Our column’s featured image this month is from the original graphic novel by Steve Orlando and J D Faith, with Chris Beckett as colorist and Thomas Mauer doing design and lettering. Billed as a “queersploitation revenge tale”, VIRGIL recounts the story of a Jamaican police officer and his lover navigating daily life in a country well known for its intolerance of LGBT people and the lengths one man will go to save his love. Orlando turned to Kickstarter to bring this story to print. The good news if you missed that opportunity you can pre-order a copy of the trade solicited by Image this month. We don’t see this kind of story everyday! Greg Rucka thought the idea was promising enough that he was a Kickstarter backer.
Maggie Thrash’s coming of age HONOR GIRL from Candlewick stands out to me also. Chartwell’s WONDER WOMAN: THE WAR YEARS collects all the Martson & Peters era stories dealing with World War II as a backdrop. No word on any extra material that might make buying worthwhile for those who own all the Wonder Woman archives. Oh, and Boom has a Charles Schulz triute book with a couple LGBT contributors!
We’d love — REALLY LOVE!! — if you use this link when you buy any of Amazon’s gazillion items on its site because that little action means a small commission for being an Amazon affiliate, all of which goes to supporting this site and its new contributors. You can bookmark it, too! Pretty please! Thank you!
Gay League’s Amazon Affiliate Linkie Thing
People’s names listed in bold are either LGBT+ or supportive. Credit to Andy Mangels whose idea this is originally.
ABSTRACT STUDIOS
RACHEL RISING #37 $3.99 Page 250
Terry Moore
Rachel goes public with her secret in hopes of drawing out her killer. But the town’s reaction to her extraordinary resurrection story is something she never expected!
RACHEL RISING: SECRET KEPT TP Vol 6 $16.99 Page 250
Terry Moore
Rachel wakes from a deathly sleep to find her town gripped with fear as the rise in violent deaths mount. Knowing the demonic Malus is to blame, Rachel joins forces with Zoe to find and stop their common enemy. But Malus is enamored with Rachel and makes her an offer she might not be able to refuse! Collects issues #31-36.
ARCHIE
AFTERLIFE WITH ARCHIE #8 $3.99 Page 266
Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and Franceso Francavilla
“Ghosts of Christmas Past.” Contrary to popular belief, the current zombie outbreak is not the first time a shadow fell across Riverdale and its citizens. As the survivors hunker down in a hotel to wait out a snowstorm, Hiram Lodge and Mary Andrews relive the darkest chapter of their town’s history. Ten years ago, the adults of Riverdale struck a terrible bargain with the witches of Greendale, setting the stage for the present-day apocalypse. [2nd printing]
ARCHIE #3 $3.99 Page 267
Mark Waid and Fiona Staples
Something strange is looming over Riverdale — and it’s taking the shape of a giant mega-mansion owned by an elusive mogul. Why has he chosen the quaint town of Riverdale, USA as his base of operations? And how is he going to use the teens of Riverdale High to further his political aspirations? Big questions and challenges await the teens and townsfolk. Meanwhile, a new student has graced the halls of Riverdale High and she’s turning heads in a big way! Find out all the answers to these important questions in the third issue of the biggest comics sensation of the season!
JUGHEAD #1 #3.99 Page 268
Chip Zdarsky and Erica Henderson
In the grand tradition of comic book reboots like Archie #1, Archie Comics proudly presents Jughead #1 from the comics dream team of Chip Zdarski and Erica Henderson! Riverdale High provides a quality education and quality hot lunches, but when one of those is tampered with, Jughead Jones swears vengeance! Well, we mean, he doesn’t “swear.” This is still Archie Comics after all. [Kevin Keller may appear here too!]
AVATAR
PROVIDENCE #4 $4.99 Page 278
Alan Moore and Jacen Burrows
Alan Moore’s horror event of the year continues to push the limits of the comic book medium with an incredible ad-free 40 page fourth issue! Robert Black’s journey into the heart of the USA in 1919 continues as he finds the citizens of Salem to be most interesting. This work has been researched and developed by Moore and Burrows over the course of several years. The end result is an amazing tome of Lovecraftian influenced nightmares where Moore has written every cover, every single page, and every nuance of this work to create his most fully-realized vision to date. Fans of Moore’s immersive style and meticulous grasp of storytelling will be thrilled to add this essential piece of comics history to their collections! [The central character is gay.]
BOOM
ADVENTURE TIME: THE FLIP SIDE MATHEMATICAL EDITION HC $29.99 Page 298
Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover
The Freaky Friday trope is turned on its head with an Ooo-sized twist. Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover, the team behind the Eisner Award-winning Bandette, writing Adventure Time with artist Wook Jin Clark (Megagogo)? It’s a match made in comic book heaven! 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 six-issue miniseries in an oversized hardcover.
