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:
Limbo #6 ($2.99) – This is probably the last time I’ll ever get to talk about “Limbo” on CSBC, so that’s kinda sad. Still, “Limbo” has been one of the most interesting and unique books of the last year. Each and every issue was a solid read that featured a cast of incredibly well thought out characters. We need more comics like “Limbo” and I can’t wait to see how this last issue turns out.
Black Road #1 ($3.99) – Brian Wood doing more stories about Vikings? And Garry Brown on art? Take my money now.
Citizen Jack #6 ($3.99) – Things are getting ever weirder in “Citizen Jack” as Marlinspike and Jack have taken a very proactive approach to winning the presidency. Sam Humphries and Tommy Patterson continue to make one of the craziest books out there and it’s tons of fun with each issue.
Heartthrob #1 ($3.99) – Crime, romance, and a heart transplant. “Heartthrob” is a high concept with some great characters and could easily be a hit for Sebela and Wilson.
Total: $14.96
Drew’s Picks:
Autumnlands #10 ($2.99) – This series has been plagued with delays, but the wait has always been worth it. Busiek are telling a wonderful and beautiful fairy tale that’s packed with intrigue and subtlety. They’ve been dropping hints that this book will end up being a fantasy powered by science fiction (kinda like “Reyn”, another great Image book that seems to have vanished). If you haven’t looked into this series yet, do yourself a favor and check out the first trade.
Harrow County #10 ($3.99) – I enjoy horror comics, but to be honest, very few of them ellicit any actual scares or fear from me. I still read them because I like followings stories about characters who are scared. At first, that’s what “Harrow County” seemed like – a comic about people who were creepy or creeped out. Last month’s issue though, it left me literally uncomfortable, shifting in my seat as I read it. This new issue will pick up in the same place, and I’m not sure I really want to read more. Of course, that also means I need to read more. You should too, if you’re not already.
Total: $6.98 – quality over quantity, right?
Vince’s Picks:
Batman/Superman #31 ($3.99) – Picking up “Superman” #51 last week really paid off, as it was perhaps the best issue of a Superman title since ‘The New 52’ started. Essentially it was “what if the DCU comics Superman were Donner Superman mixed with “All-Star Superman”?” If this is any indication of the way Superman’s character will be looked at when ‘DC Rebirth’ hits, we’re all in for a treat. Peter Tomasi’s ‘Super League’ continues here, so if you dug last week’s opening salvo, you’ll want to pick this up too.
Heartthrob #1 ($3.99) – Reading the solicit for “Heartthrob” it sounds totally bonkers. And then when you find out it’s written by the great Christopher Sebela, it all kinda makes sense?
Star Wars Special: C-3PO #1 ($4.99) – Let’s get this out of the way: I don’t need to know why C-3PO has one red arm now. To me, it could easily just be another clever signifier of the time that’s passed since Return of the Jedi. But in the end, I’m a mark for Star Wars and of course I’m going to buy this.
House of Penance #1 ($3.99) – Tomasi’s writing is really connecting with me lately, so of course I’ll check this out. Ian Bertram is also on art, and you may remember him for (among other things) the most unique looking issue of last year’s “Batman Eternal”, set in South America. I’m a huge fan of his offbeat style. “House of Penance” sounds like a really creepy horror-suspense book, which Bertram’s art sounds well-suited for.
Continued belowTotal: $16.96
Matt Garcia’s Picks:
Goldie Vance #1 ($3.99) – If Hope Larson and Brittney Williams weren’t enough to get you immediately intrigued, then you should know this book is filled with girl detectives, grand hotels, diamond thieves, and car races.
Star Wars: C3PO ($4.99)) – The team on this book is rough (Tony Harris, James Robinson) and the book itself is so late that not only have we all seen Force Awakens, but we all probably own a copy of Force Awakens, but I dunno, I have a soft spot for that friggin droid, so…here’s hoping it’s at least entertaining.
Xena: Warrior Princess #1 ($3.99) – The latest in the long line of comics continuing stories from 90s TV, this one has the benefit of being written by Genevieve Valentine. I feel though that if you do pick this up, you need to run around the store, comic held high, letting out your best Xena war cry. Otherwise, what’s the point?.
Legend of Wonder Woman #4 ($3.99) – And here’s the best Wonder Woman book being published right now. This marks the halfway point of Renae De’s series, and, really, this book is worth checking out.
Total: $16.96
Mark’s Pick:
Hellboy in Mexico ($19.99) — If you missed all the Hellboy in Mexico short stories that popped up in various publications over the last five years, don’t miss this book. It collects the original Hellboy in Mexico tale (also called “A Drunken Blur”), the previously mentioned shorts, and the “House of the Living Dead” original graphic novel. I definitely recommend reading this before “Hellboy in Hell” wraps up…
Total: $19.99. This is yet another week where I’m not even close to sticking to $20. I’m more than double, easily. For the purposes of this column, I will abide by the rules and stay below $20, but I won’t be happy about it.
