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!
Sweet Tooth #37 ($2.99) – What can I say that we have not said before? “Sweet Tooth” is one of the few post-apocalyptic pieces of fiction out there that is both unique and great. Jeff Lemire has led us on a merry chase, but it’s about time for everything to come to a close. On the one hand, it is sad to see this title go; on the other, I have no doubt that this final arc is going to be incredible. Godspeed, Gus and company.
Hawkeye #2 ($2.99) – David Aja is an artist whose comics I will buy regardless of who he is working with. When he’s working with his “Immortal Iron Fist” partner, Matt Fraction, though, I will buy twenty copies (okay, still just one, but I wish I had twenty). The debut issue of Hawkeye was a total blast, and this series would be permanently added to my pull were it not for one thing: Aja is taking a brief break in only a couple of issues. Javier Pulido is great, don’t get me wrong, but I’m buying this for the combo of Aja and Fraction. Still, until then I have no complaints.
Animal Man #0 ($2.99) – Another origin story for Buddy Baker? Haven’t we seen a comic issue about this before? Hmm. Still, good comics are good comics, and a great creative team is well worth seeing yet another take on our favorite heroes, especially when the current series has been so good. That is really the only reason to buy a comic, not for any of this silly crossover business (note: the conspicuous lack of “Swamp Thing” on my list).
Creator Owned Heroes #4 ($3.99) – “Creator Owned Heroes” is an interesting little book. Half comic anthology, half medium-loving magazine, it is different from most everything else on [American] comic shelves, and stands as an example of what more we can do with this format. That alone is worth $3.99.
Thief of Thieves #8 ($2.99) – I loved Nick Spencer’s arc on this exciting heist book, but now it is time for James Asmus to take bat. To be honest, though, Asmus has never really impressed me as a writer, and between that and the recent bad press regarding Robert Kirkman’s possible swindling of Tony Moore (intellectual property is an important matter to me), I am giving this next arc one shot to impress me. Harsh, I know, but I need to thin my list a bit.
Action Comics #0 ($3.99) – Like others on this site, I am a huge Grant Morrison fan. Also like others, I have been incredibly disappointed with his “Action Comics” run, especially after Morrison displayed how much he got the character in both his comic “All-Star Superman” and his book Supergods. I have fallen behind on this comic a good deal, so I am giving this month’s #0 a chance to convince me to catch up. I don’t have high hopes, but it would be nice if it knocked my socks off.
Total: $19.94
Earth 2 #0 ($2.99) – Perhaps the DC Zero Issue that I am most curious about, given the fates of the original Earth 2 heroes in the very first issue. James Robinson gets a chance to turn back the clock a little and show us a little more about what this Earth was like before the modern JSA members started cropping up.
Dial H #0 ($2.99) – Perhaps the DC Zero Issue that I least wanted to see, despite being this book’s biggest fan. I’m enjoying the fact that we don’t have an intricate origin story for the world of “Dial H” and I’d rather keep bowling forward vs. stopping to explain something that doesn’t need explaining. Of course, the brilliant China Mieville may not even do that. He’s such a clever writer that I’m sure he’ll navigate Zero Month just fine.
Continued belowHell Yeah #5 ($2.99) – Joe Keatinge’s multiverse bending cape book is the best book with the worst title on the stands. Make no mistake, there’s some big-idea stuff in this comic, where dozens of versions of our main hero play both heroes and villains in a story whose ultimate scope has yet to be revealed. It’s been a lot of fun so far, and some of the best moments come from how reverent this series is to the comics that have come before it.
Amazing Spider-Man #693 ($3.99) – This is one of those books that I could recommend every time it comes out, but I leave it off in favor of giving other titles a bump. As long as Dan Slott is on the book, it’s going to be a buy. He’s already crafted a pretty big chunk of Spidey’s history and he shows no signs of losing inspiration or slowing down. His work noticeably gets to the heart of what makes “Spider-Man” who he is, going all the way back to the Stan Lee and Steve Ditko years.
Hawkeye #2 ($2.99) – The resounding success that was Hawkeye #1 earns it a spot on my pull list until it’s canceled or a new talent pairing shows up. I don’t want this book with anyone but Matt Fraction and David Aja on it, art fill-ins be damned.
