FROM PANEL TO PANEL • April 2017 Graphic Novel Releases To Look Out For

I love comics and graphic novels, so what do I do with that love? Well, I turn it into a new feature!

From Panel to Panel is a new feature where I talk about the awesome (and perhaps not-so awesome) comic books and graphic novels I’ve read. Basically, this will be me pushing them onto your laps. You’re welcome.

In April, there were a lot of comic volume 2s and 3s I would drop everything to get my hands on them. Those comics are Green Arrow (and my bb Black Canary), the legendary archer back at it again; Barbara Gordon has reunited with Dinah Lance and Helena Bertenelli to form Birds of Prey; a complete collection of Phonogram, and plenty of awesome comics I need you to put in your TBR list!

Get your shopping carts loaded with all these comics!

In a tale from happier but no less dangerous times, Green Arrow labors to train a new apprentice who’s every bit as deadly as his fiercest villains: a teenage girl, that happens to be his half-sister! But before Emiko and Ollie can embrace as family, they have to save Seattle from a foe that can see the future of anyone he chooses–anyone, that is, except for Emiko Queen…

DC Universe: Rebirth continues with this fresh take on GREEN ARROW from horror novelist Benjamin Percy and rising star artist Otto Schmidt! Collects GREEN ARROW #6-11.— DC Comics

Publication date: April 5, 2017 by DC Comics

Buy: LCBS · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo · Comixology

Why I’m excited: Anything with Dinah in the picture, I will make grabby hands for it. I’ve read a couple issues of this volume, and Green Arrow Rebirth continues to knock my socks off. It’s really one of the top Rebirth titles I’ve read.

Barbara Gordon is no stranger to secrets. She’s the daughter of GCPD Jim Gordon, the vigilante known as Batgirl and was once Oracle, the most powerful hacker on the planet.

Someone new has resurrected the Oracle mantle that Babs once controlled, and whoever is behind it is sending Batgirl on a wild chase all across Gotham City. By her side are two equally dangerous vigilantes–Dinah Lance, the rock star-turned-hero known as Black Canary, and Helena Bertinelli, the lethal spy code-named the Huntress.

Can this mismatched trio come together in time to solve the mystery of the new Oracle and defeat the villainous forces arrayed against them? Or will these Birds of Prey have their wings clipped before they can even get off the ground?

Find out in BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY VOL. 1: WHO IS ORACLE? The start of a whole new era for Gotham City’s greatest superhero team! From writers Shawna and Julie Benson (TV’s The 100) and artists Claire Roe (VERTIGO QUARTERLY SFX) and Roge Antonio (NIGHTWING), it’s an action-packed adventure on the streets of Gotham. Collects issues #1-6 and the BATGIRL AND THE BIRDS OF PREY: REBIRTH one-shot. — DC Comics

Publication date: April 5, 2017 by DC Comics

Buy: LCBS · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo · Comixology

Why I’m excited: I miss these ladies. They are the ultimate dream team. Barbara, Dinah, and Helena have been doing their own thing for a while, but in Batgirl and the Birds of Prey, they have reunited to kick more ass!

Collected in a single volume for the first time, the first critically beloved work from Kieron Gillen and Jamie McKelvie, the creators of The Wicked + the Divine.

Includes RUE BRITANNIA, THE SINGLES CLUB and THE IMMATERIAL GIRL, with RUE BRITANNIA coloured for the first time.

The world where Music Is Magic has never looked better. — Image Comics

Publication date: April 12, 2017 by Image Comics

Buy: LCBS · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo · Comixology

Why I’m excited: This is what fans of Phonogram + Kieron Gillen + Jamie McKelvie have been waiting for! The complete collection! With color! I know many people have wept over the preciousness of this comic. And why wouldn’t they over this graphic novel about the magic of music?

Reincarnation is real, and two soldiers who have been part of a war that has raged for centuries wake up in new bodies, each on a quest to find the other.

Mali and Tessa remember now: they remember their roles as soldiers in a war without end, battling each other throughout centuries, reincarnating only to fight one another again. But now that they’re finally together, they’ve decided to break this cycle for good by choosing love over war. Unfortunately, factions on all sides of the conflict are at odds with their choice—including Tessa’s parents.

Critically-acclaimed writer Christopher Sebela (Dead Letters, High Crimes) and artist Claire Roe (Batgirl and the Birds of Prey) delve back into the darkly complex world where all lines have been blurred: between love and hate, war and peace.– Boom! Studios

Publication date: April 12, 2017, 2017 by Boom! Studios

Buy: LCBS · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo · Comixology

Why I’m excited: The comic about reincarnated assassins is back! I don’t know about you, but I’m excited to see how Mali and Tessa break the cycle of war when forces are continuously after them. I hope love wins!

