This Isn't A Library: New, Notable Releases Into Comics' Direct Market
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Here are the books that make an impression on me staring at this week's no-doubt largely accurate list of books shipping from Diamond Comic Distributors, Inc. to comic book and hobby shops across North America.
I might not buy all of the works listed here. I might not buy any. You never know. I'd sure look at the following, though.
*****
MAY191685 VIVISECTIONARY HC (MR) $24.99
I read this book in advance of its release into the Direct Market and liked it quite a bit. The drawing is beautiful, but the book now totally assembled has a greater cohesion that I might have thought possible. I felt like I was reading a narrative created from some abstract strategies, not a series of sequences, and I had wondered about that going. I have no idea where Lacour is going from here, and that's exciting, too. Also, that's one sturdy die-cut.
JUN191817 STAY HC $19.99
I think I'm going to stop trying to puzzle which Trondheim books/collaborations we're getting and which ones we aren't and just enjoy his popularity and prolific nature book to book. We don't always get to see this many books from a creator, so enjoy it while it lasts.
APR191256 CHARLES SCHULZ LINUS HC PEANUTS $14.99
I may not enjoy Peanuts books that aren't the Fantagraphics collections, but I find the publishing strategies involved extremely interesting. Of course a strip this ubiquitous is going to see a number of formats rise to meet it. I hope the production matches the conception.
JUN190294 HELLBOY AND THE BPRD SATURN RETURNS #1 (OF 3) $3.99 JUN190466 SUPERMAN YEAR ONE #2 (OF 3) MILLER COVER (MR) $7.99 JUN190465 SUPERMAN YEAR ONE #2 (OF 3) ROMITA COVER (MR) $7.99 JUN190542 SUPERMANS PAL JIMMY OLSEN #2 (OF 12) $3.99 JUN190543 SUPERMANS PAL JIMMY OLSEN VAR ED #2 (OF 12) $3.99 JUN190053 CRIMINAL #7 (MR) $3.99 MAR190246 SNOTGIRL #14 CVR A HUNG $3.99 MAR190247 SNOTGIRL #14 CVR B OMALLEY $3.99 MAY199027 POWERS OF X #1 (OF 6) 2ND PTG SILVA VAR $5.99 JUN190835 POWERS OF X #3 (OF 6) $4.99 JUN190841 POWERS OF X #3 (OF 6) ASRAR CONNECTING VAR $4.99 JUN190838 POWERS OF X #3 (OF 6) BENGAL CHARACTER DECADES VAR $4.99 JUN190840 POWERS OF X #3 (OF 6) CHRISTOPHER ACTION FIGURE VAR $4.99 JUN190837 POWERS OF X #3 (OF 6) WEAVER NEW CHARACTER VAR $4.99 JUN190839 POWERS OF X #3 (OF 6) YOUNG VAR $4.99
Hey, comic books! Always happy to see books from the Mignola-verse. I think that first issue of Superman: Year One looks very handsome even though I have my doubts I'll be terribly interest in the story. Brubaker and Phillips are as sure of a bet that exists in comics this century. The Snotgirl comics I like for what I imagine might be reasons that the people don't like the series. I certainly have very little idea as to where the hell it's going, which strikes me as important. The run of supplementary editions and new comics to the X-Men series would seem to be a boon for that side of the industry. It's been very clever so far.
MAY190044 SAGA COMPENDIUM TP VOL 01 (MR) $59.99
I'm not sure this is worth noting by itself -- I mean, of course it is -- but if this is the first indication the series is coming back to print, that's outright publishing news these days.
APR190708 CORTO MALTESE THE EARLY YEARS TP $19.99
I hope this is a little kid with a tiny raft and that hat and that facial hair. Whatever it actually is, it's probably gorgeous.
JUN192001 SKY IN STEREO GN VOL 02 (MR) $13.99
I really loved the first volume of this book, to the point I was emotional invested in the protagonist's fate. I hope she's okay and it's swell I get to find out soon.
*****
The full list of this week's releases, including some titles with multiple cover variations and a long, impressive list of toys and other stuff that isn't comics, can be found here. Despite this official list there's no guarantee a comic will show up in the stores as promised, or in all of the stores as opposed to just a few. Also, stores choose what they carry and don't carry so your shop may not carry a specific publication. There are a lot of comics out there.
To find your local comic book store, check this list; and for one I can personally recommend because I've shopped there, albeit a while back, try this.
The above titles are listed with their Diamond order code in the first field, which may assist you in finding comics at your shop or having them order something for you they don't have in-stock. Ordering through a direct market shop can be a frustrating experience, so if you have a direct line to something -- you know another shop has it, you know a bookstore has it -- I'd urge you to consider all of your options.
If I failed to list your comic, that's because I hate you.
Random Comics News Story Round-Up * it's odd to see a list of traditional genre series representing comics for the late summer consider how many titanic graphic novels there are either right this moment or imminent. I remain struck by how balkanized along very specific aim-and-purpose lines comics remains. I hope those series are all as good as they can possibly be, though, for sure.
* not comics: ICE has re-upped with the company that uses Amazon to facilitate support services, the matter at the heart of recent protests and quite a bit of interest from within the comics community. This will be a story until it isn't.
* "adorable" and "heartwarming" usually aren't the main adjectives in a comics article, but why not? Also, the three of these I've read are adorable and heartwarming.
By Request Extra: The Nib Unveils Its First Official Fundraiser
Here. In addition to just wanting this to do well, I'm certain there will be news value in tracking their strategies to keep the publication alive. Good luck and may god bless.
Comics By Request: People, Places In Need Of Funding By Tom Spurgeon
* money to save retail establishments is a traditionally rough go on the social media driven sites, but this gofundme seems off to a better than average start. As always, I wish anyone that feels a need the best of luck in not feeling that way.
* good on Art Spiegelman pulling a piece of political commentary from an essay he was commissioned to write. It will have a longer life in this form than if it had run in its original form. I've yet to catch up to the piece, but want to; Spiegelman's a good writer on comics and culture.
JUN191817 STAY HC $19.99
* it's odd to see 
* Rob Clough on 
