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Soliciting Multiversity: The Best of the Rest for November 2017

By | September 1st, 2017
Posted in Columns | % Comments

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 August 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. Uncanny Matches

Cover by Koromo

Apparently this webcomic caused a furor, going so far as to have an anime made out of it. Yen Press acquired the rights to the print edition and it looks cute and charming. Like a more adorable version of Pepe le Pew.

Polar Bear in Love
Written and Illustrated by Koromo
Published by Yen Press

A polar bear falls in love with a seal, but the seal thinks the polar bear is trying to eat it!

9. The First

Cover by Gabriel Rodriguez

Gabriel Rodriguez’s career has sort of been hit-and-miss since “Locke & Key” ended. Despite that, I still find myself at least looking at his latest projects. This sounds a little bit like the First Slayer from Buffy, but here’s hoping Rodriguez can bring the punch when it comes to its visual elements.

Sword of Ages #1
Written and Illustrated by Gabriel Rodriguez
Published by IDW

A mythic origin story you never expected to see! This winter, the Sword will be drawn for the first time ever, courtesy of writer/artist/Locke & Key co-creator Gabriel Rodriguez in a five-issue miniseries adventure of epic proportions! A young woman will become the first wielder of the most famous sacred weapon of all time to champion for her world’s survival, inspiring a legion of heroes to join her struggle against a merciless alien force. The line between science fiction and magic might get fuzzy, but the line between heroes and villains will be drawn in blood.

8. Prep the Reel

Cover by Ricardo Cavolo

When I was browsing the list of upcoming books, I initially thought this was a comic adaptation of the encyclopedic guide of the same name. Turns out, it’s more an exploration between Richard Cavolo’s relationship with movies. I’m here because I think it will be fun to see Calvolo’s interpretations of iconic scenes and characters.

101 Movies to Watch Before You Die
Written and Illustrated by Ricardo Cavolo
Published by Nobrow Press

Taking the form of a diary, this vibrant graphic novel takes the reader from Goodfellas to The Goonies, Harry Potter to Apocalypse Now in a zany and hilarious exploration of the movies that have shaped Cavolo’s life and the lives of his generation.

7. The Gospel of Grant

Cover by Kevin Molen

All right, so this is definitely classic confrontational Morrison. It looks wild and weird and in all honesty, I would rather see him trying to go for broke on material like this rather than endlessly rehashing superhero narratives until the sun explodes.

Savage Sword of Jesus Christ
Written by Grant Morrison
Illustrated by Kevin Molen
Published by Heavy Metal Magazine

During the Second World War, the Nazis had attempted to rebrand Christianity, and rebrand Christ, specifically. Take him away from the gentle and peace-loving character of the Gospels, and to transform him into a Nordic and brutish and violent Messiah. THis epic tale bounces from WWII to the year 27 as Grant Morrisons controversial and brilliantly written tale breathes new life into the comic medium.

6. Look Over Here

Cover by Question No. 6

Although it’s labeled as a comic, this seems to be more a marvel of design. It might be an interesting reading experience, and there’s no doubt it grabs your attention with its bold colors. I’m not sure if this book is a collection of Question No. 6’s strips or the first in a series. Either way, I’m intrigued by how it’ll look on the page.

Cupcake & Astronaut
Written and Illustrated by Question No. 6
Published by Alternative Comics

She has one eye and three arms. She loves cupcakes and shotguns. She desperately wants to be an astronaut – but there’s a small problem with the available spacesuits. This is the first collection of short graphic stories by popular Doctor Who and Sherlock comic cover illustrator Question No. 6 of Tokyo.

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5. Shortly Found

Cover by Lisa Sterle

Scout Comics regularly finds some interesting titles and this one looks just as gripping. Plus, there’s no better time to dive into a Southern Gothic tale than in the middle of the autumn. So let’s get with the season and take a peek behind these enormous doors.

Long Lost #1
Written by Matthew Erman
Illustrated by Lisa Sterle
Published by Scout Comics

Stranger Things meets Ghost World in Long Lost, the haunting story of two estranged sisters who find themselves drawn back to their small southern hometown to unlock the disturbing mysteries that are hidden there, with all roads leading back to their enigmatic, secretive mother. Join Scout Comics as they proudly debut this compelling, harrowing journey through family relationships, childhood trauma, and southern gothic horror.

4. This Month in Classic Anime

Cover by Yukito Kishiro

Kodansha’s digging into their archives to revive these out-of-print titles. “Battle Angel Alita” has all the hallmarks of an ’80s cyberpunk manga, from the cyborg cast, the maxxed out design work, and the hyper violence. This is one of those books that probably helped inspire a whole generation of cartoonists and comic artists, so strap in and get ready to feel the cheeze.

Battle Angel Alita Deluxe Edition Volume 1
Written and Illustrated by Yukito Kishiro
Published by Kodansha

After more than a decade out of print, the original cyberpunk action classic returns in glorious 400-page hardcover deluxe editions, featuring an all-new translation, color pages, and new cover designs! In a dump in the lawless settlement of Scrapyard, far beneath the mysterious space city of Zalem, disgraced cyber-doctor Daisuke Ido makes a strange find: the detached head of a cyborg woman who has lost all her memories. He names her Alita and equips her with a powerful new body, the Berserker. While Alita remembers no details of her former life, a moment of desperation reawakens in her nerves the legendary school of martial arts known as Panzer Kunst. In a place where there is no justice but what people make for themselves, Alita decides to become a hunter-killer, tracking down and taking out those who prey on the weak. But can she hold onto her humanity as she begins to revel in her own bloodlust?

3. Holiday Miracles

Cover by Jenn St-Onge

Month after month, year after year “Giant Days” proves to be one of the most delightful, funny, and heartfelt series on the stands. Of course Boom! has realized this, so another holiday special should come as no surprise. The price tag is a little hefty, but the series has consistently proven itself to be well worth the price of admission.


Written by John Allison
Illustrated by Jenn St-Onge
Published by Boom! Studios

Join Esther, Susan and Daisy as the spend Christmas in a very “Love Actually” London in this tribute to the films of Richard Curtis.

2. Silly Little Ditties

Cover by Christopher

IDW brings over a French collection with “Love Song.” Structured in four interconnected short stories, the book is apparently trying to capture all the agony and ecstasy that comes from your favorite love songs. This sounds interesting enough on a technical level, but if it lands all its emotions, it could be one of those books that hits you right in the feels.

Love Song
Written and Illustrated by Christopher
Published by IDW

Like the best rock n’ roll bands, Love Song is four parts that harmonize the muddy and messy chords of life into a breathtaking resolution. United by a shared love of music, this collection of four “albums” is composed of a series of short stories, each running into the next like best cuts from your favorite records. And like a classic album, Love Song gets the joy and humor out of the way up front, letting the story wind its way into the dark and serious corners of adult life. Alternating between loud and quiet or hard and soft, this story will sink its hook into readers like a jingle or riff that just won’t be easily forgotten.

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1. En Guarde

Cover by Kevin Wada

Last summer, I devoured C. S. Pacat’s Captive Prince series. It was big and ridiculous and hella gay, loaded with battle strategies, attempted regicide, and confusing lust. I doubt “Fence,” Pacat’s new comic from Boom!, will go to the same places (especially because Boom!’s found its niche in sort of YA-targeted narratives), but if it exhibits any of the narrative tension as her other series, it will be something to behold, all right.

Fence #1
Written by C. S. Pacat
Illustrated by Johanna the Mad
Published by Boom!

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.


//TAGS | Soliciting Multiversity

Matthew Garcia

Matt hails from Colorado. He can be found on Twitter as @MattSG.

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