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:
Batman and the Outsiders #1 ($3.99) – Bryan Hill is some kind of wizard. This comic is far more introspective than anything with the title “Batman and the Outsiders” should be, which is why Hill has quickly become one of my very favorite writers. The first issue is kind of structured around the doubts that Jefferson Pierce (Black Lightning) has about Bruce Wayne’s intentions in forming this team and putting him in charge, and those doubts feel genuine and push deeper than the average superhero comic does. I love the way Hill writes the various members of the cast, and there’s some fun Marvel homages that he and artist Dexter Soy work into it, in the style of DC’s “New Age of Heroes.” This one looks like a winner.
Excellence #1 ($3.99) – Crafted entirely by creators of color, “Excellence” really seems like something special. It’s a great example of work coming from voices that should be elevated in comics, because no one else could pull off a comic with this particular subject matter. It’s also one of the best first issues I’ve read all year, because while we get a lot of fantasy/magic/sci-fi creator-owned comics from year to year, it’s been a while since I’ve seen one that is this fun, packs this kind of emotional punch, and also has something real to say beyond the fiction.
Total: $7.98
Kyle’s Picks:
Murder Falcon #8 Paul Pope Cover($3.99) – I fell behind a few issues on this series but at the recommendation of our fearless CSBC leader, Leo, I caught up and so glad I did. Its everything you want from a Daniel Warren Johnson book. He and James Harren are probably the best artist in comics right now at conveying just pure movement, speed and action. Oh to mix it up I am picking covers this week. Big kisses for anything Paul Pope.
Black Hammer AGE OF DOOM #10 Michel Fiffe Cover($3.99) – Seems silly to put “Black Hammer” on the list cause you should always be buying “Black Hammer”. To justify it I am picking it because of that insane Michel Fiffe cover. Long live Fiffe!
Druids Path ($9.99) – It legit took me over an hour to find out what this book was and any information about it. It is coming out from Amigo Comics. Story sounds cool but I was really intrigued by the cover so I spent forever trying to find Miquel Rodriguez art work and when I finally did I was beyond intrigued. It looks like this will be an English translation of the previously released book. I am still not 100 percent sure what it is but I am 100 percent sold on Miquel Rodriguez.
Total: $17.97
Mark’s Picks:
“Shadow Roads” #7 ($3.99)— In the pages of its forebearer, “The Sixth Gun,” the stakes are vast. With the power of the Six, one can reshape the entire world. However, the scope of the location was largely limited to the Wild West. In this way “Shadow Roads” feels both smaller and larger. The stakes, while high, are not end-of-the-world high (at least not yet), but in terms of location, this series has far more global aspirations. We saw a bit of this in the last arc, but with the way the series is turning eyes toward India, if seems there could be future arcs that step out of the Wild West entirely. For an arc that focuses on the connective tissue between these two series, Brian Hurtt is unquestionably the right artist for the job, but I must admit I’m looking forward to getting back to A.C. Zamudio in next month’s issue so she can dig further into what makes “Shadow Roads” unique.
Continued below“Waves” ($14.99)— This a translation of the original 2017 French OGN, “Écumes.” I’m unfamiliar with the work of Ingrid Chabbert and Carole Maurel, but I’m intrigued by the premise. Also, there’s something about a the imagery of a person lost at sea as a metaphor for struggling with personal demons that I’m always drawn to for whatever reason. Make of that what you will.
Total: $18.98.
Kate’s Picks:
Shades of Magic: Night of Knives #5 ($3.99) – The stories of young Maxim continue. What new adventures will he find in Verose? Whatever they will be, they’ll look stunning, with a top-notch script that knows how to play the long game and build tension to match.
I Was Their American Dream ($16.99) – This memoir looks to be great for fans of “Persepolis” or “Duran Duran Imelda Marcos and Me” and shows one of the wonderful things about comics in 2019: stories of self-discovery from voices that had never really been prominently heard before.
Total: $20.98
