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!
The Outliers ($5.00) – Erik T. Johnson (a fellow Minnesota statesman) has a nifty little book on his hands here. It’s about a mute boy and the extraordinary circumstances that lead him to befriend a bigfoot-like creature. It’s gorgeous (take a look at it, and his other work, here) and it’ll tug on your heartstrings.
This is technically a comic from last year, but I believe this is the first printing that is set for Diamond distribution. In other words, correct me if I’m wrong, but you couldn’t get it unless you backed the Kickstarter or ordered it directly. The 5 dollar price tag stands out, I know. It’s 5 dollars that I can feel great about spending, considering the heart and carefully handcrafted nature of the project. You’ll probably spend 4 bucks on a Marvel or DC comic this week without reservation. Maybe try throwing 5 dollars at someone who’s going at it (mostly) alone and truly deserves it.
Superior Spider-Man #16 ($3.99) – @DanSlott has taken a ton of unwarranted crap from terrible fanboys and man-children when it comes to this title. Spider-Man’s history (and the history of comics in general) is littered with eras where stories were terrible or our heroes were put through what sometimes appeared to be unbearable changes. If you ask me, this “Superior” saga has not been one of those times. These are some great stories being told by a master of Spider-Man lore second only to Stan Lee & co. But even if you don’t feel that positively about them, it’s only a matter of time before Peter Parker is back, web-slinging and quipping like the friendly neighborhood Spidey we know him to be.
As an aside, I’d love to see Dan Slott slip over into the world of the “Fantastic Four” post-Fraction. I mean, only if he’s ready to leave Spidey behind, that is. I just think he’d be a terrific fit and a natural transition. But the man can do what he wants.
Revival #13 ($2.99) – The reliable “Revival” comes back to take me back to my hometown and scare the crap out of me yet again.
Wonder Woman #23 ($2.99) – Through 23 issues and a company-wide change of direction that I am no longer very keen on, “Wonder Woman” has been perhaps the only series that has not disappointed me for one single, solitary moment. It’s the one series that really feels like it delivers on whatever promises the “New 52” thought it was making. It’s the one series that feels truly fresh to me. It’s the one series that feels like the best of what Marvel’s doing over on the other side of the aisle (“Hawkeye”, “Daredevil”, etc…)
It’s the one series that I’m still pulling from DC Comics.
X-Men #4 ($3.99) – When I think of the Dodsons, I think of the women of X-Men. That’s where I saw their art first and that’s what I picture when I picture the definitive takes on these characters. Though Coipel will be sorely missed and did a magnificent job of individualizing each of these ladies, the artists they’ve got lined up behind him are no slouches themselves. This is one of my favorite Marvel titles, you guys.
Total: $18.96
Numbercruncher #2 ($3.99) – After only one issue this is already a contender for best miniseries of the year. The writing, the art, and the crazy premise all work perfectly together. DO NOT MISS THIS BOOK. If you didn’t get the first issue last month, buy them both. Continued below
Bloodshot #0 vol 3 ($3.99) – A new Matt Kindt book? Yes, please. (And note: This new Matt Kindt book is listed after “Numbercruncher”. See? It was really that good.
Daredevil #30 ($2.99) – After a brief foray into a dark storyline, the fun, swashbuckling adventure that has defined Waid’s run is back. What will happen next? I have no idea, and that’s fun. “Numbercruncher” is also fun!
Lantern New Guardians #23 ($2.99) – Since the change in creative teams on the Lantern books, this one has undergone the biggest shift in direction. Before, it was a guilty pleasure I took great joy from, but couldn’t really defend as a high quality book. It’s still not “Numbercruncher”-amazing, but it has become something I feel good about recommending to others.
Creepy Comics #13 ($4.99) – “Dark Horse Presents” usually fills the anthology slot on my list, but it was just a bit too expensive this week. “Creepy” is a good substitute, however, filled with a variety of short horror stories instead of chapters of continuing narratives. They’re not all winners, but they average out pretty well. Speaking of averages, they’re calculated by a “Numbercruncher”.
Total: $18.95 – “Numbercruncher”
Superman Unchained #3 ($3.99) – We all know my problems with the New 52’s Superman, but I have been pleasantly surprised by how capable Scott Snyder has been at making him closer to who I want the character to be. Hopefully he can keep it up.
