As we inch closer to the end of summer of 2020, Independent Comic Spotlight is back for a new installment! It’s always fun to dive into the stacks of comics and books that are sent my way between my regular reading and schoolwork. It was great taking a look at these cool new products from the various creators kind enough to send them my way. Make sure you grab all of these awesome titles and continue spreading the good word about good comics, graphic novels, and books from talented creators. Enjoy!
Independent Comics Sent My Way:
- Hazardous Tales: Major Impossible by Nathan Hale from Amulet Books is about the one-armed geologist who explored the grand canyon in the series of bizarre true stories from throughout history and is a super fun read for all ages.
- Pinko Joe by Christopher Sperandio from Argle Bargle Books is about a socialist superhero in this wild satire of current political events and will be a surefire hit for people who hate Trump.
- The Stringbags by Garth Ennis and P. J. Holden from Dead Reckoning is about the World War II fighter pilots from the Royal Navy’s Swordfish crews in this incredible true story that will be a great addition to Garth Ennis fans’ bookshelves.
- Camp Spirit by Axelle Lenoir from Top Shelf Productions is about a Canadian summer camp in the 1990s that is perfect for fans of romantic comedies, the supernatural, and LGBTQ+ literature.
- An Embarrassment of Witches and Sophie Goldstein and Jenna Jordan from Top Shelf Productions is about a couple of friends who grow apart and back together again in a world where witchcraft and the job hunt are equally real issues in this dramady that is sure to be a fun read for fans of magic realism.
- Canto Volume 1: If I Only Had a Heart by David M. Booker and Drew Zucker from IDW is the first collection in the series about a knight in a fairytale world unlike anything you’ve ever read and will be a charming read for fans of fun fantasy stories.
- Sara by Garth Ennis, Steve Epting, and Elizabeth Breitweiser from TKO Studios is about a female sniper in Nazi occupied Russia during the second World War is quite possibly one of the best written and drawn comics to hit the shelves in the first half of 2020. This is easily my pick of the year for best graphic novel so far this year.
- Sleeping Beauties by Stephen King, Owen King, Rio Youers, and Alison Sampson from IDW is a new maxi-series adaptation of the father-son horror fairy tale hybrid from their New York Times best-selling novel that is a must for die hard King fans.
- Wynd by James Tynion IV and Michael Dialynas from BOOM! Studios is an epic new fantasy series from the current Batman writer who has been slowly taking the independent comic world by storm for the last few years and this debut is just as strong as his work for DC has been.
Independent Books Sent My Way:
- Nonfiction — The Poets & Writers Complete Guide to Being a Writer: Everything You Need to Know About Craft, Inspiration, Agents, Editors, Publishing, and the Business of Building a Sustainable Writing Career by Kevin Larimer and Mary Gannon
- Nonfiction — 24/6: The Power of Unplugging One Day a Week by Tiffany Shlain
- Poetry — Holiday in the Islands of Grief by Jeffrey McDaniel
So there you have it. Another installment of Independent Comic Spotlight. Have a comic you want reviewed? How about a graphic novel? Or maybe even a book? I’d love to read it. But I’d love a physical copy. Email me at JeffHill@ComicBooked.com or reach out to me on Twitter (jeffhillwriter) and we’ll get you thrown into the queue for Vol. 2 of 2020, probably near the end of the year, right before the “Best Of” list goes live. See you then. In the meantime, be a good literary citizen and pick up all of the books that interest you featured in this edition of Independent Comic Spotlight. Happy reading!
