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!
Matt Lune’s Picks:
Batman Annual #2 ($4.99) – I’ve read a preview copy of this book and let me tell you: it’s superb. I loved Tom King and Lee Weeks’ last collaboration on “Batman/Elmer Fudd” #1 (and there are easter eggs in here that reference that issue too) and here the team explore the early days of Batman’s relationship with Catwoman. Definitely worth picking up.
Reactor #1 ($3.99) – I’ll follow Donny Cates anywhere, but to hear he’s got a new Vault Comics series coming out is exciting. They’re definitely the publisher to watch as we move into the new year, with books like “Maxwell’s Demons” being excellent. “Reactor” #1 is Cates and Dylan Burnett exploring a world overrun by vampires.
Batman Creature of the Night #1 ($5.99) – A spiritual successor to “Superman: Secret Identity” you say? Written by Kurt Busiek with art by John Paul Leon also you say? I’m already sold.
Star Trek Discovery #1 ($3.99) – I don’t know what the general consensus on this new series has been (I’ve avoided write-ups, reviews and general Twitter opinions like the plague after the first initial reactions were filled with racist misogyny) but I love it. It’s everything I want from a Star Trek series, so a new comic book tie-in is something I’m eager to see.
Total: $18.96 – There’s also “Mystik U” #1 and “John Wick” #1, both of which nearly made my list but I ran out of money!
Kevin’s Picks:
New Talent Showcase 2017 #1 ($7.99) – I may be in the minority, but I loved this book last year, and I’m sure to love this one. There’s some great talent in this book already doing great things in the DCU such as Minkyu Jung and others. I think stuff like this is going to be increasingly important as comicdom, and especially the Big Two, try to make room for new and diverse voices. The price tag may be a little steep, but show DC you’re interested in what these new voices have to offer.
Batman Annual #2 ($4.99) – There’s been a lot of buzz about this book, and in fact it’s already going to a second printing before it’s arrived. King has been building this new modern Bat/Cat romance, and this is promising the beginning and the end of that relationship. Plus Michael Lark back on a Bat book. If nothing else that’s worth the price, no matter what you think about this run or that relationship.
Super Sons Annual #1 ($4.99) – An annual dedicated to the pets…yeah I’m in.
Total: $17.97. It’s an annual heavy week at DC on this fifth week, and they’re putting out a lot of thick books that should continue to sell into the coming future. Not a lot of excitement anywhere else this week though in my opinion…
Kate’s Picks:
DC New Talent Showcase #1 ($7.99) – In keeping with my early 2018 resolution to read more DC books, this showcase of up and coming talent is my start.
Heavy Vinyl #4 ($3.99) – This is the title you may have known as “Hi Fi Fight Club”, and I almost missed this on my pull this week because of the name change (which was to allow for some better marketing of the story beyond the comic and to avoid confusion with the Chuck Palahniuk property Fight Club. I’m enjoying this book for the sensitive treatment of a high school girl coming to terms with her sexuality and the hefty dose of New Jersey nostalgia (my home state). I’m sad this is the last issue.
Continued belowBettie Page #5 ($3.99) – I’ve had some problems with this story, particularly with the treatment of Ms. Page’s real life activities within the narrative. That aside, it’s still a fun story, and filling the Agent Carter-shaped hole in my heart.
Disney Pixar Coco One-Shot ($4.99) – Nothing but praise for this movie, so I’m eager to see this comic translation. Bonus: not having to sit through that awful Frozen short.
Total: $20.96. Just a little over. Oops. 🙂
Justin’s Picks:
Batman Annual #2 ($4.99) – King’s “Batman” one-shots have been the highlights of the series, so I’ll be picking this up even though I’m not reading the main series any more. Plus, Michael Lark interiors!
Batman: Creature Of The Night #1 ($5.99) – This is a must-buy just from the creators involved alone. “Superman: Secret Identity” is one of the best superhero stories of all time, so getting a follow-up is super exciting.
Mystik U #1 ($5.99) – I’m in for any books focusing on the mystical side of the DC universe. Now if we could just get an ongoing instead of just mini-series.
Image+ #4 ($1.99) – I’m buying this solely for the “Wytches” story, but there is a lot of other great content in these as well.
Gotham City Garage Chapter #13 ($0.99) – This series is really starting to pick up now that Wonder Woman has joined the cast. It’s definitely worth the $1 every week.
Total: $19.96. Another bunch of expensive books this week. At least the page count corresponds to the price point with DC books.
Leo’s Picks:
Kaijumax Season 3 #5 ($3.99) – A full on race war looks to be on the horizon inside of the prison, while the Cryptids all try to figure out who ratted out their boss. And that’s only half of the drama and intrigue going on in this issue, from the look of things. “Kaijumax” continues to be one of my very favorite books, and also one of the most well-made books out there. A couple of years ago, I wouldn’t have believed you if you said I would eagerly look forward to each issue of a Kaiju prison comic, but Zander Cannon is some kind of sorcerer of the comic arts.
Reactor #1 ($3.99) – A continuation of “Interceptor”, which was once at Heavy Metal before Cates and Burnett brought it to Vault, is a welcome thing. Donny Cates has had a hell of an upward trajectory the last year or two, so seeing him get to continue to play in worlds like that of “Interceptor”/”Reactor”, along with getting to write “Thanos”, is a good thing.
Total: $7.99. Light week for me, if I’m staying within budget. If not, I’m getting that “Ghost Fleet: The Whole Goddamned Thing” collection out from Image. All eight issues of the Donny Cates/Daniel Warren Johnson comic from Dark Horse that first put the two of these creators on the map. Will be very nice to have it all in one place.
Brian’s Pick:
Aquaman Annual #1 ($4.99) – The Fiumaras are some of the most talented and undersung folks in all of comics, with Max, in particular, being someone whose work I’ve been wanting to see more of in the mainstream. Spoiler alert: he draws the shit out of this issue, which is one of the best stand-alone stories of the year. Dig in.
BPRD The Devil You Know #3 ($3.99) – With all the problems I’ve had with this series since it relaunched, the weaving in of Ashley Strode is not one of them. Between her and Laurence Campbell’s art, that should be more than enough to keep reading this arc.
Star Wars Adventures #4 ($3.99) – With The Last Jedi less than 3 weeks away, we all need a little extra Star Wars in our lives this month.
Darkhawk #51 ($3.99) – Sometimes your pal gets to write a character you had a deep love for when you were a kid. Sometimes, you’re really proud of your pal.
Total: $16.96
Kent’s Picks
Batman: Creature of the Night ($5.99) – Kurt Busiek gives the the Dark Knight a treatment similar to what the Man of Steel got in “Secret Identity.” That alone would perk my interest. But the art being handled by Jean Paul Leon? That’s golden. Leon is an artist whose output is so drastically disproportionate to how good he is. His work made for by far the best issues of “Mother Panic”, and to see him back in Gotham and back with the Batman makes this an easy choice.
Zegas GN ($19.99) – This was a bit of a tough choice – “I Am Not Okay With This” ($14.99) from Charles Forsman is out this week as well – but ultimately Michel Fiffe wins out. By this point, his “Copra” should be required reading for any fans of sequential anti-heroes – doubly so if you even have a passing interest in what the Suicide Squad should be. “Zegas” offers a more grounded story, but Fiffe’s panel compositions should be no less spellcasting.
Total: $24.98
