Highlights from the past week, with commentary from the NFNT gang:
Alice in the Country of Hearts: Mad Hatter’s Late Night Tea Party Volume 2 (Seven Seas Entertainment, 9781626920026)
Renata: Alice in the Country of Hearts/Clover is a series I bought at the request of my teen advisory board and they’ve been circulating constantly. The Mad Hatter’s Tea Party sounds like they’ll love that, too.
All-New X-Men/Indestructible Hulk/Superior Spider-Man: The Arms of the Octopus (Marvel, 9780785184386)
Mark: I’m looking forward to the All New X-men/ Incredible Hulk / Doctor Octopus aka Spiderman crossover. These marvel books are all individually well written currently and I’m curious to see how the characters work together in the new status quo.
Attack on Titan Volume 10 (Kodansha, 9781612626765)
Emily: I’m excited for Attack on Titan! It’s great to see the American release is almost caught up with the Japanese releases. The latest Japanese chapter can be found legally translated on Crunchyroll (and if you have a premium account with manga, you can see all unprinted chapters).
Batman 66: the TV Stories (DC Comics, 9781401247218)
Traci: I am super happy for the Batman ’66 stories! I watched the reruns of that show with my big sister when I was a kid, so I’m excited to read the original stories.
Lindsey: I can’t wait for Batman: The TV Stories. I love, love, love the ’60s Batman and am excited that there is not only the new ’66 comic but this GN that features original comics that were turned into episode plots. I am hoping that with all the attention the ’60s Batman is getting now (the comic, this GN, HeroClix toys, Mattel action figures, Adam West/Julie Newmar Batman and Catwoman Barbies) that eventually the show will finally get past the money feud around who has the rights and be released on DVD for fans. I am also happily excited that a number of my teens know of this incarnation of Batman and adore it so it will definitely be a library purchase too.
Celebrated Summer (Fantagraphics, 9781606996850)
Tessa: Celebrated Summer is high on my to-read list, having just finished TEOTFW a couple of weeks ago. I want to read more of his troubled teenagers – they’re spot-on funny and vulgar.
Digger: the Complete Omnibus Edition (Sofawolf, 9781936689323)
Jennifer W: I really, really, really want the Digger omnibus for my library (and not just because I spent the holidays reading Ursula Vernon’s LiveJournal for the past ten years, from start to finish). To my annoyance, Baker and Taylor doesn’t have it available and it’s really hard to convince my director to buy books on Amazon. I’m thinking I may sneak it into the teen collection…
Dragonball Z Season 1 (Funimation)
Allen: I shouldn’t be surprised that FUNimation is releasing yet another edition of Dragonball Z. I did some poking around, apparently this is the Blu-Ray version of the “orange box” season sets for DVD. Fans are up in arms against this set because it is presented in 16:9 widescreen which crops the original image. Not a lot of folks are happy about that.
Elephantmen Volume 6: Earthly Desires (Image, 9781607067528)
Garrett: I’m only caught up with volume 2, and it pains me to see that Elephantmen is already up to volume 6. Leave it to science fiction to tackle hard issues in the most surprising and tragic way possible. I love this series enough to splurge for the hardcovers.
Fairy Quest Volume 1: Outlaws (BOOM! Studios, 9781608863457)
Jennifer W: Does anybody know anything about Fairy Quest? That looks interesting?and my middle grade readers really like fantasy adventure comics.
Fate/Zero: Complete Second Season (Aniplex)
Emily: I watched half of Fate/Zero over the break, and I really am loving it so far. It’s written by Gen Urobuchi (Madoka Magica, Psycho Pass, Gargantia, Saya no Uta), and I think it’s actually darker than his works in more recent years. He tends to write deconstructions with dark plots. Fate/Zero is a deconstruction of heroism, and because of that, it’s very dark. If you don’t feel comfortable watching anime with lots of blood you should stay away from Fate/Zero. If you don’t like ‘Eldritch Abominations’, as TV Tropes calls them, you should stay away from Fate/Zero. ?The story gives you lots to think about… ‘Does the end justify the means?’ and ‘What makes a true hero/king?’ among others. The animation is stunning and very Blu-ray worthy, the fight scenes put shivers down my spine with their intensity. If I had the money I’d definitely go for the limited edition sets, but even on RightStuf they’re ~$130. Of course, if you just want to try it out or stream it, Fate/Zero’s available on Crunchyroll!
