ASSASSIN’S APPRENTICE BY ROBIN HOBB, JODY HOUSER, RYAN KELLY, JORDIE BELLAIRE, HASSAN OTSMANE-ELHAOU, ANNA STEINBAUER
“Who doesn’t love a story of an underdog? And in this epic fantasy, based off Robin Hobb’s classic fantasy series, Assassin’s Apprentice has just that. Fitz is indeed an underdog in the truest sense and it’s his journey to overcome his odds that makes this story so engaging. The writing alone is captivating and filled with emotion, tragedy, and grit. Each turn of the page had me captivated in wanting to learn more of Fitz’s life and uncover his fate. But combined with the beautiful illustrations and eye-catching color design does the story of Assassin’s Apprentice truly come to life. So, whether you’re a fan of fantasy, Robin Hobb, or an underdog, this is certainly a series you’ll want to add to your collection.”—Chris Beltran, Publicity Coordinator
BARNSTORMERS BY SCOTT SNYDER, TULA LOTAY, DEE CUNNIFFE
“Barnstormers is beautiful. It’s visually breathtaking throughout, with cover art and interiors lavishly illustrated by Tula Lotay, depicting characters in photorealistic detail set amidst lush, painted backgrounds, all perfectly capturing the 1920s look and feel. On top of that, each issue features variant covers that are individually stunning on their own, featuring work by Lotay, and also by Jenny Frison, Dan Panosian, Massimo Carnevale, and more. Scott Snyder’s writing is perfectly paced, hooking you in, then keeping you guessing while providing enough depth to become invested in the characters and their unique situations. This series won an Eisner Award this year for good reason, and in addition to the beautifully designed, double-sized single issues out now, the paperback collection comes out in January so you can enjoy it all in one sitting.
If you love Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries, then this series is for you. It’s also for fans of Scott Snyder and Tula Lotay’s other work–just stellar comics, all around. Historical fiction, aviation, mystery, murder, romance, danger–it’s got it all.”— Cara O’Neil, VP of Marketing
CYBERPUNK 2077: XOXO BY BARTOSZ SZTYBOR, JAKUB REBELKA, FRANK CVETKOVIC
“What is love? Is it the knee-jerk reaction to cower and answer “baby, don’t hurt me”? Or is it all the ideas brought forth from the golden age of cartoons that made one feel like it was something natural and real? In a place like Night City, the question is not only “what is love?”, but “can love be?”;. Maelstrom is betrayed by one of their own during an ambush on the Mox. Corpo cargo is on the line, but it’s not the eddies this renegade is after . . . eyes popping, pulse racing, he’s never known anyone quite like her. Writer Bartosz Sztybor created a story that speaks straight to the heart—human, chrome, second—that’s original, evocative, fast-paced, and transitions to slow-motion as it sinks in. It’s a bit of Romeo and Juliet, Dante’s La Vita Nuova, and every song that switches on in your head when you start to feel enamored, all happening at the center of gang violence. Scenes linger like your own past memories—both comforting and painful. Paired with Jakub Rebelka’s art, a combination of gritty, raw, beautiful, and soft, with Frank Cvetkovic’s lettering that will echo words between your ears, XOXO is a wild ride through a hailstorm of bullets, blood, and guts, and you won’t know just how deep you’re hit until it’s over.”—Judy Khuu, Editor
US BY SARA SOLER, SILVIA PEREA LABAYEN, JOAMETTE GIL
“Want to curl up with a book that has humor, heart, and stellar art? Make your reading list and check it twice to be sure it includes “Us” by Sara Soler! Sara and Diana’s love story gets turned on its head when Diana comes out as a trans woman. What follows is a true story of exploring identities, questioning assumptions, and challenging social norms in the pursuit of true love–whatever that might look like! Sara and Diana tackle not only heavy issues of transphobia, microaggressions, and navigating the ongoing process of coming out, but the fun of discovery and the closeness that comes from facing changes and challenges together. ‘Us’ gives readers not just insight into one queer couple’s journey, but frequent moments of laughter, inspiration, reassurance, and a generous dose of nerdy homages. Whatever your gender identity or sexual orientation, if you’ve ever loved someone, you’ll find plenty of reasons to adore this book.”—Jenny Bingham-Blenk, Editor