Adventure Time The Flip Side Mathematical Edition
AMAZING WORLD OF GUMBALL 2015 GRAB BAG #1 $4.99 Page 298
Fellipe Martins, Fernanda Jaber, Nneka Myers, Zack Giallongo, Cohen Edenfield, Philip Murphy, Yehudi Mercado, Nneka Myers, Zack Giallongo, Kate Leth, Philip Murphy, and Yehudi Mercado
We simply can’t get enough of the mixed-media world of Gumball and his family and friends, so we’ve assembled some of comics’ finest creators and talented up-and-comers to dive into Gumball’s universe and create their unique spins on the characters. The result is 28 pages of fun and wacky mini-adventures, inside jokes, and interactive features that are sure to please any Gumball fan! Get ready for a Gumball bonanza in this oversized collection of shorts, in-world ads, and activity pages. Gumball and Darwin try to get their trading card collection completed, and get trapped by a collector who collects…collectors? Mr. Watterson falls into the dryer and finds himself in a magical laundry kingdom. Catch a glimpse of Tina Rex’s quiet moments. Journey to the haunted outskirts of the town of Elmore. Enjoy these stories and more by some of the industry’s finest new and established creators!
BRAVEST WARRIORS #36 $3.99 Page 306
Kate Leth and Ian McGinty
Final issue! The Bravest Warriors face Bugcat one last time in the darkest depths of the galaxy with entire planets at stake! Featuring a back-up story by Jason Johnson, one of the showrunners behind the Bravest Warriors animated series.
CLARENCE #4 $3.99 Page 305
Liz Prince and Evan Palmer
During a neighborhood BBQ, Clarence, Jeff, and Sumo find an empty refrigerator box on the sidewalk that they turn into a teleporter!
THE FICTION #4 $3.99 Page 300
Curt Pires and David Rubin
Final issue! Max, Kassie, and Tyler have nowhere left to run and must face the Corruption once and for all. [Pires is the writer of the recently finished Mayday from Black Mask which had an LGBT character.]
LUMBERJANES #18 $3.99 Page 304
Shannon Watters, Kat Leyh, and Carolyn Nowak
When April meets two mermaids who used to be friends but are now stuck in a crazy rivalry, she decides to put her friendship repairing skills to the test!
PEANUTS: A TRIBUTE TO CHARLES M. SCHULZ HC $34.99 Page 296
Matt Groening, Raina Telgemeier, Paul Pope, Mike Allred, Art Baltazar, Paige Braddock, Megan Brennan, Frank Cammuso, Colleen Coover, Evan Dorkin, Chynna Flores, Julie Fujii, Shaenon K. Garrity, Melanie Gillman, Jimmy Gownley, Matt Groening, Dan Hipp, Dave Kellett, Keith Knight, Mike Kunkel, Roger Langridge, Jeff Lemire, Jonathan Lemon, Patrick McDonnell, Terry Moore, Dustin Nguyen, Molly Ostertag, Lincoln Peirce, Paul Pope, Hilary Price, Stan Sakai, Chris Schweizer, Ryan Sook, Jeremy Sorese, Raina Telgemeier, Richard Thompson, Lucas Turnbloom, Jen Wang, Mo Willems, Caleb Monroe, and more
No one can deny the cultural impact of Charles M. Schulz’s Peanuts, and it has been a singular honor for us to be able to continue his legacy. In 2015, Peanuts celebrates its 65th anniversary, so we thought there was no better way to recognize Snoopy, Charlie Brown, and the rest of the gang than to invite some of the world’s best-known names in comics, children’s books, comic strips, cartoons, and webcomics to come together and show their love for Schulz. What It Is: Peanuts: A Tribute to Charles M. Schulz is a giant love letter from creators new and old from comic strips to webcomics, children’s books to comic books. Unprecedented at this scale, it is very rare for the Schulz estate to allow other cartoonists to illustrate the Peanuts gang in their own signature styles. This collection of original stories, pin-ups, and strips pay tribute to Schulz and the world of Peanuts, and includes contributions from Matt Groening, Raina Telgemeier, Jen Wang, Patrick McDonnell, Stan Sakai, Terry Moore, Mike Allred, Paul Pope, and many more. Features an introduction by Lincoln Peirce
Peanuts: A Tribute to Charles M. Schulz
POWER UP #3 $3.99 Page 304
Kate Leth and matt Cummings
The team gets together at Sandy’s house to talk secret identities, cover stories, and costumes as they try and figure out what’s going on!
UFOLOGY #5 $3.99 Page 291
James Tynion IV and Noah Yuenkel
Malcolm and Becky face off against the D/H agent and unpleasant truths are revealed.
SLEEPY HOLLOW TP Vol 1 $14.99 Page 299
Marguerite Bennett, Noelle Stevenson, and Jorge Coelho
We’re huge Sleepyheads, so we were thrilled to dive back into the first season of the hit Fox television show with Marguerite Bennett and artist Jorge Coelho. This action-packed volume also collects the hilarious shorts of Ichabod and Abbie’s day-to-day lives from Noelle Stevenson. After dying on the battlefield during the Revolutionary War, Ichabod Crane awakes in present-day Sleepy Hollow, NY. His resurrection is tied to the reappearance of the Headless Horseman, one of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Realizing it is his mission to help stop the end of the world, Ichabod teams with the SHPD’s Lt. Abbie Mills to meet each evil threat head-on. But they will learn that sometimes, it’s already there, waiting to be unlocked and unleashed on the souls unlucky enough to find it. Items as harmless as a music box or grandfather clock can be used as weapons in the ongoing war to bring about the apocalypse. Abbie and Crane will have to rely on each other if they are both to make it out alive. Collects the complete four-issue miniseries.
