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I WAS THE CAT
August 2014
To Burma, having nine lives means having nine chances to conquer the globe. Written by Paul Tobin and illustrated by Benjamin Dewey, I Was the Cat is an original graphic novel that tells the tale of an aspiring feline despot, present for many of the modern world’s pivotal changes, but perhaps playing a more active role than anyone would suspect…
McMonigal Adds: Paul Tobin has been on fire with his creator-owned projects like Bandette and Colder. Paired with the amazing Benjamin Dewey (just look at the details on that promo illustration!), this looks like it might make my favorites list. |
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METEOR MEN
September 2014
On a summer night, Alden Baylor sits in a field watching the largest meteor shower in human history. What began as teenage adventure becomes something more--the celestial event brings travelers who will change the world completely, and Alden discovers a connection to one of them.
How does a young man who had to grow up fast handle the invasion of his planet? Can Alden keep humanity from oblivion? From writer Jeff Parker(AQUAMAN, HULK) and artist Sandy Jarrell (BATMAN 66) comes this original graphic novel about adolescence, friendship, and hard decisions.
McMonigal Adds: You had me at Jeff Parker. The premise on this one doesn't jump out at me, but I trust the veteran writer to pull it off. It's nice to see Parker is still looking at his own projects, even as he does work for DC. |
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MERMIN BOOK 3: DEEP DIVE
September 2014
Joey Weiser’s all-ages hero, the prodigal merman returns! No one knows much about Mer, the underwater kingdom where Mermin the merman was born, but due to a rising conflict with the people of Atlantis, Mermin is needed back home immediately. Which means that his human friends get to accompany him and see all the aquatic wonders of Mer. But once again, Mermin is tight-lipped about his past – even when it’s swimming right in front of him. And there are enemies lurking in the seedier depths of Mer, who’ve got their sights set not only on Mermin, but on Pete and his friends!
McMonigal Adds: Joey's hit it big with Mermin, and I couldn't be happier for him. Long time Panel Patter readers know I've been a fan of Joey going back to his early work like The Ride Home, and Mermin may be his best concept. It's great to see this one extend to a third book, joining things like Crogan and Salt Water Taffy as strong all-ages books for Oni. |
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STUMPTOWN
September 2014
Dex Parios is back in action and she’s sticking around! This September, Portland’s favorite beleaguered P.I. stars in a brand-new, ongoing Stumptownseries written by Greg Rucka and illustrated by Justin Greenwood with colors by Ryan Hill and letters by Crank!
McMonigal Adds: Always nice to see more crime comics work from Rucka. I'm curious about the ongoing vs. limited series idea on this one. |
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BRIDES OF HELHEIM
October 2014
Cullen Bunn, Joëlle Jones, and Nick Filardi return to their smash hit Viking horror/fantasy series Helheim! Alone in the wilderness and living in seclusion, the Viking warrior Rikard is confronted once again by black magic and arcane monstrosities. But this time, Rikard seeks vengeance against the warlock who was once master to the witches who wove our undying hero's bloody fate.
McMonigal Adds: I'm not very familiar with this series, but I love Ms. Jones' artwork, so I'm looking forward to checking it out. |
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ORPHAN BLADE
December 2014
From the team of late, great writer Nick Almand and artist Jake Myler comes a manga-tinged graphic novel that tells the classic tale of a boy and his sword. Hadashi is a simple boy with simple dreams, but his life changes when a horrific accident maims his hand. Unable to hold a sword, he's kicked out of the dojo he once called home. But the Orphan Blade is no ordinary sword. When Hadashi finds it abandoned in a marsh, he finds that not only is he able to wield it -- the sword seems to be wielding him! Too bad Hadashi isn't the only one interested in the Orphan Blade, and his ownership draws the attention of the Five Fingers of Death -- a legendary and deadly group of mercenaries who have their own magical weapons.
McMonigal Adds: I'm a sucker for martial arts comics, and I love the sense of motion and action from this promo image. If the rest can capture this magic, I have a feeling I'll really like it. |
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ARES & APHRODITE
2015
A new original graphic novel by Jamie S. Rich and Megan Levens! Will Ares is a successful divorce lawyer -- which means, invariably, that he's always pissing someone off. He's also a hopeless romantic (go figure). Gigi Averelle is a wedding planner who's seen enough failed marriages to know that true love doesn't exist. And with their respective clients -- movie producer Evans Beatty and Hollywood starlet Carrie Cartwright -- getting hitched, Will and Gigi are about to see a whole lot more of each other. As Beatty's ex-wives come out of the woodwork and cause mayhem for the upcoming marriage, Gigi proposes a bet -- should Evans and Carrie go through with the wedding, Gigi will go on a date with Will. Should they break up, as Gigi suspects, Will must put a full-page ad in the paper revealing the number of marriages he's ruined. Is Will a fool for love, or is this the start of a beautiful relationship?
McMonigal Adds: Jamie does amazing relationship comics and I've had the pleasure of seeing some of the collaboration between Jamie and Megan for Madame Frankenstein (interview to post soon, hopefully.) It's going to be a long wait for this one, but it should be well worth it. |
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