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 Pick:
Everyone Is Tulip ($19.99) – PanelxPanel has this comic selected as their focus for their July issue, which is a good indicator this is going to be a great comic. It caught my attention back when it was first announced, because it explores the split between a person and their online persona, and how much control they really have over that persona, and I was won over when I saw an interview with Dave Baker and Nicole Goux when they spoke to Nerdy in Many Ways last week. Goux’s art is a big draw for me―she comes from an illustration background (which really shows on the “Everyone Is Tulip” cover) and has a great love of visual storytelling too. And I just love original graphic novels. It’s my favorite format for comics.
Total: $19.99. . . but not really because I’m also picking up “Adora and the Distance” (a digital only OGN on ComiXology), “The House of Lost Horizons: A Sarah Jewell Mystery” #2, “Ultramega” #4 (the end of the first arc), “The Silver Coin” #3, and “Time Before Time” #2.
Chris’s Picks:
Seven Swords #1 ($4.99) – D’Artagnan, Don Juan, Captain Blood, Cyrano de Bergerac and more? Sign me up, I love me some Musketeers and there’s no reason these characters can’t have co-existed — history is the real canon, after all. 17th century swashbucklers, assemble!
Save Yourself! #1 ($4.99) – “What if the Sailor Guardians or Crystal Gems were evil?” Alright, I’m game, DC/Marvel superheroes shouldn’t be the only ones who get deconstructionist takes. I’m sadly unfamiliar with Bones Leopard, but it’s always great to see art from “Just Beyond” co-creators Kelly and Nichole Matthews.
Miles Morales: Spider-Man #27 ($3.99) – Saladin Ahmed and Carmen Carnero’s ‘Clone Saga’ arc has taken Miles to some really intense and creepy places, and suffice to say I am dreading (in a good way!) finding out what happens next.
Fantastic Four #33 ($3.99) – Doctor Doom’s getting married in the morning! Ding dong! the bells are gonna chime — just what do you think will happen when he learns his bride hooked up with Johnny Storm though?
Total: $17.96
Johnny’s Picks:
Planet-Sized X-Men #1 Gala ($4.99) – Any time artist Pepe Larraz dips his pen back into mutant waters, I’m there. The Hellfire Gala that is at the center of this story is heating things up to the crescendo that is to become “Inferno” (see what I did there?), and I’m still excited to see where Hickman and his team are taking our favorite Krakoans. Gerry Duggan’s wry humor seems to match Hickman’s own, and the distinct silliness of “X of Swords” seems to be continuing on up to and through this book- and though I mention the silliness, there is no lack of dramatic tension and thrilling superheroics to be found.
NOW #10 ($12.99) – Always surprising, always energizing, this Eisner-nominated anthology from Fantagraphics is still humming right along, each new issue bringing me something (a story, a new cartoonist, or an exciting established favorite) I didn’t know I wanted or needed, but I’m thankful for all the same. This issue gives us a look at some very early Richard Sala pages, as well as a new story from “Pope Hats” author Hartley Lin. Can’t wait!
Supergirl: Woman of Tomorrow #1 ($4.99) – Make no mistake, this book will have some pretty, pretty pictures courtesy of superstar artist, Bilquis Evely.
Total: $22.97. . . there’s a few new X-books this week, as well as “Laila Starr” from BOOM!, and a new “Ultramega” from Image I’ll also be grabbing, and I STILL popped the $20 too easily. Comics should be cheaper!
Continued below
Brian’s Picks:
The Flash #771 ($3.99) – Forgive the cover, which spoils the end of the issue in a really obnoxious way, but this issue is one of the best of DC’s ‘Infinite Frontier’ relaunch thus far. It is funny, heartfelt, and features some amazing art, which has been the Achilles Heel of this run thus far. Come for the Kevin Maguire pages, stay for the goosebump-inducing conversation that takes up the final quarter of the issue.
Star Wars #14 ($3.99) – ‘War of the Bounty Hunters’ rages on, and so far, the “Star Wars” issues have been among the most effective pieces of the crossover. Let’s see if that trend continues.
Static Season One #1 ($3.99) – It is a crime that DC has taken this long to bring back Milestone as an imprint. Here’s hoping that this title, along with the others being rolled out over the next few months, live up to the name that it carries on its corner box.
Total: $11.97
