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!
Leo’s Picks:
Flintstones #11 ($3.99) – I never thought I’d be saying this in the year 2017, but a Flintstones comic is probably the smartest book being published. It’s deftly handled things like PTSD, gay marriage, religion, consumerism, and much more with characters who live in the Stone Age and use armadillos for bowling balls. I’ve tried to describe how good this book is, but I always fail to put it into words. Just buy it.
Extremity #3 ($3.99) – Daniel Warren Johnson shouldn’t be able to be both a great writer and an insanely talented artist, but he somehow manages to do both. “Extremity” is prime example of that, as he mixes jaw dropping action scenes with well-written characters and genuine emotion. We’re only three issues in, but I love this book.
Manifest Destiny #28 ($2.99) – This issue was delayed a few weeks, I think, but I’m glad to have this book back. I need my fix of weird alternate history comics. Judging from the solicit text, Sacagawea is about to mess some people up as Fort Mandan descends further into chaos.
Postal #20 ($3.99) – “Postal” is one of the books included as a topic for this year’s Top Cow Talent Hunt and I really hope the added exposure gets some more eyes on the book and people fall in love with it like I have. Consistently one of the best books out there.
Total: $14.96
Matt Lune’s Picks:
Eternal Empire #1 ($3.99) – “Alex + Ada” was the first book I read every time an issue came out, and ever since it ended I must have read the whole thing through at least twice more. I managed to write an advance review of this debut issue of the new series from the same creative team, and it’s worth the cover price, even if it hasn’t yet grabbed me the same way “Alex + Ada” did.
The Dregs #3 ($3.99) – This book still blows me away with its brilliantly creative artistic choices (structure and layouts are top notch) and engaging noir narrative. If you’re not reading this book you’re definitely missing out. I’m fascinated by the slowly unravelling mystery and I’m eager to find out where this is going.
Youngblood #1 ($3.99) – What with “The Wild Storm” reinvigorating one 90s Image comics franchise, the now 25 year old publisher is jumping on the nostalgia wagon with this reboot. I have to admit, 90s Image comics is a real blind spot for me, so I know next to nothing about the original “Youngblood,” but the solicit for this looks fun and I’m a sucker for a new Image number 1.
Batman #22 ($2.99) – There’s been a lot of talk about ‘The Button,’ good and bad, but I’m really enjoying it. It feels like it’s pulling from DC continuity in many weird and wonderful ways. The first issue leaned heavily on the Watchmen iconography whereas the second was more Flash-centric, so I’ve no idea where this is going, but I’m in.
All-New Guardians of the Galaxy #1 ($3.99) – My final choice was a real toss up between this or “Secret Empire” #1, and while realistically I’ll end up buying both, in the spirit of having to choose, I went with lighthearted space fun rather than Nazi-adjacent mega-event. Bendis’s “Guardians”run sort of dragged on and lost a lot of what I like about these characters, so I’m hoping a fresh creative team can reinvigorate the franchise with this new – sorry – All-New, series.
Total: $18.95 – There are a lot of number ones out, and overall a really strong batch of new releases this week.
Continued below
Kent’s Picks:
Swordquest #0 ($0.25) – I wasn’t actually old enough to play it on Atari. But I was old enough that my older cousins told me I couldn’t play it on theirs. Chad Bowers’s quest to complete a video game series/fan contest that started 30 years hits just the right nostalgic keys. Seems to be doing for Atari what “Oh, Killstrike” did for ‘90s comics.
Deathstroke #18 ($2.99) – ‘Twilight’ started slow, but it’s coming to a furious close. What Christopher Priest is writing here is a run for the ages. The very fact we’ve been saying and are still saying that about a Deathstroke book is still mind-boggling. But as long as Priest’s writing, this book is a must-buy.
The Flintstones #11 ($3.99) – See above. Replace Christopher Priest with Mark Russell, Slade Wilson with Fred Flintstone. And repeat one more time. Because after #12, this one’s going extinct.
