This Isn't A Library: New And Notable Releases To The Comics Direct Market
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Here are the books that jump out at me from this week's probably mostly 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 -- but were I in a comic book shop I would likely pick up the following and look them over, potentially ending up in a gun fu battle with my retailer.
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MAR080037 COMPLETE K CHRONICLES TP $24.95
A massive collection of Keith Knight's work; one of those miracle books of the new comics millennium in terms of my not quite believing something like this can be published. But there it is.
MAR080031 USAGI YOJIMBO TP VOL 22 TOMOES STORY $15.95
Someday soon there will be a massive, new round of appreciation for Stan Sakai. Maybe with volume 25?
MAR080039 WONDERMARK BEARDS OF OUR FOREFATHERS $14.95
I'm reading this right now in preparation for an interview; this is the latest in Dark Horse's forays into the webcomics world for print edition, something that turned out very well for their partnership with Nicholas Gurewitch. I liked author David Malki when I met him in Charlotte; he seems smart.
MAY080256 AMERICAN SPLENDOR SEASON TWO #4 (OF 4) (MR) $2.99
I missed the first three on this one. Reading Pekar's comics was as much a part of my comics education as Love and Rockets in a way, so I hope this latest series was good.
MAY080224 BILLY BATSON AND THE MAGIC OF SHAZAM #1 $2.25
I swear DC is actively giving their comics titles that would make me recoil in horror when I was a kid reading these kinds of comics. But maybe this is a lighter approach than their recent turgid, slightly sexualized, continuity frottage-fest, so it could have that going for it.
APR082206 SWORD #9 (MR) $2.99
APR082188 SWORD TP VOL 01 $14.99
Any unabashed Luna Brothers fans out there? Come on!
FEB082109 WALKING DEAD #50 (MR) $2.99
One half of the Robert Kirkman Indy Hit Machine reaches its 50th issue. I suspect there will be zombies.
MAY082296 PATSY WALKER HELLCAT #1 (OF 5) $2.99
I saw pencils and inks for this and it may be tremendously pretty in color. Plus: Kathryn Immonen writes.
MAY084037 RALPH SNART ADVENTURES #1 $2.95
Wow. You know, this used to be the only alternative-type comic anyone could get on a spinner rack, so I bet if you asked around you'd find a lot of cartoonists in their 30s for whom this is a secret influence.
MAR083707 STRANGE & STRANGER WORLD OF STEVE DITKO HC $39.99
I have this. I'd read this, but I keep being mesmerized by the art. This is one handsome book. Handsome like the lead hunter character in a safari movie handsome.
APR083809 LUCKY VOL 2 #2 (MR) $3.95
We're not allowed to complain about the lack of alternative comic books if we don't support the ones that are out there, like this series from Gabrielle Bell.
APR084166 TEZUKA DORORO GN VOL 02 $13.95
Tezuka's samurai series; the first volume was crazy in a good way.
MAY082323 ASTONISHING X-MEN #25 MD $2.99
Warren Ellis and Simone Bianchi get to write out-of-tight-continuity stories starring the former Marvel flagship characters, which means old people like me can understand and possibly enjoy reading them. Now, if only there was a comic book shop nearby...
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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.
To find your local comic book store, check this list; and for one I can personally recommend because I've shopped there, 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.
If I didn't list your new comic, that was on purpose. I am your enemy. Fill your hand, you son of a bitch!
