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:
Cutting Edge: The Siren’s Song #1 ($5.99) – This series, originally published in Italy but getting a translation through Titan’s Statix Press imprint, is what The Amazing Race would probably look like if it was produced by Neil Gaiman. (Which is no surprise since writer Francesco Dimitri has been described as the “Italian Neil Gaiman.”)
Scarenthood #1 ($4.99) – I did an interview with the creative team of this series a few weeks ago, and let me say, you’re all going to enjoy this series, even if you’re not a parent. Think the Stranger Things kids now looking after kids themselves, but longing for one last adventure in the Upside Down. (I have to add that it was a missed opportunity not having it drop the week of Halloween as it is perfect holiday reading, but I’ll take two weeks after the holiday over nothing.)
American Vampire 1976 #2 ($3.99) – I know we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, but I love the variant cover from Francesco Francavilla. It has so much 70s energy, all it’s missing is a CBS Bicentennial Minute.
Total: $14.97
Mark’s Picks:
Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: The Seven Wives Club ($4.99) – Was this even in question? It’s Mike Mignola and Adam Hughes, reuniting in the wake of their Eisner-winning “Hellboy: Krampusnacht.” Why wouldn’t you pick this up?
Decorum #6 ($3.99) – In truth, I’ve only read the first half of the first issue. I stopped reading because I knew pretty quickly Jonathan Hickman and Mike Huddleston’s “Decorum” was a book I’d want to read in one go. This isn’t just a book I’m looking forward to reading, but one I’m looking forward to studying. Huddleston’s storytelling through his art is functioning on a whole other level. However, just because I’m not picking the series up in the singles, doesn’t mean I can’t recommend it to you all.
Total: $8.98. It breaks the budget, but “The Neil Gaiman Library – Volume 2” is worth picking up too.
Johnny’s Picks:
The Impending Blindness of Billie Scott ($16.95) – Zoe Thorogood is a name I think we’ll be hearing about in the industry for quite some time, as her debut graphic novel seems to have already impressed comics critics and professionals alike, just as it has impressed me. With a mature hand, the young cartoonist weaves an optimistic, working-class story of a young British artist, Billie Scott, who upon finally securing a gallery exhibition of her art, learns that she will soon be completely blind. With a health-crisis timetable looming, she takes a trip across Britain to complete portraits of ten strangers. A story that seems antithetical to typical “Doomer” Generation sentiments, this graphic novel is a rather surprising look at class in a modern day Britain by a new talent that is surely going to be on some year-end “Best Of” lists.
The True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: National Anthem #2 (3.99) I’m going to be completely honest and say that, despite loving both Gerard Way AND Becky Cloonan immensely, I just couldn’t get with the first miniseries of this Dark Horse project. It felt more than a bit obtuse, which, I’m cool with, but it never felt like it unraveled to tell a meaningful story. However, after flipping through the first couple issues of this sequel, I have got to say that any trepidations I may have with Gerard Way and Shaun Simon’s story are riding comfortably in the backseat, and Leandro Romero’s art has snagged curiosity and my rapt attention. With the always extraordinary Jordie Bellaire on color duties, Romero seems to be putting on an absolute cartooning clinic, with layouts that are deceptively simple but very effective (I haven’t loved a car chase in comics as much as this issue’s in a good long while!). I’ve really been wowed by the first two issues, and think you will be too!
Continued belowTotal: $20.94
Vince’s Picks:
Dark Nights: Death Metal: Infinite Hours Exxxtreme #1 ($5.99) – DC has really been knocking the weirder “Death Metal” tie-ins out of the park. Without exception, the ones that have less overlap with the same story that’s being told in “Death Metal” are the best ones. It really feels like DC editorial are letting the creative teams go buckwild with the chance to tell stories that feel like Elseworlds while still being tied to the current continuity. The weirder the better. Here, in something called “Infinite Hours Exxxtreme”, we get a story about Lobo that plays with DC history in some really fun ways with segments written by Frank Tieri, Becky Cloonan (!), and Sam Humphries, with art from Tyler Kirkham, Rags Morales, Denys Cowan, and Bill Sienkiewicz. It’s a regular murderers row!
Total: $5.99
Christopher’s Pick:
Once and Future Vol. 2 ($16.99) – As I wrote here, Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora’s dark take on Arthurian mythology is like an awesome monster-mashing video game, set in stunning Gothic locales with vivid colors by Tamra Bonvillain, and featuring the coolest grandma ever — I thoroughly look forward to catching up.
Total: $16.99
