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:
Namesake #1 ($3.99) – The success that Steve Orland0 is having at DC is a great thing and couldn’t be happening to a more deserving or talented guy. Still, I’ve been missing his creator-owned stuff, where he can fully play with the characters and world, as he tends to write books that are full of a lot of intelligence and charm. I somehow missed “Namesake” being a thing until looking at comiclist.com to do this write up, so I’m really happy to see that we’re getting an original story from Steve this year. I’m not familiar with the artist, Jakub Rebelka, but if that incredibly dope name and Steve’s past taste in collaborators is any indication, “Namesake” should look great. Anyway, that’s a longwinded way of me saying I’m excited to see what Steve and Jakub are able to do, especially as Boom! has a pretty good record of publishing fun, quality scifi/fantasy stuff here lately.
Green Valley #2 ($2.99) – I know the opinion of Max Landis in various corners of the internet is generally not favorable. He can say some really dumb stuff on Twitter, as most comic creators tend to do. That said, I really dug the first issue of “Green Valley” and the fun of the issue. It may not be for everyone, for various reasons, but I’m here for the second issue.
Total: $6.98. Light week for me. The local comic shop is having Buy 2 Get 1 on trades, so I’ll be putting my leftover money towards filling out trades I missed.
Matthew’s Picks:
Casanova Acedia #7 ($3.99) – one of my favorite heavily delayed books is back on the stands this week. Never miss an issue of Casanova if you don’t have to (and honestly, I struggle to find an acceptable excuse for why you would).
Black Panther World Of Wakanda #1 ($4.99) – I’ve been loving what Ta-Nehisi Coates is doing in Black Panther, so I am very excited to see this world evolve to a secondary title written by Roxanne Gay and illustrated by Alitha Martinez. Good opportunity to see expand on a lot of the tense political drama and themes explored in the other title.
Doom Patrol #3 ($3.99) – Gerard Way is a weirdo, and Nick Derrington has been having a lot of fun with the book. Flex Mentallo finally showing up last issue tees this week’s entry to be a fun one.
The Flash #10 ($2.99) – Williamson’s Flash is clearly written for dorks like me (and Brian), and the Shade joining the fray this week clearly proves that.
Wonder Woman #10 ($2.99) – Last but certainly not least, Wonder Woman is also a book that you must never not buy. Best character in the DC line-up. Always buy Wonder Woman. Always.
Total: $18.95
Jess’ Picks:
WWE: Then. Now. Forever. #1 ($3.99) – It’s no secret that I’m a huge wrestling fan. It’s obvious that I’d be excited about this but I was surprised by how much I genuinely enjoyed reading this issue. It’s like a deeper dive into the wrestling TV storylines and I think a lot of wrestling fans will respond to this positively.
Doom Patrol #3 ($3.99) – “Doom Patrol” has been my favorite of the Young Animal books so far. It’s really been able to pave it’s own new path while really honoring the history before it. Derington and Bonvillain are a perfect art team and it’s a big reason why I’ve come to love this book so quickly.
Violent Love #1 ($3.99) – It’s a new Frank Barbiere book so I’m already sold. I’m doubly sold on Victor Santos art. I’m triple sold on the crime romance genre. Go buy this.
Continued belowStar Trek: Boldly Go #2 ($3.99) – I really enjoyed the first issue of this because it introduced the Borg to the Abramsverse timeline. It made me think of the repercussions of Kirk crew meeting the Borg at this point. What does it mean for the rest of the Enterprise crews that come later? Particularly Picard’s crew and Janeway’s crew. I can’t wait to see where this goes.
Black #2 ($3.99) – “Black” has a great hook and tackles important social issues through an extremely compelling narrative and fantastic art. The first issue was paced so well and wasted no time getting to the point. Black Mask has been hitting it out of the ballpark with their output this year and this is no exception.
Total: $19.95
Matt’s Picks:
Black Panther: World of Wakanda #1 ($4.99) – Roxanne Gay and Ta-Nehisi Coates doing a superhero book? Man, I’m on board for the sheer audacity of the project. Featuring art by Alitha Martinez.
Island #12 ($7.99) – Here’s your obligatory recommendation for “Island”, which has continually featured a wide breadth of talent and cartooning. Maybe you’ll find someone new you’ll love?
Violent Love #1 ($3.99) – Instead of bringing us more “Five Ghosts,” Frank J. Barbiere introduces another new Image book, this time with Victor Santos. It’s a “True Romance” caper and hopefully it will be as much fun as it sounds.
