This batch features anime-infused stories inspired by Philippine folklore, Mairghread Scott's tale of growing up and changing your fate, an epic adventure from French-Laotian cartoonist Sourya, a surreal fantasy/comedy featuring a bodybuilder and a butterfly, heaps of Red Sonja in black and white and red, and a new Jodorowsky library edition featuring the amazing art of Jean-Claude Gal and more.
MYTHSPACE IGNITION TP
(W) Paolo Chikiamco (A) Koi Carreon, Paul Quiroga, Jules Gregorio, Mico Dimagiba, C.R. Chua, Borg Sinaban (CA) VARIOUS
Full color ANIME-infused stories inspired by Philippine folklore from SUPERSTAR CREATORS!
Mythspace: Ignition is a graphic novel collection of six stories exploring a universe where the old tales of monsters and folklore creatures from the Philippines - Tikbalangs, Kapres, Manananggals - were inspired by actual alien civilizations. From a young man's journey into myth, to a Kapre war, to a Manananggal coming of age, these stories (now depicted in full color) will take readers on an unforgettable journey both strange and familiar.
The collection was written and co-created by Paolo Chikiamco and features art from a cadre of acclaimed Filipino illustrators including Koi Carreon, C.R. Chua, Borg Sinaban, Jules Gregorio, Paul Quiroga, and Mico Dimagiba.
AUG221022
Why this caught my eye:
A good opportunity to check out some creative talent I'm not familiar with, plus love having more folklore that doesn't get much mainstream exposure.
SEA SERPENTS HEIR GN BOOK 01
(W) Mairghread Scott (A/CA) Pablo Tunica
For teenage Aella, growing up is hard. Even harder when you find out that you're the reincarnation of an ancient sea serpent that's destined to destroy the world, in a graphic novel trilogy from acclaimed creators Mairghread Scott and Pablo Tunica.
THE END OF THE WORLD IS COMING.
For Aella, life on Kinamen Isle is one of boredom. Spending her days fishing and minding her aunts, she dreams of life beyond the horizon.
Everything changes, however, when she awakens an ancient evil within herself as it's revealed that she's the reincarnation of Xir, the serpent that almost destroyed the world. Worse yet, a fanatical religious organization has arrived on Kinamen Isle in search of Xir.
As Aella is forced to fight for her life, she'll discover that her entire world is not what it seems. Her aunts know more than they let on and what exactly does the infamous Pirate Queen want with Aella?
From the team of Mairghread Scott (Star Wars: Resistance, Guardians of the Galaxy) and Pablo Tunica (TMNT Universe) comes an extraordinary tale of growing up and changing your fate. DEC220135
Why this caught my eye:
Another I'm late on, but I love me some Mairghread Scott (who did some pretty fantastic Transformers comics) so I wanted to highlight.
TALLI DAUGHTER OF THE MOON TP
(W) Sourya (A/CA) Sourya
Talli is a Summoner: a nearly extinct people, hunted by those who fear their mysterious powers. As a baby, she was adopted by Lord Borin, and all was well for many years... But one day, their castle is sacked by Borin's rival, Lord Ulric. Talli escapes in the chaos and darkness with the help of the noble (some might say too noble) knight Sir Alan.
With Ulric's forces hot on her heels, Talli and Alan keep one step ahead, gathering a motley crew of companions and protectors that includes the lethargic-but-incredible swordsman Lélo. Ulric's Captain Nina pursues them doggedly, but she is unaware of the secret of Talli's blood: the secret of the Summoners!
Talli, Daughter of The Moon is an incredibly epic adventure from French-Laotian cartoonist Sourya that evokes the best of manga and bandes dessinées in one sweeping narrative.
JUL221774
Why this caught my eye:
I'm late on this one so it should be available now. Sourya's art caught my eye, and you can check out more of their work at this interview over at Broken Frontier.
