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!
Mark’s Picks:
The Legend of Korra: Ruins of the Empire, Part One ($10.99)— Two “Avatar” books in a row, so like last week I’ll express my enthusiasm as a GIF.
Rumble #12 ($3.99)— This one comes on my recommendations pretty frequently, so I’m not going to rehash why I think it’s a great book, but rather shine a spotlight on the variant covers it’s doing at the moment, which showcase the work of African American artists. This is accompanied by a multi-part discussion about the history of African American artists in American comics by John Arcudi. This month’s issue has a variant by Arvell Jones, last month’s was Keith Pollard’s, and the next three will be from Ron Wilson, Chris Brunner, and Sanford Greene.
Monstress #22 ($3.99)— I love the world building in Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda’s “Monstress.” It feels heavy with history without the characters having to exposit the lineages of kings. I especially love the way Takeda uses costume design to give us a sense of history and culture. She’s clearly given a great deal of thought to it.
Total: $18.97.
Kate’s Picks:
Life Is Strange Vol 1 ($16.99) – I am not a big video game person, but the quiet logic games of “Life Is Strange” and its exploration of the butterfly effect had me intrigued to play it through from start to finish. The comic takes one of the endings from the game as canon to spin off into new adventures, and has since become an ongoing series. With the second arc due to start next week, now is a perfect time to catch up on the previous arc. The series is also one of these examples of bringing folks into comics via other properties they love – – my boyfriend who is the big gamer has little interest in comics, but he had me buy him every issue of this series because he loved the game so much.
Dial H for Hero #3 ($3.99) – When you need a comic that just oozes fun, this one will fit the bill.
Total: $20.98
Kyle’s Picks:
Radically Rearranged Ronin Ragdolls One Shot (3.99) – Kevin Eastman’s book within a book comic book. Let me attempt to explain. This is the series that is featured in his new comic “Drawing Blood” which also comes out this week. “Drawing Blood” is a little biographical-ish comic for Eastman in that it is about ” the turbulent life and times of a once-successful cartoonist on the skids, Shane “Books” Bookman.” Shane creates a popular indie book “Radically Rearranged Ronin Ragdolls” which becomes a cultural phenomenon. You get the idea. This comic is the comic that is featured in that comic. Again, you get the idea. I really want to see Kevin Eastman’s take on what is essentially the “Turtles” first issue from this new perspective and years removed from his own co-creation. It might be fun but if anything it seems like a cool little retrospective at some important comic history from an important person in comics history. Get it?
House of Black Spot($12.00) – I’ve been in love with Ben Sears’s work and “Double+” series. These are funm short little adventures. He has a very European meets manga style. They feel like a mash up of “Tin Tin” meets Dragon Ball meets Adventure Time meets good fucking times. It is fun. It is cute. You are in and out and will be all the better for the experience.
Total: $15.99