Michael: Fate/Zero is possibly my favorite anime of the past 5 years. I’d add to what Emily said to mention that they had a massive budget and as such the animation is gorgeous and the soundtrack is a fully orchestrated piece of art. So even if you’re only so-so on the story, it’s still worth watching just to see its incredible prettiness and hear its lovely score.
Jessikah: I definitely agree with all of the Gen Urobuchi love. His work never fails to disappoint.
Graphic Canon Box Set Volumes 1-3 (Seven Stories Press)
Anna: I’m most excited about the Graphic Canons. They are among my favorite anthologies and I’m really happy to see them thriving. They fly off the library shelves like no other comic I’ve ever seen. Many of the adaptations within these books, each of which is a quick cover of a literary classic, have piqued my interest in books I’ve heard about but never read. Some of the art is so experimental that it’s an experience in itself. I recommend it to older high school students all the time.
Lindsey: I was also super excited that the Graphic Canon three-volume slip case edition was finally released at the end of November . . . I pre-ordered that collection in March 2012 and the release date kept being pushed back and back and back some more. Super excited for when the Graphic Canon of Children’s Literature comes out in May!
Humanity Has Declined – Complete Collection (Sentai)
Emily S: I’m interested in “Humanity Has Declined.” I’ve started watching the first episode and the animation and storyline are very quirky. I’m eager to see how the story and characters develop.
Kimi Ni Todoke: From Me to You, Volume 18 (Viz, 9781421559179)
Abby: I am always excited for a new Kimi Ni Todoke. The story is just so sweet and I can’t help really caring about all of the characters. Just an adorable manga all around.
Jenny: I love, love, love Kimi Ni Todoke. The previous volume marks a huge turning point in the story and I am impatient to see what happens next.
Manga Classic Readers: Moby Dick (One Peace Books, 9781935548164)
Manga Classic Readers: War of the Worlds (One Peace Books, 9781935548171)
Manga Classic Readers: Don Quixote (One Peace Books, 9781935548188)
Manga Classic Readers: Ulysses (One Peace Books, 9781935548195)
Tessa: I’m really intrigued by the Manga Classic Readers – how are they fitting Moby Dick and Ulysses into that format? And how will the Don Quixote stack up against Rob Davis’ excellent adaptation from Self-Made Hero?
Saeyong: Manga Classic Readers is something I would at least look at to check the quality – I like classics retold in different forms.
Natsume’s Book of Friends Volume 15 (Viz, 9781421559674)
Saeyong: Natsume’s Book of Friends is nice. I like it whenever I read it, but its nature is not really to drive the reader to passion, so it’s hard to remember that it’s actually a good series. Gentle and reflective, except with horrid things that would like to eat you.
Jenny: Natsume’s Book of Friends is one of my security blankets. It makes me giggle, cry, get the shivers, and feel all warm and fuzzy. Nyanko-sensei is one of my favorite manga kitties (even if he’s only a kitty part of the time.)
Nyan Koi! – Complete Collection (Sentai)
Saeyong: Nyan Koi! is far more entertaining than its plot indicates (help out 100 cats or die of your allergies when you become one); the comedy is solid and mostly a matter of good timing. Also, the cats are cute.
The Olympians Volume 6: Aphrodite, Goddess of Love (First Second, 9781596437395)
Jenny: George O’Connor’s Olympians series has proven both fun to read and good for discussion as he comes at each deity from his own well-researched perspective and employs some creative problem solving when the historical lore conflicts with itself. Plus his authorial comments are often a hoot.
Andrew S: I’m most excited about the publication of vol 6 in the Olympian God Series, Aphrodite. O’Connor just gets better and better as he writes them and I love seeing the story slowly being revealed. They’re such great resources for all ages and I really love them because they help me remember how awesome Greek and Roman mythology is.
Pariah Volume 1 (Dark Horse, 9781616552749)
Lindsey: I already received and read Pariah. I think it would do well in many a teen collection. However, I will admit that I was really confused as to this GN (which collects the first four chapters of the comic originally done online) and the new miniseries coming next month from Dark Horse. From what I can tell they are related but different. It is confusing because the Pariah website says nothing of the individual mini series and Dark Horse’s website says nothing of the graphic novel. I am wanting to know the exact continuity between the two . . .
