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:
Ether #5 ($3.99) – I’ve been loving this Matt Kindt/David Rubin tale of alternate dimensions, magic vs science, and the one man who seems more at home in the unknown than in his own world. Though I think it’s listed as the final issue of this thing, it’s just the end of the first volume, so I’m glad to know that we’ll get more of this world and this story.
Manifest Destiny #27 ($2.99) – Y’all, I sure do love “Manifest Destiny”. Things got wild in the last issue and things only seem to be getting wilder, as literally every monster that the Corps of Discovery has killed in the first four arcs is coming out of the fog and heading right for the Corps. Can’t wait to see how this plays out.
Invincible #134 ($2.99) – I’m firmly in the camp that “Invincible” is Kirkman’s best book, so I’m sad to see it going away after this big, twelve-issue arc. Still, I am confident that Kirman and Ottley will end the story in a big, violent, bloody, touching way.
God Country #3 ($3.99) – That Donny Cates is a star on the rise, and there’s no better example of that than just how damn good “God Country” has been so far. With Geoff Shaw on art, “God Country” has been a fantastic look both at a badass sword and interdimensional gods, and at ailing loved ones and the people that have to care for them. If this has the same sort of flash and fun that Cates and Shaw’s other stuff has had, then we’re all in for a treat.
Total: $13.96
Mark’s picks:
Head Lopper #5 ($5.99) — “Head Lopper” is back and better than ever, and I don’t mean that as hyperbole. This issue pulled me in right away and didn’t let go until its final page. And, boy, is it a stunning issue. Being a quarterly series helps here, as the issue’s got many more pages at its disposal than the standard 22-page monthly. This is chapter one of a new arc, and it has enough heft to it to earn the word ‘chapter.’
The Damned – Volume 1: Three Days Dead ($9.99) — I’m a huge fan of “The Sixth Gun.” Co-creators Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt make a great team. But before “The Sixth Gun” there was “The Damned.” This is the series where the team came together, but the pair of them have been pretty busy since then and “The Damned” sort of sat on a shelf—not forgotten, but waiting for them to give it their full attention.
In May, “The Damned” returns as an ongoing series, and in preparation for that, the original series is being released in a new trade paperback. This isn’t just a reprint though. For the first time the series is in color (thanks to Bill Crabtree, another “Sixth Gun” collaborator). Definitely pick this one up. For $10, it’s a hell of a deal.
Dead Inside #4 ($3.99) — I can’t believe we’re so close to the end of this series already. I’ve got my fingers crossed this gets picked up for a series of miniseries. Linda’s proved to be a compelling lead, and I’m not ready to be done with this series when it ends next month.
Total: $19.97. Yes, under $20! I am filled with a tremendous sense of achievement.
Brian’s Picks:
Batwoman #1 ($2.99) – Batwoman has been a great – the best? – part of “Detective Comics,” but seeing her head out on her own, let alone in a title by Marguerite Bennett and Steve Epting, is incredibly exciting. The ‘Rebirth’ issue was a nice hint at what this team can produce, and I can’t wait to see the story begin to take shape.
Continued belowJeff Steinberg: Champion of Earth #6 ($3.99) – A really fun comic that never got its due is ending this week. Due yourself a favor and track them down.
The Wildstorm #2 ($3.99) – Last issue intrigued me, even if it didn’t light a fire under me in the way I thought it might. But the team, the vision, the styling – everything is spot on, so even though the first issue wasn’t what I expected, I’m all in.
Superman #19 ($2.99) – Yes, it is a huge bummer that fake Clark isn’t Superboy-Prime. But I have faith in Peter Tomasi + Patrick Gleason to make this issue far better than last week’s Jurgens’d mess.
Dead Inside #4 ($3.99) – This is going to be one of those Arcudi-written series that, a decade from now, people will rediscover (like “A god Somewhere”) and fall in love with all over again. Don’t wait ten years, just buy it now.
Total: $17.95
Matt’s Picks:
Island #15 ($9.99) – It’s really sad to see something that championed original cartooning and comic art die because readers would rather spend their money on these massive corporately-driven superhero events they don’t even like too much but bear such strong familiarity they don’t seem to care. “Island” was a treat, an anomaly in mainstream comics, and piece of work that provided a wider view of what comics are doing. I hope the people who did read this found something new and interesting to expose themselves to.
American Gods: Shadows #1 ($3.99) – P. Craig Russell has achieved something close to the sublime in his adaptations of Neil Gaiman’s works, especially in titles like “Murder Mysteries.” That being said, he’s also responsible for some of the more misguided adaptations (the soft “Coraline,” for instance). While he’s not providing the finished art for this adaptation of Gaiman’s novel — that comes courtesy of Scott Hampton — his mark is all over these pages, which should make for an intoxicating and enthralling read.
Head Lopper #5 ($5.99) – One of the coolest adventure serials is back on the shelves. MacLean has only gotten better at his craft.
Total: $19.97
