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!
Kate’s Picks:
“Count Crowley Reluctant Midnight Monster Hunter” #3 ($3.99) – I caught up on this series last week and I had to ask myself: why did I wait so long? There’s a fun mix of humor and horror throughout, and I wish it was more than four issues.
“Gwenpool Strikes Back” #5 ($3.99) – Why must you leave us Gwen Poole? But like a good houseguest, you know when it is time to take leave, and I know you’ll be back soon. (A personal side note: that’s my friend Elena on the cover in her Gwenpool cosplay!)
“Money Shot” #3 ($3.99) – Initially I was thinking this series was going to be one extended sex joke just set in space, but there’s a bit of heart underneath the clothes as well. Vault announced a second arc for the series a few days ago, and with very good reason.
“Wellington” #1 ($3.99) – Get ready for another secret history of a historical figure and plenty of mysteries into the supernatural, this one from the pen of Lore creator Aaron Mahnke.
Total: $15.96
Erik’s Picks:
“Batman” #85 ($4.99) – Kicking off this huge week is the end of Tom King’s “Batman.” 85 issues, 4 annuals, and a handful of short stories here and there, King’s take on the Caped Crusader has frankly had fewer ups than downs, but I appreciate seeing a writer with a defined comics writing style take on the biggest superhero book in comics.
“Suicide Squad” #1 ($4.99) – I’m a sucker for cool character designs and the teaser images artist Bruno Redondo posted of the new Suicide Squad cast made this new run of “Suicide Squad” a book I’ve been anticipating for a while.
“Wonder Woman: Dead Earth” #1 ($6.99) – Daniel Warren Johnson is a massively underrated comic book creator and I really can’t wait to see his rich pages and linework fill a DC book.
Total: $16.97
Kevin’s Picks:
“Doomsday Clock” #12 ($5.99) – I moved to Chicago in August 2017. I reported on the news of “Doomsday Clock” from NYCC in October 2017, and the first issue of this comic hits stands that November. This comic has followed me through the now 3 years of my graduate program here in Chicago. Do I think Johns’s bothsidesism holds up now in 2019? No not really. Does this comic pale in comparison to the now completed Watchmen HBO series. Oh most definitely. Are Gary Frank and Brad Anderson an artistic powerhouse? Absolutely. Does this comic have anything to say? Politically no, but DC future-orienting, yes. Am I gonna buy it? Shit, I guess.
“Year of the VIllain: Hell Arisen” #1 ($4.99) – Again with the events. I am willing to follow Tynion and Snyder through the multiverse because even though they’re telling a bombastic dark story it has one thing “Doomsday Clock” doesn’t: these comics are f$#@ing fun. And it’s that reason that I’m still in this trek. Bring on the Crisis. Bring on 5G. Let’s go DC.
“Daredevil” #15 ($3.99) – And now for something more sobering. Look I could tell you to buy a million things this week (and you wouldn’t listen to me), but “Daredevil” since February has been Marvel’s most interesting and emotionally gripping comic. And for that reason, in this week I could spend close to $100, Zdarsky and co. have my money.
“Runaways” #28 ($3.99) – Every month this comic reminds me why I love comics. Thank you.
Total: $18.96. Again, ahead of the end of the decade, you could go nuts. 5 Dawn of X books, “Justice League,” “Batman/Superman,” Annihilation: Scourge” and ”2099″ both ending, “Guardians of the Galaxy” and “Batman” runs finishing as well. Spend your money, buy your books, save a little, and have a Happy Holidays.
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Vince’s Picks:
The Low Low Woods #1 ($3.99) – This wonderful comic is so impressionistic and mysterious that I was a little bit blown away that this was published by DC Comics. Their releasing this comic in 2019 has assuaged all of my fears about the kinds of comics DC would or wouldn’t publish after the shuttering of Vertigo. This book would have fit in well there.
