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.

*****

MAY111142 LITTLE NOTHINGS GN VOL 04 MY SHADOW IN THE DISTANCE $14.99
I all but lap up these watercolor autobio comics from Lewis Trondheim; there's something about their tone and the quality of the artwork that hits me right in the visual pleasure centers. I'd grown use to seeing these book come out in January, so I'm happy to see the publisher hadn't suspended the series. You can read some pages here.

MAY110282 99 DAYS HC (RES) (MR) $19.99
MAY110283 FOGTOWN TP (MR) $12.99
Two crime books on the same day seems a little odd and unnecessary, although one is the initial release of a hardcover and the other is a softcover.

DEC100079 TOO MUCH COFFEE MAN OMNIBUS TP VOL 01 (RES) $24.99
That's a lovely price point for a 500+ page book, and Wheeler's work is both loved by a fervent audience and undiscovered country for a completely different set of alt-comics fans.

FEB110270 WE 3 DELUXE EDITION HC (MR) $24.99
The well-liked series from mid-decade gets a fancy edition with a few more pages and one images production flair that justifies the price for three comic books' worth of content. This was Grant Morrison and Frank Quitely's story about a trio of doomed-to-be-put-down animal-soldiers, and while it left me a little cold it's well-executed and certainly had tons of enthusiastic fans.

JUN110467 COMPLETE LITTLE ORPHAN ANNIE HC VOL 07 $49.99
APR110043 LITTLE LULU TP VOL 28 PRIZE WINNER AND OTHER STORIES $14.99
MAY111084 COMPLETE PEANUTS BOX SET 1979-1982 $49.99
MAY111083 COMPLETE PEANUTS HC VOL 16 1981-1982 $28.99
This is the major archival material not the last book mentioned in this post. I love Little Orphan Annie, and while I'm not the most careful Little Lulu reader, 28 volumes is an impressive publishing achievement for any project. I liked Lynn Johnston's Peanuts introduction, as it focuses on Schulz's resistance to getting older and the appeal of having an entire world completely in your control.

JUN110636 CAPTAIN AMERICA #2 $3.99
JUN110587 INVINCIBLE IRON MAN #507 FEAR $3.99
I think these are both really solid superhero comic book serials, but that extra dollar means I'd be giving the clerk a $10 bill for two comics -- the first issue of Captain America was a breezy read -- and I have to admit that would be distressing to me, and motivation to send me to the $1 boxes instead.

MAY110897 INFAMOUS CHARLIE SHEEN (ONE SHOT) $3.99
Once again, comics is on the cutting edge of today's popular culture.

JUN111408 WORLD OF SMURFS $24.95
You'd usually think that something like this at this price point is directed at adults and their nostalgia for the Smurfs property reignited by the movie, but I bet a lot of little kids would want to look at something like this, too. There's something about having something explained to you, or getting more information about something, that's only hinted at through a narrative, that's deeply appealing to young people.

JUN111098 SETTING STANDARD ALEX TOTH GN (RES) $39.99
This is one nice-looking book, certainly the one I'd place my greedy paws on for a look-see in a comics shop excellent enough to carry it. Greg Sadowski always does the job. It's intriguing to me how elusive an appraisal of Alex Toth's work has become despite the work having among its primary virtues directness and simplicity.

*****

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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