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:
Annihilator #1 ($3.99) – The least-talked about Grant Morrison book ever comes out this week and it’s the #1 book on my radar. How could it not be? Morrison is my shit. He and Frazer Irving have paired together before to great results on books like “Batman and Robin” and “Seven Soldiers: Klarion.” I can’t wait to see what kind of tone this book takes on and what Morrison has in store for his latest non-cape comic creation.
Teen Dog #1 ($3.99) – Catch you on the flip side, dudemeisters.
Wild’s End #1 ($3.99) – Dan Abnett and INJ Culbard are a match made in heaven. Everything Culbard draws is fun to look at, but I can only imagine what an anthropomorphic tale of the apocalypse looks like through his lens.
Prophet Strikefile #1 ($3.99) – It feels like Brandon Graham has been talking about this one forever. “Prophet” has been one of the best comics released in this decade so far, mostly for the insanely smart curation of the artistic talent. The “Strikefile” looks to feature that and encapsulate everything great that Graham and Co. have done with the fiction. It’s just nice to have more “Prophet” around, given that we’ve seen its last “proper” issue.
East of West #15 ($3.50) – I just love “East of West” – it’s pretty much got everything I want from fictional storytelling.
Total: $19.46
David’s Picks:
Ms. Marvel #8 ($2.99) – If you’re not reading this book, you’re missing one of the most fun books around, and Adrian Alphona returns for this issue. Yay!!!
Lazarus #11 ($3.50) – Shit’s going to get crazy. “Conclave” is going to blow minds, I think, and Greg Rucka and Michael Lark are going to take this book to the next level in this arc.
East of West #15 ($3.50) – Jonathan Hickman and Nick Dragotta are building a modern classic, and this issue concludes the latest arc, surely in grandiose fashion.
Hawkeye #20 ($3.99) – I think this is an Annie Wu issue? I honestly have no idea anymore, but either way, I’m in as this book approaches its end.
The Walking Dead #131 ($3.99) – This book continues to massively entertain, and I have no problem admitting that.
Total: $17.97 – No big releases, but a lot of good ones
Alice’s Picks:
ZERO Volume Two: At The Heart Of It All ($14.99) – I’ve mentioned in the past that I’m pretty hype over “ZERO”. I’m so hype over “ZERO” they quoted me on the cover of the first trade paperback. So while there are quite a lot of good comics coming out this week, I have to represent my favourite comic being published right. One of the beautiful aspects of “ZERO” is how Ales Kot, Jordie Bellaire and the numerous artists working on each issue can build each issue around stand alone stories. Watching those stories come together in each collection to build a bigger tapestry of the series’ world is a testament to Ales Kot’s strength as a writer. This will be a good hold over until #11 comes out.
Annihilator #1 ($3.99) – I haven’t been following this one much and actually forgot it was even happening until I saw it on the release this, but Grant Morrison and Frazer Irving working together again? Sign me the hell up! Their issues of “Batman & Robin” were some of the best of Morrison’s already stellar run.
Total: $18.98
Brian’s Picks:
The Bunker #6 ($3.99) – One of the best time-travel comics ever – and I am a connoisseur of time-travel comics.
Continued belowCaptain Victory and the Galactic Rangers #2 ($3.99) – Art alone, this issue is worth your 4 bucks. The fact that it has a super fun Kirby-inspired story to tell is the kicker.
4 of the 10 “Futures End” 5-years later issues ($2.99 each) – Last week, the “Futures End” titles ranged from mediocre to great – there wasn’t a single real clunker in the batch. The real surprising part was how certain titles far surpassed their usual level of competence and hit home runs, whereas others really struggled. So, go to the shop, skip the lenticular bullshit, and pick up 4 books that look the most intriguing. Give ’em a shot.
Total: $19.94
Drew’s Picks:
X #17 ($2.99) – When this book first started, I saw it as a surrogate to the recently deceased “Punisher” run from Greg Rucka, which I had loved. While it still shares some traits, over the last year and a half it has proven it’s not just a lazy attempt to copy success. This book isn’t groundbreaking, and probably never will be. But it is consistantly surprising and entertaining, and will have a place on my pull list for a long time to come.
Copperhead #1 ($3.50) – I’ve been a fan of Jay Faerber for much longer than I realized. I first noticed him with “Near Death,” but found out later he also wrote the far-too-short run of “New Warriors” volume 2, which I had really enjoyed. The premise for this book seems like a step in a new direction for him, but also promises some of the noir elements he’s handled well in the past. In a week of great books, this is probably the one I’m most excited to read.
Lazarus #11 ($3.50) – If you’re not buying this book, read this and then start buying this book!
