Comic Crush Saturday: September 8th, 2018

Welcome to Comic Crush Saturday, our new bi-weekly feature focused on the graphic elements of the book world. Comics became a huge part of my life a few years ago when I started reviewing them (and comic related TV shows) on Forever Young Adult. I’ve maintained a pulllist through my local comic shop, Isotope Comics, and even got Kelly to start one ;). You’ll find mini-reviews, what we’ve read recently, and more so check it out!

Featured Book of the Week

Check, Please!: #Hockey (Check, Please!, #1-2)

by Ngozi Ukazu
Published by: First Second
on September 18, 2018
Genres: Graphic Novel, Young Adult, Contemporary
Pages: 288
Bookshop
Goodreads

Helloooo, Internet Land. Bitty here!

Y’all... I might not be ready for this. I may be a former junior figure skating champion, vlogger extraordinaire, and very talented amateur pâtissier, but being a freshman on the Samwell University hockey team is a whole new challenge. It’s nothing like co-ed club hockey back in Georgia! First of all? There’s checking. And then, there is Jack—our very attractive but moody captain.

A collection of the first half of the megapopular webcomic series of the same name, Check, Please!: #Hockey is the first book of a hilarious and stirring two-volume coming-of-age story about hockey, bros, and trying to find yourself during the best four years of your life.

Ok, everyone said this graphic novel was basically the cutest thing ever but NOTHING will prepare you for how cute it is. Nothing.

What happens when a figure skater with an infinity for pie joins his college hockey team? Well, of course he:

1. Learns that beautiful ice dancing is a tad different than body slamming, teeth jostling hockey. But he’s up for the challenge…mostly.
2. Figures out that he can bake in even the grossest man-boy hangouts.
3. Vlogs. And it’s freaking adorable. I would follow that channel.
4. Falls in love.

I finished this book on the beach and I was practically showing everyone around me. LOOK AT THIS BOOK. READ IT. BUY IT. MARINATE IN IT. Because it is perfect. There is so much heart in this book as well as a bunch of laughs. Plus, Ngozi is a master who does it all – story, lines, color, and lettering!

Who’s ready to go to a hockey game?

What You Should Check Out Now

Lockjaw is on the hunt for his family and this book will take you on a wild ride. But CUTE PUPPY and who can resist that?

Lockjaw: Who's a Good Boy?

by Daniel Kibblesmith, Carlos Villa, Roberto Poggi
Published by: Marvel
on September 4, 2018
Pages: 136
Bookshop

At long last, the giant-size dog has his day! When Lockjaw learns that his long-lost littermates are in danger, he must spring into action to save them! Are they Inhuman like him? Can they teleport? Could they possibly be as gosh-darned cute as their big brother? And where is Lockjaw headed with washed-up hero D-Man?! Would you believe, the Savage Land! But Zabu, the world's last sabretoothtiger, isn't happy to see them! And what the heck does the curly-tailed Spider-Ham have to do with Lockjaw's quest? Plus, what a revoltin' development for the Thing: When he spends the day looking after Lockjaw...it's slobberin' time! And more shaggy dog stories featuring the Inhumans' teleporting hound!

COLLECTING: LOCKJAW 1-4, THING (2005) 4; MATERIAL FROM GIRL COMICS (2010) 2, ORIGINAL SINS 1, INHUMANS: ONCE AND FUTURE KINGS 1-5

Get ready for fall with Morning Glories, the book where you have no freaking clue what’s going on, only that it’s bad and you desperately keep reading to figure it all out. This is up-past-your-bedtime material right here.

Morning Glories, Vol. 1: For a Better Future

by Nick Spencer, Joe Eisma, Rodin Esquejo
Published by: Image Comics
on March 2, 2011
Genres: Graphic Novel
Pages: 188
Bookshop

Morning Glory Academy

One of the most prestigious prep schools in the country...But behind it's hallowed doors something sinister and deadly lurks. When six brilliant but troubled new students arrive, they find themselves trapped and desperately seeking answers...and escape from a place where nothing is what it seems to be!

What We Can’t Wait For

Whitney Gardner took the YA world by storm and now she’s taking the middle grade graphic novel scene by storm. And did you see that pin she had for a pre-order incentive?

Fake Blood

by Whitney Gardner
Published by: Simon & Schuster Books for Young Readers
on September 4, 2018
Pages: 300
Bookshop

It’s the beginning of the new school year and AJ feels like everyone is changing but him. He hasn’t grown or had any exciting summer adventures like his best friends have. He even has the same crush he’s harbored for years. So AJ decides to take matters into his own hands. But how could a girl like Nia Winters ever like plain vanilla AJ when she only has eyes for vampires?

When AJ and Nia are paired up for a group project on Transylvania, it may be AJ’s chance to win over Nia’s affection by dressing up like the vamp of her dreams. And soon enough he’s got more of Nia’s attention than he bargained for when he learns she’s a slayer.

Now AJ has to worry about self-preservation while also trying to save everyone he cares about from a real-life threat lurking in the shadows of Spoons Middle School.

Chelsea Cain is a favorite of mine and I CAN NOT wait for Man-Eaters, which is set to be the most feminist thing you’ll read this fall. Spoiler: I had an early read on the first issue and there was much cackling on my part. I can’t wait to see what this creative team does.

Man-Eaters #1

by Chelsea Cain, Kate Niemczyk, Lia Miternique
Published by: Image Comics
on September 26th, 2018

Eisner-nominated and New York Times bestselling thriller writer CHELSEA CAIN returns to comics with a new ONGOING SERIES! A mutation in Toxoplasmosis causes menstruating women to turn into ferocious killer wildcats—easily provoked and extremely dangerous. As panic spreads and paranoia takes root, the fate of the world rides on the shoulders of one twelve-year-old girl. Part Cat People, part The Handmaid’s Tale, MAN-EATERS will have everyone talking. From the creative team behind the Eisner-nominated series Mockingbird: writer CHELSEA CAIN, artist KATE NIEMCZYK, colorist RACHELLE ROSENBERG, letterer JOE CARAMAGNA, and joined by LIA MITERNIQUE, KATIE LANE, and STELLA GREENVOSS. This September… the cat wants in.

Best News of the Week

Look.At.It.

It’s time! We’re kicking off two weeks of Spring 2019 cover reveals, starting now! First up is #OldSouls by @BeeMacDee1950 + @lesmcclaine! We cannot wait for this one to come out on June 25, 2019! Tell us what you think about the cover + don’t forget to add it to your TBR! pic.twitter.com/NT2GkMlC2t

— First Second (@01FirstSecond) September 5, 2018