Categories
The Stack

It’s Hispanic Heritage Month!

This is the time of year when we celebrate all that is great, good, and interesting about Hispanic culture — and that includes comics featuring Hispanic characters! We’ll kick this month off with an appropriate Riot Rec theme, but in the meantime…

Bookish Goods

Two storage boxes with clear fronts that show the comics inside

Comic Book Storage Box Display/Store Comics in an Eco Friendly Sustainable Wood Storage Box with Lid by Garage207ua

These boxes are a beautiful way to store your comics while still showing them off to friends and visitors. Four colors of wood are available! $40

New Releases

Space Trash Vol 1 cover

Space Trash Vol. 1 by Jenn Woodall

Going to high school on the moon sounds fun, right? Not for Yuki, Una, and Stab. Their school is for underprivileged kids and provides something less than an exciting education. But as they do their best to survive high school, they stumble upon a secret that could change everything — both for them and the entire human race.

Mashle Magic and Muscles Vol 8 cover

Mashle: Magic and Muscles Vol. 8 by Hajime Komoto

The adventures of Mash, a seemingly ordinary magic school student who can’t actually do magic, continue in this eighth volume of Mashle. Now, he and his friends have to deal with a powerful enemy, an undead teacher, and even being turned into babies! How will he ever get through this school year?

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: undocumented immigrants from Mexico! It’s specific, but there are multiple comics around that theme, so here we are!

Undocumented A Worker's Fight cover

Undocumented: A Worker’s Fight by Duncan Tonatiuh

Tonatiuh turns to an ancient format — a pre-Columbian-style codex — to tell the story of Juan, an undocumented young man fighting for better pay and working conditions. Though the risks of speaking up are great, the consequences of staying silent are far worse.

Unearthed cover

Unearthed: A Jessica Cruz Story by Lilliam Rivera and Steph C.

Based on the DC Comics heroine, Unearthed follows a young Jessica Cruz as she struggles to hide the fact that she is undocumented from her friends. But after her father is arrested, she will have to learn — with help from school friend John Stewart — how to stand up for those who need her. Stunning artwork and emotional storytelling really set this book apart.

I hope this newsletter got your Hispanic Heritage Month off to a positive start, and that you keep learning and enjoying yourself all month long!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

Stealing into Your Inbox with More Great Comics!

Hello once again! I always try to bring you the best comics content possible, but today I’m extra excited about some of the offerings in store, so let’s dive right in!

Bookish Goods

A green t-shirt with white text that says "I have too many comic books said no one ever"

I Have Too Many Comic Books T-shirt by PorpoiseTees

Most relatable shirt ever! I think I like the red one best. $20

New Releases

Jessi's Secret Language cover

Jessi’s Secret Language by Ann M. Martin and Chan Chau

Based on the ever-popular series The Baby-Sitters Club, this comic follows newbie babysitter Jessi and a young Deaf boy, Matt. Matt communicates through sign language, so Jessi decides that she — and all the other kids in the neighborhood! — should learn it as well.

Ducks cover

Ducks: Two Years in the Oil Sands by Kate Beaton

Best known for her hilarious webcomic Hark! A Vagrant, Beaton gets personal with this graphic memoir. Relating her years in Alberta, Canada, she juxtaposes that country’s natural beauty with its ruthless pursuit of oil — and the consequences of that pursuit on the locals, the environment, and Beaton herself.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: thieves! These sticky-fingered protagonists may be (okay, definitely are) breaking the law, but you’ll cheer them on anyway.

cover image of The Banks

The Banks by Roxane Gay and Ming Doyle

The Banks women are exceptional thieves and have been for half a century. Now, they are faced with the possibility of a score so enticing that it will take three generations to pull off the ultimate heist!

Bandette Vol 1 cover

Bandette Vol. 1: Presto! by Paul Tobin and Colleen Coover

The husband-and-wife team of Tobin and Coover bring us the best, most adorable thief in the world: Bandette, an ingenious teenager who, with the help of her dog and her friends, can steal anything. But can she outwit an assassin determined to eliminate her? (Of course she can, but please read to find out how!)

I’ll see you again later this week, nerd friends! In the meantime, keep reading those comics!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

Your Five-Minute Mission: To Explore This Strange Newsletter…

That’s right, nerd friends: on this day 56 years ago, the original Star Trek series debuted, launching a franchise (and a VERY enthusiastic fandom) that is still going strong! It’s been a rough year for Trekkies (RIP Nichelle Nichols), but the show’s legacy remains despite everything, as today’s Riot Rec theme will show.

