These are turbulent times, there’s no denying. Maybe there’s a chance the world will return to normal, or at least something resembling normal, by October. But by that time, we’ll be in the middle of an election campaign in the United States that’s most definitely not going to be a smooth ride. Nonetheless, comics remain set to come out and Diamond thinks they’ll be around long enough to flood comic shops. We’ve already seen what’s coming from some of the biggest direct market publishers, so let’s take a look at what literally everyone else has in store.
10. The Way of the Cyborg
Peter Milligan and Aco team up for this gritty crime thriller. Milligan, like many of the British Invasion, has always taken old concepts and injected them with a new life. Looks like he’s doing the same here. It should be interesting, at the very least.
American Ronin #1
Written by Peter Milligan
Illustrated by Aco
Published by Artists, Writers, & ArtisansWar is over, democracy an illusion, real power now lies not with nation states but huge corporations engaged in a silent war for global domination. Their number one weapon: highly-skilled, technologically-enhanced operatives trained since childhood to pledge their allegiance to the corporate flag. But what happens when one such operative breaks free of his mental chains and decides to bring the whole system down? Can one “Ronin” make a difference?
9. Labeled and Repelled
In this graphic novel, representatives from several public offices are labeled as terrorists. They team up to go on the run in a cross-country adventure filled with eye-opening revelations about the state of the country. Will this be too depressing to keep around? Will it offer a schmaltzy and meek answer to the numerous troubles in the United States? Is it angry enough and informed enough to sustain itself? We’ll have to wait to find out.
American Terrorist
Written by Tyler Chin Tanner and Wendy Chin-Tanner
Illustrated by Michael W. Wiggam
Published by A Wave Blue World, Inc.Investigative journalist Owen Graham, his best friend and civil rights lawyer Michael Clark, public school teacher Hannah Bloom, and environmental researcher Shannon Lim are fighting to make positive contribution to the world when they are labeled as terrorists by the government. While our four protagonists go on the run across the country, they experiment with radical solutions to our biggest national injustices – healthcare, the environment, civil rights violations, refugees, education, the economy – inspiring a movement through social media that the media vilifies. American Terrorist asks how ordinary citizens can battle for a democracy that feels further and further out of reach.
8. For the Hero of Hyrule
I’ve included this here primarily because of my love for the Legend of Zelda video game series. Akira Himekawa has been churning out these manga adaptations of the video games for decades and, sure, they’re adaptations, but they’ve proven to be a lot of fun with a lot of energetic and lively artwork. Sometimes, another way of looking at a story is enough to make that story feel fresh and exciting all over again. It should be noted though that Himekawa has not caught up with the series yet. Last I heard, they were still on “Twilight Princess.”
Incidentally, the set comes as a treasure chest.
The Legend of Zelda Legendary Box Set
Written and Illustrated by Akira Himekawa
Published by Viz MediaA deluxe box set of exclusive hardcover editions. Contains all five best-selling volumes of the The Legend of Zelda: Legendary Edition series.
The battle for Hyrule and the Sacred Realm has begun! A young boy named Link must defeat evil on his long, perilous quest to find the spiritual stones that hold the key to the Triforce, and deliver them to Zelda, princess of the land of Hyrule.
7. Killjoys, Make Some Noise!
Look alive, sunshine. There’s a new “True Life of the Fabulous Killjoys” book on its way. Leonardo Romero takes on art duties and reality shatters into a million pieces. Lace up your combat boots, resew those patches because it’s time to do it now and do it loud.
Continued belowThe True Lives of the Fabulous Killjoys: National Anthem #1
Written by Gerard Way & Shaun Simon
Illustrated by Leonardo Romero
Published by Dark HorseAfter the Analog Wars, the Killjoys lost their way-and their memories. A rat chews through Mike Milligram’s TV cord, and reality unravels. But when his Ramones records disappear, Mike remembers what the fabulous Killjoys and some toy rayguns can do.
Gerard Way and Shaun Simon take it all back to their original concept, rebooting the Killjoys in present-day America, where it’s impossible to tell what’s real and what Mom and Dad just tell you to keep you calm.
6. Fantastic Tales and Where to Find Them
Conceptually, this graphic novel from Alejandra Green and Franny Rodriguez treads familiar fantasy ground. It takes place in a world where people have to co-exist with some mystical creature, only to have our young lead sent on a quest to try to bring understanding between the clans. Nevertheless, Gree and Rodriguez bring a different perspective, a different background to the characters. The art is charming, animated, surely something destined to pop off the page.
Fantastic Tales of Nothing
Written by Fanny Rodriguez
Illustrated by Alejandra Green & Fanny Rodriguez
Published by Katherine Tegen BooksWelcome to Nothing! Despite its name, this is a fantastic land where humans and magical volken coexist peacefully – at least they try to coexist… This is the tale of Nathan, an ordinary human (or so he thinks) living an ordinary life (or so he wishes). Everything changes when he wakes up in the middle of nowhere and meets Haven, a mysterious creature who is neither human nor volken. Oh, and the two of them are being chased by volken mercenaries: a grumpy wolf named Bardou and a delightful crow named Sina. Nathan soon learns he has mysterious powers inside him, even though humans aren’t supposed to have magic. But there’s no time to dwell on that because this discovery sets the group on a perilous quest with the fate of Nothing resting on Nathan’s shoulders! Available in softcover and hardcover editions.
