Highlights from the past week, with commentary from the NFNT gang:
Asterix and the Picts (Sterling, 9781444011678)
Jennifer W: I want to see the new Asterix. I’m going to have to buy it for myself, because I can’t justify purchasing it for the library though – not too many kids are into Asterix.
Birds of Prey Volume 3 (DC Comics, 9781401244040)
Traci: I’m excited to pick up volume 3 of Birds of Prey. I’ve been enjoying Duane Swierczynski’s run on Birds of Prey, so I’m sorry that this is collecting the last of it.
A Boy and a Girl (Oni, 9781620100899)
Andrew S: I’m really excited about this one. I had a chance to read an electronic ARC of the book and I loved the story line, about a robot that could feel. And it has Natalie Nourigat’s artwork, and she’s one of my favorite artists out there so how can I not like it? I’m really looking forward to getting a print copy of it so I can get a better look at Natalie’s work and just enjoy the story all over again.
Complete Peanuts Vol. 5: 1959-1960 (new printing) (Fantagraphics, 9781560976714)
Andrew S: Although I haven’t yet bought the collected volumes (they’re all on my wishlist) I love that Fantagraphics is bringing Peanuts collections out, especially the earlier years. While I can read it online, it’s just much more enjoyable to be able to hold onto a physical book and see the characters develop.
Deadpool Volume 3: The Good, the Bad and the Ugly (Marvel, 9780785166825)
Mark: Hate this character but have enjoyed the first 2 trades in this iteration. Curious to see if they can keep it up.
A Devil and Her Love Song Volume 12 (Viz, 9781421551357)
Tessa: I’m hopelessly devoted to Devil and Her Love Song!! Seeing this reminded me to catch up on the series, since the last one I’ve read is Vol. 9.
Disney Fairies Volume 13: Pixie Hollow Games (Papercutz, 9781597074469)
Mark: Disney Fairies kind of horrifies me. 🙂 Obviously not the target audience, though the fact that Papercutz puts it out is interesting. Is that a Disney imprint?
Jennifer W: Papercutz isn’t associated with Disney, but they get a lot of permissions – Smurfs, Power Rangers, Annoying Orange, Nancy Drew, etc. Disney Fairies are HUGE at my library – I buy every one and they love them all. I actually think they’re kind of pretty and the writing is pretty decent. Most importantly, they sell affordable hardcovers! Disney Fairies and Lego Ninjago are probably the two most popular with Garfield coming third.
Doctor Who: Prisoners of Time Volume 3 (IDW, 9781613778227)
Emily S: I’m looking forward to this.
Fables Volume 19: Snow White (DC Comics/Vertigo, 9781401242480)
Allen: I’m always up for more Fables, so I’ll be on the lookout for that…even though I’m behind on the series by about three or four volumes. Has anyone read Fairest? I’ve got the first volume but have yet to read it. And speaking of Fables, anyone else try episode one of the Fables video game, “The Wolf Among Us?” Fables!
Andrew S: Beyond, beyond excited for this volume of Fables. I absolutely love the characters in this series and since the events of Volume 18 (Cubs in Toyland) and the hint that something happened to a major character, I’ve been eagerly waiting to read and see what happens to some of my favorite characters. I’m also treasuring this series even more since Bill announced that the end is in sight and the series will be ending with issue #150 (this volume collects up to issue #129.) I’m not ready for it to end!!
Garrett: I will second (third?, or fourth?) that Fables excitement with vol 19. I’ve kept up with the series and boy howdy, that is hands down one of the best ongoing series on the stands today. What astonishes me is that Willingham hasn’t slacked off the quality front over the past…decade or so?…that’s a long time for excellence, and that’s saying something.
Anna: I’m definitely looking forward to this. “Fables” continues to feel fresh and, like many other readers, I’ve come to care a lot about the characters.
The Fairy Tales of Oscar Wilde Volume 2 (new printing) (NBM, 9781561637713)
Gail: Always excited by this.
Anna: I’m an anthology fan. Wilde’s lesser-known short stories already lend themselves well to this format and I think they deserve wider repute, too. His language is florid and his characters both simple and real, all very much in the Brothers Grimm tradition. (Though generally not quite as dark.) Judging from the previews, this series really captures them well
Massive Volume 2: Subcontinental (Dark Horse, 9781616553166)
Mark: I’ve already read the Massive in issues and I really enjoyed it.
