MATT’S PICK :: AMERICAN VAMPIRE #31: Scott Snyder and Rafael Albuquerque produce the most consistently enjoyable comic on the shelves.  “The Blacklist” story line is the perfect reward for sticking with this title from the beginning.  The twist presented at the end of issue #30 would not have worked as well if it was revealed within the first twenty issues.  Because readers have gotten more familiar with Pearl and Skinner, the great “oh no!” moments really stick.  Throughout this series, Snyder and Albuquerque have never wasted a page or a single panel.  Everything is presented with clear direction and intent.  Perfection.

JUSTIN’S PICK :: ALL STAR WESTERN #0: DC’s “zero issues” are a good way to get acqauinted – or reacquainted – with the New 52. All Star Western has proven to be an intriguing book over the last year, fleshing out the history of Gotham City through the exploits of odd couple Jonah Hex and Amadeus Arkham. Writers Justin Gray and Jimmy Palmiotti work wonderfully with gifted artist Moritat; in ASW #0 they promise to reveal some details of Hex’s mysterious past…including the origin of that trademark scar.

HEATHER’S PICK :: ANGEL & FAITH #14: I wasn’t sure how I would feel about the team-up book of Angel and Faith, both who have had their share of bad deeds in the past.  Christos Gage’s storytelling drew me right into this book making it my current favorite of the Buffyverse. The latest arc has featured a crossover with Willow which will be leading into her own mini-series.  Dark Horse is doing a great job of expanding Buffy as they give more characters their own titles.

RICO’S PICK :: HOLE OF TANK GIRL: SLIPCASED HC COLLECTION: This books collects all the original Jamie Hewlett and Alan Martin Tank Girl comics. It also includes tons of extras like sketch pages, a lost Tank Girl Story and the first new Hewlett Tank Girl art in over 15 years!

ANDY’S PICK :: GASOLINE ALLEY HC VOL 1: Usually, when the creator of comic strip retires or passes on, the strip continues on but fades into oblivion under less talented hands. When Frank King, the mastermind behind Gasoline Alley set down his pen after 40(!) years and turned it over to his assistant Dick Moores, the opposite occurred. Gasoline Alley was revitalized. Moores did more than just continue on with King’s vision of life in a Midwestern town where the characters all aged in real time–he made it his own and continued the successful strip for 20 exciting years before lightning miraculously struck a third time as he passed it off into the capable, talented hands of his assistant, Charlotte’s own Jim Scancarelli who continues the strip to this very day.

IDW presents the first two years of Dick Moore’s dailies. Moore’s comic stories are nothing short of delightful. It is everything a family strip should be and most often times is not. Funny, exciting, fast paced, but, very much like life itself, Gasoline Alley remembers to linger on and celebrate the quiet, ordinary moments.

Please give this volume a read– you will be in for the long haul. And if you like what you read–Heroes offers the D&Q Walt and Skeezix volumes that collect Gasoline Alley from 1921 to 1930!!

This past weekend at the Small Press Expo in Maryland, Seth was able to meet the genius cartoonist Chris Ware and pick up an advanced copy of his newest book, Building Stories, for Heroes.  Since Ware was one of the show’s guest, we even got it signed!  Building Stories won’t be available to retailers until next month, and Ware rarely makes convention appearances, so here’s your only chance to pick up an early signed copy of this amazing book.  It’s hard to call this a book, since it’s a box full of books, newspaper comics, fold out boards and various sizes of strips, but it is an amazing set of comics however you look at it.

Of course we’ll have several copies of the book in our store when it comes out next month but they won’t be signed, don’t miss this rare opportunity!

Bid on this rare item now in our eBay store.

JASON’S PICK :: SPIDER-MEN #5: It was the crossover Marvel said they’d never do…until they did it. And man, am I glad they did. This is the final issue of a series that has given us some incredible character moments between the “616 Spidey” Peter Parker and “Ultimate Spidey” Miles Morales and the Ultimate Spider-Man supporting cast, courtesy of Brian Michael Bendis. It’s been a real treat seeing these characters interact with each other and get an idea of “how things might have been.” And let’s not forget that knockout art by Sara Pichelli! I feel like this series has gotten a little lost in the “Avengers vs. X-men” hype, but don’t miss the chance to see how this fun, endearing series wraps up.

Seth’s Pick :: Lobster Johnson: Caput Mortuum: This is one to read if you want a pure, simple pulp/adventure comic free from the bounds of extensive continuity and crossovers.  Yes, Lobster Johnson did initially appear in Mike Mignola’s Hellboy and B.P.R.D. stories, but you need not have read any of those to appreciate this entertaining character.  In particular, this issue from Mignola, writer John Arcudi (whose other new crime book The Creep also warrants a read), and artist Tonci Zonjic, who did a fantastic job on the Lobster Johnson: The Burning Hand mini series.  This one shot features Lobster battling thugs on a zeppelin.  Like I said, simple, fun comics.

Thoughts of November make me thankful for all the great comics we’ve had this year and we still have a couple of months to look forward to before 2012 draws to a close.  Get ready to pass the pumpkin pie and settle into a month of delicious comics.  Check out the following books in the latest issue of Previews, and let the store know if you’d like any of these for yourself!

Marvel Now! Young Baby Variants: November is the month of adorable over at Marvel thanks to the talented Skottie Young and his baby versions of the characters.  They’re so cute that I can’t even begin to pick a favorite.  Angry baby Hulk and baby Galactus with his pacifier are currently in the lead, but that could change at any moment.  (page 4 of Marvel Previews)

Thor: God of Thunder #1 and #2: Jason Aaron takes on another huge title with the latest Thor series in which our Norse god finds himself in search of a serial killer of gods.  Plus, Esad Ribic art! (pages 16-19 of Marvel Previews)

Bonus Pick: All New X-Men #1 and #2: Brian Michael Bendis and Stuart Immonen are teaming up to bring readers an interesting take on the X-Men when Professor X’s original five students are brought to the present.  This will be a good book for non-readers who enjoyed the X-Men: First Class movie.  (pages 8-11 of Marvel Previews)

Read the rest of this entry →