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:
Kaijumax Season 2 TP ($19.99) – I’ve written many times here in the digital pages of CSBC about just how much I love Zander Cannon and his work on “Kaijumax”. It is a book about monsters in prison, including giant robots, Ultraman knockoffs, weird kaiju slang, kaiju rap songs, and a ton of other weird stuff, but somehow manages to be incredibly human and true to real life. I honestly don’t know how Zander Cannon manages to make the book so weird and hilarious, but also so emotionally investing and touching. I suspect he’s some kind of wizard. Anyway, this second volume finally reunites Electrogor with his children and we get to see how life on the outside is for former Kaijumax inmates, plus some Cthulu guys doing drugs on the bottom of the ocean and other fantastic things. “Kaijumax” is just the best, y’all.
Total: $19.99. ComicList also has “Colossi” #2 coming out, which is suspect given that the first issue came out at the beginning of this month. So, I won’t list it, but it’s still a comic worth checking out if you dig smart sci-fi comics.
Matt’s Picks:
Aliens Dead Orbit #1 ($3.99 ) – One look at James Stoke’s amazingly intricate artwork and you’ll see why this is top of the pile for me. His style perfectly suits the dark and deadly sci-fi horror of the Alien franchise, and I can’t wait to see what he’ll produce that will be keeping me awake at night.
There’s Nothing There #1 ($3.99 ) – Black Mask have a great track record of producing compelling new series from emerging new talent. At this point I put my money down sight unseen, but Maria Llovet’s art looks gorgeous and more than worth the price.
Britannia We Who are About to Die #1 ($3.99 ) – You ever have that feeling that you skipped a book you really shouldn’t have done? Of course you do, we all do, there’s so much out there. Valiant’s “Britannia” series is at the top of that list for me, and this sequel series looks just as good. This, for me, is the perfect excuse to go back and catch up.
Underwinter #2 ($3.99) – I LOVED issue one of this new horror anthology, and after that final page you just know I gotta come back for issue 2. Genuinely chilling and haunting, it’s not too late to jump on board.
Flash #21 ($2.99) – *Audible sigh*…what can I say? I’m drawn in. As much as putting money down for a book that seems to actively flaunt the mistreatment of “Watchmen”’s original creator, there’s no denying that DC are either extremely brave or insanely stupid, maybe both? Either way they’ve got me hooked, and I’m just strapping in for the wild ride.
Total: $18.95 A strong week for the independents, with only one Big Two title sneaking in and one massive movie franchise handed to a stunning creator. A good week
Nick’s Picks:
Bitch Planet #10 (3.99) – “Bitch Planet” is back! The series that plays with exploitation tropes to explore some raw feminism that any “non-compliant” person can relate to. Just as good as the comic itself is the backmatter, which usually contains feminist essays, interviews with feminists, and lively letter columns. If that sounds cool to you, make sure you’re checking out the single issues, as not much of that gets reprinted in the trades.
Doom Patrol #6 (3.99) – Way and Derrington’s run here has been a slow unfolding of chaos, and I feel they’ve reached a great balance at this point between forward story momentum and unbridled chaos. The first arc ends here, before a short break for a few months.
Continued belowSupergirl: Being Super #3 (5.99) – A DC book that feels like an indie book. Jillian Tamaki intimately understands the teenage temperament, and Joelle Jones’s peculiar grounded style brings an oddly homey feeling to Smallville. Whoever thought of putting these creators together for this, thank you.
Black Panther #13 (3.99) – Now that Ta-Nehisi Coates has finished his original twelve issues arc, we start going into all-new territory. His previous issues have been fascinating, thematically strong but not always paced too well, so I’m curious how his year worth of experience in comics has changed how he planned this arc out.
Total: $17.96. Flash by Mark Waid volume 2 and Young Justice by Peter David volume 1 are also out this week, both of which I highly recommend and would totally buy if I hadn’t already bound both series.
Mark’s Picks:
Avatar: The Last Airbender—North and South, Part 3 ($10.99) — I’m kind of sad to see this miniseries come to an end. My hope is that the ‘dark Katara’ will emerge in this part. This aspect of the character has been bubbling beneath the surface so far. Given the way the last part ended, I want to see that side of her again, especially since we haven’t really seen it since “The Southern Raiders” episode of the TV show.
Lobster Johnson: The Pirate’s Ghost #2 ($3.99) — This miniseries got off to a great start, and the second issue is even better. John Acudi and Tonci Zonjic can seemingly do no wrong.
The Visitor: How and Why He Stayed #3 ($3.99) — I’m continuing to enjoy this series. It’s different from the rest of the Hellboy Universe in just the right ways. For those big on the larger mythology of this universe, there’s a lot of interesting details in this one too.
Total: $18.97. A total lie, of course, because obviously I’ll be picking up the “Saga – Book Two” hardcover as well.
Kent’s Picks
Quantum Teens are Go #3 ($3.99) – I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it emphatically again, science punks kick science ass! Magdalene Vissagio and Eryk Donovan’s series snaps, crackles, and pops with all the youthful enthusiasm and energy of Rice Krispies and DIY car batteries.
Aliens: Dead Orbit #1 ($3.99) – The hyper-detailed insanity that is James Stokoe on the lumbering, rumbly space freighters and xenomorph savagery of the Alien universe. Sign me up.
Black Monday Murders #5 ($3.99) – After a brief hiatus, Jonathan Hickman and Tomm Coker are back with the second arc in this dark, dense saga. The global banking system as the root of all evil is fairly blase. But when its eldritch evil as the root of all banking systems, there’s really something cooking. Glad to see this back on the shelves.
