Hello and welcome to Multiversity’s look at the “Best of the Rest,” where we try to summarize what’s coming your way from pretty much every other comic publisher besides Marvel, Dark Horse, DC, and Image for February 2019.
Get your pull lists ready to welcome in the new year because it’s time to see all the other stuff going on in comics.
10. Back to Life
The ’80s were an odd time. With so many smaller and independent comic publishers popping up, there was a wide array of weird and esoteric stories. It’s Alive has been trying to keep some of these comics available and one of their latest editions is “Aztec Ace.” Drew Ford has assembled an array of cartoonists to help celebrate this, so that’s neat, too.
Aztec Ace The Complete Collection
Written by Dough Moench
Illustrated by Tim Sale, Kelley Jones, Michael William Kaulta, Jeff Lemire, Joe Staton, Matt Kindt, Michael Avon Oeming, Paul Gulacy, Paul Pope, Ron Harris, Tom Yeates, Michael Hernandez, Jock, CrissCross, Bill Sienkiewicz
Published by It’s AliveOriginally published by Eclipse Comics in 1984, the fifteen issue run of Aztec Ace created by comic book legend Doug Moench is collected here for the first time! Aztec Ace is an action-packed, intellectual, time-travel comic book adventure, which stars Caza (AKA Ace) traveling between the Aztec Empire and his home in the 23rd century. Ace, along with his pupil Bridget Chronopolis, and his navigator Head (the floating disembodied head of Sigmund Freud), struggles to save his own dimension from time paradoxes created by his enemy, the mysterious Nine-Crocodile. Includes new foreword by original series editor Cat Yronwode, new introduction by series creator Doug Moench, new afterword by journalist David Allen, and an essay by original logo designer and series colorist Denis McFarling.
9. The Descent
Brian Middleton throws together all sorts of elements into the pot in this riff on the Orpheus myth. The solicit promises it as a mix of “Hellboy” and Adventure Time, so that might lead to something.
Wulfborne #1
Written and Illustrated by Brian Middleton
Published by Scout Comics“Come to me and I will heal your broken heart.” These words, spoken by a sweet-voiced angel, lead Wulfborne into a dark and creature-filled underworld. As he battles his way through minotaurs, fish creatures and other strange monsters we learn that Wulfborne has lost the love of his life, Luna. He is now torn between dealing with the angel who has whispered that she will heal his broken heart and a promise that he made to Luna. Wulfborne the Adventurer travels the Underworld in an attempt to heal his broken heart! Monstrous adversaries block his way! Strange Travelers warn him back! But the bitter swordsman is determined to see this through…no matter the cost! Will he find what he seeks at the bottom of the Underworld or does something far deadlier lie in wait? The combination of Hellboy and Adventure Time you didn’t know you needed.
8. String that Melody
The strips in this collection comprise of short comics by less-than-famous musicians. From the sounds of it, Gary Dumm adapts and illustrates their stories, ranging from people like Taj Mahal to Essie May Brooks. The solicits also promise appearances from cartooning legends like Harvey Pekar.
Tales of the Music Makers
Written and Illustrated by Gary Dumm
Published by Z2 ComicsProduced in conjunction with The Music Maker Relief Foundation, Tales of the Music Makers contains autobiographical comics about some of the best musicians you may have never heard of. Also featuring a soundtrack with songs by them. Artists include Taj Mahal, Robert Finley, Essie May Brooks, and many more. Some of the strips were written by the late Harvey Pekar of American Splendor fame. All proceeds from the book will go to the creators and The Music Maker Relief Foundation whose mission is to take care of old musicians in need.
7. Emotions Manifested
Oni, I think, is often one of the unsung innovators in the industry. They tend to attract a diverse array of talent, up and coming cartoonists with a new eye and perspective on classic narratives. Nguyen has a calm style that ensnares the reader.
Pilu of the Woods
Written and Illustrated by Mai K. Nguyen
Published by Oni PressWillow loves the woods near her house. They’re calm and quiet, so different from her own turbulent emotions, which she keeps locked away. When her emotions get the better of her one day, she decides to run away into the woods. There, she meets Pilu, a lost tree spirit who can’t find her way back home-which turns out to be the magnolia grove Willow’s mom used to take her to. Willow offers to help Pilu, and the two quickly become friends. But the journey is long, and Pilu isn’t sure she’s ready to return home yet-which infuriates Willow, who’s determined to make up for her own mistakes by getting Pilu back safely. Asa storm rages and Willow’s emotions bubble to the surface, they suddenly take on a physical form, putting both girls in danger…and forcing Willow to confront her inner feelings once and for all.
6. A Love Supreme
This graphic novel certainly sounds ambitious. Taking place in New York in the ’50s, Phillips and Berry are attempting to spin a tapestry of the era’s culture, climate, and community. I’d rather see a team shoot high rather than wallow in more comfortable territory.
