Kevin Keller has a secret admirer and I hope it doesn’t turn out to be a girl! Phil Jimenez fans can rejoice that he returns to art chores with Fairest #1 from Vertigo. Alpha Flight may be canceled (or just ended its 8 issue run as a mini, depending on how you look at it), but Northstar doesn’t disappear! Jean Paul and former New Mutant Karma move over to Astonishing X-Men for the start of Marjorie Liu’s run. The Runaways resurface in the pages of Avengers Academy and Daken says goodbye in his final issue. Chip Kidd’s Batman wet dream sees print! Free Comic Book Day won’t be here till the first week of May, but here’s a head up about the Comic Book Legal Defense Fund’s Howard Cruse title!

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 – THE SHADOW OF DEATH TP vol 1 $16.99 Page 232
Terry Moore
Rachel Beck wakes in a shallow grave and claws her way free as a mysterious woman watches from a bluff. With no memory of the night before, Rachel enlists the help of Aunt Johnny, the town mortician, to find her killer. But when repeated attacks send her to the morgue, Rachel’s ability to wake from death again and again prove to be a blessing and a curse, and the eerie town of Manson will never be the same! Collects issues #1-6.

AMAZE INK/ SLAVE LABOR

FLOUNDERING TIME GN $12.95 Page 236
Katy Weselcouch
Best friends Emma and Joey are in their senior year at a women’s college, navigating through their last days in the school’s isolated scene. Emma harbors a long standing crush on her transgender friend Elliott, while messy Joey works her way through stoic bad-girl types. They stumble through drunken parties, rock shows, and day trips, avoiding the looming questions of their “futures” in pursuit of misguided crushes and cool girl status.

ARCHIE

KEVIN KELLER #2 $2.99 Page 246
Dan Parent
“May I Have This Dance?” As newly appointed class president, Kevin is in charge of selecting the theme for Riverdale High’s prom. That’s easy compared to the decision of who Kevin will take to the dance! And if things weren’t complicated enough, Kevin has a secret admirer hoping to be Kevin’s date!

BOOM!

HELLRAISER ANNUAL #1 $4.99 Page 265
Clive Barker, various, and Janusz Ordon
The secrets of the Cenobite War revealed! The first year of Clive Barker’s long-awaited return to Hellraiser has been full of jaw-dropping events and new characters, forever changing the landscape of the classic horror universe. Now, only in this annual, learn the shocking secrets behind those seismic shocks to the Cenobites, the Cottons, and the hierarchy of Hell! This all new story will give clues to future storylines, so no Hellraiser fan can miss it!

KITCHEN SINK PRESS: THE FIRST 25 YEARS TP $15.00 Page 271
Dave Schrieber, R Crumb, and various
A complete retrospective of pioneer independent publishing house Kitchen Sink Press, from its inception in 1969 through its silver anniversary in 1994. This full-color history is profusely illustrated with underground comix, graphic novels and offbeat merchandise, plus previously unpublished art by R. Crumb, Mark Schultz, Peter Poplaski, Frank Stack, Reed Waller, and others. Included are “sidebar” columns by Alan Moore, Will Eisner, Art Spiegelman, Stan Lee, Will Elder, Howard Cruse, Trina Robbins, Jay Lynch, Kevin Eastman, founder Denis Kitchen and other luminaries reflecting on the impact of this early and long-running alternative company. A must-have item for fans of Kitchen Sink, underground comix, and cartoon history.

PEANUTS #3 $3.99 Page 272
Charles Schulz, Vicki Scott, and various
From the newspaper strips to the animated specials, Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and the Peanuts gang have held a special place in America’s heart since their first appearance in 1950. Let that young reader in your household discover these beloved characters like they were brand new! Peppermint Patty and Marcy join the series in “School Daze,” and Charlie Brown dons his Manager’s cap for another year of Spring Training. Includes classic Sunday strips from Charles Schulz and a special Linus “First Appearance” variant cover![BOOM's press release posted on CBR's Robot 6 blog lists Paige (Jane's World) Braddock as a contributor. ]

CBLDF

2012 CENSORED HOWARD CRUSE
Howard Cruse
The Comic Book Legal Defense Fund, in association with BOOM! Town presents The Censored Howard Cruse! He’s known for his gay comix, but that’s not all that’s been on Howard Cruse’s his mind! He’s also written and drawn about freedom of speech, civil rights, and drugs, as well as interesting uses for toothpaste. Now you can get a special sneak-peek at this summer’s upcoming graphic novel, The Other Sides of Howard Cruse — with just a few tastefully-placed black boxes! (You’ll have to get the OGN for the uncensored version.)

