Are you feeling frenzied right now with all the holiday activities? Then I know exactly how you feel! Just thinking about all the things to do on my list right now is making me kind of crazy! So on to the list! Yes, there’s some issue with formatting going on that I haven’ yet figured out. Apologies!
Thanks to Andy Mangels who compiled 1,001 lists back in the day for the Gayleague email list.
Names listed in bold are either family or LGBT friendly.
ABSTRACT STUDIOS
RACHEL RISING #6 $3.99 Page 224
Terry Moore
Rachel and Aunt Johnny search for the deadly blonde angel leads them to the town’s doctor and the horrifying truth about his shut-in wife. Rachel Rising is a supernatural thriller, written and drawn by award-winning creator Terry Moore.
ARCHIE
Archie’s new Kevin Keller book must be bi-monthly so look for it to return next month.
BLUEWATER
FEMALE FORCE KYLIE MINOGUE ONE SHOT #35 $3.99 Page 253
Steve Stone and Fred Grivaud The diminutive singing sensation from Down Under story is told in Fame: Kylie Minogue. Kylie’s colorful experiences are brought to life as we follow the star’s ups and downs. From capturing a nation’s hearts in Neighbours to the life and loves of a national treasure and her brave struggle
with cancer.
WRATH OF THE TITANS TP $15.99 Page 252
Darren Davis and Nadir Balan
For years, the land of Argos has been at peace. The legendary hero Persues has taken the crown and guided the kingdom into a new era of prosperity and good fortune. Yet lurking in the shadows are forces of hate and discontent that threaten to wreak havoc on Argos and destroy Perseus. Wrath of the Titans revisits the magical world of Ancient Greece where gods and myth are part of life’s everyday fabric and heroes are forged by great and powerful events.
WRATH OF THE TITANS: REVENGE OF THE MEDUSA TP $15.99 Page 253
Darren Davis, Scott Davis, and Jaime M. Rodriguez
With the Gods humbled and the Kraken defeated, Perseus thought Argos was to enter a Golden Age of peace and prosperity. He was wrong. War drums are beating, the Olympians are again scheming and Perseus’ mettle would be severely tested. But there is a new menace neither man nor Olympian could envision!
BOOM!
HELLRAISER #12 $3.99 Page 258
Clive Barker, Anthony De Blasi and Stephen Thompson
Witness Clive Barker’s long-awaited return to tell new chapters in the series’ official continuity, a trajectory that will forever change the Cenobites and Pinhead! The gripping story arc that has everyone talking comes to its horrific conclusion! With blood on both their hands, Pinhead and Kirsty finish the epic battle they started, taking the Hellraiser mythos to a whole new level. It’s a mind-bending finale that will leave you speechless and begging for more!
PEANUTS #2 $3.99 Page 264
Charles Schulz and Vicki Scott
The Peanuts gang is back! Featuring a cover drawn by Charles Schulz himself, this book brings you a mix of classic Peanuts Sundays and all-new strips seen here for the first time. From long-time fans to first-time young readers, everyone will find something to love about Snoopy, Woodstock, Linus, Lucy, Pigpen, Schroeder, and, of course, good ol’ Charlie Brown![BOOM's press release posted on CBR's Robot 6 blog lists Paige (Jane's World) Braddock as a contributor.]
DARK HORSE
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 10 #6 $2.99 Page 31
Andrew Chambliss and Karl Moline
The uptick in the zompire population has the SFPD on Buffy’s trail again–but this time, they need her assistance. However, Detective Dowling must settle for a little help from the bleached-blond vampire Spike, as Buffy has become distracted by a rather personal problem that will lead her to Robin Wood.
