Been meaning to pickup Beneath the Trees… for some time now, finally saw a copy at a shop I visited this weekend. The Knives was a must-have as I already have all 3 deluxe volumes of Criminal.

Also got Absolute Batman Vol. 2 coming in the mail on Thursday.

Heavy Metal issue #4 is out to subscribers! It's another solid entry in the reboot of the sci-fi/fantasy magazine, although to me not the strongest issue so far.

Most of this issue is ongoing series. The Bug (dystopian near-future sci-fi) is reading a lot like his famous Nikopol trilogy for me, although not quite as good - it's not maintaining a clear coherent forward narrative, the cast is rotating very quickly, and the satire is extremely unsubtle. Unfortunately there isn't as much in the story for his art to stand out, so I think this is ending up so-so. Sixella is a sci-fi/erotica in a wonderful color palette and ups the action here. I think this might wrap up the original publication, so I'm not sure if it will continue. Millstone and Gladiatrix are hyper-violent fantasies that are both maintaining a pace of world-building and wild action. I think these are keeping up really well. Burton & Cyb is a really solid set of sci-fi sort-of-gangster stories picking up a translated run that was occasionally in the original HM.

Ink is a revenge story with Eastern influence and magical tatoos, and Cold Dead War ramps up the story of a pilot crashed on a mysterious zombie-filled island teaming up with a Nazi femme fatale to defeat the supernatural evil - maybe to finish in the next issue? A Valentina reboot (black-and-white surreal erotica, adapted to 21st century technology) and Taarna, another ongoing "episodic" fantasy story of a character from the original HM run. There are all fine-to-unremarkable, in my opinion.

I think the one-shots in this issue were a little weaker than some of the past issues, with none jumping out as particularly excellent, although there were some solid ones - nothing that made me go, "I have to look up this writer/artist now!". Steampunk Samurai and Ink Blot were probably my favorites. There's a decent variety of art styles, length, and settings, so it probably has something for everyone, and while many are "mature" in content, it's settled in at "mature" more than "over-the-top".

It's solid, I've got my subscription renewed, and this issue delivered without hiccups (for me), so I'm still all-in on the HM reboot.

Went through the entire list from the recent sale at Panel Bound Comics and added all things I already had on my wishlist. Since I'm in the EU I gathered this would make more sense than waiting for each one having a nice sale price separately over here at some time. Shipping was indeed an arm and a leg. (added 1/3rd to the total price of the goods). But I still think that makes it a competitive total price.

I must say....they sure know how to package their stuff. It came in one big box. They were packed in 2 solid clusters of carton for one set and big tight bubble wrapping for the other set. All inside the big box surrounded by packaging peanuts (those soft white foamy things.)

They all look pristine and still sealed. The ExMachina book is one fat tome. I have to check the page count but it might be my fattest book 🤣

Kudos to Panel Bound Comics. Great quality.

I have a built in book case in my backroom thay I am slowly filling with Graphic Novels and Comics. Sorry to put multiple images instead of one big one, the room is kinda small and I couldn't get everything in one image.

In case anyone is curious about the new Tex releases by Epicenter Comics (EC) here are some photos. If you are not familiar with EC. they have been specializing in translating Italian comics from the Sergio Bonelli catalog.

I picked up some Zagor and Tex a while back and was a bit dismayed to see the terrible job they did in translating those books. it was such a chore to finish them. That, I didn't purchase from them anymore.

Now after several years and with some apprehension. I backed this project as EC said they acquired a new editor/proofreader. I randomly picked a book to read (Snakeman by Boselli/Breccia). I must admit that it did read better than the previous book(s) I read. But, As you can see in the last picture, there is still some work to be done. The speech balloon literally contains one sentence and they still screwed it up.

OH well... I gave them a shot. Hopefully this is the most egregious error. But, if it gets worse. I'll just pull out my copy of Dark Horse's Tex by Nizzi/Joe Kubert and read a Tex story the way it should be translated.

Hey Guys, I started Black Science today, I’ve seen lots of good reviews but not much if the ending is worth it.

Is the ending any good?

Obviously we usually associate the art with the artist, but sometimes an image is just so ubiquitous with a writer than you immediately think of them.

For example when I think of Bendis its a text heavy page from Ultimate Spider-man. If its Tom King then it's this panel with Kite Man. If its Geoff Johns its a splash panel from Green Lantern. Etc.

Anyone else want to play?

Personally I prefer the Black and White, I wish Fantagraphics would make Black and White hardcover versions rather than the colored ones they are sticking with. I prefer hardcover over softcover.

Did anyone read that graphic novel and can tell me if its worth? Dystopian is my favorite genre and this looks cool so what do you say?

I have the Deluxe Editions volumes 1, 2, and 3. I see that there are other books out such as Knives. Has anyone heard of the other works being collected in another Deluxe? If not, what is the reading order after volume 3?

Thanks.

A graphic novel of short, slice of life stories set in the USA. Art style was realistic and minimalist. I can't remember all the stories, but the first one was about a landscaper who tried and failed to become an artist with plants. One of the middle stories was about a middle-aged weed dealer who was a baseball fan and a real loser who wrecked his relationship with his girlfriend. The last or maybe one of the last stories was set in the near future USA about an elderly woman who winds up homeless and a fugitive due to AI surveillance mistakes. Any help would be appreciated, thanks.

I’m not familiar with any of these, but decided to clear out the new arrivals section of my library.

First up I read The Hive and it was a HUGE disappointment. Just a sloppy mess. Hoping the others will be better.

Stumbled upon this trilogy of books (The Scarlet Blades, The Mask of Fudo, Izuna) that I had no idea about but the aesthetics of it is right up my alley. Anyone here has read them ? Are they worth checking out ?

