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.

*****

DEC110960 RASL #14 (MR) $3.50
I derive a great deal of pleasure reading Jeff Smith's serialized comic books, and I've really enjoyed his series RASL as it hurtles towards a last issue. Smith has such an honest and engaging relationship to genre that a ton of intriguing material gets pulled along behind his stories: in this case the most compelling stuff is how his genre mash-up between single-narrator noir and slippery-reality science fiction makes the reader's usual uneasy certainty that she's getting the full story to outright, unsettling doubt.

JAN120285 BATMAN DEATH BY DESIGN DELUXE ED HC $24.99
This is the Batman book written by Chip Kidd. It should be well-written -- I enjoy Kidd's writing generally -- and it should look awfully, awfully nice. I'm not sure what else you need when it comes to a Batman book. I sort of like how Batman is the big arch-villain when it comes to making the argument that maybe we'd be better off only having the original creators' versions of characters.

FEB120035 BALTIMORE HC VOL 02 CURSE BELLS $24.99
MAR120038 BPRD HELL ON EARTH TRANSFORMATION ODONNELL #1 FIUMARA CVR $3.50
The Mignola-verse grinds on. Surely this is comics' most reliable line/brand offering for the last decade or so.

JAN120092 CHANNEL ZERO TP COMPLETE COLLECTION $19.99
This edition looks to be part of the general Dark Horse effort on behalf of Brian Wood, and supports The Massive as much as makes a fine entry into the bookstore market on its own. I like quiet moves like that.

FEB120268 STARMAN OMNIBUS TP VOL 01 $29.99
This material seems to be an evergreen for DC, even if it's only an evergreen that grows yea high.

MAR120265 SUPERMAN FAMILY ADVENTURES #1 $2.99
MAR120373 ROCKETEER ADVENTURES 2 #3 (OF 4) $3.99
FEB120403 AMERICAS GOT POWERS #2 (OF 6) $2.99
MAR120508 WALKING DEAD #98 (MR) $2.99
MAR128202 DAREDEVIL #11 2ND PTG VAR (PP #1021) $2.99
MAR120701 GLAMOURPUSS #25 $3.00
MAR120892 ROGER LANGRIDGES SNARKED #8 $3.99
An interesting set of comic-book comics out this week. The Superman Adventures is I believe the all-ages book that basically replaces the super-popular and very effective Tiny Titans. I wish that book well. Rocketeer Adventures isn't my kind of thing but it's done in super-class manner. America's Got Powers is a super-odd weird and I have no idea despite reading both issues published to date if it's even any good. The Walking Dead is ramping up to a blood issue #100, because Robert Kirkman is enough of a traditionalist to respect an issue #100. Daredevil is a well-liked mainstream comic nearly too many issues in to convince yourself you'll get them when you decide to get them. And then there's Dave Sim and Roger Langridge, two skilled comics craftsmen with impeccable comic and comics timing.

FEB121103 FAIRY TALES OF OSCAR WILDE HC VOL 04 NEW PTG $16.99
APR121104 BOOK OF MR NATURAL HC (NEW PTG) (O/A) (MR) $19.99
I will always look at the P. Craig Russell Oscar Wilde material, new printing, new book, old printing, old book, whatever. That goes double for R. Crumb.

JAN121258 GRAPHIC CANON TP VOL 01 GILGAMESH TO SHAKESPEARE TO DANGEROUS $34.95
This is on my desk, but I've only flipped through it. There is some Eisner, some Crumb, some Hunt Emerson and some Roberta Gregory color work (she does really fine color work when she gets the chance) in it; there's also a lot of comics in there that didn't look anywhere near to operating in that group's weight class, to be honest with you. It also looked like there was a ton of supplementary/contextual prose. I look forward to a more thorough reading.

JAN121160 MONSIEUR JEAN SINGLES THEORY HC (MR) $24.95
Dupuy and Berberian can't walk into a room together or as solo creator without my noticing; a book of work featuring their most popular character is a must-read, and I would be delighted were I to encounter it in a store.

MAR121076 MOON MOTH GN $17.99
This has to be the oddest stand-alone science fiction comic I've read in years. While I can't tell yet how good it is, it was certainly memorable and I encourage those of you that like such things -- and as much as the new science fiction-oriented Image stuff is on everyone's minds I'm thinking that's a lot of you -- pick this one up and take a look. Jack Vance has an almost Kirby-sized issue with neglect in terms of his influence and the ubiquity of his approach.

*****

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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