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!
Leo’s Picks:
D4VE #1 ($3.99) x 5 – Look, I know there’s plenty of quality stuff coming out this week. “Roche Limit”, “Black Hood”, “Chew”, just to name a few. But I’m a fan of most everything that Monkeybrain has done since they started and especially a fan of “D4VE”.
“D4VE” is something special. It somehow manages to mix action and genuinely funny moments into that feeling of soul-crushing despair that I think a lot of my generation knows so, so well. Ryan Ferrier and Valentin Ramon made one of the best comics, digital or otherwise, of 2014, in my opinion, when they unleashed “D4VE” on the world. I can only hope that 2015 will have as much love for the book full of masturbating robots, alien guts, and vajazzling.
Total: $19.96
Keith’s Picks:
Batman #39 ($3.99) – It’s a given that every month’s issue of “Batman” will be the best book of the month (for me, anyway). To make this issue even more special (besides being the penultimate chapter of “Endgame”) is the addition of Dustin Nguyen on art duties for James Tynion IV’s backup story.
Gotham Academy #5 ($2.99) – This issue’s solicit promises “smooching”. Nothing can go wrong when smooches are involved, right?
Catwoman #39 ($2.99) – This is one of the best mob crime comics on the shelves today and keeps surprising me with each issue. Genevieve Valentine’s pacing and execution of this story has been full of complexity and intensity. I have to remind myself that this isn’t a Vertigo series. Garry Brown, as usual, impresses with his singular artistry.
Secret Origins #10 ($4.99) – After last week’s humdinger of a reveal/cliffhanger in “Batgirl” #39, this issue seems like an essential read. The regular “Batgirl” writing team of Cameron Stewart and Brenden Fletcher are telling Barbara Gordon’s origin in this anthology with art by Irene Koh. There are Firestorm and Poison Ivy origins as well in this issue, but I have a feeling the sales will be much larger compared to past issues of this soon-to-be-ending series because of Miss Gordon.
Roche Limit #5 ($3.50) – The finale of this title’s first volume left me moved and intrigued to discover the new direction that’s promised when the second volume kicks off in May. Writer Michael Moreci and artist Vic Malhotra have created a series that has been unique, thoughtful, and fun since its debut.
Low #6 ($3.50) – This issue concludes the first arc of one of the best new series of 2014. Greg Tocchini instantly became one of my favorite artists after issue one, with Rick Remender’s very personal and moving story taking place in an unexpected underwater sci-fi setting.
Total: $21.96 – It’s definitely a week worth going over the twenty buck limit.
David’s Picks:
Criminal Special Edition #1 ($4.99) – I’ve missed this book. Sure, we get other flavors of the Brubaker and Phillips combination elsewhere, but this is such a rich and interesting comic book universe. I am very, very excited to see it return, and for those interested, it should be new reader friendly!
Wicked + The Divine #8 ($3.50) – I’ve liked the book in the past, but this second arc has really stepped the book to another level. Really excited for the rest of Fandemonium, and regardless of what happens within it, we get some killer art from McKelvie and Wilson.
Thor Annual #1 ($4.99) – This comic has a hellacious list of creators involved, not just including the usual names, but people like CM Punk, Rob Guillory, Marguerite Sauvage and Noelle Stevenson. Yes. That. That should do.<
Spider-Gwen #1 ($3.99) – I have a confession to make: I didn’t love Spider-Gwen’s first appearance. However, I could see the potential there, and I am not going to miss out on that potential being realized. Let’s see what happens.
Continued belowTotal: $17.47 – an exciting week, but one filled with high priced books
Drew’s Picks:
Futurama #74 ($2.99) – Some of my favorite Futurama episodes featured the WhatIf machine. There’s no way I’m missing this issue. (Of course, I don’t miss any issues. Bongo’s probably the most consistent publisher in the market.)
Criminal Special Edition #1 ($4.99) – I’ve been waiting for more “Criminal” for ages. Sure, “Fatale” was good, and “Fade Out” is starting well, but this series is all I’ve ever really wanted from Brubaker and Phillips. Crime fiction at its best.
Roche Limit #5 ($3.50) – This series has not been AT ALL what I expected, but it’s got me hooked. The crazy ideas are oddly compelling, which is the best kind of compelling. If you’re not already reading this, you better start at the beginning though. Otherwise, you’ll be completely lost.
Black Hood #1 ($3.99) – I’m hesitant about this one, because it sounds an awful lot like another book Swierczynski does for Dark Horse. Still, I like his other book enough to give this one a shot. Who knows, maybe it’ll be completely different. After all, if comics has taught us only one thing, it’s that there are a lot of different ways to tell a story about a brooding vigilante.
Final Total: $15.47
Jess’ Picks:
Curb Stomp #1 ($3.99) – Punk roller derby chicks with attitude is basically a book written for me. Ryan Ferrier is a rising star that you should be paying attention to. I haven’t even read it yet and I wish it were an ongoing series.
Matt Garcia’s Picks:
Seraphim 26661336 Wings ($19.99) – There are actually a ton of books I’m excited for this week, but I’m going to blow my entire budget on this manga reprint (or maybe it’s the first time it’s been translated into English? I’m not entirely sure) from Dark Horse. Written by Mamoru Oshii, who made the first Ghost in the Shell movie, and illustrated by the genius that was Satoshi Kon, this might feature one of the most boss creative teams of all time. This is one of those cases where I don’t care much what this is about, because any Satoshi Kon art is definitely more than a justifiable reason to search something out.
Total: $19.99
