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!
Mark’s Picks:
The Legend of Brightblade ($13.99) – I’ve been following Ethan M. Aldridge’s work for a while now, just for the pure pleasure of looking at it. I cannot get enough of it, so there’s no way I’m going to miss out on two hundred glorious pages of it.
Wingbearer ($12.99) – The game of this article is to stay under $20, and I try to respect that most of the time. But it’s far more important to me to draw attention to books that I think are great that readers may not know about. If I stuck by the rules, I could only pick one of these two OGNs, but I want readers to know about both.
I love Marjorie Liu’s writing on “Monstress.” In particular, I like the way she writes fantasy; she knows how to build a world that feels rich and alive, while also making sure that it always serves the story and characters. So as soon as I heard she was doing another fantasy title, this time for middle grade readers, I absolutely had to get this book. If you’re not familiar with Teny Issakhanian’s work, you should check out her website. Her character’s are so wonderfully expressive. I’ve no doubt this book is going to be amazing.
Total: $26.98. In this case, the recommendations were far more important to me than playing the CSBC game. Even still, I held back because there’s no way I’d possibly miss “Manor Black: Fire in the Blood” #2 and “Radio Spaceman: Mission to Numa 4” #1 either. (Plus there’s like three other OGNs out this week I have my eye on too.)
Johnny’s Picks:
Radio Spaceman: Mission to Numa 4 #1 (of 2) ($3.99) – Leave it to Mike Mignola to sell me on a book based on a pencil drawing of a goofy looking floating skull in a jar alone. Written by Mignola with art by “Black Cloud” alumn Greg Hinkle and colors by all-time great Dave Stewart, this looks to be a great little pulp sci-fi story full of all the fun monsters, robots, and aliens we’ve come to love from one of the greatest comics creators of all time.
X-Men #9 ($3.99) – One could easily say X-line has been diminished with the loss of Jonathan Hickman at the helm, but I staunchly disagree. I think the line is very strong, but in different ways. Duggan, in his tenure on the premiere X-title has introduced a lot of fun new villains from outside the normal stable that still make sense as adversaries to the new mutant nation, and the book is stronger for it. Sometimes you just need superhero slugfests, and this book delivers.
Total: $7.98
Christopher’s Picks:
Strange #1 ($4.99) – Clea is one of the most important Doctor Strange characters, but she’s been sadly sidelined by Marvel for what must’ve been decades now (although in fairness, her ex-husband not having an ongoing for nearly 20 years can’t have helped.) Full credit has to go to Jed MacKay and Marcelo Ferreira for realizing, “if Jane Foster can do it, why not Clea?” Hopefully this as much fun as MacKay’s “Black Cat” run.
What If? Miles Morales #1 ($4.99) – There’s a lot of Spider-Verse-related comics coming out soon, you’d think there was a movie and a milestone anniversary coming up. Anyway, Cody Ziglar and Paco Medina are going to imagine Miles as Captain America: how neat is that?
Total: $9.98
Kate’s Picks:
Cowboy Bebop #2 ($3.99): Can the second issue keep the momentum going from the first, or will it fall prey to the same slings and arrows of misfortune that befell its parent TV series?
White Bird: A Wonder Story ($14.99): R.J. Palacio’s graphic novel debut, the story of her grandmother in Nazi-occupied France, could not come at a better time because . . . *gestures at world events.* A story reminding us of the courage and power of kindness is the balm we need as dark images of the war in Ukraine fill our phones and TV screens.
Total: $18.98.
