This Isn’t A Library: Notable Releases To The Comics Direct Market



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.

*****

AUG120053 TARZAN RUSS MANNING YEARS HC VOL 01 $49.99
You had me at Russ. You had me at Russ mostly because I assumed it was Russ Manning. Still, you can't go wrong in comics with anyone named "Russ."

OCT128202 MULTIPLE WARHEADS ALPHABET TO INFINITY #1 2ND PTG (MR) $3.99
I derive a lot of pleasure from Brandon Graham's series, enough that I'd want the second printing of this first issue just to have the second printing. I don't think it's transcendent in the way that it's going to be the kind of series that attracts people not naturally inclined to like its kind of laid-back, science-fantasy vibe, but if that's a kind of comic you like you will probably like this comic.

AUG120045 ADV OF DR MCNINJA TP VOL 02 TIMEFIST $19.99
AUG120082 GRANDVILLE BETE NOIRE HC $19.99
Two fine-looking addition to long-standing Dark Horse publishing initiatives: elaborately drawn European translations and popular webcomics moving into print.

OCT120193 BATGIRL #15 (DOTF) $2.99
Hey, I read this one. It was okay. I really wonder if crossovers work in mainstream comics the way they want them to, because having a character appear in a bunch of comics like the Joker appearing in all of these Batman titles really robs the main storyline of the strength of some of its narrative beats. Of course, they sell really well, which is probably really the way they want the crossovers to work.

JUL120379 ARCHIE BEST OF SAMM SCHWARTZ HC VOL 02 $24.99
I always say that I have no idea what the hell is going on with all of these Archie collection, mostly because I really don't know what the hell is going on with all of these Archie collections. Samm Schwartz made some really effective comics, though, so I'd check this one out like I've checked out all the others.

AUG120257 KAMANDI LAST BOY ON EARTH OMNIBUS HC VOL 02 $49.99
I don't know anything about this particular edition but I love the comic books and I would look at this book were I in a comics shop, for sure. In fact, were I thinking about buying it I'd be extra sure to check out how much of this was Kirby and how much might be from other people. It might be all Kirby, I don't know. I'd still check.

SEP120377 PARKER THE HUNTER SC $17.99
Another comic I bought and enjoyed in an earlier iteration, and a solid addition to most comics fans' libraries.

OCT120510 AGE OF BRONZE #32 (RES) [DIG] $3.50
Shhh. It's a long-running independent comic-book series devoted to having a print, serial version out. Don't frighten it.

OCT128200 IMAGE FIRSTS CHEW CURR PTG #1 (MR) $1.00
OCT128196 IMAGE FIRSTS FATALE CURR PTG #1 (MR) $1.00
OCT128197 IMAGE FIRSTS MANHATTAN PROJECTS CURR PTG #1 $1.00
OCT128211 IMAGE FIRSTS REVIVAL CURR PTG #1 $1.00
OCT128195 IMAGE FIRSTS SAGA CURR PTG #1 (MR) $1.00
OCT128198 IMAGE FIRSTS THIEF OF THIEVES CURR PTG #1 $1.00
OCT128199 IMAGE FIRSTS WALKING DEAD CURR PTG #1 (MR) $1.00
Here are bunch of $1 reprints of popular Image Comics series, which means it's also a list of which series are popular or they think are potentially popular. I enjoy about half of these. I think it's a good idea for building serial sales to have this kind of easy entry point. I bet some comic shop owners will just give these away to subscribers that buy other comics in a similar vein -- Halley's in Chicago used to do this to me, and I ended up buying enough new series that way that it was worth their time to do it.

OCT120547 WALKING DEAD #105 (MR) [DIG] $2.99
This issue made me laugh a lot, and I don't know if it's it or me. Anyway, a super-reliable comic shop performer and should be for quite some time going forward.

OCT120495 WALKING DEAD OMNIBUS HC VOL 04 (MR) $100.00
Some happy teen is getting a giant hardcover full of zombies for Christmas, with the bonus of disapproving glances from her grandparents.

SEP120700 CAPTAIN AMERICA BY ED BRUBAKER TP VOL 02 $16.99
SEP120699 DAREDEVIL BY MARK WAID TP VOL 02 $15.99
I assume they've been naming these trades by writer for a while now and I've either not noticed at all or barely noticed. That seems interesting just in terms of the company's obvious emphasis over the last dozen years. I'm not a Marvel trade buyer, although I'll occasionally snap up long runs of series in comic book form when they've been discounted by a comics shop. If I were, though, I'd certainly buy according to creator like this.

OCT120593 FANTASTIC FOUR #2 NOW $2.99
OCT120606 IRON MAN #4 NOW $3.99
SEP120644 WINTER SOLDIER #13 $2.99
At some point this holiday season I'll probably find myself in close proximity to a comics shop for the first time in a while and will probably be tempted to try one or two of the new Marvel books. The first two here are two I'd look at were that today. The Winter Soldier is Ed Brubaker still, so I'd probably look at it, too.

AUG121196 BIG BOOK OF MISCHIEF GN (KNOCKABOUT) $18.99
I don't know a darn thing about this book, but I'd notice the cover and take a look were I to see it on the shelves today.

OCT121132 KRAMPUS THE DEVIL OF CHRISTMAS HC $18.95
Continuing Monte Beauchamp's fine, fine advocacy on behalf of the holiday season's greatest gremlin.

SEP121407 COMIC CON & BUSINESS OF POP CULTURE HC $27.00
We've thrown the spotlight on this book a few times this year; I thought there was a lot to chew on.

SEP120742 HUMOR CAN BE FUNNY TP (MR) $11.95
Classic Sam henderson, at a fine, fine price. Sam Henderson is a funny human being.

OCT121078 SUMO GN $14.99
If you go to the comics shop to find complete works from cartoonists with which you're not entirely familiar, this First Second effort by Thien Pham is probably the book with which you'll leave the store.

*****

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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