I run the comics section at my bookstore, but I’m afraid I haven’t read a comic in months. In fact, the last comic I read was in late October and I was just catching up on Saga (which is a very good sci-fi comic that began as a tale of star-crossed lovers and quickly expanded to encompass a universe, but really I think it’s had a good run of it and should probably end while it’s still very good). The last comic I read that wasn’t part of a series I already love was Godshaper by Simon Spurrier back in August. I read 14% fewer comics in 2018 than I did in 2017. And it’s a shame because I love comics. So here are four comics I’d really like to read.
Wish I Were Reading
Modern Fantasy
written by Rafer Roberts, illustrated by Kristen Gudsnuk
I first heard about this on my favorite podcast, Super Skull (a comics podcast run by some guys who work/worked at a well-known comic bookstore, Vault of Midnight). It’s your classic bored millennial office job story, but set in a D&D-style universe. Which, to me, sounds hilarious. Of course there are boring office jobs alongside dragon slaying, but this is the first I’ve encountered such a story. Also, the main character’s abilities are described as “research, tactics, data entry” to which I can relate.
Lucy Dreaming
written by Max Bemis, illustrated by Michael Dialynas, lettered by Colin Bell & Ed Dukeshire
A friend of mine recommended this a while ago, and I also heard about it on Super Skull. The first volume is finally, recently out. (I always hear about comics while they’re still in issues, and, though I mean to, I never make it to our local comic shop to buy said issues.) It’s about a girl who dreams herself into “the shoes of various archetypal female heroes from her favorite stories” and somehow these dreams “carry the same life-and-death stakes as the real world.” SO basically we’re dealing with typical teen issues, badass literary heroines, and multiversal travels. Yes, please and thank you.
By Night
written by John Allison, illustrated by Christine Larsen, colored by Sarah Stern, lettered by Jim Campbell
It seems unlikely, but in the last eight “issues” of this newsletter, I’ve never once mentioned my absolute favorite comic, Giant Days. Giant Days is a story about three women who meet at university and become best friends. It’s a pretty basic premise, but I’ve read the first volume at least three times because it’s. so. good. It’s like your favorite sitcom where nothing much happens but you find yourself re-watching old episodes because they’re always funny and the characters feel like your best friends. (If you don’t know what I’m talking about, go pick up a copy of Giant Days. Or watch Parks & Rec. Or both!) Anyway, I don’t know what By Night is even about, but I do know it’s written by the creator of Giant Days and therefore it is well worth my time.
Man-Eaters
written by Chelsea Cain, illustrated by Kate Niemczyk, colored by Rachelle Rosenberg, lettered by Joe Caramagna
Why yes, another comic I heard about from Super Skull. You caught me, all my comics knowledge comes from three extremely amusing guys in Ann Arbor.
Man-Eater’s writer, Chelsea Cain, is a bestselling novelist, but I know her as the writer behind Marvel’s Mockingbird, which was frustratingly cancelled after about eight issues. I loved Mockingbird, a lot of women did, and a lot of shitty people on the internet harassed Cain over the cover of issue #8.
If you want to know more about that or about the cancellation of Chelsea Cain’s Vision comic, or about how she is a badass who has no fucks left to give, there’s a good article on The Daily Beast. The Mockingbird team is also the team behind Man-Eaters, reason #2 to read it. Reason #1 is it’s a comic about a mutation that causes menstruating women to turn into man-eating wildcats aka it’s a comic about female empowerment.
Currently Reading
Good Omens by Neil Gaiman and Terry Pratchett
Would you believe I’ve never read a book by Terry Pratchett? This just arrived from the library (borrowing the audiobook) and I’m only one hour in, so I don’t have much to say about it except I already like it and now I’m going to leave you so I can continue listening to it.
Other Ways to Find Me On the Internets
Once a month (or so) I host a podcast called Drunk Booksellers where my best friend and I interview a fellow bookseller while drinking. I sometimes tweet about books and politics. I sometimes post pictures of books I’m reading, or cats I’m hanging out with on Instagram.
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