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 Legend of Korra: Patterns in Time ($12.99): This book was almost a victim of delays pushing it further and further from my mind… If it weren’t for this column, I wouldn’t’ve been aware it was coming out this week at all. This is an anthology of short stories, so a bunch of these are going to be Free Comic Book Day stories collected for the first time (‘Friends for Life’, ‘Lost Pets,’ ‘Clearing the Air,’ and maybe ‘Beach Wars’), but that’s certainly not enough to fill the whole book, so there will be a bunch of new stories in here too.
Koshchei in Hell #1 ($3.99): If you are a Hellboy Universe reader, then this book cannot be missed. In case it wasn’t obvious from the cover, big things are converging here. Yes, technically it’s a spinoff, but it’s the book carrying on the mainline “Hellboy” story, even if Hellboy isn’t in it anymore. Plus, y’know, it’s Mike Mignola and Ben Stenbeck collaborating again. so it’s obviously going to be fantastic.
Total: $16.98. I’m also picking up the “Ascender” deluxe edition, and I’ll need to check out Sunburn from Andi Watson and Simon Gane.
Johnny’s Picks:
Briar #2 (($3.99): “Grimdark” retellings of classic fairytales aren’t really my bag, but German Garcia’s art is seriously slept on. With a delicate line and fantastic layouts that focus on foregrounds while punctuating the backgrounds with stark color or abstracted and sparse details, Garcia’s art feels like terrific animation storyboards, which suits this fantasy story just fine. Cantwell’s retelling of Sleeping Beauty is intriguing, but the real star of the show here is Garcia (and Matheus Lopes on colors)! This four issue mini-series is well worth a look.
I’m a Terminal Cancer Patient, But I’m Fine GN ($14.99): This graphic novel comes to us from mangaka Hilnama, who at 38 years old was diagnosed with a terminal form of colon cancer. Though the subject of this book could clearly come off as maudlin, what we actually get is a terrifically realized memoir about living with the deadly disease. Hilnama draws herself here as a small rabbit, which does wonders to soften the heavy subject matter. Based on the preview pages I’ve read, the book takes a matter-of-fact slice-of-life approach to the material, reading like a guidebook as much as a memoir, the genres combining to form one very effective and engrossing read.
Total: $18.98
Christopher’s Pick:
The Legend of Korra: Patterns in Time ($12.99) – I’m picking this up as I’m collecting all of the Nickelodeon Avatarverse comics in paperback, but I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t looking forward to reading further new adventures for Korra, Asami and co. in addition to the prior FCBD stories being collected.
Total: $12.99
