Forward Thinking: And the rest ...

With so many independent comics coming out in June, how does the casual comic fan decide what to get? Hopefully Hisham and I can help, even though we're only scratching the surface of the hundreds, nay, thousands of new items in the latest Previews. Those with stronger constitutions can check out the complete product list on the Diamond site.

You can also check out previous Forward Thinkings for the month of June for Marvel, DC Comics, Image and Dark Horse. Now on with the show ...

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AK Comics

Aya #2
Zein #2
Rakan #2
Jalila #2

Hisham: I haven’t had a chance to read the first issue of these titles yet, but I’m really interested to see what these comics from a Middle Eastern publisher are like. From the title descriptions the books appear to be going for simple entertainment. Probably not the deepest of books, but they could lay the foundation for better things to come.

AIT/PlanetLar

Continuity GN

JK: I probably don’t have to say anything more about this, what with it being available for free and all ... so check it out for yourself and see if you want to buy it.

American Mule Entertainment

Public Enemy #0

JK: Welcome to the Terrordome! Although Flava Flav is currently overexposed (on VH1, anyway), I still dig the group and their music.

Aspen MLT Inc

Shrugged #1

Hisham: I don’t know what to make of this title; it appears to be a departure for Michael Turner away from superheroes and toward more personal subjects. Curious.

JK: From reading the solicitation, I’m just curious to know what exactly this is about:

A unique tale of the human intellect, the heart's desires, and the reason behind your every decision! However, these ‘reasons’ aren’t just in your head, they’re real, and they want out! From the butterflies in your stomach to the zany thoughts running through your mind, you won’t believe just how influential (and dangerous) these feelings can be.

Um, what?

Ballantine Books

Flight Volume 3 GN

Hisham: I haven’t had a chance to look at any of the Flight anthologies except for one of the FCBD samples, but a book that included the work of Bill Plympton and Becky Cloonan can’t be that bad.

JK: I have both of the previous Flight anthologies, which were published by Image. With Ballantine behind them, they should be making their way into more bookstores with this volume. I’m a big anthology fan, esp. when they involve some of my favorite creators, like Becky Cloonan and Kazu Kibuishi.

Boom! Studios

Black Plague One-Shot

Hisham: With this title, Joe Casey joins the growing talent pool at Boom. In the past I’ve enjoyed Casey’s concepts better than the actual execution of the story. This super-villain story looks like it has a lot of potential, I hope it turns out well.

Devil’ Due Publishing

Lo-Fi: Comics & Entertainment magazine #7

Hisham: Since when did Devil’s Due become the publisher for Lo-Fi? Has it always been this way?

Evil Twin Comics

Action Philosophers Volume 1: Giant Sized Thing TP

Hisham: Thomas Jefferson, Ayn Rand, Plato, and more. This certainly would have helped with those philosophy classes back in college.

Fantagraphics

Comics As Art: We Told You So SC

Hisham: OK, it might be kind of self-serving for Fantagraphics to publish a history of Fantagraphics, not exactly the most objective of publishers. Still, someone has to tell the story of one of central institutions in American comics.

JK: Ha ha ... somehow it seems perfect that this would be published by Fantagraphics.

IDW

The Transformers: Evolutions Hearts of Steel #1

Hisham: The Transformers during the industrial age. A great idea that combines steampunk with the “robots in disguise.” Brilliant!

JK: I’m probably the furthest thing from a Transformers fan, but this does sound kind of cool.

Oni Press

Local #7

Hisham: Ya gotta love the Local.