Bookish Goods

a small round box decorated with comic strips

Small Box Decorated in Newspaper Comic Strips by HomeTaradise

This cute little box is covered in comic strips of your choice and perfect for storing change, keys, or even…peanuts. *ba-dum tish* $16

New Releases

Coven cover

Coven by Jennifer Dugan and Kit Seaton

Emsy has the potential to be a powerful witch, but she never cared enough to develop that talent — until her family’s coven is slaughtered by a witch. Now Emsy has no choice but to use her powers to follow the clues, protect her family, and bring a killer to justice.

Nubia and the Amazons cover

Nubia & the Amazons by Stephanie Williams, Vita Ayala, and Alitha Martinez

Nubia is the new queen of the Amazons, but she will need to confront her difficult past before she can lead her Amazon sisters into a glorious future. This hardcover collection explores an exciting new chapter in the life of one of Themyscira’s most interesting and misunderstood inhabitants — and shows her coming into her own at last.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: Star Trek! There have been an uncountable number of Star Trek comics over the years, but unfortunately, very few of them are by creators of color. (Check out Star Trek: The Mirror War – Sisko for an example of an exception, though!) As we wait for that to change, please enjoy these more recent editions to the Trek universe!

Star Trek Discovery - Aftermath cover

Star Trek: Discovery – Aftermath by Kirsten Beyer, Mike Johnson, Tony Shasteen, & Angel Hernandez

Picking up where the second season of Star Trek: Discovery left off, this series sees Spock trying to rejoin Starfleet in order to prevent treaty negotiations between the Federation and the Klingons from falling apart.

Star Trek Year Five cover

Star Trek: Year Five – Odyssey’s End by Various

Ever wanted to see the completion of that original five-year mission? Of course you have! This multipart series has the crew confronting not just the usual set of bizarre aliens, but also their own uncertainty about going home and what the end of their mission will bring.

A Havanese puppy with what looks like a smile on her cute little face

In closing, please look at my dog Poppy, who got a nail and hair trim and is very pleased to show off the results. Until next week, Live Long and Prosper!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

Love, Hate, and Everything in Between

Hi! Did you know Stargirl‘s third season has just started? It’s my favorite of The CW’s superhero shows, so I was surprised and delighted to find it was back!

While I wait for the next episode, let’s look at what else is cooking in the world of comics…

Bookish Goods

a green tote bag with a comic character saying "I hate all of you"

I Hate All of You Classic Sublimation Tote Bag by BigBossBunny

Some days are just like that. This tote features a print from an old comic that will show off both your mood and your sense of humor. $29

New Releases

Ghost Reaper Girl Vol 2 cover

Ghost Reaper Girl Vol. 2 by Akissa Saiké

Chloé, an actor in her late 20s (that’s practically ancient!), fears her chance at stardom has passed her by — until she gets the chance to be the Ghost Reaper Girl, charged with tracking and eliminating escaped evil spirits. In this second volume of the series, Chloé develops new powers that will come in handy against a dastardly new foe.

Garlic and the Witch cover

Garlic and the Witch by Bree Paulsen

After the events of Garlic and the Vampire, the vegetable people have a new friend in the Count. They have grown so close, in fact, that when Witch Agnes needs a special ingredient to finish making a blood substitute for him, our pungent heroine Garlic finds herself traveling a great distance to get it — even as she undergoes some scary changes of her own.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: mature love! No, not mature as in explicit (that’s a future theme), but mature as in older protagonists. These comics definitively prove that you are never too old for a second chance at love. Keep those tissues handy!

Walk Me to the Corner cover

Walk Me to the Corner by Anneli Furmark, translated by Hanna Stromberg

Elise and Dagmar would have sworn that they were happy with their lives and relationships — until they met, and love bloomed. As the women’s affair grows, Elise begins to realize that she may not like the path she has chosen after all.

Bingo Love cover

Bingo Love by Tee Franklin, Jenn St-Onge, and Joy San

In 1963, Hazel and Mari meet at a bingo hall. It’s love at first sight, but their elders forbid the romance, and Mari is sent away to get married. Decades later, after they have had families of their own and watched them grow up, pure chance enables the women to find one another and give their love a second chance to shine.

