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:
Grizzly Shark #1 ($3.50) – Honestly, how can you not love a comic titled “Grizzly Shark”? Ryan Ottley is one of my favorite artists and makes “Invincible” look great with each and every issue, so him writing and drawing an absolutely ridiculous story is something I’m always down for.
Last Sons of America #4 ($3.99) – This is the last issue of this mini and it’s definitely something worth checking out. Boom! has had some really solid books lately, and “Last Sons of America” has been a standout. It’s a unique idea that I would be surprised if it doesn’t get adapted into some film here in the near future.
Saints #7 ($2.99) – “Saints” continues to be a good read, with the creators constantly finding an interesting way to explore the concepts that the story is based around. I imagine this book probably isn’t getting read by a whole lot of folks, but that should definitely be rectified immediately. That first trade it out, so it shouldn’t be all that hard to catch up with the story.
Total: $10.48
Mark’s Picks:
The Nameless City ($14.99 paperback / $21.99 hardcover) — I love this book. I got to read it in advance so I could review it, and I love it. I’ve already read it four times. I couldn’t help myself. However, I always love Faith Erin Hicks’s books (Friends with Boys is one of my favourite comics) so this isn’t really surprising.
I’m slightly cheating here, because I’m actually buying the hardcover, but for the sake of CSBC, I’m going with the softcover so I can recommend another book.
Baltimore: Empty Graves #1 ($3.99) — I always pick up the Mignola books, but this week there were two, but only room for one in my CSBC list. I’m going with Baltimore because the last miniseries was the best yet, and this next miniseries is dealing with all the fallout from it. This is a quieter, meditative issue, focused on the series’ characters.
Total: $18.98. Damn it, there were too many good books this week. Getting this under $20 was soul destroying. In reality I’ll be spending a lot more than that.
Vince’s Picks:
Superman #51 ($3.99) – I like Peter Tomasi. I like Mikal Janin. I like Superman. I like the idea that ‘Super League’ sets the stage for DC Rebirth. Whether you have mixed feelings on Rebirth or not, I think the Superman titles are going to come out of it looking very strong. They clearly focused on good creative teams. Now it only remains to be seen whether they get what makes Superman a classic character again. ‘Super League’ will probably be a good sneak peek of that.
Black Panther #1 ($4.99) – Have you seen the art on this bad boy? And the scholarly Ta-Nehisi Coates doing the writing? Even a 5 dollar price tag can’t keep me away.
Star Wars: Poe Dameron #1 ($4.99) – Nor can it keep me away from a Star Wars book starring my boy Poe Dameron. The 5 dollar trend over at Marvel is disturbing, but there are some obvious books where exceptions must be made.
Total: $13.97
Drew’s Picks:
Rachel Rising #41 ($3.99) – This has been one of my favorite books over the last few years, and there’s no way I’m going to miss this penultimate issue. I’m not sure how Moore’s going to reach a conclusion so quick with all the plates he still has spinning, but I’m excited to see how he sticks the landing.
Continued belowWoods #21 ($3.99) – This series was near the top of my reading list when it debuted, but it seems to have lost its way during the second act. The time skip left a lot of unanswered questions and the injection of the drug subplot took valuable page time away from what I thought were much more interesting storylines. Here’s hoping the end of the second act brings some of these ideas full circle so it can get back to it’s A-Plot and start heading for a conclusion.
Total: $7.98 – Due to scheduling, the first half of the month is usually pretty light for me.
Ken’s Picks:
Black Panther #1 ($4.99): Definitely one of the most anticipated series of the year. Every time writer Ta-Nehisi Coates tweets about this book makes me more and more hyped. Combined with that Brian Stelfreeze and Laura Martin preview art we’ve seen, this seems like everything I want from a Black Panther book.
Black Widow #2 ($3.99): I enjoyed that first issue. Here’s hoping this’ll be a Waid/Samnee/Wilson venture I don’t fall hopelessly behind on.
Vision #6 ($3.99): At this point, you’re either getting this book or your not.
Total: $16.96
Matt Garcia’s Picks:
The Wicked + The Divine #18 ($3.50) – It feels like forever since we had our last issue of WicDiv. McKelvie returns to handle the art duties as the story continues growing bigger and the intrigue continues going deeper.
Black Panther #1 ($4.99) – When you get certified MacArthur genius and National Book Award winner Ta’Nehisi Coates on a comic, it’s worth it to pay attention. It remains to be seen how much breathing room Marvel editorial will give him, but the odds are stacked in this book’s favor. The art’s by Brian Starfleeze.
Star Wars: Poe Dameron #1 ($4.99) – Poe might very well be my favorite new character from The Force Awakens (though that might just be from an outstanding celebrity crush on Oscar Isaac *swoon*) and it’s cool he gets the first tie-in comic! It’s still disappointing that Marvel’s giving all their “Star Wars” titles to Charles Soule, and this will probably be the victim of the same lazy plotting, moot characterization, and hokey dialogue I’ve seen throughout Soule’s work. But I do like Phil Noto and I’m hoping the team turns in some killer X-wing battles.
Bee and Puppycat #10 ($3.99) – In all honesty, I thought this was cancelled. I’m glad there’s a new one.
Total: $17,47.
Zach’s Picks:
Superman #51 ($3.99) – DC Rebirth may be two months away, but the “Road to Rebirth,” as it were, begins here. I’m very excited to get a taste of what Tomasi’s upcoming “Superman” run, as well as a return to a more traditional Superman after the year-long detour through “Truth.” Janin on art is the sweet frosting and cherry on top.
Justice League Darkseid War Special #1 ($3.99) – “Darkseid War” has been a blast, so I really don’t mind this odd, late to the game tie-in. Anything that pairs Johns and Reis is worth checking out.
Black Panther #1 ($3.99) – I’m a huge fan of the Hickman “Avengers” run and Black Panther is one of my favorite characters coming out that run. Al Ewing has been putting the character to great use in “Ultimates,” but it’s very cool to see him getting a new solo series ahead of his big screen debut. I’ve only heard good things about this book, here’s hoping it’s a hit.
Vision #6 ($3.99) – The best super hero comic since the Fraction/Aja “Hawkeye” reaches the conclusion of its first arc. Sparks will fly.
Star Wars Poe Dameron #1 ($4.99) – This is the Star Wars comic I’ve been looking for.
Total: $20.95 – Ok, I went over by $0.95, but this week has such an embarrassment of comic book riches that it couldn’t be helped. There’s like three other books I could’ve easily placed on this list. Alternatively, ditch this pull list all together and go for “Wonder Woman: Earth One.”
Keith’s Picks:
Wonder Woman Earth One Volume One ($22.99) – This book has FINALLY arrived. Grant Morrison is writing a Wonder Woman story that will hopefully be worthy to sit on the shelves next to his classics starring the other two parts of DC’s trinity. From interviews with Morrison and artist extraordinaire Yanick Paquette, this “Earth One” volume is sure to be something epic and thought-provoking. Paquette’s usual colorist, Nathan Fairbairn, is further guaranteed to make this a work of art.
Total: $22.99 – I’m biased because Morrison is my favorite writer, but I think I can guarantee this book to be one of the best graphic novels of the year.
