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.
Follow the cut to see everyone’s picks for the week.
Matthew’s Picks
Action Comics #1 ($3.99) – Everyone is going to say the same thing: Grant Morrison + Superman = Buy. It’s true. You can’t argue with math, can you?
Casanova: Avarita #1 ($4.99) – Casanova is one of the best comics ever. End of discussion.
Atomic Robo and the Ghost of Station X #1 ($3.50) – I didn’t even know new Atomic Robo was coming back until now, but hey, better late than never! This is a #1 you can bet your britches will be good.
Morning Glories #12 ($2.99) – One of my favorite books, and one of my favorite issues of the series. It just keeps getting better and better.
Stormwatch #1/Swamp Thing #1/Animal Man #1 ($2.99 each) – Look, I’ll be honest with you readers. I don’t care about the DCnU. I’m not going to sit it out like a grump, but I do not plan to get most of the books. Maybe later in trade, but not right away, anyway. However, I will be getting Stormwatch, Swamp Thing, and Animal Man this week. Just pick one of those titles for my last pick, and we’ll call it a day, ok?
Total: $18.46
Walt’s Picks:
Casanova: Avarita #1 ($4.99) – I love the super-spy genre. So does Matt Fraction. And holy crap is he good at writing it. Casanova is one of those few comics that is truly unlike anything else on the stands, and is one of the most imaginative things you will ever read. I repeat: ever. Plus, holy crap is it visually awesome. One of the few things on the market these days that is worth a $4.99 price tag.
Action Comics #1 ($3.99) – Grant Morrison gets Superman. Sure, he’s taking the character in a slightly different direction than we’re used to, but it looks like this is going to be an interesting return to the character’s roots. Anyway, I’m just looking for a good story, and I trust Morrison and master storyteller Rags Morales to give me one.
Swamp Thing #1 ($2.99) – Scott Snyder is a master of horror. If Swamp Thing must be reintegrated into the DC Universe, there’s no one I would trust more than him. Scott has been hyping the series up on Twitter, and he’s certainly succeeded in piquing my interest. Of course, a lot of that is because of the artistic team, too, which may be the best of the relaunch lineups.
Stormwatch #1 ($2.99) – I’m not sure how I feel about Wildstorm characters in the DCU, but just like Snyder and Swamp Thing, I have 100% trust in Paul Cornell’s take on Stormwatch, if for no reason than because they’re going to fight the goddamn moon. That is so incredibly awesome that I don’t know how to express it.
Moon Knight #5 ($3.99) – Don’t forget Marvel! Moon Knight is Brian Michael Bendis and Alex Maleev doing what they do best, and that should be all you really need to say “please sir, may I have some more.” Or whatever that quote is. Dickens can piss off.
Total: $18.95
Brian’s Picks
Justice League International #1 ($2.99) – For the year it existed, Justice League: Generation Lost delivered more consistently than almost any other DC book. Although the team (both on the page and behind the scenes) has changed a bit, I am hoping that this continues in the vein of JL:GL. Plus: Plastic Man!
Action Comics #1 ($3.99) – This is an obvious choice, but what more can I say? Grant Morrison + Superman = Must Buy.
Batgirl #1 ($2.99) – Gail Simone, in so many words, has said that Barbara Gordon was going to be Batgirl whether or not she was writing it. So, she took the assignment so that she could try and do it right. I am a big enough Simone fan to give this book a chance, even though I am strongly in the “Babs should still be Oracle” camp.
Men of War #1 ($3.99) – One of my hopes for the DCnU is that a more diverse product is offered, and that means more books like this. I’m personally not dying for a war comic, but I believe in supporting the fringe books so that we get more unusual and unexpected books in the future.
Animal Man #1/Swamp Thing #1/Stormwatch #1 ($2.99 each) – Paul Cornell, Scott Snyder, and Jeff Lemire were three creators that I initially feared wouldn’t be a part of the DCnU. Each not only is a part of the relaunch, but each have two books that all look great. Our $20 plan doesn’t allow me to get all three of these, but pick two of the three and you can’t go wrong.
