FROM PANEL TO PANEL • January 2018 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 January, there’s plentiful of graphic novels to go ga-ga over, and that has been what I did. You get my all-time favorite The Wicked + The Divine which will continue to destroy everybody, a Pacific Rim/Iron Giant mash-up, hardcover volumes of Vision and Sex Criminals, and many more. This month, you need to put these on your TBR list.

Get your shopping carts loaded with all these comics!

• The Wicked + The Divine • Vol. 6: Imperial Phase Part II

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

Your minds will be blown when you read Volume 6 because holy shit, guys. WICDIV does not pull its punches, and with what happens and what is revealed, I don’t know how anybody can make audible thoughts about this comic. It changes things. If you read this amazing comic, I’ve been advised to either: 1. reread before reading volume 6 or 2. read volume 6, then reread everything because this volume is a game changer. You will read WICDIV different after this.

• Mech Cadet Yu • Vol. 1

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

Everybody I know have told me that it’s a mix between the Iron Giant and Pacific Rim. I can see it especially since “giant sentient robots coming from outer space and bonds with cadets at Sky Corps Academy to keep the planet safe” give me Iron Giant vibes and alien threats give me Pacific Rim vibes. It sounds so cute and amazing. Root for the underdogs! (This is only out in comic book stores, it’s not published for online retailers until June.)

• Big Hard Sex Criminals Vol. 2 HC Deluxxxe Edition

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

Ah yes, another sexy Deluxxxe—with three x’s—edition of Sex Criminals. Yeah, the issues are the same with the trade paperbacks—Suzie and Jon still stopping time when they have sex, and other complications, but you get all the awesome, sexy bonus content in the back.

• Over the Garden Wall • Vol. 3

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

I want to travel through strange forests with this pair of brothers—Greg and Wirt—finding awesome creatures of the Unknown. I relate to Wirt on so many levels, so it may not work out, but these brothers are a delight to read.

• She-Hulk • Vol. 2: Let Them Eat Cake

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

I adore Jen Walters, so any time there’s a new comic, I must read it. I just—why isn’t she in MCU?! Or at least in the Netflix series? I cannot imagine how Jen will fare on the small screen. I’m excited to see what role Patsy Walker plays in this because I love Jen’s and Patsy’s friendship so much.

• Vision • The Complete Series

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

God, Vision is so impressive. I might own the trade paperbacks, but I will totally get this hardcover complete series because this comic is sooooo good. Vision wants to be human, so he creates himself a family. This family wants to be normal, but they are not. They encounter situations that they cannot even deal with. I, and many people, akin this comic to the Vision family becoming serial killers, and it’s amazing.

• Giant Days: Not on the Test Edition • Vol. 2

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

Get back to academia with Esther, Susan, and Daisy’s adventures in university. You want a group as tight at these girls with each other, especially at school. I always have a delightful time reading Giant Days, so I’m extra excited for the bonus stories that I may or may not have read.

• Immortal Iron Fists

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

I am faaaarrr from an Iron Fist fan. This dude is problematic and offensive as fuck. HOWEVER. The main character of this Immortal Iron Fists is a little Asian girl—the young kung fu monk, Pei! Danny Rand acts as a mentor for her, and I guess I’m okay with that because she’s front and center in this comic! How does she navigate New York City public school? How does she beat down her bullies and monsters?

• Moonstruck • Vol. 1: Magic to Brew

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

Love happens at a coffee shop! Prepare to fall in love with cuteness of this supernatural, queer babies who will light up your life. That cuteness will turn into an adventure to reversing a horrible spell from a magician who’s hell-bent on giving everybody trouble.

• Nightwing (Rebirth) • Vol. 4: Blockbuster

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

I’m a big sucker for Nightwing. I’m not quite caught up yet, but you say Nightwing AND Huntress, and I’ll finish all the volumes in a blink of an eye. I love when other superheroes visit each other. It brings a lot of emotions to my heart. Just how does his spy days catch up with him?

• Josie and the Pussycats • Vol. 2

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

Josie and the Pussycats are “racking up award wins and climbing the charts,” but problems start stirring beneath the story. Like every band story, everybody will reevaluate their stake. And how do Josie, Melody, and Valerie do it? I don’t know how, but I trust Marguerite Bennett.

• Shade the Changing Girl • Vol. 2: Little Runaway

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

I described Shade the Changing Girl as a wiiiiilllldd ride (or something close to that), and I expect nothing different with volume 2. Here is Loma, who left her boring planet and possessed the body of a teenage girl on Earth. Like everybody knows, being a teenager on Earth has its problems. But Loma has friends! Friends who will guide Loma how to navigate the cruel teenage world on Earth. What kind of wildness will we get?

CHECK OUT: Speak

SPECIAL MENTIONS: Descender Vol 2: Rise of the Robots, Killed or Be Killed Vol. 3, Legend of Korra Vol. 2: Turf Wars Part 2, Violent Love Vol. 2: Hearts on Fire, Mighty Thor HC Vol 4: War Thor