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!
Matt Lune’s Picks:
The Quantum Age #1 ($3.99) – This is an interesting one. Expanding the world of “Black Hammer” with a story set 1000 years in the future is certainly taking the series in a new direction, and I suppose it’s one more clever way of exploring this universe without fear of encroaching on the main story’s turf. The quality of all of these spin-offs has been great so far, so I have high hopes for this too.
Submerged #1 ($3.99) – Another original series from Vault Comics, “Submerged” looks to be a desperate hunt into the darkness, as one girl goes deeper underground searching for her estranged brother.
Star Wars #50 ($4.99) – I’ve loved the “Star Wars” book so far, and the entire line has been of a consistent quality and kept me engaged. One thing I’ve been looking forward to, however, is when the main series would catch up with Empire Strikes Back and finally bridge the gap between Episodes IV and V. If the solicitation for this issue is to be believed, we’re about to see that story unfold.
Batman #50 ($4.99) – I can’t really believe that we live in a time when the biggest comic book stories are spoiled days ahead of time by the publishers themselves, but here we are again, and hopefully you’re lucky enough to have not seen the huge headlines that have given away the events of the biggest Bat-Wedding in history. Still, I’m a fan of Tom King’s work on “Batman,” so I’m looking forward to seeing how it all goes down.
Captain America #1 ($4.99) – Well, it is Independence Day after all. Despite the appropriateness of the holiday, I’ve been looking forward to Ta Nehisi Coates on “Captain America” ever since it was announced. More than that, I’m interested in a book that genuinely explores the aftermath of “Secret Empire.” Mark Waid’s run was fun, but felt like too much of a fluffy distraction from the very real consequences of that Earth-changing event. So much was affected by that extremely mediocre series, and while the fans (and, it would seem, Marvel themselves) are willing to forget all about it, I’m more interested in seeing how it has affected Cap and his reputation.
Total: $21.95 – These picks are just scratching the surface of a big week for comics.
Kate’s Picks:
Batman #50 ($4.99) – The New York Times may have spoiled the whole thing (side-eye galore, Grey Lady. Side-eye galore.) but I do want to see how the whole thing ends.
Assassinistas #6 ($3.99) – The Multiversity fan favorite comes to its end, and like the good Catholic girl I was raised to be, I do what my grandma taught me and turn my religious statues (which in this case are my Funkos) towards the window in the hopes that this comes back as an ongoing series, or at least a second chapter. The combo of Tini Howard and Gilbert Hernandez is a match made in heaven.
Joe Hill’s The Cape: Fallen #1 ($3.99) – A friend of mine recommended “The Cape” to me a long time ago, and it became one of my favorite series. This new series fills in a time gap from the original series (not saying what because, spoilers). The original series is a different look at fallen superheroes than what you get in “Watchmen” – – more sinister, less angsty. I anticipate this will continue the tradition.
Giant Days #40 ($3.99) – There are few series that are “appointment series” (meaning I keep up with issues as they are released) and “Giant Days” is one of them. I’ve been out of university for many a year, but I enjoy reliving the awesomeness and angst of college through Daisy, Esther, and Susan.
Continued belowCaptain America #1 ($4.99) – The buzz on Ta-Nehisi Coates on the latest “Black Panther” has been nothing short of amazing, and I think he can find a voice for Cap that retains the classic Cap tone but remains fresh and modern for 2018. We need a hero like him now more than ever.
Total: $21.95. A little over, but my birthday is on Thursday the 5th (and it’s one of those ones that ends in a zero), so one has to splurge a bit with birthday money your grandma sends you, right?
Kevin’s Picks:
Catwoman #1 ($3.99) – Way more excited about this than the wedding. Joelle Jones is amazing and from the moment this was announced it just seemed like the perfect pairing of creator and character. I am so excited for this! But because I’m getting this, I guess I also have to pick up…
Batman #50 ($4.99) – Cause you have to. And cause, if anything, it’ll be really pretty looking.
Captain America #1 ($4.99) – Ta-Nehisi Coates has been telling one of the smartest, most thought-provoking books on the stands over with “Black Panther,” and there’s no way that won’t continue with his run on Cap with Lenil Francis Yu. From the moment The Atlantic article Coates wrote announcing this project was released with the question, “Why would anyone believe in The Dream?” I’ve been ready and I’m glad the time is finally here.
Unnatural #1 ($3.99) – This one is probably much less philosophical, but nonetheless, I think Mirka Andolfo is one of the best artists on the stand right now and it’s cool that this book has been translated from Italian to English and is coming to Image.
Total: $17.96. But also if you can, get “Justice League” #3 cause that book is also definitely great.
Greg Lincoln’s Picks:
Unnatural #1 ($3.99) – Mirka Andolfo’s solo comic “Unnatural” is something I had been thinking about getting in its original Italian for a while if I could find it, so this has been on my must have list since Image announced it. Her approach to character design and storytelling really appeal to me and her name on a book almost assures I’ll pick up a copy if I collect it or not like the last two issues of Harley Quinn.
