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!
Kate’s Pick:
In Limbo ($17.99): Just one pick for me this week, but it’s a powerful story. The coming of age memoir is quite commonplace for graphic novels these days, but this one is more than just that coming of age story – – it’s a coming of age story that also looks towards coming home, finding ways to embrace both who you are based on who came before you, and who you want to be, based on your current life and the life you want to forge. The solicit reminds me a great deal of Crying in H Mart, one of my favorite memoirs of 2021. And that cover is just simply gorgeous.
Total: $17.99
Johnny’s Pick:
Joe Death and the Graven Image TPB ($24.99): Touted as being “somewhere between (Mike) Mignola and A Fistful of Dollars” this graphic novel from illustrator Benjamin Schipper fashions a fever dream of a Haunted West tale – a six-shootin incarnation of Death on a quest for vengeance on behalf of a slaughtered town. The atmospheric book certainly draws inspiration from Mignola’s “Hellboy,” but I’d add that Schipper also appears to be heavily influenced by cartoonist Andrew MacLean, with a very loose and rubbery style, as well as drawing heavily on the work of Edward Gorey and the eerie Max Fleischer cartoons of the 1920’s. Inspirations aside, the books looks intriguing on its own merits, Schippers American gothic West full of wonderfully illustrated spirits and sinners alike.
Total: $24.99 – I don’t love that “Joe Death” is 152 pages for $25 – and if that is too pricey for your wallet – this week also sees the first trade paperback for the Image series “Kaya” – a fantastic sci-fi fantasy series I’ve been plugging here since the beginning. This volume collects issues #1-5 and also includes a bonus 16 page prologue story, all for $9.99!
Christopher’s Pick:
Star Trek: Aliens ($19.99): A collection of the three one-shots Collin Kelly, Jackson Lanzing and co. did before they relaunched IDW’s ongoing series, exploring the cultures of the Klingons, Ferengi and Trill via characters like Kahless and Quark – now all in one handy volume for the budding Trekkie in your life!
Total: $19.99
Mark’s Pick:
Colonel Weird and Little Andromeda ($29.99): Like Kate, I’ve just got the one pick (though I’ll likely be picking up Kate’s selection as well). I’m going to finish the journey I started on Substack through Jeff Lemire’s newsletter. Unfortunately, he discontinued his paid tier before this story reached its conclusion, so I’ve been left hanging for a while now. Taking place in Jeff Lemire and Dean Ormston’s “World of Black Hammer,” writer Tate Brombal teams up with artist Ray Fawkes and a whole host of other artists for this highly unusual book. And to showcase all that art at its best, it’s being released at library edition size (8×12 inches).
Total: $29.99. Obviously, a library-edition-sized book was going to break the budget, but it’s a gorgeous book and well worth bending the rules for.
