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!
Kevin’s Picks:
“The Unstoppable Wasp” #10 ($3.99) – One of my favorite books of the last few years is ending again and I am so sad, but also I can’t wait to see how Nadia and her friends make it out.
“Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen” #1 ($3.99) – If this book’s half as good as what Steve Lieber keeps tweeting about then we’ve got another hilarious hit on our hands.
“Silver Surfer: Black” #2 ($3.99) – The first issue of this book was gorgeous, grotesque and moody – perfect for the Silver Surfer. I can’t wait for more.
“Sera and the Royal Stars” #1 ($3.99) – I haven’t read a lot of webcomics, but “Heroine Chic” with Audrey Mok art happens to be one of them. When she moved to “Archie” I was there and loved her art. I will follow her work to any comic, and all of the Vault books that I have read have been nothing less than stellar, which is why you bet I’ll be checking this one out!
Total: $15.96
Kate’s Picks:
“Blade Runner” #1 ($3.99) – I know very little about Blade Runner as a franchise but from some of the preview pages I’ve seen (and that Artgerm cover), this is going to be gorgeously detailed and a joy to view.
“Wonder Woman Come Back to Me” #1 ($4.99) – I missed the DC Walmart specials when they first dropped so I’m really glad they’re coming to the direct market.
“Doctor Who: The Thirteenth Doctor” #10 ($3.99) – The second arc of this new series was a rather weak entry; it was trying too much to be like the classic Who episode “Blink” and failed in execution. The tie to the more recent incarnation of the Master (aka Missy) makes for a stronger connection to the show, and the callbacks to classic literature honors the roots of the series as an educational show.
“Jughead’s Time Police” #2 ($3.99) – With this series and “Ghosted in L.A.” Sina Grace proves he is a rising star in the world of all-ages comics. He knows how to write humor and heart in equal measure.
Total: $16.96
Mark’s Picks:
“Little Bird” #5 ($3.99)— I slept on this one. I kept meaning to check it out and then forgetting to for whatever reason and that was very stupid, because this book is stunning. (I mean, this is from Ian Bertram, the guy responsible for the art in “House of Penance”.) This issue wraps up the first arc ‘The Flight for Elder’s Hope,’ so now’s a good time to check it out. And when you’re done, there’s a PanelxPanel issue with “Little Bird” as its feature title that’s well worth checking out.
“Joe Golem: Occult Detective—The Conjurors” #3 ($3.99)— Due to writing Mignolaversity, I have had to read everything issue by issue as it comes out, which is not my preferred way to read at all. As such, I’ve probably been quiet about this series, because I actually haven’t been reading it. I’m very much looking forward to diving into it all when the arc is done. That said, it’s from a strong team that did great work with the last issue and the “Baltimore” series before it.
“Gideon Falls” #15 ($3.99)— My first reaction to the recent “Joker: Killer Smile” announcement was the sinking feeling that I may have to wait great deal longer between arcs of “Gideon Falls.” Thankfully, Jeff Lemire was quick to reassure readers that he and Andrea Sorrentino are so far ahead with “Gideon Falls” that “Joker: Killer Smile” will not affect the release schedule at all, which is surprising, but also very comforting news. Point is, this is a damn good horror comic.
Continued below“The Quiet Kind” ($5.99)— This was announced as “A new universe of creatures and heroes, written by Bitter Root‘s Chuck Brown”, which sounds like it’s trying to launch something, but a one-shot of short stories seems an unusual way to do this. Either way, it had me curious enough with Chuck Brown, writer of “Bitter Root.”
Total: $17.99.
Kyle’s Picks:
“Little Bird” #5 ($3.99) – Issue 5 of 5 in what has been a phenomenal series. I love the world and just want it to continue forever. I would normally not recommend picking up an issue 5 of a series if you had not read 1 through 4 but it is worth it just to bask in the glory that is Ian Bertram. I hope they do a really nice collected edition of this series. This team and this series deserves it.
“Silver Surfer Black” #2 ($3.99) – Light week for recommendations for me. There are a lot of good books out this week but I try to pick things I am super confident in and there is nothing but confidence when it comes to Tradd Moore. If this was just a book of Tradd Moore drawing the Surfer flying through space for 23 pages I would read it. Donny Cates is not too shabby either. Really enjoyed issue one and stoked for issue 2.
Total: $ 7.98. Was over last week so I’ll go under this week.
Vince’s Picks:
“Usagi Yojimbo” #2 ($3.99) – $3.99 is a small price to pay to see a master like Stan Sakai at work each month.
“Superman’s Pal Jimmy Olsen” #1 ($3.99) – The most fun part of the “Superman: Event Leviathan Special” was Matt Fraction and Steve Lieber’s all-encompassing take on Jimmy Olsen. The series looks to be an irreverent side-bar to all the cataclysmic stuff going on across the other Bendis-related books, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some really big ideas going on here.
Total: $7.98