5. Legends for the Fall
This month’s story of a young person growing up and coming to terms with his identity comes from Trung Le Nguyen. It tells the story of Tién, who has a lot going on in his life, and he’s using the traditional fairy tales and folk stories he has to help him define it. He uses these stories to forge connections with the generations that came before and define himself in the stories already told.
The Magic Fish
Written and Illustrated by Trung Le Nguyen
Published by Random HouseReal life isn’t a fairytale. But Tién still enjoys reading his favorite stories with his parents from the books he borrows from the local library. It’s hard enough trying to communicate with your parents as a kid, but for Tién, he doesn’t even have the right words because his parents are struggling with their English. Is there a Vietnamese word for what he’s going through? Is there a way to tell them he’s gay? A beautifully illustrated story by Trung Le Nguyen that follows a boy as he tries to navigate life through fairytales, an instant classic that shows us how we are all connected.
4. Me and My Sister, You and Your Sister, It’s a Line that’s Always Running
Scholastic knows their demographic probably better than any other publisher currently in existence. Comics. Prose. Art. DOesn’t matter. This feels like it’s flowing down the same currant as Raina Telgemeier’s oeuvre but Varian Johnson and Shannon Wright bring a new representation and view to the table. This is certain to have an impact, and it’s something to pick up for the younger readers in your life, because it might help them define what matters in this life.
Continued belowTwins
Written by Varian Johnson
Illustrated by Shannon Wright
Published by GraphixMaureen and Francine Carter are twins and best friends. They participate in the same clubs, enjoy the same foods, and are partners on all their school projects. But just before the girls start sixth grade, Francine becomes Fran, a girl who wants to join the chorus, run for class president, and dress in fashionable outfits that set her apart from Maureen. A girl who seems happy to share only two classes with her sister! Maureen and Francine are growing apart and there’s nothing Maureen can do to stop it. Are sisters really forever?
3. Somewhere, Beyond the Stars
It feels like every month, Jeff Lemire has another title to expand his Black Hammer universe. Tyler Crook comes along for this interstellar journey featuring Colonel Weird. It’s expansive. It’s ridiculous. It’s everything you could want from an out-of-this-galaxy superhero comic.
Colonel Weird: Cosmagog #1
Written by Jeff Lemire
Illustrated by Tyler Crook
Published by Dark Horse ComicsFrom the world of the Eisner Award-winning Black Hammer series comes a bizarre sci-fi adventure origin story!
Wacky space adventurer Colonel Randall Weird leaves Black Hammer farm and embarks on a strange journey through space and time for something that he’s long forgotten with his sanity and life at stake!
2. Prepare for Ragnarök
Although Gaiman’s name sits at the top of this book, this series is really P. Craig Russell’s show. Even if he isn’t necessarily contributing more than layouts, his sensibility, his aesthetics are all over the material. Time and time again, they show the beauty and gravitas the medium is capable of achieving. After you pull yourself out of this wild world, you always wonder why more books don’t share this ambition or poise more often.
Neil Gaiman’s Norse Mythology #1
Written by Neil Gaiman and P. Craig Russell
Illustrated by P. Craig Russell, Mike Mignola, and Jerry Ordway
Published by Dark Horse Comics#1 New York Times bestselling author Neil Gaiman and Eisner Award-winning comics legend P. Craig Russell breathe new life into the ancient Norse stories by taking readers through the creation of the Nine Worlds to the epic origin and adventures of Thor, Odin, and Loki all the way to the end of life-Ragnarök.
Having previously written about deities in American Gods and The Sandman, Gaiman teams with Russell to finally bring readers to follow the northern gods in their own setting in this comic book adaptation of the hit novel!
1. Go Berserk
Keanu Reeves wrote a comic book. More than that, he wrote a comic book with Matt Kindt and Alessandro Vitti. Regardless whether or not it’s good or bad, this thing is surely going to be an event.
BRZRKR #1
Written by Keanu Reeves & Matt Kindt
Illustrated by Alessandro Vitti
Published by BOOM! Studios* Discover the next blockbuster action franchise from the iconic KEANU REEVES in his Must Read comic book writing debut alongside New York Times best-selling co-writer Matt Kindt (Folklords, Bang!) and acclaimed artist Alessandro Vitti (Marvel’s Secret Warriors) in a brutally violent new series about one immortal warrior’s fight through the ages.
* The man known only as Berzerker is half-mortal and half-God, cursed and compelled to violence…even at the sacrifice of his sanity.
* But after wandering the world for centuries, Berzerker may have finally found a refuge – working for the U.S. government to fight the battles too violent and too dangerous for anyone else.
* In exchange, Berzerker will be granted the one thing he desires – the truth about his endless blood-soaked existence… and how to end it.
Well, that was fun. Let us know what you’re excited for in the comments below!
