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 October 2017 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, it’s now time to check out the other 75% of the catalog.
That said, let’s dive in!
10. Gaiman’s First Journey Underground
While not technically a comic, there’s always something special when Neil Gaiman’s work gets illustrated. It gives it more of a storybook feel, a sense of forgotten wonder. Chris Riddell, who did the British version of Unfortunately, the Milk, contributes to this book. And I’d rather see him working here, with material that hasn’t been rendered before, than trying to re-illustrate Gaiman’s classics (like Coraline or The Graveyard Book, because when compared with Dave McKean’s originals . . . Riddell detrimentally sets himself up to look inferior.)
Neverwhere: Illustrated Edition
Written by Neil Gaiman
Illustrated by Chris Riddell
Published by William MorrowThis is the only fully illustrated edition of Neil Gaiman’s beloved and groundbreaking first novel. Gaiman personally selected Chris Riddell, one of his favorite artistic interpreters of his work, to illustrate this edition. his illustrated edition uses the “author’s preferred text,” which has replaced the original version of the novel, and includes a bonus story – Gaiman’s 2014 Neverwhere tale, “How the Marquis Got His Coat Back.” This illustrated edition is an essential gift for all Gaiman fans and is an ideal introduction to his acclaimed body of work.
9. Time to Jam
You know, the Archie books might be some of the most musical comics in the industry. That’s probably part of their staying power, their ability to remain relevant and relatable. Much like many of their other titles, this started as a one-shot but the success of it helped blossom it into a new ongoing. With the main “Archie” title starting to fall on its face and “Jughead” just losing anything that made it interesting (because now Mark Waid’s handling both), these tertiary branches are where the true Riverdale fun is happening.
The Archies #1
Written by Alex Segura & Matthew Rosenberg
Illustrated by Joe Eisma
Published by Archie Comics
What’s next for the teenage rockers The Archies? When someone makes a decision that leaves the rest of the band scrambling, can the group keep it together? It’s friendship vs. fame in this must-read #1 issue to the new, ongoing The Archies series!
8. Further Expansion
It looks like Marguerite Bennett is setting up her own little universe over at AfterShock. I can’t remember if this is the second or third series in the world of “Animosity,” but I appreciate she’s taking time to build her setting without it directly inflicting the main narrative.
Animosity: Evolution #1
Written by Marguerite Bennett
Illustrated by Eric Gapstur
Published by AfterShock
A new, additional ongoing ANIMOSITY series!One day, the animals woke up. They started thinking. They started talking. They started taking revenge. Now, they’ve started building. In a city by the sea, a new power is on the rise…and they’re making an animal kingdom all their own.
From the brilliant mind of creator/writer Marguerite Bennett (INSEXTS, Bombshells and Batwoman) with artwork by Eric Gapstur–ANIMOSITY: EVOLUTION is an exciting new series that expands upon this already amazing world!
7. A Bunch of Babies
I wonder if we’re seeing a revival of these old properties in comics form so the parent companies can decide whether or not it’s worth it to invest in bringing back the show itself? I dunno, but I grew up with Rugrats and this is making a direct beeline for my nostalgia feels.
Continued belowRugrats #1
Written by Box Brown
Illustrated by Lisa DuBois
Published by Boom! Studios
Hang on to your diapies, babies! We’re teaming up with Nickelodeon for all-new Rugrats adventures with the most intrepid toddlers to ever bust out of a playpen!Tommy, Chucky, Phil and Lil have noticed something-they are being watched. Somehow their parents can see every little thing that they can do. They’re going to have to find a way to have fun while avoiding the electronic eyes of the babycam!
6. A Concierge with an Urge
Peter Milligan and Tess Fowler kick off Shelly Bond’s IDW imprint, Black Crown Publishing, with this thrilling tale of demented hoteliers. The family saga, the weird atmosphere, and the reminder that Milligan wrote “Engima” and maybe will create something as awesome again have my attention.
Kid Lobotomy #1
Written by Peter Milligan
Illustrated by Tess Fowler
Published by Black Crown Publishing/IDW
Kafka meets King Lear by way of Young Frankenstein in KID LOBOTOMY, a dark, demented, monthly satire that follows a dysfunctional family of hoteliers. Will sibling rivalry, seduction, and shapeshifting eventually lead to sanity or salvation?Big Daddy is a rich hotelier who, in a cracked echo of King Lear, appoints his youngest descendant to manage The Suites, a peculiar hotel located behind the Black Crown Pub. Affectionately known as Kid, his good looks and swagger can’t hide a rough childhood of strange therapies and brain operations that have awakened inner demons and psychodramas.
This of course makes him eminently qualified to perform lobotomies. A failed rockstar/successful madman gets one last change to prove his worth-and regain his sanity-by turning the hotel that was once his childhood sanctuary into a lucrative business, despite a host of obstacles-including his own sister-who would love nothing more than to see him fail miserably.
Kid Lobotomy is co-created/written by Peter Milligan (Shade, the Changing Man, Brittania, Hellblazer) and illustrated by Tess Fowler (Rat Queens) with “A” covers by Fowler, a “B” cover by Rory Phillips, and a retailer incentive cover by comics superstar Frank Quitely (Jupiter’s Legacy, We3)Bullet points:
• Grab your cockroach! Black Crown debuts here!
• Special 23 pages of story in the first issue!
• Letter columns, creator interviews, process pages & more!
• Previews for upcoming Black Crown series!
5. Comics and Beyond
For as wild as “Kid Lobotomy” sounds, what interests me most with this initiative is this anthology magazine. It promises to go beyond a simple collection, gathering interviews, art projects, behind the scenes features, and more. As if it’s bordering the line between anthology and zine.
