Hey! Halloween is a little over a week away and here it is time for Decemeber Previews! Two books have me really excited this month! The first is Gail Simone returns to a revival of Secret Six! Gail’s made no secret of wanting to write Catman as a bisexual character so I’m really anxious in a good way to see how she and artist Ken Lashley convey this. Lord knows Simone showed her skills in the series’ last version at writing tense scenes with erotic subtext between Catman and Deadshot. The other book is Massive, an anthology compilation edited by Anne Ishii, Graham Kolbiens, and Chip Kidd, featuring erotic gay manga made by Japanese gay men for gay and bisexual men. The guys in Massive definitely are not the slim young men found in your typical yaoi/ BL manga! Just look at that cover!
So, a few words about being an Amazon affiliate again. Sure, there’s a small commission on each purchase you make if you make purchases by clicking any of the links in this list or through that widget thing in the sidebar or if you bookmark the link below. Supporting your local comic shop and bookstore is really important too. Being an Amazon affiliate isn’t just about commissions on specifically linked books and DVDs though, so don’t be shy about using these links to make your other non-book related purchases!
Credit to Andy Mangels who compiled many such lists before me. People’s names listed in bold are either LGBT or supportive.
ABSTRACT STUDIOS
RACHEL RISING Vol 5 $16.99 Page 244
Terry Moore
Rachel, Jet, and Aunt Johnny recover quickly from their harrowing adventures with the air of a magic herbal wrap, but they soon discover they’ve been the victims of a serial killer. Now they are determined to find the mysterious predator and deliver him to the evil of Zoe’s knife. This new book is the 5th trade paperback in Terry Moore’s Eisner Award nominated series, collecting issues #25-30.
ARCHIE
AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE MAGAZINE #3 $4.99 Page 252
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Francisco Francavilla
“Escape from Riverdale,” Part 3: The zombie apocalypse is in full swing and the surviving members of the gang have taken refuge in the Lodge Mansion-believing themselves safe from the infected roaming the streets of Riverdale! But there’s no stopping Archie from sneaking out, risking life and limb to find his missing parents-leaving those sequestered behind vulnerable to an enemy within! The zombie mayhem (and body-count) continues to rise, plus sorcery stories from the vault and all new special features in this magazine-size version of the award-winning series.
SABRINA #4 $3.99 Page 254
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Robert Hack
Hell hath no fury! It’s Sabrina in the underworld as she and her companions risk everything — including their immortal souls — to rescue Harvey’s consciousness, trapped in the Dark Pit. Meanwhile, with Greendale’s most powerful witch missing in action, Madame Satan launches an attack on the Spellman household, but Hilda and Zelda are not helpless, and then of course there’s Cousin Ambrose to contend with!
BOOM
ADVENTURE TIME FLIP SIDE TP Vol 1 $19.99 Page 296
Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover
Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover, the team behind the Eisner Award-winning Bandette, writing Adventure Time with artist Wook Jin Clark?! It’s a match made in comic book heaven! The Freaky Friday trope is turned on its head with an Ooo-sized twist! Adventure lovers Tobin, Coover, and Wook Jin Clark bring you a dream Adventure Time miniseries like you’ve never seen it! Finn is suffering from Quest Deficiency and needs his pals to help him find a righteous quest that will fulfill all his adventuring needs! The back of a questing board might seem like the easiest answer, but our hero is about to find out that the easy way out can create a ton of trouble. It’s a race against time as Finn and his merry band of questing cohorts fight to complete this switch-a-roo of a mission before the land of Ooo completely destroys itself. Collects the complete miniseries.
CLIVE BARKER’S NIGHTBREED #8 $3.99 Page 286
Marc Andreyko, and Piotr Kowalski
As the stories of the Breed come to an end, Boone must face his past and embrace his demons. The man he was must be lost so that Cabal can rise! Alongside his journey, the story of Otis and Clay will bring the worst of enemies together as one.
