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September 12, 2012


This Isn’t A Library: Notable Releases To The 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.

*****

JUN121130 LOVE AND ROCKETS NEW STORIES TP VOL 05 $14.99
The follow-up to last summer's devastatingly good issue isn't as devastating, but it's still really good. Lots of Borneo in the Jaime story. I find that character alternately hilarious and terrifying. If Locas/Wire comparisons ever take hold, Borneo is one of those characters of Jaime's the most like that TV show's many memorable supporting-to-minor characters. The Gilbert is Palomar-focused and features both Sheriff Chelo and Tipin Tipin, and it's impossible not to be happy seeing those two on the page. Everyone should visit Los Bros this weekend at Small Press Expo.

imageJUL121175 STUMPTOWN V2 #1 $3.99
JUL120574 WINTER SOLDIER #10 $2.99
It doesn't seem like there's a lot in the way of comic-book purchases that intrigue this week, although you mileage will likely vary. There is a lot of Image material in terms of re-releases and the like, so if you've been looking some of those comics it might be the week to try one or two. The Greg Rucka/Matt Southworth effort Stumptown coming back in a second volume would seem to me the belle of this week's ball. There is no reason that ten years from now we couldn't better support comics effort like Stumptown on a more regular basis. The Winter Soldier comic is one I might buy because it's nice to have brief runs of superhero comics by quality creators (like writer Ed Brubaker, who has already announced his departure) as sample of that form. Well, from my standpoint it's nice to have those things.

JUN121232 BEATLES GRAPHIC GN $27.95
I have no idea what this is, and if something really good Beatles-related was going to drop with that price point, I probably would have heard about it. Still, I'd look.

JUL121089 CAT BURGLAR BLACK GN $16.99
JUN121128 CAVALIER MR THOMPSON A SAM HILL GN $16.99
APR121093 CRACKLE OF THE FROST HC $19.99
Three quite good-looking books from three frequent publishers that are still under-appreciated by North American audiences, I think. The Mattotti and the Sala are prettier than the Tommaso, but Rich has a ton of fans, some of whom are going to be quite glad to have a complete work to read from the comics author. The Sala really surprised me when it initially came out in that it was almost luminous. The Mattotti is ridiculous, I've been picking that one up and looking at it for about three weeks now.

FEB120808 HUGO TATE GN (MR) $19.99
This is Nick Abadzis' early, significant work, and one that I enjoyed devouring earlier this year. Abadzis is a featured guest (I think) at this weekend's Small Press Expo, where I bet it's possible to buy this from him directly.

JUN120886 ODYSSEY BLOOMSBURY HC ED GN $20.00
I assume this is the Seymour Chwast, and I also assume that one of those smarties over at TCJ.com will eventually explain to me whether or not this is worth diving into.

MAY120062 BUCKO HC $19.99
As I understand it, this is basically the writer Jeff Parker writing for the strengths and skill-set of cartoonist Erika Moen. I would be interested in seeing that combination, and I wasn't following the corresponding webcomic.

*****

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 on me. I apologize.

*****

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*****
*****
 
posted 12:25 am PST | Permalink
 

 
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