This batch features the newest Asaf Hanuka project, a career feature on Dave Cockrum, stories of ADHD, an adaptation of Nellie Bly's true-to-life 19th-century investigation of Blackwell Asylum, and a memoir focusing on the intersection of identities, trauma, and gender affirming care.
REALIST ORGINAL GN HC LAST DAY ON EARTH
(W) Asaf Hanuka (A/CA) Asaf Hanuka
New York Times bestselling cartoonist Asaf Hanuka presents a beautifully drawn and poignantly written exploration of navigating a politically divisive world.
Hanuka's rich storytelling blends humor and pathos to deliver a nuanced and moving portrait of self, family, and society.
FEB220770
Why this caught my eye:
Been catching some good interviews and previews for this one, plus I just like Hanuka's style.
LIFE & ART OF DAVE COCKRUM LTD HC
LIMITED HARDCOVER EDITION with custom endpapers - JUST 500 COPIES! From the letters pages of Silver Age comics to his 2021 induction into the Will Eisner Hall of Fame, the career of Dave Cockrum started at the bottom and then rose to the top of the comic book industry. Beginning with his childhood obsession with comics and continuing through his years in the Navy, The Life and Art of Dave Cockrum follows the rising star from fandom (where he was one of the "Big Three" fanzine artists) to pro-dom, where he helped revive two struggling comic book franchises: the Legion of Super-Heroes and the X-Men. A prolific costume designer and character creator, his redesigns of the Legion and his introduction of X-Men characters Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, and Thunderbird (plus his design of Wolverine's alter ego, Logan) laid the foundation for both titles to become best-sellers. His later work on his own property, The Futurians, as well as childhood favorite Blackhawk and T.H.U.N.D.E.R Agents, plus his five years on Soulsearchers and Company, cemented his position as an industry giant. Featuring artwork from fanzines, unused character designs, and other rare material, this is THE comprehensive biography of the legendary comic book artist, whose influence is still felt on the industry today!
Written by Glen Cadigan (The Legion Companion, The Titans Companion Volumes 1 and 2, Best of the Legion Outpost) with an introduction by Alex Ross.
FEB221750
Why this caught my eye:
TwoMorrows Publishing puts a ton of effort in these projects, and $37 is not a bad price considering how dense these books are on content.
MY BRAIN IS DIFFERENT STORIES OF ADHD GN
(W) Monnzusu (A/CA) Monnzusu
This intimate manga anthology is about the struggles and successes of individuals learning to navigate daily life with a developmental disorder. The comics follow the stories of nine people, including: a junior high dropout finding an alternate path to education; a former "troublesome" child helping kids at a support school; a so-called problem child realizing the beauty of his own unique quirks; and a man falling in love with the world with the help of a new medication. This book illustrates the anxieties and triumphs of people living in a world not quite built with them in mind. FEB221995
Why this caught my eye:
This one should already be available but I didn't want my tardiness to prevent putting a spotlight on it. Books like this are invaluable and we need more like them.
TEN DAYS IN MAD-HOUSE GN
(W) Brad Ricca (A) Courtney Sieh
Beautifully adapted and rendered through piercing illustrations by acclaimed creators Brad Ricca and Courtney Sieh, Nellie Bly's complete, true-to-life 19th-century investigation of Blackwell Asylum captures a groundbreaking moment in history and reveals a haunting and timely glimpse at the starting point for conversations on mental health.
"I said I could and I would. And I did."
While working for Joseph Pulitzer's newspaper in 1887, Nellie Bly began an undercover investigation into the local Women's Lunatic Asylum on Blackwell Island. Intent on seeing what life was like on the inside, Bly fooled trained physicians into thinking she was insane-a task too easily achieved-and had herself committed. In her ten days at the asylum, Bly witnessed horrifying conditions: the food was inedible, the women were forced into labor for the staff, the nurses and doctors were cruel or indifferent, and many of the women held there had no mental disorder of any kind.
Now adapted into graphic novel form by Brad Ricca and vividly rendered with beautiful and haunting illustrations by Courtney Sieh, Bly's bold venture is given new life and meaning. Her fearless investigation into the living conditions at the Blackwell Asylum forever changed the field of journalism. A timely reminder to take notice of forgotten populations, Ten Days in a Mad-House warns us what happens when we look away. FEB221483
Why this caught my eye:
Another late spotlight, but the subject matter really caught me and Sieh's artwork looks great.
THE THIRD PERSON
(W) Emma Grove (A/CA) Emma Grove
The Third Person is a riveting memoir from newcomer Emma Grove. Drawn in thick, emotive lines, with the refined style of a comics vet, Grove has created a singular, gripping depiction of the intersection of identities and trauma as she and her therapist, Toby, grapple with her possible Dissociative Identity Disorder as she seeks approval for gender affirming care. The Third Person is a testament to the importance of having the space to heal and live authentically.
FEB221393
Why this caught my eye:
Might as well go for a hat-trick on late spotlights (although this one was just released), and may as well keep up on the subject of mental health and repping more of that subject matter as much as possible. You can check out a great interview with the creator here.
That's it for this batch, we'll hit up some drama on the next round!