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!
Drew’s Picks:
Accelerators Momentum #1 ($3.99) – I really enjoyed the first “Accelerators” series when it came out, and I’ve been excited for this one since it was officially announced. You probably missed out the first time around – most people did. Don’t make that mistake again. This is a really well done time travel adventure.
MIND MGMT #33 ($3.99) – Only three more issues of “MIND MGMT” to go before “NEW MGMT.” If you like comics – I mean the artform of sequential art, not just reading them – this book is one you need to read. Every issue is simultaneously an experiment in how a monthly comic can tell a story and a dense narrative. Every piece of the book, including the inner cover pages, is part of the story. It’s also inevitably rewarding on multiple reads. If you haven’t given it a shot yet, buy the first hardcover.
Resident Alien #1 ($3.99) – Despite the number one on the cover, this is actually the second issue in the third volume. Crazy numbering, right? At least it’s a whole number, and not 3.1 or something asinine like that. Anyway… This book has something for everyone. Mystery? Check. Alien? Check. Government agency? Check. Small town drama? Check. Budding romance? Check, I think. If you’re not up to date with the story, you might be better off getting the first trade, or at least the most recent zero issue.
Shaper #3 ($3.99) – This book is nothing like what I expected it to be, but enjoyable nonetheless. It’s fun and fresh, if not deep or groundbreaking. If you’re looking to add something light to your pull, this cosmic escape adventure is worth a look.
UFOlogy #2 ($3.99) – Last month’s issue sold me on the characters, but seemed a little vague on plot. I don’t expect this issue to solve the mystery, but I’m hoping it will clarify exactly what the mystery is, aside from clearly being something alien.
Total: $19.95 – I’m counting on the others to sell you on “Fade Out” and “Oddly Normal”
Greg’s Picks:
Shaft #6 ($3.99) – What’s that? You didn’t know there was a Shaft comic? Well, there is for at least this week. David Walker and Bilquis Evely have killed it on this series, giving us a tale early in the history of the blaxploitation icon. Jumping on with the last issue might not seem like a smart move, but this book deserves to be checked out however you come across it. You still have time to make it a true statement when you tell people you were picking up this great book as it was coming out!
Kaijumax #2 ($3.99) – Don’t let the ‘prison comedy’ tag fool you; Zander Cannon’s “Kaijumax” is full-spectrum comic booking. Yes, there are laughs, but there are also surprises, chills, real emotions, expressive colors, and monsters. All kinds of monsters.
Usagi Yojimbo #145 ($3.50) – Everyone’s favorite samurai rabbit is back and picking up exactly where he left off. No reboot, no renumbering; just more of the same rock-solid storytelling and entertainment value Stan Sakai has been bringing us for the last…30 years! Old readers, new readers, adult readers, kid readers: everybody is the target audience for a Usagi Yojimbo comic.
Valhalla Mad #1 ($3.50) – I got to interview creators Joe Casey and Paul Maybury about this book a few months ago, so I’m super excited to have the rest of you catch up to the fun slab of godly debauchery I got to read back in March. Let the revelry begin!
Continued belowShutter #12 ($3.99) – Season one comes to a close with this extra-sized special issue. If hearing the team of Joe Keatinge, Owen Gieni, and John Workman put this book together doesn’t make you pick it up, then maybe knowing their collaborator (and series artist) Leila del Duca is up for a Russ Manning award for Most Promising Newcomer will. That means you need to check this book out to see what she’s bringing to that competition. And let me tell you: she is bringing the heat with her work on this book!
Total: $18.97
Vince’s Picks:
Optic Nerve #14 ($6.95) – “Optic Nerve” #14 comes in 20 years after the title first began. In that time, Adrian Tomine has established himself as one of the most admired and well-respected cartoonists in the comics world. With their classy presentation and careful quality, each new issue of “Optic Nerve” becomes something of an event. Each issue is an anthology containing several stories, some autobiographical, some not – but always personal in some way.
ApocalyptiGirl: An Aria for the End Times ($9.99) – Andrew McLean’s “Head Lopper” was one of the most pleasant surprises I’ve ever experienced in the Kickstarter realm. Blending heavy metal, axe-thumping action with a sense of self-awareness, “Head Lopper” instantly put McLean on my short list of creators to check out every time they release something. “ApocalyptiGirl” couldn’t look more different, tone-wise, but it looks like it’ll be a satisfying evolution in the creator’s craft.
Total: $16.94
James’s Picks:
Archie vs. Predator #2 ($3.99) – The first issue of this series ended up being a weirdly frightening book that managed to balance the fun of Archie with the gore of Predator in a very unique way. I’m sure we’re going to get sick of subversive Archie titles in the next few months, but let’s enjoy our Moose decapitations while we can.
