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:
The Lonesome Hunters #1 ($3.99): I’ve been wanting Tyler Crook to both write and draw his own comic for a while, and that’s because through his art he’s always had such a careful focus on storytelling. I remember back before I even read one of his comics, I saw some sample panels he’d drawn, not connected to any particular story, and yet each panel conjured one. They begged questions, extending the world beyond the border of the panel, making me feel like I had a glimpse of a story, not just a moment. Then I read “Petrograd,” “The Sixth Gun” #14, and “B.P.R.D.: Hell on Earth―Monsters,” and it was clear this wasn’t just an artist that could translate story to the comics page beautifully, but he also found stories in this process; he found the little glances that betrayed an unspoken thought, the gestures that revealed intention, all the details that transform a character into a person. In “Petrograd” especially, you can feel the characters have lives beyond the panels, thoughts behind their eyes, a history in their clothes and posture. I can see the line from “Petrograd” to “The Lonesome Hunters”―how this artist who was interested in giving every character a life beyond their literal actions would go on to become the cartoonist behind who can draw a guy sitting down in a chair, and without a word being said, we feel all the trouble that sits down with him.
Tyler Crook was always telling stories. Now he’s handling the words of them too. Don’t miss this issue. (And if you’re interested, check out this interview I did with Tyler Crook back when “The Lonesome Hunters” was first announced.)
Witch Hat Atelier – Volume 9 ($12.99): I’m still new to this series, but Kamome Shirahama’s “Witch Hat Atelier” grabbed me almost from page one. The first volume, and the way Coco finds her confidence, using her dressmaking skills as the bridge to her magical abilities, was a joy to read. It doesn’t hurt that Shirahama’s art is gorgeous either. This is simply one of the most beautiful manga I’ve ever had the pleasure to read. If you haven’t given it a look yet, check out Volume 1 and no doubt you’ll soon be entranced.
Total: $16.98. I’ll also be picking up “Clementine – Book One,” “Jonna and the Unpossible Monsters” #10, and “The Silver Coin” #11.
Kate’s Picks:
The Lonesome Hunters #1 ($3.99): I’m with Mark on this one – I’m a sucker for a good supernatural coming of age story, and reading his interview with Tyler Crook had me even more interested.
Marvel’s Voices: Pride #1 ($9.99): Come for Charlie Jane Anders’s new Marvel superhero, stay for Moondragon and . . . Hercules, the god of love?
Miles Morales and Moon Girl #1 ($4.99): I love that Marvel is embracing the younger generation of superheroes so robustly, from Ms. Marvel to Moon Girl. And this is just in time for the debut of the Moon Girl animated series coming on Disney+ later this summer.
Total: $18.97.
Christopher’s Pick:
The Lonesome Hunters #1 ($3.99) – I’m not familiar with Tyler Crook’s work, but the premise sounds really fun: an old monster hunter protecting a young girl from supernatural monsters, which always seems like a good opportunity for exploring what different generations can learn/be reminded of from each other. (I also like that the old man here is actually an old man, not some gruff middle-aged dude.)
Total: $3.99
