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:
“Guts” ($12.99)— The latest Telgememoir (thank you for giving the world this amazing word, Shoshana Flax) is out. If you’ve read “Smile” and “Sisters,” then I don’t need to convince you to pick up this book. I’ve had this in my calendar since it was first announced.
“Rumble” #16 ($3.99)— This may be my favourite issue of “Rumble” since the original 2014 run. Pure fun from start to finish. The anthology format really works for the series.
“Black Hammer: Age of Doom” #12 ($3.99)— Unfortunately, I’m already fatigued with the “Black Hammer / Justice League” crossover. With the DC characters in the mix, it just feels like a watered-down version of “Black Hammer,” so I’m looking forward to diving into a full-strength issue this Wednesday. It’s also the end of the ‘Age of Doom’ arc. I believe when the story was originally conceived, this was the intended end point, and from that cover, I think it’s fair to say that my favourite character, Madame Dragonfly, is going to be a pretty important figure. (I’d love a spinoff miniseries with her…)
“Steeple” #1 ($3.99)— John Allison! This feels like a British Buffy the Vampire Slayer crossed with Parks and Recreation. I had so much fun with this issue, I’m already a little sad it’s only five issues long. But, who knows, maybe there’ll be another miniseries in the future… Yeah, I’m getting way ahead of things here, but I really enjoyed the dynamic between Billie and Maggie, and it feels like there’s a wealth of material to explore there.
Total: $24.96. Yeah, I went over, but this doesn’t even scratch the surface of this fantastic week. I’m also picking up “Beasts of Burden: Neighborhood Watch” (with Hellboy in it, and yet somehow he is totally eclipsed by all the other fantastic things in the book), “Head Lopper and the Knights of Venora” (with a new epilogue for the trade paperback), “The Tea Dragon Festival” (Katie O’Neill’s sequel to “The Tea Dragon Society”), and the new “Lazarus” hardcover collection.
Vince’s Picks:
“House of X” #5 ($4.99)— I tried. I really tried to keep myself from recommending Hickman X-books every single week. They just keep getting better and better, so how can you blame me? This issue in particular is one of those oh-so-important “red highlighted” books on the checklist that’s been in the backmatter of these issues, meaning it is more monumental or important in some way. But every issue is important, and this book has been firing on all cylinders. Don’t miss it.
“Second Coming” #3 ($3.99)— This comic hasn’t lost its satirical potency yet. A definite must-buy for readers who like a dose of humanism in their comics.
“Inferior Five” #1 ($3.99)— The pitch for this comic alone is enough to pique my interest: a new inferior five team rises from the ashes of DC Comics’ 1988 “Invasion!” event, also written by Keith Giffen, and taking place just after those events. Oh, did I mention Jeff Lemire co-writes the story and writes and draws a backup story? Who let this happen and how do we make sure it keeps happening?!
“G.I. Joe” #1 ($3.99)— Lord help me, I tried to change, but it’s time to go back to the old me. I always try out a new “G.I. Joe” #1, even though there is nothing driving my enjoyment of the franchise except for the tug of nostalgia. Paul Allor and Chris Evenhuis is an interesting enough team to get me invested, but you could have said that about most G.I. Joe teams from the recent past. Maybe this one will stick?
Continued belowTotal: $16.96
Kevin’s Picks:
“House of X” #5 ($4.99)— So the last time we had a HoxPox issue that was highlighted in red (HoX #2, HoX #5, and PoX #6 are red at the back of every issue where it lists the reading order) we got one of the best comics of 2019. With Apocalypse on the cover, the emotional gut punch of HoX #4, I think this is going to be a bombastic week for the once merry mutants.
“Justice League” #32 ($3.99)— Speaking of bombast, ‘Justice/Doom War’ continues to gorgeously ramp up, and Howard Porter is on this issue to take that beautiful artistic baton.
“Death’s Head” #3 ($3.99)— Another wonderfully inventive miniseries that Marvel is putting out, don’t you fools sleep on what Tini Howard and Kei Zama are doing!
“Second Coming” #3 ($3.99)— This book is pure and real, and just asking some of the right questions, and I’m really, really loving it. Satire that pisses off the right people is good satire.
Total: $16.96
Kyle’s Picks:
“Head Lopper & the Knights of Venora” ($16.99)— I feel like Into the Spider-verse, “All right, let’s do this one last time.” I will recommend “Head Lopper” till the end of time so let’s just get this out of the way as a formality. It has consistently been one of the best comics since, what, like 2011–2012-ish when it debuted. Volume 3 collects issues #9–12 finishing out the third arc of the series. These are meaty fucking issues, too, so it’s four really thick issues of content. It’s good. It’s the best. Andrew MacLean could/should go down as one of the comic artist greats.
“Napoleon Dynamite” #1 ($3.99)— I don’t know annnnything about this book. I enjoyed the movie when it came out. It has lost some of its appeal on subsequent viewing, but I am always a fan of the slow burn, awkward cringe humor. Writers Carlos Guzman-Verdugo and Alejandro Verdugo’s previous work, “Time Cheetah” was a lot of fun. Yada Yada Yada. I am specifically hear to talk about Jorge Monlongo’s artwork. Stop reading my dumb thoughts and go and look up Jorge’s work. It’s super stylized. It captures that awkwardness of the characters perfectly. For a comic based on a maybe past its time movie, this is quite a creative team.
Total: $20.98. I have missed a few weeks, so I forgot the rules. Sue me, Leo! Do it! I dare you.
Kate’s Picks:
“G.I Joe” #1 ($3.99)—> Sure I heard of the “Real American Hero” as a kid, and maybe caught one of the cartoons here and there, but a fan? Not until this series dropped, that’s for sure. And if you want to know more—because knowing is half the battle—check out our advance review!
“Archie 1955” #1 ($3.99)— The period “Archie 1941” piece was fun, if at times too serious, and perhaps thus not a good fit for fun loving Archie. This one, set in the early days of rock and roll, may just well be a better fit.
“Sabrina Super Special” #1 ($9.99)— I really enjoyed Netflix’s “Chilling Adventures of Sabrina” so this compilation should be a fun walk down memory lane for our favorite comic book and TV moments.
Total: $17.97
