Mugshots #2 (of 4)
(W) Jordan Thomas (A/CA) Chris Matthews
In Shops: Jul 17, 2024
SRP: $5.99
As John races to save Alan from a bloody beating at the hands of Ian Woods and his goons, Harry comes under increasing pressure from the conniving and dangerous Albanian gang looking to move in on his territory. How much longer can John stay in the shadows in a town that sees everything?
The Mammoth #2 (of 5)
(W) Paul Tobin (A/CA) Arjuna Susini
In Shops: Jul 17, 2024
SRP: $4.99
Road trip with a dead friend! Olivia is dead. But Olivia is back. And she wants to go somewhere? But… where? In the vast forest of Broke Tree Valley, something supernatural is waiting. Something monstrous. Something mammoth. Only a car full of fools would drive into the fog and mystery of those deep dark forests, or toward the deeper darker lake, but that’s just what Jess and the others are doing, only to find that the eerie secrets at the bottom of the waters are about to surface.
The Last Wardens #1 (of 6)
(W) Elliot Sperl, Amit Tishler (A) Rui Silveira (CA) Zach Howard
In Shops: Jul 17, 2024
SRP: $4.99
With an alcoholic father and a hole in her wallet, Danielle Pryer’s life in the rustic town of Bleakwood goes from bad to worse when her long-lost brother, Bruce, returns from the Vietnam War. While Bruce is being plagued by a mysterious and monstrous mutation, he is also being hunted by an incompetent team of paranormal misfits, which leads to Bleakwood quickly becoming ground zero of a supernatural battle that forces Danielle to choose between everything she holds dear and the fate of the world as a whole.
Alien Books lands at this year’s Comic-Con International: San Diego with a pair of exclusive ashcan editions previewing this Fall’s major Valiant Comics event titles: Resurgence of the Valiant Universe and Black, White & Bloodshot along with two can’t-miss creator signings!
The first group signing will feature co-writers Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad and Eisner Award nominated artist Liam Sharp, the team behind X-O Manowar: Unconquered, together for the first time in-person on Thursday, July 25 at Booth #1807 for a 45-minute signing session.
A limited amount of the Resurgence #1 Ashcan Edition (co-written by Cloonan and Conrad) and X-O Manowar: Unconquered Prestige #1 will be available for purchase at the booth. Resurgence of the Valiant Universe #1 arrives in comic shops on September 18.
Bloodshot co-creator Kevin VanHook and artist Ariel Olivetti will be at the Alien Books booth on Saturday, July 27 beginning at 12pm to sign copies of the Black, White & Bloodshot #1 Ashcan Edition which features stories from both creators.
The Art of Ariel Olivetti Hardcover Edition will also be available. Black, White & Bloodshot is set to launch on Kickstarter soon with copies of issue #1 arriving in comic shops on September 25.
Additional details on the Black, White & Bloodshot campaign will be revealed when the campaign goes live later this week.
Booth #1807
***ALL TIMES/SIGNINGS SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
Thursday, July 25
4pm- 4:45pm X-O MANOWAR / RESURGENCE: Michael W. Conrad, Becky Cloonan, Liam Sharp
Saturday, July 27
12pm – 12:45pm BLACK, WHITE & BLOODSHOT: Ariel Olivetti & Kevin VanHook
Booth #1807
***LIMITED QUANTITIES AVAILABLE***
RESURGENCE OF THE VALIANT UNIVERSE #1 ASHCAN EDITION
Welcome to an early preview of Resurgence of the Valiant Universe, the event that will CHANGE EVERYTHING for our heroes going forward!
Dr. Silk, once an infamous villain, is now a beacon of hope! But his promise of utopia and to make humans immortal has divided the entire planet and set everyone at odds. How will the heroes of the Valiant Universe react to this new world order and who will be left standing tall at the end?
Crafted by the stellar writing team of Becky Cloonan and Michael W. Conrad (X-O MANOWAR, Future State: Immortal Wonder Woman), and new rising star artist Guillermo Fajardo, this special preview edition takes you inside the first issue of this Fall’s blockbuster crossover event along with bonus behind-the-scenes content!