Say “I Love You” (Sentai)
Emily S: I’ve watched a few episodes of “Say, ‘I Love You'” and really like it. The main character is voiced by the same voice actress who plays Mashiro in “The Pet Girl of Sakurasou.” It’s fun getting to see her play a character with a little more vocal expression!
Strobe Edge Volume 8 (Viz, 9781421553160)
Jenny: Strobe Edge is a shaping up to be a lovely shojo series. The story’s fun and involving and the characters are nice, likable kids (even lead Ninako’s naivete and doofiness are a lot more endearing than I thought they’d be).
SuperZelda: the Graphic Life of Zelda Fitzgerald (One Peace Books, 9781935548270)
Thomas: I’m excited by Superzelda and its portrayal of Zelda Fitzgerald. Will readers new to her life story see her as an icon to emulate or a cautionary tale to avoid? Or some mixture of the two?
Swamp Thing by Brian K Vaughan Volume 1 (DC Comics/Vertigo, 9781401243043)
Traci: I loooove both BKV & Swamp Thing, so am excited to see what he did with the character.
Mark: I also am intrigued by the reprinting of Brian Vaughan’s run on Swamp Thing. I read a few of those issues back when they came out (and no one knew who Brian K. Vaughan was). I recall that I liked them, so I’m interested to see if they hold up as a longer story arc.
Takasugi-San’s Obento Volume 1 (Digital Manga, 9781569702994)
Tessa: I’m excited about reading Takasugi-San’s Obento because it’s about expressing caring through food – those are some of my favorite kinds of stories.
Terra Obscura: S.M.A.S.H. of Two Worlds (DC Comics/Vertigo, 9781401242800)
Garrett: Alan Moore’s Terra Obscura: Smash of Two Worlds is something I’d love to pick up. I was a huge fan of Tom Strong, and it’s been ages since I last visited those books. Moore’s world-building with that title was outstanding.
Vampire Academy: Shadow Kiss Graphic Novel (Razorbill, 9781595144317)
Renata: The Vampire Academy GNs have been VERY popular at my library, more so than the novels.
Wandering Son Volume 6 (Fantagraphics, 9781606997079)
Jenny: Wandering Son is an oddly sweet, sensitive look at a difficult issue and I love how it makes everybody so human (even if things may be a little more idealistic on the page than in the real world).
Will o’ the Wisp (Archaia, 9781936393787)
Gail: Looking forward to Will o the Wisp, seems right up my alley.
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
AAM Markosia
- CHRISTOPHER MARLOWE & BARDS OF NEMETON GN
Action Lab
- SKYWARD TP VOL 01 INTO THE WOODS
Adhouse Books
- B PLUS F HC
Archaia
- WILL O THE WISP HC
Archie Comics
- SONIC THE HEDGEHOG LEGACY VOL 03
Bongo
- SIMPSONS COMICS SHAKE UP TP
BOOM! Studios
- FAIRY QUEST TP VOL 01 OUTLAWS
Cinebook
- ANTARES TP VOL 04 EPISODE 4
- CRUSADE GN VOL 03 MASTER OF MACHINES?LADY S GN VOL 02 LATITUDE 59 DEGREES NORTH
