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Project F.O.C.us Review: Pre-Order MILES TO GO #1 Today! (8/31)

EDITOR’S NOTE: Once things return to normal following the coronavirus crisis, most of us are going to be on limited budgets. I seriously doubt real comics fans are going to give up their hobby, but they’ll need to be more selective and will probably pass up some books they might normally pick up. That’s probably going to hurt the smaller indie publishers more than the Big Two, and that would be a shame. 

   

As a comics blogger, I sometimes get advance review copies of upcoming books. I’m going to try to review as many as possible and post them here early enough that readers can then make informed decisions about their purchase choices. Even more important, comic shops are going to need their customer base to step up and pre-order as much as possible. I’m concerned that many books that deserve an audience won’t benefit because comic shops are going to cut back on quantity, and probably not going to bring in a book they have no pre-orders for. 

   

I'll be using the PROJECT F.O.C.US header to draw attention to these pre-release reviews. I hope you'll come to trust my opinions, and will use these to make informed choices about what books to pre-order and assist your local comic shop in managing their assets. The F.O.C. in F.O.C.US stands for Final Order Cutoff.  I just love acronyms that allow me to make a pun at the same time.

MILES TO GO #1  (Aftershock Comics, September 23, 2020 release date - - - final order cutoff August 31)  R. Clay Moore, writer. Stephen Molnar, artist.

Who doesn’t have room for another edgy crime comic in their to-be-read pile? Especially when it’s a neck-grabber like this one. 

   

MILES TO GO Issue #1 reveals just enough of the background of the primary characters to engage our attention and pull us into the story. 

  

Amara Bishop had a rough bringing-up, trained in the art of killing at a young age.  One of her most shocking kills occurred at the tender age of thirteen, and bothers her to this day. It will bother us as well, as a full page depiction reveals her heartlessness and training in action. 

   

Today, she’s trying to raise young daughter Alea as a recently divorced single mother. Amara visits the local hospital where her former mentor Marco is dying to share the memories that plague her and ask again about the nature of that kill. Meanwhile, government agents are tracking them both. 

   

Amara is trying hard to make her daughter understand the nature of her separation from husband Niles and make a new life. She’s got more than enough to worry about when real trouble arrives in the final page.

   

 I could speculate about what happens after that, but it’s too disturbing to consider right now. I’ve got an idea about it, and it’s not pleasant. However, it should make for great reading. Crime comics fans, gather round!

The Queer Experience Celebrated In BE GAY, DO COMICS Graphic Novel

Colorful and Insightful Tales from Amazingly Talented LGBTQIA Cartoonists
Come to the Four-Color Page This September

SAN DIEGO, CA (August 27, 2020) –  The Nib, the daily publication devoted to promoting political and non-fiction comics founded by Pulitzer Prize finalist Matt Bors, has partnered with IDW Publishing for the upcoming September 1st release of Be Gay, Do Comics, the highly-anticipated graphic novel anthology with over 250 pages of queer history presented through deeply personal true stories, insightful memoir, and gut-busting satire.
 
“When The Nib set out to do our first anthology in five years, we knew right away it would be centered around queer comics. Indie comics is a very queer space these days and that’s reflected in our huge list of contributors,” says Bors. “Part of what The Nib does is provide a platform for up-and-coming and marginalized voices. That’s reflected in our huge list of queer and trans contributors.”
 
Brimming with resilience, inspiration, and humor, Be Gay, Do Comics takes readers from the American Revolution through Stonewall to today’s fights for equality and representation in tales written and illustrated by an incredible lineup of top indie cartoonists — including Hazel Newlevant, Joey Alison Sayers, Maia Kobabe, Matt Lubchansky, Breena Nuñez, Sasha Velour, Shing Yin Khor, Levi Hastings, Mady G, Josh Trujillo, Bianca Xunise, Kazimir Lee, and many, many more.
 
Within the pages of this massive queer comics anthology, readers will discover: the dream of a queer separatist town; the life of a gay and Jewish Nazi-fighter; an examination of local civil rights laws in Puerto Rico; a gender reveal party that tears apart reality; a touching tribute to rainbow flag pioneer Gilbert Baker; and much more.
 
