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:
Redneck #3 ($3.99) – Bad stuff is going down for the Bowmans and that means they have to turn to the scariest guy they know – Grandpa up in the attic. So far, the character has been a weird mix of mystery and fear, so I’m interested to see who (or what) Grandpa actually is. As always, Donny Cates and Lisandro Estherren are killing it on this book.
Paklis #2 ($5.99) – While I really enjoyed the first issue of this, it was a little uneven in places, but that’s to be expected from any anthology. Not everything will be for any one person and not everything will get the same reaction. That said, what Dustin Weaver is doing here is more than enough for me to come back for a second issue. Here’s hoping this can find its footing a little better here.
Secret Weapons #1 ($3.99) – Eric Heisserer, the guy who wrote the screenplay for Arrival, is writing a Valiant book about misfit Psiots and those are three things I didn’t imagine would ever be together. Raul Allen is drawing it, so you know it’ll look great, so if Heisserer manages to do the big ideas with great, small moments like Arrival, then we’re in for a treat.
Total: $13.99.
Kent’s Picks
The Dregs #4 ($3.99) – This harrowing, hallucinogenic mashup of Philip Marlowe and mental illness has been a tough read sometimes, but the craft going into it is impecable. Spanning the socioeconomic spectrum of Vancouver, this tale seems to be building to a nihilistic close where, for some people, there’s just no such thing as a happy ending. A powerful example of how Black Mask is releasing some of the most fearless storytelling out there.
Underwinter #3 ($3.99) – Ray Fawkes’ writing and his watercolors capture are rhythm that’s both lyrical and terrifying. The lucid nightmare he orchestrates is enigmatic and unsettling enough that it will prick the hairs on the back of your neck in broad daylight at 1 in the afternoon.
Blood Brothers #1 ($3.99) – Fabian Rangel, Jr. is going streaking this year. Helena Crash was gleefully action-packed and Space Riders: Galaxy of Brutality is a bad-acid tripping biker-gang ripping through the cosmos. His output is consistent and varied enough, that I’m more than comfortable picking this one up blind and just holding on for the ride.
Wonder Woman #25 ($3.99) – Greg Rucka proves emphatically that you can go home again. His run in the early ‘00s was good enough to be canonized, and the run he’s wrapping up this week is every bit its equal.
Batman/The Shadow #3 ($3.99) – Riley Rossmo is at the absolute top of his game and I can’t wait to see him design the Joker as six different types of twisted. It’s not reaching at all to say this is the best looking Bat-book on the shelves right now. Hell, this might just be the best Bat-book, period
Total: $19.95
Matt Lune’s Picks:
Beautiful Canvas #1 ($3.99) – Described as a ‘warped crime dystopia’ all about an assassin that goes on the run with the child she was hired to kill, “Beautiful Canvas” is the latest Black Mask debut that has me hooked straight from the solicit. Love this publisher and love what they’re doing.
Dregs #4 ($3.99) – Speaking of Black Mask, “Dregs” has been one of my books of the year. This is the final issue, and I’m intrigued to see how it all wraps up. A twisted noir tale of the rich eating the poor and one homeless man on the cusp of uncovering the whole grim conspiracy, the art by Eric Zawadski has been superbly inventive and exciting. This is the start of big things for him, I’m sure.
Continued belowBlood Brothers #1 ($3.99) – What looks like a cross between Venture Bros and Lucha Underground, “Blood Brothers” is coming off a wildly successful Kickstarter with this new number one. If you love Fabian Rangel’s work on books like “Space Riders” “Helena Crash” and “Namwolf” then this should be on your pull.
Black Magick #6 ($3.99) – Finally, Greg Rucka and Nicola Scott’s supernatural procedural is back, and I’m looking forward to stepping back into this world of witches, police, and witches who are also in the police. I’m not really selling it very well, but trust me it’s awesome.
Paklis #2 ($5.99) – Issue one of Dustin Weaver’s sci-fi anthology series was intense, exciting, and a lot of fun. Paklis is one great issue away from an instant purchase, top of the read pile book for me, so fingers crossed this second issue delivers
Total: $21.95 – I went over a little, apologies – hey it’s a great week, sue me!