LUMBERJANES #9 $3.99 Page 290
Noelle Stevenson, Grace Ellis, and Brooke Allen
In order to earn the coveted Gimme S’more badge, the Lumberjanes set out on a backpacking trip in the deep, dark woods. But the woods aren’t so scary anymore, now that the Lumberjanes have kicked, punched, and befriended all the fearsome magical monsters out there, so they set out to find the one thing that can still scare them all: campfire stories!
MEMETIC #3 $4.99 Page 284
James Tynion IV and Eryk Donovan
Day Three is finally upon us. As Marcus’s dwindling team makes its final last-ditch assault on the compound of the supposed creator of the meme, Aaron comes to grips with his shocking loss and the impending apocalypse.
THE WOODS #7 $3.99 Page 286
James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas
The swarm has finally arrived, and it’s going to take the combined efforts of both the kids and the mysterious hunters to survive the onslaught. Meanwhile, we take a look at Ben on the night of the play one year ago, and his struggles to both be himself and be happy.
DARK HORSE
ANGEL AND FAITH SEASON 10 #9 $3.50 Page 38
Victor Gischler and Will Conrad
Clearly in a magical mire with Amy the Rat, Angel brings in backup to shut down the witch and save Magic Town . . . Faith is reunited with Riley in a brawl with the tribal vampires–staking, dusting, and feeling awkward! [Mike McDermott tells me that Kennedy is currently a cast member.]
BUFFY SEASON 10 #10 $3.50 Page 39
Christos Gage and Rebekah Isaacs
With the responsibility of writing new rules in the Vampyr book, Buffy and crew are literally the bosses of all magic–but as more baddies learn who has the power, protecting the book is becoming a full-time job!
COLDER: THE BAD SEED #3 $3.99 Page 42
Paul Tobin and Juan Ferreyra
A glimpse into Declan’s past holds a startling and strange revelation, and causes him to slip further into the insane and dangerous Hungry World.
THE COMPLETE ELFQUEST Vol 2 TP $24.99 Page 64
Wendy Pini and Richard Pini
The elves have reclaimed the Palace of the High Ones, but it is not the safe haven they believed. New threats loom as Winnowill, lord of Blue Mountain, vows to destroy all trace of the Wolfriders, and Cutter’s rival Rayek is overcome with power. Collects ElfQuest: Siege at Blue Mountain #1-#8 and Kings of the Broken Wheel #1-#9. Includes an extensive art gallery with commentary from the series creators.
PROMETHEUS: FIRE & STONE #4 $3.50 Page 60
Paul Tobin and Juan Ferreyra
Casualties rise as the Prometheus’s recovery team find themselves trapped between an unrelenting alien horde, a ruthless Engineer, and a vengeful victim of the mysterious accelerant!
TOMB RAIDER #11 $3.50 Page 64
Gail Simone, Rhiana Pratchett, and Derlis Santacruz
The newest addition to the Tomb Raider saga, cowritten by Gail Simone and Rhianna Pratchett! Lara’s risking her life to reveal a terrifying secret–however, while she’s globetrotting, things aren’t right at home. What price must Lara pay to learn the truth?
DC
AQUAMAN AND THE OTHERS #8 $2.99 Page 83
Dan Jurgens, Lan Medina and Allen Martinez
The Others try to survive the repercussions of their secret histories as Cheshire and the KGBeast look to thin the team’s ranks permanently! [Female teammate Ya’Wara was revealed to have loved Kahina.]
BATGIRL #37 $2.99 Page 104
Cameron Stewart, Brendan Fletcher and Babs Tarr
The Batgirl of Burnside is the name on everyone’s lips…but she sure is acting strange since she took up residence in Gotham City’s outer borough! Dangerous joyrides? Photo ops? Sequins? Either Barbara Gordon’s gone off the deep end – or there’s a doppelganger under that cowl! [Alysia Yeoh continues among the cast. Barbara’s new roomie is lesbian with an occasional bicurious bend.]
