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. Another Day Another Bunn One
Cullen Bunn is such a hit or miss creator but his horror stuff tends to be stronger than his superhero work. Karasu’s style is unsettling and eldritch, which might go well with this bio-horror tale. This sounds violent and dirty and weird and scary; what more could you want for a horror comic?
Bone Parish #1
Written by Cullen Bunn
Illustrated by Mustafa Karasu
Published by Boom! StudiosCullen Bunn (“Empty Man,” “The Unsound”) returns to BOOM! Studios with a chilling necromantic horror story! A new drug is sweeping through the streets of New Orleans, one made from the ashes of the dead. Wars are being fought over who will control the supply, while the demand only rises. While the crime families wage war, users begin to experience terrifying visions of the dead coming back to life-through them.
9. Dual Personalities Means Dual Opportunities
Let’s be real: Archie makes everything more fun. And “Batman ’66” is already a lot of fun, so the chances of this being an overall delight are super high.
Archie Meets Batman ’66 #1
Written by Jeff Parker and Michael Moreci
Illustrated by Dan Parent and J. Bone
Published by Archie ComicsTwo iconic comic book characters meet up for the FIRST TIME in this historic crossover mini-series! A battle in Gotham City extends its reach into Riverdale-with Mr. Lodge becoming enemy #1 of the dynamic duo! Now it’s up to Veronica to recruit some help and place a call… to the Batcave!
8. Coils Springing
From sci-fi/fantasy publisher Tor and Prentice Rollins, comes a story set in a decaying world where life still continues on normally. It seems like the catastrophe might be a metaphor for the character, a parallel element to his emotions. I dunno. Tor usually finds interesting stuff, and Rollins has an intriguing art style. Probably worth a look.
The Furnace
Written and Illustrated Prentice Rollins
Published by Tor BooksTimely and heartfelt, Prentis Rollins’s graphic novel debut The Furnace is a literary SF glimpse into our future, for fans of Black Mirror and The Twilight Zone. One decision. Thousands of lives ruined. Can someone ever repent for the sins of their past? When Professor Walton Honderich was a young grad student, he participated in a government prison program and committed an act that led to the death of his friend, the brilliant physicist Marc Lepore, and resulted in unimaginable torment for an entire class of people across the United States. Twenty years later, now an insecure father slipping into alcoholism, Walton struggles against the ghosts that haunt him in a futuristic New York City.
7. The Infinite Floor
A good portion of comic fans have spent an inordinate amount of time rushing around a con floor. And there comes a point, whether you’re there for three hours or three days, where you feel overwhelmed and fatigued by the whole thing, by the amount of people, by the overabundance of fan art in lieu of new comics, of the people cleaning out their garage and all that merchandise. Dylan Maconis and Ben Coleman are taking that concept to a new realm in this X-Files-esque story of convention goers stuck in a perpetual loop.
Continued belowThe Long Con #1
Written by Dylan Meconis and Ben Coleman
Illustrated by Emilee Denich and M. Victoria Robado
Published by Oni PressFive years ago, a cataclysmic event obliterated everything within a fifty mile radius of the Los Spinoza Convention Center-including the attendees of Long Con, the world’s biggest (and longest) comic convention. But unknown to the outside world, the con-goers not only survived, they kept the convention going. When proof of their survival surfaces, reporter Victor Lai is sent to investigate-after all, he was covering the con that fateful day and escaped mere minutes before everything went kablooie… abandoning his nerdy pal Dez in the process. So clearly he’s the perfect person for the job, and he won’t get trapped inside like some kinda idiot. Right?
6. Screen Print
Boom! brings Derek Laugman’s anthropomorphic webcomic to comic stands. It’s a high flying fantasy adventure with fun action scenes, a solid script, and the kind of cel-style artwork that easily comes alive. Also, it’s for all ages and we could always use more of those.
Ruinworld #1
Written and Illustrated by Derek Laufman
Published by Boom! StudiosWriter/Artist Derek Laufman (“Adventure Time Comics”) brings his worldwide hit digital comics series to life at BOOM! Studios. Intrepid adventurers Pogo and Rex are on a quest for fame and fortune. Their discovery of a special map leads them on an epic journey through dangers, demons and old enemies. Just one problem-they’ve already lost the map. An all-ages comic about fun, friendship and screaming in the face of danger, perfect for fans of Adventure Time and Adventure Zone.
5. Beyond the Moon, to the Stars
Here’s an interstellar story, targeted toward kids on the autistic spectrum. I’m not sure how this book is catering toward them in particular, but I’m glad something like this exists for them.
