Yeah, we’ll take that red one!
Chapter 154: Why did I say I was going to do this?
Okay.
I know you don’t want me to email you this much. I don’t want to email you this much. But last week I asked if I should shoutout cool new comics every week and the overwhelming response was “Yes!” although I very much enjoyed the person who emailed me to say “Nope.” I see you. But you were sadly outvoted.
The problem is Halloween yesterday required its own post, so now here we are. Did I come up with this idea to shout out new books and then immediately regret it? Sure did. But I am nothing if not painfully stubborn, so we’re doing it. At least for a bit.
But before that, let’s go over my stuff. Here are the books I have coming out in November.
The final issue of THE JOKER and the final issue of WILDC.A.T.S. will be coming your way in the next 2 weeks. I am sad to see both books end, but that is the nature of limited series. Working with Carmine and Stephen and all the creative teams on both books has been a real career highlight for me. And the reader response has been more than we could ever hope for. And huge thanks, as always, to my editor Ben Abernathy for being the best in the business and steering these ships safely into port.
This month also sees me doing a Batman: Black & White story in THE BRAVE & THE BOLD #7 with the unequaled Matteo Scalera. If you’re unfamiliar with Matteo’s work, get familiar.
Yeah. I know. Fucking unreal. I am so excited for you all to see this one.
And lastly, WHAT’S THE FURTHEST PLACE FROM HERE? #16 is this month. I talked about it Monday, when I told you it was Final Order Cutoff for the issue. Turns out that’s next Monday. Whoops. But my point remains- big crazy issue that changes a lot of what we know about the book. Tyler and I are really excited for you to check this one out.
And as one little last note, in stores today is GOTHAM WAR: THE SCORCHED EARTH by
, , , and co. They were kind enough to let me tell a little Red Hood story in their awesome crossover (throssover?). If you liked my story, make sure to pick up this issue and all the other issues of GOTHAM WAR. Do it even if you didn’t. Gotham War was fun. We had fun.
Onto the main event. Books that are out today which I think are cool. I’m trying to spotlight independent stuff only (I think), and only focusing on #1 issues, collected editions and graphic novels, and good jumping on points for ongoing books. Let’s go.
CANARY #1 by
, Dan Panosian, and company is out today. Part classic Western, part modern horror, all done by one of the best writers and one of the best artists in comics. I’d love this book no matter what, but years ago me, Scott, Dan, and Donny Cates all wandered from room to room in a hotel in Texas, examining and buying matchbox cars from odd men at 1 am. It is a con highlight for me, and I like to pretend it was the birthplace of this awesome book. It wasn’t. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t buy this badass, creepy good time.
BLOOD COMMANDMENT #1 by my old partner in Punisher, the brilliant Szymon Kudranski is out today. Following on the heels of his great Image series SOMETHING EPIC, Blood Commandment is a gorgeous (of course) horror story about a man raising his son in the wilderness, and the lengths he will go to protect them from a supernatural force that haunts them. Szymon was built to make horror comics and this issue is a showcase of why. Grab a copy today.
FACELESS AND THE FAMILY #1 by Matt Lesniewski manages to take the familiar and twist it into something entirely new, or maybe takes the strange and unique and show you things you recognize in them. Matt is one of the most unique cartoonists working today- but you can find elements of Richard Corben, Tradd Moore, Jack Kirby, and Salvador Dali in his work. And likewise, his stories are something wholly unique but somehow known. Faceless and The Family is a sci-fi story about marginalized people, found families, and class struggle. But it is also a Dirty Dozen-esque mission to set things right. It’s weird and fun and well worth your time.
UNNATURAL ORDER #1 by Chris Yost, Val Rodrigues, & co. is out today. The story takes place during the Roman Empire and tells the tale of an evil man known as The Druid who wishes to see the world suffer, and the one man who may know how to stop him. It’s fun and the art is gorgeous. Chris Yost has worked on some of your favorite stuff like X-Men, The Mandalorian, Star Wars: Rebels, Thor: Ragnarok, and so much more. His track record alone should make you pick this one up, but if it didn’t for some reason, I don’t know why you’d listen to me about it, but do. Grab this book today.
I talked about how much I loved THE UNLIKELY STORY OF FELIX AND MACABBER a bunch this week, as our guest on the podcast was writer Hassan Otsmane-Elhaou. But, if you missed all that or didn’t get it, allow me to do it again. Hassan and artist Juni Ba have crafted a brilliant underdog story about a bullied little guy, his unlikely friend, and the battles they help each other through. It never goes where you expect it to, all while feeling smart and unique, and Juni’s art is mind-bogglingly cool. Definitely grab this one.
UNENDED by Josh Bayer is out today. A strange, haunting, and very personal work of meta-fiction about the projects that get left unfinished and the parts of your family that remain unknown. I’ve been a big fan of Josh’s frenetic art style and intimate storytelling for years, and this is another must read.
SKTCHD ZINE #1 is available now. This one isn’t in your local comic shop though. You have to mailorder it all the way from Alaska! How cool is that? Remember Alaska? Anyway, I was lucky enough to run into David Harper of SKTCHD at NYCC and bully him into giving me a copy. I love SKTCHD and David’s unparalleled insight into the world of comics, as well as his weirdness. And this issue doesn’t disappoint with interviews with Kieron Gillen and Rico Renzi, a scouting report on which X-Men would be good in the NBA, a ranking of the works of Brian K. Vaughan, and a handbook for superheroes and their favorite foods with guest Brian Michael Bendis. He got both Brians! Anyway, it’s super fun and you want to read it.
“November has tied me to an old dead tree. Get word to April to rescue me.”
And that’s it for me for until at least Monday. Promise.
Stay safe. Take care of each other. You’d tell me if doing this was a waste of my time, right?
-Matthew Rosenberg
NYC 11/1/23
Firstly, I love this feature, and I kind love that it took two weeks for you not love it.
Secondly: I’m still mad that I haven’t been able to get a copy of Night Cruisin’ from last week. I can’t find a single retailer in the U.K. that ordered it.
Thirdly: I’d like to thank you and the Bois for making me look like a nut case on my walk to work this morning. That 20 minute intro was comedy gold and made me laugh and smile in public in front of strangers who now must think I’m (more) odd.
P.s. I’m currently cooking my tea as it’s evening and that’s when I eat tea.
Definitely not a waste of time, I appreciate the recommendations!