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!
Mark’s Picks:
Monstress: Talk-Stories #1 ($3.99) – When Image Comics announced ‘Talk-Stories,’ I assumed it was going to be a pair of filler stories. Stuff that fleshes out the world a bit, taking a break from the bigger, ongoing stuff—enjoyable, but ultimately something lightweight. Instead… well, this might be the best issue I’ve read all year. Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda really got me with this one. I don’t want to say more than that. Just read it.
Colonel Weird: Cosmagog #2 ($3.99) – My second pick is another powerhouse of an issue. “Colonel Weird: Cosmagog,” more than any of the other “Black Hammer” spinoffs, really stands on the shoulders of what Dean Ormston and Jeff Lemire did with the main series. The Colonel Weird issues were always something unique, pushing the visual style of the series to its extremes, and playing with the layouts more—they also had some of the most tragic stories too. Tyler Crook takes all that and runs with it, pushing the haunted element of the character. Ormston and Crook are very different artists, but there’s something in Crook’s approach to Weird that feels wonderfully complementary to everything Ormston has established—different but complementary.
Total: $7.98. It’s a small week money-wise, but in terms of storytelling impact, it’s one of the biggest of the year for me. Both issues are undoubtedly in my top five that I’ve read in 2020.
Kate’s Picks:
The Other History of the DC Universe #1 ($6.99) – This was a bit of a long time in the making (it was first announced in January 2019). And the choice of Jefferson Pierce as the first story is rather bittersweet upon the news of the CW’s cancellation of Black Lightning.
Dial P for Peanuts ($14.99) – It seems almost sacrilegious to come up with a Peanuts parody, but this is from the same publisher that did “Sham” (itself a great parody of 1940s and 1950s comics) so this could either be just as fun as that or a disrespectful parody to Schulz’s legacy. Only one way to find out. (Added bonus: Jay Fosgitt, one of my favorite artists who puts new spins on childhood favorites, did the cover.)
Total: $21.98
Jason’s Picks:
John Constantine: Hellblazer #12 ($5.99) – Damn it’s the end. Like I knew this day would come, but holy hell(blazer) am I incredibly sad. That said if you haven’t already read this series, now is the best chance. Trust me, you won’t regret it!
The Plot #7 ($3.99) – Sadly, “The Plot” is nearing it’s end. Alas, another amazing comic I adore ending soon. Yet, I’ve also had a blast with this series, and feel like it’s one of the best horror comics of late. That said, there is still one issue after this, so know I will cherish my time with it!
Total: $9.98
Vince’s Picks:
X-Ray Robot #4 ($3.99) – For fans of Mike and Laura Allred, “X-Ray Robot” has been a gift from the gods. For anyone who’s on the fence, if you’ve ever enjoyed any of the “Madman” stuff even in passing, this is very much of that same spirit.
The Other History of the DC Universe #1 ($6.99) – Don’t sleep on this retelling of Black Lightning’s history set against the rise of the other heroes of the DCU. John Ridley does some really great work in fitting an all-encompassing look at Jefferson Pierce’s life into the greater DCU meta-narrative in a multi-layered and socially conscious way. As far as the format goes, it reads exactly like Wolfman & Perez’s post-Crisis “History of the DC Universe” miniseries, where it’s mostly prose scattered through images that represent major points in DC history. Giuseppe Camuncoli does a magnificent job of holding it all together visually.
Total: $10.98
