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!
Vince’s Picks:
Frogcatchers ($14.99) – It’s always a special occasion when we get to enjoy Jeff Lemire’s unmistakable art alongside his writing. I’ve never pegged him as a horror writer in any traditional sense, although there have been some brushstrokes of that here and there across his body of work. This book, which is now out in paperback, sounds like the most overtly suspenseful, horror-mystery premise he’s ever done, and I can’t wait to see what that looks like coming from his pen. We know my guy is a fan of Twin Peaks, and I’m getting some Twin Peaks: The Return vibes from this.
Suicide Squad #7 ($3.99) – I can’t recommend the Tom Taylor/Bruno Redondo run of “Suicide Squad” highly enough. It’s something imminently accessible, yet packed full of diverse new characters and ideas, yet its most impressive feat may be finding a new way into a very old and tired character arc for Deadshot. I can’t believe how invested I found myself in the early moments of issue #7, and then found myself on a rollercoaster ride through the rest of the issue. Basically everything Taylor touches is gold right now, bar none.
Total: $18.98
Mark’s Picks:
“Shadow Roads” #9 ($3.99) – The last issue of “Shadow Roads” came out June 2019 and abruptly stopped mid-arc, so the wait for this series to return has been particularly frustrating. That said, I’m sure glad to have it back. Obviously, I’m a huge fan of “The Sixth Gun” (I mean, I write Haunted Trails, Multiversity Comics’ dedicated “Sixth Gun” column after all), and fortunately I clicked with the sequel series immediately. That said, the unplanned year-long gap between issues does diminish the momentum, especially since this issue involves a number of revelations, so I recommend rereading at least the previous three issues before diving into this one or reading a recap to jog your memory. Luckily, I just so happened to write one that’ll be up on Multiversity Comics later today.
“Giant Days” Volume 13 ($14.99) – I’m really missing this series lately. I mean, with fewer comics in general coming out lately, I find myself missing a lot of my favorites, but for some reason I’m missing John Allison and Max Sarin’s “Giant Days” more acutely than others.
Total: $18.99
Kate’s Picks:
Ms. Marvel Meets the Marvel Universe ($12.99) – Let’s face it: even in normal times, the idea of summer reading is a drag for kids. No doubt parents are looking for ways to keep kids engaged after a very tumultuous school year and uncertainty around the fall. Why not a graphic novel, and better yet, why no one featuring someone close to their age? Now this is a collection of previously published material (“Ms. Marvel,” “Moon Girl and Devil Dinosaur,” among others) but it is still new to someone, no doubt. And I always have a soft spot for Ms. Marvel, being that she is (a) from New Jersey like me and (b) the first comic I read regularly when I got back into comics. There are still some educators who give comics and graphic novels a bad rap, but if it gets kids reading, it gets kids reading.
I Am Strong Rosa Parks Board Book ($7.99) – As America buries Rep. John Lewis this week, it is never too early to teach your kids about the heroes that fought for civil rights.
Total: $20.98
Jason’s Picks:
John Constantine: Hellblazer #8 ($3.99) – The amount of DC/Marvel Comics I read could easily be counted on one hand, especially “ongoings.” To me there just aren’t that many ongoings that I enjoy, instead, I like the “mini/maxi-series.” However, I have loved each issue of “John Constantine: Hellblazer.”
Continued belowBleed Them Dry #2 ($3.99) – We all know I love Vault Comics and their new series continues this trend. I mean what’s not to love about cyberpunk and vampires?
Total: $7.98
Christopher’s Pick:
FCBD Stranger Things & Minecraft – I’m here for the Stranger Things story by Greg Pak and Gabriella Antali: it may not be canon, just like the younger-skewing graphic novel Pak wrote, but nevertheless, it’s a pleasant surprise we’re already getting a story set after season 3. Ahoy Scoop Troop!
Star Wars: The Rise of Kylo Ren ($15.99) – The Rise of Skywalker was a disappointment, but Kylo Ren remains the villain of two of my favorite entries in the franchise, and it’s pretty cool that Marvel oversaw the portrayal of this pivotal moment in the saga, so I’ll definitely be giving it a read; once with the context of TROS, and again without.
Total: $15.99
Johnny’s Picks:
X-Men #10 ($3.99) This is an “Empyre” tie-in book, an event that I’m not really up on yet, but I’m still riding high on the Hickman X-run. Just feed this to me through a tube, intravenously. It will sustain me.
Hedra One-Shot (5.99) – Image comics is reprinting this self-published sci-fi gem you owe it to yourself to check out. A wordless 48 page comic in the style of old serial adventure strips, artist Jesse Lonergan has a style and energy in his art that is a blast to look at. I’m not sure if this Image printing of the comic mimics the same style (oversized newsprint), but hopefully so!
Total: $9.98