The Be-Bop Barbarians
Written by Gary Phillips
Illustrated by Dale W. Berry
Published by PegasusIn the turbulent era of late 1950s Manhattan with jazz, the burgeoning Civil Rights Movement, and the Red Scare as the volatile ingredients, three groundbreaking black cartoonists defy convention and pay the price. Cliff Murphy is matinee handsome, a light-skinned, straight-haired black man and a comics artist known for his glamour girl art. Stephaney “Stef” Rawls has her own romance-adventure strip for the largest black newspaper, but she still has to work brutal hours as a maid to make ends meet. Then there’s Oliver “Ollie” Jefferson, a decorated Korean War vet who writes and draws editorial cartoons under the pseudonym Attucks, for the daily Red newspaper The Struggle. These three friends will be tested and tried, will work in solidarity, and, just maybe, betray each other, in this explosive graphic novel.
5. Bet You Thought You Saw the Last of Her
Unlike some of the bigger corporate superhero houses, it makes more sense to me when Dynamite relaunches a series with a new number one. Generally it involves a new creative team taking a crack at the character. Not being so tied to continuity also helps. Mark Russell takes over scripting duties on this new book, so it should be as violent, exciting, and funny as that Conner cover.
Red Sonja #1
Written by Mark Russell
Illustrated by Mirko Colak
Published by DynamiteNo man knows the place of her birth, nor where she learned to wield a sword to shame many a male. They know only that she is called The She-Devil of The Hyrkanian Steppes. That, and RED SONJA. MARK RUSSELL (The Flintstones) and MIRKO COLAK (Conan) bring a savage tale of metal and blood. A world conqueror possesses a massive army and a fatal prophecy. A bastard sorceress craves revenge. And a fearsome red-haired warrior is made wartime ruler of a homeland set for decimation.
4. Through Open Doorways
I bet you, I bet you, this is the first installment of a new YA fantasy series from BOOM! That being said, Blas has proved himself a solid storyteller in his other endeavors and Aguirre seems to have that cartoon energy BOOM! so often attracts. It looks like it could be a lot of fun.
Continued belowHotel Dare
Written by Terry Blas
Illustrated by Claudia Aguirre
Published by BOOM! StudiosOPEN THE DOOR. ADVENTURE AWAITS.
Olive and her adopted siblings, Charlotte and Darwin, are spending the summer with their estranged grandma at her creepy hotel, and it ‘s all work and no play. They’re stuck inside doing boring chores until they stumble upon an incredible secret… behind each door of the hotel lies a portal to a strange and mysterious place.
The simple turn of a knob transports them to a distant magical world filled with space pirates. Behind the next door are bearded wizards. Down the hall is a doorway to a cotton-candied kingdom. But once the doors are open, worlds start colliding, and only one family can save them before the hotel tears itself apart.
Written by Terry Blas ( The Amazing World of Gumball) and illustrated by the talented Claudia Aguirre ( Kim & Kim ), this world-hopping fantasy tale breaks down the door to imagination and dares you to embrace the idea that family is everything.
3.
Daria Tessler tests her visual storytelling skills in this almost silent heist story. There’s an Art Nouveau look to the material, though instead of towers, there are tentacles. Also, the book designers seem to have put a lot of effort into the physical book itself. They even reference it in the solicit. Which means it’s probably something to behold.
Cult of the Ibis
Written and Illustrated by Daria Tessler
Published by Fantagraphics BooksThis exquisite and mostly-silent graphic novel takes place in a fantasy cityscape loosely inspired by German expressionist films. Cult of the Ibis tells the story of an occultist getaway-driver who, after escaping with the loot from a bank robbery gone wrong, orders a build-you-own-homunculus kit and goes on the lam. Steeped in architecture and atmosphere, Tessler’s gorgeous cartooning fuels this strangely gripping yarn, which is packaged in a gorgeous hardcover design.
2. MACH A GO GO
You remember the anime. You remember the movie. Now, don’t forget to check out the comic, which has all the high kinetic energy, the daring thrills, the fast banter of the other two renditions. It’s not just classic manga, it’s classic Speed.
Speed Racer Mach Go Go Go Box Set
Written and Illustrated by Tatsuo Yoshida
Published by DMPDMP celebrates Speed Racer’s 40th anniversary with a two-volume hardcover collector’s set! The Speed Racer: Mach Go Go Go Box Set is the complete, unabridged version and contains episodes available in the United States for the first time. Join Speed Racer, Racer X, Trixie, Spritle and Chim-Chim in this fast-paced thriller of action and intrigue!
1. If You Were Lost in a River, Your Memories Would Not Be Lost with You
It’s P. Craig Russell doing what he does best. If he’s been relatively silent for a little while, it’s because he’s been working on this.
The Giver
Written by P. Craig Russell and Lois Lowry
Illustrated by P. Craig Russell
Published by Houghton MifflinThe Giver is a modern classic and one of the most influential books of our time. Now in graphic novel format, Lois Lowry’s Newbery Medal-winning classic story of a young boy discovering the dark secrets behind his seemingly ideal world is accompanied by renowned artist P. Craig Russell’s beautifully haunting illustrations. In this new graphic novel edition, readers experience the haunting story of twelve-year-old Jonas and his seemingly ideal, if colorless, world of conformity and contentment. Witness Jonas’ assignment as the Receiver of Memory, watch as he begins to understand the dark secrets behind his fragile community, and follow the explosion of color into his world like never before.
Well, that was fun! And let me know what books you’re excited for in the comments section.