Mad Max Fury Road Nux & Immortal Joe ($4.99) – 1000% percent of this pick is based off the fact that I just got back from seeing Fury Road and loved it. The film really set up its own world without going into too much exposition on it, so George Miller and Riccardo Burchielli’s take on the movie’s two weirdest characters should offer some interesting insight. Hopefully they’ll explain all the breast milk.
A-Force #1 ($3.99) – G. Willow Wilson has been carving a nice indie niche for herself with “Ms. Marvel” and it’ll be interesting to see her take on a high-profile team like A-Force. Even if the book itself ends up being pretty wonky, Wilson’s letter defending her title proved that she knows exactly where she wants this book to go.
Oh, Killstrike #1 ($3.99) – I’m sort of the weird arbitrator of celebrities coming in to write comics so it’s with that authority I say I’m pretty excited for Say Anything’s Max Bemis’s and Logan Faerber to tackle 90’s antihero comics through the lens of an unsecure father who accidentally unleashes a Cable/Deathstroke type character onto the real world. Most “love letters to 90’s superheroes” end up feeling pretty facetious but there’s a lot of heart in this comic that sets it aside from the rest.
Total: $16.96
Keith’s Picks:
Wytches #6 ($2.99) – The first arc of one of the most horrifyingly beautiful titles comes to a close with this issue, with Scott Snyder, Jock, and Matt Hollingsworth guaranteed to once again keep us up at night and praying we aren’t pledged by the ones we love.
The Fade Out #6 ($3.50) – History and mystery continue to collide in a perfectly divine story about old Hollywood and its secrets by Ed Brubaker and Sean Phillips.
Trees #9 ($2.99) – The second arc of “Trees” begins here. This title should be read by more people, with the genius of Warren Ellis and Jason Howard deserving of accolades galore.
Kaptara #2 ($3.50) – The first issue was very promising, with artist Chip Zdarsky impressing with his foray into writing and Kagan McLeod gorgeously conjuring a trippy world to life.
Continued belowMind MGMT #33 ($3.99) – As the end gets ever closer, I savor every moment I can get from this perfect series.
Convergence: Swamp Thing #2 ($3.99) – More art from Kelley Jones? Swamp Thing AND Red Rain Batman? Yes, please and thank you!
Total: $20.96
Matt Garcia’s Picks:
Shutter #12 ($3.99) – Leila del Duca and Joe Keatinge bring their fabulous and bonkers first year to a close. Regardless of all the craziness in the world, the book has remained interpersonal and character focused. It’s just great. Note the price increase, though.
Mad Max: Fury Road – Nux & Immortan Joe ($4.99) – Um, so “Mad Max: Fury Road” was awesome. And these prequel comics will hopefully capture the energy and insanity of that story.
Kaptara #2 ($3.50) – Come for Chip Zdarsky’s Chip Zdarsky-nes. Stay for Kagan McLeod.
Lumberjanes #14 ($3.99) – Any week “Lumberjanes” comes out, it’s going to make my recommendation list.
MIND MGMT #33 ($3.99) – Any week “MIND MGMT” comes out, it’s going to make my recommendation list.
Total: $20.46 – Whoops.
Brian’s Picks:
Convergence #7 ($3.99) – Last week, I said that #5 really upped the ante. Well, #6 made that look like small potatoes. Let’s hope #7 does even more.
B.P.R.D. #131 ($3.50) – Peter Snejbjerg drawing Johann is the best. Heartbreaking and thoroughly entertaining.
Bloodshot Reborn #2 ($3.99) – The art on this alone is worth twice the cover price – trust me.
Convergence Tie-In Of Your Choice ($3.99) – Revisit the Crisis-era with a book of your choice. May I recommend “Green Lantern Corps?”
Donald Duck #1 ($3.99) – A comic to share with my daughter.
Total: $19.46
Mark’s Picks:
Apocalyptigirl: An Aria for the End Times ($9.99) ― Alice’s early (spoiler-free) review covers my feelings on this book pretty well. But my main reasons for picking up this one are I like Andrew MacLean’s visuals, and I love “Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind,” which is clearly a big influence here.
B.P.R.D. Hell on Earth #131 ($3.50) ― I love this current arc. It seems to combine the best of the Hell on Earth cycle with the best of the Plague of Frogs cycle. Unfortunately, I can’t really talk specifics without utterly ruining it. But it’s a damn good comic.
Ei8ht #4 ($3.50) ― Dinosaurs, time-travel, and a Nazi villain. ‘Tis a fun miniseries, this one. And this issue starts answering some questions…
Trees #9 ($2.99) ― I really enjoyed the first arc of “Trees,” so picking up the first issue of the second is a no-brainer.
Total: $19.98