Jenny: Add me to the list of those looking forward to the next trade of Massive.
Mobile Suit Gundam Origin Volume 4: Jaburo (Vertical, 9781935654988)
Thomas: Beyond excited. The first three hardcovers constitute one of my favorite comics of 2013, and capping off the year with volume four feels like an early Christmas.
Anna: After all the hype and muddled critic reaction to del Toro’s “Pacific Rim” this year, I’m really looking forward to learning more about the inspiration. Plus, I’m all about giant robot suits. My inner six-year-old can’t get enough.
No. 6 Volume 4 (Kodansha, 9781612623580)
Tessa: The kids at my library will be happy to see Volume 4 of the confusingly named No. 6 arrive, and so will I. I predict that Rat will be grumpy and cold but will save Shion from any misadventures. I’m hoping the biotech plot will pay off in an interesting way, too.
Pandora Hearts Volume 19 (Yen Press, 9780316240376)
Jenny: Pandora Hearts has me holding my breath between every volume lately.
The Pet Girl of Sakurasou – Collection 1 (Sentai)
Emily S: I am really excited about The Pet Girl of Sakurasou. Pet Girl is such a great story and the voice actor for Sorata is hilariously expressive.
Powers Bureau Volume 1: Undercover (Marvel, 9780785166023)
Mark: Intrigued to see if the restart can grab some of the old magic.
Puella Magi Kazumi Magica Volume 3: Innocent Malice (Viz, 9780316254267)
Jessikah: I am (very) cautiously intrigued about Puella Magi Kazumi Magica: The Innocent Malice. I own the first two issues, but was really disappointed in them. I am hoping that this is the issue where the story comes together.
Summer Wars Part 2 (Vertical, 9781939130167)
Thomas: If this can capture any of the animated smash hit on paper, then count me in.
Jessikah: I agree with Thomas about the Summer Wars manga. The movie was fantastic! I would love to see how it translates to print.
Teen Titans Volume 3 Death of the Family (DC Comics, 9781401243210)
Thomas: DC’s “Death of the Family” event is fragmented across several Bat-universe series, with the most satisfying stories taking place with Batman and Robin while separate characters are often tangentially involved until strung into the event’s final act. I have read the other trades in this event and do not have high hopes for this one.
X-Factor Volume 21: the End of X-Factor (Marvel, 9780785167013)
Mark: Looking forward to seeing how Peter David completes his run on X-Factor even though I haven’t kept up with it.
X-Files Season 10 Volume 1 (IDW, 9781613777510)
Andrew S: I’m disturbed by the fact that IDW is continuing the X-Files since the show ended in 2002 and the movie, which made no sense to me, was made in 2008. I liked the show as much as the next person, but it went off the rails in season 8 and I just don’t understand them bringing it back now after all of this time. It’s just crazy talk.
AND NOW FOR THE COMPLETE LIST
The following list of new releases is compiled from Diamond Comic Distributors’ complete weekly shipping list and Anime News Network’s Releases encyclopedia
Graphic Novels
Cinebook
- LARGO WINCH GN VOL 08 SHADOW
Dark Horse
- EMPOWERED TP VOL 08
- MASSIVE TP VOL 02 SUBCONTINENTAL
