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!
Erik’s Picks:
“Plunge” #1 ($3.99) – Stuart Immonen is one my favorite artists of all time. I can’t wait to see his take on horror. The Gary Frank variants that have been revealed so far are amazing too. I love seeing artists associated with Big 2 superhero comics do creator-owned work.
“Bloodshot” #0 ($3.99) – With all the Bad Idea news, I wanted to jump in and see what the DMG era of Valiant is like. In a classic Valiant move, the company is releasing a zero issue ahead of the film to get readers on board the Tim Seely run of the character with some sweet Marc Laming art to boot!
“Bang!” #1 ($3.99) – Lemire and Ormston’s “Black Hammer” is to superheroes as Kindt and Torres’ “Bang!” is to pulp/spy characters. That premise alone is going to get me to buy this whole series.
“Family Tree” #4 ($3.99) – Lemire and Hester have slowly revealed the nature of Megan’s illness. It’s been a bit of a slow burn, but Hester’s linework makes the comic one of the best on the stands.
“Undiscovered Country” #4 ($3.99) – We’re still getting bits and pieces about this world. The series feels a bit overwritten at times, but I really enjoy the characters.
Total: $19.95
Jason’s Picks:
”Bang!” #1 ($3.99)‒ I read a preview of Bang! #1 recently at my LCS and it looked interesting. Matt Kindt has some great mind-bending comics, so why not give it a chance?
”Heartbeat” #4 ($3.99)‒ The previous three issues of Llovet’s Heartbeat has been fantastic with the third issue ending on a great cliffhanger. All that combined, why wouldn’t I be excited.
”Wonder Twins” #12 ($3.99)‒ One of my favorite Maxi-series to date is coming to an end. It’s a sad thing, yet I’m excited to go through a re-read.
”Wonder Woman: Dead Earth” #2 ($6.99)‒ The first issue’s art was spectacular with a badass story to boot. One of the free Black Label comics not focused around a member of the Bat-Family. Everything about the first issue was epic, so heres to hoping that continues.
Total: $18.96
Kevin’s Picks:
“Wolverine” #1 ($7.99) – He’s the best there is at what he does, and in this case, he’s best at causing me to spend too much money on a single issue. I am very excited about this issue though. I love Ben Percy and having Viktor Bogdanovic on an ongoing Marvel book is the dream (though I am sad to see him part DC). Can Wolverine be happy? Wait didn’t Batman just ask that? Why’s everyone wanting to be happy all of a sudden? Is anyone happy? We all depressed? Ahh who cares this seems like it’ll be better and more fun.
“Plunge” #1 ($3.99) – I have jumped on none of the Hill House books so far, but I cannot pass up a Stuart Immonen comic at DC so….
“Guardians of the Galaxy” #2 ($3.99) – The first issue of this new run was a masterclass in how to launch big and cosmic and bold. Can’t wait for more.
“Runaways” #30 ($3.99) – Still my favorite Marvel book, even after all this time.
Total: $19.96
James’s Picks:
“Joker Killer Smile” #3 ($5.99) – This series has been a weird pick for me, I’ve never really fallen in love with stories about the ambiguous, infectious insanity of the Joker. “Arkham Asylum” was fun on a first read but hasn’t aged well for me, I feel like “Killing Joke” is sort of toothless and I cringed constantly at the Joker movie (I’m sorry for the waves of hate mail I just thrust on this column). But “Killer Smile” has one of my favourite creative teams behind it, and I will Lemire and Sorrentino wherever their creativity leads. The promise of some sort of culmination here is a huge guiding light, and I’m just looking forward to reading a book that I can’t even start to predict. So let’s see where Mr. Smiles takes us.
Continued below“Wonder Woman Dead Earth” #2 ($6.99) – Another Black Label book, I must be going through something right? Still, I love Daniel Warren Johnson to bits and his more vulnerable, yet perfectly pragmatic and idyllic Diana Prince was a home run in issue #1. Johnson’s art thrives in this deluxe format, with wide pages and long issues giving the whole book a sense of grandeur and scale that compliments his story really well. Also no one draws nightmare fuel quite like Daniel Warren Johnson, so I guess I’m looking forward to that in some screwed up way.
“Wolverine” #1 ($7.99) – I’ve been way more on board with “X-Force” than a lot of people I know, and I’m not entirely sure why. I really can’t get through the faux military comic books of the 90s and I’m not even a huge proponent for gritty mutants like Domino and Wolverine. So I guess with “Wolverine” #1 I’m going to figure out if it’s Percy’s layered writing or Cassara and White’s amazing art that’s pulling me through “X-Force,” hopefully it’s more of the former, because if so I’ve got a whole new series to fall in love with right here.
Total: $20.97
Mark’s Picks:
“ Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: The Return of Effie Kolb ” #1 ($3.99) – Zach Howard began his career in comics with the Hellboy: Sourcebook and Roleplaying Game and now he’s choosing to close it with “Hellboy” too. He’s chosen to shoulder a difficult story―the sequel to the Eisner-winning ‘Crooked Man’ by Mike Mignola and Richard Corben―but it pays off beautifully. ‘The Crooked Man’ is so much about the location in the Appalachian Mountains, and Howard succeeds in evoking the Corben-esque without mimicking Corben. It’s a fine line to walk, but Howard does it in a way that feels effortless.
“BANG!” #1 ($3.99) – So Matt Kindt’s basically taken a fun James Bond fan theory and used it as a springboard into something way more interesting. The concept alone is a great hook, but paired with Matt Kindt’s writing and Wilfredo Torres’s art, it’s an absolute must-get. Plus, as a Tintin fan, I would be remiss if I didn’t pick up a book described by Keanu Reeves as, “A great fucked up blend of James Bond and Tintin.”
“Bitter Root” #6 ($3.99) – I was surprised to discover the last issue of this was only July last year; it felt much longer to me. I’m glad to have the series back, but also all the key creators (Chuck Brown, David F. Walker, and Sanford Greene) back too.
“Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy” #3 ($3.99) – If this was just Tonci Zonjic’s art, I’d still be all over this book. The way he lays out a page is so damn satisfying. But there’s also this guy called Jeff Lemire writing, and I hear he does some good things too.
“Family Tree” #4 ($3.99) – Lemire again. Yep, he definitely does some good things.
Total: $19.95. Yes, under $20 this time! I saved 5¢!
Kate’s Picks:
“Archie Meets the B-52s” #1 ($3.99) – If you see a faded sign at the side of the road that says 15 miles to … Riverdale? Roam if you want to, Archie. Roam around the world. Without wings, without wheels.
“Wonder Woman Dead Earth” #2 ($6.99) – This Wonder Woman meets Mad Max series is wonderfully deep and rich, with gorgeous artwork to boot.
“Aquaman” #57 ($3.99) – It’s Aquababy time!
Total: $14.97
