Shipping June 20th, 2007

Hi there folks. Here are a few of the more interesting comics that are scheduled to ship to The Beguiling Books & Art in Toronto, Canada this week. These books may not show up at all retailers at the same time, but if you see a title here it’s probably at least worth asking your local retailer about. Oh, and the full list of what’s shipping is underneath the cut at the bottom of this post. There are like, 200+ line items this week! Yowzers.

APR074059 DEATH NOTE VOL 12 TP (C: 1-0-0) 7.99
If you’re not so much a fan of the manga, you probably don’t differentiate the series DEATH NOTE–by creators Ohba Tsugumi and Obata Takeshi and published under Viz’s Shonen Jump line–from the rest of the avalanche of titles that are dropped onto comic and book stores every week. No less than 42 brand new manga titles this week, speaking of which. But that really is a shame, as DEATH NOTE is a stand-out work in the field. It’s certainly not perfect, and no one is going to hold it up and compare it to NEW TALES OF OLD PALOMAR #2, also out this week, as a superior work. But DEATH NOTE is a sterling example of excellent comics for a mainstream audience, the middle ground that everyone and their dad is shouting from the rooftops that the comics industry needs more of. DEATH NOTE is what Warren Ellis has been talking about for years, and what Kim Thompson was getting at, in his way, in that little essay about “crap” he wrote a while back. The series has a great high-concept (a notebook which will kill anyone who’s name is written in it), just enough sci-fi fantasy to have widespread appeal, attractive young characters, beautiful art, and an actual considered aesthetic that’s carried throughout the project. Oh, and every chapter ends on a cliffhanger, making it as addictive as crack.

DEATH NOTE ends on volume 12 this week (there is a 13th volume which acts as a guidebook to the series, but the narrative wraps up here) and I think it will easily enter the pantheon of great, lasting series that will define manga as a category as appealing to more than the 12-18 set. Literally anyone I’ve introduced the series to at The Beguiling has come back for more, and if you want to add something really good to your stack of comics this week, see about picking up the first volume for yourself. You’ll curse me for it, 12 volumes and $96 later. 🙂

(Also of Note: Ever the opportunists, the Shonen Jump people had the smart idea of launching 2 new mature-themed series today, hoping to hook the readers who are buying their final Death Note’s. GIN TAMA is a considerably more supernatural version of BLADE OF THE IMMORTAL, while STRAWBERRY 100% is… apparently about cute girls or something, I dunno. Out of my frame of expertise.)

JAN071929 PHONOGRAM VOL 1 RUE BRITANNA TP 14.99
I got lost on this series 3 issues in, partly because it started to hit some shipping delays and partly because, despite our best efforts, we kept selling out of the floppies on this supernatural exploration of britpop music. PHONOGRAM picked up readers seemingly with every issue, and our sales and sell-through just kept increasing as the series progressed. I’ve heard almost no word of the series’ overall quality, but at least in terms of sales, the customers–including many new faces–kept showing up right through to the end.

Next time though, guys? Any chance of a cover design where the logo is visible over the top half of the book? It kind of makes racking a bitch.

APR071850 REPO #1 (OF 5) 3.50
After a detour into a zombie-filled old west, creators of TEENAGERS FROM MARS Rick Spears and Rob G. are back with a new limited series from Image Comics featuring an AKIRA-style setting and repo-men versus an army of sex-clones named Wendy. It sounds like a hoot, and promises lots of mayham and exploding set-pieces, which is both refreshingly honest and will look great, if their past work is anything to go by.

MAY073126 YOTSUBA MANGA VOL 4 TP 9.99
Hah, apparently fan-whinging does accomplish something. The much beloved children’s series gets a new lease on life, which is a victory for charming, funny comics everywhere. One hopes. A wierd little girl named Yotsuba moves into a new neighborhood, and is fascinated by everything she sees. It’s a little like My Neighbor Totoro, but instead of adorable plush animals, there’s an air-conditioner and some bewildered neighbors. Kids? Kids love it, we sell tons. But the grown-ups love it too, which is rare for any property, and it’s nice to see that ADV have wised up and decided to continue releasing it.

For more on the appeal of YOTSUBA, and this volume in particular, check out Tom Spurgeon’s review of this volume at ComicsReporter.com.
 