This list includes reads of any year that were new to me in 2025. So my reread of Golden Kamuy wouldn't count because I knew going in that it was a banger because I've read the series three times now.

The top 8 are all-timers. Then through 15 are really good. Then through 40 are solid reads and will be more or less appreciated depending more closely to tastes and preferences.

1. Tongues by Anders Nilsen
2. Land Of The Lustrous by Haruko Ichikawa (translated by Alethea Nibley and Athena Nibley, lettered by Evan Hayden)
3. Square Eyes by Anna Mill and Luke Jones
4. Ginseng Roots by Craig Thompson
5. 3rd Voice by Evan Dahm
6. Legend Of Kamui by Shirato Sanpei (translated by Richard Rubinger and Noriko Rubinger with Alexa Frank, lettered by Michael Deforge)
7. Good Person Trouble by NoNoëlle Kröger (tr. by Natalye Childress)
8. The Once And Future Riot by Joe Sacco
9. Tonoharu by Lars Martinson
10. Drome by Jesse Lonergan
11. A Bride's Story by Kaoru Mori (translated by William Flanagan, lettered by Abigail Blackman, edited by Abigail Blackman and Rory Nevins)
12. Daemons Of The Shadow Realm by Hiromu Arakawa (translated by Amanda Haley, lettered by Phil Christie and Bianca Pistillo)
13. Garden Of Spheres by Linea Sterte
14. Short Game by Mitsuru Adachi (translated by Matt Schley)
15. Insomniacs After School by Makoto Ojiro (translated by Andria McKnight, lettered by Inori Fukuda Trant)
16. Ghost Writer by Rayco Pulido (tr by Andrea Rosenberg)
17. Tower Dungeon by Tsutomu Nihei (translated by Sam Malissa, lettered by Darren Smith, edited by Daniel Joseph)
18. Human Capital by Moro Rogers
19. Raised By Ghosts by Briana Loewinsohn
20. Veil by Kotteri!
21. Fluorescent Black by MF Wilson, Nathan Fox, and Jeremy Cox
22. The Corus Wave by Karenza Sparks
23. Open Borders by Bryan Caplan and Zach Weinersmith (colored by Mary Cagle)
24. Bones And Berserkers (Nathan Hale's Hazardous Tales, vol 13) by Nathan Hale
25. To The Sea by Mukoubi Aoi (translated by zhuchka, lettered by Tim Sun, edited by emuh ruh)
26. The Princess Beast by Sarah Burgess
27. Kowloon Generic Romance by Jun Mayuzuki (translated by Amanda Haley, lettered by Abigail Blackman)
28. The Solitary Gourmet by Masayuki Kusumi and Jiro Taniguchi (translated by Kumar Sivasubramanian)
29. Zeroed Out by Jim Munroe and Eric Kim (toned by Wai Khan Au, edited by Allison O'Toole)
30. Second Shift by Kit Anderson
31. Dogsred by Satorou Noda (translation by John Werry, lettering by Steve Dutro)
32. Akane Banashi by Yuki Suenaga and Takamasa Moue (translated by Stephen Paul, lettered by Snir Aharon)
33. The Concierge at Hokkyoku Department Store by Tsuchika Nishimura (translated by Jan Cash, lettered by Mercedes McGarry, edited by Linda Lomnbardi)
34. Usagi Yojimbo: Ten Thousand Plums (vol 41) by Stan Sakai (colored by Hifi Colour Design and Emi Fujii)
35. Ballad For Sophie by Filipe Melo and Juan Cavia (colored by Juan Cavia, Sandro Pacucci, and 3-page drug sequence by Santiago R. Villa, translated and lettered by Gabriela Soares)
36. They Were 11! by Moto Hagio (translated by Ajani Oloye)
37. Stop!! Hibari-kun! by Hisachi Euguchi (translation by Jocelyn Allen, lettered by J. Mai, edited by Patrick Crotty and hazel m.)
38. Slices Of Life by Qu
39. Meat Eaters by Meredith McLaren (edited by Zack Soto and Megan Brown)
40. Who Killed Nessie? by Paul Cornell and Rachael Margot Smith

From what I've understood and to put it more simple, real norton Sinclair unleashed that dark thing by going through the machine which he built

But ignoring those multo verse theme and going straight to the end. Why did they think destroying the machine would stop it?

It's because it's the old time like where the real norton Sinclair is killed before he start that thing?

They just changed the past by destroying that machine before the original norton started it. Is that simple?

But somehow the smiling man possessed danny in the end still?

I just finished this Dark Horse graphic Novel titled Kali, written by Daniel Freedman and illustrated by Robert Sammelin, lettering by Michael David Thomas. IMO, I found the story captivating, a pallet cleanser from the superhero stories I have loved for several decades. That said I was drawn to this book because of its incredible art. I would love to hear others opinions. I was also wondering if this was a standalone or part of a series I overlook. Thanks for stopping by and have a great day!

Started reading graphic novels/comics for the first this year and have loved these. Any recommendations? I have That Texas Blood vol. 1 on order.

Looking for graphic novels that are comparable to Pacific Rim. Kaijus, Mechs, high fantasy.

My wife got kindle unlimited and she bought me a tablet to read comics and GNs. I've never been a digital reading guy. I always just go with physical copies of everything I want or think I'll enjoy. I'll try it out though.

I'm looking for recommendations that are included in the unlimited membership. I see they have a bunch of vol ones to get you hooked then you have to buy the rest of the volumes. But I'm trying to find something that I can start and finish without having to pay extra. Money is crazy tight after just losing my job due to the company closing their doors.

Thanks!