BATMAN ’66 #18 $3.99 Page 123
Jeff Parker, Tom Peyer, Richard Case, and Dave Bullock
Two Bat-tales in one issue! When Barbara Gordon finds her library attacked by the Bookworm, it’s time for Batgirl to sprint into action. Meanwhile, Batman and Robin find things in Gotham City turned upside down when the Archer steals the GCPD’s computer and gives the criminals the upper hand on the police. [Okay, I’m including this title for the sheer camp factor of the TV series and how much it has meant to gay guys over the years even though probably won’t be any overtly LGBT characters or themes.]
BATMAN ETERNAL #35 – 39 $2.99 Page 101
Scott Snyder, James Tynion IV, Ray Fawkes, Kyle Higgins, Tim Seely, Fernando Blanco, Andrea Mutti, and Ramon Perez
The events of Batman Eternal have changed the world of Batman for months – jump on here to see the new world order! The third act begins with a bang, as Gotham City’s police have done the impossible – they’ve beaten Batman!
The Batmobile is in flames, and Batman’s enemies have won…but reporter Vicki Vale has learned the secret that could turn everything around!
Only Catwoman can help Batman now, but Catwoman is long gone! In her place? A woman more ruthless than Batman ever expected…
The refugees from Arkham Asylum think there’s safety in numbers – but not if one of them is Bane!
Someone has pieced together the mystery behind the plot to crush Gotham City…but it’s not Batman! The Riddler knows all – and he’ll never tell!
BATWOMAN #37 $2.99 Page 111
Marc Andreyko and Georges Jeanty
The cultish crimes continue to corrupt Gotham City – and their next target is…Clayface? Also, Batwoman’s toxic connection to Nocturna continues to spiral down to a place where even demons fear to tread!
CONSTANTINE #20 $2.99 Page 83
Ray Fawkes and Jeremy Haun
It’s hate at first sight when John Constantine meets his Earth-2 counterpart! [I decided not to read Constantine out of protest when the Vertigo Hellblazer series ended. Come ti find out that writer Ray Fawkes acknowledged John’s bisexuality in #12. Hat tip to Andrew Wheeler at Comics Alliance.] http://comicsalliance.com/where-are-superhero-comics-big-name-bisexual-characters/
EARTH TWO #29 $2.99 Page 85
Tom Taylor, Marguerite Bennett, and Andy Smith
The displaced masses taking shelter in Chicago run for their lives when an unbelievable force descends on the city. Scattered and frantic, Barbara and Dick Grayson hunt for shelter and find a safe haven that hides a sinister secret. Will the two make it out alive with their son?
EARTH 2: WORLD’S END #9 – 13 $2.99 Page 84
Daniel H Wilson , Marguerite Bennett, Mike Johnson, and a hoohah load of artists
Outgunned, outnumbered and outmatched, The World Army led by Mister Miracle and Big Barda begin their invasion of Apokolips!
Darkseid rises!
Mister Miracle battles Darkseid – with the fate of the New Gods and Earth-2 as the stakes!
Will Huntress become a casualty of war?
FLASH #37 $2.99 Page 85
Robert Vendetti, Van Jensen, and Brett Booth
Behold the all-new, all-murderous Flash! [Central City Crime Lab Director David Singh and Hartley Rathaway are a couple.]
GOTHAM BY MIDNIGHT #2 $2.99 Page 110
Ray Fawkes and Ben Templesmith
Internal Affairs Agent Rook is learning the Midnight Shift really does have the hard cases – and Jim Corrigan may not be able to bail him out. At least, not without some divine intervention! But can Corrigan risk letting loose the wrath of God, especially against a departed sister?
GRAYSON #5 $2.99 Page 105
Tim Seeley, Tom King, and Mikel Janin
Grayson is on a mission to stop Paragon from using the body parts of a dead villain to create something far more sinister! [Midnighter appeared in the previous 2 issues and will be a recurring character.]
SECRET SIX #1 $2.99 Page 76
Gail Simone and Ken Lashley
Gail Simone is back with the Ne 52 debut of the fan-favorite team, the Secret Six! Six strangers are brought together under mysterious circumstances for an explosive first issue that will leave everyone asking, “What is the Secret?”