“Comics are accessible in a way that other forms of media could only dream of being,” says associate editor Matt Lubchansky in their introduction to Be Gay, Do Comics. “We’re presented with a lucky opportunity here in independent comics in 2020: make what we want, for who we want. We can tell our stories, remember our history, advocate for our dreams, make each other laugh.”
 
Here’s what early reviews from the literary community are saying about Be Gay, Do Comics:
 
“Each artist effectively uses humor to lighten sometimes weighty subject matter… An overall invigorating sampler of the current queer cartooning scene and a celebration of the sheer breadth and diversity of experiences it reflects.” — Publishers Weekly
 
“The artwork is as diverse in expression as each artist’s personal experiences—some pages glow with vibrant, full-spectrum illustrations, while others rely on muted tones to project their deeply honest insecurities... This celebration of queer voices in comics is a must for all libraries.” — School Library Journal

"An utterly delightful and expansive collection of queer voices and truths." — Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)
 
“We’ve long been fans of The Nib and their work to provide a platform for critical voices from throughout the creative sphere. As this book itself demonstrates, it’s a tapestry rich with diverse experiences,” says Justin Eisinger, IDW Publishing Editorial Director, Graphic Novels & Collections. “IDW is proud to publish comics from this outstanding lineup of writers and cartoonists, and to celebrate LGBTQIA communities everywhere.”
 
Be Gay, Do Comics
Edited by The Nib
ISBN: 978-1-68405-777-1
$24.99 US / $33.99 CAN
256-page, full color softcover, 7″ x 9″
Release Date: September 1, 2020
 
Be Gay, Do Comics is now available for pre-order via online booksellers and comic book specialty retailers. Visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you.

About IDW Publishing
IDW Publishing (IDWP), a subsidiary of IDW Media Holdings Inc. (OTC PINK: IDWM), is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels, art books, trade paperbacks, and tabletop games. IDWP is one of the top four publishers of comic books and graphic novels in the U.S. with a library of world-renowned licensed content and original series. IDWP’s critically-acclaimed imprints include Top Shelf Productions, Artist’s Editions, EuroComics, The Library of American Comics, Sunday Press, and Yoe! Books.