- NGE SHINJI IKARI RAISING PROJECT TP VOL 13
- SAVAGE SWORD OF CONAN TP VOL 15
DC Comics
- AUTHORITY HC VOL 02
- BIRDS OF PREY TP VOL 03 CLASH OF DAGGERS
- FABLES TP VOL 19 SNOW WHITE
- FURY OF FIRESTORM TP VOL 03 TAKEOVER
- SHOWCASE PRESENTS STRANGE ADVENTURES TP VOL 02
- SUPERMAN VS MONGUL TP
- TEEN TITANS TP VOL 03 DEATH OF THE FAMILY TO
Dynamite
- EVIL ERNIE TP VOL 01 ORIGIN OF EVIL
- GARTH ENNIS BATTLEFIELDS TP VOL 08
- JENNIFER BLOOD FIRST BLOOD TP
- VAMPIRELLA ARCHIVES HC VOL 08
- VOLTRON TP VOL 02 TEN LIONS
- WARRIORS JAILBREAK TP
Fantagraphics
- COMPLETE PEANUTS HC VOL 05 1959-1960 (NEW PTG)
Hermes Press
- BUCK ROGERS IN 25TH CENT GRAY MORROW YEARS VOL 01 1979-81
IDW
- DOCTOR WHO PRISONERS OF TIME TP VOL 03
- GI JOE AMERICAS ELITE DISAVOWED TP VOL 02
- GODZILLA RULERS OF EARTH TP VOL 01
- STAR TREK CLASSICS TP VOL 05 WHO KILLED CAPTAIN KIRK
- TARZAN RUSS MANNING NEWSPAPER STRIPS HC VOL 02 1969-1971
- TMNT ADVENTURES TP VOL 06
- TRANSFORMERS ART OF PRIME HC
- X-FILES SEASON 10 HC VOL 01
Image
- GREAT PACIFIC TP VOL 02 NATION BUILDING
- PETER PANZERFAUST DLX HC
- WALKING DEAD SPANISH LANGUAGE ED TP VOL 02
Kodansha
- NO 6 GN VOL 04
Marvel
- ASTONISHING X-MEN TP VOL 12 UNMASKED
- DEADPOOL CLASSIC TP VOL 09
- DEADPOOL TP VOL 03 GOOD BAD AND UGLY
- MMW ATLAS ERA STRANGE TALES HC VOL 06
- MMW GOLDEN AGE MARVEL COMICS TP VOL 02
- POWERS BUREAU TP VOL 01 UNDERCOVER
- SPIDER-MAN GATHERING OF FIVE TP
- VENOM TP LAND WHERE KILLERS DWELL
- X-FACTOR TP VOL 21 END OF X-FACTOR
NBM
- FAIRY TALES OF OSCAR WILDE GN VOL 02
Oni
- A BOY AND A GIRL GN
Papercutz
- DISNEY FAIRIES GN VOL 13 PIXIE HOLLOW GAMES
Pathetic Aesthetic Comcis
- CON JOB GN
Picturebox
- INFOMANIACS HC
PS Artbooks
- HARVEY HORRORS COLL WORKS BLACK CAT MYSTERY HC VOL 02
- ROY THOMAS PRESENTS CLASSIC PHANTOM LADY TP BOXED SET
Random House
- DEAN KOONTZ IN ODD WE TRUST TP SIGNED BOOKPLATE ED
- DIANA GABALDON OUTLANDER GN SIGNED BOOKPLATE ED
Rebellion/2000 AD
- SLAINE BOOK OF SCARS 30TH ANNIVERSARY HC
Sterling
- ASTERIX AND THE PICTS HC
Valiant
- VALIANT MASTERS RAI HC VOL 01
Vertical
- MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM ORIGIN HC VOL 04 JABURO
- SUMMER WARS GN PART 02
Viz
- AWKWARD SILENCE GN VOL 04
- DEVIL & HER LOVE SONG GN VOL 12
- DOROHEDORO GN VOL 11
- ITSUWARIBITO GN VOL 10
- NURA RISE O/T YOKAI CLAN GN VOL 18
- TORIKO GN VOL 19
Yen
- ARE YOU ALICE GN VOL 03
- BLOODY CROSS GN VOL 01
- DARK HUNTERS INFINITY TP VOL 02
- HIGH SCHOOL O/T DEAD COLOR OMNIBUS HC VOL 02
- MELANCHOLY OF HARUHI SUZUMIYA GN VOL 17
- PANDORA HEARTS GN VOL 19
- PUELLA MAGI KAZUMI MAGICA GN VOL 03 INNOCENT MALICE
- SUNSHINE SKETCH TP VOL 07
- UNTIL DEATH DO US PART GN VOL 05
Zenescope
- GFT WONDERLAND TP VOL 03
Anime
Aniplex
- Blue Exorcist: the Movie
- Oreshura – Complete Collection
- Vividred Operation – Complete Collection
Funimation
- Aesthetica of a Rogue Hero
Sentai
- Di Gi Charat – The Complete OVA Series
- The Pet Girl of Sakurasou – Collection 1
Keep in mind that titles are not always available from book vendors on the same dates as they are released in comic book stores, so not all of these will be available everywhere at the same time. Check with your vendors, just to be sure!