The Astronaut
Written by Carlos X Diaz
Illustrated by Guillermo Monie
Published by Amigo ComicsHe had a fascination with stars since he had use of reason. His passion will make him start an incredible voyage full of surprises and discoveries, even about himself. This work is focused on children with special educational needs, mainly those with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), although it can also be used with children with similar problems in communication and/or development.
4. Winsor in Slumberland
Winsor McCay’s work continues to cast a long shadow over both the comics and animation world. An eternal huckster, he would probably love the concept behind this book, a sort of soft biography, which follows the broad outlines of his life and times yet at the same time isn’t afraid to take a few liberties.
McCay
Written by Thierry Smolderen
Illustrated by Jean-Philippe Bramanto
Published by Titan ComicsGet ready for a dizzying dive into the “McCay Dimension” with this equally true and false tribute to the undisputed master of the imagination!
McCay is an “invented biography,” chronicling authentic — though only partially true — stories of the life of the future creator of Little Nemo, Winsor McCay – In which McCay’s life is enriched by an imaginary encounter with British mathematician and science fiction writer Charles Hinton… And glimpses of the fourth dimension!
3. Romantic Scoundrels Aplenty
All right, now it’s American Mythology’s turn to bring back Zorro. Fitting because he’s a character as huge in the American mythology as the Paul Bunyan, a rascaly rogue responsible for some of our favorite modern day heroes. Swashbuckling delight is sure to be had.
Zorro: Swords of Hell #1
Written by David Avallone
Illustrated by Roy Allen Martinez
Published by American Mythology ProductionZorro is back! Los Angeles is invaded by an army of demonic horsemen and Zorro is the only man who can save his home from becoming Hell on Earth. David Avallone (Bettie Page, Twilight Zone: The Shadow) and Roy Allen Martinez (House of M, Immortal Iron Fist) are proud to present the return of Zorro, as he faces down the Swords of Hell in this all new action-packed swashbuckling horror series. Zorro Swords of Hell #1 comes with five covers – Main by Roy Allan Martinez, Werewolves Fury by Richard Bonk, Classic Nostalgia by Jon Pinto, Ltd Ed Visions of Zorro by Alex Toth, and a Blank Sketch Edition cover.
2. Another Room to Check Into
Shelly Bond’s Black Crown line continues chugging forward with another weird and twisted tale. I’m still waiting for that one big book to push the line over the edge, to make it stand out for us (the way “Sandman” did for what would become Vertigo or “Saga” for Image or “Hellboy” for Dark Horse) instead of this series of mostly good and overall entertaining pieces. This, from “Assassinistas” writer, Tini Howard, chronicles people taking a journey into the Great Beyond. It doesn’t sound like it’ll transcend the trend but the best things come from the weirdest places sometimes.
Continued belowEuthanauts #1
Written by Tini Howard
Illustrated by Nick Robles
Published by Black Mask ComicsDeath is like outer space-a seemingly unknowable, terrifying blackness that yields beautiful discoveries and truths-if only you’ve got the right kind of rocketship. Thalia Rosewood has had a lifelong obsession with death, keeping her from living her life to the fullest. Mercy Wolfe has a brain tumor the size of a billiard ball, and a need for a new recruit before her next journey begins. Inigo Hanover is a reluctant tether to the world beyond, seeking to continue a cycle that exploration would halt. Go toward the light. Then go beyond. EUTHANAUTS.
1. Buena Vista Murder Club
If anything else, de Campi is an expert at generating tension. In fact, she may be one of the best thriller writers working in comics right now. Victor Santos, too, has such a distinct and exciting look. The two of them together, in this taut plot, ought to make for quite an experience.
Bad Girls
Written by Alex de Campi
Illustrated by Victor Santos
Published by Gallery 13In this heart-pounding, starkly colored, and visually stunning graphic novel, three women have twelve hours to get out of Cuba with six-million dollars on the night of New Year’s Eve 1958. Gangster’s moll Carole, jazz singer Taffy, and mambo queen Ana all have their reasons for needing to escape the El Eden Casino in Havana. And on the tumultuous night of New Year’s Eve, when Cuban dictator Fulgencio Batista flees the country and the nation falls to Fidel Castro, they get their chance… with the help of six suitcases filled with stolen dirty money. Of course, it’s one thing to get the cash… and quite another to get off the island alive.
Well, that was fun! And let me know what books YOU’RE excited for in the comments section.
