Hello and welcome to Multiversity’s look at the “Best of the Rest,” where we try to summarize what’s coming your way in the now-available January 2018 Previews catalog from pretty much every other comic publisher. Having already taken a look at what Marvel, Dark Horse, DC, and Image have lined up for us to close out this year, it’s now time to check out the other 75% of the catalog.
That said, let’s dive in and see what’s going to kick off next year!
10. Clash of Epicness
Everything’s being revived, but it’s always better if two things can be revived at once. Dynamite Comics presents this showdown between the two versions of the Battlestar Galactica show, the BvS-esque confrontation everyone’s been clamoring for since Alien vs. Predator.
BSG vs. BSG #1
Written by Peter David
Illustrated by Johnny Desjardins
Published by Dynamite Entertainment
At last! The epic story you’ve been dying to see is here, a galaxy and timeline-spanning saga bringing the two very different (and yet so very much alike) crews of the Battlestar Galacticas series together. But don’t expect this historic meeting of heroes to be friendly: they have no idea why they have been brought together, or what the result of this unprecedented meeting is. And it starts here as the legendary Commander Cain and the crew of the Pegasus are revealed to be alive, and have encountered an individual they never thought they would meet: the last Cylon. All this has happened before, but there will NEVER be anything like it again!
2. Fill Out that Universe
A prequel comic to the popular anime, this is one of those things to fill in backstories and expand the world. I’m sure these have appeared in various forms throughout the year, but it’s always handy to have it all in one simple collection.
RWBY
Written and Illustrated by Shirow Miwa
Published by Viz Media
Never before revealed adventures of Team RWBY featuring Ruby, Weiss, Blake & Yang before academy and before they were teammates. Plus, a Team JNPR battle featuring a much-younger Jaune! For teen audiences.
8. Stay on Your Toes
Here’s George O’Connor’s latest entry in his ongoing myth series. Tricksters are often some of the most fun characters to read, and Hermes definitely has some adventures. O’Connor’s cartooning is assured and dynamic and he’s been doing this series for so long (while doing it so well) that you know exactly how enjoyable this will turn out.
Olympians — Hermes: Tales of the Trickster
Written and Illustrated by George O’Connor
Published by First Second
In volume ten of Olympians, George O’Connor delves into the myth of Hermes, the trickster god. From his infancy, when he bewitches animals and bends them to his will (stealing a herd of Apollo’s prize cattle in the bargain), to his adolescence and adulthood when he becomes father to the equally mischievous Pan, Hermes’s story is wildly entertaining as he brings a little bit of chaos to everything he touches or creates. This volume is sure to be a fan favorite with its wit, charm, and storytelling. Available in softcover and hardcover editions.
7. Cosmic Odyssey
While I don’t think there’s necessarily anything original with the concept of this story, Archie Comics has consistently delivered some fun and engaging books within their more orbital imprints. Bright colors and a chipper attitude should made this one of the books you read, smile all the way through, then pass on to the kids in your life.
Continued belowCosmo #1
Written by Ian Flynn
Illustrated by Tracy Yardley
Published by Archie ComicsNEW ONGOING SERIES! “Space Aces” – Part One: Get ready for out of this world fun in the ALL-NEW sci-fi adventure series COSMO! Join Cosmo and his Martian crew as they find adventure and dangers in the deepest corners of space! Their latest mission turns into a much larger adventure when they stumble upon their most unique specimen yet: A panicked human!
6. Time Drugs
There’s always been something unhinged about Heavy Metal’s titles. As if all the people working in those offices to one-up each other in the wacky-factory.
Narcopolis Continuum
Written by Scott Duvall
Illustrated by Ralf Singh, Nicolas Chapuis, and Taylor Esposito
Published by Heavy Metal MagazineIn the near distant future, genius scientist Ben creates the ultimate drug that unlocks the key to his past. Using his invention to go back in time, Ben attempts to uncover the truth behind his father’s disappearance two decades ago. With little to go on and a handful of time bending drugs, a trip into the past unveils dark secrets and dangerous dealings. A manhunt ensues, as the most powerful drug lord of his time will do whatever it takes to get high on Ben’s supply. Time is running out, and even worse, so is Ben’s stash! All four issues of the critically acclaimed series are collected for the first time as well as 16 pages of behind-the-scenes extras including concept art, creator commentary, interviews, and a brand new pin-up.