Stumptown #1 ($3.99) – The first two volumes of this book really entertained me. If you like mysteries, this is a series you should check out.
Total: $13.98
James’ Picks:
Annihilator #1 ($3.99) – Between “The Multiversity” and “Annihilator”, this past month or so has been a field day for my inner Morrison fanboy. Morrison and Irving have had a history of really great comics (“Klarion”, “Batman”), that I can’t help but be excited for this title. Plus, the disturbing concept is a perfect fit for both creators.
East of West #15 ($3.50) – EAST OF WEST! EAST OF WEST! EAST OF WEST!
Edge of Spider-Verse #1 ($3.99) – There’s one thing I love more than anthology books and that’s alternate universes. Spider-Man Noir is one of those over-the-top concepts I love and I actually really enjoyed reading his first miniseries a while back. I don’t know if I necessarily have high hopes for this series, I just want it to be as goofy and fun as the Spider-Verse event as a whole sounds.
Ms. Marvel #8 ($3.99) – I chose “Ms. Marvel”? Again? I must be a millennial or something. Nah but really, I know it gets a little overhyped around the webs but Kamala Khan is still one of my favorite character finds of 2014. And now, she’s hanging out with Lockjaw the Inhuman dog. It’s dogs and millenials. I cannot resist.
Total: $15.47
Matt’s Picks:
Morning Glories #40 ($3.50) – Here is my requisite entry of the book that I write the backmatter for onto my list in a completely unbiased fashion. That disclaimer out of the way, holy shit is this a heady issue. Like, if you thought the book was dense with theoretical science before, welcome to the party.
Annihilator #1 ($3.99) – Grant Morrison and Frazer Irving seem like a can’t miss team. Part of me imagines that this book might actually be a trade-wait due to the six-issue run, but it’s hard for me to pass up the opportunity to read a new Morrison series. I am also a bit curious to see how Legendary, a film studio, is going to do when curating and putting out a comic; I’m interested in weird things.
Continued belowCaptain Victory and the Galactic Rangers #2 ($3.99) – Joe Casey, Michel Fiffe and Nathan Fox are making a comic book together. To not buy a book with this kind of team– in my personal opinion — is basically telling everyone that you don’t like comics. You don’t want to be that person, do you?
Stumptown v3 #1 ($3.99) – I really enjoyed the past two runs of Stumptown with artist Matt Southworth. While his presence from the latest run will be missed, Justin Greenwood is doing fantastic stuff at Image with The Fuse. I’m stoked to see him pulling double duty.
Hawkeye #20 ($3.99) – Because Hawkeye.
Total: $19.46 — PS BEFORE THEY TAKE MY MIC AWAY GRAB THE LATEST TRADE OF ZERO IF YOU HAVEN’T BEEN FOLLOWING IT IN SINGLES ALREADDYYYYYY
Zach’s Picks
Annihilator #1 ($3.99) – Let’s face it, I’ll recommend anything by Grant Morrison. Add in that sweet sweet Frazer Irving art that we’ve all been missing out on, and you have a recipe for the week’s must have book.
Justice League United: Futures End #1 ($3.99) – JLU has been a little hit or miss for me, but there’s no way I can turn down an issue starring Martian Manhunter and the Legion of Super Heroes. Jeff Lemire, you know the keys to my heart.
Hawkeye #20 ($3.99) – Is this real life?
Prophet Strikefile #1 ($3.99) – I’ll admit, I’m waaaaay behind on “Prophet,” but I’m a sucker for “Who’s Who” style books. Here’s hoping for tons of sweet infographics and lots of pretty pictures, untainted by those word things.
Total: $15.96
Dodge’s Picks:
Annihilator #1 ($3.99) – Grant. Morrison.
Batman: Future’s End #1 ($2.99) – Just like last years ‘Villains Month’, the ‘Future’s End’ event has already proved hit and miss. Scott Snyder has consistently proved himself capable of handling everything DC editorial could possibly throw at him. Combined with his amazing ability to keep the Bat-timeline even remotely coherent, there’s every possibility this will at least be an entertaining read.
Superman Unchained #8 ($3.99) – It’s never a good thing when a book is delayed so long that is messes up an entire event themed month, but here comes the penultimate chapter of “Unchained” nonetheless. This series is already on its way to being an underrated standout Superman story, and it’s not too late to jump back in.
The Whedon Threeway #1 ($1.00) – Did you know that Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Angel, and Firefly have all continued in comic book form? Did you know that Joss Whedon oversees, and occasionally co-writes all of them? Did you this book has three full issues for only one dollar? Why aren’t you lining up at the store already?!
Total: $11.97
