Big Gems from the Small Press Early December Edition

What’s Up CHU? I realized I haven’t done “A Big Gems” article in a long time. My main man Ray hit me up and asked why I didn’t order in a while, and also a couple of people asked me if I stopped doing them. I didn’t stop I just got caught up with other stuff. I really love doing these kinds of articles because it gives me a chance to touch base with indie artists and studios and help them get some shine. We have got some sweet books on this months spotlight so If you want to preorder these books from your local LCS cutoff date is Dec 27th.
STREET TIGER #1

Description
(W/A/CA) Ertito Montana
Nam City is a dangerous place, and now it is even more. Members of different criminal organizations are being found dead. The police fear a gang war, but rumors are spreading about one man waging a solo war against crime. A man with a bike helmet, a leather jacket, and the symbol of a Tiger! A hectic ride that will take you to the 80’s exploitation movies!
Item #: 1598213 • Diamond code: DEC161224 • UPC: 73203083080600111
Why I Like It – 3 words 80’S EXPLOITATION MOVIES growing up I was a fan of movies of movies like Street Trash ,Death Wish 2 and 3,The Wraith ..crazy movies like that .and based on the description of the book this will be one I will be looking to read .
MALEFIC #1 (OF 8)

Description
(W/A/CA) Dan Schaffer
Young doctor Evelyn Freust gets a chance to redeem her disgraced career when she signs on at a mysterious asylum harboring diabolical paranormal neurotics – The Pit. Freust must treat their supernatural disorders and survive the madness. But a destructive battle of wits begins with Inmate Eleven, who may be the Devil. It’s all downhill from there.
Item #: 1598114 • Diamond code: DEC161611 • ISBN: 9781618551344
Why I like It: Devils Due has been putting out some quality lately (White, Lord of Gore) and I believe the streak will continue with this. Sounds like a fun ride. Dan Schaffer is also the writer of White
SMOKETOWN #1

Description
(W) Phillip Kennedy Johnson (A) Scott Van Domelen (CA) Dustin Mollick
From acclaimed writer Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Warlords of Appalachia, Last Sons of America), and introducing artist Scott Van Domelen, comes the first in an interconnecting series of chapters in the tradition of David Lapham’s Stray Bullets, Brubaker/Phillips’ Criminal, and Pulp Fiction. Each chapter explores the final days of a murdered soldier from a new perspective, each one exposing the criminal side of a small industrial Pennsylvania town. In Chapter One, ‘Killing Marcus,’ after a life-or-death situation, a battered wife and mother has until sunrise to cover up her husband’s murder, not knowing that her actions have set her up for a confrontation with some even more dangerous people.
Item #: 1598193 • Diamond code: DEC161869 • UPC: 85999000238500111
Why I like it : I am a fan of books like Stray Bullets,  movies like Pulp Fiction, and Scout Comics always deliver quality products, so this is a must read for me
SUN BAKERY #1

Description
(W/A/CA) Corey Lewis
The sold-out indy hit returns through IMAGE COMICS! SUN BAKERY comics anthology features the following stories: ‘DREAM SKILLS,’ about a city where guns are obsolete and the social culture is swordplay; ‘AREM,’ a space adventurer on a quest to photograph the most beautiful galactic vistas; and ‘BAT RIDER,’ a supernatural skateboarding comic.
Item #: 1597698 • Diamond code: DEC160666
Why I Like it: Well this one is interesting, this book came out a while back through Alternative Comics. I’m curious to see how his will affect the market for the Alternative Books #1. It had a great looking Paul Pope Variant that was pretty hard to find when it first came out
BLACK HISTORY IN ITS OWN WORDS HC

Manufacturer/Publisher: Image (Release Date: 2/8/2017*)
Description
(W/A/CA) Ronald Wimberly
A look at Black History framed by those who made it. BLACK HISTORY IN ITS OWN WORDS presents quotes of dozens of black luminaries with portraits & illustrations by Ronald Wimberly. Featuring the memorable words and depictions of Angela Davis, Jean-Michel Basquiat, Kanye West, Zadie Smith, Ice Cube, Dave Chappelle, James Baldwin, Spike Lee, and more.
Item #: 1598495 • Diamond code: DEC160625 • ISBN: 9781534301535
Why I like it : Ron Wimberly is an amazing artist and I look forward to taking a look at this come February.

12 thoughts on “Big Gems from the Small Press Early December Edition”

  1. Cabinet Of Doctor Caligari # 1 by Amigo and Heathen # 1 by Vault Comics might be worth checking out as well.

  2. The Vault Comics release of Natasha Alterici’s Heathen is a re-printing. The series already has 4 individual issues and a collected GN published by Literati Press, but those original editions appear to be ghosts right now. The volume 2 Kickstarter campaign is live right now.

      1. It’s one of my favorite posts also. The smaller publishers can be easy to miss sometimes. I always love making sure I didn’t miss anything when I read Previews.

  3. Already got an order in for the Black History HC, I wasn’t so sure about Sun Bakery, it might be a good time to pick up the original #1’s if it becomes another image hit.

  4. I am interested in Malefic, but I am a little wary (ok maybe a lot wary) of the writer and artist being the same person. These books tend to be delayed after first couple issues which kills the interest and short-term spec value.
    However, I do notice that this tends to be publisher specific. Seems like Black Mask and to some extent Image have issues with this. I don’t pick up single issues of Black Mask books at all for this reason.
    Anyone have thoughts as to how Devil’s Due track record is with delays?

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