Preview Pages For TRUE WAR STORIES From Z2 Comics

TRUE WAR STORIES FULLY FUNDED WITHIN A WEEK OF LAUNCH ON KICKSTARTER!   Alex De Campi’s Latest Project Collecting True Tales of Deployment Announces Stretch Goals; Reveals New Art NEW YORK, NY–Z2’s diverse 20/21 publishing slate continues to be revealed with projects from today’s biggest names in entertainment. Today, the publisher announces that that the ambitious project pairing members of the US military with the biggest names in comics to share real war stories told by those who lived them has reached its goal via the Kickstarter crowdfunding platform. This unique project, assembled by the multiple-Eisner nominated writer/editor, Alex de Campi and co-edited by Iraq War veteran Khai Krumbhaar is an entertaining and moving work of graphic nonfiction with new stretch goals added!   “I’m thrilled the book funded so fast. TRUE WAR STORIES is a passion project of mine that Khai and I have been working quietly on for almost three years now, and it’s incredibly validating that audiences are as interested in these stories as we are” comments Alex de Campi. “I’m hoping word spreads and we continue to reach our stretch goals — the book is out in time for the holidays and at $35 for a 250-page hardback book of soldiers’ stories brought to life with amazing art, it makes a great gift for yourself and/or for friends and family.”   “We put a lot of work into matching art to story and making our authors part of the whole process” says the project’s co-editor, Khai Krumbhaar. “If someone spotted a mistake during coloring, we would go back to the linework to make sure we got it absolutely right. We want the authors to feel like the art reflects their experience in tone as much as fact. I think people are responding to that attention to detail, and that's why we hit our goal this quickly.”   In conjunction with this exciting project reaching the initial funding goal, Z2 announces these new stretch goals:   $25,000: Deployment portrait sketches by Richard Johnson sketches added as chapter endcaps between stories. These gorgeous pieces are drawn in the moment and embody the very spirit of this project, real people in real situations portrayed in art. $30,000: Sewn in ribbon bookmark, as well as an exclusive set of five postcards taken from the book’s stunning interiors.   Vietcong sappers attack a fuel point, only to be foiled by an unusual alert guard dog. An MP guards convoys of mystery bombs in the Thai jungle in 1968. A young Airman copes with post-9/11 paranoia in Okinawa. A Marine sniper in Haiti faces the repercussions of the shot he never took. A team of SEALs help rescue a kidnapped girl in the Philippines. Army interpreters in Iraq battle their toughest foe: the rats of Saddam’s palace. A soldier on a late-night run surprises a motorpool saboteur. A young cavalry lieutenant, fresh off the Battle of Kamdesh, meets the Marine half-brother he’s never known. A Navy ship reacts to an unexpected man overboard. And if you’ve ever wondered what Christmas was like in a war zone, you’re about to find out.   True War Stories is a 260-page full color graphic novel anthology containing fifteen true tales of American service members overseas. Nearly every branch of the military is represented in this collection of stories that are heartwarming, heroic, harrowing, and even at times, hilarious, spanning the globe.    True War Stories will be published by Z2 Comics in time for Veterans Day in November. All profits from the book's retail release will be donated to military-related charities chosen by our contributors as personally meaningful to them: Objective Zero Foundation, Air Force Assistance Fund, the USO, Armed Services Arts Partnership, and Special Operations Warrior Foundation.   Artists include the great Peter Krause, Ryan Howe, Skylar Patridge (drawing her own father's Vietnam story), Eoin Marron, Tish Doolin (a former Army medic), Dave Acosta, A. D'Amico, Drew Moss, Josh Hood, PJ Holden, Chris Peterson, Sam Hart, Jeff McComsey, and Paul Williams. Colors are by Dee Cunniffe, Matt Soffe, Kelly Fitzpatrick, Tarsis Cruz, and Aladdin Collar. All lettering is done by de Campi herself.   For more information, please visit the Kickstarter page.   ###     About Z2 Comics: Z2 is the premier destination for top quality music-based comics and graphic novels, having worked across genres to deliver an authentic experience to diverse audiences. Some of the publisher’s best-selling books include Apocrypha: The Legend of BABYMETAL, YUNGBLUD Presents: The Twisted tales of the Ritalin Club and Eden: A Skillet Graphic Novel, alongside debut works of graphic fiction by Dan Auerbach (The Black Keys), Andy Biersack (Black Veil Brides), DJ Paul Oakenfold, internet sensation Poppy, jazz trumpeter Dave Chisholm and others. Z2’s upcoming works include books created with partnership with The Grateful Dead, Sturgill Simpson and others.

