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!
Leo’s Picks:
Citizen Jack #3 ($3.99) – As the race for US presidency gets increasingly ridiculous and outrageous, “Citizen Jack” is here to remind us that things could be worse and a demon could be headed to the White House.
Gutter Magic #1 ($3.99) – A world where magic changes the course of history during WWII and replaces most forms of technology, thus creating a class divide is a pretty interesting concept. After checking out issue 1 already, I’m definitely going to see how the story plays out.
Birthright #13 ($2.99) – “Birthright” continues to be one of the regularly best books out there. With the surprises of the last issue, things are sure to only get more dangerous for Mikey as he continues on his quest to hunt down the escaped natives of Terrenos. Plus, this issue has a variant cover by Daniel Warren Johnson. We can always use more DWJ art in our lives.
Might Morphin’ Power Rangers #0 ($3.99) – Nerds of multiple generations love the Power Rangers. Boom! has had a lot of success with many of their licensed books and I feel like nostalgia and a killer creative team will make this one another hit. I know I’m personally looking forward to getting a comic featuring the Green Ranger. A nice touch is variant covers with the different rangers on them, so you get to pick your favorite. (Green, white, and red are the best picks, naturally.)
Total: $14.96
Ken’s Picks:
Secret Wars #9 ($4.99): Yes Yes “Waaah! I hate events!” “Waaah! Does this even matter any more?!” News flash: None of these books are objectively important. You give them importance. And to me, as someone who kind of kept a single-issue distance from Marvel for most of his life, Jonathan Hickman’s Avengers/New Avengers got me to dive fully into the universe. It was his work here that got me to look at his “Fantastic Four” and actually like the franchise! It got me to check out “East of West”, which has been consistently one of my favorite series. All in all, Jonathan Hickman’s work helped define my reading over these last few years and it’s going to be so weird not seeing him writing a Marvel book.
Gotham Academy ($2.99): After the kind of okay “Robin War” tie-in, we finally have the beginning of “Yearbook”. There’s always this hesitation I have with these anthology stories. Having said that, this is my favorite book at DC and now that we have the stuff with Calamity and Olive done, we can finally see it open up and explore the rest of the characters.
Descender ($2.99): Continue to have your heart stomped? Continue to have your heart stomped. (Book needs more Driller, though)
Total: $10.97
Matt Garcia’s Picks:
Legend of Wonder Woman #1 (#3.99) – DC gives us another Wonder Woman book to compensate for the fact the Finches are still wasting all our time on her main title. A digital first series from Renae de Liz.
Spirit Leaves #1 ($3.99) – Solicited with praise from Ramon Perez and Dave Gibbons, this debut from Rossi Gifford, about an albino deer training to be a shaman, just piques all my interests. Also, every clip from Gifford is gorgeously delivered.
Leaving Megaopolis: Surviving Megaopolis #1 ($3.99) – The original graphic novel, “Leaving Megaopolis” was an out-of-nowhere surprise; it seemed that moving away from the big corporately owned superhero companies rejuvenated her writing. Jim Calafiore’s art isn’t always my first aesthetic choice, but there’s no denying it fits her story.
From Under Mountains #4 (2.99) – Man, this series has been so cool. Even if I forget what’s happening in the plot, Sloane Leong’s artwork simply carries so much everything.
Continued belowNo Mercy #6 ($3.99) – Carla Speed McNeil, Jenn Manley Lee, and Alex de Campi’s brutal thriller proves itself to be well worth your time, issue after issue.
Total: $18.95
Kevin’s Picks:
Lucifer Special Edition #1 ($1.00)– Normally, I do not go for these $1.00 issues, but here I will make an exception. “Lucifer” was a wildly successful spin-off of “Sandman”, which if you haven’t read that, well you missed out. IT has now been 16 years since the issue was first published and a perfect introduction to the character. And for those unaware, Fox has an adaptation premiering in two weeks.
The Walking Dead #150 ($2.99)– My brother tells a story about how he passed up getting a copy of “The Walking Dead” #1 back in 2003. Needless to say, he is kicking himself to this day about that decision. Alas, the series has made it to #150 without losing too much steam. Robert Kirkman will have a HUGE moment planned for this issue, much like #100, which was shocking at the time. I expect a status quo change to polarize readers, but it will make for great debate. As well, I will be reviewing the issue this week, so let’s see what Kirkman and company are going to bring this time.
The Violent #2 ($3.99)– I had the pleasure of reviewing issue #1, which was a good start with room for improvement. It was also my first taste of Ed Brisson’s writing, surprising I know. Issue #1’s cliffhanger was well timed and opens the door for a lot of possibilities. While I am not 100% sold on the book as a whole, I am still on for now.
Mighty Morphin Power Rangers #0 ($3.99)– It is nearly impossible for my mind to fathom that the original Power Rangers premiered on TV nearly 25 years ago. While I fondly remember the series, as an adult, I look at it as a pivotal point in my childhood. I was 11 and it was that “things are not cool phase” of my life. If you have ever seen the South Park episode, You’re Getting Old, that is exactly what I went through. Now 23 years later, I can revisit that nostalgia through the lens of my adulthood. To that point, this book from Kyle Higgins looks like a ton of fun. If you find me giggling and crying this week, you might understand why.
Secret Wars #9 ($4.99)– Sadly, I have not read any of “Secret Wars” but I have been following the controversy with this issue. Needless to say, it is always a disappointment when a book is not on time. It can break the flow of reading it with long gaps, even if the book is fantastic. I cannot speak to the delay fully, but I hope this is not the end of Jonathan Hickman’s work at Marvel. I will say that Marvel must iron out these problems when their inevitable next crossover comes up.
Total: $16.96 – Two jumping on points, one series ending, a long running milestone and a book that has potential. For the second batch of book in 2016, this is looking very good.
Keith’s Picks:
Robin War #2 ($4.99) – It’s been a fast-paced, emotional, fun, and compact Robin War so far. With the creative team that has shepherded this “war” teaming up for this conclusion, I’m betting we’re going to get some ruffled feathers among the nest.
Gotham Academy #14 ($2.99) – This is the beginning of a new arc for “Gotham Academy” titled “Gotham Academy Yearbook” that has “lost adventures” featuring our favorite Gotham teens. This four part storyline promises quality guest writers and artists.
Batman/Superman #28 ($3.99) – Writer Tom Taylor takes the reins of “Batman/Superman” for a three-parter taking place in the worlds’ finest past. Taylor has done some excellent work in the past and it’ll be cool to see his take on the Batman and Superman of current continuity.
Constantine: The Hellblazer #8 ($2.99) – This titles needs all the love it can get so that it won’t be cancelled. Maybe a little bit of magic and a lot of new readers can help life this book up to where it should be.
The Massive: Ninth Wave #2 ($3.99) – Brian Wood’s prequel to his world of environmental activists of “The Massive” had an impressive first issue. With each of the six issues being one-shot stories, this should be as good a jumping on point as any.
Total: $18.95
