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!
Christopher’s Picks:
Kang the Conqueror #1 ($4.99) – Even if Kang hadn’t made his MCU debut, I would be all over Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing and Carlos Magno’s origin story for the Avengers’ time traveling nemesis: he is one of the most charismatic and powerful Marvel villains ever created. And y’know what especially great about the premise? It’s basically the overarching story of Netflix’s Dark, but with Marvel characters!
Killer Queens #1 ($3.99) – David M. Booher and Claudia Balboni’s Dark Horse series about two gay intergalactic ex-assassins is right up my alley: I’m always up for a story about a lawless space frontier, with unique protagonists. Also, there’s a talking monkey!
Savage Hearts #2 ($3.99) – Speaking of unique leads, the first issue of Aubrey Sitterson and Jed Dougherty’s barbarian romance was a fun set-up, and I remain curious to see how its mixture of sweetness and sauciness pans out.
Total: $12.97 — good thing I got that graphic novelization of Nineteen Eighty-Four when it came out in the UK a while ago.
Mark’s Picks:
Lazarus: Risen #6 ($7.99) – If you’re a “Lazarus” reader, then every issue is an unmissable issue. They don’t come along very often, but when they do, it’s a rich and rewarding experience, and the issue is absolutely packed. That said, this is even more of an unmissable issue than usual. Go get it and read it as soon as possible.
Tales from Harrow County: Fair Folk #2 ($3.99) – I love “Harrow County,” so this was always going to be on my list, but it combines so many small character beats with this absolutely seismic change for the residents of Harrow County going forward. . . it’s the sort of turning point you don’t want to miss. Plus Emily Schnall draws this super creepy monster you’ve just gotta see.
Black Hammer: Visions #7 ($3.99) – You mileage may vary on this one, but personally, I think this issue was the best of the ‘Visions’ anthology so far, really reveling in what makes “Black Hammer” unique as Ms. Moonbeam struggles with whether she’s good or evil. It’s probably the most meta “Black Hammer” has ever been though, and I know that’s not for everyone.
Total: $15.97. I’ll also be picking up Junji Ito’s “Sensor,” but it didn’t make the list because at $19.99 it leaves no room for anything else, and I don’t really have anything to say about it except “It’s Junji Ito. Buy it.”
Johnny’s Picks:
The Nib #8 Drugs ($14.95) – Drugs! I never miss an issue of the greatest journalistic satire comic mag on the stands, and this issue certainly will be no exception. Starting with a great cover by one of my personal favorites, Michael DeForge, this issue has thirty-some-odd artists tackling all things drug-related, be it Zack Ruskin and Sophie Yanow’s discussion of the “Pot to Prison Pipeline” to Ashley Caswell’s “Out of the Box: My First Doctor’s Appointment as an Openly Trans Person,” the magazine always seeks to explore topics in a variety of thoughtful and surprising ways.
Critical Role: Vox Machina Origins III #3 ($3.99) – Ok, so maybe the title is a mouthful – most licensed property titles usually are – but I’m still having fun with Jody Houser and Olivia Samson’s take on stories of Vox Machina in the “P.S. Times” (pre-streaming). Houser has such a handle on these characters, and Samson has provided some iconic imagery to a group of characters where there is NO lack of fan art out there.
Total: $18.94. Junji Ito. Simon Hanselmann. BETO. Just a few of the names of artists whose books also come out this week that would surely put me over the $20 mark, but I wholly encourage you to seek out their stuff!
