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 June 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. Whoo-Ooh
Disney’s reviving their late ’80s animation staple, DuckTales (whoo-ooh) later this year, and you better believe they’re making sure there’s plenty of tie-in merchandise to go around. From the sounds of it, IDW’s collecting some of the Italian comics focusing on these characters, which have been generally entertaining. And hopefully there’ll be plenty of daring-do bad and good luck tales, too. (Whoo-ooh.)
DuckTales #1
Written by Joe Caramagna
Illustrated by Lucas Usai & Gianfranco Florio
Published by IDW
Woo-oo! In “The Great Experiment of the Washing Machine,” Donald and the Nephews visit a top-secret lab, chock-full of crazy inventions to make life easier… but might make them SHORTER, instead! And then, learn “The Chilling Secret of the Lighthouse!”
9. While We’re on the Subject
Speaking of Donald Duck, Huey, Dewey, Louie, Uncle Scrooge, and all their perilous here’s another edition of the Carl Barks Donald Duck/Uncle Scrooge Library. Which has some of the best cartooning you will ever see. If you love comics and haven’t read these yet, then sorry, but you’ve closed yourself off to the medium.
Walt Disney’s Donald Duck: Secret of Hondorica
Written and Illustrated by Carl Barks
Published by Fantagraphics
Carl Barks delivers another superb collection of outrageous hijinks, preposterous situations, and all-around cartooning brilliance. Over 160 pages of story and art, each meticulously restored and newly colored, with insightful story notes by a panel of Barks experts.
8. Today at the End of the World
In this month’s post-apocalyptic battle against nihilism (maybe), here’s “The Beautiful Death.” I mean it sounds intriguing enough, but it was really the Brandon Graham cover that grabbed my attention.
The Beautiful Death #1
Written and Illustrated by Mathieu Bablet
Published by Titan
The apocalypse has been and gone. The age of humanity is at an end. Horrifying insectile aliens from the depths of infinite space are now masters of the Earth! What does resistance mean, when there’s nothing left to fight for? That’s what Wayne, Jeremiah, and Soham, the only survivors of the devastating invasion, struggle with — seeking a glimpse of a future that justifies their futile presence on a ruined world. As they pick through the remains of human civilisation, keeping out of reach of the bugs, none of them suspect that they are part of a much larger plan, one that involves another, unknown survivor. . ..
7. A Handful of Dust
Over the last couple years, Knopf has been releasing their exquisitely illustrated comic adaptation of The Golden Compass. And, doing what they probably ought to have done to begin with, they’re collecting it all in one massive volume. No idea if it will have the same cliffhanger ending the movie adaptation avoided, but it’s been pretty true to the source material thus far, so expect some bear fights, ice chases, and steampunk.
Continued belowThe Golden Compass: The Graphic Novel Complete Edition
Written by Philip Pullman & Annie Eaton and Stephanie Melchior-Durand
Illustrated by Clement Oubrerie
Published by Knopf
The graphic novel adaptation of one of the most celebrated books of all time is now complete! This edition contains the entire story.Published in 50 countries with over 22 million copies sold, The Golden Compass, The Subtle Knife, and The Amber Spyglass are renowned for their engrossing storytelling and epic scope. These modern classics are must-reads for every book lover.
Now, in this graphic novel adaptation of The Golden Compass, the world of His Dark Materials is brought to visual life. The stunning full-color art will offer both new and returning readers a chance to experience the story of Lyra, an ordinary girl with an extraordinary role to play in the fates of multiple worlds, in an entirely new way.
This volume collects the full journey of Lyra to the far North, her rescue of the kidnapped children at Bolvanger, her escape via hot-air balloon, and her fated role in Lord Asriel’s ambitions to build a bridge to another world.
This edition feature gorgeous full-color narrative art and will appeal to traditional comic and graphic novel readers in addition to returning His Dark Materials fans.
6. Beyond Earth
Now here’s a story clearly influenced by Pullman’s novel. And probably some Miyazaki too. I’m all about all ages adventures, and First Second really cornered the market on getting some fantastic cartoonists to contribute to their publishing line. Alex Alice’s book seems full of spectacle and adventure and delight.
Castle in the Stars: The Space Race of 1869
Written and Illustrated by Alex Alice
Published by First Second
What if man journeyed into space in 1869, not 1969? In search of the mysterious element known as aether, Claire Dulac flew her hot-air balloon toward the edge of our stratosphere – and never returned. One year after her disappearance, her son and husband are delivered a tantalizing clue: a letter from an unknown sender who claims to have Claire’s lost logbook. The letter summons them to a Bavarian castle, where an ambitious young king dreams of flying the skies in a ship powered by aether. But within the castle walls, danger lurks, for -there are those who would stop at nothing to conquer the stars!
