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:
Little Monarchs ($14.99) – My introduction to Jonathan Case’s work was 2013’s “The Creep.” In the book he used multiple art styles to explore different points of view, and that’s gone on to be something that remains a consistent aspect of his work that attracts me―he tailors his style to the project. And “Little Monarchs,” being a middle grade comic, will definitely require this of him, and it looks like he’s risen to the occasion marvelously. It’s also his first creator-owned book in a while, and I’ve really missed this. The last was 2015’s “The New Deal” (another favourite), and I’ve been eagerly anticipating his next creator-owned book ever since.
As for “Little Monarchs” itself, I’ve been intermittently following its development through Case’s social media posts on it over the years. The setting itself is more grim than you’d expect; a future fifty years from now in which nearly all mammalian life has been wiped out. The lead, Elvie, a ten-year-old biologist in training, is involved in the effort to bring us back from the brink of extinction―it sounds a bit grim, but it’s counterbalanced by Case’s gorgeous art, which brings such warmth to the page and such love for the subject matter. This is easily one of my most anticipated books of the year.
Little Monsters #2 ($3.99) – I’m forcing myself to tradewait this one. Lately, I’ve been reading too many comics issue by issue so that I can stay in the conversation around them, but it’s far from my favourite way to read. That said, this is Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen, so I have no hesitation whatsoever in recommending this blind. At bare minimum, it will at least be very good.
Total: $18.98. Looks like I’ve accidentally themed this week’s selections. All “Little Mon―” titles.
Kate’s Picks:
Rocketeer: The Great Race #1 ($4.99): Despite coming of age in the early ’90s, I was not one of those kids who was a Rocketeer stan. It wasn’t until I was an adult that I realized the character’s comic origins, so perhaps this is the way to right this childhood omission.
Deadpool Bad Blood #1 ($3.99): I can never have too much Wade Wilson in my life.
Alice Ever After #1 ($3.99): One of my favorite childhood stories has always been Alice in Wonderland, and I love seeing fresh takes on it. (Except for those Tim Burton films.) This has a Return to Oz vibe to this solicit and that Art Deco-esque Jenny Frison variant cover just draws me in.
Total: $12.97. Honorable mention as well to a selection that came out a few weeks back, “Knitstrips” which is a knitting pattern book told in comic strip form. As a knitter and a comic book fan, that’s my kind of catnip.
Johnny’s Picks:
Marauders #1 ($4.99) – Last week’s “Immortal X-Men #1” turned the heat up on the X books by a considerable margin, and I’m really kinda chomping at the bit to see what the new blood are bringing to the table for this era of X. First up this week is writer Steve Orlando and artist Eleonora Carlini’s rebooting of “Marauders.” Kate Pryde and Bishop are still key members to the band of mutant pirates (maybe a better word is liberators?), with Orlando injecting some new characters into the cast to freshen up the dynamics – most strikingly one of the most hated mutant villains of all time, Cassandra Nova. Carlini has been around the industry for a minute or two, but her work here is fresh and inviting (and a nice departure from Volume 1’s signature artist Matteo Lolli). Can’t wait to watch Kate Pryde hoist the Jolly Roger again this Wednesday!
Continued belowX-Men Red #1 ($4.99) – The mutant colonization of Mars is a fantastic bit of sci-fi weirdness that helps set the Marvel comic book universe apart from the general vibe of being “the world outside your window” it has come to embrace, but also apart from the Marvel Cinematic Universe that has mirrored it for the past ten years. Writer Al Ewing knows how to do weird, and with a cast that focuses on not just mutant royalty Storm and Magneto, but also the Arakki mutant brethren that now inhabit the red planet, hopefully this book will dare to go big and explore ideas that further push the boundaries of what the 616 can offer. I love Al Ewing’s use of Abigail Brand in his S.W.O.R.D. series, and look forward to seeing the continuation of her arc here.
Total: $9.98 The X-Simp has spoken.
Christopher’s Picks:
The Rocketeer: The Great Race #1 ($4.99) – I love The Rocketeer movie, it’s such a fun throwback film, but I’ve sadly never read any of the comics; Stephen Mooney’s new series is as good as time as any to change that, especially as his art always feels like a classic movie.
Oh My Gods! II: The Forgotten Maze (#12.99) – I enjoyed the first installment of this Greek mythology-inspired kids’ series well enough; I look forward to seeing what Stephanie Cooke, Insha Fitzpatrick and Juliana Moon have in store for us this time round.
Total: $17.98
