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!
Special thanks and best wishes to Multiversity’s Walter Richardson – see you around, buddy!
Batman Incorporated #13 ($2.99) – “Batman saves the world and loses everything.” EVERYTHING. Grant Morrison. Chris Burnham. EVERYTHING.
Five Ghosts: The Haunting of Fabian Gray #5 ($2.99) – Recently picked up for a full ongoing series, “Five Ghosts” has a killer premise that deserved longer than a 5-issue mini, if the creators felt they had more they could do with it. Sometimes good people and things actually do get what they deserve.
Tom Strong and the Planet of Peril #1 ($2.99) – New Tom Strong, y’all! An Alan Moore-created “science-hero” for discerning and tasteful comic book fans.
Sex #5 ($2.99) – Speaking of tasteful.
X-Men #3 ($3.99) – I kind of love this book. The reaction on this (from our site, and others, and the general comics readership) has been extremely mixed. Opinions are opinions and everyone is free to them, but I’m having trouble figuring out why some fans who want a female-centric title aren’t happy with this one. I think it hits pretty much every mark it’s aiming for. And those who don’t want a female-centric “X-Men” title on the market at all can grow up.
FF #10 ($2.99) – I have no idea that the solicitation means, but you know what? I’m in.
Total: $18.94
Daredevil #29 ($2.99) – After a few issues filled with serious business, last issue was a move back toward the fun approach that’s made Waid’s run on this series so great. I didn’t see the ending coming at all, and am excited to see what happens next.
Red Lanterns #22 ($2.99) – This title was bland bland bland before the creator changes. In one issue, Soule brought much needed heart to the book, and hopefully this issue will give it direction.
Amala’s Blade #4 ($3.50) – This miniseries hit me out of nowhere. I thought its early chapters in “Dark Horse Presents” were ok, and I only bought the first issue because I got a signed copy at C2E2. It’s proven to have much more depth and intrigue than I expected. I sure hope this issue ends with a question mark, because I’d like to see some more.
Captain Midnight #1 ($3.99) – Dark Horse’s superhero relaunch has had some duds, but it’s been mostly great in my opinion. Sure, some of their characters have strong analogs in the DCU or 616, but they’re different enough, and the stories are different enough, to keep me coming back and trying every new one they put out.
Morning Glories #29 ($3.99) – I like this book. My wife loves it. She thought the premise on the back of the first trade sounded good, so it became the second comic she ever read. She loves it so much, she made me quit tradewaiting and buy the single issues. On the week it comes out, she digs it out of my pile and reads it first. If you’re not already reading this series, quit being silly and buy the $1 copy of the first issue.
Total: $17.46
B.P.R.D. Vampire #5 ($3.50) – Miniseries of the year? Mini series of the year.
Batman Inc. #13 ($2.99) – The final chapter to one of the most satisfying and unusual journeys the Batman has ever been through feels like it should be a bigger deal than it is. Partially, it feels insignificant that, due to the New 52, Morrison’s Bat-epic seems to have lost its footing to the Snyder/Capullo Batman as the flagship Bat-book. However, nothing can diminish the work which, as a whole, should be regarded as one of the quintessential Bat-stories and, especially, the most compelling one of the past 20 years. Bravo Morrison, see ya on the creator owned side.
Continued belowFF #10 ($2.99) – THE SPOOKY KIDS!
The Flash Annual #2 ($4.99) – While I’m much more of a Kyle/Wally guy than I am a Hal/Barry guy, I love when the Flash and Green Lantern team up together. Throw in a Cully Hamner illustrated backup, and I’m on board, even if the price tag makes me cringe.
Total: $14.47
Captain Marvel #14 ($2.99) – C’mon. We all knew how this was going to go.
Batman Incorporated #13 ($2.99) – A lone, mourning trumpet plays in the distance.
The Legend Of Luther Strode #6 ($3.50) – Murder spread, guys. Murder spread. (Also a really good name for a band.)
Adventures Of Superman #3 ($3.99) – Another title that has a permanent place on my pull. This is the Superman book I’ve dreamt about.
The Wake #3 ($2.99) – Wow. This is some good shit.
Daredevil #29 ($2.99) – It may have been usurped by the likes of “Hawkeye”, but Mark Waid and Chris Samnee are still trucking along with the most consistently good Marvel book I’ve seen in a long time.