Shipping June 20th: 

APR074192 52 THE NOVEL TP (C: 0-1-2) 15.00
MAY073838 ABSOLUTE BOYFRIEND VOL 4 GN (C: 1-0-0) 8.99
MAR073463 AFTER SCHOOL NIGHTMARE VOL 4 GN (MR) 10.99
DEC063831 ALEX TOTH EDGE OF GENIUS VOL 1 TP (C: 0-1-2) 25.00
APR071863 ALIEN PIG FARM #3 (OF 4) (MR) 2.99
MAR070043 ALIENS OMNIBUS VOL 1 TP (C: 0-1-2) 24.95
FEB072108 AMAZING SPIDER-MAN #541 2.99
APR072289 ANNIHILATION CONQUEST PROLOGUE 3.99
APR070187 AQUAMAN SWORD OF ATLANTIS #53 2.99
APR073391 ARCHIE #576 2.25
APR070262 ARMY @ LOVE #4 (MR) 2.99
DEC063748 BALM IN GILEAD VOL 1 GN 19.95
FEB070101 BANYA EXPLOSIVE DELIVERY MAN VOL 4 TP (C: 1-1-3) 12.95
MAR073243 BARRONS GRAPHIC CLASSICS KIDNAPPED SC (C: 0-1-2) 8.99
APR074076 BASTARD VOL 15 TP (MR) (C: 1-0-0) 9.99
APR074055 BLACK CAT VOL 9 TP (C: 1-0-0) 7.99
MAY073821 BLEACH VOL 20 TP (C: 1-0-0) 7.95
MAR070197 BLUE BEETLE VOL 2 ROAD TRIP TP 12.99
MAR073614 BONEYARD #25 2.95
APR074037 BOOKS WITH PICTURES #5 2.95
APR070189 BRAVE AND THE BOLD #4 2.99
MAY073827 BUSO RENKIN VOL 7 TP (C: 1-0-0) 7.99
APR072294 CAPTAIN AMERICA #27 2.99
APR074077 CASE CLOSED VOL 18 GN (C: 1-0-0) 9.99
APR070164 CATWOMAN #68 2.99
APR070191 CHECKMATE #15 2.99
APR074078 CHEEKY ANGEL VOL 18 GN (C: 1-0-0) 9.99
MAR074023 CHOCOLA SELECTION 2006 KOGE DOBE ARTWORKS (C: 1-1- 33.99
MAY073828 CLAYMORE VOL 9 TP (C: 1-0-0) 7.99
APR074114 COMICS BUYERS GUIDE SUMMER SPECIAL 2007 (C: 0-1-2) 5.99
APR070014 CONAN #41 (MR) 2.99
APR070182 COUNTDOWN 45 2.99
MAY073128 CROMARTIE HIGH SCHOOL VOL 11 10.95
MAY073829 D GRAY MAN VOL 6 GN (C: 1-0-0) 7.99
APR072270 DAILY BUGLE JULY NEWSPAPER (BUNDLE OF 50) (NET) PI
MAR073054 DAVE SIM COLLECTED LETTERS VOL 2 22.00
MAR078299 DC NEW FRONTIER SERIES 2 PROMO POSTER (NET) PI
OCT063735 DEAD AT 17 VOL 2 #4 (MR) (C: 0-1-2) 3.25
APR074059 DEATH NOTE VOL 12 TP (C: 1-0-0) 7.99
MAR073427 DELPHINE #2 7.95
APR074052 DEVI TP (C: 0-1-2) 14.99
MAY073822 DRAGON DRIVE VOL 3 TP (C: 1-0-0) 7.99
APR073724 EC ARCHIVES TALES FROM THE CRYPT VOL 2 HC (C: 0-1- 49.95
APR073724 EC ARCHIVES TALES FROM THE CRYPT VOL 2 HC (C: 0-1- 49.95
APR070243 EX MACHINA #29 (MR) 2.99
MAR072057 FALLEN SON DEATH OF CAPTAIN AMERICA SPIDER-MAN 2.99
FEB073181 FATHOM KIANI #2 2.99
JAN070079 FEAR AGENT VOL 2 MY WAR TP (C: 0-1-2) 14.95
APR074080 FIREFIGHTER DAIGO OF FIRE COMPANY M VOL 19 TP (C: 9.95
APR071894 FIRST BORN FIRST LOOK 0.25
APR070194 FLASH THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE #13 2.99
APR070194 FLASH THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE #13 2.99
APR070194 FLASH THE FASTEST MAN ALIVE #13 2.99
FEB071930 FRESHMEN VOL 2 PHIL HESTER & ANDE PARKS CVR A #5 ( 3.99
MAR073768 GAMEKEEPER JOHN CASSADAY COVER #3 2.99
MAR073767 GAMEKEEPER MUKESH SINGH COVER #3 2.99
FEB073196 GARTH ENNIS CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD #4 (OF 6) (MR) 3.99