DARK HORSE
BUFFY THE VAMPIRE SLAYER SEASON 9 #7 $2.99 Page 41
Andrew Chambliss and Georges Jeanty
Still seeking normalcy in the midst of zompire-stricken San Francisco, Buffy contemplates a life-changing decision the likes of which few Slayers have ever faced. Meanwhile Spike rushes to the aid of Detective Dowling, who’s in over his head with his recent investigation into the undead bloodsuckers plaguing the city.

BTVS SEASON 8 HC VOL 1 LONG WAY HOME $29.99 pAGE 39
Joss Whedon, Brian K. Vaughan Georges Jeanty, Paul Lee, and Cliff Richards
This deluxe, oversized hardcover edition contains the first two arcs of Season 8, plus two one-shots. After the destruction of the Hellmouth, the Slayers–newly legion–have gotten organized, but it’s not long before new and old enemies begin popping up. Buffy, Xander, Willow, and a very different Dawn are introduced tothe season’s big bad, Twilight, and are only beginning to understand the incredible reach of this mysterious threat. Meanwhile, rebel Slayer Faith teams up with Giles to handle a menace on the other side of the Atlantic. It’s a dirty job, and Faith is just the girl to do it!

DARK HORSE PRESENTS #10 $7.99 Page 48
Brian Wood, Colin Lorimer, Carla Speed McNeil, Steve Niles, Evan Dorkin, Al Gordon, Steve Horton, Andrew Vachss, Neal Adams, M. J. Butler, Kristian Donaldson, Christopher Mitten, Thomas Yeates, Michael Dialynas, Geof Darrow, Mark Wheatley
Evan Dorkin is unleashed in House of Fun, and Steve Niles weaves another web of paranormal intrigue in Criminal Macabre: They Fight by Night. Three brothers in a grim, postwar England of the future are given experimental suits that could make them the saviors of mankind–that is, if they can ever get past their obsessions with film, violent video games, and porn in Colin Lorimer’s UXB! Brian Wood’s The Massive finishes up, Carla Speed McNeil begins an epic new arc of Finder: Third World, Al Gordon and Thomas Yeates’s centennial celebration of Tarzan concludes, and much more!

DC

BATGIRL #7 $2.99 Page 98
Gail Simone and Ardian Syaf
One dark, tragic night, The Joker shattered the life of Barbara Gordon in the landmark story Batman: The Killing Joke. In this issue, see a side of that story that has never before been told, as Batgirl faces the demons of her past! And if that’s not enough, a deadly new gentleman killer, Grotesque, stalks the streets of Gotham City!

BATMAN DEATH BY DESIGN DELUXE ED HC $24.99 Page 121
Chip Kidd and Dave Taylor
In this new, original graphic novel from superstar writer/designer Chip Kidd and artist Dave Taylor, Gotham City is undergoing one of the most expansive construction booms in its history. The most prestigious architects from across the globe have buildings in various phases of completion all over town. As chairman of the Gotham Landmarks Commission, Bruce Wayne has been a key part of this boom, which signals a golden age of architectural ingenuity for the city. And then, the explosions begin. All manner of design-related malfunctions – faulty crane calculations, sturdy materials suddenly collapsing, software glitches, walkways giving way and more – cause casualties across the city. This bizarre string of seemingly random catastrophes threatens to bring down the whole construction industry. Fingers are pointed as Batman must somehow solve the problem and find whoever is behind it all.

BATWING #7 $2.99 Page 94
Judd Winick and Ben Oliver
Batwing comes to Gotham City! Batwing and Batman race back to the city hoping to stop the killer Massacre from assassinating the last two members of Africa’s lost super-team, The Kingdom! Meanwhile, Nightwing, Batgirl, and Robin are already on the ground leading the search. Plus: The dark past of the Kingdom is revealed!

BATWOMAN #7 $2.99 Page 89
J H Williams III, W Haden Blackman, and Amy Reeder
Six lives on converging courses that will change them forever… Batwoman, in a hidden lair beneath Gotham Harbor, faces a horde of monsters inspired by urban legends led by Falchion, an evil mastermind. Jacob Kane waits in agony for some sign of life. Kate Kane tries to enjoy new romance as the werebeast Abbot begs for her help. Maro, an enigmatic wizard, evokes an evil that all children fear: their own reflections in a darkened mirror. Detective Maggie Sawyer is caught in a turf war between The Werebeast Cult and The Medusa Syndicate. DEO Agent Cameron Chase struggles with a new operative who refuses to be controlled. It’s all coming in “To Drown the World,” part 2.

