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.
It’s now time to check out the other 75% of the catalogue. Get your pull lists ready.
10. Be Not Afeared, the Isle is Full of Noises
Alan Moore has never been one for subtlety. For the finale of his long running “League of Extraordinary Gentlemen” series (which honestly is the best and worst of Moore all rolled up in one odd series), he evokes Shakespeare’s final play. Or Gaiman’s final issue of “Sandman.” Or both. We’ll see. Moore and O’Neill have had such a storied comics career, so if this really is the last thing they’re doing, here’s hoping it all goes down in style.
League of Extraordinary Gentlemen: The Tempest #1
Written by Alan Moore
Illustrated by Kevin O’Neill
Published by Top Shelf (IDW)After an epic twenty-year journey through the entirety of human culture, Alan Moore and Kevin O’Neill conclude both their legendary League of Extraordinary Gentlemen and their equally legendary comic-book careers with the series’ spectacular fourth and final volume, “The Tempest.” This six-issue miniseries is a celebration of everything comics were, are and could be. Opening simultaneously in the panic-stricken headquarters of British Military Intelligence, the fabled Ayesha’s lost African city of Kor and the domed citadel of ‘We’ on the devastated Earth of the year 2996, the dense and yet furiously-paced narrative hurtles like an express locomotive across the fictional globe. This is literally, and literarily, the story to end all stories. Here’s how it begins. This is literally, and literarily, the story to end all stories. Here’s how it begins.
9. With Her Brains and Their Looks, They can Really Go Places
The latest rendition of the most famous girl detective is under the guidance of Kelly Thompson and Jenn St. Onge, which suggests someone at Dynamite might finally be paying attention to where comics are going. The challenge here, of course, is in trying to make something cool without totally alienating what makes the character and her world so special in the first place. Considering Thompson’s continual growth as a writer and St. Onge’s chic style, I think this one might fill in the gap “Goldie Vance” left.
Nancy Drew #1
Written by Kelly Thompson
Illustrated by Jenn St. Onge
Published by Dynamite EntertainmentNancy Drew is seventeen and good at everything…ESPECIALLY solving crimes. But her totally-in-control-and-obviously-running-perfectly-smooth-(but-not-really) life hits a snag when a mysterious message drags her back to the hometown she left behind. There she’ll have to find out which of her friends are still her friends, which are enemies, and who exactly is trying to kill her…and (hopefully) stop them before they succeed. KELLY THOMPSON (Hawkeye, Star Wars, Rogue & Gambit) and JENN ST-ONGE (Giant Days, The Misfits) team up to present an all-new modern spin on a classic mystery icon!
8. When There is No Room Left in Hell, the Dead Walk the Earth
I think the ongoing anthology is the most neglected but most necessary thing in American comics. Not every story deserves its own series, not every cartoonist, artist, or writer can get a major publisher to back their projects. With these, you get far more value for your time and money, especially with Alterna Comics and their devotion to affordable material. This book, for instance, is listed at $1.99. The focus here is mostly on horror, science fiction, and fantasy stories, which, you know, makes up a huge majority of the Direct Market. There’s bound to be something in this you’ll like.
Continued belowIt Came Out on a Wednesday
Written by Peter Simeti, Troy Vevasis, Ben Slabak, & Jeremy Massie
Illustrated by Michael Oppenheimer, Aleksandar Jovic, Salo Farias, & Jeremy Massie
Published by Alterna ComicsFocusing on horror, sci-fi, and fantasy – this bi-monthly ongoing double-sized anthology features the best and brightest upcoming creators. Each issue features stunning cover art, interviews, ongoing stories, a comic contest, and previews of upcoming Alterna titles. And the best part? It comes out on a Wednesday, of course.
7. There Isn’t Much Justice in the World, Perhaps that’s Why It is So Satisfying to Occasionally Make Some
You know, it seems the superhero comics industry has always been about trying to shoot themselves in the foot, has always been trying to find the easiest and most inefficient way toward self-destruction. It’s easy to point at Marvel and the Direct Market for their continuous attempts to blow it all up, but, like most everything, DC tried it first. This book is a piece of comics history, of a disastrous publishing attempt told by the people who implemented it.
Comic Book Implosion
Written and Illustrated by Keith Dallas and John Wells
Published by TwoMorrows PublishingIn 1978, DC Comics implemented a bold initiative to combat plummeting sales: Give readers more story pages with a higher cover price, to better compete on newsstands. This “DC Explosion” brought with it many creative new titles, but just weeks after its launch, they pulled the plug, cancelling numerous titles and leaving stacks of completed comic book stories unpublished. It quickly became known as “The DC Implosion”, and TwoMorrows Publishing marks the 40th Anniversary of one of the most notorious events in comics with an exhaustive oral history from the creators involved (Jenette Kahn, Paul Levitz, Len Wein, Mike Gold, and others), plus detailed analysis of how it changed the landscape of comics forever!
6. Kind of Fun, in a Necrophile Sort of Way
The important thing about these kind of cartoons, where someone confronts their personal failures and shortcomings, is that it helps the rest of us find solace or inspiration in coping/overcoming/dealing with our own issues. Relatability and empathy are connecting devices, and if they can be delivered with as much humor and passion as Bellwood provides, maybe everything can get a little bit better.
