TRADE WAITING #7: Week of October 20, 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)

MARSHMALLOW & JORDAN
Written by Alina Chau
Art by Alina Chau
Published by First Second
Price: $15.99
You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The publisher says: Jordan’s days as star player for her school’s basketball team ended when an accident left her paralyzed from the waist down. Now, she’s still the team captain, but her competition days seem to be behind her… until an encounter with a mysterious elephant, who she names Marshmallow, helps Jordan discover a brand new sport. Will water polo be the way for Jordan to continue her athletic dreams – or will it just come between Jordan and her best friends on the basketball team? And with the big tournament right around the corner, what secret is Marshmallow hiding? Available in softcover and hardcover editions.

What I say: My daughter LOVES this OGN. I mean, just look at Marshmallow. And that cover image is just the start of how you’ll visually fall in love with this mysterious character…

HORSE TROUBLE
Written by Kristin Varner
Art by Kristin Varner
Published by First Second
Price: $12.99
You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The publisher says: There’s nothing Kate loves more than being around horses. It’s too bad her BFF is allergic to them; Kate could really use a friend by her side. The mean girls she takes riding lessons with love to point out her shortcomings, especially when she falls off her horse – which happens a lot! And if her troubles at the stable weren’t enough, Kate has to deal with body insecurities, boy problems, and her annoying older brother. Can she get over it all… and get back on her horse? Available in softcover and hardcover editions.

What I say: Contemporary stories have the ability to connect with kids like few others (see Raina Telgemeier’s empire) and Horse Trouble is that kind of relatable OGN that can really be there for the right kid!

FAR SECTOR
Written by N.K. Jemisin
Art by Jamal Campbell
Published by DC Comics
Price: $29.99
You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The publisher says: Acclaimed, award-winning author N.K. Jemisin (The Fifth Season, The City We Became) makes her comic book debut with bestselling artist Jamal Campbell (Naomi) as they thrust you into a stunning sci-fi murder mystery on the other side of the universe! For the past six months, newly chosen Green Lantern Sojourner “Jo” Mullein has been protecting the City Enduring, a massive metropolis of 20 billion people. The city has maintained peace for over 500 years by stripping its citizens of their ability to feel. As a result, violent crime is virtually unheard of, and murder is nonexistent. But that’s all about to change in this new graphic novel that puts a unique spin on the legacy of the Green Lanterns! Far Sector collects Far Sector #1-12.

What I say: Far Sector is the future of superhero comics, and collecting the first dozen issues in a single glorious package…well, sign me the hell up.

DESTROY ALL MONSTERS
Written by Ed Brubaker
Art by Sean Phillips
Published by Image Comics
Price: $24.99
You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The publisher says: The next book in the red-hot RECKLESS series is here!

Bestselling crime noir masters ED BRUBAKER and SEAN PHILLIPS bring us a new original graphic novel starring troublemaker-for-hire Ethan Reckless.

It’s 1988, and Ethan has been hired for his strangest case yet: finding the secrets of a Los Angeles real estate mogul. How hard could that be, right? But what starts as a deep dive into the life of a stranger will soon take a deadly turn, and Ethan will risk everything that still matters to him.

Another smash hit from the award-winning creators of RECKLESS, PULP, MY HEROES HAVE ALWAYS BEEN JUNKIES, CRIMINAL, and KILL OR BE KILLED-and a must-have for all BRUBAKER and PHILLIPS fans!

What I say: What can I say about Brubaker and Phillips, at this point, that hasn’t already been said about this legendary creative duo? This is really just here as a reminder for folks who may have forgotten when it was coming out!

DELVER
Written by M.K. Reed, C. Spike Trotman
Art by Clive Hawken
Published by Dark Horse Comics
Price: $19.99
You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The publisher says: When the door to a living dungeon surfaces in the tiny hamlet of Oddgoat, village girl Temerity Aster has two choices: abandon the only home she’s ever known to carpet baggers and sellswords, or carve out a place for herself and her family in the new and dangerous world of delving.

• From Iron Circus Comics founder C. Spike Trotman and Eisner-nominated writer MK Reed!

What I say: By god, you had me at “Iron Circus founder C. Spike Trotman and Eisner-nominated writer MK Reed!” Seriously, that’s one powerful freaking sentence, right there.

THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO COMIC BOOK LETTERING
Written by Nate Piekos
Published by Image Comics
Price: $16.99
You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The publisher says: Award-winning comic book letterer and founder of Blambot.com NATE PIEKOS provides in-depth tips and techniques for modern digital comic book lettering. From creating your own lettering templates and developing design skills to crafting emotive dialogue and dynamic sound effects, PIEKOS offers a comprehensive look at what it means to build a lettering career in the comics industry today.

Featuring a foreword by famed X-Men letterer TOM ORZECHOWSKI.

What I say: Now, this is a bit different than the usual entries here – but it could be just as interesting for many readers! Whether or not you’re interested in actually lettering comics, it can be a great joy to dig deeper into how the “sausage gets made”, like with a book about lettering by Blambot founder Nate Piekos!

JUST BEYOND: MONSTROSITY
Written by R.L. Stine
Art by Irene Flores, Joana Lafuente
Published by BOOM! Studios
Price: $10.99
You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The publisher says: There’s no business like horror business, it’s a real nightmare!

Ruthie and Ezra’s dreams come true when their family buys an old Hollywood studio, but it soon turns into a nightmare as they discover the secret and forgotten horrors are more than just makeup and special effects.

Monstrosity Studios was the biggest name in horror movies until it closed down years ago. As the Dillon family starts production back up, strange “accidents” start to happen on set and things get truly scary!

Will they survive the very real terrors of a haunted movie lot, or will they find themselves on the cutting room floor?

The fourth installment of the first original graphic novel series from award-winning, bestselling author R.L. Stine (Goosebumps, Fear Street) with artist Irene Flores (Mark of the Succubus) and featuring a terrifying cover by Julian Todesco (Life of Captain Marvel), soon to be a television series on Disney+!

What I say: R.L. Stine is the king of accessible horror writing and it personally responsible for generations of spooky trauma…so why not add to the heap of terror with volume 4 of the Just Beyond series?

COMPLETE AMERICAN GODS HC
Written by Neil Gaiman, P. Craig Russell, Mark Buckingham
Art by P. Craig Russell, Scott Hampton, Colleen Doran, Galen Showman, Walter Simonson
Published by Dark Horse Comics
Price: $124.99
You can find it here: Bookshop.org

The publisher says: The complete American Gods comic series, adapted by comics legend P. Craig Russell from the award-winning novel by Neil Gaiman, in a deluxe, oversized collection with slipcase and ribbon.

Shadow Moon, fresh out of jail, finds his wife dead, his life in shambles, and nowhere to turn. But a chance meeting with the mysterious Mr. Wednesday thrusts him into the center of a conflict between new and old gods, where the future of human and divine life is at stake.

“The Holy Grail of Gaiman comics.” – SyFy Wire

“An atmospheric, beautifully illustrated take on Gaiman’s story.” – AV Club

What I say: Alright, this one is a pricey, heavy hitter – but, you may know there’s this guy called Neil Gaiman and he’s got this book that became a show – American Gods – and it’s kind of a big deal…and if you want to read the comic book adaptation, well, you’re never going to find a better format than this.

…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

Any purchases made via retailer links provided in this article may result in this site receiving a share of that sale, which is truly appreciated! As a Bookshop.org Affiliate, this site earns from qualifying purchases.

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