CATWOMAN #7 $2.99 Page 100
Judd Winick and Guillem  March
In the wake of her run-in with Batman and the loss of someone very dear to her, Catwoman turns over a new leaf. With a new attitude, a new partner and a new game plan, she embarks on a new journey: She’s stealing hot cars. The competition isn’t too happy about it, and the Gotham PD are that much closer to nailing her. There’s only one way out: Drive really, really fast.

LEGION OF SUPER-HEROES #7 $2.99 Page 120
Paul Levitz and Francis Portela
Marooned in a lake of fire, Element Lad, Chemical Kid and Sun Boy face an ecological disaster of 31st-century proportions! And Dragonwing’s got troubles of her own – with her sister’s claws at her throat! Meanwhile, at the edges of United Planets space, the Dominators haven’t forgotten their humiliation at the Legion’s hands…and the next stage of their plan is about to explode! [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.]

LEGION OF SUPER HEROES: WHEN EVIL CALLS TP $29.99 Page 134
Paul Levitz, Phil Jimenez, Yildiray Cinar, and Francis Portela
In these tales from LEegion of Super Heroes #11-16, Adventure #523-529 and Legion of Super Villains #1, the team uncovers a Durlan assassination plot and new Legionnaires learn the ropes at the Legion Academy. [Gravity kid and Power Boy are among the ensemble cast. See above.]

STORMWATCH #7 $2.99  Page 113
Paul Cornell and Miguel Sepulveda
They’ve come to steal Earth’s gravity! When a scientific experiment tears a hole in the barrier between dimensions, gravity miners from a forbidden universe invade our world! Can Stormwatch – with their ranks depleted after the cataclysmic events of last issue – find a way to repel alien excavators that shred our reality with every touch?

TEEN TITANS #7 $2.99 Page 118
Scott Lobdell and Brett Booth
Are the Teen Titans ready to stage an assault on N.O.W.H.E.R.E.? No way! But as Red Robin explains to the rest of his team, they’ll have to rally to save the Superboy from certain death. And through all of this, only Solstice learns a secret Red Robin has been hiding that could tear the team apart just as they have finally come together! [A gay member, Bunker, debuted in #3.]

VOODOO #7 $2.99 Page 115
Josh Williamson and Sam Basri
After returning to the Daemonites to hunt for answers, Voodoo learns that you should be careful what you wish for. Will the truth of the Daemonite Hybrids force Voodoo to turn on her masters, or will she finally succumb to her dark side? What happens when Voodoo learns about Grifter and Stormwatch? And more on the real Voodoo: Pris! [So where's the bisexuality Dan Didio mentioned in a piece with The Advocate?]

VERTIGO

AARON & AHMED TP $17.99 Page 144
Jay Cantor and James Romberger
“What causes terrorism?” After his fiancee dies on 9/11, this question plagues Aaron Goodman. It makes him give up his career as a doctor to become an interrogator at Guantanamo Bay. It leads him to meme theory, as he wonders if there could be a cold science behind the conversion of people into suicide bombers. And ultimately, it brings him to Ahmed, a Gitmo prisoner who promises the answers to all of Aaron’s questions, and in the process, he’ll take Aaron from Guantanamo Bay to the jihadist camps in Pakistan, back to Ground Zero in New York City. But where do Ahmed’s real loyalties lie? From where did that loyalty
spring? To answer that, Aaron will have to reexamine everything he believes and stare down one of the most compelling questions of the 21st century. MacArthur Prize fellow and novelist Jay Cantor (Krazy Kat, Great Neck) joins artist James Romberger (THE BRONX KILL) for this unforgettable and pressingly relevant graphic novel. [Romberger was also a friend of gay artist David Wojnarowicz. The pair collaborated on Wojnarowicz's autobio Seven Miles A Second for Vertigo.]

FABLES #1 $2.99 Page 140
Bill Willingham and Phil Jimenez
New York Times best-selling, award-winning creator Bill Willingham presents a new series starring the female FABLES. Balancing horror, humor and adventure, Fairest explores the secret histories of Sleeping Beauty, Rapunzel, Cinderella, The Snow Queen, Thumbelina, Snow White, Rose Red and others. The first 6 issue arc follows the misadventures of Briar Rose after she is stolen away by the goblin army in Fables  #107. Fan-favorite artist Phil Jimenez returns to Vertigo to pencil the opening storyline. Award-winning cover artist Adam Hughes  provides covers, starting with a wraparound cover on issue #1.

