my part in this article. My head tells me I should do some picks. (But seriously, go get Underwater Welder)
Resident Alien #3 ($3.50) – Peter Hogan’s sci-fi tale has been surprisingly low-key and yet very fascinating. An alien deserted on Earth gets caught up in the murderous mysteries of a small town, while he plays the part of a medical doctor. With few shocking twists or turns, it’s simply unpretentious and pleasant to read.
Debris #1 ($3.50) – Kurtis J. Weibe and Riley Rossmo will probably always command my money with any #1 issue they’re involved with, but I can’t get enough of garbage-filled dystopian futures either. I’m definitely on board with this one.
Manhattan Projects #5 ($3.50) – Jonathan Hickman’s “secret history” series is a must for fans of high-concept, conspiratorial stories. How can you go wrong when a cerebral writer throws some of history’s greatest minds together into a blender? I’m less crazy about Nick Pitarra’s art, but I must say that it does make the unsettling moments more unsettling.
National Comics Eternity #1 ($3.99) – Jeff Lemire writing Kid Eternity. Jeff Lemire writing anything! Come on, people! (Also, I’d recommend getting your hands on the Vertigo “Kid Eternity” series. Solid stuff!)
Batman Incorporated #3 ($2.99) – Grant Morrison is always an auto-buy from me, but Chris Burnham is the breakout star here. He was a joy to watch in Grant’s pre-new 52 Batman books, but he’s taken a step to another level now. Burnham’s storytelling ability is among the best in comics at this point. Plus, Matches Malone!
Matt’s Pick:
The Underwater Welder ($19.95): It’s rather simple, really. The new solo book by Jeff Lemire from Top Shelf is a heartbreaking piece of work, and a viable candidate for graphic novel of the year. It’s incredibly moving, very well-plotted and illustrated and a great follow-up to Lemire’s work with “Essex County.” As entertaining as his various DC property work certainly is, it just doesn’t get much better than Lemire working on his own things in his own worlds with his own rules. Unless you have something against really great reads, there’s no understandable way you can pass this up.
Total: $19.95 – Sorry, all other books coming out this week
Green Lantern: New Guardians #11 ($2.99) — When Matt Boren reviewed writer Tony Bedard’s other book, “Blue Beetle,” he said it “feels like a 90s comic.” He was right, and so does this one. It’s action packed with great characterization, and every issue moves the story forward. This one isn’t one of those deep literary comics. This is just pure entertainment.
Green Lantern #11 ($2.99) — Solicitations promise this storyline will have the most shocking conclusion ever. Considering the conservative way publishers push books nowadays, I have no reason to believe that is hyperbole.
I, Vampire #11 ($2.99) — Vampires fighting zombies, from the only writer who ever made me care about vampires or zombies.
Near Death #10 ($2.99) — The cliffhanger from the previous issue promises to deliver a big shakeup for this book, and this is one of the rare times when I don’t even have a guess about how the story will play out.
Continued belowResident Alien #3 ($3.50) — If you haven’t been reading this series, do yourself a favor and buy the first three issues instead of buying whatever mediocre book you’re reading because of pull-list inertia.
Total: $15.46
Axe Cop: President of the World #1 ($3.50) – Having your 8-year-old brother write your comic for you probably sounds like a really bad idea – unless that brother is Malachai Nicolle, the idea man behind the webcomic sensation that is Axe Cop! This is the start of a three-issue miniseries containing a unique story you won’t find on their website. Having defeated crime on Earth, thus winning the title President of Earth, Axe Cop turns his attention to outer space! It’s going to be awesome.
Debris #1 ($3.50) – I’ve been looking forward to this one for a while, now. It’s the kind of story that hits all of my sweet spots: a post-apocalyptic science-fantasy epic adventure full of massive, angry junk monsters and a quest to save the last surviving members of humanity – all drawn by Riley Rossmo! It’s written by Kurtis J. Wiebe, who I hadn’t heard of before this year, but seems to be popping up all over the place these days – Peter Panzerfaust, Grim Leaper, and now, Debris!
Manhattan Projects #5 ($3.50) – I still need to catch up on last month’s issue, and I’ve heard some people have mixed feelings about it, but every issue I’ve read so far has been epic. This is my favorite Hickman book out right now, and he writes everything these days, so that’s saying something! I just never know what to expect, other than sheer entertainment.
Prophet #27 ($2.99) – I have never been a fan of Rob Liefield (His art, anyways. By all accounts, he’s a great guy.), so I didn’t even bother picking up this reboot of one of his old comics at first. When I saw the Moebius-esque cover for #24, I picked it up on a whim. Since then, I’ve collected all of the reboot issues, and even went so far as to pick up most of the original series! This is the most insane sci-fi adventure on the stands. I haven’t seen aliens this original since, well, the first Alien movie! There’s so much good stuff here, but it’s impossible to explain. Try it! Don’t look back! I didn’t!
Resident Alien #3 ($3.50) – It’s hard to believe this is the last issue already. This wonderful little mini turns the X-Files format on it’s head: in Resident Alien, it’s the alien who solves the mysteries! There are a lot of loose ends to tie up in this issue, though. It’ll be interesting to see how Peter Hogan pulls all of the threads together.
Spaceman #8 ($2.99) – In my opinion, this could be Brian Azzarello’s greatest work yet – although, if you can’t tell by the rest of my picks, I’m a bit of a sci-fi nut, so I may be biased. The solicit promises that Orson will finally stop running and stand his ground. With only one more issue and plenty of enemies to confront, I’m looking forward to a whole lot of action. Orson has been a pretty loveable gorilla of a man so far, I can’t wait to see him get angry!
Total: $19.98 – Just made it!
