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!
Vince’s Picks:
Batgirl #23 ($3.99) – Call me a DC Comics shill if you want, but this week I’m going exclusively DC for this column. There are 4 books that I wholeheartedly put my recommendation behind, and the first one is especially bittersweet for me. Hope Larson’s “Batgirl” had taken the general outline for The Batgirl of Burnside and actually improved on the formula. Because of the additive work Larson has done, Barbara Gordon’s status quo is all-encompassing: she fits squarely within the DCU and a role in the Bat Family, while also continuing to do her own thing in a modern tech-driven society. It’s the most contemporary book DC is putting out and it’s thanks to Larson’s keen guidance these last 2 years. I hope this isn’t the last of her work with DC.
Detective Comics #981 ($2.99) – It’s another finale. Man, it’s gonna be a melancholy week for DC. James Tynion IV’s writing really took a big leap with this series, showing more confidence and focus than ever before. He built the Bat Family up and tore them down more than once over the course of this thing. I love the fact that I have no clue what shape they’ll be in by the end of his run. It’s refreshing.
The Flash #47 ($2.99) – You loved “Prelude to Flash War.” You also loved “Road to Flash War.” Well guess what? Flash War is here, baby.
Justice League: No Justice #3 ($3.99) – As much fun as “Metal” was, I have no reservations saying that “No Justice” is an even more fun, extremely streamlined version of that event. If you dug “Metal”, I don’t see any reason why you wouldn’t love “No Justice”, which trims some of the fat to bring you wall-to-wall action from a really quality creative team.
Total: $13.96
Kevin’s Picks:
“Detective Comics” #981 ($2.99) – James Tynion IV has been on a Bat book for the past 6 years. From “Talon,” to a run on “Red Hood and the Outlaws,” crafting “Batman Eternal” and “Batman and Robin Eternal” with a team of people, to a run on “Tec” here in Rebirth, Tynion has made his career so far in the Bat realm at DC. And that all ends this week. We say goodbye to Tynion, Eddy Barrows, and Alvaro Martinez and other artists work on what I think has been one of, if not, the best book of Rebirth so far. This has been a fantastic book and concept and I’ll be sad to see it go, but I also can’t wait to see what Tynion and Martinez cook up on “Justice League Dark.” I can’t wait to display this omnibus on a shelf proudly someday.
“Super Sons” #16 ($3.99) – Damn DC breaking my heart again with more great Rebirth books and runs ending. Well, I guess this book is not so much ending, more so taking a break til Pete Tomasi and an unknown artist launch it again in August. Still, this has been one great, fun, all-ages book as well.
“The Flash” #47 ($2.99) – ‘Flash War’ seems to be the culmination of a lot of big themes and ideas from the beginning of Rebirth (minus “Doomsday Clock” of course, which hopefully finishes up by 2021). I can’t wait to see Josh Williamson and Howard Porter pull out all the stops and revive some of the biggest bits of the Flash mythology, and bring some others crashing down in the process.
“Black Panther” ($4.99) – SPACE IMPERIALISM!
“Invincible Iron Man” #600 ($5.99) – Look, this is a hefty price tag, but it’s a quirky anniversary issue AND the last book Bendis is writing for Marvel ever (maybe). This is surely to be one of the most memorable goodbye issues in the modern era of comics and you’d be wise to check it out.
Continued belowTotal: $20.95. A little over, but with anniversaries, beginnings, and endings I can spare some an extra dollar before summer gets into high gear.
Mark’s picks:
“Black Hammer: Age of Doom” #2 ($3.99)— Man, I am so glad this series is back, and so happy to see Lucy being awesome. This issue had one of my favorite moments to date. Damn good stuff.
“Witchfinder: The Gates of Heaven” #1 ($3.99)— I think “Witchfinder” is probably a little overlooked in the Hellboy Universe. Other titles just command more attention while it continues to be quietly great. But boy does this issue feel like things are about to change. Usually there’s a two-year wait between each arc, but there’s so much going on here, I expect the next one’ll be close on the heels of ‘The Gates of Heaven.’ Or maybe that’s just wishful thinking on my part… Anyway, UK artist D’Israeli joins the “Witchfinder” team, bringing a new feel to the title. Personally, I think he’s a great fit.
“Barrier” #4 ($3.99)— Because it’s May and buying this series is what you do every week in May.
“Invader Zim” #30 ($3.99)— This issue will tell you everything you need to know about Dark Poop… y’know, the fictional soda brand in the “Invader Zim” universe. Why, what did you think I was talking about?
Total: $15.96.
Justin Beeson’s Picks:
Black Hammer: Age of Doom #2 ($3.99) – This new iteration of “Black Hammer” is actually pretty different from the original run so far, but still just as good. I can’t heap enough praise on this world that Lemire and Ormston have created.
Hunt for Wolverine: Mystery in Madripoor #1 ($3.99) – This whole ‘Hunt for Wolverine’ event/initiative/crossover/whatever is something I usually can’t stand in comics. However, so far all the titles have been pretty good. So I’m in for at least a couple issues on all these minis.
Invincible Iron Man #600 ($5.99) – I have barely read any Iron Man in the last 10 years or so, but I’m not missing out on Bendis’s last issue for Marvel. (Even though I feel like “Spider-Man” #240 would have been the perfect last issue for him.)
Justice League: No Justice #3 ($3.99) – Scott Snyder is continuing his transformation into Grant Morrison and I’m here for it.
Total: $17.95. It’s a great time to be a superhero comics fan.
Kate’s Picks:
Skyward #2 ($3.99) – The debut issue set up this world so well, I’m very much eager to learn more. (Though I certainly would not want to live in a low-gravity world, I have enough trouble with regular gravity sometimes as it is!)
Rugrats #8 ($3.99) – I have no shame in admitting how much I love this reboot of the Rugrats TV show, and this is coming from someone who has some serious reboot fatigue already. The modern twists – – parents with smartphones and drones to watch the babies – – doesn’t take away from what made the show so much fun to watch in the first place.
Ricanstruction: Reminiscing & Rebuilding Puerto Rico ($19.99) – With the news that the Army Corps of Engineers is leaving the storm-battered island of Puerto Rico just as hurricane season gears up, the island is going to need more help than ever, and this second anthology will do just that. This anthology, like Lion Forge’s released earlier this year, features work by creators like Gail Simone and Jorge Jimenez, but also reflections from celebrities like Rosario Dawson and Ruben Blades.
Total: $27.97. Yeah, I’m way over this month, but with all the proceeds from “Ricanstruction” going directly to relief efforts on the island, it’s worth it.
Ken’s Picks:
Detective Comics #981 ($2.99): Flawed though it was, James Tynion IV’s run was a positive one. We see it come to an end this week.
The Flash #47 ($2.99: “Flash War” begins here and I’m pretty sure I’m going to be on Wally’s side for this one.
Dark Souls: Age of Fire #1 ($3.99): This is an admitted “I Just Have to See” kind of thing because most of the Dark Souls tie-in comics have been sub-par and with this mini-series, Titan is going right to the throat with focus on two of the most important characters in the lore.
Continued belowTotal: $9.97
Nick’s Pick:
Sabrina by Nick Drnaso HC ($27.95) – No, not the teenage witch. Drnaso’s debut, “Beverly,” was one of the best and most fascinating graphic novels I’ve ever read, with his quiet observations of the subtle horrors of suburban American society. I can’t wait to see what Drnaso does to comment on today’s conspiracy culture.
Total: $27.95.
