Comics, Magazines and Books from Diamond Distributors for August 30, 2023

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS

JUL232103 2070 GN ADV HC $39.99

JUN231843 A BOOK TO MAKE FRIENDS WITH HC $75.00

JUN231769 ALCHEMYST SECRETS OF NICHOLAS FLAMEL GN $17.99

JUN231273 ANCIENT ENEMIES: THE FIRST RESPONDER #1 CVR A GUEVARA & PRAD $3.99

JUN231274 ANCIENT ENEMIES: THE FIRST RESPONDER #1 CVR B MUNOZ $3.99

JUN231601 ARCHIE JUMBO COMICS DIGEST #343 $9.99

APR231342 AVATAR THE LAST AIRBENDER OMNIBUS TP IMBALANCE $24.99

JUN231595 BEST OF ARCHIE MUSICAL MADNESS TP $13.99

JUN231323 BLACK HAMMER END #1 CVR A WARD $3.99

JUN231324 BLACK HAMMER END #1 CVR B RUBIN $3.99

FEB231001 BLADE RUNNER 2039 TP VOL 01 $17.99

MAY231719 BLANKETS 20TH ANNIVERSARY EDITION (MR) $39.95

JUN232386 BLUE LOCK GN VOL 08 (RES) $12.99

FEB231688 BONES OF THE GODS #5 (OF 6) $4.99

JUL231355 BREAKING CAT NEWS EVERYTHINGS COMING UP BEATRIX TP $12.99

JUL232062 BUNNY VS MONKEY GN $12.99

JUN232101 CATRINAS CARAVAN #2 $4.99

JUN231837 CLOVEN HC VOL 02 $24.99

JUN231200 CONAN BARBARIAN #2 CVR A QUAH (MR) $3.99

JUN231201 CONAN BARBARIAN #2 CVR B TORRE (MR) $3.99

JUN231202 CONAN BARBARIAN #2 CVR C ZAFFINO (MR) $3.99

JUN231203 CONAN BARBARIAN #2 CVR D GIST RETRO (MR) $3.99

JUN231204 CONAN BARBARIAN #2 CVR E PARENT (MR) $3.99

JUN231205 CONAN BARBARIAN #2 CVR F TORRE FOIL VIRGIN (MR) $13.99

JUN238664 CONAN BARBARIAN #2 FOC QUAH B&W INK VIRGIN (MR) $3.99

APR231350 DEN HC VOL 01 (MR) $34.99

JUN231789 DEVILS CUT ONE SHOT CVR A JOCK (MR) $9.99

JUN231790 DEVILS CUT ONE SHOT CVR B FRANCAVILLA (MR) $9.99

MAY231759 DF DAREDEVIL BLACK WIDOW ABATTOIR PERSONAL COPY STARLIN SGN $199.99

MAY231760 DF SILVER SURFER #37 PERSONAL COPY STARLIN SGN $199.99

MAY231772 DF SOMETHING IS KILLING CHILDREN PEN & INK #1 HAESER SGN $99.99

JUN231828 DF SPAWN SCORCHED #16 BLUE LINE BLANK VAR HEASER SGN $99.99

MAR231465 DF SPIDER GWEN SHADOW CLONES #1 HAESER SGN SKETCH $99.99

APR231421 DF STRANGE TALES #181 STARLIN SGN PERSONAL FILE COPY $500.00

JUN232040 DISNEY PIXAR ELEMENTAL GN $12.99

JUN232421 DOES IT COUNT IF LOSE VIRGINITY TO ANDROID GN VOL 02 (MR) (C $14.99

JUN232422 DONT CALL IT MYSTERY OMNIBUS GN VOL 02 $24.99

FEB239046 EC ARCHIVES WEIRD SCIENCE TP VOL 02 $19.99

JUN231836 EDEN II TP $39.99

JUN232387 EDENS ZERO GN VOL 24 (RES) $10.99

JUN231575 EXCITING COMICS #38 $4.99

JUN231579 FANTASY COMICS #4 $4.99

MAY231779 FAR SOUTH THE GREAT UNION SCORE CVR A BERGARA (MR) $9.99

MAY231780 FAR SOUTH THE GREAT UNION SCORE CVR B RISSO (MR) $9.99

JUN231394 FUNNY THINGS A COMIC STRIP BIOGRAPHY OF CHARLES M. SCHULZ $39.99

MAY232315 GAME OF FAMILIA FAMILY SENKI GN VOL 01 (MR) $13.00

JUN232389 GO GO LOSER RANGER GN VOL 06 (RES) (MR) $10.99

JUN231401 GODZILLA RIVALS VS. SPACEGODZILLA #1 CVR A FRANK $7.99

JUN231402 GODZILLA RIVALS VS. SPACEGODZILLA #1 CVR B ZIRITT $7.99

JAN231425 GREAT GATSBY ESSENTIAL GRAPHIC NOVEL HC $24.99

JUN232230 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #75 CVR A VITORINO $6.99

