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:
Somna #1 ($8.99): As with DSTLRY’s previous miniseries “Gone,” there’s a part of me that’s just plain curious to see how the larger page size and longer issue length is used―I like to see artists with room to play. But that’s a much smaller factor in my choice this time. The bigger factor is this is the kind of comic book I’ve been craving. Becky Cloonan’s “By Chance or Providence” collection is one of my favorite comics ever and I would dearly love more stories like that from her. “Somna” seems to be drawing from very close to that vein, however with Tula Lotay in the mix too, there’s a whole other dimension to this comic I can’t wait to explore. Have you seen Lotay’s pages? They are gorgeous and leaning hard into the vibes of old Hammer Horror films. This was pretty easily at the top of my list.
Mortal Terror #1 ($4.99): Christopher Golden and Peter Bergting team up again, this time with writer Tim Lebbon joining them, for a flipped version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula. Look, it’s Bergting; there’s no way I wasn’t going to pick up this series, so I’ve actually avoided reading anymore about it. So, yes, this is a blind recommendation, but a very confident one.
The Bone Orchard Mythos: Tenement #6 ($3.99): Now’s a good time to catch up as next month’s issue is conspicuously titled ‘Revelations,’ and Andrea Sorrentino is very excited about it.
Total: $17.97. Unfortunately, not enough left for a fourth book…
Johnny’s Picks:
Batman / Superman: World’s Finest #21 ($3.99): Wow! That cover, amirite? I have only nabbed a couple issues from this Waid/Mora joint, and it’s generally because Mora’s covers catch my eye and tempt my wallet. Not to say Waid isn’t always a gem, but Superman/Batman tales are something I’ve read plenty of – and the return of Earth-22 and the “Kingdom Come”-verse is the *exact* thing I need to pull me back in!
Batman: Off-World #1 ($3.99): Ok – so with this book we get A) Jason Aaron’s first Batman story. B) Fantastic Doug Mahnke art and C) Batman in space. I was not aware of this project until 5 minutes ago and I am HYPED! This is Christmas come early!
Black Hammer: The End #4 ($3.99): Malachi Ward’s haunting visuals, particularly with his penchant for expressive faces, really drive home the existential crisis of this mini-series, as the entire Black Hammer universe hangs in the balance against the Anti-God. While Lemire’s Black Hammer project is clearly nodding to so many different influences from superhero and pulp comics history, his and his fellow co-creator’s minds are turned toward very humanist approaches to these stories, and Ward is the perfect co-conspirator. Clearly this series takes its cues from DC Comics’ “Crisis on Infinite Earths” – but here the fantastical and awe-inspiring scenarios are met with the commensurate level of gravitas, shock, and horror from our heroes.
Total: $11.97 – but I’ll certainly second Mark’s “Somna” love – Cloonan/Lotay is a dream-team!
Kate’s Picks:
The Holy Roller #1 ($3.99): Andy Samberg – the “Dick in a Box” and “Lazy Sunday” guy writing a comic? About bowling? Sounds fun enough to get readers hooked. But another reason for you to check out this comic is that it puts a Jewish superhero front and center. With anti-Semitism on the rise in the U.S., we need a hero who isn’t afraid of his heritage, who wears it proudly, on the frontlines of bigotry. And if he can teach me how to roll the perfect strike: added bonus!
Continued belowCon and On #5 ($3.99): This series wraps up this week, so this is your reminder to catch up on this love letter to conventions.
Somna #1 ($8.99): Another week where we all pick the same title, I guess! The combination of horror, the supernatural, and the erotic had me at first. An all-woman creative team, which will perhaps provide a different point of view on the erotic than in other erotic comics that are clearly designed for the male gaze has me around for issue #2. And a longer page count allows these artists to really play with story and visuals at the pace they best see fit.
Total: $16.97
