TRADE WAITING #16: Week of December 22, 2021

Graphic novels. Collected editions. Omnibuses. Trades. These are really all just words for “a kickass way to read comics”. So, with this column we’re going to look at all of those kickass bound pages that are hitting comic shops, bookstores and online outlets this week! (Note that in some instances, the release dates to comic shops, online retailers and book stores are different)

THE TEA DRAGON FESTIVAL
Written by K. O’Neill
Art by K. O’Neill
Published by Oni Press
Price: $12.99
You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The publisher says: Rinn has grown up with the Tea Dragons that inhabit their village, but stumbling across a real dragon turns out to be a different matter entirely! Aedhan is a young dragon who was appointed to protect the village but fell asleep in the forest eighty years ago. With the aid of Rinn’s adventuring uncle Erik and his partner Hesekiel, they investigate the mystery of his enchanted sleep… but Rinn’s real challenge is to help Aedhan come to terms with feeling that he cannot get back the time he has lost.

Critically acclaimed graphic novelist K. O’Neill delivers another charming, gentle fantasy story about finding your purpose, and the community that helps you along the way.

What I say: For those who have been waiting for it, the next volume of the story started with The Tea Dragon Society comes to softcover! K. O’Neill’s storytelling has touched so many, and if you are unfamiliar…well, fix that.

ENIGMA: DEFINITIVE EDITION HC
Written by Peter Milligan
Art by Duncan Fegredo
Published by Dark Horse Comics
Price: $24.99
You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The publisher says: Enigma is a visceral, post-modern tale of self-discovery and sexual identity told against the backdrop of outrageous superheroes and villains. Michael Smith lives a meaningless life. But when the weird characters from Enigma, his favorite childhood comic seem to come to life, Michael embarks upon an increasingly obsessive crusade to uncover the incredible secret behind their improbable existence . . . and ultimately, his own. Considered a classic and groundbreaking graphic novel for its LGBTQIA+ themes when first released-featuring the first gay superhero in mainstream comics.

• With a brand-new cover by Duncan Fegredo and a treasure trove of nearly 50 pages of extras including development art, color sketches, and behind-the-scenes notes into the making of this celebrated story.

“Beautiful. Literary. Decades ahead of its time. This is the greatest adult superhero comic of the nineties. At least.” -Kieron Gillen

What I say: To be perfectly honest, I had never heard of Enigma prior to writing this column. But when Kieron Gillen blurbs a book that way, it’s going to make it on the goddamn list.

BARBARIC HC VOL. 01
Written by Michael Moreci
Art by Nathan Gooden, Rodison Duke, Jim Campbell
Published by Vault Comics
Price: $16.99
You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The publisher says: Owen the Barbarian has been cursed to do good with what remains of his life. His bloodthirsty weapon, Axe, has become his moral compass with a drinking problem. Together they wander the realm, foredoomed to help any who seek assistance. But there is one thing Owen hates more than a life with rules: Witches.

Welcome to the skull-cracking, blood-splattering, mayhem-loving comic brave enough to ask: How can a man sworn to do good do so much violence? Hah! F***ing with you. It’s just BARBARIC.

What I say: I once had a tradition of reading volumes of Hellboy during the Christmas/Holiday season, because that just seemed so counterintuitive that it made perfect sense. Well, we’re smack dab in the middle of “The Holidays” and Barbaric Vol. 1 is being released and it just feels poetic in a similar fashion.

MAFIOSA
Written by Sunshine Barbito
Art by Alessia Alfano, Debora Carita, Ronda Pattison, Mariacristina Federico
Published by Dark Horse Comics
Price: $19.99
You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The publisher says: At the height of the roaring twenties, the daughter of a mafia boss is determined to rise to prominence in her family’s business.

Nicoletta has aspirations to join her brothers in the family business – an organized crime syndicate running the streets of Brooklyn. Though her father objects and a crisis ensues, Nicoletta takes it upon herself to prove she has what it takes, moving steadfastly into a world of brutality. New York has a new player in town, and they ain’t seen nothing yet!

Combining the romanticism of the roaring twenties and Nicoletta’s journey into the brazen violence of mafia-dominated New York, Mafiosa sets the status quo ablaze – with style, class, and a smoking barrel.

What I say: The roaring twenties? Check. A daughter rising the ranks of the mob? Hell yeah triple check. I’m in.

POST AMERICANA
Written by Steve Skroce
Art by Steve Skroce, Dave Stewart
Published by Image Comics
Price: $16.99
You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The publisher says: From MAESTROS creator, WE STAND ON GUARD co-creator, and The Matrix storyboard artist STEVE SKROCE, with colors by Eisner Award winner DAVE STEWART.

The Cheyenne mountain installation, aka The BUBBLE, is the most sophisticated super bunker in the world. It was built to ensure the survival of the American government’s executive branch, as well as America’s most important citizens, should the unthinkable happen. When the world ended, the executive branch didn’t reach the sanctuary, but the elite citizenry did.

Eighty years later, one of them has named himself the new president of the United States. His plan? Subjugate the survivors of the American Wasteland using the same bunker resources meant to rebuild it. The only thing standing in his way is a deadly Wasteland girl, hellbent on revenge!

COLLECTS POST AMERICANA #1-7.

What I say: Steve Skroce’s artwork elicits one of those “oh damn, that’s wild” reactions from me every time I see it. Post Americana is Skroce taking on the future, America and so much more.

STAR WARS DARTH VADER BY SOULE OMNIBUS
Written by Charles Soule, more
Art by Giuseppe Camuncoli, more
Published by Marvel Comics,
Price: $100.00
You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The publisher says: Lord Vader…rise! In the wake of Revenge of the Sith, follow Vader as he ascends to power as a Dark Lord of the Sith! Having lost everything dear to him and now more machine than man, Vader takes his first steps into a darker world – beginning by eradicating the galaxy’s remaining Jedi! But librarian Jocasta Nu is making a desperate effort to preserve the Jedi legacy, and the stirrings of a rebellion have begun in the Mon Cala system! To ensure the Emperor’s grip on the galaxy is absolute, Vader must deal swiftly and brutally with any uprisings – but he has a goal of his own. And as darkness rises above Mustafar, the scene of Vader’s greatest defeat, will the man once called Anakin Skywalker realize his true destiny? Collecting DARTH VADER (2017) #1-25 and ANNUAL #2..
624 PGS./Rated T

What I say: And y’all thought there wouldn’t be an omnibus on this list, eh? Think again, as Charles Soule’s immense Darth Vader hardcover is here to blow your minds! A must read for Star Wars/Vader fans.

…and with that, I call this week done. Happy reading, comics fans!

You can find your local comic book shop using Comic Shop Locator here: https://www.comicshoplocator.com

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