Previews gives us a glimpse of what’s to come. Here’s the spotlight new books (and some trade/hardcovers/omnibuses) coming out of April Previews for the smaller independent publishers…
(Edit: These are for April Previews)
Where Starships Go to Die #1 – I like a good sci fi story as long as the story holds up.
“Point Nemo – the farthest oceanic point on earth from any landmass. A spacecraft graveyard where rockets and satellites can be safely ditched on the ocean floor. In a near future ravaged by climate change, an African astronaut teams with an Indian shipping magnate to mount a dangerous salvage mission to recover the wreck of humanity’s first interstellar starship. But what they find is beyond their worst nightmares. Mark Sable (MISKATONIC, WAR ON TERROR: GODKILLERS) and Alberto Locatelli (The Believers, Cinque) bring you a sci-fi horror tale that will make you rethink the space race.”
Mindset #1 (Cover A – Pearson) – Being in tech myself, I’m looking forward to this one. Hoping yet for another decent or better read. Indie books are certainly hit or miss but Kaplan I’ve enjoyed in the past for most of his titles.
Mindset #1 (Cover B – Simmonds)
“When an introverted tech geek accidentally discovers mind control, he and his friends do something unexpected – they put the science into an app to help users break their technology addiction. But as their Mindset app achieves a dangerous cult following, lies, conspiracies, and murder come to light. Are they helping people or controlling them?”
Justice Warriors #1 (Cover A – Clarkson) – Really like this solicitation and it’s gonna be a future bathroom enjoyment read for sure because satire and parody type reads are best read when you’re doing your business on the toilet!
“First issue of a new dystopian satire, written and cocreated by cartoonist, publisher, and Pulitzer Prize finalist Matt Bors! Outside the walls of prosperous Bubble City, two tense cops patrol the Uninhabited Zone, a vast slum where most of the population lives, many of them mutants. After his partner is killed by a self-driving bus, traumatized veteran Swamp Cop must teach naïve rookie Schitt that the UZ can only be policed by breaking every rule!”
Endangered #1 – It’s another apocalyptic story but I like the concept in this one.
“Humanity has become an endangered species following a nuclear war. The survival of our species rests with a group of scientists aboard a low-orbiting space station. Their solution to stabilizing their uninhabitable home has unknowingly facilitated the evolution of the insects that survived the fallout. Now the time has come for mankind to return home, but their fight for survival is just beginning.”
Astronaut Down #1 (Cover A – Rubine) – This is another sci fi title from Aftershock I got my eyes on. Hoping for a minimal good read but I do like the cover art for the regular for this one.
“Douglas Spitzer wants to be one of the ‘astronauts’ selected for the crucial Mission Politzer. And just like astronauts like Buzz Aldrin and Sally Ride, Douglas is brave, adaptable, and self-sacrificing. He’s one of the program’s best candidates. But if he qualifies, Douglas won’t be traveling through space; he’ll be launched into alternate realities on a desperate mission to save Earth from a horrific crisis that has our world on the brink of extinction. Unfortunately, it’s a mission where everything will go wrong, where Doug-las’s training and very humanity will be put to the test, and where a deep-seeded secret could sabotage everything. Writer James Patrick (KAIJU SCORE, CAMPISI: THE DRAGON INCIDENT) and artist Rubine (SEARCH FOR HU) lead us on a perilous undertaking to save the planet from total destruction!”
A Calculated Man #1 (Cover A – Albuquerque) – I’m a math and numbers guy myself so I like the concept of this. Sounds like a twist on the Netflix show Ozark with some similarities but hopefully enough to make it more unique.
“A verifiable math genius, Jack Beans used to run the numbers for the Pinafore crime family, until one day he ran them too well and concluded that the only way out of this life was in a cas-ket or Witness Protection. So, he turned state’s evidence and ran. Now, the Pinafores are out to end their favorite accountant. Little do they know that Jack’s skills with math and his perfect memory have made him a better killer than they ever could have re-alized. What follows is a journey full of murder, mayhem and mathematics. Writer Paul Tobin (BUNNY MASK, MY DATE WITH MONSTERS) and artist Alberto Albuquerque (The Amazing Spider-Man, Savage Sword) unleash a master of math on a mission to eliminate a criminal empire for good.”
Classic Pulp Sci-Fi – I love the classics!
“Collected here are vintage tales of science fiction! Curated and digitally remastered to their original colors and quality by Joshua Werner. This is a must-have for fans of science fiction and classic pulp comics!”
Crystal Planet #1 (of 5) (Cover A – Friend) – It’s either going to be good or a dud. But still worthy of checking out.
“A vivid space odyssey where Satchel Walker, a man out of time, finds himself caught between desperate factions as they battle for resources in the perilous orbit of a dying star. It’s music, and more importantly the power and emotion that music can conjure, which could bring an end to the conflict, restore harmony to the timestream, and reveal Walker’s true place in the universe.”
Nook #1 (of 3) – The cover art grabbed my attention but I’m hoping this is an entertaining read as well.
“Fleeing the oppression of WWII Germany, Avery and her parents move to a remote town on the border of France only to discover their new is haunted by a dark past and a cat named Nook. Swept up into a deadly cycle of violence, Avery will come to both fear and love her fuzzy new friend as the dark and twisted history of her new home is revealed.”
Nottingham #8 (of 10) (Cover A – Volk & Romano) – Continuing the series from it’s early success. Why not right?
Nottingham #8 (of 10) (Cover B – Volk & Romano)
“In France, tensions flare between the Merry Men and the Nottingham Guard as the quest to deliver King Richard’s ransom hits a major roadblock. An attack on Marian changes everything.”
