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!
Johnny’s Picks:
Mazebook #1 ($5.99) – $5.99? FIVE NINETY-NINE per ish for another Lemire exploration of parents, children, and the enigmatic gulf between. *ssssiiiigh* What do you think I am, Dark Horse, a sucker? FINE. But this is the LAST TIME. Narrator It was not the last time.
Conan #25 ($4.99) – In Marvel’s not-at-all confusing legacy numbering, Conan turns 300! Yep, 300 issues of our favorite barbarian, and this oversized anniversary issue nabs some great talent to celebrate! Not only will I be snagging the sweet Peach Momoko variant cover, but I look forward to seeing contributions from Marcos Martin, Larry Hama, and Dan Slott within. Should be good fun!
Justice League Infinity #3 ($3.99) – A DC book who’s continuity is beholden to nothing but the spectacular cartoon that preceded it feels manageable to me, and comforting. I don’t think this is the greatest book on the stands, but it gives me a proper DC superhero fix without the decades of backstories behind it.
Total: $14.97. A mediocre week and I still almost hit my $20. Andy Jackson don’t spend like he used to!
Mark’s Picks:
The Me You Love in the Dark #2 ($3.99) – I’m a little late to Skottie Young and Jorge Corona’s new series. I just picked up the first issue and I loved it. The location really comes to life, with most of the story unfolding in a single room. Jean-Francois Beaulieu’s colors are fantastic, and Nate Piekos’s lettering, with the strange negative space shapes emitted from a record player, is delightfully inventive. I’m happily on board for more.
Mazebook #1 ($5.99) – A new Jeff Lemire solo book is always an exciting thing for me and this one clicked immediately. Little flourishes in the page layouts and their interplay with the internal dialogue were especially satisfying.
The Incredible Unteens #2 ($3.99) – God damn, this series is great. I would recommend it for the scene transitions alone. Clearly everyone involved is having a lot of fun, even the editor. Jeff Lemire and Tyler Crook make a hell of a team.
6 Sidekicks of Trigger Keaton #4 ($3.99) – This series from Kyle Starks and Chris Schweizer is a lot of fun and that goes all the way to the special features. (This issue, it’s a transcript interview with Richard Brannigan, complete with coffee stains.) The special features are such a great way to build the world of the comic, to the point that I must insist they are essential to the reading experience.
Total: $17.96. It’s a fantastic selection this week, but as always the $20 limit is still too confining. There’s a few graphic novels coming out I’ll need to take a peek at―Jason Pamment’s “Treasure in the Lake” looks particularly interesting.
Christopher’s Picks:
City of Dragons: The Awakening Storm ($12.99) – Jaimal Yogis and Vivian Truong’s children’s graphic novel is about a girl who moves with her parents to Hong Kong, and comes into possession of a dragon egg. Simply put, I love stories about dragons, and am naturally curious about the setting since my mum is from HK, so yes, I’m definitely placing this in my basket.
Last Flight Out #1 ($3.99) – I happen to really like Marc Guggenheim’s work (he was one of Trollhunters‘ lead writers), and I found his description of his new series, which is all about the evacuation of Earth, immensely relatable — OK, so I’m not a “a father trying to reconnect with his daughter,” but going to live on a space ark? Yeah, I’m all about that.
Total: $16.98. I’m spoilt for choice today, with the Ms. Marvel and Spider-Ham graphic novels from Scholastic also out this week, “Artie and the Moon,” a Star Wars manga, and the lavish looking “Orphan King.”
