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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JAN191670 GOING INTO TOWN LOVE LETTER TO NEW YORK TP $18.00
This book has been alive in comics' collective consciousness due to it being discussed during the great Roz Chast's extended period of promotion on behalf of Can't We Talk About Something More Pleasant? A hyper NYC focus would play to different strengths, and in that way makes this book just as welcome as the last.

DEC181892 MR WOLFS CLASS GN VOL 02 MYSTERY CLUB $9.99
DEC181893 MR WOLFS CLASS HC GN VOL 02 MYSTERY CLUB $18.99
I've enjoyed both books in this ensemble kids series and look forward to a third this Fall.

DEC180357 HELLBOY AND BPRD 1956 #4 (OF 5) $3.99
DEC180527 ACTION COMICS #1008 $3.99
JUL188526 DIE DIE DIE #8 (MR) $3.99
DEC180296 WICKED & DIVINE #42 CVR A MCKELVIE & WILSON (MR) $3.99
DEC180259 MAGE HERO DENIED #15 (OF 15) CVR A WAGNER $7.99
Hey, comic-book comics. We have our weekly Mignola, always welcome. I think Brian Bendis tweaking Action into a flagship DC Universe title was a really smart move; the resulting comic books have an ease of read to them pretty rare in mainstream comics these days. Die Die Die is a gaming comic gaining marketplace traction; it feels like we're four or five issue's worth of content on Wicked And Divine, so I'm paying closer attention. Finally, congratulations to Matt Wagner for finishing the third cycle of his long-running Mage comic, something that I believe began -- yikes -- 35 years ago when I was the perfect age for its monster designs, t-shirt toting hero and broad call-outs to Arthurian legend. I always think it's nice for creators to get the comic they intended out, whether or not it's a comic for me at its far end.

DEC182038 EMOTIONAL DATA ONE SHOT (MR) $6.00
This is the high-curiosity item of this week's books of note: Silver Sprocket is as good a name as any for this kind of book, and the visuals look interesting. I'll definitely be looking at it.

JAN191654 WHEN IS HIGH MOON GN $30.00
This is one of those animation artist turn to comics projects -- another book not my cup of tea, but I like how aggressive and hyper-contextual the ad copy is.

NOV180715 CORTO MALTESE GN THE SECRET ROSE $19.99
This is a single-page comic that originally ran in the 1980s, and you just know it's super-handsome. I'm not enough of a close reader to capture in my own mind, even, any sort of satire or commentary.

DEC181865 CULT OF THE IBIS HC (MR) $29.99
This is Daria Tessler through FU press. Tessler's stuff is really good-looking, and reflects her background as a single-image printmaker, enough I'd certainly check out a stand-alone volume. Here's the Instagram site.

DEC181863 WRITING WRITTEN HC SHORT STORIES $24.99
Here's the latest offering from Fantagraphics' intermittent prose book program, Stephen Dixon is certainly a formidable writer with the usual cluster of honors and fellowships. He has to be at least in his mid-'70s and I don't know what the later work is like at all but I love any boutique publisher that chooses to work with older talent -- even one I already love for other reasons.

DEC181854 BILLIE THE BEE HC $14.99
Mary Fleener! I can't imagine not wanting to pick this up and look it over in the comics. Her skill on the page should lend itself very well to all-ages work, and will hopeful drive some attention to a reconsideration of her memoir-style comics. A full Mary Fleener re-appreciation, that's what I want.

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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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