And on that happy romantic note, I’m out. See you again on Thursday with more cool comics, nerd friends!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

Here There Be…

Happy September, nerd friends! We’re one step closer to autumn, Halloween, and all that other fun stuff. In the meantime, don’t forget that there’s plenty of great comics content coming out right now!

Bookish Goods

Several plants in small pots decorated with pages from Naruto

Manga Page Pot: Naruto by OtakooStoodio

For all you green-thumbed Naruto fans, this is the perfect addition to your household! $25+

New Releases

Silk Vol 2 Age of the Witch cover

Silk Vol. 2: Age of the Witch by Emily Kim and Takeshi Miyazawa

Whether you loved Silk’s previous adventures or are entirely new to the character, you’ll love this trade paperback, which sees our girl Cindy Moon going up against an ancient Korean threat and the vagaries of social media.

Over My Dead Body cover

Over My Dead Body by Sweeney Boo

Samhain is supposed to be a time of celebration for the students at Younwity’s Institute. Abby, however, is consumed by the disappearance of her best friend, Noreen. Is there a connection between Noreen’s disappearance and that of another girl who went missing years ago? And what is really in the forest surrounding the institute, the one that Abby is forbidden from entering but may have to explore to find out what happened to Noreen?

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: dragons! Some are big and scary, while others will happily accept belly rubs. These comics tend to focus on the latter.

Tidesong cover

Tidesong by Wendy Xu

Sophie’s family expects her to be a great witch, but Sophie isn’t very good at magic and isn’t getting the support she needs to do better. When she befriends Lir, an amnesiac water dragon, Sophie sees in him a chance to finally improve her magic skills. But is she willing to jeopardize Lir’s future to secure her own?

the tea dragon society cover

The Tea Dragon Society by K. O’Neill

Magic and blacksmithing are supposed to be two different disciplines. But when Greta, a blacksmith’s apprentice, finds a lost tea dragon, she finds herself becoming more and more involved in learning how to care for the beautiful creatures, how to make a good cup of tea, and how to be friends with Minette, who knows plenty about both dragons and tea.

A Havenese puppy's face peers out from under a bed

Uh-oh, I think even these cute dragons were too scary: my dog Poppy is hiding under the bed! I’ll see you back here next week with a friendlier Riot Rec theme.

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

The Stack Reporting for Duty!

Hello, one and all! I’d like to begin this newsletter by extending very belated birthday wishes to the late Jim Aparo, whose work on various DC titles (but especially Batman) continues to dazzle us all. Thank you for all of the wonderful art, sir!

Bookish Goods

A white notebook with a pink Supergirl logo and some text on the front

She needed a superhero so she became one. notebook by StenoLingo

Whether you’re investigating a crime or just taking notes for class, this notebook will help keep you organized and inspire you to greatness! $14

New Releases

Star Wars Crimson Reign cover

Star Wars: Crimson Reign by Charles Soule and Steven Cummings

As if the Rebel Alliance doesn’t have enough to worry about, now they must confront the Crimson Dawn, a vast criminal organization with shadowy motives. Between that and two assassins on their trail, the rebels had better find out what is going on and put a stop to it before it’s too late.

Harley Quinn Eat Bang Kill Tour cover

Harley Quinn: The Animated Series Vol. 1: The Eat. Bang! Kill. Tour by Tee Franklin and Max Sarin

Picking up where Season One of the Harley Quinn animated series left off, Poison Ivy dumps Kite Man at the altar and runs off for a fun, queer road trip with BFF Harley Quinn. What will these fun-loving gals discover along the way, besides each other’s tonsils?

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: journalism! These comics celebrate the important and dangerous work that reporters do, both in the real world and in the world of fiction.

the cover of Abbott #1

Abbott by Saladin Ahmed, Sami Kivelä, and Jason Wordie

Reporter Elena Abbott has already lost her husband to the occult. Now, she has a chance to destroy those dark forces, but she has to go through a virtual army of corrupt police officers and politicians to do it.

Ten Days in a Mad-House cover

Ten Days in a Mad-House: A Graphic Adaptation by Brad Ricca and Courtney Sieh

In 1887, intrepid reporter Nellie Bly got herself committed to the New York City Mental Health Hospital, an institution notorious for abusing its patients and imprisoning women who were not mentally ill at all. Her work drew attention to the way society ignores and mistreats both the mentally ill and women in general. She wrote a book about her experiences, which has now been adapted into graphic novel form.

I’m sure you have plenty of other things to do today, so I won’t take up any more of your time. Enjoy your day, nerd friends, and I’ll see you back here on Thursday!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

Time to Hit the (Comic) Books!