JUN232231 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #75 CVR B TARRAGONA $6.99

JUN232232 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #75 CVR C IVAN TAO $6.99

JUN232233 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #75 CVR D IGNACIO NOE $6.99

JUN232234 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #75 CVR E JOSH BURNS $6.99

MAY238916 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #75 CVR F 25 COPY FOC ROYLE CINDERELLA $10.00

MAY238917 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #75 CVR G 50 COPY FOC ROYLE ROBYN HOOD $10.00

MAY238918 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #75 CVR H 75 COPY FOC ROYLE Z RATED CINDER $10.00

MAY238919 GRIMM FAIRY TALES #75 CVR I 100 COPY FOC ROYLE Z RATED (MR) $10.00

JUN232245 GRIMM SPOTLIGHT ZODIAC VS HYDRA CVR A RIVEIRO $5.99

JUN232246 GRIMM SPOTLIGHT ZODIAC VS HYDRA CVR B HARVEY TOLIBAO $5.99

JUN232247 GRIMM SPOTLIGHT ZODIAC VS HYDRA CVR C IGNACIO NOE $5.99

JUN232248 GRIMM SPOTLIGHT ZODIAC VS HYDRA CVR D TRISTAN THOMPSON $5.99

JUN231920 HAPPY ASTRONAUT #1 CVR A MATT RODGERS $5.99

JUN231921 HAPPY ASTRONAUT #1 CVR B TROY DONGARRA $5.99

JUN231922 HAPPY ASTRONAUT #1 CVR C MATT RODGERS HOLFOIL $19.99

JUN231923 HAPPY ASTRONAUT #1 CVR D BLANK SKETCH $9.99

JUN231747 HELLWITCH FORBIDDEN #1 CVR A STANDARD $8.99

JUN231748 HELLWITCH FORBIDDEN #1 CVR B BLIZZARD MERHOFF ED $8.99

JUN231749 HELLWITCH FORBIDDEN #1 CVR C ORTIZ PREM FOIL (MR) $30.00

JUN231750 HELLWITCH FORBIDDEN #1 CVR D KROME RISQUE ED (MR) $40.00

JUL231993 HERE COMES CALICO #5 (OF 8) (MR) $2.99

JUN231925 HOLLOWED #4 CVR A DARIUS JOHNSON $5.99

JUN231926 HOLLOWED #4 CVR B ANTONIO DIAZ $5.99

JUN231927 HOLLOWED #4 CVR C DARIUS JOHNSON $5.99

JUN231928 HOLLOWED #4 CVR D GERALD LANGE $5.99

DEC221959 HOW HEAVY ARE DUMBBELLS YOU LIFT GN VOL 12 (MR) $12.99

JUN231409 HUNGER AND DUSK #2 CVR A WILDGOOSE (MR) $3.99

JUN231410 HUNGER AND DUSK #2 CVR B CHIANG (MR) $3.99

JUN231411 HUNGER AND DUSK #2 CVR C ROBLES (MR) $3.99

JUN231950 HUNT KILL REPEAT #6 (OF 6) $4.99

JUN231655 HUSH RONIN #2 (OF 4) $9.99

JUN232390 I WAS REINCARNATED AS 7TH PRINCE GN VOL 07 (RES) $12.99

JUN231415 IDW ENDLESS SUMMER D&D SAT MORNING ADV CVR A LEVINS $4.99

JUN231416 IDW ENDLESS SUMMER D&D SAT MORNING ADV CVR B LAWRENCE $4.99

JUN231419 IDW ENDLESS SUMMER MY LITTLE PONY CVR A HAINES $4.99

JUN231420 IDW ENDLESS SUMMER MY LITTLE PONY CVR B LAWRENCE $4.99

JUN231423 IDW ENDLESS SUMMER SONIC THE HEDGEHOG CVR A YARDLEY $4.99

JUN231424 IDW ENDLESS SUMMER SONIC THE HEDGEHOG CVR B LAWRENCE $4.99

