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. Follow the cut to see everyone’s picks for the week.
Moon Knight #3 ($3.99) – Three issue streak! This has had a more promising start than pretty much anything Bendis has had set in the 616 since his Daredevil work. That sounds like a pretty bold claim at first, but when you think about it… well, I don’t want to be too mean in this little blurb (Dark Avengers is still pretty cool, though). This is where Bendis belongs, and when he’s writing at peak performance like this, he deserves an artist like Alex Maleev. And speaking of Maleev: holy crap. Don’t get me wrong, his work on Scarlet has been great, but this? This is outstanding. By the way, what does Bullseye have to do with anything?
Trailblazer ($5.99) – Palmiotti and Gray make a fair amount of westerns, and they normally do them rather well. So when I saw their names attached to a one shot called “Trailblazer,” I figured that I might as well see what it was about. If this comic meets my expectations, that could be the best decision I’ve made in a while. Any way I try to describe it won’t do it justice, so here’s a bit from an earlier press release:
TRAILBLAZER illustrates a modern western science fiction story about a hired killer who turns in evidence against an employer for the murder of the woman who raised him. The government must then shield their star informant by enacting Operation Trailblazer, a witness protection program that uses not only location but time travel as well in order to keep their charges safe. As the assassin adjusts to his new life in the old west, he soon finds that no matter when or where he is the future is dead set in coming back to haunt him.
If that doesn’t sound awesome to you, then you are no fun.
Cap & Thor: Avengers #1 ($4.99): I love all-ages comics. I especially love them when they’re written by Fred Van Lente. I’m willing to bet that this will be in my top five favorite cape comics released this week. And… that’s about all I have to say about that.
Red Skull #1 ($2.99) – My heart was broken by this miniseries’ announcement, because Marvel’s original press release made it sound like David Aja was going to be doing interiors, rather than just covers. Still, the origin of the Red Skull should serve as an interesting counterpoint to Greg Pak’s earlier Magneto: Testament, and the quality of that mini is enough for me to say that this will definitely be worth purchasing. And you can bet Pak isn’t going to make it a simple matter of “I’m evil, so I do evil things!”
Total: $17.96
Matt’s Picks:
Fear Itself #4 ($3.99) – I am more than fine being the only person on this website enjoying the event and being the only member of this site publicly endorsing you to follow it. The others will fill your head with various nonsense, but let’s face facts: Fraction. Immonen. I don’t care if it hasn’t hit the right notes for others, it’s not possible that this won’t pay off. (… right?)
Fear Itself: Uncanny X-Force #1 ($2.99) – I am trying to avoid as many event tie-ins as possible, but I’m having trouble saying no to this one for three reasons: 1) Starring the fantastic X-Force team! 2) Written by my current “to watch” writer, Rob Williams (seriously – this guy has been turning out top-notch work for Marvel completely under the radar)! 3) Art by Simone Binachi, who I used to abhor until I read Thor: For Asgard and now want to read more of! I’ve avoided all other Fear Itself tie-ins except The Deep up until now. Time to go for my second.
Continued belowMoon Knight #3 ($3.99) – I am quite enjoying this series so far. I don’t think that’s especially too surprising, though. It’s Bendis and Maleev doing what they do best on one of my favorite characters. On top of that, this issue features the “return” of Bullseye or what not, so I’m curious as to what exactly this adventure is going to entail.
Hulk #36 ($2.99) – I am very greatly enjoying what Jeff Parker has been doing with ol’ Rulk so far. It’s proof that there is no character completely irredeemable, as long as you give him the right writer. I’ve been pushing this book as much as possible at everyone I know, so no sense in stopping now. Get it!
Uncanny X-Men #540 ($3.99) – This was accidentally an all-Marvel week for me at CSBC, so I figured why not top it off with a great Marvel book I don’t give enough love to. Kieron Gillen has been having a wonderful run on the X-Men so far, and now he’s bringing in Fear Itself and the Juggernaut. Oh, and something about Colossus becoming the Juggernaut (or some such). Either way, bring it on.
Total: $17.95
Josh’s Picks:
Red Skull #1 ($2.99) – Greg Pak has had a very very productive few years when it comes to self contained mini-series that focus on single characters within the Marvel Universe, and with his last work taking place in World War Two-era Europe (Magneto: Testament) becoming an instant classic, I have high hopes for this very obvious counterpoint to that book.
Flashpoint #3 ($3.99) – Call me an idealist, but DCnU has me all kinds of excited, and that excitement has impact retroactively onto Flashpoint. While I have my doubts that the events contained within this series will really lead up, continuity wise, to a rebooted DCU, I am enjoying seeing some decently inspired alternate timeline versions of my favorite DC heroes here. While a shadow of what he once was, Geoff Johns can apparently still write a fun popcorn comic.
Flashpoint: Batman: Knight of Vengeance ($2.99) – Speaking of Flashpoint, Azarello and Risso have combined to create what is easily the best tie-in mini to Flashpoint from both a character and art perspective.
Sweet Tooth #23 ($2.99) – Been reading it since the beginning and it is consistently one of my most beloved books month in and month out for almost two full years now. I see now sign of that stopping now.
Moon Knight #3 ($2.99) – One of the few recently relaunched Marvel books I have gravitated to like mad, Bendis and Maleev are back to their best with this one (much like we all assumed they would be).
Uncanny X-Men #540 ($3.99) – Kieron Gillen + The X-Men = Instant Buy. Fact.
Total: $19.94
