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:
Wonder Girl #4 ($3.99) – Joelle Jones (now accompanied by artist Adriana Melo) continues to make jaw-droppingly beautiful comics, and as Yara Flor’s story opens up for us, I find myself loving this title more and more.
Echolands #3 ($4.99) – I really have no idea what the hell is going on in this book – but I don’t need to, as the book puts me in the warm, loving embrace of some utterly mind-blowing J.H. Williams III art. As an individual who is really digging fantasy comics right now, this title is helping to scratch that itch. Outstanding series.
The Good Asian #6 ($3.99) – Still very much enjoying this detective noir from Pornsak Pichetshote, Alexandre Tefenkgi, and Image Comics – and as we barrel towards the conclusion I’m looking forward not only to the resolution of this story, but hopeful that this pair of creators aren’t done creating together!
Total: $12.97
Mark’s Picks:
Hellboy: The Silver Lantern Club #1 ($3.99) – This is a series I’ve been waiting for for well over a decade, so obviously I’m picking it up. With Ben Stenbeck on art duties for the 1953 sequences (Yes, this series sits in with Stenbeck’s “Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1953” stories), and Christopher Mitten on the 19th century stuff with Sir Edward Grey, Sarah Jewell, et al., “The Silver Lantern Club” is a joy to read. While this is technically a five-issue miniseries, it’s really a series of one-shots. This is a great way to introduce the Silver Lantern Club, since it can jump to different eras and characters. It’s extremely accessible to new readers while being rewarding for longtime readers.
Lady Baltimore: The Witch Queens #5 ($3.99) – A bit late thanks to the pandemic and paper shortages, but at last we get the conclusion to the first arc of “Lady Baltimore.” Outerverse readers, don’t miss this one―it changes things going forward in a big way.
Black Hammer: Reborn #5 ($3.99) – Yes, the last issue was only two weeks ago―pandemic schedules are weird―but given the cliffhanger at the end of #4, it’s probably a good thing we didn’t have to wait a full month for this one. Also, Inspector Insector shows up in a back-up story, so expect to see more of Limbo Land.
TKO Presents Tales of Terror ($7.99) – I’m picking up the digital edition so that I can fit it on this list. Nine short stories, perfect for Hallowe’en, I had to include this. As you can see from my list below, there were a lot of titles I could’ve put here, but it felt right to go with something appropriate for the season.
Total: $19.96. I’m also picking up “Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters” #7, “Two Moons” #6, “Time Before Time” #6, “Primordial” #2, “Adventureman” #6, “A Man’s Skin – Volume 1,” “Dracula: Son of the Dragon,” and “Snow Angels – Season Two” #5. Holy crap, the comics industry is making it real hard to stay below $20 this week.
Brian’s Picks:
Hellboy: The Silver Lantern Club #1 ($3.99) – I must admit, I have not been keeping up with the Mignolaverse books the way I used to; call it a mixture of fatigue, Scott Allie grossness, and the lack of John Arcudi. But this series has seriously piqued my interest and I can’t wait to dig in and see how this connects a huge swath of Hellboy history.
Aquaman/Green Arrow Deep Target #1 ($3.99) – This book has an incredibly fun twist that I did not see coming, and to me elevates the title’s concept to something that requires more attention than it is likely getting. This is a fun little book, and is continuing 2021’s Aqua-renaissance.
Continued belowThe Harbinger #1 ($3.99) – Valiant Comics, twice in my lifetime, has been the hot new publisher, who is doing interesting and exciting work with creators that are making names for themselves. 2021 is not such an era. Times are tough for Valiant, and don’t seem to be getting any better. That said, one of the three best X-Men books of the last decade was Joshua Dysart’s “Harbinger” series, and so I’m willing to give the return of that status quo a shot, even if there’s nary a Dysart to be seen.
Total: $11.97
Kate’s Picks:
Lady Baltimore: The Witch Queens #5 ($3.99) – You’ll see my Mignolaversity review with Mark Tweedale later this week, but trust me when I tell you: this is worth the wait. While not my first dip in the Mignolaverse pool, this is by far my favorite.
Winchester Mystery House #1 ($3.99) – Explore the history of one of the world’s most haunted houses in this new series, just in time for Halloween!
The Secret Garden on 81st Street ($12.99) – I always go in to these modern retellings of literary classics with a hefty spoonful of skepticism, but this retelling of The Secret Garden, using a community garden and the “technology as babysitter” conflict set up might just work.
Total: $20.97
