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!
Matt Lune’s Picks:
Invisible Kingdom #1 ($3.99) – G. Willow Wilson and Christian Ward working on a sci-fi story involving conspiracy theories, religion, and capitalism sounds like a dream come true, so you know this is the top of my list.
Spider-Man Life Story #1 ($4.99) – Every time I blink, Chip Zdarsky is working on another impressive looking project. This mini-series that explores a version of Peter Parker that ages in real time throughout the decades sounds fascinating, and I can’t wait to read it.
Life and Death of Toyo Harada #1 ($4.99) – It’s been a while since I read Valiant books as passionately as I did when the relaunch first began, but Toyo Harada has always been one of the universe’s most fascinating characters.
Dark Red #1 ($3.99) – I managed to read an early review copy of this issue, and I tell you: “Dark Red” has the opportunity to explore real-world politics in a way rarely seen in the Vampire genre before, so for that alone it’s worth checking out.
Total: $17.96
Kevin’s Picks:
“Invisible Kingdom” #1 ($3.99) – Religion. Capitalism. Sci-Fi. Corruption. Truth. Wilson. Ward. Yup.
“Justice League” #20 ($3.99) – Jorge Jiménez just makes everything really really pretty and this book is still as big and nuts as when it started and I’m ready and excited for the threads to start coming together.
“Spider-Man Life Story” #1 ($4.99) – I’ve been looking forward to this book since it was announced. Chip Zdarsky telling Peter Parker period pieces just sounds bonkers and fun. This is the most exciting Marvel 80th anniversary celebration that has been announced thus far and I think it’s going to be extremely celebratory and really fun and creative.
“West Coast Avengers” #9 ($3.99) – I’m not ready for this book to end next month :/.
Total: $16.96
Vince’s Picks:
The Wild Storm #21 ($3.99) – Warren Ellis and Jon Davis-Hunt make the intricate look effortless. I wish more writers would take a page from Ellis with the way that he allows cataclysmic events to swirl in the background while characters in the foreground shoot the shit and breathe a little. Some writers try to inject the mundane aspects of life into superhero comics, but they overdo it and make their work feel like a decompressed slog. Other writers go all big, all the time and the books become impersonal. I feel like Warren Ellis strikes a pitch perfect balance here. That’s probably due in no small part to Jon Davis-Hunt’s ability to make even simple conversations between a maniac scientist and his assistant look visually interesting.
Spider-Man: Life Story #1 ($4.99) – I’m such a “Spider-Man” sucker that I’ll even break one of my rules of thumbs for superhero comics I want to see in 2019: more forward, not back. In general, I’m tired of living in the past and constantly returning to a character’s origin or their most major events, but something tells me this will be an exception. Something tells me this will be special.
Bloodborne #10 ($3.99) – Best video game adaptation comic…ever?
Total: $12.97
Kate’s Picks:
Mystery Science Theater 3000 #5 ($3.99) – I’m a big fan of MST3K (the original series, haven’t watched the Netflix reboot yet) thanks to the online streaming service Pluto TV. The comic adaptation had a rocky start, but it seems to be finding its sea legs with time.
Archie #703 ($3.99) – I always thought of Archie as my mother’s or my grandmother’s comics (in fact, not too long ago my mom did ask me if Archie “was still around” since that was the comic she knew as a child). The original series proves itself to be fresh and contemporary, without the outlandishness of Riverdale, but still retaining some of the innocence that has made it a trademark for 75 years. Maybe my mom and I can finally bond over comics after all!
Continued belowSpider-Man: Life Story #1 ($4.99) – After “Archie: 1941” which put the Riverdale kids in the year of their birth, I wonder how aging Spider-Man in real time from his inception in 1962, will work.
Invisible Kingdom #1 ($3.99) – I can always do with more G. Willow Wilson in my life.
Total: $16.96
Kyle’s Picks:
Jesusfreak ($17.99) – A pulpy violent retelling of young Jesus from two of the best creators out there, Joe Casey and Benjamin Marra. Both creators are able to live in that world of absurdity while still respecting the medium. I couldn’t be more excited for this book.
Immortal Hulk #15 ($3.99) – There are a lot of good books out this week, “Invisible Kingdown,” “Bitter Root,” “Spider-Man Life Story” but I kind of blew my budget for this exercise on “Jesusfreak” so I am left with one and that is “Immortal Hulk”. The most exciting superhero comic out right now. Smart, disturbing, beautiful and a wonderful look at what it means to be the Hulk. It is the first thing I read each week it comes out.
Total: $21.98. That is the goal right $21.98? Wait $20?