Fashion Beast #1 ($3.99) – A faithfully adapted Alan Moore script outline from his glory years? How could anyone resist?
Total: $19.94
Animal Man #0 ($2.99) – This is going to explain the New 52 origins of Animal Man, so it will either be really good or make me and the rest of you Buddy Baker fans out there really mad.
Fashion Beast #1 ($3.99) – A missing screenplay, commissioned by Malcolm McLaren (manager of the New York Dolls and the Sex Pistols, one of the biggest behind-the-scenes influences on the look and sound of the punk rock movement), written by Alan Moore, adapted to the comics medium by Antony Johnston and Facundo Percio, about a gender-bending model hired by the world’s most famous fashion designer, a manipulative, ugly and evil recluse… Man, if this comic doesn’t sound interesting to you, what’s wrong with you? Or maybe the question is, what’s wrong with me?
Hawkeye #2 ($2.99) – Fraction and Aja did a fantastic job with #1. If #2 is just as good, this may be my new favorite Marvel title!
Swamp Thing #0 ($2.99) – The story of Anton Arcane, avatar of the Rot, and how Alec Holland is the first avatar of the Green or Red capable of stopping him. Should be interesting, or at least not as likely to piss me off as Animal Man #0…
Thief of Thieves #8 ($2.99) – Robert Kirkman’s other other comic is just now getting it’s second story arc, scripted by James Asmus. The first arc by Nick Spencer started off slow, but ended with a killer twist.
Ultimate Comics: Spider-Man #14 ($3.99) – Speaking of favorite Marvel titles, I am loving this new Miles Morales guy. Things have been moving a little slow, action-wise, but it’s given Bendis plenty of time to show us who this kid is and why we should care about him after he replaced everyone’s beloved Peter Parker. In this issue, he’s teaming up with the Ultimates as part of the “Divided We Fall” Ultimate Universe crossover event. Will he prove himself good enough to join them?
Total: $19.94 – You’ll need some pocket change to cover taxes, but I fit in 6 books this week instead of 5, so be happy! Also, apparently I like superheroes after all?
TMNT Micro-Series: Fugitoid ($3.99) – I have it on good authority that this is going to be great.
Manhattan Projects vol. 1: Science Bad ($14.99) – This decision was a bit difficult, because truth be told I wanted to also include the first “Glory” trade in my CSBC this week. However, “Manhattan Projects” is by far one of my favorite new books of the year, and for the non-traditional comic reader it’s quite perfect. Plus, Nick Pitarra needs money so he can keep his computer on for another eight months. (That said, if you happen to have an extra ten bucks in your pocket and are looking for another fantastic series, that “Glory” book should be quite good as well.)
Continued belowTotal: $18.98 – You’re only going home with two things this week, but both are very worthwhile.
Green Lantern #0 ($2.99) — Only in the Green Lantern books could a new character be introduced, potentially “taking over” the book, and there is barely any hoopla about it. Such is the nature of the Green Lantern books — plenty of room for new characters, and hopefully, Baz is an interesting one.
Earth 2 #0 ($2.99) — Terry Sloane, the Golden Age Mister Terrific, gets an origin tale here, and this alternate world keeps changing and growing and becoming more and more interesting.
Hawkeye #2 ($2.99) — Following up one of the best debut issues of the year, this issue, from the preview we posted awhile ago, looks gorgeous, and I have no doubt that Matt Fraction will deliver the goods — this is one of the most anticipated books of the month for me, and I can honestly say I never bought a Hawkeye comic before last month.
Action Comics #0 ($3.99) — While “Action” hasn’t lived up to its hype, the last few months have been a nice re-focusing of what Morrison is trying to do with the book. Plus, fresh off his work on “Batwing” is Ben Oliver, one of the most talented artists working today. And, though I feel I may be in the minority here, I love what Sholly Fisch has been doing in the backups.
Stormwatch #0 ($2.99) — How one issue can possibly begin to explain Stormwatch, I don’t know. But I want to see how Milligan tries to swing this.
Total: $15.95