Total: $16.46
Batman Incorporated #13 ($2.99) – Batman Inc. is always a must buy, but as the conclusion to Grant Morrison’s sprawling, definitive Batman epic, this issue is absolutely unmissable.
Animal Man Annual #2 ($4.99) – The slightly higher price tag is suitably justified, considering the return of original series artist Travel Foreman.
Collider #1 ($2.99) I’m pretty unfamiliar with Simon Oliver’s work, but I’m a sucker for a new Vertigo sci-if book and Robbi Rodriguez’s preview pages are jaw-droppingly beautiful.
Ultimate Comics: The Ultimates #28 ($3.99) – Joshua Fialkov is doing some outstanding work in the Ultimate universe, with last week’s surprisingly fun “Hunger” and the bombastic ‘Ultimates Disassembled’ arc. This week sees the continuation of the latter, as we move one step closer to the possible end of the world as we know it.
Guardians of the Galaxy #5 ($3.99) The Angela/post-“Age of Ultron” hooplah is more than a little silly, but with a credit listing of Bendis, Gaiman, Pichelli, this one is too intriguing to pass up on.
Total: $18.95
Batman Incorporated #13 ($2.99) – Excerpt from my non-existant “Batman Incorporated” #13 review: OMFG OMFG OMFG
But seriously, in all honesty, I am very excited for this book. I remember a few years ago thinking that we’d reached the end of Morrison’s Bat-Epic and being blown away by the finale (with “Batman and Robin” #16), seeing just how well Morrison could jam-pack the issue with emotion and bravado in a way that really plays towards both Batman’s legacy as a character and the web he had been weaving. Now, over half a decade later, we’ve reached the true finale to it all and I couldn’t be more excited and terrified to see what last tricks Morrison is hiding under his sleeve.
Having it all wrapped up in artwork by the impeccably talented Chris Burnham, who has illustrated the past twelve issues of the book with considerable talent and aplomb, makes this the one comic you dare not miss this week — let alone this year.
Morning Glories #29 ($3.50) – The book I am second-most excited for this week, in an issue that will assuredly make a few heads do this:
Captain Marvel #14 ($2.99) – Ah, yes, the big finale to ‘the Enemy Within.’ Let us see what shall become of our beloved Carol this month, yes?
FF #10 ($2.99) – Never a bad time to pick up an extra comic from the House of DeConnick and Fraction. It’s good for the soul.
Collider #1 ($2.99) – Robbi Rodriguez art and Nate Fox covers equal to a book that is only missable if you hate comics. If you’re here, you don’t hate comics, right?
BPRD: Vampire #5 ($3.50) – The finale to the new Ba/Moon mini is a definite can’t miss.
Total: $18.96
B.P.R.D. Vampire #5 ($3.50) – First off, you should be buying this just because it’s Gabriel Ba and Fabio Moon. These are two of the best storytellers in comics. Second off, this issue is so batshit magical you’re mind will be blown and you’ll want to send them a thank you card for doing it. Yes please.
Continued belowCaptain Midnight #1 ($2.99) – Strangest thing. I hadn’t really read any of Joshua Williamson’s work before the Zero issue of this, but since that I also read Ghosted #1 and realized that man, I really dig this guy’s work. With Fernando Dagnino on art, this book is definitely coming home to me.
Collider #1 ($2.99) – I try out most Vertigo books, but this one looks particularly interesting if only because this simple fact: Robbi Rodriguez is awesome. Well, and Nathan Fox is awesome. Basically, everyone involved on art here? Awesome. So I am buying it.
FF #10 ($2.99) – There’s a lot to be said about a book that is fun. This book is hugely fun, and as long as Fraction and Allred are there, I’m there.
The Wake #3 ($2.99) – I have to admit…I have not been as blown away by this book as I want to be. So far through two issues, there have been elements I’ve loved, and Murphy’s art has uniformly crushed it for me. However, the non-visual storytelling as well as the one-page opens and closes have dropped it down a notch. Is this the issue that takes it to the next level? I hope so.
Five Ghosts: The Haunting of Fabian Grey #5 ($2.99) – It’d be really messed up if a book with a quote from me in it didn’t make my list. The good news is, this book is great and really is one of the minis of 2013. You should buy this book. It’s only going to get better.
Total: $18.45
