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!
Vince’s Picks:
POP #1 ($3.99) – We here at Multiversity have been waiting for this one for a while now. After having read it, I’m happy to report that the satire lives up to its billing. Jason Copeland’s art is really strong and in a similar vein to Tula Lotay’s recent revelatory turns on “Bodies” and “Supreme: Blue Rose”
Bee and Puppycat #3 ($3.99) – Sometimes I sing Heart’s Dog and Butterfly, but I change the lyrics in the chorus to “Bee and Puppycat.” That is all. Thank you very much.
And Then Emily Was Gone #2 ($3.50) – Sometimes you tell a person that a horror or suspense book is scary just because you like it and you want to get them to check it out. I can tell you with complete honesty that “And Then Emily Was Gone” actually unsettles me while I read it. I mean that as a compliment, of course. This book is perfect for anyone who is tired of reading the same-old-same-old when it comes to monthly comics. This comic is fresh to death.
Sex #15 ($2.99) – A lot was made about the legend Milo Manara’s questionable “Spider-Woman” variant cover. While I don’t think it’s a suitable choice for a mainstream Marvel cover, nor nearly Manara’s best work, I do support you reading Manara in the proper context. And I also support another guy who’s drawing intensely good erotic comics in Piotr Kowalski.
Saga #22 ($2.99) – This superlative comic is just a train that can’t be stopped.
Total: $17.46
David Harper’s Picks:
Flash Gordon #5 ($3.99) – As long as Jeff Parker, Doc Shaner and Jordie Bellaire are on this book, I think it has a pretty good chance of maintaining its position as the most fun book in comics. Really stoked for this next arc.
Wayward #1 ($3.50) – Strangely, I don’t know anything about this and I haven’t even seen a preview, but I LOVE THE COVER. That’s all I needed to be hooked. Jim Zub and Steve Cummings are more than capable of delivering, so let’s find out this week.
Saga #22 ($2.99) – Saga continues to be one of the absolute best comics on the market, and Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples are driving a backlash by being utterly consistent I feel. I strangely feel like they’d be doing better if they dropped one issue that was an utter bomb, but instead they are constantly delivering A- work. Damn boring awesome comics.
POP #1 ($3.99) – I don’t know much about this book, but Pires has some interesting ideas and Jason Copland is a bit of a beast. Worth a shot, although I wish it wasn’t $3.99. Alas.
Outcast #3 ($2.99) – I’ve really, really been enjoying this book. Some of the timeline stuff is a bit wibbly wobbly (but not in a timey wimey sort of way), but if Paul Azaceta did a My Little Pony book with Bettie Breitweiser coloring him, I’d probably like it.
Total: $17.46 – Kind of a weird week…but a pretty good one?
Matt’s Picks:
POP #1 ($3.99) – My buddies Curt Pires and Jason Copland have a new book out this week in which everything you love about pop culture is put under the surreal microscope. Everything you love is manufactured — and that now includes this comic.
Transformers vs GI Joe #2 ($3.99) – Tom Scioli weaves magic. Magic.
Saga #22 ($2.99) – A lot of people have been down on Saga lately and I can’t say I fully understand why. It’s an incredibly consistent book and one that has great characters; top it all off with gorgeous Fiona Staples art and I’m not sure what there is to not like. Plus, this issue has a walrus on the cover.
Continued belowLow #2/Black Science #8 ($3.50 each) – Remender is so hot right now. I’m absolutely loving his return to creator-owned, and while Deadly Class is my favorite new book of his, Low and Black Science have both equally impressed. Greg Tocchini and Mateo Scalera? How can you not love these books?
Guardians of the Galaxy #18 ($3.99) – As a massive fan of DnA’s cosmic run, I suppose this issue is a must read, isn’t it? Lets see what trick Bendis has up his sleeve to justify his entire run.
Total: $21.96 – Oh, just find the extra cash, come on. Like you can’t go over the $20 price tag from taxes alone!
