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!
Mark’s Picks:
“Castle in the Stars – Book Four : A Frenchman on Mars” ($19.99) – Alex Alice’s art alone is reason enough to pick up this series. Back when I bought the first book in the series, when it arrived at work and I showed it to the other other artists in the art room, half the artists immediately went online and bought copies themselves. It is absolutely beautiful. But even setting the art aspect aside, I’d still love this series. It’s got this wonderful Jules Verne–esque energy and such a tremendous sense of adventure. I’m already anticipating book five and the spinoff Venus books from Alain Ayroles and Étienne Jung.
“The Flower of the Witch” ($14.99) – Italian cartoonist Enrico Orlandi’s book had to make my list simply because I’ve been anticipating it for almost a year now, so it would seem disingenuous to exclude it. Simply put, I dig the art style and this is the genre I have the most fun in. Plus, I’m having a great run of European comics lately. Every title I pick up seems to not just be a strong read, but goes beyond expectations.
“Slaughterhouse-Five” ($24.99) – Ryan North and Albert Monteys adapt Kurt Vonnegut’s science fiction classic to graphic novel. This is one of those stories that I can’t help but be excited about seeing adapted to a new medium because its structure forces people to get creative with it. A direct adaptation would simply be a stilted mess. Then add Ryan North as the writer for this adaptation and I don’t even need to see a preview. This is an instabuy for sure.
“Royal City: The Complete Collection – Volume 1” ($44.99) – Yes, I already own “Royal City,” but that was in digital, and even still I have a very good reason for buying this again beyond the fantastic pleasure of reading a good hardcover. This collects “Royal City” #1–14, which is the complete run of the series… or at least it was. It’s since been expanded by about twenty pages. Jeff Lemire had big plans for “Royal City,” but the monthly deadline and coloring his own work forced him to end the series earlier than he had planned, and there were things in the story that he felt suffered due to deadlines, so this collection is a revised edition. Considering the original version earned Lemire Multiversity Comics’ vote for Best Writer of 2018, I’m very interested to see the version that lives up to the author’s lofty ambitions.
Also this book is conspicuously “Volume 1.” After Lemire is finished with “Sweet Tooth: The Return,” a new “Royal City” story will be his next project. What form it’ll take is anyone’s guess, but it won’t be a monthly series.
“Head Lopper” #13 ($5.99) – Last one, I swear. Look, this book comes out on a quarterly schedule, and it’s consistently fantastic. I would be remiss in my duty here if I didn’t mention it, even if my “under $20” attempt is a catastrophically laughable failure this week. This begins a new arc, ‘The Quest for Mulgrid’s Stair,’ complete with a recap text at the beginning, so if you haven’t yet picked up this series, this is a great issue to try it out. Plus there’s a map at the beginning and books with maps at the beginning are just better than other books. Also, Andrew MacLean’s art with Jordie Bellaire’s colors will never not be worth it—they’re simply too good together.
Total: $110.95. I gotta be honest, this September and October have an unusually large number of books coming out that I love, so brace yourself, there’re gonna be a few more posts like these in upcoming CSBC columns.
Continued belowEditor’s Note: Ugh
Kate’s Picks:
You Look Like Death: Tales From the Umbrella Academy #1 ($3.99) – If you read any of my Umbrella Academy recaps, you know I love Klaus. Let’s see what happened in the time between dropping out of the Umbrella Academy and when he dropped back in.
Suneater #1 ($4.99) – Dylan who? Bring me some vikings!
Iron Man #1 ($4.99) – Whether it’s “She Could Fly” or Halt and Catch Fire Christopher Cantwell knows how to craft good drama. So there’s going to be Iron Man flying here there and everywhere, and some pretty cool toys, but I bet there’s going to be a lot of that Tony Stark existential angst (what added something new and different to Iron Man 3) too.
Money Shot #8 ($3.99) – I have to catch up on this series, but from what I have already read, this will fill the “Sex Criminals” shaped hole in my heart.
Total: $17.96
Johnny’s Picks:
Head Lopper #13 ($5.99) Volume 4 of the quarterly fantasy comic kicks off here, and I won’t lie, I typically indulge myself with Head Lopper, and usually buy a copy of each cover, because creator Andrew Maclean typically has a murderer’s row of talent lining up to put their spin on Norgal (the eponymous Head Lopper). This issue it’s Daniel Warren Johnson, no stranger to high-energy money shots. Easily one of the most consistently entertaining books in Image’s stable, Maclean packs each issue chock full of great, clean art (colorist Jordie Bellaire works her magic, too, of course), and some dense (but not overbearing) fantasy world-building that always leaves just enough intriguing questions to keep you wanting more.
X-Men #12 ($3.99) – “THE SUMMONING BEGINS” reads the entirety of the solicit for this issue, but X-fans don’t need much more than that. This is the lead-in to the crossover fans have been eagerly anticipating since it was announced what felt like forever ago – “X of Swords,” a low concept (hey, give the X-Men swords) that invokes just the right amount of silliness and yet has an overabundance of talent at the helm, promising..well, I’m not quite sure, but it mostly seems like they are just promising FUN. Hickman’s run has absolutely been that, and his co-conspirators (like the always dependable Leinil Francis Yu on art duties) are always game to bring his ideas to life.
Total: $9.98 – although, it needs to be said, there are several graphic novels out this week that are easily worth your time and hard-earned coin. A great week for comics!
Stillwater #1 ($3.99) – I’ve recently become a Chip Zdarsky convert, as I’m loving pretty much everything he’s written lately. He’s proven to be a great, layered storyteller, as well as possesses a keen “ear” for dialogue and varied character voices. Ramon Perez art and a winning premise about a town of undying people rounds out a book I’m definitely giving a first issue shot to.
Seven Secrets #2 ($3.99) – Tom Taylor keeps his winning streak going.
Total: $7.98
