Hello and welcome to Multiversity’s look at the “Best of the Rest” of what’s coming your way in the now-available September 2016 Previews catalog. 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. Before we jump into the things you should keep an eye out for, a quick reminder:
As one-half of the Robots From Tomorrow podcast, I go through the whole Previews catalog each and every month with co-host Mike Romeo, talking about things that catch our eye and quicken our pulse. If you listen to those episodes, you should still read this column because there will not be a 100% overlap, and if you don’t listen to those episodes, they are a great way to hear Mike & I go into further detail about some of the things I’ve spotlighted here.
That said, let’s dive in!
10. *HILL*BILLY, NOT HELLBILLY!
Im not entirely sure why, but I keep wanting to call this book “HELLbilly” and not “Hillbilly”. And not because of some distinct Mignola connection, but rather because from the man who gave us Satan’s Sodomy Baby, a title like “Hillbilly” seems a little plain. But the book itself is full-on Eric Powell, so it’s anything BUT plain. Humor, pathos, and gorgeous art you came to expect from “The Goon” are on display here in “Hillbilly”! (I guess Im getting used to it…)
HILLBILLY #6
Written and Illustrated by Eric Powell
Published by Albatross FunnybooksHillbilly and Lucille, the giant saber-toothed bear, look up some old friend to join them on a quest.
9. LINKS IN PRINT!
I know this isn’t the first time the Legend of Zelda protagonist has appeared in print, but Viz is giving this latest manga adaptation translation a deluxe omnibus collection. And from the preview pages I’ve seen, it looks like this book will appeal to Zelda and manga fans alike.
THE LEGEND OF ZELDA: OCARINA OF TIME – LEGENDARY EDITION VOLUME 1
Written and Illustrated by Akira Himekawa
Published by VizYoung Link embarks on a perilous quest to find three spiritual stones that hold the key to the Triforce, the wielder of which will rule the world! Link’s plan is to deliver the stones to the Princess of the mystical land of Hyrule, Zelda. But obstacles abound and his long journey has only just begun!
For all ages.
8. COPRA IS BACK FOR ANOTHER ROUND
DC’s continuing lack of telling compelling “Suicide Squad” stories worthy of the concept got you down? Then, as we keep telling you, “COPRA” is the answer to your prayers. Plus, these Round TPBs are a very well-designed and well-put-together package from Bergen Street Press. Softcovers with French flaps and nice not-quite-newsprinty paper stock; quality stuff.
COPRA: ROUND 4 TPB
Written and Illustrated by Michel Fiffe
Published by Bergen Street ComicsCOPRA Round Four marks the return of the world’s favorite revenge team. The psychedelic suspense builds at a fantastic speed while featuring enough bone crunching brutality to satisfy the most ardent hyper-violent enthusiasts out there. Check off Copra’s international kill list at the peak of their mondo bizarro bloodlust.
7. THESE ARE THE DROIDS YOU’RE LOOKING FOR!
If you want to know how to write thrilling (or Thrill-Powering) comics, that is. It seems Tharg the Mighty has put together a collection of scripts from some of his most famous script droids, along with the final printed pages, to give fans and aspiring script ‘bots the chance to see what it takes to go from blank page to zarjaz comic. With this line-up of writing talent, I can’t see how anybody interested in comics writing can afford to NOT get this book!
Continued below2000 AD SCRIPT BOOK SC
Written by Rob Williams, Peter Milligan, Al Ewing, and more
Illustrated by Various
Published by 2000AD/RebellionFrom the minds of Mega-Masters. Scripts from the UK’s leading comic by some of its most successful writers, alongside the completed artwork. For the first time Rebellion presents an astonishing and insightful collection of 2000 AD scripts, written by some of the most successful and critically lauded talent behind the “Galaxy’s Greatest Comic.” Featuring original script drafts and the final published artwork for comparison, this is a must-have for fans of 2000 AD and is an essential purchase for anyone interested in writing comics.
6. HI HO, HI HO, IT’S OFF TO WAR THEY GO…
Shot in the dark on this one, folks. But Magnetic Press has never steered me wrong before in providing quality comics in attractive packages. Plus, how can you turn down a story with ‘cold-hearted, cut-throat Dwarven convicts’? Seriously, how can you, especially when it looks this good?
BRIGADA HC
Written and Illustrated by Enrique Fernandez
Published by Magnetic Press Inc.From world famous master-illustrator Enrique Fernández comes Brigada, a spectacularly gorgeous and psychedelic graphic novel. Anyone who wanders into the mist are transported to different and faraway lands, with no rhyme or reason. Ivro is the Dwarven Captain of a legendary brigade of cold-hearted, cut-throat Dwarven convicts who answer only to him. On the eve of a great battle, Ivro and his brigade are overtaken by the mist, which separates them into small groups, and throws them all into different, strange and alien lands. Now, Ivro and the remaining members of his brigade must wage a new and different war, for their own survival. Will Ivro be able to reunite his brigade and lead them to safety while this strange land grows ever stranger?
5. I WONDER IF THE TALKING MOTORCYCLE SOUNDS LIKE WILLIAM DANIELS?
Speaking of Magnetic Press, their partner-in-comics Ulises Farinas has been behind the keyboard for a while, working on things like “Amazing Forest” and “Judge Dredd”. But it looks like Oni Press managed to get him to pick up a pencil again, and now we have Motro because of it. Good job, Oni!
