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!
Vince’s Picks:
Legion of Super-Heroes #8 ($3.99) – The artist feast begins here. I think 20 different artists (or thereabouts) contribute to this one, and they range from the best of DC’s regular stable (Joelle Jones and Dustin Nguyen, among others) to rare DC Comics penciling jobs from the likes of Jeff Lemire and Fabio Moon. The story is just fine, but it’s clearly a vehicle for Brian Michael Bendis to honor these artists and let them take the spotlight. In a project like this, that’s more than enough.
Kaijumax – Season 5 #4 ($3.99) – It’s easy to forget whether “Kaijumax” is still going or coming out or on hiatus, what with its seasonal structure and irregular schedule, but it’s such a damn good comic that it’s worth seeking out and putting on your personal calendar. I definitely recommend using the time in between seasons to catch up with this one, because the story has become surprisingly sprawling and I’m not sure how easy it is to jump on at this point. But seriously, go back and check it out – I’d be surprised if there wasn’t something for everyone in this series.
Total: $7.98
Rowan’s Picks:
X-Factor #2 ($3.99) – Leah Williams whispers truths to my twisted outsider soul which validate me like few other mainstream writers. Her and David Baldeon and the rest of the gang on this book are giving me Marvel’s openly queerest mutants all in one package, and it’s a package I’ll be signing up for every damn month.
Ghosted In L.A. #12 ($3.99) – Sina Grace and Siobhan Keenan wrap up their brilliant supernatural/slice-of-life series this month, and I’ll be very sad to see it go! Catching up with Daphne’s adventures in being a hot mess has been a blast, and I can’t wait to see these guys stick the landing. If you’re looking for a comfort series that’s the perfect length to binge read, now’s your chance to get on “Ghosted In L.A”.
Total: $7.98
Johnny’s Picks:
Ginseng Roots #6 ($6.00) Craig Thompson’s previous work “Blankets” is perhaps a seminal influence for an entire generation – an early 2000’s autobiographical graphic novel of heartbreaking first love, and forging one’s own identity – a book that might have sat on many a shelf right next to DVD copies of Rushmore or that one movie with Zack Braff staring into the middle distance while listening to The Shins. It was a perfect book for its era, with young Gen X’ers and elder millennials coming of age, and while Thompson has released a couple books since then, he’s been mostly quiet in the comics scene.
That changed last year with the release of this series from Uncivilized Books. “Ginseng Roots” still keeps with Thompson’s autobiographical roots- following his youth in rural Wisconsin right around the time of the ginseng farming boom of the early 80’s, but along with that it also acts as a science/nature/travel essay, detailing the uses of ginseng, the specifics on growing and harvesting the herb, and the relationship forged between China and the States during that time period. It’s a strange, pleasant alchemy of the very familiar notes of Thompson’s work alongside this new strain of non-fiction essay he’s employing. He’s also working with a limited color palette again- this time a warm red and an almost sepia tone being the dominant colors, which have a mostly vivid and inviting feel. It’s very interesting to see Thompson working on a serialized book after a career of one-shots and graphic novels, and so far “Ginseng Roots” has been a pleasant addition to my reading pile.
Continued belowTotal: $6.00
Christopher’s Pick:
Displacement ($17.99) – Kiku Hughes’s depiction of her grandmother’s internment during World War II, in which she imagines herself being transported back in time to witness one of the darkest moments of America’s wartime history, looks like a beautiful, magical realist reckoning — I will happily be adding it to my shelf alongside other recent graphic novels about Asian-American history.
Total: $17.99
Kate’s Picks:
My Senpai is Annoying Vol. 1 ($14.99) – I’ve been nostalgic and wistful for being back in an office, which won’t be happening any time soon as my company just announced this week we’re on work from home for the rest of the calendar year. This will fill the hole in my heart that is missing commuting, the bustle of Manhattan, and the WeWork cold brew on tap.
Total: $14.99
