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 Picks:
Monsters Are My Business (And Business Is Bloody) #1 ($3.99): Is the real horror story the necromancers? The chainsaw wielding koala bear? (Didn’t have THAT on my 2024 bingo card.) Is it the Howling Gargoyles bikers? Nope. It’s the world of government contractors. My previous experience with Cullen Bunn has been on the more traditional of horror, so I’m keen to see how he blends humor and satire with the horror. (Added bonus? One of my friends in NC has the nickname of Grizz, so I keep seeing him in the main character. Sorry Evan if you ever read this.)
Uncanny Valley #1 ($4.99): The solicit for this title is just vague enough to have me intrigued, but also just vague enough to lean into tired tropes. My appreciation of Tony Fleecs from his “Stray Dogs” days leans me more into that former column.
Deadweights #1 ($3.99): Asking the questions no one asks, such as “what happens when superheroes and supervillains get burnout? Do they have Employee Assistance Programs to help navigate these feelings, or something else?” I think this is going to end up in the “something else” column.
Total: $12.97. But also peep that “Sex Criminals: Complete Edition” that drops this week….
Mark’s Pick:
Phantom Road #10 ($3.99): The second arc wraps up here, and I feel like the series is in a much stronger place now than it was at the end of the first arc. There’s definitely still a bit of tension between how much character development we’re getting from the Dom and Birdie plotline and how much mystery they’re getting thrown at them. The plotline with Agent Weaver has much more momentum where these two elements are engaging directly. There’s also been some a shake up to the familiar format; up till now, each issue has begun with a teaser scene out of context, which later shows up near the end. In this issue, we get a teaser that instead dovetails into a scene later on, so it doesn’t feel like retreading the same material. As always, Gabriel Hernández Walta’s art is the real standout.
Total: $3.99. Considering how big I went last week, it’s probably a good idea to keep this week small.
Johnny’s Pick:
Ultimate X-Men #2 ($4.99): I dug the first issue of this Peach Momoko jam, though I worry that the workload might be too much for this otherwise spectacular talent. I’ve always enjoyed Momoko’s forays into the idea of what *her* Marvel Universe looks like (as in “Demon Days” and “Demon Wars”) and am excited for her to extend this vision to the Ultimate Universe, which may allow her to spread her wings even further. This issue introduces a character called “Maystorm” whose powers are akin to that of her idol, a freedom fighter from Africa. I love this next gen look at my favorite mutant, Storm!
Total: $4.99. Five bucks is too much for one comic, so we’re cashing out here! Plus I spent way too much last week!