100 Demon Dialogues
Written and Illustrated by Lucy Bellwood
Published by Toonhound StudiosNavigating the rocky shores of self doubt with charm and honesty, 100 Demon Dialogues is a collection of comics for anyone who wants to talk back to the little voice in their head that says “You’re no good.” Cartoonist Lucy Bellwood is beset by a tiny, petulant demon who embodies workaholism, imposter syndrome, and fear of missing out. Fed up with its constant nagging, she sets out to defang and humanize her inner critic in a series of conversational comics. From overcoming self-doubt to prioritizing self-care, Bellwood and her demon embody a hilarious and relatable partnership that will resonate with people from all walks of life. 100 Demon Dialogues reminds us that we are not alone in our fear, and that our best self always comes hand-in-hand with a little demon of our own.
5. A Black Book of Missed Opportunities
Professor Slughorn enlists British cartoonist, Dix, to explore the story of Dulle Griet. There’s a lot going on here, but with Broadbent’s general humor and Dix’s very . . . British art style, this should offer up a singular experience.
Dull Margaret
Written and Illustrated by Jim Broadbent and Dix
Published by FantagraphicsAcademy Award winning actor Jim Broadbent (Harry Potter, Game of Thrones) and acclaimed Guardian cartoonist Dix (Roll Up! Roll Up!) team up to tell the story of one of the most singular characters ever depicted in graphic fiction: the inimitable Dull Margaret. Loosely inspired by Dulle Griet, a 16th-century painting by Pieter Bruegel the Elder, Dull Margaret also draws inspiration from Goya’s witches and Daumier’s depictions of roving players to paint its own rich portrait of a damaged soul navigating an unsparing world. Anchored by a sharp, black humor, Dull Margaret is a wildly original graphic novel for the ages.
4. It’s Like Being Tied to a Big, Mad Train
John Allison has a new book coming out? Just add it to your pull.
Continued belowBy Night #1
Written by John Allison
Illustrated by Christine Larsen
Published by Boom! StudiosEisner-Award winning author John Allison (Giant Days) and artist Christine Larsen (Adventure Time) join forces for a story about coming home, discovering identity, and accidentally smashing a hole to another dimension.
Aspiring documentarian (and actual Chemistry major) Jane has recently reunited with her former best friend Heather, amateur urban explorer. When a trip into an abandoned industrial building leads them to another world, their plan begins to unfold.create a documentary about the world and become filthy, filthy rich. The other side of the portal is filled with monsters, magic and a chance for a whole new life. All they have to do is step through…
3. Such a Crick in the Neck
Franco-Belgian cartoonist, David B. (“Epileptic,” “Incidents in the Night”) goes big for his adaptation of “A Thousand and One Nights.” Dude has some seriously eye-catching cartooning, which should fit perfectly with this weird, wild legend. I’m not sure if this is part of a series or a standalone story.
Hâsib and the Queen of the Serpents: A Tale of a Thousand and One Nights
Written and Illustrated by David B.
Published by NBMHeir to the wise Daniel, Hâsib is a young woodcutter promised to a great future. When his greedy companions abandon him in the middle of the forest, he meets the Queen of the serpents. She then tells her story, a fabulous adventure filled with gods and demons, princes and prophets. We find Prince Janshah madly in love with Shamsa, the bird woman of King Solomon. Love and perjury, epic battles and giant spiders ensue. From Kabul to Cairo, journeys intertwine with intrigues and spiritual quests while the fabulous nights follow one another. An enchanting and intricately designed interpretation of the story of Hâsib Karîm ad-Dîm, through which fragment of the giant tale David B. opens us the gates of the Thousand and One Nights. For mature readers.
2. A Vagrant Fliolation
Rockers and con artists? Magdalene Visaggio and Eva Cabrera return to their insane pair as they attempt to out con a master con artist. With echoes of Matchstick Men, Buckaroo Bonzai, and Ocean’s Eleven, here’s to hoping this is as much a delight as the original series.
Oh S#!t, It’s Kim & Kim
Written by Magdalene Visaggio
Illustrated by Eva Cabrera
Published by Black Mask ComicsThe Fighting Kims are back! Kim & Kim trade their denim vests and spiked chokers for tuxes and gowns as they infiltrate the glitzy space colony of Santa Palma to try and con a master thief. But, as usual, everything goes to hell… and it’s definitely Kim Q’s fault. Come on, Kim. Get your life together. A brand new ongoing series from writer Magdalene Visaggio, artist Eva Cabrera, colorist Claudia Aguirre, letterer Zakk Saam, and editor Katy Rex, the original creative team behind the GLAAD & Eisner nominated Kim & Kim!
1. This is Kaijumax, Gentlmen. The Gods Will Not Save You
I say it every time this comes up, but “Kaijumax” is one of the best comics being published right now and if you haven’t yet you really need to get on this ride.
Kaijumax: Season 4 #1
Written and Illustrated by Zander Cannon
Published by Oni PressSCALY IS THE NEW BLACK! After murdering her abusive inmate boyfriend and unable to scale back down to human size, former prison physician Dr. Zhang joins a collection of uranium addicts, violent offenders, con artists, and metaphors for human encroachment in the heretofore unseen female wing of Kaijumax. As new and returning kaiju assimilate into their respective species, Zhang struggles to find her place and secure her own safety. Also: Giant Mechs! Tiny Fairies! And… Feng Shui?
Well, that was fun! And let me know what books YOU’RE excited for in the comments section.