TEEN TITANS #5 $2.99 Page 93
Will Pfeifer and Scott Hepburn
As a deadly new drug hits the streets of New York City, the Titans take on a new team member!
VERTIGO
ASTRO CITY #18 $3.99 Page 137
Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson
A 4-part spotlight on Quarrel and Crackerjack begins as they face a real crisis: what does an aging crimefighter do when time starts to take its toll? Plus, a look into Quarrel’s origins – and the end of the line for one of Astro City’s most stalwart heroes. A rich, bittersweet and very human look inside the super human life. [A trans character was featured in #16 and a gay couple shown in #13.]
THE INVISIBLES BOOK 3 DELUXE HC $29.99 Page 143
Grant Morrison, Phil Jimenez, Chris Weston, Michael Lark and others
In this third Invisbles collection, the team launches an assault on an underground New Mexico lab to free the cure for the AIDS virus from the alleged inventors of the disease: the U.S. government. Collects The Invisibles volume 2 #1-13.
D.E.
CHASTITY #6 $3.99 Page 314
Marc Andreyko and Dave Acosta
It’s Christmas! And nothing says “Happy Holidays” like a vampire Santa Claus? Chastity returns home to New York City, but her most likely lonely holiday is interrupted by the evil machinations of a child-collecting Saint Nick! Can Chas overcome the flood of melancholy memories of family holidays past before “Santa Claws” adds more victims to his horrifying collection? He knows if you’ve been bad…
RED SONJA #18 $3.99 Page 322
Gail Simone and Walter Geovani
Gail Simone concludes her epic run on Red Sonja with the most heart-wrenching event in the life of our heroine! Face-to-face with the man she hates and distrusts most in the world, Red Sonja hears – for the first time ever – his side of the story. The last survivor of the craven murderers who wiped out her tribe finally comes clean at the end of Sonja’s blade. But then… something wholly shocking and unexpected happens. Nothing will prepare you for what’s to come, as Sonja’s infamous blood rage comes to a boil!
DIGITAL MANGA
A WALTZ IN THE CLINIC $12.95 Page 327
Makoto Tateno
Touno’s heart is still on the mend after an upsetting break-up with another physician. The last thing he needs is the bratty son of the hospital’s big-wig telling him what to do! But will Touno let his guard down before a sweet, special moment passes him by? A Waltz in the Clinic swings and sways in time to the seductive rhythm of surprise romance! Can a patient’s dark secret be the key to healing the deepest of wounds? And will temptation take root and become real-life love?
FANTAGRAPHICS
MASSIVE GN GAY MANGA & MEN WHO MAKE IT $35.00 Page 339
Edited by Anne Ishii, Graham Kolbeins & Chip Kidd
Fantagraphics presents the first English-language introduction to nine of the most exciting comic artists creating work for a gay male audience in Japan. Included are Jiraiya, Seizoh Ebisubashi, Kazuhide Ichikawa, Gengoroh Tagame,Takeshi Matsu, Fumi Miyabi, Inu Yoshi, Gai Mizuki, and comic essayist Kumada Poohsuke. Get to know each of these artists intimately, through candid interviews, photography, context-providing essays, illustrations, and manga.
IDW
LITTLE NEMO: RETURN TO SLUMBERLAND #3 $3.99 Page 174
Eric Shanower and Gabriel Rodriguez
After the startling events of the previous issue, Nemo is quite surprised to find himself in Slumberland once again, but not altogether unhappy. While the princess, Bon-bon, and Candy Kid sleep, Flip takes Nemo on a garden tour until they encounter the wondrous Tessellated Tower–the most remarkable thing Nemo has ever seen. Meanwhile, the princess awakens to discover that Nemo has run off… and with the horrid Flip, of all people!
TRUE BLOOD OMNIBUS Vol 1 $29.99 Page 184
Mariah Huehner, David Tischman, Marc Andreyko, Michael McMillian, David Messina, Claudia Balboni, Stephen Molnar, Joe Corroney, Bruno Letizia
Follow Sookie, Bill, Eric, Lafayette, and the rest of the cast as the action, and passion, ranges from Bon Temps to New Orleans. This Omnibus collects the first three series, All Together Now, Tainted Love, and The French Quarter into one book.
