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:
Ultimate Spider-Man #1 ($5.99): A New Year calls for a New Me, You, Us, correct? What better way to push forward and meet the future head-on than with a book that gives us a different look at a *very* well-established character, Peter Parker, our Amazing Spider-Man! Superstar writer Jonathan Hickman pairs well with artist Marco Checchetto as they delve deeper into the newest iteration of the Ultimate Marvel Universe, focusing on an adult Peter Parker, married with children and decidedly not yet our favorite web crawler. This take on Spidey is surprisingly fresh, with gorgeous art and seems bursting with a creative energy Marvel sorely needs. Very much looking forward to this series!
Wesley Dodds: The Sandman #4 ($3.99): Don’t mind me, just over here vibin out with Riley Rossmo’s always energetic art. Only a $3.99 admission fee required for the Riley Rossmo Appreciation Party! Venditti and Rossmo are turning me into an even bigger Wesley Dodds fan.
Kaya #14 ($3.99): A great all-ages book I’ll never stop repping for. Wes Craig is nailing it, and by “it” I mean “a Kamandi-esque sci-fi yarn with anthropomorphic beings, fun monsters, and lively, propulsive plotting.” This book is usually the first one I read when it comes out each month. Can’t miss!
Rise of the Powers of X #1 ($5.99): As we open the door on a new Jonathan Hickman corner of the Marvel Universe, we close the door on another. The Krakoan Age was filled with tons of wonderful new concepts that enlivened the mutant line of Marvel books (having been unceremoniously sidelined for a few years while Disney grabbed licensing rights back from competitors), but all things must pass. While Hickman is no longer a contributor to the line, his ideas live on through writers like Kieron Gillen (who brought plenty of ideas of his own to the table) and original Hickman co-conspirator R.B. Silva, and they unite here to begin the process of wrapping the bow on the Krakoan Age. I look forward to seeing what they have in store!
Total: $19.96 – Twenty bucks sure don’t stretch like it used to, does it? Plenty more great picks out there, as I’m sure my co-conspirators will enlighten you about! Have a great 2024, friends!
Christopher’s Pick:
Lunar New Year Love Story ($17.99): An Asian American rom com by Gene Luen Yang and LeUyen Pham? This I gotta read. The title implies this is a story about people from different Asian cultures falling in love by the way, which makes it even more intriguing (otherwise it’d just be called “Chinese New Year Love Story.”)
Total: $17.99
Kate’s Picks:
Swan Song #6 ($3.99): Children’s poetry provides the inspiration for this issue, so I’m expecting some of those classic Shel Silverstein stories that started innocent but just had that touch, that twist of evil at the end. (And indeed, the main cover and one of the variant covers pay homage to those Silverstein classics.)
Crave #2 ($3.99): Our review of the first issue intrigued me to want to pick this up (and that debut issue) – I’m getting Cruel Intentions for the social media age.
Quick Stops 2 #2 ($3.99): I didn’t even know this series was back for another round (or if I saw news of it, I forgot) – so this is my reminder to pick up this as well as the first issue.
Total: $11.97. My credit cards are still recovering from Christmas, so staying way under budget this week is a good thing.
