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!
Johnny’s Picks:
Batman and Robin #1 ($4.99): Not one but TWO of the creators behind a recent favorite book of mine – BOOM!’s “We Only Find Them When They’re Dead” – get new releases this week. Starting with artist first, Simone Di Meo is working alongside writer Joshua Williamson for this new volume of “Batman and Robin.” I do not follow the Bat-verse, but I really do love Di Meo’s kinetic, animation-style artwork. Knowing what I know of their output, I expect some fun vehicle chase scenes and cool tech that only billionaires can afford. Lucky for us, he’s drawing the most famous one!
Avengers Inc. #1 ($4.99): The other “We Only Find Them When They’re Dead” creator with a new book out this week is, of course, writer extraordinaire Al Ewing, who seems to find the *BEST* angles to tackle characters that I’ve seen in mainstream books for a good while. From Hulk, to the X-corner of Marvel, to the sadly underappreciated “Defenders:Beyond” miniseries they did with modern master Javier Rodriguez, Ewing has had a stellar past few years. This series sees The Wasp (Janet Van Dyne) and Victor Shade (the original Vision) in a noir-ish detective yarn where the duo try to solve the murder of Shade himself! Visions of Tom King’s recent “Human Target” mini dance in front of my eyes, and Leonard Kirk’s exemplary art style (reminiscent of the likes of Samnee or Cooke) works well to set the tone of a tale about the seedy underbelly beneath the Marvel Universe’s colorful capes and cowls.
Total: $9.98 – plenty of great graphic novels releasing this week, too, including a brilliant looking tome from Spanish cartoonist Laura Perez and Fantagraphics called “Totem.”
Christopher’s Pick:
We Are Not Strangers ($24.99): Josh Tuininga’s OGN offers a Sephardic Jewish perspective on the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, telling the story of a man who learns of how his late grandfather (a first-generation immigrant) helped the Japanese community in Seattle during the 1940s. Suffice to say, it’s a really unique story even to those familiar with the events of the war, and a reminder that even in terrible times, goodness can appear in the most unexpected places.
Total: $24.99 – oh well.
Kate’s Picks:
Fence: Redemption #4 ($4.99): I’m sad to see this series end, but I’m just glad we got more of Seiji and Nicholas – and I hope this finale leaves the door open for more Fence stories, whether it’s a graphic novel or another miniseries.
Creepshow Vol. 2 #1 ($3.99): Because it’s spooky reads season!
Kill More #1 ($3.99): The premise is interesting, but I am also including this because the town where it’s set (Colonia) is also the name of a town near where I grew up, so I have to see if art imitates life.
Avengers Inc. #1 ($4.99): This looks sexy as hell, and I am here for it.
Total: $17.96. Look Ma, I stayed under budget! Honorable mention goes to Ten Speed Press’s new graphic biography of Stan Lee, and several new Penguin Classics Marvel Collections.