Script: Becky Cloonan, Michael W. Conrad
Art: Guillermo Fajardo
Cover by Agustin Alessio
Available at SDCC Booth #1807
Limited to 1 Copy Per Person
BLACK, WHITE & BLOODSHOT #1 ASHCAN EDITION
Enter the violent world of Bloodshot in this preview of the brand-new Black, White, and Blood anthology! Meet Bloodshot, the world’s deadliest assassin! A super soldier engineered with Nanites, a versatile nanotechnology that allows Bloodshot to repair the damage inflicted on his body, change his appearance, and control machines.
Script: Lucho Saracino, Kevin VanHook
Art: Ariel Olivetti, Kevin VanHook
Cover by Barry Windsor-Smith
Available at SDCC Booth #1807
Limited to 1 Copy Per Person
On the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Massachusetts Book Awards, the Mass Center for the Book (MCB) has announced the expansion of the awards program with two new categories—a biannual award for the best graphic novel or memoir from a Massachusetts-based creator and a “Notable Contribution to Publishing” award in recognition of the exceptional output of the state’s publishing community. Submissions will be accepted from September 3 through December 15, 2024.
Best Graphic Novel or Memoir Award
“The time is ripe for this expansion. Graphic novel submissions to the Book Awards have exploded in recent years, readers of all ages are hungry for this work, and the Massachusetts comics community consists of a who’s who of top writers and creators,” Courtney Andree, MCB’s executive director, noted.
For acclaimed cartoonist, author, and BU professor Joel Christian Gill, the creation of the graphic novel award was a logical next step: “An award that honors the work and dedication of cartoonists is an exceptional addition to the already extensive work that the Mass Center for the Book does. To honor comics is an incredible leap, and adds to the growing awareness that comics are a serious medium telling important stories and not just pop culture.” Shelli Paroline, executive director of the Boston Comic Arts Foundation, added, “We are thrilled that this new award from Mass Center for the Book will reflect the pride and the commitment our Massachusetts comics community has for this beautiful storytelling medium.”
MCB invites publishers and authors to submit full-length graphic novels, graphic memoirs, or works of graphic non-fiction. Authors and illustrators must be Massachusetts-based. Works intended for all age-groups (adult, YA/middle grade, and early readers) will be considered, and the winner will receive a $1000 cash prize.
Notable Contribution to Publishing Award
The “Notable Contribution to Publishing” award offers new opportunities to celebrate the excellence and artistry of presses across Massachusetts. As Andree acknowledges, “While the Mass Book Awards program has always excelled at highlighting the work of Massachusetts writers, we now have a chance to shine a light on the exceptional work of publishers that operate in our own backyard. We have an incredible publishing community in this state—running the gamut from art presses to children’s publishing houses, from world-class university presses to vibrant indie publishers.”
Massachusetts publishers and presses are invited to submit up to one title annually that is representative of the high caliber of their work. This new category considers the quality of the book as object—including production standards, design, and printing. (Books may be written by Massachusetts-based or out-of-state authors.) Winning publishers will receive a $500 prize and will be recognized at the annual Massachusetts Book Awards ceremony.
About the Massachusetts Book Awards
The Massachusetts Books Awards have been presented each year since 2000. Books written and illustrated by Massachusetts residents are selected for originality, liveliness, and engaging presentation, as well as for the quality of their publication. The awards program recognizes compelling works of fiction, nonfiction, poetry, translated literature, children’s picture books/early readers, and middle-grade/young adult literature. More information on recent winners and submission guidelines.
About Massachusetts Center for the Book
Founded in 2000, Massachusetts Center for the Book is the Commonwealth affiliate of the Center for the Book in the Library of Congress. MCB is charged with developing, supporting, and promoting cultural programming to advance the cause of books, reading, and libraries across Massachusetts. MCB runs youth and family literacy programs; operates the Massachusetts Book Awards and the writing initiative, Letters About Literature; represents the Commonwealth at the National Book Festival; and partners with community organizations on literary initiatives and events, big and small, across the Commonwealth.
Eisner-nominated writer Jordan Morris and YALSA award-winning artist Bowen (Bones) McCurdy are collaborating on Youth Group, an all-new, original graphic novel about an Orange County teen church group that prays by day and slays demons by night. the graphic novel is being published by First Second and comes to shops July 16, 2024.