MOTRO #1 (OF 10)
Written and Illustrated by Ulises Fariñas
Published by Oni PressA reclusive young boy with superhuman strength follows a prophecy from his dead father on a mission to save people, but when he finds the area villagers are less than thrilled by his noble intentions and he faces adversaries both human and magical-mechanical, what will it take to fulfill his destiny? Can his miniature talking motorcycle help? From illustrator and intricate world-builder Ulises Fariñas (IDW’s Judge Dredd), comes the first story in the life and legend of a fantasy hero for the ages.
4. TANKS AND GORILLAZ AND OPERA…OH MY!
If you are unfamiliar with the work of Jamie Hewlett, you need to rectify that oversight as soon as possible. Fortunately for you (maybe not so much for your wallet), Taschen is releasing this collection of Hewlett’s work as a one-stop-shop for doing just that. And Taschen books are known for their exquisite production values and spare-no-expense approach to putting out volumes that speak exactly to the needs of the material. Just brace yourself for the sticker shock.
INSIDE THE MIND OF JAMIE HEWLETT HC
Written by Julius Wiedemann
Illustrated by Jamie Hewlett
Published by Taschen America L.L.C.From the legendary Tank Girl to live-action animations with art-pop noisemakers Gorillaz, dabblings with Chinese contemporary opera to an exhibition at the Saatchi Gallery, artist Jamie Hewlett is one of the most energetic figures of contemporary pop culture. Hewlett emerged in the mid 1990s as cocreator of the zeitgeist-defining Tank Girl comic. With then-roommate, Blur frontman Damon Albarn, he went on to create the unique cartoon band Gorillaz, a virtual pop group of animated characters, which recorded four studio albums and mounted breathtaking live spectacles. This new TASCHEN edition, Hewlett’s first major monograph, illustrates this thrilling creative journey with over 400 artworks. Through stories, characters, strips, and sketches, we trace Hewlett’s exceptional capacity for invention and celebrate a polymath artist who refuses to rest on his laurels, or to be pigeonholed into a particular practice.
3. NOW THIS IS MORE LIKE IT!
The first Batman/TMNT crossover (and I can’t believe I now have to specify ‘first’) seemed like a good idea, and Freddie Williams II is a good artist, but it just felt over-rendered in concept as well as in art for these two properties. Not exactly sure why. But seeing this new pairing, even though it’s the same properties, just makes more sense. Cannot wait for this!
Continued belowBATMAN/TMNT ADVENTURES #1
Written by Matthew K. Manning
Illustrated by Jon Sommariva
Published by DC Comics & IDW PublishingWhen villains start to mysteriously escape Arkham, Batman seeks to track them down. What happens when he discovers that they have left Gotham completely… and entered the TMNT’s New York City?
• The animated worlds of the current TMNT Nickelodeon cartoon and Batman: The Animated Series collide in this outstanding mini-series!
• The greatest all-ages crossover of all-time!
• Featuring villains and allies from both universes!
• The influential Batman: The Animated Series returns to comics!
2. ANOTHER LOOK AT THE KING!
Another Jack Kirby Artist Edition? Sold!
JACK KIRBY’S FANTASTIC FOUR ARTIST EDITION HC
Written by Stan Lee
Illustrated by Jack Kirby
Published by IDW PublishingJack Kirby’s Fantastic Four. World-shattering events, cosmic calamities, and Kirby Krackle-does it get any better?
Jack Kirby is the most important creator in the history of comics, and the Fantastic Four is one of his greatest achievements. First published in 1961, the adventures of Mr. Fantastic, the Human Torch, the Invisible Girl and the ever-loving Thing introduced a bold new era in comics. Kirby’s dynamic storytelling, coupled with Stan Lee’s poignant writing style, were unlike anything comic book readers had seen before-it literally ushered in THE MARVEL AGE OF COMICS!Now, with the cooperation of the Jack Kirby Estate and under license from Marvel Comics, IDW is proud to present the first Jack Kirby Fantastic Four Artist’s Edition! Including Fantastic Four Annual #6, the 48-page groundbreaking story that featured the birth of Franklin Richards! Also presenting issues #82 and #83, guest starring the Inhumans-plus more stories and and a beautiful gallery section of some of Kirby’s most incredible pages, all scanned from the original art!
1. NOW IN COLOR FOR A DIME (AND A COUPLE OF BUCKS…)!
Not only is this work by van Lente and Dunlavey (now being offered in its third iteration) one of the best-researched and entertaining overviews of the history of comics you will find on the bookshelves, but it takes a page from Scott McCloud’s “Understanding Comics” and uses the medium it seeks to inform the reader about, to inform the reader. Plus, by this point, the creators had already cranked through enough pages on “Action Philosophers” by this point to get into a strong groove when it comes to making entertaining AND educational comics. If you were one of the few people who were holding off on reading TCBHOC because it was in black & white (I know you’re out there), with this new coloring, you literally have no excuse to not read this. Learning is never more fun then when you have passionate and creative teachers presenting the material, and boy is that the case with this series.
THE FOUR-COLOR COMIC BOOK HISTORY OF COMICS #1 (OF 6)
Written by Fred van Lente
Illustrated by Ryan Dunlavey
Published by IDW PublishingFor the first time ever, the inspiring, infuriating, and utterly insane story of comics, graphic novels, and manga is presented in four-color glory! The award-winning Action Philosophers team of Fred Van Lente and Ryan Dunlavey turn their irreverent-but-accurate eye to the stories of Jack Kirby, R. Crumb, Harvey Kurtzman, Alan Moore, Stan Lee, Will Eisner, Fredric Wertham, Roy Lichtenstein, Art Spiegelman, Herge, Osamu Tezuka – and more!
Well, that was fun! Be sure to check out the Robots From Tomorrow September 2016 Previews episode next week and hear us talk about these books and a whole lot more. And let me know what books YOU’RE excited for in the comments section.