FEB073197 GARTH ENNIS CHRONICLES OF WORMWOOD WRAP CVR #4 (OF 3.99
APR073367 GD SOURCEBOOK OFF HANDBOOK TO THE GD UNIVERSE #6 3.95
APR074085 GHOST IN THE SHELL 2 INNOCENCE MMPB (C: 1-0-0) 9.99
APR072307 GHOST RIDER #12 WWH 2.99
APR073609 GI JOE STORM SHADOW #2 3.50
MAR074533 GIANT ROBOT #48 (C: 1-1-3) 4.99
APR074060 GIN TAMA VOL 1 TP (C: 1-0-0) 7.99
MAY073840 GODCHILD VOL 6 TP (C: 1-0-0) 8.99
APR073365 GOLD DIGGER #86 2.99
APR073366 GOLD DIGGER PEEBO TALES SUMMER FUN SPECIAL #2 3.50
JAN070059 GRENDEL ARCHIVE EDITION HC (C: 0-1-2) 14.95
MAY073127 GUNSLINGER GIRL MANGA VOL 4 TP (MR) 9.99
FEB072177 HEDGE KNIGHT 2 SWORN SWORD #1 (OF 6) 2.99
APR072353 HEDGE KNIGHT 2 SWORN SWORD YU VAR #1 (OF 6) 2.99
APR070269 HELLBLAZER #233 (MR) 2.99
MAY074012 HEROES DRAW YOUR OWN SUPERHEROES HC (C: 0-1-2) 12.95
APR072308 HEROES FOR HIRE #11 WWH 2.99
APR073315 HICKEE VOL 3 #3 (MR) 2.95
MAR073347 HIGHLANDER #8 2.99
APR070242 HIGHWAYMEN #1 (OF 5) 2.99
MAY073823 HIKARU NO GO VOL 10 TP (C: 1-0-0) 7.95
MAY073824 HOSHIN ENGI VOL 2 TP (C: 1-0-0) 7.99
APR074061 HUNTER X HUNTER VOL 15 TP (C: 1-0-0) 7.99
MAR073745 IMAGE COMICS ROAD TO INDEPENDENCE SC (C: 0-1-2) 34.95
APR072306 INCREDIBLE HULK #107 WWH 2.99
APR074081 INU YASHA VOL 30 TP (C: 1-0-0) 8.95
APR072309 IRON MAN #19 WWH 2.99
APR072311 IRON MAN HYPERVELOCITY #6 (OF 6) 2.99
APR074062 IS VOL 14 GN (C: 1-0-0) 7.99
MAR073461 JANES WORLD VOL 7 TP (MR) 15.00
APR074050 JOHN WOOS SEVEN BROTHERS TP (MR) (C: 0-1-2) 14.99
FEB073121 JOHNNY THE HOMICIDAL MANIAC #6 (NEW PTG) (O/A) 2.95
MAY073831 JOJOS BIZARRE ADVENTURE VOL 8 TP (C: 1-0-0) 7.99
MAR070209 JSA PRESENTS STARS AND STRIPES VOL 1 TP 17.99
APR070199 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA #10 2.99
APR070200 JUSTICE LEAGUE OF AMERICA VAR ED #10 2.99
MAY073841 KAZE HIKARU VOL 6 GN (C: 1-0-0) 8.99
MAR074026 KERA MANIAX SPECIAL (C: 1-1-3) 16.99
FEB074074 KERA MAY 2007 (C: 1-1-3) 9.99
APR073527 KON KON KOKON VOL 1 GN (C: 0-1-2) 9.99
APR074067 LA CORDA DORO VOL 4 TP (C: 1-0-0) 8.99
APR070226 LEGION OF SUPER HEROES IN THE 31ST CENTURY #3 2.25
APR073629 LETS DRAW MANGA YAOI (MR) 19.95
APR073630 LITTLE CRYBABY GN (MR) 12.95
MAY073608 LOVE AND CAPES #4 3.95
APR074068 LOVE COM VOL 1 TP (C: 1-0-0) 8.99
APR073631 LOVE RECIPE VOL 1 GN (MR) 12.95
MAR071865 MADAME MIRAGE GREG HORN CVR A #1 2.99
MAR071866 MADAME MIRAGE KENNETH ROCAFORT CVR B #1 2.99
MAR073841 MANGA GREAT FIGURES IN HISTORY EINSTEIN GN (C: 0-1 14.95
MAR073842 MANGA GREAT FIGURES IN HISTORY GANDHI GN (C: 0-1-2 14.95
APR074090 MANGA GREAT FIGURES IN HISTORY MARIE CURIE GN (C: 14.95
MAR073843 MANGA LITERARY CLASSICS LITTLE WOMEN GN (C: 0-1-2) 14.95
MAR073844 MANGA LITERARY CLASSICS TREASURE ISLAND GN (C: 0-1 14.95
APR073953 MANTLO A LIFE IN COMICS 7.50
