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.

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OCT181718 VANISHING ACT HC $14.99
Good week for the kind of comics I like. Roman Muradov's comics are challenging and beautiful and every time a new one comes out I hope it's the one that captures the imagination of the widest possible alt-reading audience. And so I hope again.

SEP181985 THIMBLE THEATRE PRE POPEYE CARTOONS OF EC SEGAR $85.00
Thimble Theatre is a top five comics achievement of the 20th Century, with two of the ten best characters, and these comics that came before the appearance of Popeye are excellent in most of the ways those that came after that introduction ended up being. They are well worth the read and this fabulous looking presentation.

OCT180282 BPRD DEVIL YOU KNOW #11 CVR A MIGNOLA $3.99
OCT180283 BPRD DEVIL YOU KNOW #11 CVR B MIGNOLA $3.99
OCT180474 MARTIAN MANHUNTER #1 (OF 12) $3.99
SEP180436 SHAZAM #1 $4.99
OCT180018 PRODIGY #1 (OF 6) CVR A ALBUQUERQUE (MR) $3.99
OCT180019 PRODIGY #1 (OF 6) CVR B ALBUQUERQUE (MR) $3.99
OCT180020 PRODIGY #1 (OF 6) CVR C INTERCONNECT PT 1 ALBUQUERQUE (MR) $3.99
OCT180021 PRODIGY #1 (OF 6) CVR D INTERCONNECT PT 2 ALBUQUERQUE (MR) $3.99
OCT180022 PRODIGY #1 (OF 6) CVR E INTERCONNECT PT 3 ALBUQUERQUE (MR) $3.99
OCT180023 PRODIGY #1 (OF 6) CVR F QUITELY (MR) $3.99
OCT180024 PRODIGY #1 (OF 6) CVR G BLANK CVR (MR) $3.99
OCT180264 WICKED & DIVINE #40 CVR A MCKELVIE & WILSON (MR) $3.99
OCT180951 DOCTOR STRANGE #9 $3.99
Comic-book comics! You rarely go wrong with one from the Mignola-verse. The two DC books are one that looks to fill the thinking person's superhero book role most recently taken up by Mister Miracle, and one connected to a movie that I didn't even know was being relaunched in comic-book form. I really hate this most recent use of that character, and it's baffling that a comic with that many great characters can't find a better general narrative. The Prodigy is the latest Mark Millar and a further sideways slide for Millar away from violently executed high concepts into outlines for an elevator pitch -- the sad thing is these properties are sold already and don't really have to convince anyone. I'm also worried about variant covers for something that I'm not totally convinced benefits from them in a way that serves to enhance the marketplace. The Gillen & McKelvie enters its final arc ahead of a conclusion in 2019. The Doctor Strange book has a Kevin Nowlan cover and I'll want to own it on that basis alone.

SEP181770 HIERONYMUS & BOSCH HC $27.00
OCT181720 MAXON CRUMB ART OUT OF CHAOS GN $25.00
OCT181694 MEMORABILIA SC $16.99
The first is a strip collection by Paul Kirchner about which I know very little. It sure is attractive. The Maxon Crumb book -- with the Spain Rodriguez biography/collection series and the latest Mineshaft -- makes this a decent period for underground publicats. Memorabilia looks like a tribute to the comics of his youth by Sergio Ponchione, who is always worth a look.

SEP188812 ELECTRIC STATE HC $35.00
This seems more extended and sober kids-book making rather than a comic as we might think of comics, but it does look very attractive and the juxtaposition of quotidian and fantastic things is something both comics and kids-book type storytelling do very well.

SEP181845 DUNKIRK ONE SHOT GLANZMAN CVR $9.99
OCT181719 NOW #5 NEW COMICS ANTHOLOGY $9.99
SEP181949 OUR WRETCHED TOWN HALL GN (MR) $10.00
I'm interested in the price points here as much as the content, although each one of the books seems interesting to me -- the NOW anthology in particular I think has been weird and intriguing and well-curated. But a lot of reading for about ten bucks, whether it's Noah Van Sciver's last project or these books or others like it? I think that could gain some traction over the long term if it becomes a category.

SEP181776 PARALLEL LIVES GN $24.99
This is a collection of short stories from a formidable, word-class talent. I think there's some pushback on Olivier Schrauwen, but I haven't personally felt it yet, I think he's really funny and an idiosyncratic visualist to boot. Automatic buy for me.

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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 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.

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