5. Terry Moore’s Latest Revival
Terry Moore’s seminal slice of life series returns, just in time for its 25th anniversary. Even though the series ended a long time ago, it seems like Moore has never really given up on his characters. He’ll probably be telling these stories until the sun explodes.”
Strangers in Paradise XXV #1
Written and Illustrated by Terry Moore
Published by Abstract StudiosAmerica’s favorite couple is back! To celebrate its 25th-Anniversary, the Eisner Award-winning series is back with an all-new story beginning with this #1 issue! Francine and Katchoo are living the dream until they learn a former Parker Girl is in hiding and writing a tell-all book about the wicked empire Darcy Parker built with Katchoo at her side. Determined to stop her, Katchoo enlists the aid of her mercenary sister Tambi and the hunt is on!
4. Psychic Inheritance
Family histories, magic, and secrets are revealed in this latest OGN from Zach Worton and Fantagraphics. Like with any Fantagraphics title, we’re here for the cartooning, and Worton’s style is retro and kinetic. Here’s to hoping the story matches the promise of the title.
The Weird World of Lagoola Gardner
Written and Illustrated by Zach Worton
Published by Fantagraphics
Martians! Murder! Mayhem! Lagoola Gardner has recently acquired his deceased grandmother’s possessions, including her crystal ball and fez, which she used in her practice as a medium. These seemingly innocuous items, when worn by Lagoola, act as an antenna to the spiritual plane where she resides. This all helps his side business, as an investigator of the macabre!
3. And For Our Next Act . . . .
Not content with just one magic show, Fantagraphics has another performance to follow-up. This one reminds me of Christopher Priest’s The Prestige or Steven Millhauser’s “Eisenheim the Illusionist,” where the public reaction has as much bearing on the outcome as the trick itself. Prepared to be sucked into this universe.
Showtime
Written and Illustrated by Antoine Cossé
Published by Fantagraphics
Antoine Cossé’s cinematic tale of a magician blurs the lines between what is real and what is a trick. His complex narrative draws on recent lines of public intellectual enquiry into the power of collective memory, how myth and fable can be used to construct identity, and whether individual psychology can ever effect objective reality. Meanwhile, his illustrations simply astonish.
2. Tonight’s Final Spell
Earlier this year, Archie Comics released a compendium of Sabrina stories. It was printed a little bit bigger than digest-sized and in black-and-white. While it was a fun way to see some long-forgotten stories, it felt somewhat disappointing in how it was presented. Archie’s looking to remedy that with this collection of the most horrifying stories in Sabrina’s past, apparently. You could wonder if until “The Chilling Adventures of Sabrina,” the teenage witch’s adventure’s were really boundary-breaking, but I think you’d be surprised by where some of these stories went.
Continued belowChilling Adventures in Sorcerery
Written and Illustrated by Various
Published by Archie ComicsPresented by Sabrina the Teenage Witch, this collection features some of the most horrifying classic stories to ever be published by Archie Comics, collected for the first time in graphic novel form. Featuring an all-new cover by comic artist extraordinaire Francesco Francavilla (Afterlife With Archie)!
1. May the Force Be With You
Thank God IDW has their shit together when it comes to Star Wars. Or the comics industry in general because let’s face it, the biggest comics readers are teen girls. These all-ages stories use the momentum and energy of the Forces of Destiny shorts, focusing on the female characters peppered throughout the universe. And there’s a wealth of talent here too!
Star Wars: Forces of Destiny
Written by Beth Revis, Devin Grayson, Elsa Charretier, Pierrick Colinet, Jody Houser, Delilah Dawson
Illustrated by Valentina Pinto, Eva Widermann, Elsa Charretier, Arianna Florean, Nicoletta Baldari
Published by IDW
The Star Wars Forces of Destiny initiative celebrates the inspiring stories of iconic heroes from a galaxy far, far away….
Star Wars Adventures has joined the festivities with an exciting weekly series of comic books that explores all corners of the Star Wars universe, showing how choices both big and small ultimately shape the destinies of beloved characters, such as Princess Leia, Rey, Padme, Ahsoka, and Hera along with your soon-to-be favorites from The Last Jedi, Rose and Paige!
Fans will be excited to discover these stories told by talent from across Star Wars novels, comics and animation, including Delilah S. Dawson, Elsa Charretier, Beth Revis, Jody Houser, and Devin Grayson!
• Each issue has a variant cover by Elsa Charretier! Collect all five!
• Featuring your favorite classic Star Wars characters and a couple of brand new favorites!
Well, that was fun! And let me know what books YOU’RE excited for in the comments section.