True Blood Omnibus Volume 1
IMAGE
INTERSECT #2 $3.50 Page 223
Ray Fawkes
While a mysterious, luminous singer begins the last aria of Detroit, our travellers are witnesses to the shifting form of the city from on high. Is this collapse, or something far stranger? The intricate, mind-bending mystery of INTERSECT is unfolding…
LI’L DEPRESSED BOY: SUPPOSED TO BE THERE TOO #2 $3.99 Page 224
Steven Struble and Sina Grace
To escape all the recent drama, the Li’l Depressed Boy and Spike run off for a day of fun and music. Featuring an appearance by Bridge Nine recording artist Leuria!
MORNING GLORIES COMPENDIUM Vol 1 TP $59.99 Page 209
Nick Spencer and Joe Eisma
Introducing the first seven volumes of the critically acclaimed, New York Times-bestselling series, now collected into one massive paperback edition! At over one thousand pages, this epic volume is the perfect introduction to the spellbinding mysteries and deadly secrets of Morning Glory Academy! From the arrival of six brilliant but troubled new students to the time-spanning perils of the Woodrun contest to the violent insurrection of the Truants, this collection offers the most comprehensive exploration yet of the comic often described as “Runaways meets Lost.” Collects Morning Glories #1-38.
PENNY DORA & THE WISHING BOX #1 $2.99 Page 227
Michael Stock and Sina Grace
It was the day after Christmas when the mysterious box began to ask its question again. “What do you wish for? What do you wish for??” it insisted. This time, to Penny’s best friend, Elizabeth. And that’s where the trouble really began. With Elizabeth’s small, simple wish.
SAGA Vol 4 TP $14.99 Page 211
Brian K Vaughn and Fiona Staples
The #1 New York Times bestseller returns! Visit new planets, meet new adversaries and explore a very new direction, as Hazel becomes a toddler while her family struggles to stay on their feet. Collects Saga #19-24.
TREES #8 $2.00 Page 234
Warren Ellis and Jason Howard
Something is happening. There are shadows in the Chinese city of Shu, shadows falling across Cefalu and Puntland, and shadows crawling across the snows of Svalbard. Things are getting darker, and, suddenly, there is no…[Has a recurring trans character.]
WALKING DEAD #135 $2.99 Page 240
Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Stefano Gaudiano, and Cliff Rathburn
Face to face. [One of the men who was half of a gay couple was spoilers! Also, another gay person in the cast.]
LEGENDARY COMICS
A TOWN CALLED DRAGON #4 $3.99 Page 350
Judd Winick and Geoff Shaw
Enter the town of Dragon, Colorado — a mountain community desperately trying to exploit their fantastical folklore in a hopeless attempt to lure in tourists. But the town’s true legend is greater than they could possibly imagine! As the town’s unlikely defenders get snowed-in while ascending an icy peak, they uncover the truth behind the dragon egg and its ancient origins. With the fire-spewing creature growing in size, it’s a race against time as the townsfolk discover new clues that just might lead to its destruction. Can the survivors overcome impossible odds and end the dragon’s rampage before their world is burned to the ground?
MARVEL
ALL NEW X-FACTOR #17 & 18 $3.99 Page 8
Peter David and Carmine Di Giandomenico
The X-Factor team, having stolen the nuclear football from the President, now has to handle a direct attack on Serval Industries courtesy of Longshot and Sunfire. Meanwhile, Quicksilver is kidnapped under extremely mysterious circumstances. [Gambit is bi, right? That’s what I hear. And hey, it’s written by PAD. Only a matter of time before some LGBT character or content shows up.]
AMAZING X-MEN #14 $3.99 Page 10
Chris Yost and Carlo Barberi
As the events of AXIS reach a boiling point, both X-Men and Avengers find themselves in precarious positions. Not the least of which are Nightcrawler and Mystique–as this tumultuous mother/son combo reaches and a point in their relationship they’ve never faced before!