IZOMBIE #23 $2.99 Page 145
Chris Roberson and Michael Allred
Once upon a time, Gwen’s biggest concerns were finding a brain to snack on and worrying whether her boyfriend would find out she was a zombie. Now, with undead secret agents and monster hunters teaming up to stop a mad scientist from bringing about the end of the world, and her friends stuck right in the middle of it, Gwen has bigger problems on her hands. But can a girl help save the world without losing everything in the world she loves? [Scott/ Spot, the were-terrier, has come out and has been dating. See the interview with writer Chris Roberson and sample pages here. ]

D.E.

THE BOYS #64 $3.99 Page 284
Garth Ennis and Russ Braun
Still reeling from the events of last issue, Hughie follows his boss to Washington DC, where the US military struggles to throw a ring of steel around the Capitol. Meanwhile, MM’s research finally bears fruit, but with all Hell breaking loose will his discoveries come too late? Billy Butcher goes off to meet his destiny, in the penultimate part of Over the Hill with the Swords of a Thousand Men.

KIRBY GENESIS – DRAGONSBANE #3 $3.99 Page 290
Robert Rodi and Alex Ross
Spinning out of KIRBY: GENESIS, Sigurd Dragonsbane and his band of champions explore the astonishing Mythlands, where the heroes and legends of every cultural tradition now reside. But there’s someone terrifying waiting for them in the dark, dank forests of Eastern European folklore… and if she has her way, their journey might end right there! Plus: The mysterious meaning of the Soothsayer’s prophecies — revealed!

DIGITAL MANGA DISTRIBUTION

As odd as it sounds, this publisher which always has at least one yaoi title, if not more, doesn’t have a one to offer this month. What the heck?!

EUREKA PRODUCTIONS

GRAPHIC CLASSICS OSCAR WILDE (Vol 16) $11.95 Page 302
This copy is taken from Amazon: “Graphic Classics: Oscar Wilde features “The Picture of Dorian Gray”, Wilde’s tale of narcissism and horror, adapted for comics by Alex Burrows and illustrated by Lisa K. Weber. Plus the comic satire “The Canterville Ghost” by Antonella Caputo and Nick Miller, “Lord Arthur Savile’s Crime” by Rich Rainey and Stan Shaw, and an adaptation of Wilde’s exotic play “Salome”, illustrated by Molly Kiely.”

FANTAGRAPHICS

LOVE & ROCKETS NEW STORIES SC VOL 4 Page 301 $14.99
Los Bros. Hernandez
Jaime’s “The Love Bunglers” reaches its stunning conclusion, and we flash back to teenage Maggie. Gilbert gives us some dangerously sexy vampires and a surprising and complex all dialogue story with Fritz.

HOUGHTON MIFFLIN

Fun Home

FUN HOME TP $13.95 Page 308
Alison Bechdel
Alison Bechdel Distant and exacting, Bruce Bechdel was an English teacher and director of the town funeral home, which Alison and her family referred to as the “Fun Home.” It was not until college that Alison, who had recently come out as a lesbian, discovered that her father was also gay. Soon after this revelation, he was dead, leaving a legacy of mystery for his daughter to resolve. This groundbreaking, genre-busting, best-selling graphic narrative has established her as one of America’s most gifted and extraordinary memoirists.

IDW

DOROTHY OF OZ PREQUEL #1 $3.99 Page 166
Denton Tipton, Blair shedd, and Eric Shanower
Based on the upcoming animated film Dorothy of Oz! Building on the world created in the celebrated children’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank L. Baum, Dorothy of Oz will tell the tale of the titular hero’s return to the Land of Oz. But first read here about what events transpired to necessitate Dorothy’s return, and witness the rise of the Jester!

TRUE BLOOD FRENCH QUARTER Vol 3 $24.99 Page 167
Mariah Huehner, David Tischman, David Messina, and Claudia Balboni
In this sequel to the first NYT best-selling TRUE BLOOD miniseries, “All Together Now,” mind-reading waitress Sookie Stackhouse is in New Orleans, helping Vampire Sherriff Eric Northman track down an insane killer named Guerra. Bill Compton’s in town, too, making sure Eric doesn’t get fresh with Sookie, and investigating a local Hep-D outbreak that may be connected to Guerra’s latest victims. Meanwhile, back in Bon Temps, why is Pam hanging out at Merlotte’s–and what does she want with Lafayette? Based on the HBO mega-hit created by Alan Ball.

