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!
Johnny’s Picks:
Black Hammer Visions #8 (of 8) ($3.99) – Concluding this miniseries is the fantastic duo of Scott Snyder and David Rubín. I’ll buy anything Rubín does, he’s got such an imaginative line, his figures are often cartoony, but in ways that have a great fluidity of motion. Looks like he and Snyder do their spin on Jonah Hex or The Lone Ranger, and the world needs more Western comics, honestly.
Death of Doctor Strange #1 (of 5) ($4.99) – I joked about this on Twitter, the banality in comics of something so (normally) monumental as the death of a major character. I don’t care one whit if Stephen Strange gets offed in this book. It won’t last (he has a couple movies coming out soon, right?), so why bother investing the time and energy into thinking he’s dead? Well, all aboard the MacKay train! Mackay has been doing solid work for Marvel, and paired with some really clean artwork from Lee Garbett, it appears I may just have to give this book a tiny shot.
X-Men #3 ($3.99) – With the departure of Hickman, the figurehead of this era of X, the wind is fully out of my sails. Even with the High Evolutionary (a fave villain of mine) making an appearance in this issue, it’s going to take a lot from the creative crew left behind to make me believe sticking around is a good idea. Though, I have to say, Pepe Larraz just keeps getting better. What an artist!
Total: $12.97. I’m also going to grab Inio Asano’s newest volume of “Dead Dead Demon’s Dededede Destruction,” (Volume 10, I think?) but that puts me over the $20, so consider it an unofficial plug!
Mark’s Picks:
Tales from Harrow County: Fair Folk #3 ($3.99) – No, I’ve not had a chance to read this issue yet, but after the cliffhanger from #2, I’ve been dying to get my hands on this. Emily Schnall’s take on the fair folk is perfectly creepy, full of ominous disquiet. And that scarecrow. . . Yeah, there’s no way I’m missing this.
Black Hammer: Visions #8 ($3.99) – David Rubín returns to the “Black Hammer,” and yeah, it’s just for a one-shot, but I’ll take it. Rubín did a pair of fill-in issues in the original Rockwood arc of “Black Hammer” and the “Sherlock Frankenstein” miniseries, so his work really calls back the feeling of classic, early days “Black Hammer” stories. Suitably then, he’s doing the art for a story about the Horseless Rider, a character whose history goes back to the 19th century when he first became a ghost of vengeance.
The Old Guard: Tales Through Time #6 ($3.99) – At this point, any “Old Guard” title is automatically going to be on my list. While I’ve been enjoying this anthology series, this issue’s an extra special one, since original creators Greg Rucka and Leandro Fernández are doing one of the stories in it.
Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters #6 ($3.99) – I’ve actually shifted to reading this arc by arc, but for CSBC, it’ll always be on my list. Creator-owned Chris Samnee work is too good to pass up,
Snow Angels: Season Two #4 ($2.99) – We actually had a preview of this issue last week. It’s only a few issues from the end now, so I’ve stopped reading so I’ve got a big chunk to enjoy once it’s all out. Of course, this is currently only available on ComiXology and Kindle, but it will be coming to print through Dark Horse later.
Total: $18.95. I’m also curious about YouNeek Studio’s “Iyanu: Child of Wonder – Volume 1.” Since it’s a full trade, it would completely demolish my CSBC budget if I included it, but the idea of a fantasy version of Africa rooted in mythology definitely demands a look.
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Brian’s Picks:
The Flash #774 ($3.99) – I’m a sucker for a family-focused Flash story, and this Wally and Irey adventure is equal parts adorable and fun. It’s nice to see DC not afraid to make Flash stories feel wholesome.
Star Wars Adventures: Ghosts of Vaders Castle #1 ($3.99) – The IDW Star Wars books have been a lot of fun, but haven’t really established too many stories of their own, to really hold onto as a signature part of their line. the ‘Vader’s Castle’ epic is the one exception to that rule, and the ‘finale’ of that story begins here.
Other Boys ($14.99) – I often say that there aren’t enough Fender guitars or pitchers of beer in the world to entice me to go back to seventh grade. It is a time in my life that was messy and not at all enjoyable. This new book from First Second doesn’t accurately represent my 7th grade experience, but fills my arms with enough empathetic goosebumps that I feel very drawn to this.
Final Verdict: $22.97 – I’M A MONSTER
