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 Comic Book History of Animation #1 ($3.99) – The same team what brought us “The Comic Book History of Comic Books” brings us a history that is, in my opinion, just as exciting and sprawling. I’m a big lover of early animation, and I’m a big believer in archiving that stuff and making sure the stories get told. I’m sure this will be just as engrossing and well-researched as the one on comics’ history.
Usagi Yojimbo #15 ($3.99) – Any week that a new Usagi shows up on the shelves is a good week.
Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Last Stories of the DC Universe #1 ($8.99) – An oversized 80-page “Death Metal” tie-in proves to be one of its very best entries. Without spoiling anything, fans of the Teen Titans (like, all of them) and fans of the threads that Rebirth promised us from the very beginning should grab this one, even if they weren’t planning on it.
Total: $17.97
Kate’s Picks:
Locke & Key Sandman Hell and Gone #0 ($3.99) – I will never say no to more “Locke and Key” anything. And this is a match made in heaven.
The Comic Book History of Animation #1 ($3.99) – I loved “The Comic Book History of Comic Books” for a digestible, accessible, and fun way to explore the history of the medium. (Second only to our Ghosts of Comics Past column, of course. *wink*) Taking on animation seems like a logical next step.
Heroes at Home One-Shot ($9.99) – Yes, this is the second consecutive week I have a COVID-themed book on my CSBC list. But whereas last week’s was a sobering look at the pandemic, this one – – featuring all your favorite Marvel characters in quarantine – – brings a bit of fun and light. Who gave themselves a home haircut? Who finished all the jigsaw puzzles? Who failed at a sourdough starter?
Total: $17.97
Brian’s Picks:
Getting It Together #3 ($4.99) – I’m not sure why comics centered around music have gained so much marketshare over the past few years, but I’m not complaining. “Getting It Together” is not really about music, but it is about musicians, and love, and being young, and it’s a lovely peek into a particular time in life.
Dark Nights: Death Metal: The Last Stories of the DC Universe #1 ($8.99) – If the return of Mark Waid to DC didn’t get me to buy this book, putting Wally West on the cover and Jeff Lemire writing Green Lanterns would have forced me to, on principle alone. Despite this being nine bucks, I’m very excited to dig into these stories, set at the end of time for some of my favorite DC characters.
Total: $13.98
Johnny’s Picks:
Batman Black and White #1 (of 6) ($5.99) – Only one book grabbed my attention this week, but when it did, it hauled me to a rooftop’s edge, screamed its name and reminded me that stories of vengeance are often told in absolutes: right and wrong, criminal and victim, black and white. Dear readers, I won’t lie. I wet myself. What started over twenty years ago with the first groundbreaking miniseries under visionary editor Mark Chiarello continues Wednesday with its fifth(!) volume. As before, we get some of the best writers and artists in comics teaming up to bring their talents to Gotham. What made the anthology so engaging before is that it often brought in names not familiar to American audiences, or creators not versed in the superhero genre, often with some pretty stellar results. This first issue gives us really none of that by way of talent, most of them with plenty of American superhero bona fides (Greg Capullo, Tradd Moore, James Tynion IV, G. Willow Wilson, and Andy Kubert, to name a few), but I expect most of these creators to be at the top of their game, given the truly special corner of the Bat-verse this series inhabits.
Total: $5.99
