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!
East of West #5 ($3.50) – Imagine my dilemma: I can’t decide whether this or “The Manhattan Projects” is my favorite comic book. I believe that “The Manhattan Projects” is the best comic book being released right now, but I love the techno-Americana poetry of “East of West.” There’s something in the way that these characters talk to one another about the ways of the world with some perfect mix of economy and eloquence – all of them players in an intimate game of life, love, apocalypse, and death. And with Nick Dragotta art the total package is oh so good.
Saga #13 ($2.99) – Oh, this book’s pretty good too.
Resident Alien: Suicide Blonde #0 ($3.99) – I can’t tell you how tickled pink I am that we get “Resident Alien” back! The premise is fantastic: an alien that loves crime/mystery stories gets wrapped up in the dramatics of a little town where he’s become the resident physician because I guess no one can tell he’s an alien? Anyway, it’s just a pleasant comic through-and-through and I would highly recommend grabbing the first trade and jumping on this week.
Infinity #1 ($4.99) – Oh boy, here we go. They’re going to do it to me again aren’t they? I can count on one hand the number of DC and Marvel events that I “officially” think were worthwhile. In my opinion (and mine only), there are just small handful that were worth the hoopla, worth the money, and worth the time. Will “Infinity” join them? If there’s any way to get me to want to find out it’s by having Jonathan Hickman write it and Jim Cheung draw it. I guess they can fool me as many times as they want to.
Thor: God of Thunder #11 ($3.99) – “The God Butcher” battle comes to an end. I place this arc in the pantheon. If someone ever asks me what “Thor” stories to read, I’ll tell them Simonson’s entire run, Langridge’s “The Mighty Avenger”, and Jason Aaron’s “God of Thunder.”
Total: $19.46
Saga #13 ($2.99) – Yeah, “Saga” is back! There’s nothing like a month or (what feels like) five gap between issues to remind you how good this series really is.
Infinity #1 ($4.99) – You know, any other time I would be hesitant to drop $5 on the first issue of an event (especially given the state of Marvel’s last event), but you know what? I’m going to give Hickman the benefit of the doubt because of how much I’m enjoying his Avengers titles. Don’t disappoint me here.
Suicide Squad #23 ($2.99) – This was here and gone far too soon, but there’s no way I’m going to not buy an Ales Kot book.
Thor: God Of Thunder #11 ($3.99) – Godbomb is the best thing to happen to Thor since J. Michael Straczynski brought him back to the Marvel Universe. This’ll be good.
Peter Panzerfaust #13 ($3.50) – I am continually surprised by just how good this series is. This was the series that got me into Image comics and it’s still going strong.
Total: 18.46
Resident Alien: Suicide Blonde #0 ($3.99) – One of the best series of last year is back. Super underrated, needs all the love in the world. I will gladly give it.
Saga #13 ($2.99) – New “Saga” is an instant recommendation, right? I’m not wrong here; if there’s a new issue of this hit series by Fiona Staples and BKV, I believe by comics law you’re supposed to pick it up. It doesn’t necessarily hurt that it’s damn good, either.
Continued belowInfinity #1 ($4.99) – Oh, we all know we’re going to buy it. Hickman and Cheung and Kubert. Thanos and Avengers. Includes all that stuff from the FCBD issue, supposedly running 39 pages. Price is a bit steep, but it can’t be any worse than DC’s current “event” or Marvel’s last attempt at one. It’s the Grand Hickman — when has he ever steered us wrong in the past?
Red Sonja #2 ($3.99) – I was impressed with the first issue. More than I thought I would be admittedly, having never read “Red Sonja” before. I’d be interested in stick with this for a little while, just to see where it goes.
Total: $15.96 – It’s a light week, so maybe grab something random just for the heck of it
Justice League of America #7 ($3.99) – I’ve spoken before about how much I’m enjoying ‘Trinity War,’ so of course I’m not coming to pass this up. Plus, more Doug Mahnke!
Green Lantern Corps #23 ($2.99) – Since the Green Lantern creative shift, “Green Lantern Corps,” has quickly and surprisingly become my favorite book in the line. I’ve never enjoyed John Stewart as a character, but Venditti, Jensen, and Chang have gone a long way toward fixing that.
Suicide Squad #23 ($2.99) – Tragically, this marks the final issue of Ales Kot’s rockstar run on “Suicide Squad.” Here’s hoping he trashes the place on his way out.
Saga #13 ($2.99) – Guys, “Saga” is back, that is all.
East of West #5 ($3.50) While most people will be looking at Hickman’s “Infinity #1,” my focus will be fixed clearly on this gem.
Total: $16.46
Justice League of America #6 ($3.99) – With the exception to last week’s inconsistent “Trinity of Sin: The Phantom Stranger,” the Trinity War crossover has been a really enjoyable, big, dumb comic event – and i mean “big, dumb” in the best possible way. Plus, Doug Mahnke drawing these heroes is a sight to behold.
Green Lantern Corps #23 ($2.99) – Of all of the relaunched Lantern books, this might be my favorite. Visually stunning and interestingly paced, this is a book I expected to ignore, but have been pleasantly surprised with.
Red Sonja #2 ($3.99) – The first issue interested me enough to hook me in for a second. While this type of comic usually doesn’t appeal to me (this type being a medieval swords and castles story), Simone and Geovani have me at least interested enough to give one more issue a shot.
East of West #5 ($3.50) – This book tends to slip by my radar a lot, which is a criticism of me, not the work. It remains one of the best books on the market, and it really deserves more of my attention.
Infinity #1 ($4.99) – Speaking of Hickman, his big event comic is starting here. While I love his interwoven, dense work, I could see the average fan (and perhaps the average Marvel editor) wanting something a little more digestible than usual, here. Which will we get? We’ll know Wednesday.
Total: $19.46
Mind the Gap #12 ($2.99) – The book that always manages to tie my brain in knots and kind of break my heart at the same time. Keep an eye out for my annotation column and we can geek out together.
Outliers #1 ($5.00) – A Kickstartered comic about a kid and a giant in the woods will get my five bucks every time. I’m not sure if that’s a character flaw or not.
Lost Vegas #4 ($3.99) – This miniseries hasn’t been perfect, but I’m confident Jim McCann and Janet Lee will bring it home in high style. At the very least, there will be beautiful aliens.
Thor: God of Thunder #11 ($3.99) – If you’re not on board this epic series by this point, maybe it’s time YOU had an encounter with your past self.
Saga #12 ($2.99) – IT’S BACK YAY
Total: $18.96. Excellent week!
