After teasing releases for a couple weeks on twitter, indie-comics publisher, ShortBox, announced via The Hollywood Reporter the full slate for their upcoming “ShortBox” #11, including the title and artist of the A4 print that accompanies the comics.
Founded in 2016 by British critic Zainab Akhtar, ShortBox is a comic box subscription service, although each box releases independent of the rest, that publishes a curated collection of independent comics quarterly, usually containing five comics, an exclusive A4 print, and some sweets. Previous editions have featured the works of Rosemary Valero-O’Connell, Sophia Foster Dimino, Joe Sparrow, James Stokoe, as well as the Eisner-nominated “Beneath the Dead Oak Tree” by Emily Carroll.
“Publishing a mini-slate of comics via an independent mail-order box model means we’re able to give more established creators greater freedom and provide a platform for debut cartoonists,” Akhtar tells The Hollywood Reporter. “For readers, there’s both the reassurance of quality from known quantities and the thrill of discovery. ‘ShortBox’ No. 11 is perhaps the strongest example of that to date. It’s a corker.”
The titles include:
“Minotaar” by Lissa Treiman, of “Giant Days” fame.
Dena and Mel embark on a mission of epic proportions: visiting the byzantine halls of IKOS in order to retrieve the flat-pack bookshelf of Dena’s dreams after some meatballs, of course. But something strange is afoot in IKOS’ minimally designed, one-way aisles…. Can Dena and Mel, and their friendship, navigate the realm of retail and emerge unscathed?
“Cry Wolf Girl” by Ariel Ries, creator of the webcomic “Witchy.”
The story goes like this: There was once a girl named Dawa. Having lost her family to sickness, she found herself with an emptiness inside that she did not know how to fill. Alas, in all her endeavors, nothing she tried ever left her feeling so full as the art of trickery.
“Pass the Baton” by Hana Chatani.
Returning to her apartment from a visit to the corner store, Noriko spies on a young teen experiencing his first romantic rejection. Years later, their paths cross once again, and the two bond over shared passions, insecurities and love in its many forms.
“At the Edge of the Stream at Dusk” by Jen Lee, creator of Norbrow Press’ “Garbage Night.”
Part road-trip, part memoir, At the Edge of the Stream at Dusk charts Jen’s journey post the end of a long-term relationship as she moves across the country from her farmhouse to a new home and job in the city, while reflecting on the changes and challenges she’s faced.
“Cavity” by Michelle Theodore.
Elliot’s got a cavity. She knows it needs to be seen to, but right now she doesn’t have the motivation to book an appointment with the dentist. Or to see her friends and family, do the laundry, cook and clean, or do anything much. Meanwhile, the cavity grows…. And so does something inside it….
An A4 print titled “Into the Mountains” by Sara Alfageeh, of the upcoming graphic novel “Squire.”
Pre-orders for “ShortBox” No.11 are open now until July 28th, on their website, and will ship in September. Domestic rates apply for US and UK, with international shipping rates everywhere else.
