Coming Attractions: February 2012: Part One

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Okay, another month has come around, so here are some interesting titles for the month of February! Not only is this Valentine’s Month on a leap year (run for the hills, guys!), but it’s a rare February which has five Wednesdays. Even rarer, that last Wednesday just happens to be Superman’s birthday (or at least it was, I have no idea about the current version), and it’s a skip week! So, if you find yourself with some extra cash that week, and nothing on the spinner rack catches your eye, try one of the titles below!

But first, the boilerplate:

So, here’s what caught my eye.  Please comment below, and please feel free to mention titles I may have marginalized or overlooked.  My tastes are eclectic, but there’s stuff which doesn’t interest me, or doesn’t evoke much of a response.  I respect everyone who manages to publish something, but with some 400 graphic novel titles a month, I have to be selective.

CAVEAT:  As I discovered while doing the publisher posts, that some titles have been canceled or postponed.  The titles below, the information is subject to change.  Some may already be out and on sale, some may be vaporous.  Covers and text are supplied by the publishers.

Oh, and the advisory:  I am employed as a bookseller.  Nothing I say here or anywhere else online has any connection to my employer.  I know my employer can take umbrage at any association people may make between my private and professional activities, so I’m careful to let frozen mammoth be.

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Chico & Rita

Cuba, 1948. Chico is a young piano player with big dreams. Rita is a beautiful singer with an extraordinary voice. Music and romantic desire unite them, but their journey brings heartache and torment. From Havana to New York, Paris, Hollywood, and Las Vegas, two passionate individuals battle impossible odds to unite in music and love.
Javier Mariscal’s art perfectly captures the steamy, vibrant atmosphere of 1940s Havana and transports the reader back to a time filled with music and romance. Based on the true story of Grammy Award–winning Cuban pianist and bandleader Bebo Valdes, this graphic novel is adapted from the animated feature film Chico & Rita, directed by Trueba and Mariscal.

About the author

Fernando Trueba is a multiaward-winning writer, director, and producer, with a career spanning more than three decades in film, television, documentaries, theater, and music. Javier Mariscal is an artist and designer working in multiple fields, including illustration, graphics, comic books, paintings, animation, interiors, product design, furniture, and web design. He has a long-standing association with the New Yorker.

In 1962, a KGB sleeper cell was placed in Cuba. Half a century later, the cell’s children are assigned to overthrow the American government. But why…and why now?

NATE COSBY (Jim Henson’s Storyteller), BEN McCOOL (CHOKER, MEMOIR) and BRENO TAMURA present an uncompromising vision of the Cold War and modern terrorism.

Collects PIGS #1-4

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Art of George Perez

George Perez
ISBN 13:    978-1-60010-859-4
Price:    $49.99

Art of George Perez S&N Limited Edition
ISBN 13:    978-1-60010-860-0
Price:    $79.99

Desperado and IDW are proud to present a retrospective volume devoted to the entire career of one of today’s most popular artists, George Perez. This book offers readers and fans a chance to witness his immense and sensational career from his early days at Marvel to his glory days at DC where he co-created the New Teen Titans, which rivaled the X-Men in popularity at the time, and revitalized Wonder Woman as both writer and artist. This volume covers his return to the Avengers, as well as his resurgence at CrossGen and his own independent projects. This tome also offers glimpses of previously never-before-seen material from his files and sketchbooks, private commissioned work, as well as beautifully reproduced images of his personal favorites with insights into his life and creative process. This book is a necessity for any George Perez fan, as well as for anyone who truly appreciates comic books in general.

George Perez was the 2006 Hero Initiative Lifetime Achievement Award winner.  Editor Joe Pruett has been nominated as a writer, designer and/or editor of eleven Eisner Awards, five Harvey Awards, one Eagle Award, and one Bram Stoker Award.

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30 Days of Night Prestige Edition

Steve Niles, Ben Templesmith

$50.00

ISBN: 978-1-60010-956-0

In a sleepy, secluded Alaska town called Barrow, the sun sets and doesn’t rise for over thirty consecutive days and nights. From the darkness, across the frozen wasteland, an evil will come that will bring the residents of Barrow to their knees. The only hope for the town is the Sheriff and Deputy, husband and wife who are torn between their own survival and saving the town they love.

