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!
Kent’s Picks
Dept. H #21 ($3.99) – Matt and Sharlene Kindt continue to kill it on this expansive underwater mystery. Love that new cover treatment they’re trying out this week. The lurid, pulpy paperback feel looks amazing, as the Kindt’s continue to peel back layer after layer of each and every character stuck in their little bottle beneath the sea. How well do you actually know the people you think you know?
Aliens: Dead Orbit #4 ($3.99) – It’s taken awhile to get to the finishing line, but some things are worth the wait. James Stokoe is a singular talent. And his aesthetic has melded so seamlessly amongst the Weyland Yutani space truckers and Xenomorph savagery that it’s hard to believe that he wasn’t there all along at the inception. This will be bold. And there will be blood. But it will be damned beautiful all the while.
Mister Miracle #5 ($3.99) – Tom King and Mitch Gerads are both hitting at the top of their game. Deadly serious and bleakly comedic. We’re witnessing something special in the making.
Kid Lobotomy #3 ($3.99) – It’s not just lip service to say this Peter Milligan-Tess Fowler joint harkens back to the glory days of Vertigo. There’s an off-kilter swagger to the art, while the storytelling just barely hangs onto the rails.
Royal City #8 ($3.99) – This second arc has been poignant perfection.
Total: $19.95
Matt Lune’s Picks:
Aliens: Dead Orbit #4 ($3.99) – This epic mini-series finally concludes this week, and I cannot wait to re-read the four issues as one whole unit, to experience what is the best thing to hit this franchise since the Aliens movie in 1986. There, I said it, come at me.
Giants #1 ($3.99) – If you know me at all, you’ll know that Kaiju stuff is my jam. Godzilla, Pacific Rim, “Kaijumax,” “Mech Cadet Yu,” there’s not enough Kaiju in comics, so this comic has been on my radar for a little while now. It looks like it’s focusing on the human survivors of a Kaiju catastrophe that live underground, I can’t wait.
Archie Christmas Spectacular #1 ($2.99) – If you know a second thing about me (first that I love Kaiju, see above), then I love Christmas. I’ve been picking up most – if not all – the comic book christmas specials from the last few weeks, and we’ve honestly been spoilt so far! Archie comics are throwing their hat into the ring, and if wholesome festive family fun is your thing, then this is for you.
The Wicked + The Divine Christmas Annual #1 ($3.99) – Wow, this is by far the hottest Christmas special this year, probably ever, as multiple stories weave through the narrative, almost all of them involving characters getting it on. It’s pretty “fan servicey” but that is in no way a bad thing.
Rumble #1 ($3.99) – I’m so pleased that “Rumble” is back for a season 2, as we all need more David Rubin art in our lives. He’s taking over from James Harren on this series, but John Arcudi’s script is as good as ever.
Total: $18.95
Mark’s Picks:
“Rumble” #1 ($3.99) — Or as I like to think of it: “Rumble – Chapter 2” #1. OK, so the renumbering is slightly confusing, but this is very much meant to be a #1, a place for where new readers can hop aboard without having to worry about what came before. Also, this is a major shift in direction for the series. What that means in terms of plot, I don’t know yet (though I’m looking forward to finding out), but in terms of art it means welcoming David Rubín (“Sherlock Frankenstein and the Legion of Evil,” “The Rise of Aurora West”) to the fold. (If you missed the short story in “Image+” #2, I recommend checking that out.)
Continued belowIt’s great to have this series back. I’ve missed it.
“Royal City” #8 ($3.99) — How has this series not been on my CSBC list sooner? It’s a terrible oversight on my part. I honestly don’t know how Jeff Lemire can be working on so many books and still find time for a project like this that’s all his.
“Harrow County” #28 ($3.99) — Oh my god. Oh my god. Just… read this one. It’s so
“The Damned” #6 ($3.99) — The new arc, “Prodigal Sons” (originally published in 2008), kicks off in this extra long issue. The black and white version from 2008 has been colored by Bill Crabtree for this new version and it looks fantastic.
“Unbeatable Squirrel Girl” #27 ($3.99) — I haven’t picked up this one in a while. Not really sure why, because it’s a blast. Considering a new arc (“The Forbidden Pla-nut”) is kicking off, it seems like a good place to hop back in.
Total: $19.95. This is a tough week to keep it under $20. There’s a lot of trades and deluxe hardcovers I’ve got my eye on.
Kate’s Picks:
Hard Case Crime: The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet’s Nest #1 ($5.99) – This latest comic adaptation of the Stieg Larsson Millennium trilogy is actually better than its source material. I’ve loved revisiting the books through this comic lens.
Gumballs #4 ($3.99) – I had the privilege of interviewing Erin Nations last month as part of Trans Awareness Week, and I’ve truly enjoyed these autobiographical anthologies covering everything from growing up as a triplet to navigating the trans experience, all in his very unique Simpsons-inspired style.
Wicked + The Divine Christmas Annual #1 ($3.99) – I fell off the trail of the regular “WicDiv” story arcs, solely for lack of time. The one shots, such as “455 A.D.” earlier this year, allow me to enjoy Kieron Gillen’s creativity while I work to catch up on the ongoing series. And who doesn’t love a good Christmas special?
Judas #1 ($3.99): A little odd to be releasing a comic about the man who betrayed Jesus during the Christmas season (shouldn’t that be saved for Easter when it would be a little more timely?) but the Renaissance-influenced cover art alone has me intrigued.
Total: $17.96. Under budget for the first time since I started contributing to Comics Should be Cheap. Wish I could say the same about my personal holiday budget.
Justin’s Picks:
Mister Miracle #5 ($3.99) – I’m not as enthused about this series as seemingly everyone else online, but it is good, and definitely worth picking up in single issues.
Runaways #4 ($3.99) – So far, this iteration of “Runaways” has been a great continuation of Brian K. Vaughan and Adrian Alphona’s original run. This issue is bringing Molly back and I’m excited to see Rainbow Rowell and Kris Anka’s take on her.
Star Wars #40 ($3.99) – If this were any other franchise/property, Salvador Larroca’s photo-reference art would have made me drop it already. But it’s Star Wars, so I will keep buying. It’s a shame though, because Gillen’s story has been really good so far, and I like how he’s combining elements from Rogue One and his previous run on “Darth Vader.”
Total: $11.97. A surprisingly small week for me, so I’ll save those extra dollars for the monster weeks coming up.