Brian’s Picks:
Manhattan Projects #23 ($3.50) – While the series is less mysterious than its first few issues, it hasn’t turned down the crazy in the slightest – this issue features some pretty amazing weirdness.
Silver Surfer #5 ($3.99) – This series had an incredible amount of buzz before it started, but I hear almost nothing about it now. I have no idea why – this continues to be insanely fun. Plus, monthly Allred art? Good grief.
Flash Gordon #5 ($3.99) – The best comic no one is buying. There, I said it.
The New 52: Futures End #17 ($2.99) – This is a big issue in the series, as it reveals one of the big mysteries thus far. It is on the cover, but I’m not going to say anything else.
POP #1 ($3.99) – Jason Copland is a good dude and a great artist – I am so stoked he’s going to get the opportunity at a higher profile gig. This book looks fantastic – give it a shot this week.
Total: $18.46
Dodge’s Picks:
Superman #34 ($3.99) – Things have been so far so good in Geoff Johns / John Romita Jr era of this book. It is certainly not a wildly different take on the character, but after three years of New 52 Superman weirdness, Clark Kent was definitely in need of a course correction.
C.O.W.L. #4 ($3.50) – Still love this series. Every issue has made the world larger and more detailed, without getting super confusing. Rod Reis has been producing some of the most gripping images in any comic on the shelves, and he’s only going to get more and more interesting things to work with.
Batman/Superman #13 ($3.99) – The start of a new crossover free story arc. Let’s see if Greg Pak and Jae can bring the series back to the fundamental elements that originally made it so refreshing and interesting.
Something That’s Not Wolverine #12 ($3.99) – What? You thought I was going to spend $6 to see Wolverine get killed off for a few months? Instead, grab one of the new indie #1’s like “Wayward” or “POP”.
Total: $15.47
Zach’s Picks:
Batman/Superman #13 ($3.99) – This series has been all over the place, but when Jae Lee is on art, all is well.
Superman #34 ($3.99) – With Pak and Kuder’s “Action Comics” wrapped up in “Doomed” (which I’m still mostly enjoying), Johns’ and Romita Jr.’s work on the Man of Steel is the de facto best Superman book on the stands. While it’s still sort of “Superman Unchained” redux, I’m very interested to seeing how the team sets their run apart.
All-Star Western #34 ($3.99) – The little series that could is finally meeting it’s end. I’ll admit, I’m part of the problem, I haven’t read the series in quite some time. However, I’d be remiss to not check in on this farewell to Jonah Hex, drawn by the incomparable Darwyn Cooke.
Guardians of the Galaxy #18 ($3.99) – Ed McGuinness joins Bendis to finally tell us all what happened between “Thanos Imperative” and “Avengers Assemble.” For everyone obsessed with mysterious comic book continuity, this one should be a treat.
Black Science #8 ($3.50) – Issue #7 kicked off the second arc in a major way. I love the book’s new direction, Kadir makes for an extremely interesting lead. Also, Matteo Scalera remains one of the hardest working and most impressive artists in the business.
Continued belowTotal: $19.46
Greg’s Picks:
Flash Gordon #5 ($3.99) – Vultan, King of the Hawk People. Nuff said.
Brass Sun #4 ($3.99) – Reprinting the 2000 AD strip. Still awesome.
Pop #1 ($3.99) – Apparently I’m not the only person who thinks pop stars are just grown in a vat somewhere and unleashed upon us. But what if one of them escaped? Looking forward to what Curt Pires and Jason Copland have in store for us!
Jaegir ($3.99) – Another 2000 AD reprint, but self-contained and completely jump-on-able (yep, that’s a word). Simon Coleby brings the goods with the art, building a believable world from any angle you look at it, while Gordon Rennie makes you root for a female war-crimes investigator in this future fascist state.
Cyclops #4 ($3.99) – It’s a shame Rucka is leaving, but that shouldn’t stop you from picking up this X-Book. Space pirates, male bonding, and survival while stranded on an alien world. If none of those three things piques any curiosity, then I’m not sure you should be reading comics.
Total: $19.95