Sleepy Hollow Vol. 1
UFOLOGY #6 $3.99 Page 300
James Tynion IV and Noah J. Yuenkel
Final issue! The mystery of what happened 12 years ago is revealed as Becky and Malcolm face off against the D/H agent and the alien.
THE WOODS #16 $3.99 Page 300
James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas
Casey has a plan, and Calder is running out of time to stop him.
CANDLEWICK PRESS
HONOR GIRL GRAPHIC MEMOIR $19.99 Page 311
Maggie Thrash
All-girl camp. First love. First heartbreak. At once romantic and devastating, brutally honest and full of humor, this graphic-novel memoir is a debut of the rarest sort. Maggie Thrash has spent basically every summer of her 15-year-old life at Camp Bellflower for Girls, deep in the heart of Appalachia. She’s from Atlanta, she’s never kissed a guy, she’s into Backstreet Boys in a really deep way, and her long summer days are full of a pleasant, peaceful nothing… until one confounding moment. A split-second of innocent physical contact pulls Maggie into a gut twisting love for an older, wiser, and most surprising of all (at least to Maggie), female counselor named Erin. But Camp Bellflower is an impossible place for a girl to fall in love with another girl, and Maggie’s savant-like proficiency at the camp’s rifle range is the only thing keeping her heart from exploding. When it seems as if Erin maybe feels the same way about Maggie, it’s too much for both Maggie and Camp Bellflower to handle, let alone to understand.
Honor Girl: A Graphic Memoir
CHARTWELL BOOKS
WONDER WOMAN: THE WAR YEARS HC $24.99 Page 313
William Moulton Marston and Harry G Peter
This new compilation of comic books from the early years of Wonder Woman shows her involvement in World War II. Wonder Woman, created in 1941, is the most popular female superhero of all time. Aside from Superman and Batman, no superhero has lasted as long or commanded such a passionate following.
Wonder Woman: The War Years 1941-1945
DARK HORSE
ANGEL AND FAITH SEASON 10 #18 $3.50 Page 45
Victor Gischler and Cliff Richards
Faith and Drusilla go head to head!
BUFFY SEASON 10 #19 $3.50 Page 43
Christos Gage and Rebekah Isaacs
With a little help from Willow, Giles is given a second chance at adulthood, and the demon scourge smells weakness. Meanwhile, Buffy and Dawn are reunited with their neglectful father, Hank Summers.
BTVS SEASON 9 LIBRARY HC VOL 3 429.99 Page 44
Joss Whedon, Andrew Chambliss, Jane Espenson, Georges Jeanty, Karl Moline, and Phil Noto,
Buffy, Xander, and Willow confront new enemies–a superbeing bent on revenge, a Slayer gone rogue, and the ancient god who created vampires–in a battle that will change the shape of the world. Buffy, with a little help from her friends, rediscovers what it truly means to be a Slayer. Collects Buffy Season 9 Volumes 4 and 5. Expanded sketchbook and deluxe oversized format
Buffy: Season Nine Library Edition Volume 3 (Buffy the Vampire Slayer)
COLDER: TOSS THE BONES #1 $3.99 Page 38
Paul Tobin and Juan Ferreyra
Declan has gone from a mere human to a reluctant hero–all while the subject of the horrific machinations of the monstrous creature Nimble Jack. But our hero’s trials have only begun, as Jack flits freely between Boston and a deranged and dark reality known as the Hungry World, uniting agents of madness with only one purpose: to slaughter and consume Declan!
ELFQUEST: THE FINAL QUEST #11 $3.50 Page 48
Wendy Pini and Richard Pini
The one issue you dare not miss! The elves’ unprecedented gathering reaches a fever pitch when Strongbow’s lifemate Moonshade, Oddbit the troll queen, Mender the healer, Skywise the stargazer, and even evil Winnowill pursue their hearts’ desires–and some dare ask for even more! Angrif Djun’s war fleet invades the Wavedancers’ waters as a shattering moment of truth occurs between Cutter and Timmain.
THE TOMORROWS #3 $3.99 Page 62
Curt Pires and Jason Copland
A death meme delivered through a popular phone app. An army of children terrorizing the city. Tokyo is burning, and only the Tomorrows can stop it. Continuing the techno-thrilling pop-magical pedal-to-the-metal trip through a terrifying future from writer Curt Pires, with art for this issue by Ian MacEwan! [Pires wrote the May Day mini that featured a transgender character, published by Black Mask.]
DC
ACTION #44 $23.99 Page 106
Greg Pak and Aaron Kuder
The epic “Truth” arc reaches its finale as Superman makes some brutal choices and discovers the source of the Shadow Warriors. [Greg Pak is added to the list after I noticed he became a backer of Geeks Out’s Flame Con Kickstarter.]