Total: $19.94
David’s Picks
Stormwatch #1 ($2.99) – I have been a long time fan of Stormwatch. Pretty much since there has been a Stormwatch, and somehow this book consistently gets great teams. This one, Paul Cornell and Miguel Sepulveda, looks particularly promising. With a team that blends our favorites from The Authority with Martian Manhunter, plus a plot that seems to pit them against THE MOON, this book is something I am incredibly excited about.
Action Comics #1 ($3.99) – I can finally say I own Action Comics #1!!! Yay! Okay, that isn’t the main reason why I want this book. The main reason is the deadly duo of Grant Morrison and Rags Morales, and no matter how silly I may find indestructible cape baby blankets, I can’t wait to see how this turns out. The early leader for best DCnU book.
Casanova: Avaritia #1 ($4.99) – Who needs the DCnU when you have Matt Fraction, Gabriel Ba and Casanova Quinn? As frustrating as I may find Fraction’s other work, this series is one of the absolute best in comics, and the launch of a new edition of it is worth celebration by all. Even at $4.99.
Morning Glories #12 ($2.99) – Nick Spencer, Joe Eisma and Rodin Esquejo are good at comics. With the character specific issues over and the previous issue ending in one hell of a cliffhanger, this book looks like it is just starting to hit its stride. I for one am extremely excited for every issue, even if I was temporarily skeptical about this book earlier on.
Animal Man #1 ($2.99) – I am not nearly as big of a fan of Animal Man as most are. I liked Morrison’s run. I loved him in 52. But besides that, not a huge fan. That said, I am a huge fan of Jeff Lemire, and after interviewing the guy and hearing what he had to say about this book and about artist Travel Foreman’s work, I am all about it. This book is going to be awesome. Fact.
Total: $17.95
Josh’s Picks
Animal Man #1 ($2.99) – One of my all time favorite writers writing one of my all time favorite characters. I don’t fucking care if any of you like it, this has the best of 2011 locked in already.
Continued belowSwamp Thing #1 ($2.99) – I’ve always been curious about this character and now that he’s getting a fresh start courtesy of Scott Snyder, I can’t pinpoint a better time to dive in.
Stormwatch #1 ($2.99) – Another set of characters I’ve never quite had the time to dig into being brought back to life by a beloved writer of mine. Locked.
Action Comics #1 ($3.99) – Superman. Grant Morrison. Are you kidding me? Locked. Locked so hard.
Morning Glories #12 ($2.99) – If you’ve been reading this site consistently for any length of time and don’t know how good this book is then you clearly don’t know how to pay attention.
Sweet Tooth #25 ($2.99) – see above.
Total: $18.94
Gil’s Picks
Action Comics #1 ($3.99) — As if there was a doubt I’d pick this up. This is quite literally a dream come true for me, as a fan of the Big Blue Boy Scout. Ever since All-Star Superman, I wanted to see what he could do with Superman in-continuity, and the places he could take him. Oh man, the places Grant will take Superman. I am beyond excited at this point. I’m elated.
Batgirl #1 ($2.99) — To be honest, when I heard Barbara Gordon was going to be back as Batgirl, I was confused as to why. But I’ll still give the book an honest shot, especially because I want to know HOW she’ll be able to walk about, and Gail Simone is one of my favorite writers.
Justice League International ($2.99) — Generation Lost was probably my favorite book from last year. I’ve been excited for this book for some time, and now I just want to know why Booster Gold is seemingly Canadian now. Will hockey be retconned out of his origin in favor of Hockey? Perhaps…LASER HOCKEY…from the FUTURE? I dig it.
Static Shock #1 (2.99) — Lot of #1’s on this list. But I’ve been a fan of Static for a long time, and the fact he’s finally getting his own title again? I can’t wait. And while some of the redesigns have been hit or miss, I love Static’s new look.
Stormwatch ($2.99) — Two words: Paul Cornell.
X-Factor #224.1 ($2.99) — Consistently the best X-Book, I can’t think of a reason you don’t already pick this up. But if you don’t, now’s the perfect time to check in and read up on this excellent title.
Total: $18.94
