This batch features the newest Kate Leth project, a tale of Filipino folklore and family, a fantasy diary described as Raina Telgemeir meets the Land of Stories, some Spider-Ham action, and a batch of Greek mythology tales.
MALL GOTH HC GN
(W) Kate Leth (A) Kate Leth
Laura Dean Keeps Breaking Up with Me gets a Y2K twist in this coming-of-age young adult graphic novel from acclaimed comic artist Kate Leth about a 2000s goth teen whose favorite part of her new town is the mall.
Liv Holme is not exactly thrilled to be moving to a new town with her mother. After all, high school can be brutal, even more so when you're a fifteen-year-old, bisexual goth. But Liv is determined to be who she is, bullies or not. Still, being the new kid and the only out student brings her a lot of unwelcome attention, and Liv flounders in her search for community. The only person who makes time for her is one of teachers, but Liv isn't sure how to feel about the way he behaves toward her.
Thankfully, she's found the perfect escape: the mall. Under its fluorescent lights, Liv feels far away from her parents' strained marriage and the peers who don't understand her. Amid the bright storefronts, food court smell, and anonymous shoppers, Liv is safely one of the crowd and can enjoy the feeling of calling the shots in her own life for once.
With the help of her suburban refuge, Liv sets off on a journey of self-acceptance and learns to navigate the ups and downs of high school and to recognize true friendship.
JUL232000
Why this caught my eye:
It's just always good to support Leth, follow them on their socials for plenty of previews.
MABUHAY GN
(W) Zachary Sterling (A) Zachary Sterling
First-generation Filipino siblings JJ and Althea struggle to belong at school. JJ wants to fit in with the crowd, while Althea wants to be accepted as she is. But that hope seems like a long shot, for both of them. To make matters worse, they have to help their parents run the family food truck by dressing up as a dancing pig and passing out samples. Ugh! And their mom is always pointing out lessons from Filipino folklore-annoying tales they've heard again and again. But when witches, ogres, and other creatures from those same stories threaten their family, JJ and Althea realize that the folklore may be more real that they'd suspected. Can they embrace who they really are and save their family?
JUL231688
Why this caught my eye:
Great to get more Filipino representation, plus love the folklore aspect.
NELL OF GUMBLING MY NORMAL FAIRY TALE LIFE
(W) Emma Steinkellner(A) Emma Steinkellner
To everyone else, the Magical Land of Gumbling is something out of fairy tales. But to Nell Starkeeper, it's just home. Sure, the town community center might be a castle, her dads run a star farm, and her best friend Myra is a fairy, but Nell is much more interested in finding out if she'll get the seventh grade apprenticeship of her dreams with world-famous artist Wiz Bravo. She's pretty sure her entire life has been ruined when she's instead matched with boring old Mrs. Birdneck in the town archives. And of course her perfect rival Leabelle gets to work with Wiz, and mean girl Viola won't let Nell forget it. Meanwhile, suddenly Myra seems more into hanging out with Leabelle and saving the town from some weird strangers who keep talking about turning Gumbling into a fancy resort than being friends with Nell anymore. Can Nell find a way to save everything that makes her world magical, while figuring out where she belongs in it?
JUL231910
Why this caught my eye:
I'm seeing some summaries describe this as fantasy Raina Telgemeir, so that just sounds like a good combo.
SPIDER HAM PIG IN TIME GN
(W) Steve Foxe (A) Shadia Amin
t's just a normal day in the life of Peter Porker, your friendly neighborhood Spider-Ham! Keeping New Yolk City safe from dastardly villains is no easy feat, especially when the Green Gobbler from the year 2099 travels back in time to team up with his present-day counterpart. Talk about a pair of rotten eggs! What's worse, Spider-Ham gets flung into the future, making it impossible to stop the duo's evil plot. He'll have to team up with heroes from all across time if he wants to make it back and save the day. But what is New Yolk City to do without its greatest defender? Luckily for everyone, Mary Jane Waterbuffalo and Black Catfish are here to pick up the slack while Peter Porker is messing around in the time stream. Can the two hold out long enough for Spider-Ham to return, or will the Green Gobbler finally claim his spot at the top of the roost?
OCT231803
Why this caught my eye:
I mean the cover alone sells me pretty hard.
MYTHOLOGY GRAPHICS PANDORAS BOX MODERN GREEK MYTH
(W) Jessica Gunderson (A) Jessi Zabarsky
No one holds a grudge like Zeus, king of the gods. So when Prometheus steals fire to give to humans, Zeus is determined to get revenge. He sends Pandora-the first mortal woman-to Earth with a box labeled Do Not Open. Can Pandora keep her curiosity under control? Learn the story behind this classic Greek myth in a modern, graphic retelling.
JUL231492
MYTHOLOGY GRAPHICS PERSEPHONE & UNDERWORLD
(W) Jessica Gunderson (A) Jessi Zabarsky
Hades, king of the Underworld, has his eyes on a potential bride-Persephone. When he forces her to live with him, Persephone's mother, the goddess of nature, is not happy. Soon, Earth falls into ruin. In order to set things right, the Greek gods and goddesses must make a compromise. Learn Persephone's story in this modern, graphic retelling of a classic Greek myth.
JUL231493
MYTHOLOGY GRAPHICS TROJAN HORSE
(W) Stephanie Peters (A) Oscar Herrero
The Greek goddesses can be competitive-especially when it comes to being "the fairest." When Aphrodite, the goddess of love, wins the title, it kicks off a ten-year battle between the Greeks and the Trojans. Find out who comes out on top-and how the Trojan horse came to be-in this modern, graphic retelling of a classic Greek myth. JUL231494
MYTHOLOGY GRAPHICS 12 LABORS OF HERCULES
(W) Stephanie Peters (A) Oscar Herrero
Hercules is the ultimate Greek hero-just ask him. But to redeem himself, he must complete a series of dangerous missions given to him by his scheming cousin. It's up to Hercules to prove his strength and wit. Find out if he succeeds in this modern, graphic retelling of a classic Greek myth.
JUL231491
Why these caught my eye:
We love Jessi Zabarsky for her Witchlight GN, and this just looks like a fun new series of mythological adaptations.
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That's it for this batch, we'll check out some all-ages and Action/adventure books on the next round!