ARROW SEASON 2.5 #12 $2.99 Page 94
Marc Guggenheim, Joe Bennett, and Craig Yeung
Final issue. All roads have led to this–the final confrontation between Oliver Queen and Caleb Green! Don’t miss the shocking series finale of Arrow Season 2.5! [Making the list because Guggenheim contributed to Northwest Press’ anti bullying comic and because he tried to school John Byrne about trans issues.]
BATGIRL #44 $2.99 Page 113
Cameron Stewart, Brendan Fletcher, and Babs Tarr
Velvet Tiger’s got her claws around Luke Fox’s throat–and only Batgirl can save him!
BATMAN ’66 #27 $3.99 Page 114
Jeff Parker and Scott Kowalchuk
Riddle me this: What kind of ring isn’t round? A wrestling ring, of course. This issue, Batman finds himself in the middle of a rigged contest. The Caped Crusader pursues The Riddler south of the border and encounters half of a terrifying tag team: the masked menace known only as Bane! All this, and Batgirl too! [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 ANNUAL #4 $4.99 Page 111
James Tynion IV and Roge Antonio
Batman is gone…but Bruce Wayne is alive? What does that mean for Gotham City? And who is Bruce Wayne without Batman? This special annual delves deeper into the mystery building, and whether or not Bruce can ever really escape from the shadow of the Dark Knight.
BATMAN/ SUPERMAN #24 $2.99 Page 106
Greg Pak and Ardian Syaf
The epic “Truth” arc reaches its finale as Superman discovers the true fate of Batman and makes a fateful decision.
CATWOMAN #44 $2.99 Page 1174
Genevieve Valentine and David Messina
As the mob’s turf war for control of Gotham City continues to escalate, Eiko and Selina must make some hard decisions if they are to withstand the power plays of The Penguin and Black Mask. And how does Killer Croc fit into the action?
CONSTANTINE: THE HELLBLAZER #4 $2.99 Page 85
Ming Doyle, James Tynion IV, and Riley Rossmo
Some very, very, very bad news sends John Constantine on a magical bender through the darkened streets of London. This one’s gonna hurt in the morning.
The following Convergence TPBs are included for very specific issues which appear in italics. Gay League suggests checking your comic shop first for back issues.
CONVERGENCE: CRISIS BOOK TWO TP $19.99 Page 131
Dan Abnett Larry Hama, Fabian Nicieza, Len Wein, Marv Wolfman, Joshua Middleton, Chriscross, Kelley Jones, Nicola Scott, and others
This collection stars The Flash, Wonder Woman, the JLA and many more, and includes the miniseries Flash #1-2, Wonder Woman #1-2, Justice League of America #1-2, Swamp Thing #1-2 and New Teen Titans #1-2.
Convergence: Crisis Book Two
CONVERGENCE: FLASHPOINT BOOK ONE TP $19.99 Page 132
Greg Rucka, Dan Jurgens, Alisa Kwitney, Gail Simone, Frank Tieri, Cully Hamner, Lee Weeks, Rick Leonardi, Jan Duursema, Vicente Cifuentes, and others
This collection stars Batgirl, Nightwing, The Question and many more, as they fight in a gladiator-style competition to see which worlds will live…and which will perish! This book also addresses dangling plot threads from Flashpoint and more. Collects Convergence: Superman #1-2, Convergence: The Question #1-2, Convergence: batgirl #1-2, Convergence: Nightwing/Oracle #1-2 and Convergence: Justice League #1-2.
Convergence: Flashpoint Book One
CONVERGENCE: INFINITE EARTHS BOOK ONE TP $19.99 Page 132
Dan Abnett, Jerry Ordway, Len Wein, Paul Levitz, Justin Gray, Tom Derenick, Trevor Scott, Ben Caldwell, Denys Cowan, Bill Sinkiewicz, Jim Fern, Shannon Wheeler, and Claude St Aubin
This collection stars the Justice Society of America, Infinity Inc., Batman and many more, as they fight in a gladiator-style competition to see which worlds will live…and which will perish! Collects Convergence: Justice Society of America #1-2, Convergence: Infinity Inc. #1-2, Convergence: Detective #1-2, Convergence: World’s Finest #1-2 and Convergence: Action#1-2.
Convergence: Infinite Earths Book One
DETECTIVE #44 $2.99 Page 118
Francis Manapul and Brian Buccelllato
The Joker’s Daughter reveals her plans to take on Batman and his task force–and they might prove deadly to Gordon, Bullock and Montoya! [Renee Montoya is back!]
EARTH TWO: SOCIETY #4 $2.99 Page 90
Daniel S Wilson and Jorge Jimenez
The heroes of Earth-2 have been so focused on each other and rebuilding their world that they never worried about super-villains–and now, it’s too late!
FLASH #44 $2.99 Page 92
Robert Vendetti, Van Jenson, and Brett Booth
Professor Zoom’s war against The Flash escalates as Zoom’s team launches an attack that Central City will never forget. With Wally West in the line of fire, The Flash is racing against the clock to save his city–and his friend. [Captain Singh and Hartley Rathaway are a couple. Barry Allen and Rathaway are now roommates!]