When Kay reluctantly agreed to join the youth group at Stone Mission Church in Orange County California, she expected the Jesus talk and the dorky singalongs and the colorful posters about dodging temptation. What she didn’t expect was to stumble on her youth group leaders, Meg and Cortland, in the middle of a read-deal exorcism. Turns out they’re both soldiers in a secret organization of demon hunters in a war that’s heating up, and even if Kay wanted to stay on the sidelines, she doesn’t have a choice — she’s a “Blight,” a human who demons can’t possess, and apparently that’s made her a target. Will Kay find her place in a world that’s so much more God-fearing and monster-fighting than what she’s used to? Will the Stone Mission youth group find common cause with their badass peers of other faiths? Or will a pack of small-time demons use Blights like Kay as the key to starting some real big trouble? Youth Group mixes humor, horror and heart to tell a story about putting aside your differences to give evil the beatdown it deserves.
Jordan Morris had this to say about the exclusive preview below:
In this scene, the Youth Group demon hunters demonstrate one of their more unorthodox training methods. Because Cortland has been possessed before, his cohorts have taken to shoving demons inside him to work on their exorcisms. They’ve given this horrifying practice the deceptively adorable name “The Tussle.”
Skybound, Image Comics, and Hasbro have revealed interior pages and the lineup of variant covers for Transformers #11, from writer Daniel Warren Johnson, artist Jorge Corona, and colorist Mike Spicer. The next chapter of the tentpole Energon Universe story will be available on shelves in comic book shops August 14, 2024.
Only Optimus Prime can save Earth and Cybertron. But will all of the Autobots stand with him?
In addition to the main cover by Daniel Warren Johnson and Mike Spicer, the stacked list of variant covers for Transformers #11 includes an open-to-order cover B by series artist Jorge Corona and Mike Spicer, a 1:10 incentive variant continuing the connecting cover series by Karen S. Darboe, a 1:25 incentive variant by artist Ludo Lullabi, and a 1:50 incentive variant by Wes Craig.
The full list of variant covers is below:
It’s become one of the biggest cultural sensations in recent years, and The Boys is back for its fabulous fourth season now. Comics publisher Dynamite Entertainment and Humble Bundle are teaming up for a limited time deal for fans of the franchise. Every single The Boys comic book story has been bundled up as a dope digital deal for readers to dive into at an unbeatable price!
This bundle includes the entire 90 issues, or 12 volumes, epic saga of The Boys by Ennis and Robertson. It also adds in the years later epilogue/coda Dear Becky which ran eight issues, revealing essential details on the origins and backstory of the titular group and its key members.
Additionally, a portion of proceeds from sales of the bundle will be going to charity partner the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund. This prestigious nonprofit organization fights issues like book censorship with the particular focus on the comics art form, graphic novels, and relevant creators. Comics are often a target of ire across libraries, curricula, and other avenues due to the misunderstood and newer nature of the medium.
Celebrate IDW’s 25th birthday with the IDW 25th Anniversary Mega Bundle, collecting some of the publisher’s most beloved comics across over 40 volumes. Locke and Key Vol. 1: Welcome to Lovecraft is the acclaimed supernatural horror packed with reality-bending drama that inspired the hit Netflix series. They Called Us Enemy is the comic adaptation of actor and activist George Takei’s stirring memoir capturing his early life in internment during World War II. Get all these titles and many more, and help support the Children’s Miracle Network with your purchase.
Featuring 43 releases valued at $435, which you can get for just $18.
Get one of the highest-rated visual novels of all time in manga form with the Muv-Luv Alternative Manga Anthology Humble Bundle! Beloved by fans worldwide, the Muv-Luv saga starts out as a goofy high school romance before turning into an absolutely bonkers epic across time and dimensions. This bundle collects the entire Muv-Luv Alternative storyline, which puts you at the heart of humanity’s fight for survival. Get all 17 volumes of this amazing story, stunningly adapted to the manga form. Your purchase helps support Direct Relief.
The content in this bundle is intended for mature audiences. Themes include partial nudity, suggestive situations and themes, as well as references to sexual acts in casual conversation for comedic effect. This game contains no explicit sexual or pornographic content, and all characters depicted are above the age of 18. User discretion is advised.
The bundle features 17 volumes valued at $186 and you can get it all for just $18.