JUN231427 IDW ENDLESS SUMMER TMNT SATURDAY MORNING ADV CVR A TANGO $4.99

JUN231428 IDW ENDLESS SUMMER TMNT SATURDAY MORNING ADV CVR B LAWRENCE $4.99

APR231358 ITS ONLY TEENAGE WASTELAND TP $19.99

JUL232046 JANUS SILANG AND THE CREATURE OF TABON GN $14.99

MAY231839 JOHNNY HAZARD DAILIES HC VOL 10 1959- 1961 $50.00

JUN232213 KARA GUARDIAN OF REALMS #7 (OF 11) $4.99

APR231303 KARIBA GN $21.99

JUN232429 KNIGHT CAPTAIN IS NEW PRINCESS TO BE GN VOL 01 $13.99

FEB231548 KNIGHTS OF THE DINNER TABLE #307 $6.99

JUN232175 MAPLE TERRACE #2 (OF 3) $6.00

JUN231800 MARVEL BLANK VAR HAESER SGN $99.99

JUN231844 MEMOIRS OF A MAN IN PAJAMAS TP $29.99

APR231032 MORIARTY CLOCKWORK EMPIRE TP (MR) $19.99

APR231689 MY FRIEND TOBY HC $24.99

JUN232484 NICHIJOU GN VOL 11 $12.95

JUL231619 NINJA SEX PARTY GN VOL 02 $29.69

JUL231891 NOVI SPACE PRINCESS GN $15.00

MAY231714 OCTOBRIANA & UNDERGROUND FULL TILT BOOGIE #2 (OF 2) CVR A PA $3.99

MAY231541 PHAZER UNIVERSE #1 CVR E METAL MAIN $74.99

MAY231540 PHAZER UNIVERSE #1 CVR F FOIL $19.99

MAY231542 PHAZER UNIVERSE #1 CVR F METAL AGENT THREE ZERO $74.99

MAY231543 PHAZER UNIVERSE #1 CVR G METAL BLACKRAY $74.99

MAY231544 PHAZER UNIVERSE #1 CVR H METAL BLUE SULTAN $74.99

MAY231545 PHAZER UNIVERSE #1 FULL COLOR SKETCH ED $150.00

JUN231577 PLANET COMICS #22 $4.99

JUN231292 PLOT HOLES #1 (OF 5) CVR A MURPHY (MR) $3.99

JUN231293 PLOT HOLES #1 (OF 5) CVR B PANOSIAN (MR) $3.99

JUN231294 PLOT HOLES #1 (OF 5) CVR C SIMONSON BETA RAY BILL HOMAGE (MR $3.99

JUN231295 PLOT HOLES #1 (OF 5) CVR D SOMMARIVA (MR) $3.99

JUN231296 PLOT HOLES #1 (OF 5) CVR E SCALERA (MR) $3.99

JUN231297 PLOT HOLES #1 (OF 5) CVR F BENGAL (MR) $3.99

JUN231298 PLOT HOLES #1 (OF 5) CVR G BLANK SKETCH VAR (MR) $4.99

JUN231299 PLOT HOLES #1 (OF 5) CVR H VIDEO GAME HOMAGE (MR) $3.99

JUN232002 PUNCH UP GN VOL 01 $15.99

JUN231816 RAMPAGING HULK #4 STARLIN PERSONAL COPY SGN STARLIN $199.99

MAR232253 REAL ACCOUNT GN 21 - 22 OMNIBUS (RES) (MR) $19.99

JUN232391 REAL ACCOUNT GN 23 - 24 OMNIBUS (MR) $19.99

JUN231516 REGULATORS #2 $3.99

JUN231999 RICK AND MORTY #8 CVR A STRESING (MR) $4.99

JUN232000 RICK AND MORTY #8 CVR B ELLERBY (MR) $4.99

JAN232254 SAVING 80K GOLD IN ANOTHER WORLD GN VOL 02 $12.99

JUN232394 SHANGRI LA FRONTIER GN VOL 07 (RES) $12.99

MAY231368 SHELLEY FRANKENSTEIN TP BOOK 01 COWPIGGY $14.99

JAN232330 SINOALICE GN VOL 04 (MR) $14.99

JUL231770 SLEEP TERRORS GN $19.99

JUN231448 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG SCRAPNIK ISLAND TP $15.99