Summer is almost over! And while that makes me pretty happy (I can’t stand the heat and the bugs), I know a lot of you are probably dreading the start of the school year. Fortunately, comic books are always here for you, no matter the season!

Bookish Goods

party hats made from old comic book pages

Superhero Party Hat by ComicsRepurposed

Why settle for store-bought party hats when you can enjoy these ones made from old comic books? You can even pick out the character you want! $16 each

New Releases

My Little Pony Generations cover

My Little Pony: Generations by Casey Gilly and Michela Cacciatore

Move over, Marvel, there’s a new shared universe in town! Well, not that “new,” as the My Little Pony franchise has been around for decades — and now, members from different generations must team up to save Ponyville!

Saga of Shuri and T'Challa cover

Black Panther: The Saga of Shuri and T’Challa by Various

T’Challa and Shuri don’t always get along, but they’ll always be there for each other when the chips are down (or the villains are up). In this collection, T’Challa is seriously injured, giving little sister Shuri the chance she has always wanted to be the Black Panther and protect Wakanda. But they will need to work together to eliminate the foes that threaten them now.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: high school! If your school year hasn’t started yet, it probably will soon. (Sorry!) Here are two comics set in two very different high schools.

Ouran High School Host Club Vol 1 cover

Ouran High School Host Club Vol. 1 by Bisco Hatori

Can’t forget this classic! Haruhi is attending the elite Ouran on a scholarship. When she breaks an expensive vase belonging to the school’s host club, she must pose as a boy and join said club to work off the debt. It’s a goofy, romantic, and occasionally touching saga about how the other half lives.

the cover of Welcome to St. Hell

Welcome to St. Hell: My Trans Teen Misadventure by Lewis Hancox

It took Lewis a while to figure out who he was, but now he is a happy adult and wishes to share the benefits of his hard-earned wisdom with his teen self — who doesn’t want to listen. Sometimes funny and sometimes painful, this memoir reflects on the difficulties trans teens face while reminding readers that it is entirely possible to survive those years and turn out okay.

Whether you’re still in school or not, I hope you learn something neat today. For instance, did you know there is a sea creature called a gribble? Such a fun name!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

Good or Bad — It’s All Relative, Right?

Happy Tuesday! I know it’s probably not your favorite day of the week, but hey, it’s better than Monday, right? Hopefully, these comics can help you tamp down on any villainous urges you may be feeling at this point in the workweek!

Bookish Goods

A walkway decorated with stickers displaying comic-style onomatopoeias

Textured Peel and Stick Floor Decals by GripperStickers

Make the journey from the sidewalk to your front door more heroic — or give your kids something fun to decorate with! $30

New Releases

Fullmetal Alchemist Vol 18 cover

Fullmetal Alchemist Vol. 18 by Hiromu Arakawa

Here it is: the hardcover edition of the final volume of the beloved manga Fullmetal Alchemist! Don’t miss out on the Elric brothers’ last adventures — not to mention a new translation and bonus art.

Cover of Ride On by Faith Hicks

Ride On by Faith Erin Hicks

Victoria loves horses, but are they really the only thing she needs? After her life gets to be too much for her to handle, she abandons it all in favor of a new stable where no one knows her, there’s no pressure to be the best, and all she has to do is be with her beloved horses. Can the new surroundings help Victoria appreciate her old life, even with its downsides?

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: villains! Hey, heroes aren’t the only ones with stories to tell. These comics focus on the bad guy to see what makes them tick.

nimona cover

Nimona by ND Stevenson

In this beloved webcomic, Nimona is a shapeshifting henchman for the nefarious Lord Ballister Blackheart. The two of them plan to expose the local law enforcement agency as the real villains — but whose side will Nimona end up on when the chips are down?

Moriarty the Patriot Vol 1 cover

Moriarty the Patriot Vol. 1 by Ryosuke Takeuchi and Hikaru Miyoshi

James Moriarty, the professiorial foil to Sherlock Holmes, is one of literature’s most infamous criminals. This manga delves into his origins. Despite his family’s wealth and prestige, James has always hated the upper classes and resolves to do what he can to make the world better and fairer for those less fortunate. So where did it all go so wrong…?

*dusts off hands* That about does it for me, nerd friends. I’ll see you again on Thursday with even more neat comics!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

Dig Up Some Fantastic Comics This Weekend!