IMAGE/ TOP COW

INVINCIBLE #91 $2.99 Page 211
Robert Kirkman and Ryan Ottley
The new Invincible will not back down, will not give in, and he is not going to play nice. What happens when Mark Grayson isn’t happy with his replacement? All this and… What exactly happened between Robot and Monster Girl in the Flaxan Dimension. [Kirkman revealed Invincible's best friend is gay.]

LIL DEPRESSED BOY #12 $2.99 Page 212
S Steven Struble and Sina Grace
“Brand New Shoes” The Li’l Depressed Boy may have met a new crush… but does he have the guts to ask if the spark is mutual? It all begins with a question.

WALKING DEAD #95 $2.99 Page 220
Robert Kirkman and Charlie Adlard
“A Larger World” continues! Rick and his group are welcomed into a new community, led by a new charismatic leader. Rick has experienced this before. Is this the beginning of a new era of peace for Rick and the others… or is this man every bit as dangerous as The Governor?[Likewise late in finding out that cast members Aaron and Eric are gay. Until they're dead, that is.]
MARVEL

ASTONISHING X-MEN #48 $3.99 Page 50
Marjorie Liu and Mike Perkins
Best-Selling Author Marjorie Liu And Mike Perkins. The X-Men Return To New York City, But It’s Not A Social Call. Don’t Miss The First Chapter Of What Will Be The Most Controversial Story Of 2012! [Northstar and Karma will be a double LGBT addition to this X team.]

AVENGERS ACADEMY #27 $2.99 Page 14
Christos Gage and Karl Moline
Guest-Starring The Runaways! Giant-Man And Victor…Reptil And Chase…Lightspeed And Karolina…What Are The Connections That Make These Combustible Crews Collide? [Stryker is gay.]

AVENGERS: THE CHILDREN’S CRUSADE HC $34.99 Page 71
Allan Heinberg, Jim Cheung, oliver Coipel, and Alan Davis
The Young Avengers return in an epic saga by series creators Allan Heinberg and Jim Cheung. When Wiccan’s reality-altering powers begin to rival those of the Scarlet Witch, the young hero sets out on a quest to find her that spans the Marvel Universe and pits Wiccan against both the Avengers and the Young Avengers. But will Wiccan’s desire to solve the mystery of his parentage be his salvation or his undoing? With three words, the Scarlet Witch changed the world forever…and now with her return, nothing will ever be the same for the Marvel Universe. This self-contained Marvel event reintroduces and redefines the Young Avengers and the Scarlet Witch for the Heroic Age, and is essential reading for any Avengers fan.

AVENGERS: HAWKEYE SOLO TP $26.99 Page 74
Jen Van Meter, Jim McCann, Roger Robinson and Clayton Henry
The arrowed Avenger returns! When a stranger lies dead at the Avengers’ doorstep, Hawkeye won’t let his world be implicated in a grisly murder. But what seems to be a simple killing gives way to a gruesome conspiracy — one Hawkeye can’t walk away from — and one that involves…the Trapster?! Jen Van Meter ?and Roger Robinson bring Hawkeye with a vengeance! Plus: Hank Pym and the?students of Avengers Academy leave the school behind for a mystery too fantastic to believe! Collecting Avengers: Solo #1-5.

DAKEN: DARK WOLVERINE #22 & 23 $2.99 Page 58
Rob Williams and Allesandro Vitti
Daken’s Terminal Disease Is In Its Final Stages. What Choices Will He Makes When Finally Faced With Death? Will He Die Here And What Will His Final Actions Be?  The Final Confrontation Between Daken And His Father, Wolverine.[The end of the solo Daken series. Who knows when and where he'll return?]

THOR: THE DEVIANTS SAGA #5 $3.99 Page 30
Robert Rodi and Stephen Segovia
The Unbinding Stone…Unbound! Thor Vs. The Collapse Of Space And Time! The Hidden Quest Of The Eternals Revealed!

X-FACTOR #233 $2.99 Page 58
Peter David  and Leonard Kirk
Havok And Polaris Take The Reins Of X-Factor Investigations! Featuring The Return Of X-Factor Foe The Isolationist.[Peter David 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.]