FLASH SEASON ZERO #12 $2.99 Page 92
Sterling Gates and Ibrahim Moustafa
Final issue. While The Flash battles an army of dark energy-infused giant spiders, Caitlin and Cisco go on an adventure of their own! The Flash Season Zero reaches its conclusion here! [Making the list because Andy Mientus’ playing Pied Piper in the TV show and I suspect Piper and Captain Singh will be featured in the comic adaptation.]
GOTHAM BY MIDNIGHT #9 $2.99 Page 119
Ray Fawkes and Juan Ferrerya
As the Midnight Shift is dragged in for interrogation by Internal Affairs, Dr. Tarr makes a startling discovery that might change everything for Corrigan and The Spectre. But will it be too late?
GRAYSON #12 $2.99 Page 120
Tom King, Tim Seeley, and Mikel Janin
For the first time since he faked his own death, Dick Grayson returns home to Gotham City. But will Spyral ever really let him go for good?
GRAYSON ANNUAL #2 $4.99 Page 120
Tom King, Tim Seeley, and Alvaro Martinez, and Raul Fernandez
When Dick comes home to find that the Batman he knew is gone, he seeks out his mentor, Superman. But both friends have changed since they last met. Can they find common ground and team up to stop Blockbuster’s plans for Spyral?
GREEN LANTERN: THE LOST ARMY #3 $2.99 Page 127
Cullen Bunn and Javi Pina
Things are looking grim for the lost Corps members! With tensions running high, the brewing distrust between Kilowog and Guy Gardner comes to a head! [Bunn teases an LGBT character in this Advocate article. http://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/geek/2015/03/16/its-bird-its-plane-its-new-inclusive-era-dc-comics?page=full]
HARLEY QUINN #20 $3.99 Page 122
Amanda Conner, Jimmy Palmiotti, and John Timms
Like Los Angeles didn’t have enough problems with DC Comics moving in, now Harley Quinn is determined to take over Tinseltown! She’s an overnight entertainment sensation, but will the industry survive Harley’s fifteen minutes of fame? [According to an interview at The Mary Sue, Harley and Ivy are girlfriends “without the jealousy of monotony” ]
HARLEY QUINN & POWER GIRL #4 #3.99 Page 123
Amanda Connor, Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Grey, and Stephane Roux
Love is in the air–or maybe that’s just cologne? Vartox’s dreams of making Power Girl his bride may be coming true…but nothing ever goes smoothly with Harley around! Or, for that matter, with the threat of a galaxy-crushing dictator hanging over their heads! [This new version of the Bronze Age daddy Vartox is revealed as bisexual in #2.]
MIDNIGHTER #4 $2.99 Page 96
Steve Orlando and Stephen Mooney
Grayson and Midnighter–reunited at last! Granted, it wasn’t Grayson’s idea, and yes, technically Midnighter might have kidnapped him. And, uh, brought him to Moscow to fight a herd of feral vampires. Maybe this reunion is getting off on the wrong foot…
SECRET SIX #6 $2.99 Page 103
Gail Simone and Dale Eaglesham
What is the Secret? Actually, there’s more than one–and the answers are revealed here. The true identity of Mockingbird was only one of the secrets, and it’s not even the most shocking. Plus: A marriage that should not happen is proposed. A person you thought was long gone returns. And at least one of the Six is not the person you think they are. (Okay, it’s the dummy.) From this point on, all bets are off.
SECRET SIX Vol 3 TP $19.99 Page 139
Gail Simone, John Ostrander, J Calafiore, and Peter Nguyen
In these stories from issues #15-24 and SUICIDE SQUAD #67, the Suicide Squad has captured Deadshot, and they’re determined to make him rejoin the team. But the Secret Six have some serious objections to that plan! Plus, Catman heads to Africa to find the men who kidnapped his long lost son, leaving a trail of destruction in his wake that threatens to destroy the Secret Six once and for all.
Secret Six Vol. 3
SINESTRO #15 $2.99 Page 127
Cullen Bunnn, Brad Walker, and Andrew Hennessy
Lobo’s job may be to kill Sinestro, but would the intergalactic assassin make a perfect candidate to wield a ring of his own? [Cullen Bunn wrote Dez Trevius’ back story in Sinestro annual #2 to show he’d been romantically involved with another man from his home world.]
TEEN TITANS #12 $2.99 Page 105
Will Pfeiffer and Ricken
The Titans are shaken to their foundation when the truth behind Superboy’s crimes is revealed. Now, how can the team protect its most powerful member any longer?
VERTIGO
ASTRO CITY #27 $3.99 Page 144
Kurt Busiek and Joe Infurnari
American Chibi has been a mystery since her debut–until now. Learn the secrets behind her origin, her powers and the deadly threat she stands against in an issue featuring the guest art of rising star Joe Infurnari. Plus, is this world–or any other–ready for…Chibi Honor Guard?! [A trans character was featured in #16 and a gay couple shown in #13.]
ASTRO CITY: LOVERS QUARREL HC $24.99 Page 145
Kurt Busiek and Brent Anderson
In this new collection, the spotlight falls on Quarrel and Crackerjack 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. And what’s a talking gorilla to do when he’s always wanted to be a drummer in a rock ‘n’ roll band? That’s right, you go to Astro City. Collects issues #18-21 and 23-24.
