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!
Kevin’s Picks:
“Young Justice” #1 ($4.99) – Today is the day! Wonder Comics debuts with Bendis and Gleason’s “Young Justice” just in time for Outsiders to dump a new batch of episodes on DC Universe. I’ve been excited about this book since it was announced and can’t wait to see all these characters with such weird continuity hiccups at the moment play in the same playground. Plus the art is beautiful and I’ll buy any DC book that the preview uses the word “Crisis.” Also shoot the sexy Superboy Jimenez variant cover into my veins.
“Captain Marvel” #1 ($4.99) – More big well-timed debuts this week: Kelly Thompson and Carmen Carnero are relaunching Carol before her big movie in two months. Wow March is in two months. Anyway. Kelly Thompson is on fire right now, and this seems like a culmination of cool things she’s been doing. I’m calling right now that this run is going to be long and awesome. The Kellys know Carol.
“Miles Morales: Spider-Man” #2 ($3.99) – We talked about the first issue of this book on Make Mine Multiversity last month with the release of Into the Spider-Verse (there seems to be a corporate synergy theme here). It’s good. Saladin Ahmed, too, is having a moment at Marvel, and Javier Garron is a rising star. This book feels relevant and grounded and I can’t wait to see where we’re headed from here as Miles questions what it means to be a teenage hero in this day and age. This book’s in good hands.
“Justice League” #15 ($3.99) – No synergy here. Just big bonkers action. Gimme.
Total: $17.96. If you wanted to hit the trifecta of dope debuts you’d also pick up “Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man” #1 as well.
Matt Lune’s Picks:
Young Justice #1 ($4.99) – I’m cheating with this one a little because I’ve already read the review copy, but this is a great issue. It feels like everything I want from teen legacy characters in today’s DC Universe, and I’m all for it.
Criminal #1 ($3.99) – My history with this series is a little spotty, I’ve not read everything under the “Criminal” banner, but last years “My Heroes Have Always Been Junkies” OGN was superb, so I’m looking forward to this.
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1 ($4.99) – I’m a sucker for a new “Spider-Man” book, and while previous volumes of this title have been a little uneven, I’ve loved Tom Taylor’s work so far.
Captain Marvel #1 ($4.99) – She’s the biggest superhero of the year, and with my favorite writer on board (Kelly Thompson) how could I say no?
Die #2 ($3.99) – The first issue of this series was excellent but instantly left me wanting more. I’m looking forward to where Gillen and Hans take me.
Total: $22.95 – Three Big Two debuts at $4.99 push me over the limit, which is the sucky reality of comics these days.
Justin Beeson’s Picks:
Aliens: Dust to Dust #4 ($3.99) – I don’t even remember what’s happening in this book, but I do know that Gabriel Hardman’s art has been stunning as usual.
Batman #62 ($3.99) – I have little interest in Tom King’s “Batman” any more, but Mitch Gerads doing Professor Pyg is worth dipping back in.
Die #2 ($3.99) – This book may be just an amalgam of things we’ve seen before, but Kieron Gillen and Stephanie Hans executed it extremely well in the first issue, and I’m excited to see it develop.
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1 ($4.99) – Tom Taylor has been on fire lately. I’m sad that we don’t have “X-Men: Red” anymore, but seeing him take on Spider-Man will help fill that void.
Continued belowSleepless #11 ($3.99) – My personal favorite series of 2018 is coming to an end. While I can appreciate contained stories, this world is just begging for more. I hope Sarah Vaughn, Leila Del Duca, and Alissa Sallah come back to it at some point in the future.
Total: $20.95. Using some Christmas money to go a little over budget.
Kate’s Picks:
Life is Strange #2 ($3.99) – I am not a big gamer, but Life is Strange is a fun game that explores the concept of the butterfly effect in a quiet, cerebral, beautiful way. While the comic has put forth that one of the two endings of the game is canon (and it wasn’t the ending I had picked), I’m curious to see how Emma Vieceli and company unfold that ending.
Gunning for Hits #1 ($3.99) – Liked Rock of Ages (the film and/or the Broadway musical)? This will be right up your alley.
Hack/Slash vs. Chaos #2 ($3.99) – My fellow Multiversity writer Greg Ellner turned me on to this series, which is a fun mix of horror and humor. It also helped that we found this particular panel (FYI, has NSFW language) that we determined pretty much describes me to a tee. What’s not to love?
Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man #1 ($4.99) – Spider-Man is certainly having a moment right now, thanks to Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (which just won a Golden Globe at this year’s awards). It’s more than the right time to start a new Spider-Man series when eyes and ears are on what has turned out to be a December surprise hit.
Total: $16.96
Vince’s Picks:
The Green Lantern #3 ($3.99) – New year, new me. Just kidding. Back on my bullshit. Grant Morrison is nailing the tone he’s going for and Liam Sharp is at the very top of his game. I mean the tippy top. This book looks so insanely good that it’s worth looking at even if you don’t care for Morrison’s writing (come on now). The lantern books haven’t looked this gloriously weird in years.
Young Justice #1 ($4.99) – This has to be one of the most slap-dash examples of throwing together a team that I’ve ever read, but I’m actually kind of happy we don’t need to do a slow-burn here. Bendis jumps right in, gets the band back together, and gets all their voices just right. And Gleason brings his sense of youthful wonder back from having drawn the Super Sons. “Young Justice” is back, baby. It’s good again.
Total: $8.98