Project Superpowers: Hero Killers #1 ($3.99) – He’s taken the piss out of sci-fi in “God Hates Astronauts” and multi-dimensional fantasy in “Curse Words,” so it’s only fitting Ryan Browne takes aim at the spandex set. It’s a little disappointing he’s not doing the art. But Pete Woods’s superhero classicism should bring just enough earnestness to make the punchlines hit that much harder.
Helena Crash #3 ($3.99) – Fabian Rangel, Jr. and Warwick Johnson-Caldwell channel the best Saturday morning cartoon that you never actually watched until you caught up with the reruns shown twenty years later at 1:30 in the morning. Over-caffeinated and over-stimulated, this series has been a blast.
Damned #1 ($1.00) – Cullen Bunn and Brian Hurtt for a dollar. That’s all I need to know.
All-New Guardians of the Galaxy #1 ($3.99) – I’m intrigued. Gerry Duggan navigated both severity and hilarity on his “Deadpool” run, so I’m willing to ride along.
Total: $20.20 – A hair over this week. But shake out the couch cousins, find an extra quarter, and make sure you pick up “Swordquest” #0.
Mark’s Picks:
“Spill Zone” ($22.99) — So this only popped up on my radar about a month ago, but it’s been running online since October last year. I stopped reading at the end of the first chapter… it became pretty clear this was a story I wanted to read in one hit with a physical copy in my hands. This is writer Scott Westerfeld’s first solo writing gig on a comic, but he takes to it remarkably well. The story he’s come up with is perfectly suited to the medium. Teamed up with Alex Puvilland (art) and Hilary Sycamore (colors), they bring this world to life so vividly. This is the first part in a longer series, and if the team is working this well at the beginning of the story, I can’t wait to see how they evolve with each successive volume.
“The Damned” #1 ($1.00) — Following the release of “The Damned – Volume 1: Three Days Dead” trade collection in March, this is the first series of “The Damned” ongoing series. Obviously I’m going to recommend this: I loved “The Sixth Gun” and “The Damned” made enough of an impression that I decided to create a new column around it. Plus it’s only a dollar. Even if you haven’t read “Three Days Dead,” this is easily accessible to new readers.
Total: $23.99. Of course, I’m also picking up all my usual picks. This is really big week for me.
Justin’s Picks:
Batman #22 ($3.99) – The last two parts of this crossover didn’t make it to my list but I read them anyways and surprise, this event has actually been really fun. I can’t wait to see what happens after Flashpoint Batman appeared in the ending of “Flash” #21. Thomas Wayne as Batman was the best part of “Flashpoint” and I’m excited to see him return.
Black Bolt #1 ($3.99) – I would have passed over this series but seeing Christian Ward on art caught my attention, and I’m intrigued to see how they handle a silent character as the main focus.
The Flintstones #11 ($3.99) – This is one of the best ongoings right now, even though it’s ending with the next issue. Plus, each issue also functions as a one-and-done so there is no excuse not to take a look.
Continued belowSuperman #22 ($2.99) – “Superman” still keeps plugging along as one of the best Rebirth books and best Superman runs ever.
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles #69 ($3.99) – “TMNT” has quietly been one of the best comics being released. It incorporates elements from every incarnation of Ninja Turtles and doesn’t just use the license as a crutch. The creators are telling really interesting stories. Splinter is running The Foot! That’s craziness.
Total: $18.95. Lots of DC this week, but I think that’s usual for me.
Rowan’s Picks:
Black Bolt #1 $3.99 — I can’t help but get on board the Inhumans hype train again, they’re one of my favourite Jack Kirby properties. I’ve never read anything by Ahmed but Christian Ward is a brilliant artist.
G.I. Joe #5 ($3.99) — I really liked the last issue, and I’m a big Milonogiannis fan. As far as I’m aware, this is the most fun “G.I. Joe” has been in years.
