This batch features an adaptation of a classic of LGBTQ literature, a new reprint of the Andi Watson/Simon Gane 2005 Paris romance, high-school rivals fighting it out over a date, a "what if" take on mid-century Manhattan, and a fantastic riff on the magical girl genre.
TALES OF THE CITY GN
(W) Armistead Maupin, Isabelle Bauthian (A/CA) Sandrine Revel
A CLASSIC OF LGBTQ LITERATURE THAT HAS BECOME A CULT SENSATION!
THE HEROES OF THIS ENCHANTING GROUP HAVE BEEN ENJOYED BY MILLIONS OF READERS WORLDWIDE!
Adapted on TV (BBC), Limited Series (Netflix), Theater...and now in graphic novel form for the first time!
San Francisco, 28 Barbary Lane, Anna Madrigal runs a boarding house. She welcomes people who have nowhere else to go: the misfits. This matriarch is known for her unending kindness and her superb marijuana crop. The novel starts with the arrival of Mary Ann Singleton, a prudish, naïve, young woman who escaped her dull Ohio hometown for San Francisco. She settles in with her other fellow tenants: Michael "Mouse," a personable young gay man, Brian Hawkins, an incorrigible Don Juan, and Mona Ramsey, a young hippyish bisexual.
JAN221091
Why this caught my eye:
I'm always surprised to see how Ablaze is expanding and what kind of material they're picking up to distribute. I'm not familiar with the source material but it sounds like a great story.
PARIS HC
(W) Andi Watson (A/CA) Simon Gane
A new and expanded edition with artwork created specially for this volume!
Juliet, a penniless American art student travels to the city of light to study painting. To pay her way, she paints portraits of wealthy debutantes. One of her subjects is Deborah, a young English woman suffocated by the narrow expectations of her aristocratic family. Juliet is equally confined by the rigid academic structure of her art education and finds an unlikely kindred spirit in Deborah.
Juliet and Deborah's love for art brings them together, even as their friends and family try to drive them apart.
A fairy tale romance where the old and new worlds collide, drawn by SIMON GANE, the artist behind Eisner-nominated Ghost Tree and THEY'RE NOT LIKE US, and written by ANDI WATSON, author of The Book Tour, Kerry and the Knight of the Forest, and the forthcoming Punycorn.
JAN220156
Why this caught my eye:
I enjoy both Watson and Gane, so having a nice repackage of this is great plus hey new artwork.
CATCH THESE HANDS GN VOL 01
(W) Murata (A) Murata
One day, Takebe, a former delinquent trying to leave that part of her past behind for good, runs into her high-school rival, Soramori. The two fight for the first time in years, and thanks to being desperately out of practice, Takebe loses-leaving her no choice but to accept Soramori's request to start dating her...?!
JAN221810
Why this caught my eye:
Just sounded like a cute premise with a lot of awkwardness.
1956 MOVIE STAR GN
(W) Steve Lafler (A/CA) Steve Lafler
This "what if" take on mid-century Manhattan is the jolly conceit of cartoonist Steve Lafler in 1956 Movie Star. Meet Susie and Jack, wholesale buyers for the McCurdy's chain of Department stores. These two are gunning for the same job: Chief Buyer. Of course the friendly rivals make the classic mistake: They hop in bed together! Susie and Jack's fates become entwined with a pair of talented young women, Ramona Lopez and Nikki Garcia. Ramona is an aspiring transgender model and actor. Nikki is writing a draft of her first novel. These ambitious Latinas strive to leave the mean streets behind. Enjoy as you lean into that transcendent Coltrane tenor sax solo over a martini just past midnight in New York City, 1956.
JAN221327
Why this caught my eye:
This review bumped 1956 onto my radar.
MAGICAL BOY HC GN
(W) The Kao (A) The Kao
A breathtakingly imaginative fantasy series starring Max-a high schooler chosen to become the next "Magical Girl." There's just one catch . . . he's a trans boy! Although he was assigned female at birth, Max is your average trans man trying to get through high school as himself. But on top of classes, crushes, and coming out, Max's life is turned upside down when his mom reveals an eons old family secret: he's descended from a long line of Magical Girls tasked with defending humanity from a dark, ancient evil!
With a sassy feline sidekick and loyal gang of friends by his side, can Max take on his destiny, save the world, and become the next Magical Boy? A hilarious and heartfelt riff on the magical girl genre made popular by teen manga series, Magical Boy is a one-of-a-kind fantasy series that comic readers of all ages will love.
NOV211459
Why this caught my eye:
This is already available but I was late in putting it up here. I still wanted to highlight it though because I really loved what I've already read online.
That's it for this batch, we'll hit up some horror on the next round!