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:
Goners Vol., 1 ($9.99) – “Goners” has been one of my recent favorites from Image, mixing mythology, supernatural, and genuine drama all together into something special. Jacob Semahn and Jorge Corona have been consistently making a quality book each month and this trade collecting the first six issues should be a good read, especially for those that may have missed out on the single issues.
Spread #7 ($3.50) – Each issue of “Spread” is a good one, and this one-shot with art from guest artist Liam Cobb should be a fun way to further build the world while likely taking a step back from the larger story.
Mayday #1 ($3.99) – Black Mask Studios has really been on a roll lately, publishing a lot of great books. “Mayday” looks like it could very well continue the trend as both Curt Pires and Chris Peterson have been creating some quality work separately the last year or so. Their collaboration looks really promising and could be the next hit for Black Mask.
Total: $17.48
Keith’s Picks:
Batman #40 ($4.99) – The conclusion to “Endgame” should be spectacular.
The Multiversity #2 ($5.99) – I’ll be sad to read the end of Grant Morrison’s love letter to comics and DC Comics in particular. Morrison and Ivan Reis are sure to end this series with a mindblowing bang. This is one of Morrison’s masterpieces among countless masterpieces. It’s nice to see him and this series get their deserved Eisner nominations.
Justice League #40 ($3.99) – “The Darkseid War” prologue begins here and this, not “Convergence”, is the event I’m most excited for. With one of the greatest villains ever created involved and focus placed on a particular hero (if “Divergence” is anything to go by), this event that will be relegated (and rightly so) to this title is going to be explosive. It appears that DC not only has great plans for lesser-known characters coming up in June, but for their big guns as well.
Superman #40 ($3.99) – Speaking of big guns, the Johns/Romita, Jr. run on “Superman” was one of the best and briefest Superman runs. In this issue, Romita is given free reign with the Man of Steel in both the art and writing departments. This will probably be a calm before the storm (although it does involve Superman unleashing his new power against the JL and a confrontation with an “unexpected enemy”) when Gene Luen Yang takes over writing duties with June’s “Superman” #41.
Total: $18.96
Drew’s Picks:
Resident Alien #0 ($3.99) – I’ve already read the material in this issue because it was serialized in “Dark Horse Presents,” but I’m fully prepared to pay for it again for several reasons. One, it’s a lot more convenient to have it all in one place when I go to re-read it. Two, it’s a good way to tell Dark Horse that this is the kind of story I want to see in DHP. Three, it’s worth the price. If you missed the previous two minis, here’s what you need to know: An alien crashed on Earth and through some low-level telepathy he’s able to disguise himself as one of us. He can also pick up on our base emotions, and he’s a mystery fan. Through a series of events, he becomes a doctor in a small rural town, where he begins solving real mysteries. Oh, and the government’s looking for him, and they appear to be getting really close to him now.
Pastaways #2 ($3.99) – A band of time travelers from 10,000 years in the future find themselves stranded in 2015, a dark time they know nothing about. Thanks to a fundamental law of the universe, they’re unable to die until after they’ve been born. Knowing this, the obvious thing to do is to try as hard as possible to murder each other and see what kind of crazy coincidence the universe will cook up to foil their elaborate schemes.
Continued belowAlex + Ada #14 ($2.99) – This book is nearly over, and I’m very sad. The comic industry could use some more romance books, especially if they’re written as well as this one. I haven’t been this nervous about how a story will end since “Locke & Key.” If you haven’t been keeping up, the first trade is $10. That’s a great value.
Brides of Helheim #5 ($3.99) – This is the last issue of the mini, and I’m behind on it. For whatever reason, my shop didn’t get a copy of #3, so I’m impatiently staring at #4 while I’m waiting for the reorder to be filled. In the meantime, I’m certain this viking tale will be worth the wait. From where I’m standing, this is Bunn’s best work since “Sixth Gun.”
Captain Midnight #22 ($2.99) – I don’t really care about Captain Midnight, but “X” ended last month and this is the only book where I can follow his adventures. This is pure popcorn entertainment, and I look forward to it every month. Here’s hoping X gets another book when Project Black Sky starts its second phase.
Final Total: $17.95
Alternate Pick: The Absence HC ($19.99) – This Titan book was solicited ages ago, but is apparently only coming out now. I honestly don’t remember what it’s about, but I do remember that it’s been on my to-buy list for over a year. That’s gotta mean something, right?
Matt Garcia’s Picks:
Batman #40 ($4.99) – Scott Snyder and Greg Capullo wrap up the fourth arc of their “Batman” tenure. Even though Snyder’s endings aresometimes rough I think this team has proven time and time again they’re putting out one of the most consistently engaging mainstream superhero books.
