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.
What a wonderful month of awesome comics. In June, you get graphic novels about a fat superhero, steampunk Asia + monsters, Korean food, and much more!
Get your shopping carts loaded with all these comics!
| FAITH • VOL. 1: HOLLYWOOD & VINE |
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Orphaned at a young age, Faith Herbert – a psionically gifted “psiot” discovered by the Harbinger Foundation – has always aspired to greatness. But now this once ordinary teenager is taking control of her destiny and becoming the hard-hitting hero she’s always known she can be – complete with a mild-mannered secret identity, unsuspecting colleagues, and a day job as a reporter that routinely throws into her harms way! Well, at least she thought it would… When she’s not typing up listicles about cat videos, Faith makes a secret transformation to patrol the night as the City of Angels’ own leading superhero – the sky-soaring Zephyr!
But flying solo is going to be tougher than she ever thought when Zephyr uncovers a deep-rooted alien conspiracy. Two-bit burglars and car thieves are one thing, but when the world needs a hero to stave off an full-blown extraterrestrial invasion, will Faith find herself in over her head…or ready for her biggest challenge yet?
Rising star Jody Houser (Orphan Black) and explosive artists Francis Portela (Green Lantern) and Marguerite Sauvage (DC Comics Bombshells) pilot a new chapter for the high-flying hero that People Magazine calls “a superhero we can all admire.”
This volume collects issues #1-4. — Valiant Entertainment
Publication date: July 6, 2016 (for online retailers) by Valiant Entertainment
Buy: LCBS · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo · Comixology
Why I’m excited: You really do not see a fat superhero at all in comics. She isn’t defined by her body. She can do all the things that short, tall, big, small superheroes can do, and she does it fabulously! I know this comic will be absolutely cute and funny and so much fun.
| A-FORCE • VOL. 1: HYPERTIME |
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What do you do when a sentient cosmic event rampages through Japan? ASSEMBLE A-FORCE! Marvel’s newest hero, SINGULARITY, has escaped Battleworld and found her way to the Marvel Universe! But she didn’t make the journey alone. To combat the villainous ANTIMATTER, Singularity will call upon Earth’s mightiest team of Avengers. And one thing’s for sure: They are A-FORCE to be reckoned with!
Story by G. Willow Wilson and Kelly Thompson, and art by Jorge Molina. Collects A-Force #1-4, Avengers #0 (A-Force story), Avengers (1963) #83, A-Force (2015) #1 — Marvel Comics
Publication date: July 6, 2016 by Marvel Comics
Buy: LCBS · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo · Comixology
Why I’m excited: No more Battleworld! It’s back to the good ole Marvel Universe. I adored the friendship between these ladies in the previous A-Force volume and Jorge Molina’s art, so I’m excited to see what has become of these characters.
| COOK KOREAN! |
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Picture It: You Can Master Korean Cooking
Fun to look at and easy to use, this unique combination of cookbook and graphic novel is the ideal introduction to cooking Korean cuisine at home. Robin Ha’s colorful and humorous one- to three-page comics fully illustrate the steps and ingredients needed to bring more than sixty traditional (and some not-so-traditional) dishes to life.
In these playful but exact recipes, you’ll learn how to create everything from easy kimchi (mak kimchi) and soy garlic beef over rice (bulgogi dupbap) to seaweed rice rolls (gimbap) and beyond. Friendly and inviting, Cook Korean! is perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike who want to try their hand at this wildly popular cuisine. — Ten Speed Press
Publication date: July 6, 2016 by Ten Speed Press
Buy: LCBS · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo
Why I’m excited: Love Korean food? Love to cook? And look graphic novels? There’s a graphic novel about cooking Korean food!
On every page, you’ll be salivating and learning!
| SCARLET WITCH • VOL. 1: WITCHES’ ROAD |
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Witchcraft is broken – and the SCARLET WITCH is on a journey across the globe to fix it. From the back alleys of Manhattan, to the serene Greek Isles, to the bustling streets of Hong Kong, Wanda will have to face down her foes and find out who her true friends are. But as Wanda solves magical crimes and pieces witchcraft back together, the most important question remains: Who is the mastermind that broke it in the first place?
Story by James Robinson and art by various artists like Vanesa R. Del Rey, Marco Rudy, Jose Giles and much more. Collects #1-5. – Marvel Comics
Publication date: July 6, 2016 by Marvel Comics
Buy: LCBS · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo · Comixology
Why I’m excited: Scarlet Witch out on her own journey! YES.
This Scarlet Witch volume has different artists illustrating each issues, which I am interested to see how they present the story. It should be good!
| DC COMICS BOMBSHELLS • VOL. 2: ALLIES |
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ATTACK ON ALL FRONTS!