Welcome back to your friendly neighborhood comics newsletter, nerd friends! Keep scrolling to check out the latest releases and other geeky goodies!

Bookish Goods

A framed photo of a map of New York highlighting important spots in different comic book universes

A Comic Book Tour of New York City // Superhero Map of NYC by AwkwardAffections

New York City must be the best-protected city on Earth, what with all these heroes running around! Now you can find all your favorites with a quick glance at this map. $26+

New Releases

Robin & Batman cover

Robin & Batman by Jeff Lemire and Dustin Nguyen

Most of us have at least a passing familiarity with Dick Grayson’s origins as Robin, the Boy Wonder. This three-issue comic, however, takes a less familiar approach, focusing on the trauma he had to overcome before he could be one of the most iconic superheroes ever.

Cold Bodies cover

Cold Bodies by Magdalene Visaggio and Andrea Mutti

Denise had hoped to leave the past behind her, but a popular movie series about the worst day of her life — when she alone survived a massacre in a blizzard — has made that impossible. Now, she is starting to see the murderer, dubbed the Winter Man, everywhere. Are the sightings the result of stress and trauma, or has the Winter Man truly returned after all these years?

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: farming! Farms aren’t a part of most people’s everyday lives, which makes them a fascinating setting for stories like these.

Stepping Stones cover

Stepping Stones by Lucy Knisley

Part of the Peapod Farm series, this adorable comic follows young Jen as she struggles to adjust to her new stepfamily and a move to the country. It takes her a while, but with a little effort, she might finally find a place for herself in this strange new world.

Silver Spoon Vol 1 cover

Silver Spoon Vol. 1 by Hiromu Arakawa

Joining the dairy science program at an agricultural high school may not have been the smartest decision city boy Yuugo Hachiken ever made. But he’s here now, and he’ll just have to make the best of it — and, with any luck, he’ll discover his true purpose in life in between chasing rebellious calves.

A Havanese puppy perches atop some pillows right by the shoulder of the hard-at-work author

In conclusion, please enjoy this photo of my dog Poppy doing her best parrot impersonation while I try to work. See you next week!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

The Past Is Never Really Past

I don’t mean that title as a threat, by the way. The past is what makes us, for better or for worse, and it is far better to acknowledge that and turn our prior experiences into something worthwhile than to try to hide from them. That’s why I’ve devoted this whole newsletter to comics that celebrate, reveal, and transform the past!

Bookish Goods

Clear plastic mounts display comic books along a white wall

ComicMount™ Comic Book Frame Display System by CollectorMount

These are a great, economical way to show off your collectors’ edition comics on a wall or on a table! $6

New Releases

Wonder Woman Black and Gold cover

Wonder Woman Black & Gold by Various

This beautiful hardcover anthology features Wonder Woman-centered stories from a variety of today’s top talent, including Mariko Tamaki, Becky Cloonan, Jamie McKelvie, Ming Doyle, and many more. Each story explores a different aspect of the Amazing Amazon’s history and heritage, and how she uses both to face all kinds of threats.

Shang-Chi Vol 3 cover

Shang-Chi by Gene Luen Yang Vol. 3: Family of Origin by Gene Luen Yang, Dike Ruan, et. al.

If you’ve been waiting for the next volume of this series, wait no more! Beloved creator Gene Luen Yang (Superman Smashes the Klan) brings us more adventures featuring Marvel’s premier martial artist. Ever wonder who Shang-Chi’s parents are? This trade paperback holds the answers, not to mention a dangerous foe who threatens Shang-Chi in the present.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: reimaginings! These comics take a classic prose story and turn it into something fresh and exciting.

Adler cover

Adler by Lavie Tidhar and Paul McCaffrey

Ever thought classic literature would be better if the female characters got to kick a little butt? Adler is here for you. See Irene Adler, Jane Eyre, and Lady Havisham team up to stop Ayesha, who, along with the vampiric assassin Carmilla, threatens to bring down the entire British Empire.

Anne of West Philly cover

Anne of West Philly by Ivy Noelle Weir and Myisha Haynes

Though this brightly colored, beautifully illustrated comic follows the general plot of Anne of Green Gables — the Cuthbert siblings adopt a spunky redheaded girl named Anne — it relocates the action to modern-day West Philadelphia, where Anne is determined to find adventure…and is surprised to find a family as well.

This newsletter is now relegated to the past. I’ll see you for a future edition on Thursday, nerd friends!

~Eileen