JUN231574 SPECTREMAN HEROES HC $39.99

APR231382 STAR WARS HIGH REPUBLIC ADVENTURES TP VOL 01 COMP PHASE $29.99

APR238125 STAR WARS HYPERSPACE STORIES #8 (OF 12) CVR A DUGGAN $3.99

APR238126 STAR WARS HYPERSPACE STORIES #8 (OF 12) CVR B NORD $3.99

JUN231835 SUNSHINE PATRIOTS #2 (OF 2) (MR) $9.99

MAY232342 TALES OF WEDDING RINGS GN VOL 12 $15.00

JUN231718 TAROT WITCH OF THE BLACK ROSE #141 (MR) $3.99

JUN231522 THE GIMMICK #6 (OF 6) (MR) $3.99

MAY232054 THE PINK ELEPHANT #2 (OF 3) CVR A CHIN (MR) $3.99

MAY232055 THE PINK ELEPHANT #2 (OF 3) CVR B CHIN (MR) $3.99

JUN232440 THIS IS SCREWED UP REINCARNATED AS GIRL GN VOL 08 $12.99

JUN231508 THREE ROCKS STORY OF ERNIE BUSHMILLER MAN WHO CREATED NANCY $24.99

JUN231476 TMNT SATURDAY MORNING ADV 2023 #4 CVR A LAWRENCE $3.99

JUN231477 TMNT SATURDAY MORNING ADV 2023 #4 CVR B SCHOENING $3.99

JUN231478 TMNT SATURDAY MORNING ADV 2023 #4 CVR C HYMEL $3.99

MAY231431 TMNT VS STREET FIGHTER #3 (OF 5) CVR A MEDEL $3.99

MAY231432 TMNT VS STREET FIGHTER #3 (OF 5) CVR B BROWN $3.99

MAY231433 TMNT VS STREET FIGHTER #3 (OF 5) CVR C REILLY $3.99

MAY231653 TOXX #1 CVR A BRIAN DEMAREST $4.99

MAY231654 TOXX #1 CVR B SKYLAR PATRIDGE $4.99

MAY231655 TOXX #1 CVR C ALESSANDRO (ALEX) AMORUSO $4.99

MAY231656 TOXX #1 CVR D JEZREEL ROJALES $4.99

MAY232344 TRINITY SEVEN 7 MAGICIANS GN VOL 28 (MR) $13.00

JUN231787 UNDER A BLOOD RED MOON #2 CVR A STANDARD ED (MR) $4.99

JUN229083 VALIANT MUST FALL VOL 02 $15.99

JUN232085 VANITY REMASTERED ED #1 (OF 9) $4.99

APR231767 WAR PARTY DYANIS WAR DIARY HC (MR) $34.99

JUL231535 WEAPON BROWN AFTERSHOCK LITTLE RED S&N ED (MR) $20.00

NOV221081 WHERE STARSHIPS GO TO DIE TP $17.99

JUN231830 WINTER EMBER #3 (OF 8) $3.99

MAY232310 WITCHES MARRIAGE GN VOL 01 $13.00

JUN232382 WORLDS END HAREM GN VOL 15 (MR) $13.99

MAGAZINES

JUN231758 COMIC SHOP NEWS (100CT BUNDLE) #1880 $PI

DEC221377 HORRORHOUND #98 $8.99

JUN231913 ILLUSTRATION MAGAZINE #84 $15.00

JUN231768 MONSTER BASH MAGAZINE #51 $8.99

JUL231723 NIB FUTURE $14.95

JUN231234 STAR WARS INSIDER #220 NEWSSTAND ED $9.99

JUN231235 STAR WARS INSIDER #220 PX ED $9.99

BOOKS

JUN231771 AVENGERS ASSEMBLED HC $30.00

JUL231612 DEEP RED VOL 4 #2 LTD HC (RES) (MR) $55.00

MAR239695 DISPLACEMENT PROSE NOVEL SC (MR) $12.99

MAY232269 ELDEN RING OFFICIAL ART BOOK HC VOL 01 (MR) $59.99

MAY232268 ELDEN RING OFFICIAL ART BOOK HC VOL 02 (MR) $59.99

JUN232042 EXQUISITE EXANDRIA CRITICAL ROLE COOKBOOK HC $29.99

JUN232480 FANTASY COSTUMES FOR MANGA ANIME & COSPLAY SC $18.99

JUL231915 FROM A CERTAIN POV RETURN OF JEDI HC $36.00

MAY232350 LIAR LIAR LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 01 (MR) $15.00

APR232150 LOOKS ARE ALL YOU NEED NOVEL SC VOL 01 (NEW EDITION) $15.00

MAR231731 MOONSTONE DOUBLE SHOT GREEN HORNET DOMINO LADY PROSE SC $5.99

JUN231972 SPIDEY & HIS AMAZING FRIENDS ELECTROS GOTTA GLOW SC $5.99

JUN232044 STRANGER THINGS SEASON 4 OFFICIAL COLORING BOOK $18.99

MAY232349 YOUR FORMA LIGHT NOVEL SC VOL 04 (MR) $15.00

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DC Comics from Lunar Distributors for August 29, 2023

DC COMICS:

Absolute Superman For All Seasons HC, $100.00

Action Comics Presents Doomsday Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Bjorn Barends), $5.99

Action Comics Presents Doomsday Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Lucio Parrillo Card Stock Variant), $6.99

Action Comics Presents Doomsday Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Puppeteer Lee Card Stock Variant), $6.99

Action Comics Presents Doomsday Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Clayton Crain Card Stock Variant), AR