DARK HORSE PRESENTS #9 $7.99 Page 52
Paul Pope, Neal Adams, Brian Wood, Mike Mignola, M. J. Butler, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Steve Horton, Michael Dialynas, Andrew Vachss, Kristian Donaldson, Joe Querio , Mark Wheatley, Steve Lieber, and Geof Darrow
Comics superstar Paul Pope returns to the pages of DHP, an assassin stalks her prey aboard the world’s largest pirate ship in Annala’s Blade, and Mike Mignola’s hard-boiled pulp hero Lobster Johnson blasts his way through more of the world’s most sinister evils!
KING CONAN: THE PHoENIX ON THE SWAORD #2 $3.50 Page 28
Tim Truman, Tomás Giorello, and José Villarrubia
Conspirators move in the shadows as King Conan’s troops move to quell a Pictish uprising, leaving the newly crowned king exposed to the machinations of four influential traitors who seek to wrest the crown from Conan’s lifeless brow! But something even deadlier moves silently in the night, answering the call of the ancient serpent god Set. A faithful servant of darkness, the wizard Thoth-Amon toils in Aquilonia and prays for a rebirth of power that will unleash untold evils!
DC
BATGIRL #6 $2.99 Page 90
Gail Simone and Ardian Syaf
During the day, Barbara Gordon has to deal with the emotional fallout of the return of a key figure from her most painful memories, while at night, high above Gotham City’s streets, Batgirl and Batman face the deadly Gretel, a damaged woman with the lethal ability to control men’s minds! It’s Batgirl’s first face-to-face with Batman since her rehabilitation – and he has a few choice words to say about her return to crime fighting!
BATWING #6 $2.99 Page 86
Judd Winick and Ben Oliver
The past looms large as Batwing’s early days as a crime fighter come to light, gaining the attention of Batman. In the present, the adventure comes full circle as Batwing faces off against Massacre in the shadows of the Pyramids of Egypt. The mystery of Massacre begins unfolding as the truth of Africa’s greatest Super Hero team, The Kingdom, unravels.
BATWOMAN #6 $2.99 Page 89
J H Williams III, W Haden Blackman, and Amy Reeder
Artist Amy Reeder and inker Richard Friend join the Batwoman team with this new arc, as the epic “To Drown the World” begins! Six lives, inextricably linked in the past and present, each on a collision course with the others: Batwoman, fighting for duty and vengeance against a threat of arcane power. Detective Maggie Sawyer, investigating a case that could end her career. DEO Agent Cameron Chase, commanding a vigilante she despises. Colonel Jacob Kane, clutching at a life that’s slipping away. Maro, a new villain corrupting Gotham City. And Kate Kane, wrestling with decisions that will test her loyalties.
CATWOMAN #6 $2.99 Page 92
Judd Winick and Guillem March
Catwoman is busted! She’s under arrest and in the custody of the Gotham City P.D. But it doesn’t look like she’s going to get her phone call, because the police aren’t looking for justice – they’re looking for what Catwoman stole from them. And she’s about to get an earful about her most complicated relationship: Batman.
FURY OF FIRESTORM #6 $2.99 Page 72
Ethan Van Scriver, Gail Simone, and Yildiray Cinar
In the blink of an eye, Ronnie and Jason witness a horror so gruesome, the two young Firestorms will question their entire futures as Super Heroes. As if that wasn’t enough, Pozhar, the Russian Firestorm, shows the two boys exactly how dangerous their world has become. [Ms Simone’s last issue and the last appearance on this list until a relevant character or topic becomes the focus or creator becomes involved.]
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA DARK THINGS TP $17.99 Page 121
James Robinson, Mark Bagley, and Jesus Merino
Out of Brightest Day comes this tale of the JLA (from issues #44-48) and JSA (from issues #41-42)! With the release of the Starheart, magic goes wild – and new metahumans emerge!
JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA THE RISE OF ECLIPSO HC $22.99 Page 120
James Robinson, Brett Booth, and Jesus Merino
Eclipso returns in these tales from Jusitce League of America #54-60 and Jusitce Society of America #43. And now, he’s going to take down the heroes who have defeated him so many times before! With his army of both heroes and villains under his hypnotic thrall, Eclipso may have the team’s number. Will the combined might of Batman, Donna Troy, Blue Lantern Saint Walker and even the all-powerful Spectre be enough to stop him?
LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #6 $2.99 Page 115
Paul Levitz and Francis Portela
New Legion recruit Dragonwing has returned to China to check in with her family – but her sister has fallen in with the wrong crowd and is sporting some terrifying new powers of her own! Has Marya learned the Legion’s lesson of strength in numbers, or will going it alone cost her dearly? [Levitz made Legion Academy students Power Boy and Gravity Kid a couple. Will they return from SP Duty on Takron-Galtos? Levitz is interviewed on CBR here but doesn't mention the characters. Plus, Vi and Ayla are a couple again.]
STATIC SHOCK #6 $2.99 Page 112
Scott McDaniel and Andy Owens
Static and Hardware attempt to save Sharon Hawkins from the dangerous criminal mastermind who is responsible for the Hawkins family tragedy. They find Sharon at the heart of a war raging between this sinister mastermind, the brutal Piranha and the unpredictable Pale Man, all battling for the secret of the Darkstar Defense Force. Static is absolutely determined to save his sister and set things right, even if it costs him his own life.[After learning in #2 that long time best friend Frieda is still on Dakota, it's looking less likely that gay friend Rick Stone will appear. Next time out will probably be the last appearance for this book on the list until Rick appears.]
STORMWATCH #6 $2.99 Page 105
Paul Cornell and Miguel Sepulveda
What lurks within the Stormwatch space station? As the origin of their alien HQ is revealed, what’s left of the decimated Stormwatch roster regroups and a new team is formed! Apollo, Midnighter, Martian Manhunter…who’s in, who’s out and who’s the new team leader? Note: The catastrophic events of this issue – especially the secret of Stormwatch HQ – will be felt in upcoming issues of Grifter and Voodoo!
TEEN TITANS #5 $2.99 Page 111
Scott Lobdell and Brett Booth
In the aftermath of their battle with Superboy, the Teen Titans make a horrifying discovery: Kid Flash has been knocked out of synch! If they are going to save their teammate, the badly beaten and battered teens need to sneak into the New York branch of S.T.A.R. Labs – which means that this issue guest-stars none other than Virgil Hawkins, a.k.a. Static! But if the team was hoping to use the lab for some downtime, they are going to be disappointed, because now they must battle a new, young team of supervillains known only as 2.0! All this and the debut of Kid Flash’s new costume! [A gay member, Bunker, debuted in #3.]
VOODOO #6 $2.99 Page 107
Ron Marz and Sam Basri
Following the shocking events of last issue, Voodoo feels betrayed by her own people and wants to be left alone. Little does she know Agent Fallon and the Black Razors are looking for revenge – but first they need to break another Daemonite Hybrid out of jail to help them track her down. The identity of that Daemonite Hybrid will leave you stunned! [So where's the bisexuality Dan Didio mentioned in a piece with The Advocate?]
VERTIGO
IZOMBIE #22 $2.99 Page 133
Chris Roberson and Michael Allred
Things in Eugene, OR are about to get crazy!Who is Gwen’s mysterious rescuer? Why is Spot tied up in a basement? What plans are Ellie the ghost girl and Claire the vampire making in Dixie’s Diner, and can Frankenteen figure out ho to use a public restroom in time?And just what have Dixie and Gramps been doing in Spot’s apartment?Look for all the answers in “Repossession” part four. [Scott/ Spot, the were-terrier, has come out and has been dating. See the interview with writer Chris Roberson and sample pages here. http://www.comicsalliance.com/2011/11/16/izombie-19-preview-roberson-allred/ ]
D.E.
THE BOYS #63 $3.99 Page 269
Garth Ennis and Russ Braun
Everything comes to a head at once as Frenchie and the Female take on Team Titanic, Maeve and Annie have a heart to heart and Hughie comes face to face with the reason he joined the Boys in the first place. Vought-American are suddenly ready to parley, but with the White House in new hands and the Homelander’s plans finally kicking in, is Butcher in any mood to listen?