- LAMENT OF THE LOST MOORS GN VOL 01 SIOBHAN
- LARGO WINCH GN VOL 10 LAW OF THE DOLLAR
- LARGO WINCH GN VOL 11 3 EYES OF GUARDIANS OF TAO
- LUCKY LUKE TP VOL 41 DAILY STAR
- SCORPION GN VOL 04 TREASURE OF TEMPLARS
- THORGAL GN VOL 14 GIANTS
Dark Horse
- CONAN TP VOL 14 THE DEATH
- DOCTOR SOLAR ARCHIVES TP VOL 02
- HALO INITIATION HC
- PARIAH TP
- STAR WARS OMNIBUS ADVENTURES TP
- STAR WARS OMNIBUS DARK TIMES TP VOL 01
- STAR WARS OMNIBUS KNIGHTS O/T OLD REPUBLIC TP VOL 02
- TRIGUN MAXIMUM OMNIBUS TP VOL 02
DC Comics
- BATMAN 66 THE TV STORIES TP
- BATMAN ARKHAM UNHINGED HC VOL 03
- BATMAN ARKHAM UNHINGED TP VOL 02
- BATMAN DARK KNIGHT TP VOL 02 CYCLE OF VIOLENCE
- BATMAN JUDGE DREDD TP?DEADMAN TP VOL 04
- DEMON FROM THE DARKNESS TP
- DEMON KNIGHTS TP VOL 03 THE GATHERING STORM
- GREEN LANTERN SECTOR 2814 TP VOL 03
- GREEN LANTERN THE ANIMATED SERIES TP VOL 02
- HELLBLAZER TP VOL 07 TAINTED LOVE
- SUPERBOY TP VOL 03 LOST
- SUPERMAN HC VOL 03 FURY AT THE WORLDS END
- SUPERMAN TP VOL 02 SECRETS AND LIES
- SUPERMAN THE MAN OF STEEL TP VOL 08
- SWAMP THING BY BRIAN K VAUGHN TP VOL 01
- TERRA OBSCURA SMASH OF TWO WORLDS TP
Digital Manga
- ALICE THE 101ST GN VOL 03
- CENTURY OF TEMPTATION GN
- DEPRESSION O/T ANTI ROMANTICIST GN VOL 02
- MR MINI MART GN
- PRESIDENT MOMOI KUN GN
- TAKASUGI SANS OBENTO GN VOL 01
Dynamite
- JENNIFER BLOOD TP VOL 04 TRIAL OF JENNIFER BLOOD
Fantagraphics
- CELEBRATED SUMMER GN
- PRISON PIT GN VOL 05
- WANDERING SON HC VOL 06
First Second
- OLYMPIANS VOL 06 APHRODITE GODDESS OF LOVE
Humanoids
- DISTRICT 14 HC SEASON 02
- FIFTH ESSENCE HC PT 02 PLANET DIFOOL
IDW
- CROW CURARE TP
- DOCTOR WHO 3 TP VOL 04 DEAD MANS HAND
- DOCTOR WHO PRISONERS OF TIME DLX HC
- JUDGE DREDD TP VOL 03
- MY LITTLE PONY DIGEST TP VOL 02
- MY LITTLE PONY FRIENDSHIP IS MAGIC TP VOL 03
- MY LITTLE PONY WHEN CUTIE CALLS TP
- TMNT ANIMATED TP VOL 03 SHOWDOWN
- TMNT NEW ANIMATED ADVENTURES TP VOL 01
- WALTER SIMONSON MIGHTY THOR ARTIST ED HC NEW PTG
Image
- ARTIFACTS TP VOL 06
- COMPLETE MULTIPLE WARHEADS TP
- ELEPHANTMEN TP VOL 06 EARTHLY DESIRES
- HEAVENS WAR TP NEW PTG
Iron Crotch Press
- PANG WANDERING SHAOLIN MONK HC VOL 02
Kodansha
- ATTACK ON TITAN GN VOL 10
- SANKAREA GN VOL 04
Marvel
- ALL NEW X-MEN INDESTRUCTIBLE HULK SSM ARMS OCTOPUS TP
- ALL NEW X-MEN TP VOL 01 YESTERDAYS X-MEN
- AVENGERS AI TP VOL 01 HUMAN AFTER ALL
- AVENGERS WEST COAST AVENGERS TP SINS OF PAST
- DEADPOOL BY JOE KELLY OMNIBUS HC
- FANTASTIC FOUR INHUMANS TP ATLANTIS RISING
- GUARDIANS OF GALAXY BY JIM VALENTINO TP VOL 01
- NEW AVENGERS PREM HC VOL 02 INFINITY
- SUPERIOR SPIDER-MAN TEAM-UP TP FRIENDLY FIRE
- X-MEN BATTLE OF ATOM HC
One Peace Books
- BLACK BARD GN
- CRAYON SHINCHAN GN VOL 04
- JOURNEY BY STARLIGHT TIME TRAVELERS GUIDE LIFE UNIVERSE SC
- MANGA CLASSIC READERS GN VOL 01 MOBY DICK