AVATAR:THE LAST AIRBENDER–IMBALANCE OMNIBUS BY FAITH ERIN HICKS, PETER WARTMAN, RYAN HILL, ADELE MATERA, BRYAN KONIETZKO, MICHAEL DANTE DIMARTINO
“My pick for the holidays is Avatar: the Last Airbender—Imbalance Omnibus because of the absolute joy this book brings me. With quick action, humor, and authentic, joyful characters mixed into one story, it is an absolute delight for all ages. The color is soft and inviting, making this a real page-turner. Most of all, the concepts of modern, real-world issues are approached with subtlety, balance, and comprehensiveness for all ages set in a world of timeless fiction that mirrors our own.”—Eve Sczechowski, Social Media Manager
BREATHERS BY JUSTIN MADSON
“In the words of Elsa Marie Simon: ‘When you get to page 388 of Justin Madson’s original sci-fi graphic novel Breathers, with the strong possibility of re-reading this story on your mind, you have an insightful afterword piece from the creator and then fifty pages of extras, including a #0 issue short story that’s especially tragic after re-reads. This is the first time this mini comics series turned comic series has been collected, and it’s huge. Justin Madson writing, drawing, coloring, and hand lettering so many engrossing vignettes into an airtight whole piece is quite a feat. Collecting issue #s 1 to 9 of the series, issue #0, and a whopper of an extras section, Madson’s invitingly minimalistic style, surprisingly expressive pages, and faster-paced sequences really shine at this standard TPB size.'”—Philip Simon, Senior Editor
CARMILLA: THE FIRST VAMPIRE TPB BY AMY CHU, SOO LEE, SAL CIPRIANO
“Between the beautifully illustrated pages and the well-crafted characters, it’s hard not to fall in love with Carmilla: The First Vampire. It doesn’t hurt that Athena is easily one of my favorite characters this year as well, so I’m so excited to see her story continue in Carmilla: The Last Vampire Hunter.” —Kaitlyn Nash, Publicity and Social Media Coordinator
WHERE MONSTERS LIE BY KYLE STARKS, PIOTR KOWALKSI, VLADIMIR POPOV, JOSH REED
As a huge horror fan, I’ve got to pick my favorite horror of the year and, this year, that title belongs to Where Monsters Lie. I can’t get enough of Kyle Stark’s comics and how perfectly he pairs horror and humor all while making something new out of tired tropes. And when he’s paired with Piotr Kowalski’s grotesquely gory and fantastic work? It’s like a match made in heaven.” —Kaitlyn Nash, Publicity and Social Media Coordinator
THE UNLIKELY STORY OF FELIX AND MACABBER TPB BY HASSAN OTSMANE-ELHAOU, JUNI BA
“Juni Ba and Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou built an enthralling story set in a world populated by monsters, focusing on a young bullied kid who decides to stow away in the car of a famous fighter who happens to be on a roadtrip to make amends with the friends he hurt and betrayed to become the legend he is. This book will hit your heart like a Powerbomb and raise you back up feeling like a champion!“—Konner Knudsen, Associate Editor
TIME TRAVLER TALES BY KARL JACOBS, DAVID SCHEIDT, KICKING SHOES, JOAMETTE GIL, WENDI CHEN
“Call me a nerd of the internet, but when I heard content maverick and shoe enthusiast Karl Jacobs was making the always funny Tales from the SMP into an all ages adventure comic series, I was already sold. Comics and cartoons legend Dave Scheidt helped build the story and what they and Kelly & Nichole Matthews have written and drawn is something everyone can enjoy! If you are (or know) a fan of adventure, you are going to need to pick this issue #1 up and put it in EVERYONE’s stocking, regardless of if they are hung on the mantle or on the floor! Did I mention this issue is full of animals!?”—Ally Raney, Publicity Manager
INNOCENT OMNIBUS VOLUME 1 TPB BY SHIN’ICHI SAKAMOTO
“Innocent asks the reader hard questions: What if 18th century France’s elite family of executioners were also hot? What if the executioner’s block was as steeped in homoeroticism as it was blood? And finally, what if everyone had jaunty little outfits and gorgeous eyelashes? Joking aside, this (true) story is a bloody, poignant telling of Henri Sanson’s life as they are forced to follow their family tradition and take on the title of Executioner of Paris. The art is beautiful and crisp, serving to make the feast of horrors presented within its pages infinitely palatable. A+ 10/10 Would suggest if you like getting blood in your powdered wig.”—Kelly Eidsvik, HR Administrative Assistant
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