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Ghostbusters, Volume  1

by Erik Burnham, Dan Schoening,  Nick Runge

$17.99

ISBN 978-1-61377-157-0

Are you troubled by strange noises in the middle of the night? Do you experience feelings of dread in your basement or attic? Have you or any of your family ever seen a spook, specter, or ghost? If the answer is yes, call the professionals! Psychokinetic energy is on the rise again, business is booming for the boys, and Ray is troubled by what could be a prophetic dream… Is this an ill omen of an upcoming apocalypse, or just a little indigestion? Bullet points:    “If you’re a fan of the movies then this will definitely hit all the right buttons. The charm, humor and witty banter that made them such a treat is here in full effect.” – IGN “The story has a bounce swagger to it quite like the first movie. This is a new story that has the feel of the original, and it’s quite a wonderful tale.” – Comic Book Resources

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Art of Amanda Conner

by Amanda Conner

$29.99

ISBN 13:    978-1-60010-950-8

Desperado and IDW are proud to present this inaugural collection of one of comics’ brightest and most popular talents in the field today. Her art has been called charming, inviting, friendly, and accessible. A foundation of elegance, dynamic design, and personality can be found in every single panel of her work. Sought after by all the top writers in comics today – including Grant Morrison, Garth Ennis, Mark Millar, Warren Ellis, and Jimmy Palmiotti – Amanda Conner, with her amazing modern and tasteful take on the classic pin-up, has paved the way for countless female artists in a predominately male-oriented industry.

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Womanthology: Heroic

Annie Nocenti, Anya Martin, Barbara Kesel, Kimberly Komatsu, Gail Simone, Trina Robbins, Samantha Newark, and many more;  Camille d’Errico, Renae DeLiz, Ming Doyle, Colleen Doran, Fiona Staples, Stephanie Buscema, and more

$50.00

ISBN: 978-1-61377-147-1

Womanthology is a large-scale anthology showcasing the works of women in comics. It is created entirely by over 140 women of all experience levels, from young girls who love to create comics all the way up to top industry professionals. All of the short stories will center around our theme for this volume; Heroic. There will also be features, such as Professional How-Tos, a Kids/Teens section showcasing their works and giving tips, as well as a section dedicated to some Iconic female comic creators of the past, such as Nell Brinkley, and much more. Profits of this book will go towards the Charities of GlobalGiving.org.

Over 200 creators! Including Gail Simone, Camilla D’Errico, Robin Furth, Trina Robbins, Colleen Doran, Fiona Staples, Ming Doyle, Renae De Liz, and many more!

A unique experience for unknown creators to work with established “names” and professionals, with sections on breaking into comics, making comics, and working in the industry from other creators.

The Kickstarter for this project made its funds in record time and far exceeded its goals. It became the most successful comics Kickstarter to date!
All proceeds go to GlobalGiving.org!

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Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, Volume 1: Change is Constant

by Kevin Eastman & Tom Waltz,  Dan Duncan

$17.99

ISBN 978-1-61377-139-6

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles return to comics in their first IDW adventure! The very core of the Turtles family is at stake as the new origin of TMNT is revealed! It’s a different world for the Turtles… The group is broken as Raphael wanders the streets of NYC in search of food and shelter. His brothers and Master Splinter are on the search, but so far all they can find is trouble–in the form of mutant alley cat Old Hob and his gang of criminals! Join Tom Waltz, Dan Duncan, and TMNT co-creator Kevin Eastman for the start of a wild ride!

Collects issues 1 – 4 of the runaway smash hit series!

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Dotter of Her Father’s Eyes

Mary M. Talbot, Bryan Talbot

$14.99

ISBN-13: 978-1-59582-850-7

Part personal history, part biography, Dotter of Her Father’s Eyes contrasts two coming-of-age narratives: that of Lucia, the daughter of James Joyce, and that of author Mary Talbot, daughter of the eminent Joycean scholar James S. Atherton. Social expectations and gender politics, thwarted ambitions and personal tragedy are played out against two contrasting historical backgrounds, poignantly evoked by the atmospheric visual storytelling of award-winning graphic-novel pioneer Bryan Talbot. Produced through an intense collaboration seldom seen between writers and artists, Dotter of Her Father’s Eyes is smart, funny, and sad–an essential addition to the evolving genre of graphic memoir.

* Bryan Talbot is recognized worldwide as one of the true original voices in graphic fiction.

* Bryan Talbot’s Grandville Mon Amour was nominated for a 2011 Hugo Award.

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Photo-Journal Guide to Comics, Volume 1 (A-K)

Ernst Gerber, Mary Gerber

$75.00
ISBN-13: 978-0-9623328-0-7

PHOTO-JOURNAL GUIDE TO COMICS, VOLUME 2 (K-Z)

$75.00
ISBN-13: 978-0-9623328-2-1

PHOTO-JOURNAL GUIDE TO MARVEL, COMICS VOLUME 3 & 4 SET

ISBN-13: 978-0-9623328-7-6
$50.00

PHOTO-JOURNAL GUIDE TO MARVEL COMICS, VOLUME 3 (A-J)