- MANGA CLASSIC READERS GN VOL 02 WAR OF WORLDS
- MANGA CLASSIC READERS GN VOL 03 DON QUIXOTE
- MANGA CLASSIC READERS GN VOL 04 JAMES JOYCE ULYSSES
- SMUGGLER GN
- SUPERZELDA GRAPHIC LIFE OF ZELDA FITZGERALD GN
Panini UK
- DOCTOR WHO TP CHAINS OF OLYMPUS
- DOCTOR WHO TP HUNTER O/T BURNING STONE
PS Artbooks
- ACG COLL WORKS OUT OF THE NIGHT HC VOL 03
- HARVEY HORRORS BLACK CAT MYSTERY SLIPCASE ED VOL 02
- HARVEY HORRORS COLL WORKS BLACK CAT MYSTERY HC VOL 03
- HARVEY HORRORS WITCHES TALES SOFTIE TP VOL 03
- ROY THOMAS PRESENTS CLASSIC PHANTOM LADY TP VOL 02
- ROY THOMAS PRESENTS VOL 02 PLANET COMICS HC
Razorbill
- RICHELLE MEAD VAMPIRE ACADEMY GN VOL 03 SHADOW KISS
Rebellion/2000 AD
- 2000 AD PRES SCI-FI THRILLERS TP
- ABC WARRIORS RETURN TO EARTH HC
Red Giant Entertainment
- BUZZBOY SIDEKICKS RULE TP
- EXPOSURE TP VOL 01
- MEDUSAS DAUGHTER HC
Rooted Chronicles
- SAMSON THE NAZIRITE GN
Seven Seas Entertainment
- ALICE I/T COUNTRY HEARTS MAD HATTERS TEA PARTY GN VOL 02
- DICTATORIAL GRIMOIRE GN VOL 02 SNOW WHITE
- MONSTER MUSUME GN VOL 02
- ZERO’S FAMILIAR OMNIBUS TP VOL 03
Seven Stories Press
- GRAPHIC CANON TP BOX SET VOL 1-3
Sofawolf
- DIGGER COMP OMNIBUS ED TP
Starwarp Concepts
- TROUBLESHOOTERS INCORPORATED GN VOL 01 NIGHT STALKINGS
Th3rd World Studios
- THE PACK TP
Titan
- LOST PLANET FIRST COLONY HC
- TOMORROWLAND HC
Valiant
- BLOODSHOT TP VOL 04 HARD CORPS
- SHADOWMAN TP VOL 03 DEADSIDE BLUES
- X-O MANOWAR TP VOL 04 HOMECOMING
Viz
- AWKWARD SILENCE GN VOL 03
- BEN 10 OMNIVERSE GN JOYRIDES
- BLEACH 3IN1 TP VOL 07
- HANA KIMI 3IN1 TP VOL 07
- HELLO KITTY GN DELICIOUS
- KIMI NI TODOKE GN VOL 18 FROM ME TO YOU
- MAX STEEL GN HERO OVERLOAD
- MIDNIGHT SECRETARY GN VOL 03
- NARUTO 3IN1 TP VOL 07
- NARUTO GN VOL 64
- NATSUMES BOOK OF FRIENDS GN VOL 15
- NISEKOI FALSE LOVE GN VOL 01
- OTOMEN GN VOL 17
- POKEMON ADV GN VOL 20 RUBY SAPPHIRE
- PSYREN GN VOL 14
- RUROUNI KENSHIN RESTORATION GN VOL 01
- RUROUNI KENSHIN RESTORATION GN VOL 02
- STROBE EDGE GN VOL 08
- UGLYDOLL GN EAT DAT
- YU GI OH ZEXAL GN VOL 04
Zenescope
- GFT REALM KNIGHTS TP
Anime
Aniplex
- Fate/Zero – Complete 2nd Season
Discotek Media
- Monster Rancher – Complete Season 1
Funimation
- Chrono Crusade – the Complete Series
- Dragon Ball Z – Season One
- Ikki Tousen: Great Guardians
- OniAi – Complete Series
Maiden Japan
- Patlabor: the Mobile Police – The TV Series – Collection 4
NIS America
- Yuruyuri: Happy Go Lily – Season 2 Collection
The Right Stuf International
- Aria The Natural – Collection Part 1
Sentai
- Humanity Has Declined – Complete Collection
- Nyan Koi! – Complete Collection
- Say “I love you.”
- So I Can’t Play H – Complete Collection
- Uta no Prince Sama – Season 1 Complete Collection
Viz
- Lagrange: The Flower of Rin-ne Season 2 – Set 2
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!