ASTRO CITY: PRIVATE LIVE TP $16.99 Page 146
Kurt Busiek, Brent Anderson, and Graham Nolan
In these tales from issues #11-16, get to know the assistant to one of Astro City’s newest and most powerful mystic heroes, the Silver Adept. Plus, we take a look at the Gentleman Bandit as he continues his life of well-dressed crime as a member of the Menagerie Gang, and meet the proprietor of a roadside killer-robot sanctuary and museum. But the Broken Man isn’t done with our town yet, and he spies on both the Dancing Master and Starbright–a teen superhero whose destiny is entwined with that of his greatest foe! [This trade includes the story of a trans character.]
FABLES: THE WOLD AMONG US Vol 1 TP $19.99 Page 14
Matthew Sturges, Dave Justus, Stephen Sadowski, Shawn McManus, and Travis Moore
e first issue of Fables, there were stories to be told and lives hanging in the balance! When Bigby Wolf, sheriff of Fabletown, learns that his old nemesis the Woodsman was part of a domestic disturbance, things go downhill fast. How will Bigby and Snow White crack the case when they get caught up in a grisly murder mystery? Collecting issues #1-8 of the new series!
D.E.
SWORDS OF SORROW #5 $3.99 Page 325
Gail Simone and Sergio Davila
As the epic era-spanning tale rockets towards conclusion, reluctant heroines find themselves facing terrifying alternate versions of themselves on the road to the ultimate showdown with the Prince of All Worlds. Can even the combined forces of Kato, Red Sonja, Dejah Thoris, Vampirella, Jungle Girl, Lady Zorro and dozens more save reality? Join us for the penultimate chapter in what critics are calling the best crossover event of the summer!
DIGITAL MANGA PULISHING
WALTZ IN THE CLINIC GN $12.95 Page 340
Makoto Tateno
Touno, a medical intern, was just rejected by his colleague, Misawa, a physician. Keeping his distance from the department of internal medicine where Misawa works, Touno spends most of his time in pediatrics, when he’s ordered to be the doctor in charge of the hospital director’s son, who has currently been admitted for a bone fracture. However, the director’s son, Ichii, seems to be a sexy medical student!
DRAWN & QUARTERLY
SUPER MUTANT MAGIC ACADEMY GN $22.95 Page 347
Jillian Tamaki
Jillian Tamaki is best known for co-creating the award-winning young adult graphic novels Skim and This One Summer, moody and atmospheric bestsellers. SuperMutant Magic Academy, which Jillian has been serializing online for the past four years, deftly plays superhero and high school Hollywood tropes against what adolescence is really like: the SuperMutant Magic Academy is a prep-school for mutants and witches but their paranormal abilities take a back seat to everyday teen concerns. This volume combines the most popular content from the webcomic with a selection of all-new, never-before-seen strips that conclude Jillian’s account of life at the Academy.
SuperMutant Magic Academy
FANTAGRAPHICS
ESPERANZA $18.99 Page 357
Jaime Hernandez
In this batch of “Locas” stories from Love and Rockets Vol. II, an older and wiser Maggie faces down her demons, Hopey transitions from tending bar to tending schoolkids, and Ray tussles with the volatile bombshell Vivian.
MAGGIE THE MECHANIC $18.99 Page 357
he first of three volumes collecting the Love and Rockets stories of spunky Maggie, her brash best friend and sometimes lover Hopey, and their friends. These are the earliest, punkiest, most heavily sci-fi stories.
HARPER COLLINS PUBLISHING
NEIL GAIMAN CHRIS RIDDELL BOXED SET $21.00 Page 459
Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell
This box set contains the British editions of three Neil Gaiman classics in paperback, including the Newbery Medal and Carnegie Medal winner The Graveyard Book; Coraline; and Fortunately, the Milk, all illustrated by acclaimed artist Chris Riddell. The editions in this box set contain the illustrations of the British editions, which are both hilarious and moving. These paperbacks have never before been published in the United States and are only available here in this special box set.
Neil Gaiman/Chris Riddell Box Set: Coraline; The Graveyard Book; Fortunately, the Milk
NEIL GAIMAN’S THE GRAVEYARD BOOK Vol 1 $9.99 Page 368
Neil Gaiman, P Craig Russell, and various
Now in softcover! Nobody Owens, known as Bod, is a normal boy. He would be completely normal if he didn’t live in a graveyard, being raised by ghosts, with a guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor the dead. Neil Gaiman’s Newbery Medal-winning The Graveyard Book reaches new heights in this glorious adaptation by P. Craig Russell. Each chapter is illustrated by a different luminary from the comic book world, including Kevin Nowlan, P. Craig Russell, Tony Harris, Scott Hampton, Galen Showman, Jill Thompson, and Stephen B. Scott, to create an imaginatively diverse and yet cohesive interpretation of Neil Gaiman’s luminous novel.
