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!
Kate’s Pick:
Run Book One ($24.99): Really, I’m breaking all the rules with this one (sorry, boss). It technically came out last week. It’s over budget. But it is a necessity for your bookshelf. “Run” is the continuation of the late John Lewis’s story that started in the award-winning “March” trilogy, focusing on his time after the passage of the Voting Rights Act in 1965, setting the stage for what would be an illustrious career in Congress. This one has been a long time coming, and my only regret is that Mr. Lewis did not live to see its completion. Get this on your bookshelf stat. With voting rights under attack in several U.S. states (including Mr Lewis’s home state of Georgia), if we do not learn from our history we will be doomed to repeat it, with even graver consequences for our democracy.
Total: $24.99
Johnny’s Picks:
Bitter Root #15 ($3.99) – There’s not much I can add to the acclaim this book has garnered that the numerous industry awards won’t already clue you in on. This book is excellent, and, sadly, the first major storyline in this universe comes to an end here, with an assured but not-in-the-near-future return at some point. Writer David F. Walker and artist Sanford Greene were and are working at the top of their game on this project, and it has shown throughout. I’ll miss this monthly dose of thoughtful horror – I’ll miss the vividly painted family dynamics, the vibrant locales, and I’ll miss the brutal reminder of a country bought in blood, and the haunting legacy of that cost, and the continuing struggle. I’m so thankful for the thought-provoking back matter, and that this wasn’t just a comic I could read and quickly move on to the next one in the pile. I sat with it. Chewed on it. Let it stick with me. I hope to see it again soon.
America Chavez: Made in the USA #5 ($3.99) – Another series conclusion. This mini I could pretty much take or leave – though it is an interesting status quo change for Chavez. I will say I admired artist Carlos Gomez’s exciting visuals throughout, reminding me of a young Humberto Ramos.
Defenders #1 ($3.99) – Honestly don’t really care one way or the other about the D-List Marvel Supergroup known as the Defenders, but what (or who, rather) I DO care about is writer Al Ewing and artist Javier Rodriguez! Just taking a quick gander at the preview pages for this book and I was floored by Rodriguez’s command of the page. To me it also looks like there might be some new members to this iteration of the team, enough for the always interesting Ewing to make the run his own. I’m all aboard!
Total: $11.97. Though it should be said that a couple graphic novels see release this week – including (and, perhaps,especially) the follow up to the groundbreaking “March,” John Lewis, Andrew Aydin, L. Fury, and Nate Powell’s “Run.” Count me in for that one, too!
Mark’s Picks:
The Unbelievable Unteens #1 ($3.99) – I’ve been waiting on this story since it was first teased back on Free Comic Book Day 2019―and it was totally worth the wait. If you’re not already familiar, this is a spinoff title from Jeff Lemire and Dean Ormston’s “Black Hammer: Age of Doom,” continuing the story of Jack Sabbath after he discovers a comic with him on the front cover, alive and part of a team of teenage superheroes. Right away, the premise opens the door to play with the art style, and artist Tyler Crook totally goes for it. And the final page is one of the best final pages I’ve seen in a while. This was so much fun.
Continued below6 Sidekicks of Trigger Keaton #3 ($3.99) – I’ve been trying to get this title on my list since it first started, but it always kept on getting just barely edged out. Some weeks, the $20 limit is just too painful. Kyle Starks and Chris Schweizeralways make something great when they work together, but this book is my favourite of their collaborations yet. Bring on the Stuntman War!
The Silver Coin #5 ($3.99) – Michael Walsh takes on both art and writing for this issue, which makes it an extra special one. The miniseries has now been expanded to a full ongoing series, so this issue feels like the mission statement for the future. I’ll be very interested to see how it evolves.
The House of Lost Horizons #4 ($3.99) – I love Agatha Christie, and this issue tapped into that particular influence hard, so I ended up really loving it.
Hellboy and the B.P.R.D.: The Secret of Chesbro House #2 ($3.99) – The kind of book that you finish and you’re immediately hungry for more. Fortunately, there’s some awesome stuff in the works for Hellboy readers…
Total: $19.95.