A top secret mission on behalf of an old friend, a tropical cruise. What could go wrong? Turns out it’s a theme cruise -super-hero themed, naturally -a fl oating comic con. Now Bobbi is trapped on a boat with a thousand cosplayers, caped colleagues she was trying to avoid, an ex-boyfriend who keeps showing up at inopportune times and a rampaging herd of corgis. When a passenger is murdered, Bobbi must play Hercule Poirot to fi nd the killer and confront some uncomfortable truths from her past in the process.

Collects Mockingbird 6-8, New Avengers (2010) 13-14. — Marvel Comics

Publication date: April 19, 2017 by Marvel Comics

Buy: LCBS · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo · Comixology

Why I’m excited:  Although this comic has come to an end, I will cherish the badassery of Bobbi Morse. She is one of the top Marvel superheroines I want everybody to read. You’d want to read up on her feminist agenda. ;)

The SCARLET WITCH travels to SERBIA to dive deep into her Romany roots! Who were her parents? Where does she come from? Wanda will discover the answers…and seek her revenge! 

Collects: SCARLET WITCH 11-14, UNCANNY AVENGERS ANNUAL 1– Marvel Comics

Publication date: April 19, 2017, 2017 by Marvel Comics

Buy: LCBS · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo · Comixology

Why I’m excited: I can’t stay away from Scarlet Witch, especially this comic with a variety of artists creating beautiful works of Wanda.

Now that Natasha knows the Weeping Lion’s secret, she’s in control of his very particular skills. Natasha plans to use him to destroy the Red Room’s reincarnation, the DARK ROOM. But she’ll have to face RECLUSE, daughter of the Red Room’s headmistress, who’s fixated on killing Natasha to prove her worth.

COLLECTING: BLACK WIDOW 7-12. — Marvel Comics

Publication date: April 26, 2017 by Marvel Comics

Buy: LCBS · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo · Comixology

Why I’m excited: Black Widow, my girl. Natasha + the Red Room. Who will win?

Jason Todd, a.k.a. Red Hood has been many things–a Robin, dead, the Red Hood–now he’s back and he’s embracing his bad side!

With his new status as a villain, Red Hood plans to take down Gotham’s underworld from the inside. Joined by a fallen Amazon named Artemis and a half-baked Superman clone named Bizarro, this dark trinity will soon discover that the line between hero and villain is harder to discern than they might think.

Collects RED HOOD & THE OUTLAWS #1-6.  – Marvel Comics

Publication date: April 26, 2017 by Marvel Comics

Buy: LCBS · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo · Comixology

Why I’m excited: JASON TODD!! I can’t believe he’s back in my life. And this time, he’s a villain! I’m so excited!! (Fun fact: My sister’s obsessed with Jason Todd.)

At long last, it’s finally time for the second hardcover collection of SAGA, the New York Times best-selling series praised by everyone from Alan Moore to Lin-Manuel Miranda! Created by the multiple Eisner Award-winning team of artist FIONA STAPLES (Mystery Society, North 40, Archie Comics) and writer BRIAN K. VAUGHAN (THE PRIVATE EYE, PAPER GIRLS, WE STAND ON GUARD), SAGA BOOK TWO continues the action-packed education of Hazel, a child born to star-crossed parents from opposite sides of a never-ending galactic war.

Collecting 18 issues of the smash-hit comic, this massive edition features a striking original cover from Fiona Staples, as well as a brand-new gallery of exclusive, never-before-seen SAGA artwork from legendary creators including CLIFF CHIANG, PIA GUERRA, FAITH ERIN HICKS, KARL KERSCHL, JASON LATOUR, SEAN GORDON MURPHY, STEVE SKROCE, and MORE! – Image Comics

Publication date: March 29, 2017, 2017 by Image Comics

Buy: LCBS · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo · Comixology

Why I’m excited: I need this deluxe edition of Book Two in my life. Everything Saga related, I need in my life. Or else, I won’t feel complete. ;D

SPECIAL MENTIONS: Lumberjanes Vol. 6, The Stone Heart (The Nameless City #2), Jonesy TPB Vol. 02, Archie Vol. 3, Surgeon X Vol. 1 Path Of Most Resistance

Do any of these comics interest you? Tell me which ones you’re excited about! Have you read any of these?