Good Books to Order for October 2017

Phoebe and Her Unicorn in the Magic Storm

The latest Diamond Previews catalog lists a lot of books worth checking out. You can order them now through your local comic shop for delivery in October or later.

Phoebe and Her Unicorn in the Magic Storm Lumberjanes: Unicorn Power!
Phoebe and Her Unicorn in the Magic Storm
AMP! Comics for Kids, $9.99, AUG17 1149, due out October 18
There have been five collections of this charming comic strip, beginning with Phoebe and Her Unicorn, and they’re all great. Now, Dana Simpson has created an original graphic novel with the characters: geeky and imaginative Phoebe; her best friend, unicorn Marigold; classmate Max; and frenemy Dakota. The group works to stop a magic storm that’s disrupting the electricity in their town, and I’m sure it will be both funny and exciting.
Lumberjanes: Unicorn Power!
Amulet Books, $14.99, AUG17 1193, due out October 11
This illustrated (by Brooke A. Allen, co-creator of the concept) hardcover (written by Mariko Tamaki) tells a new story with the fan-favorite characters from the Boom! Studios comic series. It’s a little rocky getting started, but once it settles in, it’s a enjoyable read for fans, first in a proposed series. See my review for more.
Brave Chef Brianna Wonder Woman '77 Meets the Bionic Woman
Brave Chef Brianna
Boom! Studios, $14.99, AUG17 1361, due out December 6
A hipster fantasy, as Brianna opens her first restaurant in Monster City and struggles against discrimination and her low self-esteem. Cute and relatable. More in my review.
Wonder Woman ’77 Meets the Bionic Woman
Dynamite Entertainment, $19.99, AUG17 1627, due out October 11
Writer Andy Mangels knows the characters and the era well — sometimes too well, as I found the footnotes and obscure references in this six-issue series impressive if a bit overwhelming — but it’s terrific fun seeing these two powerful women work together. Illustrated by Judit Tondora.
Baking with Kafka Pashmina
Baking With Kafka
Drawn & Quarterly, $19.95, AUG17 1647, due out October 25
As announced earlier this year, Tom Gauld’s latest cartoon collection is now available to order. His sense of humor is very British, often literary, and very funny. Love his work!
Pashmina
First Second, $16.99, AUG17 1715, due out October 4
In Nidhi Chanani’s first graphic novel, a magical shawl leads to a young woman finding out more about her family heritage, as it transports her to a fantasy version of India that eventually drives her to meet her mother’s long-separated sister and find out what brought her family to America. The classic fairy tale setup is freshened by tackling the culture clash of following another country’s traditions in a new land. There’s also a hardcover version (AUG17 1716, $21.99).
Science Comics: Bats: Learning to Fly Science Comics: Dogs: From Predator to Protector
Science Comics: Bats: Learning to Fly
First Second, $12.99, AUG17 1721, due out September 20
How timely! The publisher is relisting this readable educational comic just in time for Halloween!
Science Comics: Dogs: From Predator to Protector
First Second, $12.99, AUG17 1719, due out November 1
I loved this book! Adorable puppies plus a ton of information about genetics and breeding and how dogs communicate.
As the Crow Flies Whiteout Compendium
As the Crow Flies
Iron Circus Comics, $30, AUG17 1802, due out October 11
Melanie Gillman’s beautifully illustrated story about a queer black girl backpacking on a Christian camp getaway and struggling with the conflicts that arise begins to be collected.
Whiteout Compendium
Oni Press, $19.99, AUG17 1887, due out December 6
As announced this spring, the Antarctic adventure mystery by Greg Rucka and Steve Lieber is back in print in a combined edition. The first half is a better read than the second, in my opinion, but it’s an impressive story, showing you what it might be like to be in the most severe environment on earth.
Oyster War It's Treason, By George!
Oyster War
Oni Press, $29.99, AUG17 1895, due out September 20
A rollicking historical fantasy adventure from Ben Towle with pirates, a selkie, sea monsters, a mixed crew of ne’er-do-wells, and nautical skirmishes. This handsome oversized hardcover has a unique look and plenty of imagination.
It’s Treason, by George!
Smithsonian Books, $10.95, AUG17 1963, due out October 4
The comics in this series are obviously educational, but they’re still entertaining, and the subject of this one — political history, with an alternate universe where the US is a monarchy — is particularly timely.


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