5. Three Two One…
They might be broken down and all beat up, but Knockout and CanCan have changed the whole conversation around roller derby. Here’s an exciting, mostly slice-of-life series. I’ve never been a fan of how Boom! only goes for four-issue series, but I’m sure fans’ll find plenty of drama and excitement in this latest installment.
Slam: Next Jam #1
Written by Pamela Ribbon
Illustrated by Marina Julia
Published by Boom! Studios
Get ready for another lap around the track in this follow-up series to Pamela Ribon’s critically acclaimed SLAM!After breaking one of the biggest rules in derby (not to mention an actual collarbone), Knockout and CanCan have a lot of work to do to rehabilitate their bodies and improve their standings in the league.
4. Journalism Through Comics
Kerbaj witnessed the 2006 Lebanon attacks first hand, and this collage diary collects all his observations and thoughts during the time period. It’s bound to be powerful and it’s bound to be a stark reminder of how awful the world can be when authority goes unchecked.
Beirut Won’t Cry
Written and Illustrated by Mazen Kerbaj
Published by Fantagraphics
Throughout the summer of 2006, during the Israeli attack on Lebanon, Mazen Kerbaj published drawings, comics, and writing giving a first-hand account of someone creating during a time of intense everyday brutality. Drawn and written in English, French, and Arabic, Beirut Won’t Cry shows us how an artist views the world and everything in it – his relationships, his family, and his creative pursuits – as it violently crumbles around him. Both historically vital and hilarious,Beirut Won’t Cry introduces Kerbaj’s unique voice and urgent pen to an American audience for the very first time, teaching readers how to carry on and resist in times of war and oppression.
3. A Lost Hero
Fantagraphics may have made a name for themselves by courting some of the most interesting cartoonists Gary Groth could find, but I’ve always been most impressed by their archival work. Here’s an old, lost Hergé series, published concurrently with the much more famous boy reporter. Undoubtedly this will be a treat to behold and will make us wish that other, more famous series would receive better treatment.
Continued belowPeppy in the Wild West
Written and Illustrated by Hergé
Published by Fantagraphics
Created by Hergé when he was drawing the first few Tintin adventures, Peppy in the Wild West is a freewheeling all-ages adventure featuring some of the loopiest takes on tried and true tropes of the Old West that you’ve ever seen. After his hat business fails, the adventurous bear Peppy heads west to start a new life. What follows is a rollicking cascade of one darned thing after another! First serialized in black and white in 1934, this is the first publication of Peppy in the Wild West and the only English translation since 1969.
2. And Now
And now we have a new comics anthology through Fantagraphics. It’s their milieu of talent, so it’s bound to be fascinating. Hopefully it does better than “Island,” and doesn’t get swept away like “Dark Horse Presents.”
Now! #1
Written and Illustrated by Eleanor Davis, Noah van Sciver, Gabrielle Bell, Dash Shaw, Sammy Harkham, Malachi Ward, Conxita Herrerro, Tommi Parish, Tobias Schalken, and Antoine Cossé
Published by Fantagraphics
Fantagraphics is proud to launch a new, ongoing comics anthology of short stories by a mix of established and up-and-coming talent. This three times per year series features all-new, done-in-one stories for comics fans of all stripes. The first issue includes new work from acclaimed authors such as Eleanor Davis, Noah Van Sciver, Gabrielle Bell, Dash Shaw, Sammy Harkham, and Malachi Ward, as well as international authors such as J.C. Menu, Conxita Herrerro, Tommi Parrish, Tobias Schalken, and Antoine Cossé. Plus other surprises, and a gorgeous painted cover by Chicago artist Rebecca Morgan.
1. A New Adventure Begins
Look, we all love Star Wars, but we should never forget that it was a show meant first and foremost for kids. So it’s disheartening and annoying to see people clamor for it to grow darker or grittier or whatever. I feel they’re losing sight of what makes the series so special. I also feel like Marvel’s lately been doing very poorly by the “Star Wars” comics. For one thing, they keep putting Charles Soule on it. So now it’s IDW’s turn. These all ages stories take place all throughout the timeline of the galaxy. I’m hoping they catch the spirit and identity of the series, because after the Phil Lord and Chris Miller fiasco and after reading ‘The Screaming Citadel’ and the current “Darth Vader” series, I’m feeling like the property is being mishandled.
Star Wars Adventures #1
Written by Cavan Scott
Illustrated by Derek Charm
Published by IDW
Introducing an exciting new era in all-ages Star Wars comics! Each issue in this monthly series will feature two stories, starring your favorite Star Wars characters from all the films! This debut issue will reveal Rey’s early adventures on Jakku as well as a comical tale of clone catastrophe!
Well, that was fun! And let me know what books YOU’RE excited for in the comments section.
