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:
Hellboy in Love #1 (of 5) ($3.99): Just one pick this week, but it’s a doozy! I’m a big fan of Matt Smith, from his work on “Lake of Fire” with writer Nathan Fairbairn to his previous excursions into the Hellboy-verse with the chilling and visceral “Last Night at Goloski Station.” Finally returning to Hellboy after a couple years away, Smith is a natural for these spooky and action-packed tales, with his excellent panel work and his adeptness at drawing really emotive faces (and even body language). This should fare him well here, as it seems our Hellboy just might be falling for someone! Nothing says “Spooky Season” like Hellboy, so treat yourself this Wednesday to another fantastic entry in the mythos of this iconic character.
Total: $3.99
Christopher’s Pick:
Twelfth Grade Night ($14.99): We all love young adult spins on Shakespeare right? (Rosaline on Hulu was a lot of fun if you haven’t got round to it yet.) Molly Booth, Stephanie Kate Strohm, and Jamie Green’s high school take on Twelfth Night, the first in a new series at Disney-Hyperion called ‘Arden High,’ is a great idea, given how the story’s use of crossdressing lends itself well to a teenage LGBTQ interpretation. I’m certainly curious to see Malvolio in a high school context!
Total: $14.99
Kate’s Pick:
Bipolar Bear and the Terrible, Horrible, No Good, Health Insurance ($24.95): We all know how broken the American healthcare system is, and sometimes you need to have a laugh about it otherwise you’ll be lost in despair. Such is the point of Kathleen Founds’s graphic novel that addresses the broken nature of health care, particularly mental health care, with a bit of a smile and a hefty dose of hope.
Total: $24.95
Mark’s Picks:
Hellboy in Love #1: Goblin Train – Part 1 ($3.99) – Anastasia Bransfield finally makes the leap from the novels to the comics. We’ve been waiting for this since 1997 (since Hellboy: The Lost Army) and it’s finally happening.
Castle Full of Blackbirds #2 ($3.99) – The other Mike Mignola comic out this week, delving deep into the world’s witchcraft.
The Bone Orchard Mythos: Ten Thousand Black Feathers #2 ($3.99) – I haven’t read this issue yet, but I thoroughly enjoyed the first. Jeff Lemire and Anrdea Sorrentino are always excellent.
Parasomnia: The Dreaming God #3 ($3.99) – I don’t want to say too much about this one―just dive in and enjoy. It’s probably my favourite issue of “Parasomnia” so far.
The Silver Coin #15: The Spore ($3.99) – Every fifth issue of “The Silver Coin” is extra special, with Michael Walsh both writing and drawing. These tend to be the more lore-heavy stories, introducing fascinating connective tissue.
Total: $19.95. It is a very predictable week from me.
