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:
“Skulldigger & Skeleton Boy” #4 ($3.99) – I enjoy pretty much every book from Jeff Lemire’s “Black Hammer”-verse that he’s created at Dark Horse, and perhaps my favorite mini-series apart from the main is THIS one, a hard-nosed vigilante tale with one of the finest cartoonists working today, Tonci Zonjic. Not dissimilar to Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson’s “Astro City” masterpiece ‘Confession,’ this series is a dark twist on the vigilante/ward dynamic, and it also calls to mind some great vigilante books of the 70’s and 80’s, like “Daredevil,” “Punisher,” “Vigilante,” and “Wild Dog” – books that weren’t afraid to put their heroes through the wringer while trying to mete out justice, and the psychological toll it takes on them. Originally slated for earlier this summer, we’re finally able to start the second half of this mini-series, and I can’t wait to see what’s next.
“Immortal She-Hulk” #1 (4.99) – A fun(?) little one-shot by the man who immortalized Banner, Al Ewing, now taking a stab at Shulky. I like “Immortal Hulk” well enough, but the real draw for me here is Jon Davis-Hunt, who’s art on “The Wildstorm” series I just adored. Not only does he do really great wide-screen action pieces, I think his facial expressions and body language are superb. With a bit of a status quo change after the events of “Empyre,” it will be nice to see how Ewing sets up Jennifer’s position in the Marvel Universe going forward.
“X of Swords: Creation” #1 (6.99) Raise your hand if you wanna see Pepe Larraz go h.a.m. on the X-Men again? Keep ’em raised if you think Tini Howard’s work on “Excalibur” is tremendous, and bodes well for how entertaining the “X of Swords” X-over will be, as a whole? This is such a basic pick, but I’m not gonna lie, I’m ride or die for this era of X-Men, and even at $6.99 (really, Marvel? REALLY?), I want to see what Hickman, Howard, and Larraz have in store for our favorite island of merry mutants.
Total: $15.97
Mark’s Picks:
“Wicked Things” #5 ($3.99) – On my list for the reasons it always is: John Allison + Max Sarin + Lottie Grote = Gold. And it’s at the top of my list because I just really wanted to show off Allison’s variant cover.
“Gideon Falls” #25 ($3.99) – The first Jeff Lemire book on my list this week. “Gideon Falls” is rapidly approaching its end, and in the process the mythology that underpins the series is becoming more important. This is probably as close as we’re going to get to the series spelling out what’s going on.
“Skulldigger + Skeleton Boy” #4 ($3.99) – Thanks to the pandemic, there’s been a sixth-month gap between issues, so obviously I’m going to have to reread issues #1–3 to get back up to speed. Thankfully, this comic is amazingly good, so it’s going to be a pleasure to revisit. Jeff Lemire’s writing is fantastic (this series may end up eclipsing “Doctor Andromeda and the Kingdom of Lost Tomorrows,” which I previously considered the highwater mark for the Black Hammer Universe) and Tonci Zonjic’s art is phenomenal, especially the way he uses page layouts to get into characters’ heads.
Total: $11.97, although I’m obviously going to be picking up Jeff Lemire and Dean Ormston’s new “Black Hammer” library edition too.
Vince’s Picks:
X of Swords: Creation #1 ($6.99) – The ‘Dawn of X’ books have honestly been consistently good, but I must admit that nothing has replaced the excitement of the weekly handoff between “House of X” and “Powers of X” that was happening at the beginning of the endeavor. Right now, we get a couple of solid books a week, which is all you can really ask for. But there’s something about that event book “spark” that I’ve really been missing. Perhaps “X of Swords” can accomplish that again.
Continued belowWeathering With You Vol 1 ($12.95) – A beautiful adaptation of the touching anime film from last year.
Total: $19.94
Kate’s Pick:
Identity: A Story of Transitioning ($12.99) – This pick is even more poignant in light of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s death. She fought so hard to ensure that people like Corey have the right to identify with the gender they want to identify with, and to have protections in school and workplace based on that gender. The next few weeks and months are going to see those right erode away. It is going to be up to us to educate ourselves and our loved ones about the awareness and importance of gender fluidity, and the love and support anyone making this decision should receive. Buy this book. Give it to your friends and family. It’s on us now to carry on the legacy of equality for all.
Total: $12.99. One pick this week, but a very, very, important one.
