Nice selection of all-ages and all-grown-up books this week — as recommended by the experts behind the counter!
Christy Blanch, Alter Ego Comics, Muncie, Ind.
Cartoon Network Super Secret Crisis War #1, IDW. OK. It’s Louise Simonson. She’s an amazing writer and I will buy anything she writes. Besides that, it’s all the cool cartoon characters from the Cartoon Network! What more can you ask for in a comic! It just looks adorable.
Trees #2, Image. Trees #1 was so weird and freaky and fantastic that I have been waiting for the second issue with bated breath! It was my pick of the week and customers responded with resounding agreement. Warren Ellis does not disappoint and the art by Jason Howard is just excellent as expected. Baby steps to Wednesday!!!
Rachel Rising #26, Abstract Studios. If you aren’t reading Rachel Rising I just have one question for you — WHY NOT?? This is just an amazing book, unlike anything else out there. Every time we recommend this book to someone they send us a thank you. It’s simply that good. The new arc started with #25 and this storyline looks to be the best yet!
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Aimee LoSecco, JHU Comic Books, Manhattan
Superman #32, DC. Geoff Johns hopping on board Superman is good enough, but John Romita Jr. As artist? This is major. His first time working for DC will show us new characters, heroes and villains alike; the first of which is Ulysses, Man of Tomorrow. Also, will Clark go back to the Daily Planet? Find out in this new run by two comic greats that taste great together!
Rachel Rising #26, Abstract Studios. Because I’m the last person on the planet to have heard about this book being turned into a TV show, everybody hop on this book now. I’ve been touting its (and Terry Moore’s) awesomeness for years, and if you dig The Walking Dead and Afterlife With Archie, then Rachel Rising is the Holy Spirit of your undead comic book trilogy. Or Wonder Woman for those that didn’t get that Catholic school reference.
Saga #20, Image. Because it’s Saga. Also, the second printing of #19 is out this week too. There. Now you’re all caught up.
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Ted Alexander, manager, Midtown Comics’ Downtown location, Manhattan
Saga #20, Image. Simply the best comic on the shelves currently. Brian K. Vaughan and Fiona Staples have captured lightning in a bottle with this series. I’m not sure what to say about it that hasn’t been said before.
Goon: One For The Road, Dark Horse. Eric Powell’s Goon stories don’t come out often enough, but when they do it is something special. Each Goon issue is a lesson on how fun storytelling and art go together to create a great work of art. (One-shot.)
Batman #32, DC. Have you figured out what the riddle will be that will save Gotham? Hopefully Batman comes up with it soon so Gotham can return to normal. Although I don’t mind him taking his time, because I’m enjoying motorcycle-riding, purple-glove Batman for now.
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Menachem Luchins, owner, Escape Pod Comics, Huntington, L.I.
Disenchanted Vol. 1, Avatar Press. Si Spurrier and German Eramouspe’s webcomic is finally collected. In a world that has no place for magic and magical creatures, these same creatures have nowhere to go but Vermintown — a slum full of inch-tall pixies, nixies, and the like. This fairyland is NOT a fun place to be, as you will learn. Collecting the whole first chapter of gang violence, magical drugs and inter-species racism.
Libretto Vol. 01: Vampirism, IDW. This project, originally Kickstarted and released in hardcover is finally in trade at the nice price of $39.99 for all 200 pages. Featuring creators like Becky Cloonan, Ben Templesmith, Kambriel Clothiers, Jock, Molly Crabapple and many more discussing the central theme of what a vampire truly is in a variety of media, the book is an artistic meditation on the theme of using others. A truly stunning work on its own, the added bonus of artist interviews and process pages makes this a must for the comic art collector.
Ms. Marvel #5, Marvel. I rarely suggest that people pick up a series in the middle of a run, or at the end of a story but G. Willow Wilson and Adrian Alphona’s FANTASTIC teen hero book defies all sorts of rules, so what can I say? Fresh and inventive is hard to do in superhero comics, even more so when the main character is a teen coming to grips with their powers but this book has fired on all cylinders from the get go. I can’t speak for other stores, but we keep every issue (all of which have had multiple printings) in stock, so even if this is your first time picking up Kamala’s story, you should be able to get all the issues at at least some stores. I can’t talk this book up enough to do it justice but I’ll say this: We sell MORE copies of this book than we do Batman and Hawkeye combined — as much as Saga and Sex Criminals, actually, so chew on that. And pick this book up!
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Tim Finn, Hub Comics, Somerville, Mass.
Amazing World of Gumball #1, Boom! Adventure Time and My Little Pony have cooled a bit — Boom! and IDW’s confusing variants and multiple series hastened this, although the former is still a solid seller, and “Bee and Puppycat” is off to a good start. Gumball will likely launch small and stay small, but I’m pleased to see more recognizable all-ages titles. Comics aren’t just for adults anymore.
Brass Sun #2, Titan. Enjoyed the first issue for its striking cover design, thoughtful allegory, intriguing world building, crisp art, and restrained color palette. I’ll be happy to put an eventual collection of this next to The New Deadwardians and Culbard’s Lovecraft adaptations with a big sign that reads “These Are All Beautiful.”
Ms. Marvel #5, Marvel. This keeps getting better, pulling in new readers, and selling more than the previous issue. And reprints of earlier, sold-out issues are trickling back in — Issue #1 last week. More like this, Marvel, please!
Honorable Mention: G.I. Joe Special Missions Vol. 3, IDW. If you’re itching for it, this is an ideal G.I. Joe story — globetrotting, larger than life villains, spy-stuff, Joes trying to piece it all together, and action. Chuck Dixon and Paul Gulacy are great.
