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.
Detective Comics #881 ($3.99) – Eight issue streak! When I did a write-up for the best and worst comics of July, not only did ‘Tec get best issue, but the creative team behind it received best writer and artist. Now Scott Snyder, Francesco Francavilla and Jock are ending their critically-acclaimed run – and the flagship title of DC Comics – with what I can only assume is going to be a hell of a bang. I fear for the safety of anybody that gets between me and this final issue on Wednesday.
Hellboy: The Fury #3 ($2.99) – DC is making a big fuss about how their output this month marks the end of a grand era. But that’s Hellboy’s territory! Son of a-! The Fury marks the end of the current overarching Hellboy mega-arc that began back in 1994. So, DC, while I’m sure some of your final issues are going to be good (and some great, see above), they don’t nearly carry the weight that this issue does, and something tells me that ‘Tec is going to be the only one that comes even close to the quality of The Fury. That’s not a jab at DC, of course, just… well, have you ever read any Hellboy?
The Unwritten #28 ($2.99) – Four issue streak! I already love The Unwritten. In fact, you’re all probably sick of hearing just how much I love The Unwritten. Too bad, because Mike Carey and Peter Gross have taken one of my favorite genres – metafictional fantasy – and injected it with another favorite – hardboiled noir. To use a Gil-ism, I’ll be in my bunk.
Criminal: The Last of the Innocent #3 ($3.50) – Three issue streak! The second issue of this miniseries was flat-out awesome. What more can you expect from the outstanding team of Ed Brubaker, Sean Phillips and Val Staples? Last issue was the (first) big “Oh shi–!” moment. Now we deal with the repercussions. This is the best book currently on the Icon line, no doubt (which can be high praise or not, depending on what you consider “currently” – I mean it in the “Holy crap, this is going up against books like Scarlet and kicking their ass” way). You better believe it.
American Vampire: Survival of the Fittest ($2.99) – Three issue streak! Another book from last month’s writer of the month. Do I need to say more? Yes? Okay, two words: Sean Murphy. Yeah, I knew that would convince you.
Red Wing #2 ($3.50) – Two issue streak! This is easily one of the wildest ideas I’ve ever heard about for a comic, and that’s saying something. Very few people could come up with an idea like dogfighting through space-time, and only Jonathan Hickman could handle the convolution that comes with such a concept with such finesse. But that’s not all! Artist Nick Pitarra has demonstrated that not only does he understand what Hickman is doing, but that he can also do the same thing with pictures that Hickman does with weirds. I don’t get it. These guys must operate on some higher plane of reality.
Total: $19.96
Matt’s Picks:
Hellboy: The Fury #3 ($2.99) – It all comes down to this. This isn’t just the end of an era, this is the very definition of the end of an era. “Excited” isn’t even the right word for how I feel about this.
Continued belowUltimate Fallout #5 ($3.99) – This week is the primarily Nick Spencer issue, which sets up his Ultimate X-Men book. I already know I’m down for Ultimate Spider-Man and The Ultimates; now it’s up to Spencer to prove why I’m going to need X-Men too. (As a side note, I’ll be buying Ultimate X-Men regardless.)
Morning Glories #11 ($2.99) – It’s been a bit of a wait, but one of the best creator-owned books from Image is back. In this week’s issue, shit gets fucked up. Spoiler alert.
Ghost Rider #2 ($2.99) – Rob Williams came out of left field and has worked his way up to one of my favorite lesser known writers in the Marvel stables, and all due to his rather exciting and new take on Ghost Rider. We’ve only had two issues so far, but given Williams’ other work, I’m definitely giving his Ghost Rider a “no questions asked” first arc purchase. (As a side note, Rob Williams also has issues of Daken: Dark Wolverine, Iron Age, and Fear Itself: Uncanny X-Force out this week, so if Ghost Rider isn’t particularly your thing, I’d recommend getting at least one of those. Williams is awesome.)
Criminal: Last of the Innocent #3 ($3.50) – Brubaker. Philips. The dark side of Archie. Do I really even need to say anything else?
Unwritten #28 ($2.99) – Mike Carey. Peter Gross. Noir and pulp galore from all angles. Do I really even need to say anything else?
Total: $19.45