The Graveyard Book Graphic Novel: Volume 1
NEIL GAIMAN’S THE GRAVEYARD BOOK Vol 2 $9.99 Page 368
Neil Gaiman, P Craig Russell, and various
The second volume of a glorious two-volume graphic novel adaption of the bestselling and Newbery Award-winning novel The Graveyard Book. Nobody Owens is a normal boy, except he lives in a sprawling graveyard and has been raised since infancy by ghosts and a guardian who belongs to neither the world of the living nor the dead. This full-color graphic novel is the second volume in a two-volume set. It contains chapters 6 through the end of The Graveyard Book, adapted by renowned graphic novelist P. Craig Russell and illustrated by luminaries of the comics world: David Lafuente, Scott Hampton, P. Craig Russell, Kevin Nowlan, and Galen Showman.
The Graveyard Book Graphic Novel: Volume 2
NEIL GAIMAN SLEEPER & THE SPINDLE HC $19.99 Page 459
Neil Gaiman and Chris Riddell
In this thrillingly reimagined fairy tale from the truly magical combination of author Neil Gaiman and illustrator Chris Riddell, the tales of Snow White (sort of) and Sleeping Beauty (almost) are woven together with a thread of dark magic. On the eve of her wedding, a young queen sets out to rescue a princess from an enchantment. The queen casts aside her fine wedding clothes, takes up her chain mail and her sword, and follows her three brave dwarf companions into the tunnels under the mountain toward the sleeping kingdom, intent on saving the princess and deciding her own future. Alas, the princess who needs rescuing is not quite what she seems. The result is a captivating and darkly funny tale that will hold readers spellbound from start to finish.
The Sleeper and the Spindle
IDW/ TOPSHELF
THE INFINITE LOOP #6 $3.99 Page 170
Pierrick Colinet and Elsa Charretier
The Anomalies’ storage facility is under siege, and the clock is ticking for Teddy. She has to make her final choice. Will she run away and save herself, or put everything at risk for the greater good?
JEM & THE HOLOGRAMS #7 3.99 Page 179
Kelly Thompson and Emma Vieceli
Viral, Part 1. jerrica and her sisters face their biggest threat yet–success! Meanwhile, the Misfits aren’t taking these upstarts laying down… as they find themselves under new management…
ORPHAN BLACK Vol 1 TP $19.99 Page 175
John Fawcett, Graeme Manson, Jody Houser, Szymon Kudranski, and Cat Staggs
Sarah’s life was changed dramatically after witnessing the suicide of a woman who looked just like her. Sarah learned that, not only were she and the woman clones, but there were others just like them, and dangerous factions at work set on capturing them all. Now, the mysterious world of Orphan Black widens, with new layers of the conspiracy being peeled back in this miniseries by co-creators John Fawcett and Graeme Manson! Collects issues #1-5.
IMAGE
NO MERCY Vol 1 TP $9.99 Page 235
Alex De Campi and Carla Speed McNeil
A group of US teenagers on a pre-college service trip are stranded in a remote part of Central America after a horrible accident. Things get worse from there. Collects issues #1 – 4.
ODY-C #7 $3.99 Page 220
Matt Fraction an Christian Ward
What happened to Ene the Conqueror and He of Troiia after they departed for their home at the end of the Great War?
PHONOGRAM: THE IMMATERIAL GIRL #2 $3.99 Page 220
Kieron Gillen, Jamie McKelvie, and Matt Wilson
You will never look at A-Ha’s “Take On Me” video in the same way ever again.
RAT QUEENS #15 $3.99 Page 224
Kurtis J Wiebe and Stepjan Sejic
“Demons,” Part Five. A betrayal changes the Rat Queens forever! Prepare to be shocked! [Betty, one of the Rat Queens, is lesbian. Won a GLAAD award.]
RAT QUEENS DELUXE HC Vol 1 $39.99 Page 236
Kurtis J Wiebe, Roc Upchurch, Stepjan Seji, and Tess Fowler
Who are the Rat Queens? A pack of booze-guzzling, death-dealing battle maidens-for-hire, and they’re in the business of killing all god’s creatures for profit. It’s also a darkly comedic sass-and-sorcery series starring Hannah the Rockabilly Elven Mage, Violet the Hipster Dwarven Fighter, Dee the Atheist Human Cleric and Betty the Hippy Smidgen Thief. This modern spin on an old school genre is a violent monster-killing epic that is like Buffy meets Tank Girl in a Lord of the Rings world on crack! Collects issues #1 – 10 plus the never before reprinted Rat Queens Special: Braga, plus extras all in an oversized hardcover with a silver foil stamped cover! A collector’s dream just in time for Christmas!
Rat Queens Deluxe Edition Volume 1
SAGA Vol 5 TP 414.99 Page 221
Brian K Vaughn and Fiona Staples
Collects issues 325 – 30.Nominated for a GLAAD award. Izabel, one of the supporting characters, is lesbian. And a ghost.
Saga Volume 5
THE TITHE #5 $3.99 Page 215
Matt Hawkins, Rahsa Ekedal, and Phillip Sevy
Islamophobia Chapter 1. Dwayne, Jimmy and Samaritan working together? Hypocrisy and prejudice reach an all-new level with more adrenaline-fueled heists!
TREES #13 $2.99 Page 225
Warren Ellis and Jason Howard
One of the characters is transgender.