Action Comics Presents Doomsday Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover E Jon Bogdanove Card Stock Variant), AR

Action Comics Presents Doomsday Special #1 (One Shot)(Cover F Dan Jurgens Card Stock Variant), AR

Batgirl Volume 8 The Joker War TP (Rebirth), $16.99

Batman Catwoman The Gotham War Battle Lines #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Jorge Jimenez), $5.99

Batman Catwoman The Gotham War Battle Lines #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Joe Quesada Card Stock Variant), $6.99

Batman Catwoman The Gotham War Battle Lines #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Kael Ngu Card Stock Variant), $6.99

Batman Catwoman The Gotham War Battle Lines #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Blank Card Stock Variant), $6.99

Batman Catwoman The Gotham War Battle Lines #1 (One Shot)(Cover E Jonboy Meyers Foil Variant), $7.99

Batman Catwoman The Gotham War Battle Lines #1 (One Shot)(Cover F Otto Schmidt Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman Catwoman The Gotham War Battle Lines #1 (One Shot)(Cover G Kael Ngu Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman Catwoman The Gotham War Battle Lines #1 (One Shot)(Cover H Joe Quesada Card Stock Variant), AR

Batman Knightwatch TP, $16.99

Catwoman Uncovered #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Jamie McKelvie), $5.99

Catwoman Uncovered #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Frank Cho), $5.99

Catwoman Uncovered #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Olivier Coipel), $5.99

Catwoman Uncovered #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Stanley Artgerm Lau Foil Variant), $7.99

Catwoman Uncovered #1 (One Shot)(Cover E Babs Tarr), AR

Catwoman Uncovered #1 (One Shot)(Cover F Jeff Dekal), AR

G’norts Illustrated Swimsuit Edition #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Vasco Georgiev), $5.99

G’norts Illustrated Swimsuit Edition #1 (One Shot)(Cover B J Scott Campbell Card Stock Variant), $6.99

G’norts Illustrated Swimsuit Edition #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Adam Hughes Card Stock Variant), $6.99

G’norts Illustrated Swimsuit Edition #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Pablo Villalobos Card Stock Variant), AR

Harley Quinn The Animated Series The Eat Bang Kill Tour TP, $19.99

Knight Terrors Night’s End #1 (One Shot)(Cover A Howard Porter), $5.99

Knight Terrors Night’s End #1 (One Shot)(Cover B Simone Di Meo Card Stock Variant), $6.99

Knight Terrors Night’s End #1 (One Shot)(Cover C Mico Suayan Card Stock Variant), $6.99

Knight Terrors Night’s End #1 (One Shot)(Cover D Howard Porter Darkest Hour Neon Ink Card Stock Variant), $7.99

Knight Terrors Night’s End #1 (One Shot)(Cover E Dan Mora Card Stock Variant), AR

Knight Terrors Night’s End #1 (One Shot)(Cover F Kendrick Kunkka Lim Card Stock Variant), AR

Knight Terrors Night’s End #1 (One Shot)(Cover G Mico Suayan Card Stock Variant), AR

Knight Terrors Night’s End #1 (One Shot)(Cover H Howard Porter), AR

Phantom Stranger Omnibus HC, $150.00

Sandman Universe Nightmare Country The Glass House #4 (Of 6)(Cover A Reiko Murakami), $3.99

Sandman Universe Nightmare Country The Glass House #4 (Of 6)(Cover B Matteo Scalera Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Sandman Universe Nightmare Country The Glass House #4 (Of 6)(Cover C Cathy Kwan Card Stock Variant), AR

Superboy The Man Of Tomorrow #5 (Of 6)(Cover A Jahnoy Lindsay), $3.99

Superboy The Man Of Tomorrow #5 (Of 6)(Cover B Adrian Gutierrez Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Superboy The Man Of Tomorrow #5 (Of 6)(Cover C Carlo Barberi Blue Beetle Movie Card Stock Variant), $4.99

Superboy The Man Of Tomorrow #5 (Of 6)(Cover D Scott Kolins Card Stock Variant), AR

Superman Red Son TP (2023 Edition), $19.99

Wonder Woman 1987 #1 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover A George Perez), $3.99

Wonder Woman 1987 #1 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover B Blank Variant), $4.99

Wonder Woman 1987 #1 (Facsimile Edition)(Cover C George Perez Foil Variant), $5.99

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#IReadsYou Review: NOW: The New Comics Anthology #12

NOW: THE NEW COMICS ANTHOLOGY #12

FANTAGRAPHICS BOOKS

CARTOONISTS: Cecilia Varhed; Bhanu Pratap; Cynthia Alfonso; J. Webster Sharp; Kayla E.; Noah Van Sciver; Rahel Suesskind; Francois Vigneault; Tim Lane; Max Clotfelter; Matt Lawton & Peter Bagge

DESIGN: Jacob Covey

EDITOR: Eric Reynolds

COVER: Alex Graham

BACKCOVER: Noah Van Sciver

ISBN: 978-1-68396-695-1; paperback (February 2023)

112pp, Color, $12.99 U.S.