ANGELA: ASGARD’S ASSASSIN #1 $3.99 Page 14
Kieron Gillen, Marguerite Bennett, Phil Jimenez, and Stephanie Hans
All her life, Angela, the finest warrior of Heven, was raised to hate Asgard with every fiber of her being. And now Angela knows the truth about her identity: She is Thor’s sister. She is an Asgardian. Cast out of her home and wanting nothing to do with Asgard, Angela must now strike out on her own! But what does Angela have that both Asgard and Heven want? And why are they so eager to get it? Visionary writers Kieron Gillen and Marguerite Bennett team with the legendary art team of Phil Jimenez and Stephanie Hans to finally throw the spotlight onto the Marvel Universe’s most dangerous inhabitant!
AVENGERS
Jonathan Hickman, writer of both Avengers and New Avengers, was recently asked if any LGBT characters would appear in these series, and went on record to say “Yes, but it’ll be like Secret Warriors where I don’t tell anyone unless it’s directly story related”. YMMV and all that, but Hickman’s approach makes including both series in this list difficult unless something contextual occurs at the least. Thanks to Mike McDermott for bringing this to my attention!
LOKI AGENT OF ASGARD #9 $3.99 Page 5
Al Ewing and Lee Garbett
Loki, swashbuckling savior of truth and justice, versus Lorelei, scheming sister of the noble Enchantress! Once, in a time Loki would rather forget, these two were allies. Now, Loki must bring Lorelei in or die trying! Also featuring: the base villainy of Thor, Marvel’s brutish God Of Evil!
NORTHWEST PRESS
A WASTE OF TIME #4 $4.99 Page 352
Rick Worley
Our heroes have finally found Bill Watterson — in the nefarious clutches of Jim Davis! But when they travel deep into Davis’s factory of merchandising tie-ins to rescue Watterson, will they end up as trapped as he is?
THE LEGEND OF BOLD RILEY #4 $4.99 Page 352
Leia Weathington and Joanna Estep
Under the hot desert sun, Bold Riley and Swift Kuba are found by the power hungry Princess Fiddah. Under the pretense of an alliance, Riley makes a play to rescue a kidnapped king and end Fiddah’s siege on the city. Illustrated by Joanna Estep.
ONI
STUMPTOWN #4 $3.99 pAGE 357
Greg Rucka and Justin Greenwood
Dex’s date causes tension between her and Grey, she has to balance Ansel’s needs with those of her case. Meanwhile, the puzzle pieces start to come together for CK as she gets closer to who assaulted Mercury!
STUMPTOWN vOL 3 $29.99 Page 353
Greg Rucka and Justin Greenwood
Justin Greenwood, Ryan Hill Greg Rucka’s fan-favorite P.I. is back on the case in this new hardcover! When one of investigator Dex Parios’s dearest friends is brutalized following a Portland Timbers match, Dex is determined to get to the bottom of the attack no matter who stands in her way! Join Eisner Award-winner Rucka and new series artist Justin Greenwood (Image Comics’ THE FUSE) as Dex kicks more than just soccer balls in her pursuit of the assailant.
SUBLIME
AWKWARD SILENCE GN Vol 1 $12.99 Page 366
Hinako Takanaga
Satoru is an introvert with a longtime crush on Keigo, a popular boy on the baseball team. But much to his surprise, Keigo comes up to him and asks him out! Satoru is so overcome he can’t respond. Will Satoru be able to get past his shyness, or will he lose his chance with the boy he loves?
Volumes 2 – 4 are also solicited.
TOP SHELF
GINGERBREAD GIRL $12.95 Page 376
Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover
There are plenty of established facts concerning 26-year-old Annah Billips. She likes sushi and mountains, but hates paper cuts and beer breath. She dates girls and boys, and loves to travel. She may have a missing sister, or she might be insane. Did Annah invent an imaginary sister named Ginger during her parents’ ferocious divorce, or did her mad scientist father extract part of her brain and transform it into a living twin?
