What’s Up CHU? Mel V. back again with another edition of Big Gems from The Small Press, It feels good to be back to the comic grind after the holidays. For some reason Nov-Dec are slow for selling comics, but spring is right around the corner. These are some of the books that are on my radar for the month of March, whether it be for good reads or just for spec. If you want to pre-order these books from your local local comic shop, the cutoff date is January 26th.
A lot of good Number 1’s from Indie Studios coming
So here we go….
SAMURAI #1-Manufacturer/Publisher: Titan Comics
Description
(W) Jean-François Di Giorgio (A/CA) Frédéric Genet
The terrible agon against the treacherous Akuma has been won, and the empire is safe once more. But Takeo has set out for the mysterious Unnamed Island to continue his quest to finally discover the truth about his brother and his family – and the symbolic tattoo that saved his life. Covers by Frederic Genet and David Mack.
Item #: 1508235 • Diamond code: JAN161695 • UPC: 07447068108300111
Why I like it: Nothing like a Good Samurai story, some good looking art in this as well, should be a great book for the PC
ELASTICATOR #1– Manufacturer/Publisher: Scout Comics (Release Date: 3/30/2016)
Description
(W) A.C. Medina (A/CA) Kevin Shah
It’s the debut issue of the next great modern superhero! In this neo-crime epic, we follow The Elasticator (aka Mikey Mazzagatti) as he tells us his story of life in Brooklyn during the height of the recession. With a city on its knees and organized crime working alongside the government, Mikey must push past his own troubles towards a greater good. Mixing equal parts humor and grit, Mikey goes from outcast to a neighborhood icon. Mikey pulls no punches as he tells a story of regret, hardship, and second chances.
Item #: 1508063 • Diamond code: JAN161625 • UPC: 85999000228600111
Why I Like it- Scout Comics already has a hit on its hands with HenchGirl (great book)This one seems to have a bit more edge to it. An introduction of a new character to the comic world will always have collectors eyes open, definitely one to watch.
DELETE #1 (OF 4)- Manufacturer/Publisher: Devils Due Publishing (Release Date: 3/2/2016)
Item #: 1508039 • Diamond code: JAN161388 • ISBN: 9781618551115
Description
(W) Jimmy Palmiotti, Justin Gray (A) John Timms (CA) Amanda Conner
In the near future, where science can implant or remove human memories and the government uses brain scan technology in criminal investigations, a mute girl witnesses a multiple murder and must turn to a handyman for protection from the police and an army of killers. From the Harley Quinn team of writers Jimmy Palmiotti and Justin Grey and artist John Timms, with covers by Amanda Conner.
Why I like it: Palmiotti is on fire lately, also I love the premise of this title. Amanda Conner has a variant for this title, should be a great book
OH HELL #1– Manufacturer/Publisher: Overground Comics (Release Date: 3/23/2016)
Description
(W) G. Wassil (A/CA) Dave Hamann
Angela’s parents have had it with her, and are shipping her off to boarding school. What no one knows? The school is in Hell, where it’s pass or fail. The Geekie Award Winner for best graphic novel finally comes to you monthly from Overground Comics!
Item #: 1508210 • Diamond code: JAN161597 • ISBN: 9781942519188
Why I like it: I told y’all a couple months ago that Overground Comics will be one to watch…an award winning graphic novel becoming a monthly book…sign me up
TURNCOAT #1– Manufacturer/Publisher: BOOM! Studios (Release Date: 3/16/2016)
Description
(W) Alex Paknadel (A/CA) Artyom Trakhanov
What’s to Love: Employing the most compelling elements of science fiction and the detective genre, Turncoat is a gripping exploration of power vacuums and the legacy of oppression. Alex Paknadel (Arcadia) and Artyom Trakhanov (Undertow) tell the story of a guilt-ridden protagonist through a grisly quest for a truth. Turncoat will scratch that itch you have for dark sci-fi like Blade Runner, The Forever War, and Neuromancer. What It Is: 300 years since humanity was brutally subjugated by the alien race known simply as the Management. Two years since these invaders abandoned Earth to return to their home world. Following her participation in the brutal massacre of human-alien hybrids left behind by the Management, resistance fighter Marta Gonzalez declines to join the new human government and starts her own private detective agency instead. Gonzalez is forced to confront her own bloody past and acknowledge the fact that the transition from oppression to emancipation is anything but clean.
Item #: 1508269 • Diamond code: JAN161190 • UPC: 84 428400527200111
Why I like it: Sci FI/Detective Story BLADE RUNNER Type book. Yes Please. This very well could be the best story to come out this month
SANTERIA THE GODDESS KISS #1– Manufacturer/Publisher: Aspen Entertainment (Release Date: 3/16/2016)
Description
(W) David Wohl (A/CA) Giuseppe Cafaro
Life hurts more than death. The first brand new Aspen series to debut in 2016, from the creator of Executive Assistant: Iris, Legend of the Shadow Clan and Witchblade, and the artist of Fathom: Kiani comes a new tale spanning centuries, deep within the heart of the ancient civilizations of Africa… Meanwhile in Spanish Harlem, Emergency Medical Techs Michael and Naomi are working the violent and unpredictable streets daily. However, nothing can prepare the duo as a routine Police shooting reveals something far more powerful-and dangerous-for Naomi’s future!
Item #: 1508237 • Diamond code: JAN161106 • UPC: 75318272770700111
Why I like it: These are the type of books I get hyped for; Dark premise, possible low print run, has all the makings of a TV show…CO-BOOK OF THE MONTH
TOMMY #1 (OF 3) (MR)
Manufacturer/Publisher: Creature Entertainment (Release Date: 3/23/2016)
Description
(W) John Ulloa, Al Bondiga (A) Juan Navarro (CA) Juan Navarro, Rob Torres
What can you do when you find out your imaginary friend, who happens to also to be your pet rabbit, is a serial killer, and you’re the only one who knows? Oh, and you’re seven years-old and nobody believes you? That’s Tommy’s reality, but now he means to change it!
Item #: 1508268 • Diamond code: JAN161310 • UPC: 68047400063000111
Why I like it: I been following this book for almost a year, The Guys at Creature Entertainment really have a hit on their hands. Tommy is super controversial. Issue #3 had to be re written because Diamond deemed it to intense. This is my Pick of the Month. The harder copies to find will be the self-published copies that Creature has been selling at conventions. None on eBay currently, these may come out as the book is released.
This is a great month for Indie books,
Thanks Mel V. Love this segment. I’d have never heard of ” Tommy” if not for your CHU article. Now I HAVE to read it. Well done. Keep it up.
thanks for checking out Big Gems,..Yea I think Tommy will be one of the books being talked about next year
Thank you
your welcome popsfoster
Turncoat and Oh Hell have my attention. Those are two I’m going to look into
Thanks Mel.
Thank You Nice T and Dewayne for checking out Big Gems from the Small press…I Think Boom is ready to explode(no pun intended)in 2016….The Last Contract comes out next week..im lookiing forward to that
Tommy definitely looks good. Two more that caught my eye are the new Rivers of London and the new Madagascar.