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:
Kaijumax Season 3 #1 ($3.99) – “Kaijumax” is back! This is easily one of my favorite books of the last couple years. I chatted with Zander Cannon a few months back at ECCC and he talked about how this arc is going to be all about the various prison gangs, and the Cryptids will play a big role in that. Going from telling a fairly traditional “coming to prison” story in the first arc, to an “on the run” story in the second arc, to now moving on to the politics and intricacies of the gangs is part of why “Kaijumax” is so great. Underneath all the monsters and Ultraman-prison guards is a really well researched and thought out prison story.
Grass Kings #5 ($3.99) – Matt Kindt and Tyler Jenkins continue to weave a solid mystery tale, with a great sense of mood. Honestly, the book is worth cover price just for the twenty-some pages of Jenkins’ fantastic watercolors.
Godshaper #4 ($3.99) – Honestly, I’m not entirely sure where this story is going. We’ve gotten to know Ennay and the other characters a bit, and established them very much as outsiders, but we haven’t really gotten a solid villain or conflict just yet. Hopefully that changes soon as Spurrier and Goonface are creating a very interesting world here, with some fantastic art from Goonface. Hopefully it’s all worth it.
Total: $11.97
Kent’s Picks
Centipede #1 ($3.99) – Dynamite’s second volley into the Atari-verse follows up the excellent “Swordquest” with a revival of the progenitor of all sci-fi first person shooters. And bringing along Max Bemis to write the damn thing is inspired, as he definitely earned a halo of his own for the spastic/melancholic ‘90s comic nostalgia trip “Oh, Killstrike.” Add those together and “Centipede” #1 creeps to the top of my pull list.
Kill or Be Killed #10 ($3.99) – I was slow to warm to this Ed Brubaker- Sean Phillips jam. On the surface, it just seemed to be more of the same. And maybe it is, but it’s so much more. This issue finds Dylan facing his demons (in the most literal sense). I still like to think that demon isn’t real – or rather, that it’s only real to Dylan. But whichever one is really real, I trust in Brubaker and Phillips to rain down fire as they close out this arc
Kaijumax Season 3 #1 ($3.99) – The lizard wizard, Zander Cannon, returns to his “Kaijumax” stomping grounds. It’s a little wild to think the best social commentary in comics has been split between a giant monster’s prison drama and everyone’s favorite bowler from Bedrock. Seeing as how one of those has left us, I’m stoked for this one to be back.
Kim Reaper #4 ($3.99) – Half-adorable. Half-morbid. All heartfelt. I always knew Kim and Becka would be facing down the walking dead sooner or later. Sarah Graley serves them walkers up sooner, and that’s not in any way disappointing. Each issue has bounced with infectious charm. There’s no reason to think this issue will bound around with any less.
Dark Days: The Casting #1 ($4.99) – You know you’re all doing it too.
Total: $20.95 – A hair over because of “Dark Days” extra dollar. Dammit DC, you had one job.
Ramon’s Picks:
Spider-Men II #1 ($3.99) — WHO THE HELL IS THE OTHER MILES? It has been eating me for years! Also, I know it’s going to be almost impossible to get this variant cover, but look at that wonderful piece of art from Julian Totino Tedesco
Continued belowUnbeatable Squirrel Girl #22 ($3.99) — Speaking of wonderful covers, Henderson’s art is getting better and better by the issue, I love this book.
Harbinger Renegade #5 ($3.99) — Alright Valiant, tell us, who is going to die? You have been teasing it heavily, I hope it’s good. Make your bets; I’m going with Major Palmer because I really feel they are being a little too obvious (but maybe that’s what they want us to think?).
Vision Director’s Cut #2 ($6.99) — Catching up on the the best book that I missed the first chance, Part 2
Total: $18.96. If you missed on “Shade The Changing Girl” you can look for the trade for volume 1 ($16.99), and I really encourage you to look for “Sombra” ($19.99), with art from the Mexican artist Raul Treviño.
Matt Lune’s Picks:
Calexit #1($3.99) – As someone from the UK who’s been witness to the political nightmare that is Brexit, the title of this series alone comes with its own, intentionally weighty connotations. This feels like a book that could only come out right now, at this exact moment in history, and as such, I can’t wait to see how it exploits the current climate to tell an engaging, satirical and no doubt scarily realistic tale.
Dark Days: The Casting ($4.99) – This is gearing up to be a wild ride. I’m normally not a fan of these sorts of issues – the preludes to big events. There’s a very low level of quality in these sorts of issues, but “Dark Days: The Forge,” the first part of this prelude, was a brilliantly complex setup full of easter eggs (in one case a literal egg) and teases for what’s to come. If this issue is the same, then I’m buying whatever “Metal” is selling.
Spider-Men II #1 ($3.99) – This is a strange one, and a series that I never expected to happen and simultaneously knew was only a matter of time. The previous mini-series (which, without checking, had to be over five years ago now?) ended on a sort of cliffhanger, but it was one of those loose threads I didn’t expect to see picked up on. Here though, finally we get the answer.
Mage: The Hero Denied #0 ($1.99) – Considered by many to be one of the greatest series is modern comics, Matt Wagner’s “Mage” is finally concluding it’s trilogy, and it all starts with a cheap zero issue. What’s not to love?
Flash #26 ($3.99) – This is the first time I’ve consistently kept up with an ongoing Flash series. Considering he’s one of my favorite characters, the quality of “Flash” comics over the past…decade?…has been pretty poor. Here though, Josh Williamson is continually raising the stakes, and by bringing back Reverse Flash for this latest arc, the stakes feel like they’ve never been higher. Loving this book.
Total: $18.95 – a great looking week for comics.
Matthew’s Picks:
Wonder Woman #26 ($2.99) – New creative team, new direction. I’m curious to see what happens next, especially given how much Wonder Woman’s profile has risen with the movie.
Deadly Class #29 ($3.99) – My favorite book Remender currently does, if only because of Wes Craig. Craig has been doing some amazing things with this book, and the current arc has seen someone of the most powerful and impressive scenes happening as these two creators throw down.
Mage: The Hero Denied #0 ($1.99) – It’s been a while since we’ve seen Matt Wagner’s classic work. Been a long time coming too. Would be a shame to miss out.
Kaijumax Season 3 #1 ($3.99) – “Kaijumax” Seasons 1 and 2 are some of the most ludicrously great comics I’ve read this year, after nabbing the first volume during FCBD because of the hype. I was not disappointed. You will not be either.
Spider-Men II #1 ($3.99) – Part of me has absolutely no interest, but nevertheless I’m honestly just curious.
Total: $16.95
Brian’s Picks:
Dark Days: The Casting ($4.99) – I’m no fan of $4.99 comics, but DC has three iconic artist (Jim Lee, Andy Kubert, and John Romita Jr.) doing an oversized book that, if it is anything like its prior installment (“The Forge”), is chock full of teases, hints, and flat out awe-inspiring moments. A little pricey, but well worth it.
Continued belowYoungblood #3 ($3.99) – I’d be buying this for my pal Chad Bowers anyway, but the book has been so fun and great that I don’t even care my buddy is writing it.
Kaijumax Season 3 #1 ($3.99) – Believe the hype. The hype is real.
Wonder Woman #26 ($2.99) – Shea Fontana is gonna hit this out of the park. I can’t wait to see what she has in store.
Calexit #1 and Last Song #1 ($3.99 each) – Black Mask is one of the more reliable providers of interesting new series over the past few years, and both of these new books like fascinating.
Total: $19.95
