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!
Brian’s Picks:
Shazam #1 ($3.99) – Anyone that reads my work on this site with any regularity knows that I’m the Shazam boy. Tim Sheridan’s work on “Teen Titans Academy” has sold me on his storytelling skills; Clayton Henry has been doing very solid work for a long time in comics, but really popped for me in the Gail Simone-penned Walmart exclusive “The Flash” story. Taken all together, this is a no-brainer for me.
Second Coming: Only Begotten Son #3 ($3.99) – If you forgot about this book, you’d be forgiven (because, of course, Jesus saves). It’s been delayed quite a bit, and the momentum has dissipated considerably. That doesn’t change the fact that this is a fantastic and unique experience. Refresh your memory and catch up.
Star Wars: War of the Bounty Hunters: Jabba the Hutt #1 ($4.99) – While this event has featured some really good stuff thus far, it’s also had a few stories that can most generously described as ‘nothing.’ The solicit information for this issue seems to be straddling that line. Please, please, let this be something.
Total: $12.97
Kate’s Picks:
M.O.M. Mother of Madness #1 ($5.99) – Daenerys Targaryen, Queen of Meereen, Queen of the Andals, (Rhoynar) and the First Men, Lady of the Seven Kingdoms Regnant, Khaleesi of the Great Sea of Grass, Mhysa, Chain Breaker, Unburned, Mother of Dragons — and perhaps now Mother of Comics? We’ll see. There was a similar series from Source Point Press last year featuring the concept of mom as superhero, but I think there’s room for both of these in the market, as this looks to be more of an origin story than that series was.
Skybound X #3 ($4.99) – Your weekly reminder to make sure this is on your pull list since it won’t be collected in trade.
Minky Woodcock: The Girl Who Electrified Tesla #4 ($3.99) – Comics writers, if you want a masterclass in writing historical fiction, you would do well to take a look at this series. It’s not just about doing your homework about the era, it’s about integrating real life figures in a way that’s meaningful to the story.
Total: $14.97
Mark’s Picks:
Tales from Harrow County: Fair Folk #1 ($3.99) – Thanks to the pandemic, the wait for this miniseries was protracted, but it’s finally here! Emily Schnall comes aboard as the artist, with her work emphasizing the dark fairytale mood of this arc. After the cliffhanger of ‘Death’s Choir,’ I was hoping the series would go into new territory with the goblins and I was not disappointed. (This is the only comic I have actually read in advance of selecting my CSBC picks this week, so the rest will all be based on the strengths of prior issues.)
Proctor Valley Road #5 ($3.99) – This is the final issue, so I’m looking forward to sitting down and reading all five issues back to back. As always, I love Naomi Franquiz’s character work. I can’t get enough.
Black Hammer: Reborn #2 ($3.99) – I loved the first issue. While I knew Amanda Reyes (from “Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy”) was always going to be a part of this story, I wasn’t expecting to see her in such a prominent role. I must admit, part of me was a little nervous about “Black Hammer: Reborn” when I heard that a big part of the story was going to be about Lucy’s family and a dead-end job. I’ve just seen too many stories like that where the only relationships are with their partner, their kids, their boss, and their co-workers. Somehow friends outside of that don’t often make the cut. So discovering that Amanda and Lucy are friends brought to life a fun dynamic I’m eager to see evolve.
Continued belowThe Old Guard: Tales Through Time #4 ($3.99) – I’ve really been enjoying this anthology. Yes, it lacks the high stakes of the bigger arcs, but I’m enjoying the way it can slow down and explore little moments with the characters. Plus I’m finding I enjoy “The Old Guard” more and more over time, so that’s nice.
Snow Angels: Season Two #2 ($2.99) – The second half of “Snow Angels” has a very different feeling to it almost at once. While Season One was a slow burn, focusing on Milliken and Mae’s small world and what they understood of it, Season Two completely reframes everything, with the world rapidly expanding as the lies and half truths come undone. That perspective shift and its impact on the girls was the most exciting part about issue #1, and I’m eager to see it taken further in #2.
Total: $18.95. I’m also picking up “Home” #4, “Time Before Time” #3, and “Ascender” #17.
Luke’s Pick:
Moon Knight #1 ($4.99) – With the character set for a Disney+ series starring Oscar Isaac it’s always been a matter of time before Moon Knight got his own comic once again but wow, it’s been almost three years! Nevertheless, this week will see writer Jed MacKay, artist Alessandro Cappuccio, colorist Rachelle Rosenberg, and letterer Cory Petit team up and return the Fist of Khonshu to street-level. I can’t wait!
Total: $4.99.
