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:
Horizon #1 ($2.99) – I’ve been interested in this book since it was announced at Image Expo and got really excited for it after talking to Brandon and Juan at ECCC. An alien invasion book where we’re the bad guys could be a lot of fun, especially as some of those aliens we’re invading decide to take the fight to Earth.
The Paybacks #1 ($3.50) – It’s not often that you see a book change publishers, but the “The Paybacks” isn’t a typical book. Donny Cates and Eliot Rahal write some of the most fun comics I’ve read lately and this second volume of “The Paybacks” will surely be just as fun as the first. Plus, it never hurts to have Geoff Shaw throwing down sick art on a book.
Birthright #17 ($2.99) – I’m a big fan of “Birthright” and it deserves a lot more credit as it continues to be an interesting, well made book well after the initial hype has worn off. This issue sees the “evil” mages fighting against the “evil” in Mikey as this book is all just varying shades of grey when it comes to good/bad.
Total: $9.48. I’ll dig around in the couch to scrounge up another five or six bucks too because the third trade of “Southern Bastards” is out. Each issue focuses on a different person in Craw County and those were some of my favorite single issues of the last year. The Esaw and Deacon Boone issues are great, as is the issue where Roberta Tubb finally comes home. Heck, the whole thing is great. “Southern Bastards” is great.
Matt Garcia’s Picks:
Mickey Mouse Shorts Season 1 #1 ($3.99) – Paul Rudish’s Mickey Mouse cartoons are some of the most delightful Mickey adventures in a long time. Honestly, if you haven’t been watching them, you’re missing out, especially as Disney has let Rudish go for the more mischievous, ornery Mouse. This new collection from IDW features adaptations of the cartoons. And hopefully it’s just as delightful as the show!
Sabrina #6 ($4.99) – This remains my favorite thing Archie Comics has been putting out, as intermittent it may be. This one’s about Salem.
Kong of Skull Island #1 ($3.99) – A sequel/prequel thing, endorsed no less by the Cooper family (which doesn’t immediately mean it’s a good thing). It’s scripted by James Asmus and illustrated by Carlos Magno. Boom! usually does well with their licensed spinoffs, and, come on, it’s King Kong, yo.
Wonder Woman #2 ($2.99) – I won’t be the first one to point out that Greg Rucka’s spearheading the only title from DC Rebirth that’s using the double shitting shipping strategy to its benefit. Nicola Scott comes onboard to do a ‘Wonder Woman: Year One’ story, and, you know, I just really love this character.
The Adventures of Miru #1 ($3.99) – Miru’s a dragon who crashes into a world where dragons don’t exist. Naturally everyone wants a piece of him, while he may hold the key to the “survival of all realities” or something. Action Lab has produced a lot of vibrant entertainment and this one, from Rick Laprade and J. McClary, looks no different. Also, word of advice: when looking at Action Lab stuff, go for their single issues, because their trades are some of the worst assembled in the industry.
Total: $19.95
Kyle’s Picks:
Civil War: Choosing Sides #2 ($3.99) – So far Civil War II has been a huge dud for me. Last week’s “Kingpin” was one of the few bright spots in this event. The other was “Choosing Sides”. Overall, Civil War II’s story seems flimsy especially when it comes to characters and their motivations. “Choosing Sides” provided nice personal stories with outstanding are. Issue 2 features art from Marguerite Sauvage, Marco Rudy and Declan Shalvey. That is all you need.
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Greg’s Picks:
Ragnarok #9 ($4.99) – It’s Walt Simonson writing & drawing a post-(Norse) apocalyptic Thor story where Thor has no mouth but still screams for vengeance against those who kept him from fulfilling his place in the cyclical prophecy, thus dooming the Nine Worlds to this hellish limbo-esque existence. That’s metal enough to set off airport detectors. If you think the only Thor worth reading in comics is the one with the Avengers membership, think again!
Mickey Shorts: Season 1 #1 ($3.99) – First off, if you haven’t seen any of these new Mickey Mouse shorts, GO WATCH SOME RIGHT NOW! Seriously, they are fantastic and, while done in the same spirit as the original theatrical shorts, are 100% executed with 21st century skill and intention. So when IDW, they of the well-done licensed comics, puts out a comic version of such delightful source material, you buy it. That’s just what you, the discerning comics reader, do.
Vision #9 ($3.99) – If this isn’t my favorite Marvel book right now, it’s in the top three with “Black Widow” and “Doctor Strange”. King and Walta are KILLING it on this book. It might not be as locked into continuity and bridging the gap between Marvel Now and Not-Now and Even-Nower-Than-Now or whatever the hell they’re calling their line at the moment, but this is comics worth your money. Everybody always says they wished Marvel did Vertigo-style books? Well, here it is.
Hip-Hop Family Tree #11 ($3.99) – My memory of the “Hip Hop Family Tree” OGNs is a little sketchy but I think these are still reprinting that material in singles form. But you know what? It’s still worth buying them. For the Big-Two homage covers. For the excellent use of toothy paper-stock. For rewarding Fantagraphics for putting out floppies along with their spined cousins. Oh, and because Ed Piskor is doing one of the best (i.e. most fun) non-fiction comics of the decade.
Titan #3 ($4.95) – Not “Teen Titans”. Not “TitanS”, This is a Study Group Comics comic, not a DC comic. I’ve talked before about this indie comic mixing science fiction, love, and labor relations before, but that’s not going to keep me from recommending it now. You may need to special order this bad boy if you don’t have a shop like Third Eye which will have this racked for your convenience, but do it anyway. Francois Vignault’s work is more Moon than The Martian but isn’t that why we love comics? To see things we can’t get anywhere else?
Total: $21.91
Mark’s Picks:
Harrow County #14 ($3.99) — Holy crap. This was awesome. Just… awesome. Creepy as hell too. I finished this issue and wandered around stunned for a while after this one. Bunn and Crook are an incredible combination. Also, that cover is the best this series had had so far.
Abe Sapien #35 ($3.99) — Max Fiumara and Dave Stewart did incredible work in this issue. The colors in this issue were just incredible, touching on so many aspects of Mignola’s Hellboy Universe and somehow drawing it together cohesively. Plus, y’know, Alice! Oh my god, it was so good to see her again…
Total: $7.98. This was a light week for me, but the two books that I picked, I loved.