Batman The Shadow #1 ($3.99) – I’ll admit, I can be a sucker for older pulp heroes. But let’s be honest, Riley Rossmo drawing either Batman or The Shadow on their own would be a must-buy. The fact he’s drawing both, and that Steve Orlando and Scott Snyder will be pulling the strings, makes this a no-brainer.
Loose Ends #4 ($3.99) – On principle, part of me loves the fact that a series with this title was left unfinished. The other part just thinks Jason Latour and Chris Brunner are sadistic for leaving us hanging for so damn long. Can’t wait to see this close out.
Total: $19.95
Rowan’s Picks:
Black Monday Murders #5 $3.99 — I’m a sucker for Hickman’s world building talent, and I really enjoyed the arcane Wall Street vibe this series has. Plus, it hasn’t been hit by any delays (so far)!
Aliens: Dead Orbit #1 ($3.99) — I was sold on this series as soon as it was solicited. Been a huge Stokoe fan since I discovered “Orc Stain” a few years ago and this seems like a perfect pairing for him.
Ultimates 2 #6 ($3.99) — Al Ewing is pumping out some of the best Marvel Cosmic work in years, and Travel Foreman is an amazing surreal artist, and honestly this is one of my favourite DC/Marvel titles at the moment!
Continued belowTotal: $11.97. A few heavy hitters on the pull plus some money to spare!
Matthew’s Picks
Aliens Dead Orbit #1 ($3.99) – James Stokoe! James Stokoe! James Stokoe!
Doom Patrol #6 ($3.99) – I grabbed the Record Store Day single Way put out and it came with a sampler comic that reminded me how much this guy loves comics. That’s a love I can support.
The Ultimates 2 #6 ($3.99) – Speaking of records, I feel like a broken record at this point with the way I am vehemently recommending Al Ewing’s Ultimates work. Don’t miss out.
Wonder Woman #21 ($2.99) – Rucka’s interconnected stories continue, and “Wonder Woman” is still a book everyone must buy.
X-O Manowar #2 ($3.99) – Formerly the launching series of Valiant, Kindt’s first issue for the new series was a great jumping on point that set some interesting stakes. Highly recommended.
Total: $18.95 – If you have an extra $1.94, you can nab the latest issue of “The Flash” too. But I recognize a bunch of y’all are mad about The Button, so…
Justin’s Picks:
Britannia: We Who Are About to Die #1 ($3.99) – The first “Britannia” series was a great standalone mini and I’m excited to see how they follow it up.
Hal Jordan and the Green Lantern Corps #19 ($2.99) – Green Lantern books haven’t grabbed me since John’s left, but Kyle Rayner is back in all his crab masked glory so I’m in for at least an arc.
Kill or Be Killed #8 ($3.99) – This may be my favorite thing Brubaker has done for Image. Last issue was a nice interlude but I’m looking forward to getting back to the main story.
The Old Guard #3 ($3.99) – Greg Rucka’s modern riff on Highlander would already be great on its own, but Leandro Fernandez’s art really bumps it up a level. The more cartoonish (at times) style seems like it wouldn’t mesh with story but they make it work to great effect.
X-O Manowar #2 ($3.99) – I’ve tried to jump into the Valiant universe several times since the relaunch and this is the latest attempt. I really like what Kindt and Giorello did with #1 so I’m onboard for now.
Total: $18.95.
Ramon’s Picks:
Valiant High #3 ($3.99) – I like this book, I mean, it’s not the next summer event from Valiant, nor a milestone-series, It’s just a fun book to read and relax in your spare time. By the way, Kibblesmith is going to write Quantum + Woody, so you can get to know his style before December, KLANG!
Also, I’m liking this Originals program from Comixology. Do you remember when the guys in Valiant went crazy and made a retailer incentive 1:25 series and everybody, kinda hated that idea including us? (Yes, an entire book, not only a variant cover, but the whole “Book of Death: Legends of the Geomancer” for you to (try to) buy. Although that was totally nuts, I do respect that they try to get to new and old readers alike on different ways, and an exclusive on a digital platform (this case) seems like a better idea.
Man-Thing #3($3.99) – I have to be honest, I haven’t been able to catch up with this book, but my plan now is to wait for it to end and read the whole series together, (also, I don’t need to remind you that this is written by R.L. Stine! How fun is that?).
Batman/Shadow #1($3.99) – Nevermind Scott Snyder & Steve Orlando, I want to see Riley Rossmo’s incredible art for this story!
Aliens: Dead Orbit #1 ($3.99) – Have you read James’s Review? This book is truly intriguing to me, that pitch, kinda like “Gravity meets a Xenomorph”, is really appealing and has already a lot of praise, so, I’m in.
Big Moose (One-Shot, $3.99) – The Big Guy is a very good character to me, a big hearted jock, a simple man loving life. I’ve enjoyed every story with him and Midge that I’ve ever read, and I hope for this to be great.
Continued belowTotal: $19.95. Also, If you are a trade-lover, you can go for “Street Angel: After School Kung Fu Special” ($7.99), “Bloodshot U.S.A” ($14.99), or forget about your budget and buy the gorgeous “Saga Book Two: Deluxe Edition” ($39.99)
Brian’s Picks:
Doom Patrol #6 ($3.99) – This is the last issue until July, so you probably want to grab this to tide you over.
Black Monday Murders #5 ($3.99) – This series isn’t exactly consistent – in release schedule – but it is a masterclass in sequential art. Check it out.
The Flash #21 ($2.99) – (Alfred voice) The Button
Kamandi Challenge #4 ($3.99) – After last month’s hiccup, here’s hoping this issue can pick up the pace again.
Total: $14.96
