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!
Johnny’s Picks:
Heathen #1 ($7.99) – Vault Comics is launching their “Vault Reserve” line of reprints with this re-issue of one of their more successful titles, Natasha Alterici’s “Heathen.” A smart, gorgeous, and completely charming story that is on the face (and marketed as such) a “feminist lesbian Viking” comic, but while it certainly is that, it’s also a terrific expression of defiance and acceptance of one’s own uniqueness and how those differences can change the world around them. “Heathen”‘s main character, Aydis, is a terrific and complex character, but one the audience is instantly drawn to and finds sympathetic. Alterici is a real-deal talent who shows a maturity and skill that is awe-inspiring. While this is a reprint, for just a couple extra bucks it looks to be chock full of extra goodies to entice readers back for this new line of collectors editions.
Orphan & The Five Beasts #4 ($3.99) – Sure, it took a bit longer than I’d like, but genius takes time, and this week sees the final issue of James Stokoe’s Kung Fu saga at last hit the stands. Throw the Shaw Brothers flicks, Street Fighter, Geoff Darrow’s mind-boggling hyper-detailed art, and Steve Ditko’s phantasmagorical visuals in a blender and you will get a beautifully spray of violence and action that might just look a little like this book.
The Human Target #5 (4.99) – That’s a brunette January Jones / Betty Draper on the cover right? Right?! In any case, King and Smallwood are crafting a pretty sly noir that works well when I’m not thinking too hard about it. It throws a very 80’s team (Giffen/DeMatteis/Maguire’s humor-heavy JLI) into the Wayback Machine to cosplay “Mad Men” for a bit, and I’m totally ok with this.
Total: $16.97 – At this point, “Saga” just gets a $2.99 perma-entry on my list.
Mark’s Picks:
Monstress #37 ($3.99) – I love Sana Takeda’s cover for this issue. It’s so stark when compared to her other “Monstress” covers, using that contrast to highlight Maika’s distress. (Also, good news for hardcover readers―the next volume is coming in July.)
Two Moons #10 ($3.99) – The final issue of the ‘Ghost War’ arc. It’s John Arcudi doing horror with Valerio Giangiordano, so great writing and great art. It’s an obvious pick for me.
Black Hammer: Reborn #9 ($3.99) – Caitlin Yarsky is back on art duties for the final four issues of the ‘Reborn’ arc. This was already a large-scale story, but knowing now that this will be leading into “Black Hammer: The End,” somehow makes it even bigger.
Saga #56 ($2.99) – Not sure if you’ve heard of this little comic or not, but it’s good.
Total: $14.99. With ComiXology in meltdown mode, this was a somewhat depressing week to look at the new comics.
Kate’s Picks:
Rockstar and Softboy #1 ($8.99): It’s Sina Grace’s return to writing and drawing comics in five years, and it’s a slice-of-life story that has just the right amount of weird – because that’s just what living in Hollywood (or is it Hollyweird?) can be.
Step By Bloody Step #1 ($4.99): Come for the novelty of a text-free comic, stay for the The Iron Giant vibes.
Kingjira #1 ($4.99): Because you can never go wrong with a little extra kaiju in your life.
Total: $18.97. Honorable mentions to “We Ride Titans” #2 (because as I said above, more kaiju is always a good thing), and the graphic novel adaptation of the second book of Philip Pullman’s His Dark Materials trilogy, “The Subtle Knife.”
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Christopher’s Pick:
Star Trek: Klingons ($7.99) – I’ve always wanted the story of Kahless, the Unforgettable founding father of Klingon society from Star Trek, to be depicted in comics, and here we are, in the first of several oversized specials from IDW exploring the franchise’s alien societies. Hopefully Jackson Lanzing, Collin Kelly and Timothy Green’s portrayal lives up to the legend (and features a diverse selection of Klingon designs.)
Total: $7.99