KIRBY GENESIS – DRAGONSBANE #2 $3.99 Page 274
Robert Rodi and Alex Ross
Spinning out of KIRBY: GENESIS, Sigurd Dragonsbane and his band of Norse champions explore the astonishing Mythlands, where the heroes and legends of every culture on earth now reside. But when they venture into the Olympian region, they run afoul of both Circe and the Cyclops…and the power and majesty of Ulysses might not be enough to save them! Plus: Balduur reveals an incredible secret power…at the possible expense of his own life!
DIGITAL MANGA DISTRIBUTION
AMBIGUOUS RELATIONSHIP GN Page 286 $12.95
Masara Minase
Satoru is used to being alone. Ever since high school, he has lived his life without anyone else. Then one rainy night he encounters a stranded stranger. Taking him in, he unexpectedly finds that being alone is not what he wants at all, and that what he wants may just be within his grasp. But does Reiji feel the same way? And will Reiji’s family accept it when they discover where he is? A selection of angsty romance stories by master mangaka Masara Minase, published in English for the very first time!
BEAST & FEAST GN Page 286 $12.95
Norikazu Akira Detective Kazuha has landed a murder case that brings him back into contact with a man who once attended junior high with him. Back then, their relationship was like oil and water, and it certainly seems to be the case now as well: while Kazuha is a police detective, Hyoudou is a member of one of the notorious yakuza groups. Hyoudou claims to be willing to bargain for some very important information pertaining to Kazuha’s case. His price is unacceptable, however. Demanding Kazuha himself as payment, the refusal given seems to not be an option he will accept. Now, not only after a cold blooded killer, Kazuha finds he is being stalked by his very own beast of a different sort…Will he catch the killer and come out with his own heart, body and soul intact?
BLUE SHEEP REVERIE GN Vol 4 Page 276 $12.95
Makoto Tateno
With the city streets of Akatsuki still running with blood, Kai and Lahti continue to to fight together to bring order and uneasy peace. The two men’s bond is deeper than ever before, but will forces from the past continue to disrupt their future and destroy the city in the throes of love/hate personal relationship with the pair? It’s vol 5 of the ever popular Makaoto Tateno’s action packed sci fi fan favorite, and the stakes have never been higher!
DEPRESSION OF THE ANTI-ROMANTICIST Page 284 $12.95
Yasuna Suginuma and Riyu Yamakami
Having lost their parents, Shiroyama must put aside his dreams and work hard to support not only himself, but his younger brother and sister. He steps into a world that he knows he must guard himself safely from, to protect himself and the ones he cares for. A world where transvestites work at entertaining patrons and alcohol flows freely. A world that offers him many firsts, including a kiss. But is it enough to light the fires of romance into his cold heart?
FANTAGRAPHICS
LOVE & ROCKETS SC VOL 3 LAS MUJERES PERDIDAS Page xxx $19.95
Los Bros. Hernandez
Warehouse Find! Features the cream of Jaime’s “Maggie the Mechanic” stories including the sprawling epic “Lost Women,” plus Beto’s classic Palomar tales “The Laughing Sun” and “Act of Contrition.”
IMAGE/ TOP COW
ARTIFACTS ORIGINS: FIRST BORN TP $19.99 Page 192
Ron Marz, Stjepan Sejic, Luke Ross, Stephen Sadowski, i, and Ryan Sook
Top Cow launches the “Origins” line of Aritifacts trades with one of the stories that led to the event that forever changed the landscape of the Top Cow Universe! The birth of Sara Pezzini’s daughter Hope reignited the dormant war between the Darkness and the Angelus, set the bearer of the Witchblade on the path to “War of the Witchblades” and set the stage for Aritifacts. Find out how in this re-branded and expanded trade collection! Written by Top Cow Universe architect Ron Marz and featuring art from Stjepan Sejic, Stephen Sadowski, Luke Ross, Rick Leonardi and Ryan Sook this collections features the complete First Born event! Collects Artifacts #1-#3, Witchblade #110-#112 and First Born: Aftermath.