Catwoman #1 ($3.99) – Like Andolfo, Joelle Jones is another artist who’s name pretty much assures a purchase on my part. After her two “Lady Killer” stories and her occasional “Batman” issues during the run up to the Batman/Catwoman wedding the prospect of her being the writer/artist on Catwoman for any length of time is too attractive to pass up. Making it all the sweeter is the fact that Catwoman was the first DC character I really loved.
Prism Stalker #5 ($3.99) – Sloan’s Leong’s sci-fi body horror superhero comic makes the third single creator book on my list in one week. She has packed her setting with multiple non-humanoid aliens surrounding her human main character, , in this magical girl manga meets David Cronenberg drama. Leong is telling a story that is much more decompressed than your usual US comics fare and it is well worth delving into.
Vagrant Queen #2 ($3.99) – Magdalene Visaggio for my money always delivers on character and story. Her storytelling hits me on an emotional level and regardless of the genre she always manages to get her hooks into me as a reader within a few panels, it is impressive just how much humor feeling and pathos she packs into twenty two spare pages. The first issue of this reminded me of her first issue of “Kim and Kim”, it’s a fully realized world within just a few pages.
Submerged #1 ($3.99) – Vita Ayala’s “The Wilds” is a great take on post apocalyptic story, it’s a fresh take on a sometime over exposed genre. “Submerged” looks to also promise a exploration into the unknown as it’s main character searches for her missing brother during a torrential storm. No idea what this one will ultimately be about bet exited to see where they take it.
Continued belowTotal: $19.95…though it’s likely I’ll be getting the new “Quantum Age” from the “World of Black Hammer” and “Death or Glory” #3 also for the sake of honesty as I rarely keep to $20.00
Vince’s Picks:
Assassinistas #6 ($3.99) – The final issue (final final or just final for now? Tini, at tweet me) of this magnificent series is a bittersweet pill indeed. Every gorgeous page of this book was a joy to read, thanks to consistently sharp scripts, a jaunty tone, and that Gilbert Hernandez art. Make sure you don’t miss this book, because Tini Howard is about to blow up and you’ll want to see exactly where it happened. I’m so excited to see what’s next for her (“Euthanauts” #1 coming in July, also from IDW)
Catwoman #1 ($3.99) – You know me, I’m up and down on Tom King’s “Batman” run, but the best issues by far were the ones that the great Joëlle Jones had anything to do with. This may seem like impossibly high praise, but from a visual standpoint, her Selina Kyle is the deepest take on the character I’ve ever read – and I’ve read a lot of Catwoman. You can see the conflict behind the character’s eyes. I’m sure that nuance is something she’ll be bringing to this solo series and I can’t wait to see it.
Justice League #3 ($3.99) – 2 issues in and this is the most exhilarating the Justice League has felt in years. Between Snyder’s confident insanity and some of the top artistic resources DC could tap into, this book is a must buy for the foreseeable future.
Total: $11.97
Matt Grazel’s Picks:
Captain America #1 ($4.99) – I have heard Ta-Nehisi Coates’ work on “Black Panther” has been very good. I am intrigued to read the first issue of Coates’ interpretation of an iconic character and the introduction of the new villainous organization, the Power Elite.
Star Wars #50 ($5.99) – I have been pondering reading “Star Wars” after watching Star Wars: The Last Jedi in theaters earlier this year. This issue is a good jumping-on-point with the hint in the solicitation that the comic will follow The Empire Strikes Back.
X-Men Gold #31 ($3.99) – It is wedding season in the world of superhero comics. With the wedding of Batman and Catwoman the focus of the “Batman” series recently, “X-Men Gold” will continue to deal with the aftermath of the breakup between Colossus and Kitty Pryde. What will the repercussions be for this group of the X-Men?
Total: $14.97. There are a lot of interesting reads this week so it is difficult to choose to remain under $20. However, it is doable.
Nick’s Picks:
Kaguya-Sama: Love is War, vol 3 ($9.99) – A romantic comedy done in the style of “Death Note”: each of the two main characters plays extremely dramatic mind games to get the other to admit they’re in love with them. The concept hasn’t gotten old after two volumes, so let’s check out the third!
Catwoman #1 ($3.99) – Wherever Joelle Jones goes, I will follow.
Paper Girls #22 ($3.99) – And wherever the Paper Girls go, I will follow.
Total: $17.97.
Ken’s Picks:
Justice League #3 ($3.99): Slowly, the Snyder/Jimenez/Cheung Justice League book is becoming my favorite book at DC. It’s a wonderful combination of the Morrison “JLA” with the DCAU that is very much My Thing.
Captain America #1 ($4.99): Ta-Nehisi Coates’ “Black Panther” didn’t grab me right away but it eventually did suck me in to being one of the best books at Marvel. So I ma curious where he’s going to go with Cap after the really bad ideas of the recent past.
Total: $7.98
