Staff Picks for March 2022

By Steph Hocutt | March 1 2022 | Manga, Manhwa, ManhuaChildren'sYoung AdultGifts & GamesComicsGraphic Novels

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.

 

BATMAN ‘89

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.

 

PAWS: Gabby Gets It Together

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 4

This 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 1

A 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 1

Classmates 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!

 

Island in a Puddle Volume 1

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

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!

 

 


 

9781779512680
Continuing the adventures of the Dark Knight from Tim Burton's classic movie Batman, Batman '89 pulls on a number of threads left dangling by that film while continuing in the tradition of DC's very successful Batman '66 series.
On sale Aug 30, 2022
FOC Apr 04, 2022
Hardcover
152 Pages
DC Comics

9780593482957
Learning to count has never been more fun as adorable Funko Pop! versions of  Michael, Dwight, Pam and other loveable oddball characters from The Office go from one to ten in their first ever Little Golden Book!
On sale May 03, 2022
FOC Apr 04, 2022
Hardcover
24 Pages
Golden Books
Age 2-5 years

9781779514271
A new chapter in Superman's life begins as the challenges of Dark Nights: Death Metal are causing Clark Kent to feel...a change in his powers. Is it possible the Metropolis Marvel could be losing a step?  
On sale Mar 08, 2022
FOC Feb 07, 2022
Paperback
160 Pages
DC Comics

A Graphic Novel
9780593351857
Are you a fan of Raina Telgemeier or Shannon Hale? Then don’t miss PAWS, a new graphic novel series about best friends, cute dogs, and all the fun (and trouble) that comes with them. Perfect for fans of Real Friends, Roller Girl, and Allergic, this funny and heartwarming series is the Baby-Sitters Club for pets!
On sale Mar 08, 2022
FOC Feb 07, 2022
Hardcover
176 Pages
G.P. Putnam's Sons Books for Young Readers
Age 8-12 years

9781646510320
A boy with a talent for machines and a mysterious girl with a broken wing will take you past the ordinary. One part Final Fantasy, one part Studio Ghibli, Beyond the Clouds is a gorgeous tale about the longing of young hearts for adventure and friendship!
On sale Mar 01, 2022
FOC Nov 29, 2021
Paperback
160 Pages
Kodansha Comics

9781646513864
Can a single slime build the ideal society? Find the answer in this deluxe set of the hit isekai adventure manga, containing Vol. 1-6 in a premium box, plus an exclusive set of puffy stickers!
On sale Mar 01, 2022
FOC Nov 01, 2021
Boxed Set
1248 Pages
Kodansha Comics

9781646514519
The new manga series from Kei Sanbe, the master of suspense behind Erased, plunges an innocent young boy into Tokyo's criminal underworld, as he fights to keep his younger sister alive, and to return his soul to his own body!
On sale Mar 15, 2022
FOC Feb 14, 2022
Paperback
192 Pages
Kodansha Comics

9781642750669
The touching Boys’ Love story that inspired a hit animated film, in an all-new translation for digital and print. Hikaru always thought his classmate Rihito was kind of a snob, until he stumbles across Rihito secretly practicing a song in an empty classroom. Hikaru agrees to become Rihito’s music tutor, and with each lesson the two boys grow closer. But when Hikaru realizes that he’s fallen for Rihito, will they stay classmates or become something more?
On sale Jun 04, 2019
Paperback
180 Pages
Seven Seas

9781646511280
Winner of the 2020 Manga Taisho Grand Prize! A manga about the struggles and rewards of a life dedicated to art. Popular guy Yatora realizes he's just going through the motions to make other people happy and finds himself in a new passion: painting. But untethering yourself from all your past expectations is dangerous as well as thrilling...
On sale Mar 22, 2022
FOC Jan 17, 2022
Paperback
208 Pages
Kodansha Comics