NOW: The New Comics Anthology is an alternative-comics anthology series launched in 2017 and edited by Eric Reynolds.  Now is published by alt-comix and art comics publisher, Fantagraphics Books.  Over its four-plus decades of existence, Fantagraphics has published what is probably the most diverse collection of comic book anthologies in the history of North American comic books.  That line-up includes such titles as Anything Goes, Critters, Mome, Pictopia, and Zero Zero, to name a few.

NOW: The New Comics Anthology #12 offers a selection of works from thirteen cartoonists and comics creators, as well as a back cover “comics strip” from one of its contributors, Noah Van Sciver.  Now #12, as usual, holds to editor Eric Reynolds' creed (from NOW #1) that this anthology showcase “...as broad a range of quality comic art as possible...”

The contributors list also includes a Leroy favorite, the great Peter Bagge.  But let's take a look at each of Now #12's cartoonists' contributions individually:

THE LOWDOWN:  The illustration that acts as Now #12's cover art is entitled “Untitled,” and is produced by Alex Graham.  Like the cover for Now #11, it looks like something at least partially inspired by the animation seen in late British sketch comedy television series, “Monty Python's Flying Circus” (1969-74).

“Coronation Station” by Cecilia Vårhed:

While riding a commuter train – apparently during the height of the COVID pandemic – a young woman is harassed by a quintet of hipsters who are too cool to wear face masks.  After making them feel guilty, she finds herself invited to an apartment where a “spiritual experience” brings about unpleasant revelations.

Despite its surreal twists, “Coronation Station” captures the tensions of the pandemic.  The lead character is absolutely lovable, and I find that Vårhed has composed this story in a way that makes me feel connected to her lead.  This story is both a fascinating slice-of-life and slice of recent history.  I'd love to see this character again.

Big Head Pointy Nose” by Bhanu Pratap:

A boy with a beak-like nose and mouth feels out of place until... he doesn't.  This 16-page story has a picture book quality.  In fact, Pratap's lavish, rich colors convey a story that embraces both an alt-comix aesthetic and a story book sensibility.

Untitled by Cynthia Alfonso:

This 18-page story reminds me of the animation and production design of the films, Pink Floyd – The Wall (1982) and Heavy Metal (1981).

Untitled by J. Webster Sharp:

If David Cronenberg's nightmare about a ventriloquist's dummy and Tim Burton's dream about doll-making were somehow merged, there would be trouble.  Or we'd get Sharp's visually striking eight-page short story.

“Precious Rubbish” by Kayla E.:

Kayla's nine-page story riffs off old St. John Publications romance comics and religion.  Divided into five vignettes, it plays with childhood trauma and the adult securities inherited from them.  I enjoy Kayla's comix, although they trouble my imagination.  The thing is that Kayla E.'s work exemplifies the experimental, adventurous spirit of Now.

“Mellow Mutt” by Noah Van Sciver:

Yarn-spinning, tale-tellin,' and lies shape this lovely four-page story by Noah Van Sciver, one of my favorite regular contributors to Now.  Set in the halcyon days of the original theatrical release of Jurassic Park (1993), Noah summons pieces of the ghosts of Peanuts and one of those 1980s coming-of-age Hollywood movies.  “Mellow Mutt” epitomizes the crazy imagination of children, and how they can take mass media and make of it what they will.

“Monster Finger” by Rahel Suesskind:

A booger eats a booger.  This colorful throw-back short comix is an absolute delight even if I lack the imagination to adequately describe it to you.

“The Bird is Gone” by François Vigneault:

I first came across the “passenger pigeon,” the extinct species of pigeon that was once the most abundant bird in America, via a “CBS Evening News” segment decades ago.  Vigneault's seven-page comix, “The Bird is Gone,” is a history of the demise of the passenger pigeons in gory and horrific detail.  Ostensibly a historical piece, the aesthetic of “The Bird is Gone” recalls another extinct entity, EC Comics.  Dark and detailed, the story is a damnation and condemnation of Americans' careless appetites and of our appetite for destruction.

“Li'l Stevie” by Tim Lane:

This story is not the first comix in which Lane has used the late actor, Hollywood legend, and screen icon, Steve McQueen, as his subject/muse.  This is story made me do some research, and I was shocked to discover that McQueen had a very troubled childhood (to say the least).

