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:
Miss Truesdale and the Fall of Hyperborea #1 ($3.99): I’m all in on this book. If you’ve read any of what Mike Mignola has said about Jesse Lonergan’s work on this series, it might sound like marketing hyperbole. It’s not. Lonergan is in top form here. His layouts are so precise that the comic can easily read without words. Plus, the whole concept of this series is very much my thing. Mignola and Lonergan have taken three things I’ve wanted to see in the Hellboy Universe for a while now and combined them into “Miss Truesdale.” I adore this.
Squire & Knight ($14.99): This caught my eye a while back while browsing First Second’s upcoming schedule, and given their track record, it’s an easy yes. The concept sounds very appealing to me and Scott Chantler’s art has its hooks in me.
Total: $18.98. There are a few OGNs out this week that I want to pick up, like “.self” and “Hotel REM,” plus “Little Monsters” #13 is out and it’s the final issue so I’ll need that too. In reality I am waaaaay over budget this week.
Kate’s Pick:
Going Remote: A Teacher’s Journey ($18.95): Throughout 2020 (and a bit into 2021 as well), I watched my sister and her family navigate the twinned paths of education and remote learning in the time of COVID, both as parents to a child on the autism spectrum and in the case of my brother in law, an educator himself (he teaches social studies at the junior high level). Coupled with the experiences of a good friend who is a junior high English teacher in the Bronx, and I had a view into different levels of privilege in navigating the world of remote learning. Pardon the pun, but there is much that we can learn from that time that can help make our education system much more equitable – and this graphic novel starts that conversation.
Total: $18.95
Christopher’s Pick:
Squire & Knight ($14.99): I love dragons, they’re probably my favorite fictional animal, and Scott Chantler’s new kids’ graphic novel seems like a fun tale of a smart squire and himbo knight that happens to feature one… and a cute dog straight out of a Tim Burton film. Should be fun.
Total: $14.99
Johnny’s Picks:
Critical Role: The Mighty Nein Origins – Mollymauk Tealeaf HC ($17.99): I actually just read the previous 5 volumes in this series very recently, and was particularly impressed by the Jester Lavorre installment, The Mighty Nein’s resident tiefling cleric, and particularly affected by the vibrant art of Hunter Bonyun. Back again for the Mollymauk chapter, I hope to see more of the same fantastic eye for cityscapes and gorgeous character work. Bonyun’s art should serve Mollymauk and writer Jody Houser’s story well, a charming rogue hiding a murky past behind a wink and a smile. If you’re a Critical Role fan, these hardcovers exploring the past of each of Campaign Two’s player characters are well worth the investment. You can see the care each writer-artist duo puts into exploring their subjects, and each volume has definitely helped me expand my understanding of the characters.
Miss Truesdale and the Fall of Hyperborea #1 ($3.99): Speaking of artists who have that WOW factor – “Hellboy” titan Mike Mignola has enlisted the aid of visual artist Jesse Lonergan to tell this story set in the world of Hellboy. Lonergan is a fantastic cartoonist, with a loose style reminiscent of contemporary Juni Ba and capable of some REALLY dense panelwork the likes of which you don’t often see outside of giants like Chris Ware. Look no further than Lonergan’s brilliant oversized comic “Hedra” for previous examples of his considerable talent, and I’m particularly stoked to see that Mignola has recruited yet another innovative artist to bring the Hellboy-verse to life!
Total: $21.98 – just a tad over, but worth it!