Happy Hill #5 (of 5) – This is a series I didn’t pre-order but heard good things about. Now that we’re getting the final issue, I’m hoping the trade comes out soon so I can sit down and read the entire thing.
And if you missed out on the first issue, it’s available at @TFAW – Happy Hill #1 (of 5) currently.
“No one is safe as the Wudsman is unleashed! When Wyatt and Thea uncover the darkest secrets of Happy Hill, all hell breaks loose, and they’ll be lucky to make it out alive, much less happy. Don’t miss the action-packed final issue of Happy Hill, brought to you by the stellar team of Bram Stoker award nominated writer Rich Douek, artist Joe Mulvey, colorist Christopher Sotomayor, and letterer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou.”
Oblivion Trials #1 (of 4) – Worthy of checking out, only gonna win me over if the writing is good.
“What mystery lies on the other side of the afterlife? After his own abrupt death, a young boy, Kiko, finds himself whisked to an ethereal world into the boat of Charon, a deity that presents him with a choice that will decide his eternal fate.”
Ballad of Gordon Barleycorn #1 (Cover A – Colin McHugh) – Could be weird and fun, hopefully. It’s a Scout book, always hit or miss.
“Gordon and his manager Giuseppe are hunted down by a religious debt collector who’s come to make him pay for his past. Now Gordon needs to make some quick cash in this groovy adventure that’s all about Sex, Drugs, and Musical Puppet Theater, baby!”
Agent of Worlde #1 (of 4) (Cover A – Filya Bratukhin & Jason Wordie) which I believe is now Chaos Agent or vice versa as it’s been re-solicited is another book that might be weird but fun to read.
“Horny robots! Super-evolved orangutan bosses! Joyriders from the 26th Century! Nothing phases Philip Blank, top agent for the sci-fi spy organization known as W.O.R.L.D.E.! But lately, Philip’s been wondering if there isn’t more to life than saving the world through creative violence. What is Philip hiding from WORLDE, and how far will he go to keep it hidden?
The most beautifully bizarre book of the year is here!”
New Think #1 (of 5) (Cover A – Rahzzah) is another tech driven plot that might be right up a lot of people’s alley. Love the Rahzzah Adam and Eve going for that Apple depiction on the regular cover.
New Think #1 (of 5) (Cover B – Deodato Jr)
Hamelin #1 (of 6) – It would be a whole lot better if they also ate them.. Muhahahaha!
“‘A New Age.’ Adults start slaughtering kids under the age of 18 all across the U.S.A. In Brooklin Edward, Kelly, Josh struggle to survive avoiding the assault of their teacher and of a vicious janitor. Their only chance to survive is to head towards an abandoned metro station.”
Fantomesque #1 – Another possible bathroom reader to keep me entertained..
“Action and mystery is the name of the game for Fantomesque, New Empire’s leading masked investigator. Teamed with his steadfast bodyguard and confidant Frankie Villalobos, there is no case too dangerous, no case too strange. Mobsters, monsters – it’s all the same to Fantomesque!”
Redman #1 (of 5) (Cover A – Frank) – Ultraman fans will probably enjoy this new series.
Redman #1 (of 5) (Cover B – Frank)
Redman #1 (of 5) (Cover C – Wittenrich)
Redman #1 (of 5) (Cover D – Frank)
“From the studio that created the cult TV show Ultraman (Now a Marvel Comics series and Netflix Show). Here is Redman, the Kaiju Hunter… Trapped in a desolate and yet somehow familiar world populated with a vast array of the ferocious beasts known as ‘Kaiju,’ Redman continues his endless Red Fight, battling tirelessly to cull the monsters. With each fierce battle, the mysterious, blood-splattered ‘hero’ sinks closer to his prey, ready to strike. This while a sinister form watches and records his every move…”
Illusion Witch #1 (of 6) (Cover A – Errico) – I can see a few people who love these types of stories seeking this new title out.
Illusion Witch #1 (of 6) (Cover B – Errico)
Illusion Witch #1 (of 6) (Cover C – Errico)
“The Illusion Witch tells the story of Aadya Locke a world-famous illusionist traumatized by the loss of her father and son, she has become cold and disconnected from reality. Transported into Saari a fantasy world filled with magic and danger, Aadya is paired with a talking Quoll, A warrior, his son, and a powerful mage. Hunted by The Three a wraith with monstrous intentions, Aadya will face her inner demons while battling real-life monsters in her attempt to save herself, and Saari.”
Potions Inc #1 (of 5) – Is either going to be a clever story or a dud, but still worth checking out I think.
“The call of adventure always seems to hang up whenever Randelgast Jones tries to answer it, leaving him facing the dull future of working in his family’s successful potion shop. But when a powerful artifact is stolen from his parents and puts them under a terrible curse, Ran finally gets the quest he’s been after his whole life. He and his siblings set off to find the missing artifact – and its trail leads them from their homeland of Primaterra to the very strange realm of… Earth.”
Street Fighter 2022 Swimsuit Special #1 (Cover A – Norasuko) – The book for every 35+ year old man stuck with a 12 year old mind. Whew, I remember the first ever Swimsuit Issue I got from Image Comics as a young boy in prime puberty stage of life.. This one is for all you dirty old men who have yet to grow up! Have fun… Haha..
Street Fighter 2022 Swimsuit Special #1 (Cover B – Ryan Kinnaird)
Street Fighter 2022 Swimsuit Special #1 (Cover C – Blank Sketch)
Join or start the discussion over on the forums!