IDW Publishing Honored With Nine 2020 RINGO AWARD Nominations

Nominees Include Talented Creators and Captivating Titles from IDW, Artist’s Editions, Top Shelf, and Yoe Books SAN DIEGO, CA (August 28, 2020) – The 2020 Ringo Award judges recognized IDW Publishing and its imprints, Artist’s Editions, Top Shelf, and Yoe Books, with a combined nine nods this year. The prestigious award ceremony is an annual celebration of creativity, skill, and fun in comics, with nominations reflecting publications from the previous year as determined by fans and pros alike.   “The spirit of the Ringo Award is one that puts as much emphasis on reading enjoyment as it does on talent and craft,” says Jerry Bennington, President of IDW Publishing. “Our nominees this year, much like the work of Mike Wieringo himself, take readers on flights of fancy that linger long after the final page is turned. Many thanks to the Ringo jury for honoring us with these nominations!”   IDW’s 2020 Ringo Award Nominees include:    Best Cartoonist (Writer/Artist): Stan Sakai, Usagi Yojimbo   Best Letterer: Deron Bennett, Canto   Best Colorist: Laura Martin, Ragnarök: The Breaking of Helheim   Best Single Issue or Story: Usagi Yojimbo #6, by Stan Sakai   Best Original Graphic Novel: Penny Nichols, by MK Reed, Greg Means, and Matt Wiegle (Top Shelf)   Best Humor Comic: Rick + Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons, by Patrick Rothfuss, Jim Zub, and Troy Little   Best Non-Fiction Comic Work: They Called Us Enemy, by George Takei, Justin Eisinger, Steven Scott, and Harmony Becker (Top Shelf)   Best Presentation in Design: Marvel Masterwork Pin-Ups, edited by Craig Yoe (Yoe Books)   Best Presentation in Design: Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo: The Complete Grasscutter Artist Select, by Stan Sakai, edited by Scott Dunbier (Artist’s Editions)     “It’s gratifying to see such a wide range of comics and graphic novels recognized,” says John Barber, Editor-in-Chief at IDW. “The Ringo Awards are a fantastic honor, and the slate of projects on display here — from the samurai action of Usagi Yojimbo, to the out-of-control comedy of Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons, to the hard-hitting reality of They Called Us Enemy — all paint a unique picture of the creativity that comics can deliver, honoring the memory of Mike Weiringo in the most meaningful way we can.”   “Stan Sakai is not only one of our finest cartoonists, he is also a kindhearted gentleman and an absolute pleasure to work with — which added even more pressure to make this the best book I possibly could,” says Artist’s Edition editor Scott Dunbier. “Adding Shawn Lee to the mix brought it to the next level. This is a volume that I am incredibly proud of and I thank Stan for the trust he put in us.”   “For this award focused on the love of comics, it’s so fitting to see Penny Nichols nominated for its celebration of oddballs coming together to build a community around their favorite art form,” says Top Shelf editor-in-chief Chris Staros. “On the other hand, the sheer importance of They Called Us Enemy, both historical and contemporary, is also suffused with love: the love of George Takei’s family that sustained them through years of injustice, and their love for America’s ideals that we must struggle to live up to. Congratulations to all the creators who beautifully captured that love on paper.”   "As ‘Teenage Craig’ in the 1960s, I was a proud member of the Merry Marvel Marching Society and dreamed of someday designing Marvel Masterwork Pin-Ups!" says Yoe Books editor, Craig Yoe. “Now, as Old Man Craig, I am both proud and humbled by this prestigious Ringo nomination that I share with the talent-filled Clizia Gussoni. We love the Fab Four: Jack, Steve, Stan, and Ringo!” The final voting for Ringo Awards is open to the creative comics community from now through Saturday, October 24, via the website www.ringoawards.com.   To acquire copies of IDW Publishing’s nominated comic book and graphic novel releases, please contact your local comic shop or visit www.comicshoplocator.com to find a store near you. Graphic novels are also available for order via bookstores, online booksellers, and digital platforms.     For Further Reading   Stan Sakai’s Usagi Yojimbo: Grasscutter Artist Select •   BW          •   $150.00 US / $195.00 CAN        •   ISBN 978-1-68405-660-6 •   Available Direct Exclusively from IDW Publishing Usagi Yojimbo Vol. 1: Bunraku and Other Stories •   FC          •   $19.99 US / $25.99 CAN           •   ISBN 978-1-68405-657-6   They Called Us Enemy •   BW          •   $19.99 US / $25.99 CAN           •   ISBN 978-1-60309-450-4 Nos llamaron Enemigo (They Called Us Enemy Spanish Ed.) •   BW          •   $19.99 US / $25.99 CAN           •   ISBN 978-1-60309-483-2 They Called Us Enemy Expanded Ed. •   BW          •   $29.99 US / $39.99 CAN           •   ISBN 978-1-60309-470-2   Canto Vol. 1: If I Only Had a Heart •   FC          •   $19.99 US / $25.99 CAN           •   ISBN 978-1-68405-621-7   Marvel Masterwork Pin-Ups •   FC          •   $34.99 US / $45.99 CAN           •   ISBN 978-1-68405-520-3   Penny Nichols •   BW          •   $19.99 US / $25.99 CAN           •   ISBN 978-1-60309-448-1   Ragnarök Vol. 3: The Breaking of Helheim •   FC          •   $24.99 US / $33.99 CAN           •   ISBN 978-1-68405-713-9   Rick and Morty vs. Dungeons & Dragons •   FC          •   $19.99 US / $25.99 CAN           •   ISBN 978-1-68405-416-9

About IDW Publishing IDW Publishing (IDWP), a subsidiary of IDW Media Holdings Inc. (OTC PINK: IDWM), is an award-winning publisher of comic books, graphic novels, art books, trade paperbacks, and tabletop games. IDWP is one of the top four publishers of comic books and graphic novels in the U.S. with a library of world-renowned licensed content and original series. IDWP’s critically-acclaimed imprints include Top Shelf Productions, Artist’s Editions, EuroComics, The Library of American Comics, Sunday Press, and Yoe! Books.