INVINCIBLE #90 $2.99 Page 203
Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley
Everything is different now. [Kirkman revealed Invincible's best friend is gay.]
LIL DEPRESSED BOY #11 $2.99 Page 204
S Steven Struble and Sina Grace
“Three Sketches of a Workplace Crush” New job? Check. New crush? Check. Know her name? Not making that mistake again. How will the Li’l Depressed Boy handle such close proximity to a girl he likes.
WALKING DEAD #94 $2.99 Page 211
Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard
“A Larger World” continues! As the ramp up to the monumental 100th issue continues, Rick and his group are led into new territory, with new rules, new advantages, and new threats. Can they survive int this larger, changed world? the world is changing. Rick and his band of survivors are faced with new threats – and new opportunities. Nothing will ever be the same – and with this book, you know we mean it! [Likewise late in finding out that cast member Aaron is gay. Until he's dead, that is.]
MARVEL
Note to whoever writes up Marvel’s solicitation copy: What’s up with all the bullet points and caps now?
AVENGERS ACADEMY #25 & 26 $2.99 Page 10
Christos Gage and Tom Grummet
Student vs. Student vs. Staff…but why? A surprise cliffhanger that will have your jaw on the floor! (#25) Who killed an Avenger? Find out here! Which cast members are tryng to shut down the Academy? The big conclusion to “Second Semester”! (#26) [Stryker is gay.]
AVENGERS: SOLO #5 $3.99 Page 22
Jen Van Meter, Jim McCann, Roger Robinson and Clayton Henry
The Arch Avenger has his back against the wall! Can he save the Avengers – by destroying them? Meanwhile, the Secret of the West Coast Avengers stands revealed!
DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE #21 $2.99 Page 56
Rob Williams and Allesandro Vitti
Issue one of the story the series has been leading up to! Daken sets out to get his revenge on the man he hates most in the world: Wolverine. And if the whole Marvel Universe has to bleed for that to happen then that’s just fine.
DOROTHY & THE WIZARD IN OZ #5 $3.99 Page 26
Eric Shanower and Skottie Young
The Wooden Gargoyles attack to kill! How can Dorothy, the Wizard, and their friends escape when even the Wizard’s bullets prove useless? Subterranean thrills and chills continue with hungry dragons that only Eureka the kitten can see. And you’ll believe a horse can fly!
THOR: THE DEVIANTS SAGA #4 $3.99 Page 44
Robert Rodi and Stephen Segovia
Thor battles dinosaurs deep in the Savage Land! Guest-starring Ka-Zar! The Unbinding Stone unlocked, and the world on the brink of oblivion!
X-FACTOR #231 & 232 $2.99 Page 58
Peter David and Emmanualla Luppachino
Parts 3 and 4 of a 4-part dimension-hopping storyline, “They Keep Killing Madrox”! Guest-starring Tony Stark and Steve Rogers (part 3) and Doctor Strange and the dread Dormammu (part 4). Startling twist ending that ties the entire story arc together! confirmed long standing fan speculation that there is a romantic side to Rictor and Shatterstar’s relationship in X-Factor #44, published in 2009 despite the discrepancy in numbering.]
X-FACTOR: SUPER UNNATURAL HC $19.99 Page 106
Peter David, Leonard Kirk, and Valentine De Landro
A member of X-Factor dies! It started with their new acquaintance, Sally, found brutally slain in her kitchen. And more recently, two rival gangs, lifeless bodies sprawled across a basketball court, a noose around each of their necks. Hot on the trail of a serial killer who’s lynching his victims, the mutant detectives of X-Factor Investigations are eager to cut his killing spree short. But here’s hoping they find him before he finds them! Collecting X-Factor (1986) #224.1 and #225-228.