In Gotham City, a quartet of copycat BATGIRLS are doing their part to protect the home front.
In Greece, WONDER WOMAN faces a battalion of the undead, led by the villainous Baroness Paula von Gunther.
In London, STARGIRL and SUPERGIRL learn a shocking-and dangerous-family secret, while MERA encounters a monstrous threat from the sea that not even she can control.
And in Berlin, ZATANNA attempts to thwart the evil magic that’s been released into the world, while the CATWOMAN and HUNTRESS rescue a captured BATWOMAN from the clutches of the Third Reich.
But the paths of these superheroines will converge as they face their greatest challenge yet. To defeat the undead tenebrae soldiers overtaking London, they’ll have to form a Justice League of their own!
From writer Marguerite Bennett (BATGIRL, EARTH 2: WORLD’S END) and featuring artists including Marguerite Sauvage (HINTERKIND), Laura Braga (Witchblade) and Mirka Andolfo (Chaos) comes DC COMICS: BOMBSHELLS VOL. 2 collects #7-12. — DC Comics
Publication date: July 13, 2016 by DC Comics
Buy: LCBS · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo · Comixology
Why I’m excited: Every lady superhero is on the front lines, kicking ass and looking très fabulous! Wonder Woman, Batgirls, Stargirl + Supergirl, Zatanna, Catwoman, Huntress, Batwoman, so many awesome superheroes are here!
| MONSTRESS • VOL. 1: AWAKENING |
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Set in an alternate matriarchal 1900’s Asia, in a richly imagined world of art deco-inflected steam punk, MONSTRESS tells the story of a teenage girl who is struggling to survive the trauma of war, and who shares a mysterious psychic link with a monster of tremendous power, a connection that will transform them both and make them the target of both human and otherworldly powers.
Story by Marjorie Liu, and art by Sana Takeda. This volume collects issues #1-6 — Image Comics
Publication date: July 13, 2016 by Image Comics
Buy: LCBS · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo · Comixology
Why I’m excited: Every reason I’m excited and why you should read Monstress too is in this review of the first issue! Steampunk Asia. Women of color. Women with power. Gorgeous artwork. Who doesn’t love these things?
| BATGIRL • VOL. 2: TO THE DEATH |
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Cassandra Cain is Batgirl: vigilante crime-fighter, protégé to both Batman and Barbara Gordon, and the ultimate martial arts master. Her near-superhuman fighting abilities are so much a part of her identity that when they failed her, she was willing to make an unthinkable bargain to get them back.
Impressed by their first encounter, the unbeatable assassin Lady Shiva agreed to help restore Cassandra’s incredible skills. In return, exactly one year later, Lady Shiva would return to challenge Cassandra to a rematch.
Only this time, it’s to the death.
Batgirl must confront her darkest demons in these classic adventures from writer Kelley Puckett (BATMAN ADVENTURES) and artists Damion Scott (ROBIN) and Robert Campanella (GREEN ARROW)! BATGIRL VOL. 2: TO THE DEATH collects BATGIRL #13-25.– DC Comics
Publication date: July 20, 2016 by DC Comics
Buy: LCBS · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo · Comixology
Why I’m excited: I love all the Batgirls, and Cassandra Cain deserves all good things!
| PLUTONA |
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Five kids discover the body of the world’s greatest super hero, Plutona, in the woods after school one day. This discovery sends them on a dark journey that will threaten to tear apart their friendship and their lives.
Story by Jeff Lemire and art by Emi Lenox. Collects #1-5.— Image Comics
Publication date: July 20, 2016 by Image Comics
Buy: LCBS · Amazon · Barnes & Noble · The Book Depository · Indigo · Comixology
Why I’m excited: Just read (or reread) that synopsis! Kids finding the greatest superhero’s body! What happened to Plutona? I gotta know!
Also, I adore Emi Lenox’s art. It’s so gooood.
SPECIAL MENTIONS: Star Wars: Darth Vader Vol. 1 HC, Southern Bastards • Vol. 3: Homecoming, Spider-Women TP, Captain Marvel • Vol. 1: Rise of Alpha, Totally Awesome Hulk • Vol. 1: Cho Time, Wonder Woman by Greg Rucka, Rocket Racoon and Groot • Vol. 1: Tricks of the Trade, Unbeatable Squirrel Girl And The Great Lakes Avengers TP
I just ordered Plutona and Faith for my graphic novel collection at work. I can’t wait to read both of these!!!! *grabby hands*
Platoon sounds really good!! My son is all about graphic novels right now, so I’m trying to find some cool ones.
I really, really, really want to read Monstress! That cover is FANTASTIC, and I also really like the sound of the story as well. I remember your review of the first issue – it was how I even knew about Monstress in the first place!