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!
Vince’s Picks:
Green Lantern/Huckleberry Hound Special #1 ($4.99) – Mark Russell’s Hanna-Barbera stuff has been out of this world, and actually some of my very favorite stuff DC has been putting out over the last couple of years. He looks to continue his strong streak of mixing social commentary with irreverent characters, and the injection of my favorite Green Lantern doesn’t hurt either.
The Wild Storm #18 ($3.99) – For my money, the best book DC is publishing. Month in and month out, it’s a masterclass in sci-fi action world-building and the fact that Warren Ellis and Jon Davis-Hunt will have done every issue together when this is all over is a major achievement. More Big 2 books should strive for this level of craft.
Hex Wives #1 ($3.99) – It’s a book about badass witches versus MGTOW guys drawn by Mirka Andolfo, what more do you want?
Disney Afternoon Giant #1 ($5.99) – It’s a scary world out there. Wrap yourself in a blanket and read a big book of cartoon fun.
Total: $18.96
Kate’s Picks:
Man-Eaters #2 ($3.99) – One thing I love about Chelsea Cain is her unabashed feminist agenda, mixed in with humor and fun. This series has all three of them. If you’re a parent and you have teens/pre-teens that want to watch The Handmaid’s Tale give them this instead.
West Coast Avengers #3 ($3.99) – I had high hopes for this series since it promised me the return of both Kate Bishop and Gwenpool, and so far it has yet to disappoint.
Hex Wives #1 ($3.99) – What if Charmed (or even Chilling Adventures of Sabrina) and Desperate Housewives had a baby? This would probably be the result.
Heroes in Crisis #2 ($3.99) – Loved it. hated it, or somewhere in between (I’m in the third camp), let’s see what Tom King’s opus brings us for the second issue.
Green Lantern/Huckleberry Hound Special #1 ($4.99) – I really liked Huck’s appearance in “Exit Stage Left: The Snagglepuss Chronicles;” he does well in the period pieces. Sort of sad that this is only a one-off special.
Total: $20.95
Nick’s Picks:
Green Lantern/Huckleberry Hound #1 ($4.99) – I’ve read every comic Mark Russell has written and I’m not going to stop now. He does his best with the strangest characters, so I’m sure he’ll find a lot to say by sticking Huckleberry Hound in the social climate of the early 70s.
Fence #11 ($3.99) – Only two issues before the book switches over to OGNs! I think the book will work much better in that format, but I’m still enjoying these singles.
Nancy Drew #5 ($3.99) – The end! Mysteries solved! Character arcs concluded! Laughs will be had and hearts will be warmed! I’m going to miss this book.
West Coast Avengers #3 ($3.99) – Such an unusual team brought together with wacky writing and expressive art. A purely fun read.
Doom Patrol #12 ($3.99) – I’ve missed you, old friend.
Total: $20.95. I’m a little over this time. Blame the Secret Squirrel backup in that DC/Hanna-Barbera special.
Kevin’s Picks:
“West Coast Avengers” #3 ($3.99) – Best of Marvel, best of Avengers. We get more Kelly Thompson and Stefano Caselli goodness this week, and I’m so happy cause this book is gorgeous, hilarious and wonderful. But pretty much all of Kelly Thompson’s Marvel work recently has been.
“Sex Death Revolution” #1 ($3.99) – Mags Visaggio is a must buy for me at this point, and a book about rewriting history and identity is right in my wheelhouse of things I wanna read about. Basically this is a must and should be for you too.
Continued below“Doom Patrol” #12 ($3.99) – They’re back! Just in time for spooky, scary time! This book has had a horrible release schedule, but I love all the weird, meta, bullshit and I hope we get more after this issue, and more consistently. Until then I’ll settle for my heart being warmed (and frightened).
“Justice League Dark and Wonder Woman: The Witching Hour ” #1 ($4.99) – Speaking of the spooky, ‘The Witching Hour’ ends this week. The mystical gobbledygook of the DCU will be written and James Tynion IV will keep on trucking as “Justice League Dark” marches on and G. Willow Wilson takes over “Wonder Woman” next month. This has been a big, fun crossover and I’m glad Tynion is getting bigger, more bombastic work because I think all his ideas are super fun. I have a feeling this is only the beginning.
“Justice League/Aquaman: Drowned Earth” #1 ($4.99) – Speaking of beginnings, the next saga in Scott Snyder’s “Justice League” run starts this week as well with ‘Drowned Earth’ swallowing the book for the month of November. Tynion is helping co-write this as well, and if this arc is anything like ‘The Totality’ it’ll be big, stupid, make little sense, but you’ll find yourself smiling and laughing anyway. Plus, Howard Porter and Francis Manapul doing gorgeous art is maybe the best of all possible worlds.
Total: $21.95. Went a little over this week, but instead of buying that discounted Halloween candy on Thursday, spend your money on more comics!
Matt Lune’s Picks:
Hex Wives #1 ($3.99) – There’s a spooky theme to my comic selections this week, and with good reason: it’s the scariest time of the year! Kicking off we’ve got a new Vertigo series about an immortal coven of witches brought back into a war against the patriarchal Architects…
Wytches Bag Egg Halloween Special ($7.99) – Love this series, and if any book was fit for a scary special it’s “Wytches.” If you’ve not read this series before (where have you been?) then this is definitely the season to dive in.
Avengers Halloween Special #1 ($4.99) – The holiday specials from the Big Two are always a bit hit or miss, but I’ll never discourage them from trying. Whether it’s Christmas or Halloween, I’ll always pick up a seasonal special.
Shanghai Red #5 ($3.99) – Slightly bucking the trend with this final entry, but if you’ve not found things to be scared of in this series so far then maybe we’ve been reading different books. Either way, the fact that this is coming to an end all-too-soon is cause enough for a fright.
Total: $20.96 – Slightly over budget, but not…scarily so.
Ken’s Picks:
The Wild Storm #18 ($3.99): That book that continues to fly undeserving under the radar continues and after that banger of an end to #17, I gotta know what happens.
Total: $3.99
