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:
Sir Edward Grey: Acheron ($3.99) – Surprising no one, the new comic written and drawn by Mike Mignola is on my list. I can’t recommend this for everyone―it’s very clearly written for fans that have been on the long Hellboy journey from “Hellboy: Seed of Destruction” to “B.P.R.D.:The Devil You Know―Ragna Rok”―but if you do fall into that niche, then this is unmissable. And it has some of the best coloring work Dave Stewart has ever done.
Hellboy: The Bones of Giants #2 ($3.99) – This adaptation of Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden’s 2001 novel continues to be fantastic. Unlike “Sir Edward Grey: Acheron,” however, this is extremely new reader friendly.
The Me You Love in the Dark #5 ($3.99) – Jorge Corona’s art takes center stage in this final issue. Y’know the old horror maxim of showing less of the creature, keeping it in the dark? That’s definitely the approach here. We see eyes when it watches and teeth when it hungers, but Corona never lets go of that shapeless creature in the dark that could be anything… or nothing.
Snow Angels – Season Two #6 # ($2.99) – The final issue of Jeff Lemire and Jock’s 10-issue series. I’m looking forward to sitting down and reading it all through from the beginning.
Fire Power #18 ($3.99) – The fourth arc wraps up here promising a “major turning point for the series. You have been warned.” (No spoilers, I haven’t started this arc yet.)
Total: $18.95
Brian’s Picks:
Justice League Incarnate #1 ($4.99) – It’s an all-DC week for me this week, but each one hits a different sweet spot in the DCU. “Justice League Incarnate” is all about the overarching DC meta-narrative and incorporating ideas from Grant Morrison’s multiversal stories into the rank and file DCU. It’s an audacious task, but I’m glad that DC is attempting it.
Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons #1 ($7.99) – I do not want to oversell anything, but you should know that this is the best looking book you will buy this month, or likely this year. This Black Label title is also really well written, but the art is going to knock you on your ass. Trust me, this is worth every penny.
Teen Titans Academy #8 ($3.99) – This is the future of the DCU, and this issue manages to bridge the gap between the idyllic creation of the Teen Titans with the less than perfect reality that spun out of that. Also, this book does more with the events of “Heroes in Crisis” than any other title has done at DC.
Total: $16.97
Kate’s Picks:
Wonder Woman Historia: The Amazons ($7.99) – Much has been told about Diana Prince and Yara Flor, but what about the women who came before them? It’s time for a history lesson.
Hellboy: The Bones of Giants #2 ($3.99) – Well, Mark had me sold up there when he mentioned this series being very new reader-friendly, so I’ll be grabbing this and the debut issue to catch up.
Wonder Woman Annual #1 ($5.99) -Clearly I’m in an Amazonian state of mind this week, but this is also a prologue to the next “Wonder Woman” arc, and if you haven’t checked out Becky Cloonan’s script yet on the title, this is a great opportunity.
Total: $17.97
Johnny’s Picks:
Dungeon: Zenith Vol. 4 ($14.99) – Thank Multiversity’s very own “Robots From Tomorrow” for hipping me to what has become one of my very favorite books – a subversively funny French sword and sorcery epic by-way-of Carl Barks’s Duck comics called, simply, “Donjon.” First published by Delcourt in France, it has since experienced worldwide popularity, and is now back again with some new material from original creators, writer Joann Sfar and artist Lewis Trondheim. While I think the fantasy genre is ripe for parody, what makes “Dungeon” work is the commitment to the bit, and Sfar’s world feels alive thanks to Trondheim’s wonderfully inventive (and detailed) cartooning. While other creators have chipped in to expand and explore the mythology surrounding the world of Herbert the Duck, Marvin the Dragon, and the Dungeon Keeper himself, it’s always a safe bet you’re in for a treat when Sfar and Trondheim reunite to go Dungeon-delving once more.
Continued belowThe Human Target #2 ($3.99) – I’m about to spoil the ending, but Greg Smallwood is the killer. Smallwood pressing the “mid-century modern” button on his magical pen and turning in an absolutely stunning looking first issue to this series has me locked in for the duration of this savvy detective yarn from Tom King. King can be hit-or-miss, but Smallwood is swinging for the fences, and the premise of “Human Target” Christopher Chance having to solve his own murder is too much fun to pass up.
Total: $18.98.
Christopher’s Picks:
The Batman & Scooby-Doo Mysteries Vol. 1 ($12.99) – I love Batman, I love Scooby-Doo: together, they’re the World’s Greatest Danish Detective (wait, no, hang on…) Anyway, Batman, Scooby, Shaggy and Velma on a time travel adventure? Hi yes, hello! No Scooby Snacks needed to entice this reader.
Phoenix Song: Echo #2 ($3.99) – The first issue of Rebecca Roanhorse and Luca Maresca’s miniseries was a lot of fun, bridging the street level and Krakoan sides of Marvel pretty effortlessly, as well as offering insight as how it feels to be an outsider in your own community; it’ll be fun to see what corners of the MU they continue to explore as they go deeper into Maya Lopez’s sense of belonging.
Total: $16.98
