Welcome to the monthly staff picks, where we share our favorite comics, graphic novels, manga, & more! Check out our picks for upcoming titles, plus our favorite backlist titles that you might have missed from our U.S. Comic Market Sales team (Tyne, Matthew, Ben, Nico, Steph, Kat), our Canada Comics Market Sales team (Aleks), and our International Comics Market Sales team (Hector, Ji)!
Picks from the U.S. Comic Market Sales team (Tyne, Matthew, Ben, Nico, Steph, Kat)
Matthew’s Picks
THOR: THE SAGA OF GORR THE GOD BUTCHER TPB
This is the story that made a Thor fan. It’s the perfect jumping on point for a new reader to the God Of Thunder’s tall tales but also is great for a lapsed fan who wants to jump back in. A store of Thor at three different points in his life, a deadly new enemy is on a mission to kill every god in existence. It’s as epic an adventure as you can possibly craft for the Mighty Avenger.
Michael Keaton was my Batman and Jack Nicholson was my Joker as a kid. I’ve heard for decades about all of the plans for this cinematic saga that never materialized. Well, now I and every other fan of those classic Tim Burton films get to have our cake and it eat it, too. Sam Hamm, one of the screenwriters for both Burton films returns to flesh out and expand on what never was. Joe Quinnones is the PERFECT artist to bring this corner of the DC Multiverse to life. This story has been thirty years in the making and doesn’t disappoint.
THE OFFICE: COUNTING WITH OFFICE SUPPLIES (FUNKO POP)
Take the beloved U.S. version of The Office and combine it with the beloved Funko POP brand, then make something appropriate for little kids. This is the resultant brilliance. Perfect for fans and the next generation of fans. If you want a gift idea for the Jim/Pam shipper in your life or want a great gift for their little ones, this is the perfect title to pick up.
Ben’s Picks
Jane Foster: The Saga of the Mighty Thor TPB
When Jason Aaron wrote Thor it was one of the best comics on the stands, and he managed to add a new layer to the Asgardian mythos when the hammer was handed off to Jane Foster mid-run. This volume collects all the essential early issues of Aaron’s Jane Foster stories, and is a must read for anyone excited about the upcoming movie.
Superman: Action Comics Vol. 1: Warworld Rising
Philip Kennedy Johnson’s work on Action Comics began in the background of Future State but has been receiving more and more attention as the title’s advanced. Now’s your chance to get in on the ground floor of his Clark Kent Superman adventures in this affordable paperback edition.
Girl-driven graphic novels are very popular right now. Combining the concept of the Babysitter’s Club with pets is such a clever idea I’m surprised it hasn’t been done yet! The interior art is vibrant and colorful as well.
Steph’s Picks
Beyond the Clouds 4This series is described as “one part Final Fantasy, one part Studio Ghibli,” and that description couldn’t be more apt! Theo and Mia are two adorable and endearing characters in a steampunk-esque, magical world that I would absolutely love to dive into. Reading this makes me feel like I’m playing a beloved classic RPG.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 1 Part 1 Manga Box Set
I was really taken by surprise by how much I enjoyed the Slime anime—it’s a very light isekai series set in a fantasy world, with our main hero reincarnating as a simple slime instead of the usual heroic figure. I was really excited to pick up this new box set and revisit it in manga form! Rimuru is the type of character who becomes super overpowered, but more often than not will solve a situation by making allies and friends, which is definitely my jam. When it doesn’t work, though, he can definitely blow the baddies away! If you’re looking for an easy read with great laughs, check this series out!
Picks from the International Comics Market Sales team (Hector, Ji)
Hector’s Picks
Island in a Puddle 1A new supernatural crime thriller from master of suspense Kei Sanbe. Expect to be on the edge of your seat, bite your nails and cry on the same reading. This author is an expert at blending horrific events with heartfelt drama that must be read in one sitting. Kodansha is publishing the next volumes every other month.
That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime Season 1 Part 1 Manga Boxed Set
This Isekai is the perfect light reading if you are looking for an escape from daily stress. It is funny, silly, action packed and still has lots of heart. And, there is so much more fun in the Manga that didn’t make it into the highly successful anime adaptation.
Marvel-Verse: America Chavez GN-TPB
The perfect introduction for those who don’t know yet who’s America Chavez before she is introduced in the MCU later this year in “Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness”. One of the youngest yet most powerful Marvel characters to be put on the screen and a key to the future of the franchise.
Ji’s Picks
Classmates Volume 1Classmates is a boys love manga series that follows the story of Hikaru and Rihito who secretly practice singing together for their school choir and end up falling in love. It stole my heart with the animated movie, which has a unique animation style and blew me away. It is gorgeous, but it left me wanting more and this manga series was the light and the answer! Seven Seas recently announced the license acquisition of blanc, which continues the manga series. Classmates Vol. 6: blanc will be released later this year in omnibus format! So if you haven’t done so already, catch up and read the previous volumes!
I have question marks floating in my head with this new manga series by Kei Sanbe. How did this innocent kid get involved in the criminal underworld? What happened with his sister? What? His soul isn’t even in his own body? What’s going on? I have a suspicion that this will give me all the emotions to make me feel things and I am so stoked about it! You know it will be good in the hands of Kei Sanbe! There’s no question about that!
Blue Period Volume 6 is right at the point where the anime adaptation for season 1 concludes. I absolutely loved the anime! But, there is more to the manga then the anime could portray. Blue Period is such a compelling story with Yatora being the forefront of our reading experience as you see through his awakening and passion for art. Succumb and read it! You won’t regret it!