Superman Smashes the Klan #2 ($7.99) – Just as good as issue 1, “Superman Smashes the Klan” continues to be a gorgeous, layered comic about the racist foibles of ourAmerican past as could only be presented by creators of Gene Luen Yang and Gurihirus’ backgrounds.
Suicide Squad #1 ($4.99) – Whatever you think is going on with Tom Taylor’s “Suicide Squad”, I promise that you don’t have it figured out. It’s the first issue of a “Squad” comic I’ve liked since Ales Kot’s short-lived run, because the subversion and surprises within are just delightful. I can’t wait to see where each and every one of these characters is heading, both old and new.
Total: $16.97
Jason’s Picks:
”Suicide Squad” #1 ($4.99)‒ “Suicide Squad” has never been my cop of tea. DC Comics would never kill the important characters. So why care? Well in this case because of Tom Taylor. Having recently read and loved “DCeased” I’m willing to give this series a chance.
”Legion of Super Heroes” #2 ($3.99)‒ Although the first issue didn’t wow me storywise, I’m willing to give “Legion of Super Heroes #2” another chance.
”Superman Pal, Jimmy Olsen” #6 ($3.99)‒ The last five issues have been amazing, so I expect nothing less for issue six!
”Wonder Woman: Dead Earth” #1 ($6.99)‒ All the previews I’ve seen for “Wonder Woman: Dead Earth” has been visually fantastic. Scratch that, everything about it looks fantastic. So why not check it out?
”Money Shot” #3 ($3.99)‒ Going into the previous two issues of “Money Shot” I expected it to be more sex based storytelling than anything else. But, color me surprised when I fell in love with the characters, humor, plot, and how down to earth the story really is.
”Black Stars Above” #2 ($3.99)‒ Vault Comics continues to knock it out of the park with their new series, with “Black Stars Above” being one. Meaning, I have to see how the story ends!
Total:$27.94. Yes, I know I went over the 20 dollar limit. But, my birthday is Tuesday (December 17th) so I have a little extra spending money!
Mark’s Picks:
“Tales from Harrow County: Death’s Choir” #1 ($3.99) – Easily top of my list, “Harrow County” is back! Set ten years after the original series, this time Bernice takes the lead role. And it feels like such a natural fit, too. While I love Emmy, “Harrow County” always felt like a series where anyone could become the lead for their own story. We got a pair of Bernice-led issues and a Skinless Boy one-shot in the original series, but it’s in ‘Death’s Choir’ that we really see that idea put to the test. Without the ongoing Hester plotline, without our familiar lead, “Tales of Harrow County” still feels like “Harrow County.” Not to mention Naomi Franquiz’s art is such an excellent fit for the series―more gorgeous watercolors! Plus, she’s a very character motivated artist and she brings an older Bernice to life beautifully.
“Folklords” #2 ($3.99) – The first issue was great, but “Folklords” #2 rocked my world. Damn, this is a fantastic comic. Matt Kindt and Matt Smith work together like the finest Swiss clockworks.
“Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy” #1 ($3.99) – This year Phase I of the Black Hammer Universe came to a close. Phase II kicks off with “Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy,” which is reason enough to pick up this issue, but it’s also got Tonci Zonjic on art duties and anything with Zonjic involved is worth picking up.
“Family Tree” #2 ($3.99) – Another Jeff Lemire book. What can I say? His creator-owned works really click with me and this one is no exception.
“Witchfinder: The Reign of Darkness” #2 ($3.99) – Sarah Jewell. SARAH JEWELL. I’ve been waiting for her to meet Sir Edward for a while and it’s finally happened. This was a very satisfying read.
Continued belowTotal: $19.95.
Brian’s Picks:
Doomsday Clock #12 ($5.99) – Why do I do this to myself?
Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren #1 ($4.99) – It’s Star Wars week, y’all. You think I’m not going to recommend a Star Wars book?
Klaus Life & Times of Joe Christmas #1 ($7.99) – It’s the holidays, and what a better way to celebrate than a Grant Morrison, wide-screen “Klaus” book?
Total: $18.97
