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 Picks:
Dark Nights Death Metal Guidebook #1 ($5.99) – It’s a little late in the event to be releasing a guidebook (we just crossed the third issue) but better late than never!
Adler #3 ($3.99) – There is so much joy and potential in the premise of this series, but the first two issues are stumbling under their own weight. I’m hoping by issue #3 it hits its stride.
Lost in NYC A Subway Adventure ($9.99) – I have not set foot in New York City since March 11th. I have not set foot in the city that was the epicenter to my professional and social life since March 11th. I’m feeling a bit nostalgic for my city that everyone now seems to have left for dead, and this is fitting the bill.
Total: $19.97
Vince’s Picks:
Wonder Woman: Dead Earth #4 ($6.99) – It’s difficult to imagine the new regime at DC greenlighting a book like “Wonder Woman: Death Earth” again anytime soon. Though I’m probably getting ahead of myself by speculating, it doesn’t seem like “Black Label” as a publishing imprint for new mature books is long for this world, or if it is, I don’t feel great about the prospects of their continuing to try putting out books that don’t involve Batman or the Joker in some way. Since they’re apparently paring their entire output down quite a bit, my gut feeling is that these little oddities aren’t going to be priorities for the company anymore. I hope I’m wrong, because that would be a shame. Letting Daniel Warren Johnson go nuts on a post-apocalyptic Wonder Woman title has been such an incredible thing to watch unfold. It almost goes without saying, but the art looks incredible throughout. More than that, he weaves throughout all these little twisted easter eggs and character beats that reference the greater DCU in unexpected and sometimes subtle ways. All things considered, I think this was probably my favorite ‘Black Label’ series, and I think it successfully executes the artistic intent behind the imprint better than any other. It’s mature but not gratuitous. It doesn’t feel like it only exists to be explicit. It feels like a truly creator-driven effort all around.
Total: $6.99
Jason’s Picks:
Wonder Woman: Dead Earth #4 ($6.99) – For some reason, I thought the previous issue was the last. Lucky for me, it wasn’t! I don’t go out of my way for Wonder Woman, but when I saw the previews for the first issue I fell in love with Daniel Warren Johnson’s style. It sucks that this issue is the last, but damn do I look forward to it!
The Plot #6 ($3.99) – Yes, we all know I love Vault Comics, and it’s all for the best reasons. They are publishing some of the best damn comics out there, with “The Plot” being one of them!
Total: $10.98
Johnny’s Picks:
Wonder Woman Dead Earth #4 (of 4) ($6.99) There are few creators working today that excite me as much as Daniel Warren Johnson, and this final chapter to his brutal Wonder Woman story promises to be particularly thrilling. Last issue’s rock’em-sock’em slugfest between Diana and Superman had more than hints of “Dark Knight Returns” vibes, but DWJ’s style is all his own. I always enjoy when creators are allowed to stretch their legs a little bit when playing with these corporate toys, and Dead Earth has been a thoughtful, dynamic, and altogether rewarding journey.
Continued belowDecorum #4 ($3.99) – Am I the only one who didn’t know this was a mini-series? Bummer. I could look at Huddleston’s art all day. This sci-fi story hasn’t quite grabbed me yet, but my goodness the art is incredible. With each turn of the page, and sometimes overlaid atop one another, beautiful digital paintings and sketchy line art compete for our attention, as Huddleston dabbles in various mediums to bring us a book that only he could. I hope this isn’t the last collaboration between Hickman and Huddleston, if only to keep giving Huddleston the high-profile attention he deserves.
Total: $10.98
Mark’s Pick:
Venus in the Blind Spot ($22.99) – I’ve picked up every one of Viz’s new Junji Ito collections, and “Venus in the Blind Spot” will be no exception. However, this latest anthology has some material that’s previously been collected in it: ‘The Enigma of Amigara Fault,’ which was previously collected in “Uzumaki”; ‘The Sad Tale of Principal Post,’ which was previously collected in “Gyo”; and some color pages from “No Longer Human.” “Venus in the Blind Spot” is smaller than Viz’s latest Ito anthologies, “Shiver” and “Smashed,” both of which were around 400 pages―once you take out the recollected material, it’s about the same as “Fragments of Horror” (a little over 200 pages). However, unlike the other Ito hardcover anthologies, this book comes with a dust jacket, which has some awesome hidden artwork on its underside, and there are fold-out and color pages too. This is where “Venus in the Blind Spot” shines, in its presentation of Ito’s work. So, while it’s true there are fewer story pages than usual, the deluxe presentation makes up for it.
Total: $22.99. Predictably, I have once again failed to stay under $20.
