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!
Leo’s Picks:
Manifest Destiny #16 ($2.99) – Consistently one of my favorite books and also consistently underhyped, “Manifest Destiny” continues to put Lewis, Clark, and the rest of the Corps of Discovery in increasingly ridiculous and dangerous situations. The current arc finds them interacting with some cute little bird people, that also just happen to eat humans.
Birthright #10 ($2.99) – At this point, I think most of us are aware that “Birthright” is something special. Williamson and Bressan are creating one of the most interesting and beautiful books on the stands, in my opinion. That mix of high fantasy and familial guilt is a hell of a combination.
Postal #6 ($3.99) – “Postal” has been a surprise find for me. Initially, I didn’t think it’d much to my liking, but after a few issues I was pleasantly surprised. I think there’s a trade out too, so get caught up.
Welcome Back #1 ($3.99) – I suspect this will make a few lists, but I dig a lot of what Sebela and Sawyer have done separately, so it only makes sense to be down with “Welcome Back”, right?
Total: $13.96. Honorable mention goes to the “Strange Nation” trade, because I need more print editions of Monkeybrain books in my life.
Kevin’s Picks:
Young Terrorists #1 ($6.99)– I have read pretty much everything from Black Mask Studios thus far and they rarely disappoint. This time 80 pages of story for $6.99 is too good a deal to pass up.
Archie #2 ($3.99)– Hard to believe that “Archie” is back to the beginning with this fantastic reboot. Mark Waid crafted an excellent first issue with Fiona Staples and that trend looks to continue.
Giant Days #6 ($3.99)– The half way point for a book that Boom! Took a huge risk on. There are no heroes, no super powers, just a great coming of age story about friendship, what is not to love?
Hip Hop Family Tree #1 ($3.99)– From the webcomic to graphic novel to monthly series. It has been quite a journey and the results have been stunning. Anyone who is a fan of history, hip hop and music in general should give this one a go.
Welcome Back #1 ($3.99)– Christopher Sebela return’s to Boom! With this high concept miniseries that has an Aeon Flux style feel to it. Having read this issue already, I am totally excited to see where it goes from here.
Total: $22.95 – A tiny bit over this week but what an awesome week to be a fan of non-hero comics.
Greg’s Picks:
Astro City #26 ($3.99) – This book has been one of the best comics on the stands for the last 20 years (don’t let the low number fool you; there’ve been a few restarts over that time). It’s also worth a pull any week it shows up, but this week in particular is a treat because Busiek & Anderson are revisiting the concept of that first issue: Samaritan’s dreams. Can wait to see this new take!
Hip Hop Family Tree #1 ($3.99) – I’ve lost count of how many different iterations this material has been through, but this new monthly series has commentary & extras, in addition to being fantastic in its own right. I already have the oversized collections, but I’m double-dipping here, and proud to do so.
Secret Wars Secret Love ($4.99) – Fiffe. Daredevil. Writing & drawing. Done.
Stray Bullets: Sunshine & Roses #7 (3.50) – Image has a lot of great crime books at the moment: “Criminal” (basically), the new Rich Tomasso series “Dark Corridor”, “Thief of Thieves”, and this bad boy. So glad Lapham brought it back!
Continued belowTrees #12 (2.99) – Ellis is known for doing short little runs on books, but I think his & Josh Howard’s run is going to go on for a little bit. Which is great, because it’s a cool sci-fi book by someone who likes populating his sci-fi with people and ideas as much as cool visuals.
Total: $19.46
Ken’s Picks:
Ivar, Timewalker #8 ($3.99)- Behold! The best “Doctor Who” stories we have going on right now. I’m serious. The story of Ivar Anni-Padda and especially Dr. Neela Sethi has been a load of fun. This is the conclusion to “Breaking History” and trust me, it’s a heartbreaker.
Book of Death #2 ($3.99)- The first issue was an interesting look at the future of the Valiant Universe. Lots of potential held in that Book of the Geomancer. Now just hoping the present storyline will kick in now.
Archie #2 ($3.99)- More #CuteJughead being an awesome Machiavellian chessmaster, please!
Total: $11.97
Brian’s Picks:
Star Wars #8 ($3.99) – I have seen the perfect “Star Wars” artist, and his name is Stuart Immonen.
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth #134 ($3.50) – We are MUCH closer to the end than to the beginning of “Hell on Earth” – so we must savor every single drop of it.
Dr. Fate #3 ($2.99) – One of DC’s more interesting new titles, I’m really interested to see how/if the history of the Fate helmet comes into play. At this point, it might even be more interesting/fun if it doesn’t.
Secret Six #5 ($2.99) – Sure, this isn’t the “Secret Six” that we all know and love, but the past few issues have been quite impressive, and are leading the book somewhere really interesting.
Total: $13.47
Keith’s Picks:
New MGMT #1 ($3.99) – Matt Kindt is sure to draw tears out of me with this one-shot finale of one of the greatest series I’ve ever read.
Archie #2 ($3.99) – I was pleasantly surprised with the first issue and never thought I’d be reading an Archie book that wasn’t “Afterlife with Archie”. With those two books and “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina”, Archie Comics is on a roll.
Justice League #43 ($3.99) – Each chapter of “The Darkseid War” has been exactly what Geoff Johns has said it would be: an event. With Batman in the Mobius Chair and more New Gods action, this issue is guaranteed to be another exciting and gorgeous issue (with art courtesy of the brilliant Jason Fabok).
Robin Son of Batman #3 ($3.99) – Patrick Gleason understands Damian and, with the two previous issues, proved himself worthy of telling Batman’s son’s story through both pictures AND words.
Martian Manhunter #3 ($2.99) – Writer Rob Williams’ previous issues have deftly combined the strange and unusual with a traditional superhero story. This series has the potential to be something amazing as long as DC keeps publishing it. Buy this book, people.
Total: $18.95 – If you want to scrap purchasing new titles this week, the “Wonder Woman by George Perez Omnibus Volume 1” is scheduled for release. I’ve been wanting to read this storied run and now I have my chance.
Matt Garcia’s Picks:
Hip Hop Family Tree #1 ($3.99) – This book is super cool and if you haven’t been reading it in the oversized trades or online at Boing Boing, then you can just start picking it up over here as a new monthly.
Island #2 ($7.99) – Brandon Graham and Emma Rios’s attempt to bring a monthly comics magazine to a mainstream audience continues. An eclectic collection of material, Graham and Rios curate so much that you’re bound to find at least one thing you like over here.
Star Wars #8 ($3.99) – Stuart Immonen takes over.
The Fiction #3 ($3.99) – Trippy yet intriguing, this comic is bearing lots of old classic fairy tale tropes and it’s been super interesting to watch develop.
Total: $19.96