Extremity #3 ($3.99) — One of the best writer/artists at the moment, Johnson’s visceral and uncompromising storytelling is incredible. If you’re not picking this up, what’s wrong with you?
Youngblood #1 ($3.99) — 90’s properties are my guilty pleasures, so I’m all about this. Just look at those tasty character designs!
Total: $15.96 – All-out action of the best kinds this week, with a couple of dollars to spare.
Ramon’s Picks:
The four titles from Alterna ($1.50 each) — This is it, the time for Alterna to thrive with their newspaper-comics project and prove everybody that cheap comics can be attractive too, I will try everything: “Adam Wreck”, “Amazing Age”, “Croak” and “Lilith Dark”, good luck guys.
Predator Hunters #1 $3.99 — A classic “the hunter becomes the prey” story, this stuff is always enjoyable, and Ruiz Velasco’s art looks great. Also, covers with metallic ink? I fall easily for gimmicks like that, gimme gimmick!
Eternal Empire #1 ($3.99) — Yes yes yes! I LOVED “Alex + Ada” and I missed the creative team a lot. I deliberately have no idea what this is going to be about, I want to be surprised.
All-New Guardians of the Galaxy #1 ($3.99) — Look at that cover, Kuder’s artwork is incredible. I know getting this title out right on time for the movie is kinda ‘gimmicky’, sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t, but I do have high hopes for Duggan and Kuder, this is going to be a great book.
Two ‘Image Firsts’ titles ($1.00 each) — It’s time to get to know some of the books I’ve missed recently, I will choose “Black Magick” and “Seven to Eternity” but there’s a bunch of #1’s coming out this Wednesday, which one will you try?
Total: $19.97. Nine books! There’s no doubt comics should (and can) be cheap. Also, if you are a trade waiter, I suggest “Flintstones and Jetsons” Vol. 1 ($12.99), “Divinity III: Stalinverse” ($14.99), and “Champions” Vol.1 (15.99)
Brian’s Picks:
Youngblood #1 ($3.99) – In the interest of full disclosure: writer Chad Bowers is a personal friend of mine (and Multiversity alum), and I’d buy just about anything he writes. That said, I’ve read this, and it is incredibly fun. It is somehow the perfect extension of the 1990s “Youngblood” stories and an entirely new take. Plus, Jim Towe is the best artist you’ve never heard of before today. Take note of this book.
Swordquest #0 ($0.25) – (Chad wrote this too and its a quarter, and Scott Kowalchuk is amazing and the concept is bonkers)
Project Superpowers: Hero Killers #1 ($3.99) – Pete Woods and Ryan Browne are a pairing I would have never put together in my head, but they make so, so much sense on the page here. This is going to be a beautifully rendered, comedic superhero tale, and that’s what we all need right now.
Deathstroke #18 ($2.99) – The end of the first epoch of Christopher Priest’s “Deathstroke” is here. Before “The Lazarus Project” brings two teams of Titans into Slade’s drama, he has Joseph’s wedding to tide him over until then. Priest is doing next level stuff here – take notice.
Continued belowCatalyst Prime Noble #1 ($3.99) – A new shared universe is starting over at Lion Forge, and the aforementioned Christopher Priest is part of the braintrust. This is as close to a blind buy as I’ll do.
Superman #22 ($2.99) – This is the best Superman book in a decade, easily. Savor it, folks.
Total: $18.20 – That quarter book really throws off the final digit.
Matthew’s Picks:
Black Bolt #1 ($3.99) – After the recent twist in Al Ewing’s “Royals”, I’m pretty excited to see what’s going on in the life of Blackagar Boltagon. I’m not really familiar with Saladin Ahmed, but I like Christian Ward and I like Black Bolt as a character, so I’m willing to give this a shot.
The Flintstones #11 ($3.99) – One of the best series currently on stands hits its penultimate issue. I’m going to miss this book when it’s gone, but I’m not going to miss this book while it’s coming out.
Total: $7.98 – Wow. Light week, huh? Treat yourself to a nice lunch or something this week.