VIRGIL $9.99 Page 210
Steve Orlando and J D Faith
Betrayed, beaten, and banished by his own, an outed cop fights his way across Jamaica for revenge!
WALKING DEAD #146 $2.99 Page 221
Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Stefano Gaudiano, and Cliff Rathburn
One of the men who was half of a gay couple was spoilers! Also, two other gay people in the cast.
WALKING DEAD BOOK 12 HC $34.99 Page 231
Robert Kirkman, Charlie Adlard, Stefano Gaudiano, and Cliff Rathburn
Collects issues #133 – 144.
The Walking Dead Book 12 (Walking Dead (12 Stories))
WICKED & DIVINE #14 $3.50 Page 221
Kieron GilleN, Jamie McKelvie, Kate Brown, an Matt Wilson
Behind the music, Woden’s stayed back from the spotlight. But in this issue? We look beneath the mask. Shall we say it’s the most audacious and experimental issue of WicDiv yet? I think so.
MARVEL
A-FORCE #5$3.99 Page 23
Marguerite Bennett, G Willow Wilson, and Jorge Molina
The explosive finale to the first adventure of Marvel’s mightiest team of Avengers: A-Force! Though She-Hulk and her team have unmasked the traitor in their midst, the villain won’t rest until their utopian island is razedAs the horrors of Battleworld bear down on Arcadia, what sacrifices will the members of A-Force make to save their home…and each other? [Hey, it’s got Miss America from Young Avengers in it!]
FUTURE IMPERFECT #5 $3.99 Page 32
Peter David and Greg Land
With all things conquered and every foe crushed, Maestro attempts the only challenge left: “Deicide” the killing of a god! Finally… Maestro versus Doom! But will there be anything left of BATTLEWORLD to rule? [There’s a possibility that Peter David may use Rictor and Shatterstar here.]
HOUSE OF M #3 $3.99 Page 20
Dennis Hopeless, Cullen Bunn, and Ario Anindito
In order to retake everything he has lost, Magneto, the rightful patriarch of the House of Magnus, must ally himself with those he has sworn to rule–Luke Cage and the rest of the human resistance! [Possible Wiccan sighting.]
KORVAC SAGA #4 $3.99 Page 22
Dan Abnett and Otto Schmidt
Lord Michael Korvac’s kingdom of The Forest Hills is all but overwhelmed by a dark plague of madness, and the crisis threatens to draw down the wrath of God Doom himself. Korvac’s rival, the Wonder Man Simon Williams, has decided to move against the governor, deploying his Avengers in an effort to seize power and spare both Korvac’s kingdom and his own from Doom’s displeasure. Only Korvac’s loyal Guardians stand in the way of this ruthless power play, and a terrible, world-shattering secret is about to be discovered. [Moondragon should appear here since she appeared in the original. She was shown as straight back then, so it’s uncertain how she’ll be in this Secret Wars tie in.]
RUNAWAYS #4 $3.99 Page 10
Noelle Stevenson and Sanford Greene
It’s the end of the road for the Runaways! Betrayals! Reunions! Maybe some making out! Definitely a death or two. This one’s got it all! Except cowboys. That was last issue.
X-TINCTION AGENDA #4 $3.99 Page 26
Marc Guggenheim and Carmine Di Giandomenico
Everything comes to a head in this Secret Wars sequel to the classic X-Tinction Agenda! With the emergence of a repowered Cameron Hodge all the X-Men must band together to take down their resurgent foe. But even with their combined might, not everyone may be walking away from this fight.
ONI PRESS
STRINGERS #2 $3.99 Page 384
Marc Guggenheim and Austin Greenwood
Nick and Paul hastily flee a shootout, leaving with their footage and a mysterious USB drive taken off a gang member. They quickly get pulled over by the cops, and Nick suspects something wrong is happening… why are the cops interested in them now, when they’ve been at countless shootouts before? Paul disagrees, but Nick is the one behind the wheel, which means that a high-speed chase through LAX is going to happen whether Paul likes it or not.
SOARING PENGUIN PRESS
MEANWHILE….#5 $7.95 Page 396
Gary Spencer Millidge, David Hine, and Various
This issue! The conclusion of Yuko Rabbit’s compelling 10 Minutes. Will Teodor finally free Judita, or is she doomed to spend her life locked in the gravity tower? Gary Spencer Millidge presents another instalment of Strangehaven and a new episode of David Hine and Mark Stafford’s chilling The Bad Bad Place. First time in print: the three never-before-seen shortlisted entries from Observer/Cape/Comica graphic short story competition 2014. [The Strangehaven series has featured a gay shaman.]
SUBLIME
LOVE STAGE GN Vol 3 $12.99 Page 397
Eiki Eiki
Izumi Sena is an average guy born into a family of famous celebrities. A college student and total otaku, he works hard every day with the goal of someday becoming a manga creator. Popular actor Ryoma Ichijo confessed to him, but Izumi made him promise they’d start off as friends. Strangely, it’s Izumi who can’t seem to stop thinking about Ryoma – and they aren’t all innocent thoughts! What happens when a reporter gets the dirt on Ryoma’s crush?! And will Ryoma’s patience finally be rewarded with a night of making love?