Lane uses the form of the early comic book and style of the “Big Little Book” to detail the horrors of Li'l Stevie's boyhood, with Li'l Stevie being a stand-in for Steve McQueen.  In drawing “Li'l Stevie,” Lane uses the visual style of cartoonist Ernie Bushmiller and his famed comic strip, Nancy.  The result is a spellbinding, heartbreaking tale.  Other than an actual audio-visual recording of McQueen's childhood (which obviously doesn't exist), I don't think anything can convey the loneliness and desperation of an abused Li'l Stevie with more blunt force and brute power than what Tim Lane does here.  This is not genius.  It's fucking genius.

Untitled by Max Clotfelter:

This one-pager, a reminiscence of a comic book fan's experiences with other comic book people, is a delight.  Is there more?  I must have more.

“The Cartoonist” by Matt Lawton and Peter Bagge:

Burt Fisher is a newspaper cartoonist who draws a single-panel comic, “The Ruckus Room,” which he inherited from his late father, who created it.  Fisher hates the strip, and he says that he has been trying to destroy it via his take on the strip.  However, his version of The Ruckus Room has proven to be quite popular with readers.  With deadlines piling up, Burt's editor, Nancy, has hired an assistant to help him.  The young man, named Glen, is about to discover just what a mess Burt Fisher is.

The Ruckus Room is a thinly-veiled version of the classic newspaper comic, The Family Circus, which was created by the late Bil Keane, who drew it until his death.  One of Bil's four sons, Jeff Keane, now writes and draws the strip.  I think “The Cartoonist” is less about The Ruckus Room and more about Burt Fisher, one of those self-absorbed GenX types who ages into a slightly sociopathic curmudgeon.  Matt Lawton and Peter Bagge seem like a perfect pairing, at least I think so and want more.  I've been reading Bagge's comix and comic books for four decades (Lord, help me), and “The Cartoonist” is the pure essence of him.

I usually pick a “best of” entry after each edition of Now that I review, but, as far as Now #12, I can't.  There are five stories here from which I could pick a favorite, but I don't won't to slight any of them by saying, “this one is the best.”  The other stories are experimental and also explore the medium of comics in interesting ways, and even the stories that perplex me also impress me.  Not only does editor Eric Reynolds have a knack for getting acclaimed veteran and star cartoonists to appear in Now, but he also has a golden eye for talent – emerging cartoonists or little seen creatives.

Now #12 – wow, I don't know if I have the words to convey just how impressed I am with this edition.  I'll take the easy way out and say that I'm blown away.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of classic alternative-comics anthologies will want to discover NOW: The New Comics Anthology.

A+

10 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"

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#IReadsYou Review: THE MAGIC ORDER 3 #3

THE MAGIC ORDER 3 #3 (OF 6)
IMAGE COMICS/Netflix

STORY: Mark Millar
ART: Gigi Cavenago
COLORS: Valentina Napolitano
LETTERS: Clem Robins
EDITORIAL: Sarah Unwin
COVER: Gigi Cavenago
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Gigi Cavenago; Ben Oliver
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2022)

Rated M / Mature

The Magic Order created by Mark Millar at Netflix

The Magic Order was a six-issue comic book miniseries written by Mark Millar and drawn by Olivier Coipel.  Published in 2018-19, The Magic Order focuses on the sorcerers, magicians, and wizards – in particularly the Moonstone family – who live ordinary lives by day, but protect humanity from darkness and monsters of impossible sizes by night.  A second six-issue miniseries, The Magic Order 2 (2021-22), was recently published.

The Magic Order 3 introduces the Asian chapter of the The Magic Order.  A six-issue miniseries, this third installment is written by Millar; drawn by Gigi Cavenago; colored by Valentina Napolitano; and lettered by Clem Robins.  The series finds Cordelia Moonstone focusing her attention on the Asian chapter's Sammy Liu and his impossible wealth.

The Magic Order 3 #3 opens as Leonard Moonstone (Papa Moonstone) and Salome (Mama Moonstone) prepare for a trip.  Leonard stepped aside to make room for his daughter Cordelia as leader of the Order.  That allowed him to find his estranged wife and tell her what happened to their late son Gabriel (as seen in the first series). But Salome has been gone for a very long time, and she has a remarkable secret of her own when he finds her.  Can Leonard help her?

Meanwhile, in Baltimore, Regan Moonstone and Sacha “the Babysitter” are training their niece, Rosetta “Rosie” Moonstone,” in the arts of ghost-busting (so to speak).  Their targets are a group of gang bangers, the Mendoza brothers, come back from the dead as really malevolent ghosts.  But it seems that Rosie make be taking to her lessons too well.