Daredevil #30 ($2.99) – I don’t care what era of comics you want to compare it to, this title has consistently been one of the best comics on the market for the last 29 issues. Waid and Samnee know exactly what they’re doing.
Avengers Assemble #18 ($3.99) – Kelly Sue and a Spider-Woman focused issue? Of course I’m in.
Revival #13 ($2.99) – I’m unfortunately a couple issues behind on this at time of writing, but I still think it’s one of the most underrated Image books out.
X-Men #4 ($3.99) – This is everything I ever wanted it to be, I love it.
Total: $17.95
Strangers in Paradise Omnibus ($100) – Ok. So it’s not twenty dollars. I’m sorry. But bear with me!
In the world of comics, I’d say that there are quite a few books that everyone has to read. “Bone,” for example, is an essential book; it shows how simple it is to balance an all ages narrative on an epic scope and have it be just that — all ages. “Cerebus” is another great example; it proves how much the medium has to offer as a whole, as a book full of experimentation and chances taken within the narrative.
But one book that is not nearly in circulation enough but is just as important is “Strangers in Paradise,” Terry Moore’s seminal series. It’s absolutely definitive, both towards a genre and to Moore himself. Everything Moore has done since has sat in its colossal shadow (including but not limited to a recent “Rachel Rising” crossover of sorts), and it stands alongside a series of creator-owned and produced works that absolutely made careers for a few incredibly talented individuals.
Not only that, but what “Strangers in Paradise” does that very few modern books seem to do is it gets women. I could be wrong and there could be those that stand opposed to the books portrayal of the entire gender, but what “Strangers in Paradise” has is two incredibly well developed female leads who betray every conventional narrative staple. They’re not just stick figures for us to oggle, they’re not there for to help fuel a male character — they’re fully developed and incredibly well versed characters who undertake a colossal adventure that subverts any potential stereotypes you might associate to them.
Would you think that this book is a spy thriller, for example? Probably not, but at times it is. And at others, its a romance book. Others, a slice of life tale. It’s an action book, an adventure book, and its full of so much humor and great art that periodically develops over time that it’s impossible to have read this book and not judge almost everything against it going forward.
Continued belowSo the omnibus, now in print again albeit in a softcover version, is absolutely essential to have in your collection if you don’t already have it. Because this is a book that defines comics. This is a book that makes comics an important narrative, an impressive medium and so much more.
This is a book you need to own.
Total: $100 – OH MY GOD I’VE RUINED THE COLUMN I AM SO SORRY
Justice League Dark #23 ($3.99) – Yeah, last week’s installment of ‘Trinity War’ may have been the most disappointing thus far, but the previews for the penultimate chapter look pretty darn exciting. This also marks the last Jeff Lemire-penned issue of the series for the foreseeable future.
Superman Unchained #3 ($3.99) – I’m still on the fence with this one, but the allure of a decent Superman books is far too strong. Is it bad that I get the most excited about the two page Dustin Nguyen back-ups?
Wonder Woman #23 ($2.99) – Last issue exploded my feels box and reignited my excitement for the series like nobody’s business. With Villain’s month breaking up the action, here’s hoping for a jaw-dropping cliffhanger on the level of issue #12’s Orion reveal.
Chin Music #2 ($2.99) – It’s been a few months since the first issue of this beautiful but befuddled series began. Hopefully the title hasn’t fallen off your radar, because there’s wonderful potential here. That is, if you can make heads or tails of what’s happening.
Ultimate Comics #29 ($3.99) – Hey, I love Hickman as much as the next guy, but this is the Avengers event I’m most excited for. Bring on the She-Kang!
Total: $17.95
B.P.R.D. #110 / Lobster Johnson: A Scent of Lotus #2 ($3.50 each) – A huge week for the Mignolaverse – Tyler Crook is back on “B.P.R.D.” while Raphael Albuquerque joins the book as cover artist. Plus, we get part two of the latest LoJo adventure. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again – the Mignola books are among the best comics ever created. If you’re not reading them, man, I just don’t get you.
Justice League Dark #23 / Avengers #18 ($3.99 each) – Two event crossovers, both the best their company has done in at least 5 years, both a dollar too expensive, but both probably worth it. Popcorn comics!
Wonder Woman #23 ($2.99 each) – I forget to include this book just about every month, if only because it is never the flashy pick – it is the consistent, slow burn of a book. But it is consistently great, and should be celebrated. Buy this book, fools!
Total: $17.97
