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!
Christopher’s Picks:
“Girl Haven” ($14.99) – Lately, it’s become difficult to disassociate a beloved children’s fantasy series from its transphobic, multi-millionaire author. That’s a big reason I preordered Lilah Sturges and Meaghan Carter’s OGN: we need new fantasy books for children that won’t profit a right-wing enabler. Aside from all that, I’m certain it’s a lovely and welcoming book for readers of all ages, whether they’re non-gender conforming or not.
“Magnificent Ms. Marvel” #18 ($4.99) – Another volume of Kamala Khan’s adventures come to an end, this time much sooner. While I’m sure we’ll see another comic launched to coincide with her Disney+ show soon, Saladin Ahmed and Minkyu Jung’s comic has been a worthy continuation of G. Willow Wilson’s run, and this finale ought to be a fun capstone to their short run.
Total: $19.98
Kate’s Picks:
Stray Dogs #1 ($3.99) – Take The Secret of NIMH. Mix in a helping of All Dogs Go To Heaven. Sprinkle liberally with horror. You now have “Stray Dogs.” (And if you want to learn more about this series, check out our interview with the creative team!)
The Magnificent Ms. Marvel #18 ($4.99) – It’s time to celebrate 75 issues of “Ms. Marvel” and the end of Saladin Ahmed’s run on the title – – and what better way to do it than with a dance?
Nuclear Family #1 ($4.99) – While my formative years came at the end of the era of the Cold War, the threat of mutually assured destruction still hung over the air in the 1980s. (Remember Threads? Or Testament or The Day After?) It’s perhaps strange to have nostalgia for terrors that might have been, but that could be what keeps the doomsday clock from moving closer to midnight.
The Access Guide to the Black Comic Book Community ($9.99) – I totally slept on this one last week, so I beg some indulgence from the boss to have it on this week’s list. This new guide will introduce you to a universe of comic creators and stories from Black creators. If you want to embrace the true multiverse of comics, you need this in your collection. (You can order your copy from Brooklyn’s Anyone Comics here.)
Total: $23.96. Find the extra money for that last pick – – it will be worth it in the long run.
Mark’s Picks:
Two Moons #1 ($3.99) – It’s been way too long since we’ve had a new John Arcudi comic. If, like me, you’re not familiar with Valerio Giangiordano’s work, check out his Instagram. If you’re not already convinced to pick up this comic, I’m sure that’ll do the trick.
Avatar: The Last Airbender—Toph Beifong’s Metalbending Academy ($12.99) – There is no way I wouldn’t pick this up. I mean, Dark Horse’s “Avatar: The Last Airbender” comics have been consistently excellent since day one, artist Peter Wartman has such a wonderful affinity for this world, plus Toph’s my favorite character, and writer Faith Erin Hicks is one of my favorite creators (and Toph just happens to be her favorite character too). I’m already convinced this is gonna be fantastic.
Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy #6 ($3.99) – This is the first book of Phase II of “Black Hammer,” but also a standalone tale. So, while it ends and ends well, god, it leaves me wanting more. Jeff Lemire clearly has something he wants to say that’s very distinct from the first phase of “Black Hammer” and this is a hell of an opening salvo. Meanwhile Tonci Zonjic’s layouts and colors continue to impress page after page. I already need the library edition for this…
Continued belowMonstress #32 ($3.99) – I don’t know how many more times I can say this comic is excellent and you should be reading it, but this comic is excellent and you should be reading it.
Total: $24.96. With a golden week of comics like this, you kinda gotta go over the usual limit.
Johnny’s Picks:
Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy #6 ($3.99) – I’ve talked Tonci Zonjic up a few times throughout my time on this column, but it needs to be said the Zonjic is one of the greatest working draftsmen in the game. Bolstered by gorgeous – often monochromatic – colors, Zonjic’s pages are some of the cleanest and most easily readable on the stands. This proves a great counterpoint to the themes of the story, exposing the muddy morals (or lack thereof) of vigilante pop-culture media of the seventies and eighties. A terrific issue closing out one of the best Black Hammer series to date.
Usagi Yojimbo Wanderer’s Road #4 ($3.99) – This miniseries, bringing us colorized versions of some of the first Usagi Yojimbo tales prove one thing: Stan Sakai might very well be one of the greatest cartoonists of all time. The stories included in this miniseries are approaching 30 years old and still seem timeless, with Ronda Pattison’s added colors making Sakai’s world that much more rich and evocative. Issue 4 here is a reprint of “Usagi Yojimbo #10,” the first appearance of the classic Usagi villain Jei, aka “The Blade of the Gods.” A terrific foil to Miyamoto Usagi, Jei’s motives and terrifying character design make him an antagonist that chills the spine whenever he appears (or reappears) into Usagi’s world.
Total: $7.98
Vince’s Picks:
Future State: Superman – House of El #1 ($5.99) – This may be the single best issue in all of DC Comics’ ‘Future State’ line of books, and for some reason it is the only “one-shot” issue in the entire event. Of all the stories in ‘Future State’, this one could have used so much more breathing room. As such, a plethora of ideas are jammed into this thing so tightly that it would be unconscionable if we don’t get to see more of this status quo in the ‘Infinite Frontier’ line. Every page is brimming with big, bold Super-Family ideas, and perhaps the best work of Scott Godlewski’s career. It’s such a terrific package, but I cannot stress how much of a crime it will be if this is all the “House of El” ends up amounting to.
Total: $5.99