DARK GARBAGE & THE EGG GN
(W) Jon-Michael Frank (A) Jon-Michael Frank
Esther, a body builder, and Mona, a butterfly, embark on a strange voyage for an elusive elixir to restore their lost powers. During their travels, they encounter a wide variety of characters, including a woman who is endlessly working to interpret the shape of the sun, a romantic creature named Poef who can't figure out how to make someone love them, a shapeshifting squire and a mysterious creature who steals their prized cache of essential oils. Frustratingly though, each character they meet introduces a new task for them to finish, further distancing them from their initial quest of seeking more elixir. While the world they venture into is often surreal, it's always refreshingly relatable to anyone who struggles with the tragedies and comedies of their own screwball heart.
OCT221661
Why this caught my eye:
I'll be honest and say the art isn't really my cup of tea, but I do greatly appreciate the titles of Frank's other books, which include the follow:
Things To Do Instead of Killing Yourself
Who Am I, I don't Know, Who Cares
Should I Enjoy My Life or Not
and How's Everything Going? Not Good.
All of these are big mood energy, and I respect that.
RED SONJA BLACK WHITE RED HC VOL 01
(W) Various (A) Various (CA) Philip Tan
"Dynamite proudly presents a prestige project by the world's greatest storytellers! Red Sonja, like you've NEVER seen her before... all presented in beautiful black, white, and red!
The comics industry's top writers and artists add to the She-Devil With a Sword's legend with tales of action, adventure, horror, romance, and more. Across 12 total tales, Sonja's journeys take her through key moments of her long life, across the Hyborian Age, and against many foes and challenges. While creators also push the artistic boundaries of the medium through their storytelling.
This first deluxe volume includes contributions from beloved and acclaimed writers and artists including:
Kurt Busiek (Avengers, Astro City), Gail Simone (Batgirl, Birds of Prey), Phillip Kennedy Johnson (Superman, The Last God), David F. Walker (Bitter Root, Naomi), Mark Russell (The Flintstones, Wonder Twins), Jeff Parker, Amanda Deibert, Cat Staggs, Jonboy Meyers, Natalie Nourigat, Walter Geovani, Chuck Brown, Jonathan Lau, Will Robson, Bob Q, Soo Lee, Sanya Anwar, Steve Beach, Benjamin Dewey, Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou, Dearbhla Kelly, Drew Moss, and more.
Plus, a complete cover gallery of breathtaking portrayals of the Hyrkanian heroine in the same innovative color palette from today's top artists.
Collecting RED SONJA: BLACK, WHITE, RED #1-4.
JAN220674
RED SONJA BLACK WHITE RED HC VOL 02
(W) Various (A) Various (CA) Phil Hester
Dynamite proudly presents a prestige project by the world's greatest storytellers! It's Red Sonja as you've never seen before...all presented in beautiful black, white, and red, in stories written and illustrated by some of comics' top talents!
Collects Red Sonja: Black, White and Red #5-8, plus a complete cover gallery.
JUL220642
Why these caught my eye:
The B&W&R gimmick might be done to death by now, but I'm still a sucker for art focused anthologies and there are some pretty solid talents attached to these volumes.
JODOROWSKY LIBRARY HC THE SAGA OF ALANDOR DIOSAMANTE
(W) Alejandro Jodorowsky (A) Silvio Cadelo, Jean-Claude Gal, Jerome Opena, JH Williams Iii, Ciruelo
The fourth installment of The Jodorowsky Library: a collection of deluxe matching volumes presenting the iconic works of the legendary Alejandro Jodorowsky. Included in this volume: for the first time in English, the complete psychedelic, explosive, 80s fresco The Saga of Alandor illustrated by the incomparable Silvio Cadelo; the decadent, unfinished masterpiece Diosamante created with Jean-Claude Gal shortly before his passing; a selection of articles exploring the inception of Metal Hurlant and Jodorowsky's infamous Dune; and stories from Screaming Planet with Jerome Opeña, JH Williams III, and Ciruelo!
DEC221381
Why this caught my eye:
Big reprints of Jodorowsky are one thing, but if you aren't familiar with Jean-Claude Gal's work you should definitely do yourself a favor and check this out. I mean just check out this one splash from Diosamante:
That's it for this batch, we'll hit up some non-fiction material on the next round!