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:
Doctor Who #1 ($3.99) – Skeptical Kate was skeptical a few months ago when she saw that the Doctor Who comics were getting yet another reboot. (“Didn’t we already do this two years ago?!”) But with that experience under them, this creative team can take this in another new direction while still telling compelling stories.
Star Trek: Voyager – Seven’s Reckoning ($3.99) – I was in college when I got hooked on Star Trek with Star Trek: Voyager right on the rise of Seven of Nine as a character. Time for some nostalgia feels!
Marvel’s Voices: Indigenous Voices ($4.99) – Much has been made about the impact the Navajo Nation had on Arizona’s vote for Joe Biden in this election (the first time the state has elected a Democrat for President since 1996). With that, plus November as National Native American Heritage Month, there’s no better time to celebrate and honor Native American talent and characters.
Life is Strange: Partners in Time #2 ($3.99) – If there was one series where COVID delays had an impact, it’s this one. Its complexity in storytelling across each story arc requires a certain momentum, and the six month delay from its original start date of April means readers had a nine month drought between series. Will that gap help or hurt its prospects? Only one way to find out.
Total: $16.96
Mark’s Picks:
Barbalien: Red Planet #1 ($3.99) – The Black Hammer Universe has always been great, right from “Black Hammer” #1, but lately it seems especially so. I’ve said before “Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy” may be the best thing since “Doctor Andromeda and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows,” and “Colonel Weird: Cosmagog’s” debut issue was breathtakingly gorgeous, so the line is on a bit of a roll. Given that the last time Jeff Lemire and Gabriel Hernández Walta collaborated we got “Sentient,” one of my favorite books from last year, I was already highly anticipating this issue. That’s not even taking into account the conceit of this miniseries, which explores Mark Marks and his time as a part of the Spiral City Police Department during the height of the AIDS epidemic. I’ve been following writer Tate Brombal on Twitter, and this is clearly a project he’s very passionate about―honestly, it’s hard not to be enthusiastic about this project after you’ve heard him talk about it. Just check out this thread and you’ll see what I mean.
Family Tree #10 ($3.99) – Ever since I’ve found out this series is ending at issue #12, I’ve stopped reading. I want to marathon the whole thing in one go.
Total: $7.98. You know what else is out today and is totally more than $20? The “Paper Girls – Book Three” hardcover. Unlike the trades, it has a bunch of special features in it too, so if you’re OK with blowing the budget, this’d be worth blowing it on.
Vince’s Picks:
Usagi Yojimbo #14 ($3.99) – One of the best to ever do it. When there’s a week in comics where nothing else is really catching my eye, and I don’t really feel the need to boost another issue of “Death Metal” (but hey, that’s been a fun series), I’m happy to hawk another issue of “Usagi Yojimbo.” Usagi is as delightful and timeless a piece of art as you’re likely to find in this medium, and any chance to celebrate it is one that I will take. I’m stunned by how gracefully it’s aging and how it never tries to be something that it isn’t. Truly one of the stunning achievements in comics history, may it outlive all of us somehow.
Continued belowTotal: $3.99
Johnny’s Picks:
Marvels Voices Indigenous Voices #1 ($4.99) – I honestly don’t know anything about this book, other than it’s solicit, but it looks promising. Indigenous and Native American talents come together to make comics celebrating National Native American Heritage Month! Spotlighting such classic Marvel heroes as Dani Moonstar to Warpath to Echo, I hope this book not only sheds new light on well-established characters, but also incites readers to seek out the work of these creators in other mediums.
Total: $4.99 (but also – totally go get those “East of West” and “Paper Girls” Vol 3 hardcovers!)
