I love Small Press Expo, as it’s a convention that puts me in front of hundreds of small press and independent comics that I never see in Previews or on my local stores’ shelves (let alone coverage at comic blogs, but we promise to do better!). I walked out with a decent pile of books from the show, and here’s the pile!

An Iranian Metamorphosis by Mana Neyestani and published by Uncivilized Books. The graphic novel was at the top of my list of books to get leading up to the show. One of Neyestani’s cartoons sparked riots in Iran, which landed him and his editor in solitary confinement. The graphic novel explores the complex interplay between art, law, politics, ethnic sensitivities, and authoritarian elements inside Iran’s Islamic Republic as well as refugee’s attempts to find safety and freedom.

On the Books: A Graphic Tale of Working Woes at NYC’s Strand Bookstore (World Around Us) by Greg Farrel and published by Microcosm Publishing. The graphic novel is the first-hand account of the 2012 labor struggle at New York City’s legendary Strand bookstore.

War of Streets and Houses by Sophie Yanow and published by Uncivilized Books. The graphic novel is about the American artist witnessing the Quebec spring 2012 student strike on the streets of Montreal, the police’s brutal response all wrapped up in an exploration of urban planning and its hidden connections to military strategies.

The Nixon Museum by Art Baxter and published by Phinkwell Comics Collective. The graphic novel is an interesting look at the complicated former President. I have a weird love of Nixon.

Bonnie N. Collide: Nine to Five #5-#8 by Monica Gallagher. If you’ve never read this comic series you’re missing out. It’s about a roller derby girl and her non roller derby life.

Nervenkrank: A Story About John Heartfield by Katherine K. Wirick. The comic tells the story of John Heartfield who was a founding member of the Berlin Dada group and was best known for his political photomontages which satirized and railed against Adolf Hitler, the Nazi Party, German warmongering, and the injustices of capitalism.

The Rebel Gun #1 by Josh Hixon and Dead Crow Comics. The art looks fantastic in this crime noir. I flipped through the book and was sold just by the amazing art.

The Humans #0 by Keenan Marshall Keller and Tom Neely. I love Tom Neely’s Henry and Glenn: Forever, so to get in on the ground floor of his new series is a must. This one will get some mainstream love when the first issue is released by Image Comics in November.