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:
Lose #6 ($8.00) – Michael DeForge seems like my kinda cartoonist. His work can range from insanely funny to disturbing and poignant. He plays around with perspective, proportions, and layouts all in an effort to create visual metaphors and oftentimes to explore the dark side of the human psyche. Or maybe I’m just reading too far into things and scaring myself with what I’m finding out about myself. Whatever the case, there are few more original voices out there than DeForge, and I’m excited to see another issue of “Lose” hitting the stands.
El Deafo ($10.95) – I’m a big proponent of all-age comics (as we all should be), and even more so when they effort to make kids of all-ages understand that there’s beauty in their differences or maybe that they’re not as different as they think they are. It’s a rough world out there and anything that attempts to comfort those with different needs is okay in my book. So I’m excited to check out “El Deafo”, a new graphic novel about a child struggling with hearing loss, and hope that it finds its way into the hearts of kids who might be perceived as “different” too.
Total: $18.95
David Harper’s Picks:
Original Sin #8 ($4.99) – Oh god. There are a lot of comics coming out this week you could argue that are better, but this book has gotta take the top spot for me. I have gotten an unhealthy, unexpected amount of enjoyment out of Jason Aaron and Mike Deodato’s event, and I really have no idea if it’s because it’s really good or just really weird. Beyond that, I am still convinced Nick Fury didn’t kill the Watcher, and I think my time is coming with this issue. Or at least I really hope they finally reveal who killed him here.
God Hates Astronauts #1 ($3.50) – God may hate astronauts, but I love this comic. Ryan Browne, I hope you get really weird here, and by god, I know you will.
Southern Bastards #4 ($3.50) – I can’t even explain why this isn’t my top Jason Aaron related issue of the week – ORIGINAL SIN, MY WEAKNESS! – but this comic is unbelievably good, and with the last issue’s ending leaving us on a cliff, I’m super pumped for more Bastards.
Total: $11.99 – there are a number of other books I’m interested in this week, but I’m going to save my guaranteed money for some impulse buys
Dodge’s Picks:
Green Arrow Future’s End #1 ($2.99) – Jeff Lemire and Andrea Sorrentino saved Oliver Queen after the New 52 left this series in shambles. This is their last issue on “Green Arrow”, and while it is part of DC’S annual September gimmick extravaganza, it still deserves a read.
Southern Bastards #4 ($3.50) – The Jasons Aaron and Latour have really hit it out the park with their new crime series. It’s like “Friday Night Lights” mixed with “History of Violence”. And the bad guy is named Coach Boss. COACH. BOSS. Pick it up, and grab the first three issues if you haven’t already.
Justice League #33 ($3.99) – The Doom Patrol is back. And if you’re a fan of Grant Morrison’s cult classic run, you should jump at this chance to see a little weird and wackiness back in the New 52.
Total: $10.48 – Still far away from $20, so check out ‘Future’s End’ or Wolverine kicking the bucket if that’s your thing
James’ Picks:
New Avengers #24 ($3.99) – Spoilers if you haven’t been keeping up with this series but Namor and Doctor Doom hang out in this issue and form a Cabal with Thanos and his ridiculously named cronies from “Infinity”. This is literally all I want.
Continued belowSouthern Bastards #4 ($3.50) – Out of all the great comics coming out in 2014, I didn’t expect one of my favorites being New 52 King of the Hill.
Nailbiter #5 ($3.50) – If you like NBC’s Hannibal you owe it to yourself to be reading this. Smart, creepy, and a fresh take on serial killer horror.
Total: $10.99
David Henderson’s Picks:
God Hates Astronauts #1 ($3.50) – Last year, at HeroesCon, I got a chance to pick up the hardcover collection of Ryan Browne’s “God Hate Astronauts” after having heard about the Kickstarter for it, but never having enough to contribute to it. I then spent that Monday stuck in the Raleigh-Durham International Airport and read the entire collection in one sitting. I have never ugly laughed as much in my entire life as I did reading that book. I cannot wait for this series.
Southern Bastards #4 ($3.50) – Building continually upon the style and character of the setting of this book with each issue, Jasons Aaron and Latour have created a story that is both very much them and completely unlike any other book on the stands. I can only hope this series hits “Scalped” level of popularity.
The Woods #5 ($3.99) – I love me a good mystery and James Tynion IV has shown that he’s much more than just a back-up “Batman” writer in this series. Filling each issue with unique and genuine characters and pitting them against an imaginative and compelling setting. I can’t wait to see where this one goes and between this, “The Empty Man” and the relaunch of “Hexed”, BOOM! Studios might be on its way to an Image-like revolution. I will be keeping an eye on them more and more.
Nailbiter #5 ($2.99) – Oh, I am loving this one. Joshua Williamson has taken all of the elements you could want in a story about serial killers and thrown them in a big melting pot and he and Mike Henderson have stirred that until this excellent series has emerged. I can’t recommend it enough.
Original Sin #8 ($4.99) – I am still incredibly butthurt that this entire series has transpired almost exactly like a story I had I had a year ago. Just unbelievably butthurt. Still, it’s been a fun ride while it lasted and between this and “Infinity”, I would rank them both as some of Marvel’s best events.
Total: $18.97
Matt’s Picks:
God Hates Astronauts #1 ($3.50) – I think the love of “God Hates Astronauts” has been well documented on this site already, but if you’ve somehow missed it before then I’ll say this: “God Hates Astronauts” is one of the most brilliantly insane and insanely brilliant books to ever come out of the twisted deviant chasm that is Ryan Browne’s thinking space, and we are all so very blessed that he has decided to unleash it in its full fury upon us. It’s a send-up of superheroes, it’s a parody of comics — it’s so many things twisted into one that it is by far the most unpredictable comic experience in the world, and I think by now you should probably stop reading what I’m writing and make sure your retailer will be holding you a copy of this book.
Southern Bastards #4 ($3.50) – The Jasons’ ode to the South has been tough as nails with a healthy dose of gravel in its guts, and I can’t wait to see how the first arc ends.
Original Sin #8 ($4.99) – We’ve had an intriguing beginning. We’ve had an insane middle. Hopefully Marvel’s first successful event in sometime can stick the landing for the finale.
Rocket Raccoon #3 ($3.99) – Marvel has unleashed Skottie Young with this series, and for the first two issues it has really paid off. I can’t imagine that the latest installment won’t be equally as entertaining.
Uber #17 ($3.99) – A consistently underrated title, perhaps due to its publisher and the extreme graphic content present within. However, if you like dark, grim, thoroughly researched and horrifically portrayed war stories, this is the book for you.
Total: $19.97 – I believe “The Wrenchies” is out from First Second this week as well, if you want to get something awesome
