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 Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel” ($22.95)— An adaptation of Margaret Atwood’s novel of the same name. Graphically, I find the challenges of “The Handmaid’s Tale” rather fascinating. Offred is forced to live in her own head, which is something a novel can do comfortably. When it was adapted for Hulu’s television series, the cinematography has to carry a lot of this, and it came up with some very inventive solutions. From interviews with artist Renée Nault, it’s clear she’s very aware of this aspect of the story and leaning into it. As she says, “… comics and graphic novels can switch seamlessly between abstract and literal imagery.” I’ll be very interested to see what she comes up with.
“Crimson Lotus” #5 ($3.99)— I really enjoyed this miniseries and I’m hoping this isn’t the last we see of these characters. John Arcudi and Mindy Lee opened up a whole corner of the Hellboy Universe that’s just begging for more stories.
“Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: 1956” #5 ($3.99)— 1956 was always going to be an important year for “Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.,” a story that has to juggle redundant plots points from other stories with new material… There were a lot of places it could’ve fallen short, but ‘1956’ handled this challenge fantastically well. For me, ‘1956’ stands among the best we’ve seen from this title so far.
“Isola” #7 ($3.99)— I love decompressed storytelling in comics, but it’s a challenge to get it to work in serialized issues, especially in terms of giving each issue it’s own story and identity. The pressure to live up to that challenge has been compounded now that the second arc has a two-month wait between issues instead of one, so I’m watching to see how “Isola” manages this.
“Black Hammer: Age of Doom” #9 ($3.99)— I suppose I should put a spoiler warning for these that haven’t read the last few issues of “Black Hammer.” When ‘Age of Doom’ was first announced, it with a press release ending “Black Hammer” and immediately relaunching it as “Black Hammer: Age of Doom”. And I know there were some readers confused by this, but it’s actually rather hilarious in retrospect, especially now that we know what the age of doom is… the age of perpetual reboots. I love the wit of this Lemire and Ormston tale.
Total: $38.91. “The Handmaid’s Tale: The Graphic Novel” blew the budget, but I’m sure it’ll be worth it.
Kevin’s Picks:
“Detective Comics” #1000 ($9.99) – Pick your poison on the covers there all gorgeous, but I imagine everyone here will be picking up a copy of this book this week. Love him or hate him, ‘Tec and Batman getting to 1000 issues an insane milestone 80 years in the making and worth picking up simply for posterity.
“Daredevil” #3 ($3.99) – I loved the first two issues of this book. Chip Zdarsky, Marco Checchetto, Sunny Gho, and everyone who is working on this book are just turning in gorgeous and moody pages with all the Catholic guilt you could ever want.
“Friendo” #5 ($3.99) – This book has been a trip and I’m excited for more White Noise Studios at Vault and Alex Paknadel, Martin Simmonds and co. everywhere else!
“The Forgotten Queen” #2 ($3.99) – Heard a lot about this book at the Valiant Uprising panel this weekend at C2E2 so I picked up the first issue and it’s VERY good. Tini Howard is just churning out great stuff at every company she gets work at.
Total: $21.96. A little over but it’s worth it. Also it could very well be more with “Action Comics,” “Ironheart,” Isola,” the debut of “Dial H for Hero,” and the first DC Ink book “Mera: Tidebreaker” all out this week!
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Kate’s Picks:
“Detective Comics” #1000 ($9.99) – Even if you’ve never read a Batman comic in your life, or a single issue of “Detective Comics,” this is a pretty momentous issue that should be on your pull list. Presidents and iPhones may come and go over 80 years, but Batman is the constant that remains. And that is worth celebrating.
“GLOW” #1 ($3.99) – I haven’t watched any episode of Netflix’s GLOW (and I know I probably should so don’t @ me), but with Tini Howard on script, this is going to be full on feminist and fun.
“Marvel Rising” #1 ($3.99) – This is apparently the week of girl power with another “Marvel Rising” series kicking off. But didn’t we have one of these last year? Nevertheless, I won’t argue with more Kamala Khan and Doreen Green in my life. This is an all-ages series that I’m thrilled to give to my niece the reluctant reader.
Total: $17.97
Kyle’s Picks:
“The Freak” ($14.95) – Every time I see Matt Lesniewski post an image from “The Freak” I instinctively check if it’s out yet. Oh, its not out yet. Soon right? Why? Well it comes out this week and I can calm down. Matt’s art is so distinct and expressive. Always pick something different and out there versus the mainstay stuff but, fuck it, just by both.
“Ice Cream Man” #11 ($3.99) – It’s creepy and it’s kooky, mysterious and spooky and all together ooky, its the “Ice Cream Man.” What this team of creators has put together is amazing. Crazy one shot story one after another while still telling an engrossing longer form narrative.
Total: $18.94
Vince’s Picks:
“Detective Comics” #1000 ($9.99) – I think this collection of short stories is even more hit-and-miss than the “Action Comics” one, but it’s a milestone issue and there are definitely some worthwhile moments. Scott Snyder & Greg Capullo’s story is perhaps the best of the bunch, as it has some surprising and fun tie-ins for comic readers who know the history of “Detective Comics” well. Warren Ellis & Becky Cloonan do Batman as Kevin McAllister, with results that are a lot more engaging and beautiful to look at than that description suggests.
Total: $9.99
