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!
Stumptown Volume 2 #1 ($3.99) – Greg Rucka and Matthew Southworth are back, baby, and — well, “better than ever” is a very loaded phrase when talking about two incredibly talented comics creators, so we’ll go with “just as excellent as always.” I missed out on the first Stumptown miniseries when it was being published, but I picked up the trade shortly after it was printed and loved every page. You can bet I’m not missing out on this one, especially considering my love for crime comics.
Punk Rock Jesus #3 ($2.99) – Sean Murphy has subverted my every expectation of this book, minus my assumption that his art would be amazing (it is). This isn’t some juvenile book written by someone who is upset their parents forced them to go to church every Sunday; this is a fine comic that is incredibly illustrated and that tells a fascinating story. Personal beliefs aside, do you really need anything more in a comic? I didn’t think so.
The Massive #4 ($3.50) – “The Massive” is one of the best new series to come out this year, and I don’t think that will change with its second arc. Sure, it sucks — really, really sucks — that Kristian Donaldson is off the book for good, but relative newcomer Garry Brown is a very promising new talent who will hopefully enrich the series as much as Donaldson did. That’s a lot of faith to put in someone, sure, but having seen some of the preview art, I think it’s a safe hope to have.
Manhattan Projects #6 ($3.50) – Oh boy did I miss you, “Manhattan Projects.” Please tell me you’ll never leave me again? Please?
Conan the Barbarian #8 ($3.50) – I never thought I would end up enjoying a Conan series as much as I love this one. Of course, I never would have thought that Brian Wood and Becky Cloonan would be working on the character, so there you go. If you’re missing out on this series, you’re missing out on good comics, whether you like barbarians or not.
Total: $17.48 – This was one of the hardest CSBC lists I’ve put together in a while, so if you are skipping any of the above-mentioned comics, please, please, please replace them with Creep #1 ($3.50), Memoir #6 ($3.50), Team 7 #0 ($2.99), Shade #12 ($2.99), or American Vampire: Lord of Nightmares #4 ($2.99).
Batman #0 ($3.99) — With a million Batman books out there, DC’s Zero month provides an interesting dilemma, and they seem to be approaching the three solo Bat titles (“Detective Comics,” “Batman,” and “Batman the Dark Knight”) as a quasi-triptych of his early days. This week’s offing is all about Bruce setting up Batman’s world (like the car, the cave, the costume, other “c” things), and that is one of the pieces of the Bat story that could offer something new.
The Shade #12 ($2.99) — James Robinson’s conclusion to this slow-starting, but ultimately satisfying maxiseries goes back to the Shade’s origin. Plus, Gene Ha? Everything about this book is top notch, and I couldn’t be more excited about it.
Team 7 #0 ($2.99) — Justin Jordan!
Manhattan Projects #6 ($3.50) — This issue, “Star City,” is an interesting parallel to issue #2, where a German is “rescued” by an oppositional force and absorbed by their scientific organization. If you aren’t reading this…why?
Ravagers #0 ($2.99) — This is more of a hate read, to see how Terra and Beast Boy will continue to be misrepresented in the New 52.
Continued belowTotal: $16.46
Doctor Strange: Season One ($24.99) – Oh, I know what you’re thinking. “You can’t do that, it’s over $20!” Yes, at list price, it sure is. And yet, from my experience, most shops knock off five bucks to entice sales (two local shops to me do it) and you can get it on Amazon right now for about $14ish. And while yes, the idea of buying a new version of an old story is ostensibly annoying, you have to admit: with Emma Rios on art, there is pretty much no way that this won’t be an absolute blast. Magic + Emma Rios = a special, more different and awesome kind of magic.
Total: $19.99 most likely, possibly less depending where you are.
The Massive #4 ($3.50) – Brian Wood’s moody sea-faring story has been a breath of fresh air, as there isn’t much like it in comics today. It’s pensive, character-driven work and utterly compelling, if you ask me.
The Shade #12 ($2.99) – A victory lap for the best thing James Robinson has written in years and years.
Team 7 #0 ($2.99) – I’m all over this, because I like Justin Jordan and I’m going to support the man. And I believe in the IDEA of guys like Justin Jordan writing mainstream superhero comics for the big 2. This is a symbol of who DC should have been hiring to write their reboot in the first place. Is there any better evidence for this than looking at the guy who left in a flame-out of awful tweets and crappy books vs. Scott Snyder and Jeff Lemire, who are writing some of DC’s biggest successes?
Hoax Hunters #3 ($2.99) – Not just because I interview the gentlemen who make this comic every month, but because I am truly enjoying the work that they’re doing. Original concepts & lots of fun stuff to look at.
Manhattan Projects #6 ($3.50) – I have a lot of Monopoly money on this being the pinnacle work of Jonathan Hickman’s career.
Rocketeer: Cargo of Doom #2 ($3.99) – I reviewed the first issue and enjoyed it a great deal. I’ll be reviewing the next one with the hope that a worthy villain comes along. Whether that happens or not, there’s enough of a fun “screwball comedy” angle here to make it a worthwhile effort.
Total: $19.96
Brian Wood Week!
Conan the Barbarian #8 ($2.99)
The Massive #4 ($3.50)
Ultimate Comics: X-Men #16 ($3.99)
Ever since I first picked up “Channel Zero,” I’ve been a huge fan of Brian Wood, and this week he’s blessed us with 4 titles to choose from! The only one that didn’t make the cut for me is “X-Men” #35, not that I won’t be buying it, it’s just not my favorite and I have to be stingy for this column. I’m not a big X-Men guy either, but I’ll definitely pick up “Ultimate Comics: X-Men” #16. Anyone who’s read “DMZ” knows that Wood excels at writing about militias and civil war, and things are really going crazy in the Ultimate Universe these days. “Conan” has also been excellent, and between those two Wood has proven he’s good at getting me to care about characters I don’t normally follow. His own series, “Massive,” is definitely in my top 5 favorite monthlies right now. All that is not to ignore the talented artists he has been working with, on interiors, colors and covers.
Adventure Time: Marceline and the Scream Queens #3 ($3.99) – As you are by now aware, another favorite monthly of mine is the ever-entertaining and inventive “Adventure Time,” and this miniseries by Meredith Gran is just as good. Not to mention the cover by Yuka Ota inspired by Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody.”
Manhattan Projects #6 ($3.50) – I second Vince’s nomination of this book as Jonathan Hickman’s best work yet. Every single issue is a blast, and the insane characters and completely bizarre storylines are perfectly complemented by Nick Pitarra’s beautifully deranged artwork.
Total: $17.97
