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!
Kate’s Picks:
Messy Roots: A Graphic Novel of a Wuhanese-American ($14.99): On first blush, this appears to be your standard graphic memoir about the immigrant experience – – until you realize the writer is from Wuhan, ground zero for COVID-19 and all its related conspiracy theories. Two years on from the start of the pandemic, this provides a fresh voice on the anti-Asian sentiment that came from COVID that sadly still persists in some circles. Read it while you’re listening to Racist Sexist Boy on repeat.
My Life Beyond Autism ($8.99): Many graphic novels about the autism experience growing up approach it from the perspective of the parent, and it’s rare to hear directly from a child, so this graphic novel (like my other suggestion) takes a standard topic and approaches it from a different angle.
Total: $23.98. Over budget, but these are critical stories not to be missed.
Brian’s Picks:
Batman/Superman: World’s End #1 ($4.99) – Mark Waid’s back and it’s gonna be awesome. Hey ya, hey ya, Mark Waid’s back!
Nightwing #90 ($3.99) – Tom Taylor writing and Bruno Redondo drawing Jonathan Kent and Dick Grayson together is simply the best. PUMP THIS INTO MY VEINS.
The Flash #780 ($3.99) – Who would’ve thought that the ‘War for Earth-3’ crossover would be so much fun? I’m loving this.
Wonder Woman #785 ($4.99) – I fully expected to love this, but so far, this has been a little too decompressed for my taste. Let’s hope this issue picks up the pace a bit.
Total: $17.96 – An all-DC installment that still comes in under $20.
Johnny’s Picks:
Joe Hill’s Rain #3 ($3.99) – I’m still really enamored with artist Zoe Thorogood’s style, which seems perfectly suited for the eerie disquiet this miniseries evokes. Thorogood’s style is expressive and detailed, and the scenes of silent horror in a world wrecked by a mysterious rain are pulled off with an inspiring confidence.
Usagi Yojimbo #27 ($3.99) – One can never go wrong with putting a Usagi comic into another person’s hands, and so I feel like this recommendation is a bit of a cheat. Though I prefer the days of the black and white comics, Stan Sakai never fails to entertain, and this one-off story is a perfect example of what “Usagi Yojimbo” has to offer, a murder mystery ghost story with some fun surprises. A Usagi book always puts a smile on my face, and I hope it will yours, too.
Total: $7.98 – But if you have an extra hundo lying around, I believe Jonathan Hickman and Alan Davis’ breathtaking run on Fantastic Four finally gets another omnibus reprint this week, and superhero books don’t get much better than that.
Mark’s Picks:
PAWS – Volume 1: Gabby Gets It Together ($12.99) – I’ve enjoyed the work of Nathan Fairbairn and Michele Assarasakorn (AKA MSassyK) for a while now, so when they decided to team up for “PAWS,” a series for middle grade readers, I knew I had to check it out. I got an advance look and immediately preordered the book afterwards. As you can tell from the cover, Assarasakorn’s art is very appealing and full of energy, but as she digs into the characters and catches them at their lows, her work shines more. There are little nuances in her performance that add so much when the book is dealing with protagonists that can’t necessarily articulate the emotions and frustrations they’re dealing with. And Fairbairn totally trusts her to carry those moments. They make an excellent team.
Continued belowThe Sword of Hyperborea #3 ($3.99) – As you’d expect from the creative team of Mike Mignola, Rob Williams, and Laurence Campbell, this is another excellent installment. It’s also more standalone than the previous issues, to the point that this could almost function as a standalone issue.
Total: $16.98.
Christopher’s Picks:
Once & Future Vol. 4 ($16.99) – Time for more social commentary on the state of the UK and dazzling Medieval monster art from Kieron Gillen, Dan Mora, and Tamra Bonvillain. It was really hard picking just one trade this week by the way, I was really spoiled for choice between this, “Adora & the Distance,” the latest “Last Airbender” omnibus, the newest bite-sized “Hawkeye” reprint, and “Blade Runner: Origins” Vol. 2, but catching up with the McGuires (and Rose) takes priority.
Total: $16.99
