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!
Vince’s Picks:
The Green Lantern #2 ($3.99) – DC has a hell of a triumvirate this week – three of the best comics they’ve put out all year come out this week. Let’s start with my favorite: “The Green Lantern.” Grant Morrison packs every page with inventive approaches his initial pitch. We were told this was going to be more like a police procedural and honestly, you can’t really argue that it’s not, even as it’s blasting Hal Jordan across the galaxy. But the secret weapon and the one I fear will go less heralded is Liam Sharp’s art. He packs every page with alien weirdness, but his best effort comes about a third into the issue, where he presents a full page vertical spread of Oa that is so wondrous and majestic that I gasped. I immediately tried to figure out how I could get that page blown up, framed, and put on my wall. Do not miss it.
Shazam #1 ($3.99) – The best book Geoff Johns has written in a while, and embraces every bit of what makes Captain Marvel special. Johns manages to skate past the controversial New 52 “take” established for the character so he can get right into the action. And whatever you thought about his prior turn with Billy Batson, his revisiting here doesn’t disappoint.
Martian Manhunter #1 ($3.99) – Rossmo’s groovy art astounds and Steve Orlando continues to hone his voice at DC, writing a detective story so unique to J’onn J’onzz so as to feel like this could end up being the definitive modern take on the character. Beautiful stuff.
Unnatural #5 ($3.99) – First off, the art is just gorgeous to look at. Playful, expressive, cheesecakey in just the right ways, and when it needs to, packs a major emotional punch. I understand this comic isn’t for everyone, and the cover alone can clue you into that, but there’s high drama to be found within!
Immortal Hulk #10 ($3.99) – Marvel’s best title right now. Al Ewing found his way straight to the heart of the character and presents him in a way we’ve not quite seen before.
Total: $19.95
Kevin’s Picks:
Killmonger #1 ($4.99) – Two of my favorite creators from the last few years at DC teaming to redeem one of the best villains from the MCU? I’ve been intrigued since this was announced, since I’m usually not first in line for all this corporate synergy, but I’m behind Bryan Hill and Juan Ferreyra. Let’s go then.
Die #1 ($3.99) – Kieron Gillen. Stephanie Hans. Tabletop, RPG horror. With “The Wicked + The Divine” winding down, Gillen’s got your new favorite thing waiting in the wings.
West Coast Avengers #5 ($3.99) – This, “Runaways” and “Unstoppable Wasp” are giving me a run for my money about what the best book at Marvel is right now. “WCA” enters it’s second arc this week, teasing that sweet Noh-Varr return to complicate Kate’s life. Kelly Thompson is crafting a gem of a comic.
Martian Manhunter #1 ($4.99) – And finally, Steve Orlando teams with Riley Rossmo for Orlando’s “dream project.” Orlando is making a career at DC, reviving and imbuing old concepts with new life. With Martian Manhunter’s new rise to prominence in “Justice League,” it’s time for him to get a new prestige origin book. Rossmo is the perfect choice for artist, and will be able to bring such horror and grotesqueness to clash with the sci-fi of Mars. Look folks this is just gonna be good that’s really what it boils down to.
Total: $17.96. This was tough, there have been few comics weeks that have been THIS good in a long time. “The Green Lantern” #2, “SHAZAM!” #1, “Doomsday Clock,” “Justice League,” “Border Towns,” “Moth & Whisper,” the “Defenders” books, “Marvel Knights,” the “Merry X-Men Holiday Special,” and many other books could all very easily have made this list.
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Matt Lune’s Picks:
Snap Flash Hustle #1 ($3.99) – A stylish crime thriller involving models selling narcotics, and one girl caught in the middle, from Pat Shand and Emily Pearson. I love Black Mask lately, and this looks like another exciting debut.
Die #1 ($3.99) – Any new book from Kieron Gillen is always something to pay attention to, and with Stephanie Hans joining for her first ongoing series (and the solicit describing it as “Goth Jumanji”), I’m all in.
Martian Manhunter #1 ($3.99) – This is a great week for new creative teams, as Steve Orlando and Riley Rossmo – two “buy on sight” creators for me – join forces for the new adventures of J’onn J’onnz.
Shazam #1 ($4.99) – I can’t believe it’s taken so long for a Shazam solo series, and while I’ll always wish that we had an ongoing from Jeff Parker and Doc Shaner, I’m still looking forward to seeing what Johns and Eaglesham come up with.
Total: $16.96 – there are nearly 20 number one issues coming out this week which is insane, but at least there should be something for everyone!
Mark’s Picks:
“Giant Days: Where Women Glow and Men Plunder” #1 ($7.99)— As a fan of “Giant Days” and as a man from Down Under, it’s my civic duty to pick up this book. John Allison is writing and drawing this super-sized special. It’s gonna be great.
“B.P.R.D.: The Devil You Know” #11 ($3.99)— This issue mostly presses pause on the cliffhanger events of the previous issue to explore the past of Varvara—not Yomyael, the demon that’s possessed her since 1912, but Varvara herself. Featuring art from regular artist Laurence Campbell and guest artist Christopher Mitten, Mignola fans, you can’t miss this one.
“Umbrella Academy: Hotel Oblivion” #3 ($3.99)— With Netflix picking up the series for a show coming out next year, it’s great to see the comic picking up momentum. It does sort of put a clock on the comic though. Ideally, I’d like to see Gerard Way and Gabriel Bá tell the story the way they want and wrap it up on their terms before the show gets there first.
Total: $15.99
Nick’s Picks:
Giant Days: Where Women Glow and Men Plunder #1 ($7.99) – Double-sized special issue of the best currently running sitcomic! Drawn by John Allison! Starring Ed Gemmell and his questionable romantic decisions! What’s not to love?
Snotgirl #12 ($3.99) – This book is all over the place and its bimonthly schedule hasn’t helped. But! It’s nonetheless a book I look forward to whenever it comes out, as I can always get a good laugh out of it. No other book has its finger on the pulse of modern internet culture as well as this one.
Total: $11.98.
Kate’s Picks:
Mera Queen of Atlantis TP ($16.99) – With less than a month before the Aquaman movie, it’s time to get prepped on all things of the world of Arthur Curry. I was highly interested in this series when it was first released but missed a few issues. Thank goodness for trades!
The Freeze #1 ($3.99) – This series plans to dig deep into the question of: does everyone deserve to be saved? Indeed, this is a deep question, and I’m looking forward to see how the different sides to it are probed in this new series where one person has the power to unfreeze the world after a mysterious apocalyptic deep freeze.
Total: $20.98
