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:
“Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor Season 2” #2 ($3.99) – It’s a tall order for this creative team to combine a beloved Doctor with a rising star while retelling a classic serial from the current era, but so far the creative team seems to be pulling it off beautifully.
“Tank Girl Full Color Classics 1994-1995” #2 ($6.99) – If you saw Birds of Prey and want to see another feminist punk comic icon (one that Margot Robbie is interested in bringing to the screen), these collections of 90s strips could be your jam.
“Astronauts Women on the Final Frontier” #2 ($12.99) – Before Sally, there was Valentina. And Mary. Learn more about these pioneers of space travel in this new middle-grade graphic novel.
Total: $23.97. A little over this week, but I have a tax return coming, so I have some wiggle room to spend.
Mark’s Picks:
“Blackwood: The Mourning After” #1 ($3.99) – Hey, “Blackwood” is back! This series from Evan Dorkin, and Veronica and Andy Fish feels like a title too many people are sleeping on, and it’s a damn shame because the book is excellent. If you haven’t read it yet, pick up the first trade and after you’ve inevitably fallen in love with it, grab this issue.
“Tales from Harrow County: Death’s Choir” #3 ($3.99) – I’m getting a real kick from having “Harrow County” back. A big part of that is what Naomi Franquiz brings to the series too—she clearly understands the characters Cullen Bunn and Tyler Crook created, and make sure that’s on the page along with all the expected southern gothic trappings.
“Go to Sleep (I Miss You)” ($14.99) – OK, this is Lucy Knisley, one of those cartoonists whose work I always have to get. There’s no way this book isn’t on my list.
Total: $22.97. I am so damn bad at this column. And that’s not even all of it because First Second has two releases out this week, so at the very least I’m going to check out “Cottons – Volume 2: The White Carrot.” Also, Graphix is releasing the first of its “She-Ra and the Princesses of Power” comics and as a fan of the show I’m going to have to flip through it and see if it lives up to its predecessor. Realistically, I’m more in the vicinity of $55.95. . . and that’s not even including the Art of Mana hardcover from Dark Horse.
Vince’s Picks:
“Ronin Island” #10 ($3.99) – Greg Pak and Giannis Milonogiannis’s ronin saga has featured rich, rare storytelling style that really breathes and carries tons of dramatic heft in an unassuming package. Pak is one of comics’ low key best writers across the board, but he especially shines in the creator-owned arena.
“Alienated” #1 ($3.99) – Chris Wildgoose is one of those artists that I first caught during some of his DC Comics work, and now I’ll follow wherever he pops up. His style is clean and his design sensibilities are fresh and youthful, which are the traits that line up with my own tastes in comic art. A story about some small town teenagers with powers they may or may not be ready to properly wield sounds like it’s right up his alley.
“Batman: Pennyworth RIP” #1 ($4.99) – I was pretty skeptical going into this comic, because the idea of the death of Alfred and whatever subsequent tribute that was destined to follow was feeling pretty hollow to me. This issue, however, examines the core bat family with a depth that we only get to experience on rare occasions every few years or so. Tynion does a terrific job with characterization, even having been saddled with Dick’s wretched “Ric Grayson” status quo, and there’s a bevy of artists on this one doing some fun work.
Continued below“Wonder Woman” #751 ($3.99) – Between Steve Orlando and the previous stint by G. Willow Wilson, Diana has been low key blessed as of late with some great writers who truly understand her. Orlando keeps stacking his story, being additive to Diana’s world instead of deconstructing it. It’s really brilliant stuff.
Final Verdict: $16.96
Brian’s Picks:
“Superman Heroes” #1 ($5.99) – The Super books haven’t been this good at DC since…’New Krypton?’ It’s been a long time, and the last time Bendis and co. did an anthology like this (“Superman: Leviathan Rising Special” #1), it turned out to be one of the more fun books of that month (and one of our favorite one-shots of 2019). I am very excited to dig into this.
“Tartarus” #1 ($5.99) – The solicit compares this book to Breaking Bad set in Mos Eisley. You’re expecting me not to buy this?
“The Green Lantern Season Two” #1 ($4.99) – While the “Green Lantern: Darkstars” miniseries left me a little bit cold, the boys are back in town for the second half of Grant Morrison/Liam Sharp’s ‘Hal as a space cop’ story.
Total: $16.97 – There is no reason that these three comics should cost this much.
Erik’s Picks:
“Undone by Blood” #1 ($4.99) – I wrote up the news story announcing this, so having read through the press release and some of the answers from writers Lonnie Nadler and Zac Thompson, I was very intrigued with what this comic was going to be like. It’s essentially a story within a story where in the present day, the lead character is taking revenge similar to the character she reads about in her pulp western. Sort of a mix between Kill Bill and Blood Meridian which is enough for me to try out the first issue. Plus there’ll be some interesting back content with AfterShock’s new publishing program.
Total: $4.99