Black Crown Quarterly Fall 2017
Written by Peter Milligan, Rob Davis, David Barnett, Tini Howard, and Jamie Coe
Illustrated by Tess Fowler, Martin Simmonds, Philip Bond, and Jamie Coe
Published by Black Crown Publishing/IDW
Everything you always wanted once a season is packed within these 48 pages including a two-sided pullout poster and a wraparound cover! Delight in regular continuing features like legit publications with literary pedigrees! It all begins with the 10-page regular lead feature, Tales From the Black Crown Pub starring Stacey the barmaid by Award-winner Rob Davis (The Motherless Oven). Recurring short features include Canonball Comics: an exquisite corpse that will not stay dead kicked off by Jamie Coe (Artschooled) and Swell Maps by respectably divine music journalist/novelist Cathi Unsworth. Plus: Space CUDets rejoice: Live from a posh retirement village for wannabee 4-hit wonders we have co-writers/bandmates Will Potter and Carl Puttnam and occasional artist Philip Bond. PlusPlus: Special previews, creator interviews and behind the panel border secrets from Kid Lobotomy, Assassinistas, Punks Not Dead and much, much more!
Bullet points:
• Featuring a pull-out poster! One side is a street map, the other is Frank Quitely’s Kid Lobotomy #1 variant cover!
• Plus, a wraparound cover by Rob Davis!
4. Reaching the End
Here we have the final volume in Fantagraphics’s collection of Floyd Gottfredson strips. As far as I know, it’s the first of Fantagraphics’s Disney series to actually conclude. I bring this up each and every time, but these books feature some of the greatest cartooning you’ll ever see, with plenty of stuff that’s regularly ripped off. There’s humor and adventure and spectacle and you’re missing out if you haven’t been following along. The fact that the books themselves are handsome and extraordinarily well put together is simply an added benefit.
Continued belowWalt Disney’s Mickey Mouse: The Mysterious Dr. X
Written and Illustrated by Floyd Gottfredson
Published by FantagraphicsIn this final volume of narrative Mickey strips, Floyd Gottfredson and co-writer Bill Walsh infect Mouseton with the super-hi-tech of the Sputnik era. Restored from Disney’s original proof sheets, The Mysterious Dr. X also includes more than 30 pages of top-secret extras! You’ll enjoy behind-the-scenes art, Gottfredson’s rare Christmas comics, and commentary by Disney’s own scientific geniuses!
3. A Loose Trilogy
James Tynion IV and Eryk Donovan’s loose series of apocalyptic stories have been wonderfully odd. They’ve demonstrated a remarkable control of tone, character, and scope; I’m hoping all those elements are able to come together in a satisfying final rendition of the end of the world.
Eugenic #1
Written by James Tynion IV
Illustrated by Eryk Donovan
Published by Boom! Studios
From the GLAAD award-nominated team James Tynion IV (Dark Nights: Metal, Detective Comics) and Eryk Donovan (Constantine: The Hellblazer) comes a new vision of humanity’s future in the vein of Black Mirror.When a plague ravages the world, one scientist discovers the cure and becomes the savior of mankind. Hope is restored, and the world rebuilds. But then people who took the cure begin having children who are… unnatural, and the definition of “normal” is forever altered.
2. No One’s Telling This Kid How to Come of Age
Graphix continues their domination of the comics industry with another book aimed at young readers about self-identity and destiny. Sure, it’s a common theme running through children-and-adolescent literature, but we all learn through stories. Graphix’s priorities are all in the right place at the moment — probably because they’re under Scholastic and Good God, nothing in the direct market couldn’t imagine Scholastic’s reach — and this sounds delightful. You might pick it up for your nephews, nieces, kids, whatever, but we all know you’re going to secretly read it too.
Witch Boy
Written and Illustrated by Molly Knox Ostertag
Published by Graphix
In thirteen-year-old Aster’s family, all the girls are raised to be witches, while boys grow up to be shapeshifters. Anyone who dares cross those lines is exiled. Unfortunately for Aster, he still hasn’t shifted… and he’s still fascinated by witchery, no matter how forbidden it might be. When a mysterious danger threatens the other boys, Aster knows he can help – as a witch. It will take the encouragement of a new friend, the non-magical and non-conforming Charlie, to convince Aster to try practicing his skills. And it will require even more courage to save his family and be truly himself. Available in Softcover and Hardcover editions.
1. A Classic Refurbished
What’s there to say about “Akira?” That it’s had such an odd publication history in the States? That we won’t be able to see the fully colored version probably ever again? That the influence of the cyberpunk masterpiece is still felt in every corner of comicsdom today? That it’s wild and crazy and apparently Kodansha had hoped it would fail but people kept picking it up right until the end? Look, I don’t know, but this 35th box set (clocking in at $200, so start saving) seems to be a testament to the material. The biggest selling point is that it’s in the original right-to-left Japanese format (unlike our mirrored version). I don’t know if it’s like seeing a pan-and-scanned movie in the original aspect ratio for the first time or whatever, but I’m sure it’s close.
Akira 35th Anniversary Hardcover Box Set
Written and Illustrated by Katsuhiro Otomo
Published by Kodansha
In 1982, Kodansha published the first chapter of Akira, a dystopian saga set in Neo-Tokyo, a city recovering from thermonuclear attack where the streets have been ceded to motorcycle gangs and the rich and powerful run dangerous experiments on destructive, supernatural powers that they cannot control. An all-new, complete 35th anniversary hardcover box set of one of the most acclaimed and influential comics of all time, with the original Japanese art and right-to-left reading format for the first time! The science fiction epic that changed anime and manga forever is presented in six beautiful hardcover volumes, plus the hardcover Akira Club art book and an exclusive patch with the iconic pill design.
Well, that was fun! And let me know what books YOU’RE excited for in the comments section.
