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!
Luke’s Picks:
Wonder Girl #1 ($3.99) – Joëlle Jones’s introduction of Yara Flor in “Future State: Wonder Woman” was exciting, fun, and fuelled by a new mythology that I can’t wait to get back to. Jordie Bellaire’s sublime colorwork is sure to continue here too.
Shang-Chi #1 ($3.99) – If you’re anything like me, you like to have a sense of familiarity with a character before their MCU debut, and with “Shang-Chi” #1 releasing this week, there’s no better way to get that.
Way of X #2 ($3.99) – I was blown away by the exploration of the dark side of Krakoa’s burgeoning culture in the first issue and really intrigued by the return of a certain mutant in its conclusion. This is a must-buy for me.
Blade Runner Origins #4 ($3.99) – I’ll admit that I wasn’t too interested in the origin story of the Blade Runners at first. It seemed like too generic of an idea for a comic book series but the first issue really impressed me. I’ve been waiting for the first arc to be published in its entirety so that I can read it in one sitting and this week I’ll finally be able to.
Total: $15.96.
Christopher’s Picks:
Star Trek: Year Five #20 ($3.99) – Full disclosure, I’ve already read this after it was delayed last month, and let me tell you, it is superb: even if you haven’t been following the series, it’s still the first half of an excellent standalone ‘Star Trek’ story by Brandon Easton and Silvia Califano, that asks big questions like all great ‘Star Trek’ tales should.
Fantastic Four: Life Story #1 ($4.99) – Mark Russell is one of my favorite comic book writers: he’s easily one of our smartest and forward thinking ones, which makes him a perfect match for ‘What If?’ about the Richards clan in the real world — can’t wait.
The Mighty Valkyries #2 ($3.99) – Mattia De Iulis’s artwork for Jane Foster and co.’s latest outing is some of the gloriously detailed on stands right now.
Shang-Chi #1 ($3.99) – Gene Luen Yang and Dike Ruan’s Shang-Chi run is back, and just in time for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month too.
Total: $16.96
Kate’s Picks:
Fantastic Four: Life Story #1 ($4.99): I really enjoyed the first of the ‘Life Story’ series, with Spider-Man. Let’s see if lightning strikes twice.
Minky Woodcock: The Girl Who Electrified Tesla #2 ($3.99): One of the first imprints I read when I was getting back into comics was Titan’s Hard Case Crime imprint, and this was one of those early series I loved. I love the level of care Cynthia von Buhler puts into researching these stories to ensure they have a basis in fact, but with just enough mystery to leave you wondering. And her artwork is sexy without fetishization or over-sexualization. If you like a good mystery, you’ll want this on your pull list.
Wonder Girl #1 ($3.99): The Wonder Girl stories in ‘Future State’ were good (“Future State: Wonder Woman”) to okay (“Future State: Superman Wonder Woman” #1.) Let’s hope that Yara Flor’s solo series debut leans more towards that good, because I liked what I saw in “Future State: Wonder Woman.”
Total: $12.97.
Johnny’s Picks:
Ultramega #3 ($7.99) – 44 pages of ultraviolent kaiju slugfests from James Harren not once, not twice, but THREE months in a ROW?! High times, friends. High times!
Fantastic Four Life Story #1 (OF 6) ($4.99) – I’m pretty sure I’ve read and re-read the origins of the Fantastic Four more than any other hero/group of heroes. Every writer seems to want to take the Four for a spin, give them the old “modern retelling of a classic” test drive. Pretty certain I never “needed” a new version of this, but with Mark Russell at the helm this time round, Marvel has my interest.
Continued belowShang Chi #1 ($3.99) – I dug the hell out of the Gene Luen Yang and Dike Ruan mini-series that wrapped up recently, and guess what!? Just in time for the upcoming movie (ok, several months early), they’re back for a full-on series! Hell yeah.
The Many Deaths of Laila Starr #2 ($3.99) – I was super wrapped into Ram V’s worldbuilding during the first issue, thanks in large part to Filipe Andrade’s very unique visuals. Count me in for this second issue about the physical manifestation of Death trying to adjust to “life” as a fleshy bag of now very-mortal bones.
Total: $20.96. Dangit. Over the $20 again. I didn’t do it on purpose, I swear!
Mark’s Picks:
Snow Angels #4 ($2.99) – If you’re like me and you prefer to read physical books, Jeff Lemire and Jock’s postapocalyptic ComiXology series will be getting a print edition from Dark Horse Comics of the first arc, issues #1–4. However, if you can’t wait that long, this Wednesday the last issue from the first arc will be out, a nice sizeable chunk to read..
Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters #3 ($3.99) – This issue mostly just spends time with its characters and lets them bounce off of each other, which may not sound like much as a plot overview, but it makes for a very satisfying read.
Cojacaru the Skinner #2 ($3.99) – This is a great standalone tale in the Outerverse for new readers while also moving things forward in some subtle but major ways for long-term- readers. That’s a difficult balance to strike, but Mike Mignola, Christopher Golden, and Peter Bergting have pulled it off here.
Ultramega #3 ($7.99) – I very much appreciate that a series called “Ultramega” has double-sized issues.
Total: $18.96. It’s a good haul this week.