Mother Panic #1 ($3.99) – The final entry in the DC Young Animal line. As they’ve continued, the books in this series has grown on me, so I’m finding myself fairly excited for this one. Gerard Way also mentioned that this featured the character most difficult to immediately like, so that’s cool.
Total: $20.96.
Brian’s Picks:
Mother Panic #1 ($3.99) – ‘Young Animal’ has been such a shot in the arm for DC, and this week’s fourth – and for now, final – title in the ‘pop up imprint’ is the one that, initially has the most connective tissue to the DCU. The book being set in Gotham is essentially an invitation to crossover (which we will see as soon as January when Batwoman stops by), and so the tone is going to be an interesting one to observe. I’m looking forward to seeing how this book fits both in the ‘Young Animal’ line and the greater DCU.
Namesake #1 ($3.99) – Steve Orlando books get purchased. It is just that simple.
The Flash #10 ($2.99) – Anyone that knows me knows that I would lose all credibility if I didn’t buy a book with the Shade in it. Plus, “The Flash” has been such a delight thus far, I would pull this book regardless of the villain.
Hammer’s The Mummy #1 ($3.99) – I am a huge mark for Hammer Horror films, and The Mummy is the third in the holy trilogy with Horror of Dracula and The Curse of Frankenstein. The fact that Titan is doing a miniseries in The Mummy‘s world is incredibly exciting to me.
Deathstroke #6 ($2.99) – I say this all the time: I never, ever thought I would care about a Deathstroke book. Christopher Priest, you’ve proven me wrong, and I’m all the better for it.
Total: $17.95
Greg’s Picks:
Mother Panic #1 ($3.99) – DC’s Young Animal imprint has been pretty solid so far, digging into the company archives to pull out characters ready for new spins. This book looks like the furthest leap for them so far (a brand-new character) but one rooting the most in the DCU proper (Gotham City). So on that level, I am intrigued. Not very familiar with Jody Houser’s work, but Tommy Lee Edwards is always an eye-raiser on art, so I’m hoping the only panic this issue induces is the wait for issue #2.
Batman/TMNT Adventures #1 ($3.99) – Despite the fact I didn’t think Freddie Williams II did a bad job on the team-up he oversaw, I think it’s safe to say the first Bat/Turtle crossover was a hot mess. It just felt…overwrought. As soon as I saw the first image of this version (probably not a direct sequel), I felt this was more like it. One could say that about a lot of things given the Timm-verse/Animated distillation, but this bad boy REALLY benefits from it. And there’s a Rick Burchett cover!
Continued belowViolent Love #1 ($3.99) – Keep meaning to crack open my copies of “Polar” to really dig into that Victor Santos art, but even just glancing at covers and online bits tells me this is going to be worth it. Also? Frank J. Barbiere knows pulp. And? They’ve worked together on “Black Market”, so their collaboration should be up to full speed at this point.
No Mercy #11 ($3.99) – Bending the number 1’s streak without quite breaking it (it’s got two 1’s; close enough) is this DeCampi/McNeil joint. There are comics that hold your hand. Tell you things will be OK. This is not one of those comics. Every once in a while, you need a gut punch. This is one of those comics.
Casanova: Acedia #7 ($3.99) – And the streak snaps completely with Casanova, ever the beautiful slice of mindblowing iconoclasm from Fraction and the brothers Ba and Moon. (Do they have a collective name like Los Bros. Hernandez?) And guest-starring Michael Chabon on backup vocals. Honestly need to re-read a few issues to get up to speed for this one, but oh what a problem to have!
Total: $19.95
Vince’s Picks:
Black Panther: World of Wakanda #1 ($4.99) – There’s not much at Marvel that’s tripping my trigger lately, but this seems like a can’t-miss book that’s too good to be true.
Namesake #1 ($3.99) – Steve Orlando is the most exciting writer in comics today. I’ll buy anything with his name on it. He tends to attract great talent, to boot.
Doom Patrol #3 ($3.99) I’m loving “Doom Patrol” and yet it might be my least favorite of the Young Animal books. That’s a testament to how strong this grand experiment really is. DC Comics knocked it out of the park by giving the keys to Gerard Way.
Deathstroke #6 ($2.99) – Ladies and gentlemen, the best book DC Comics is putting out is a Deathstroke comic. 2016, what a strange year this has been.
Total: $15.96