Justin Beeson’s Picks:
Astro City #45 ($3.99) – I’m excited to see more about The Broken Man, who’s been an intriguing fourth-wall-breaking character since this volume’s #1.
Batman / The Shadow #3 ($3.99) – This crossover has been surprisingly good. I’m looking forward to see what they do with The Joker in this issue.
Black Magick #6 ($3.99) – I’m thankful that we’re getting some more of the book that was a precursor to Rucka and Scott’s run on “Wonder Woman.” Anything creator-owned from Rucka is an automatic purchase.
Redneck #3 ($3.99) – “Southern Bastards” with Vampires instead of football. I’m loving this series.
Saga #44 ($2.99) – “Saga” will always be on my list.
Total: $18.95. I love that “Saga” is still holding it down at $2.99, but that’s a book I wouldn’t mind paying even more for.
Matthew’s Picks:
Wonder Woman #25 ($3.99) – Rucka’s “Wonder Woman” wraps up. I don’t know how much finality he’ll try and place here (the whole “all of history is messed up!” thing in the first issue still doesn’t seem to be particularly address in any satisfactory capacity), but as one of the first major “endings” in Rebirth, it’ll be interesting to see how this wraps.
Shutter #29 ($3.99) – “Shutter” is dangerously being close to being done, and this displeases me. I absolutely adored the most recent arc, and I have little to no interest in seeing this book end. Yet here we are — and I have no doubt that Leila and Joe will nail the landing.
Secret Weapons #1 ($3.99) – Valiant’s latest promises to be one of the most interesting. With Livewire as a lead and Jelena Kevic Djurdjevic as the artist we’re basically checking all the boxes for my interest being piqued.
Batman / Elmer Fudd Special #1 ($4.99) – Sure. Why not.
Total: $16.96
Ramon’s Picks:
X-O Manowar Volume 1 ($9.99) — Here’s the thing, my favorite store closed recently, so, I was not able to get this series on the preorder bundle, therefore, I decided to wait for the trades. Also, come on, everything Kindt does is amazing, his books blow my mind every time. #NoSpoilers please.
Scooby-Doo Team Up #27 ($2.99) — Plastic Man is such a great character, he deserves his own series, and a movie, and a cartoon. Well, at least I got to enjoy him with Scooby-Doo
Secret Weapons #1 ($3.99) — I LOVE Raul Allen’s artwork. To me, him and Kano’s art is the best thing Valiant has to offer, and Valiant has a lot of awesome things.
Eleanor & the Egret #3 ($3.99) — Sam Keith’s art is such a wonderful pleasure that I feel bad for not reading anything from him before.
Total: $20.96, almost a dollar over the limit for the bare minimum (because I also want “Calexit” #1, “Batman/Elmer Fudd” Special, “Jonah Hex/Yosemite Sam” Special, “Jughead” #16, and “Batman/The Shadow” #3, a really big week for me). If you like to wait, I suggest the trade printing of “Dark Knight: A True Batman Story” ($16.99), “Cave Carson Has A Cybernetic Eye” Vol. 1 ($16.99) or Azzarello and Risso’s hardcover collection of their “Batman” run ($39.99)
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Brian’s Picks:
Wonder Woman #25 ($3.99) – Rucka is wrapping up his year long story, and I’m really interested to see what loose ends get tied up, versus which will continue to dangle. I doubt this is Rucka’s last time writing the character, so I’m sure it’s not ‘the end’ end, but it still feels momentous. Two years ago, this would have seemed entirely impossible.
Star Wars Droids Unplugged #1 ($4.99) – Chris Eliopoulis doing an issue of Droids stories? Yeah, I’m there.
Clue #1 ($3.99) – I have no idea what this will be like, but if it is even a sliver as entertaining as the mid-80s film, I’m on board.
Secret Weapons #1 ($3.99) – Valiant knows how to do a big event, and with the Oscar-nominated screenwriter of Arrival at the helm, they’re going all in.
Batman/The Shadow #3 ($3.99) – Who would’ve thought that this would have actual ties to Bat-continuity? Not me, but damn is this is a fine read. Riley Rossmo should draw most comics.
Total: $20.95 – Damn you Marvel for making that droids book 5 bucks!