THE LOWDOWN:  My favorite Mark Millar Netflix creation is The Magic Order.  It always surprises me – always.

The Magic Order 3 #3 offers a change of pace.  After he gives a look at the Moonstone parents, Millar moves us to the education of Rosie Moonstone (or miseducation).  Millar seems to always have delightful new characters to introduce, and after introducing them, he comes back with an amazing subplot involving a few of them.  Sacha and Rosie may be about to blow our minds.  Damn, Mark, I don't want to wait for the next issue.

The Magic Order 3's Italian maestro, artist Gigi Cavenago, makes this third issue soar.  Once the adventures of Rosie begins, the art seems to zip across the page as if driven by a wind that wants to be faster than our imaginations.  Cavenago also draws the creepiest creatures, and he presents the Mendoza ghost-monsters if they were eerie icons from some forgotten dark religion come to life.  Cavenago's graphical storytelling keeps The Magic Order fresh and vibrant, so that this third series isn't a repeat of the previous iterations of The Magic Order.

So Mark Millar has kept his word.  He wanted to blow our minds, and he and Cavenago are doing just that.  If I smoked cigarettes, I would need one now.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Mark Millar and of The Magic Order will want to read The Magic Order 3.

A+

10 out of 10

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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#IReadsYou Review: RED SONJA Volume 6 #1

RED SONJA VOLUME 6 #1
DYNAMITE ENTERTAINMENT

STORY: Mirka Andolfo and Luca Blengino
ART: Giuseppe Cafaro
COLORS: Chiara Di Francia
LETTERS: Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou
COVER: Mirka Andolfo
EDITOR: Nate Cosby
VARIANT COVER ARTISTS: Jan Anacleto; Joseph Michael Linsner; Erica D'Urso; Brett Booth; Mirka Andolfo; Tabitha Lyons (cosplay)
32pp, Color, $3.99 U.S. (September 2021)

Rated Teen+

Based on the characters and stories created by Roy Thomas, Barry Windsor-Smith, and Robert E. Howard

“Mother” Chapter One

Conan the Barbarian #23 (cover dated: February 1973) saw the debut of a high fantasy, sword and sorcery heroine, Red Sonja.  Created by writer Roy Thomas and artist Barry Windsor-Smith, Red Sonja was loosely based on “Red Sonya of Rogatino,” a female character that appeared in the 1934 short story, “The Shadow of the Vulture,” written by Robert E. Howard (1906-1936), the creator of the character, Conan the Cimmerian.

Red Sonja remained a fixture in comic books from then until about 1986.  There have been several ongoing Red Sonja comic book series, and the latest, Red Sonja Volume 6, is under the guidance of popular Italian comic book creator, Mirka Andolfo.  It is written by Andolfo and Luca Blengino; drawn by Giuseppe Cafaro; colored by Chiara Di Francia; and lettered by Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.

Red Sonja Volume 6 #1 opens in Hyperborea, and its story begins in a village, ransacked and set on fire.  It's residents dead, and the dregs from the forces of “Three-Eyes Shezem,” digs among the ruins for scraps.  Suddenly, the She-Devil with a Sword is upon them.  For she has traveled for two months from Massentia to arrive at this village.

Red Sonja's prize is a particular child, bearing curious white tattoos.  Her name is “Sitha,” and she turns out to be the village's only survivor, but she really does not belong there, according to Zondryck.  He is the one who has sent Sonja to find the child.  Now, Sonja has a travel companion, and their journey to Massentia will bring them across hardened ice, imposing mountains, dangerous forests, and the kind of people that make them dangerous.

THE LOWDOWN:   Dynamite Entertainment's marketing department recently began providing me with PDF review copies of some of their titles.  One of them is Red Sonja Volume 6 #1, which is the latest of several Dynamite Entertainment Red Sonja comic books that I have recently read.

The only Mirka Andolfo comic books that I have read are the first two issues of her recent maxi-series, Deep Beyond (Image Comics).  I am happily adding Red Sonja Volume 6 to that.  The story by Andolfo and Luca Blengino is straightforward with lots of Red Sonja-style ultra-violence.  There is, however, a surprising hook in Sonja as she plays something of a mother to a child who is more than she seems.

The art and storytelling by Giuseppe Cafaro flows like water and reflects the mercurial nature of the secrets and back story behind narrative.  Chiara Di Francia's colors also capture the wild and secretive nature of this first chapter, with Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou's lettering providing a steady beat.  I am very surprised by this first issue, and I am interested enough to come back for more.

I READS YOU RECOMMENDS:  Fans of Red Sonja and Mirka Andolfo will want to try Red Sonja Volume 6.

A-

★★★½ out of 4 stars

Reviewed by Leroy Douresseaux a.k.a. "I Reads You"


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