APR074082 MAR VOL 14 GN (C: 1-0-0) 7.99
APR072366 MARVEL ADVENTURES AVENGERS VOL 3 DIGEST TP 6.99
APR072313 MARVEL ADVENTURES IRON MAN #2 2.99
MAR072082 MARVEL SPOTLIGHT CAPTAIN AMERICA REMEMBERED 2.99
FEB070079 MAXWELL STRANGEWELL GN (C: 0-1-3) 19.95
APR074075 MEGAMAN NT WARRIOR VOL 12 GN (C: 1-0-0) 7.99
APR073797 METAL GEAR SOLID SONS OF LIBERTY #9 (RES) 3.99
APR072291 MIGHTY AVENGERS MOST WANTED FILES 3.99
APR074069 MILLENNIUM SNOW VOL 2 TP (C: 1-0-0) 8.99
APR073695 MOME VOL 8 GN 14.95
MAY074015 MONSTERS DRAW YOUR OWN MUTANTS FREAKS & CREEPS HC 12.95
APR073634 MOON & SANDALS VOL 2 GN (MR) 12.95
MAR072100 MOON KNIGHT #11 CWI 2.99
APR072283 MYTHOS SPIDER-MAN 3.99
FEB071933 NECROMANCER VOL 1 TP (C: 0-1-2) 14.99
MAR073431 NEW TALES OF OLD PALOMAR #2 7.95
APR073370 NINJA HIGH SCHOOL CLASS REUNION SPECIAL 4.95
MAY073825 ONE PIECE VOL 15 TP (C: 1-0-0) 7.95
APR072354 ORSON SCOTT CARDS WYRMS #5 (OF 6) 2.99
APR073632 OTHELLO GN (MR) 12.95
APR074070 OURAN HIGH SCHOOL HOST CLUB VOL 9 TP (C: 1-0-0) 8.99
JAN070078 PERHAPANAUTS SECOND CHANCES TP (C: 0-1-2) 15.95
JAN071929 PHONOGRAM VOL 1 RUE BRITANNA TP 14.99
APR073633 PICNIC GN (MR) 12.95
APR074056 PRINCE OF TENNIS VOL 20 GN (C: 1-0-0) 7.95
APR074063 REBORN VOL 4 GN (C: 1-0-0) 7.99
APR074066 RED RIVER VOL 18 GN (C: 1-0-0) 9.99
APR071850 REPO #1 (OF 5) 3.50
APR070032 REX MUNDI DH ED #6 2.99
APR070167 ROBIN #163 2.99
MAR073433 SAMMY THE MOUSE GN 7.95
MAR073340 SAVAGE TALES #2 4.99
MAR073341 SAVAGE TALES SUYDAM VIRGIN CVR INCV #2 4.99
MAR073059 SCHULZS YOUTH HC 21.95
MAR073058 SCHULZS YOUTH TP 14.95
APR070231 SCOOBY DOO #121 2.25
MAR070243 SEIMADEN VOL 9 (C: 1-0-0) 9.99
APR072282 SENSATIONAL SPIDER-MAN #38 2.99
APR070215 SHADOWPACT #14 2.99
APR073490 SIMPSONS COMICS #131 2.99
APR074071 SKIP BEAT VOL 7 TP (C: 1-0-0) 8.99
APR074051 SNAKEWOMAN TP (MR) 14.99
APR073408 SONIC THE HEDGEHOG ARCHIVES VOL 4 TP (C: 0-1-2) 7.49
MAR073182 SOULFIRE NEW WORLD ORDER #0 2.50
APR072285 SPIDER-MAN FANTASTIC FOUR #3 (OF 4) 2.99
APR073783 SPIKE SHADOW PUPPETS #1 3.99
APR070218 SPIRIT #7 2.99
MAR070079 STAR WARS 30TH ANNIV COLL HC VOL 5 LIGHT & DARK (C 24.95
DEC061872 STRANGE GIRL VOL 3 TP 15.99
MAR073061 STRANGERS IN PARADISE COVER A KATCHOO #90 2.99
APR074064 STRAWBERRY 100 % VOL 1 TP (C: 1-0-0) 7.99
MAR071855 STRONGARM #4 (OF 5) 2.99
FEB070261 SUPERMAN BATMAN VOL 5 THE ENEMIES AMONG US HC 19.99
NOV063400 TAG VOL 1 TP 14.99
APR073894 TALES FROM THE CRYPT #1 3.95
APR070256 TEXAS CHAINSAW MASSACRE CUT (MR) 2.99
APR072376 THUNDERBOLTS GUARDIAN PROTOCOLS TP 10.99
FEB073670 TICK 20TH ANN LTD SKETCH ED #1 INCV 5.95
FEB073669 TICK 20TH ANN SP ED #1 (C: 0-1-2) 5.95
FEB073669 TICK 20TH ANN SP ED #1 (C: 0-1-2) 5.95
APR074083 TOGARI VOL 1 TP (C: 1-0-0) 9.99
MAR070240 TOWER OF THE FUTURE VOL 7 (C: 1-0-0) 9.99
MAR073465 TRAIN PLUS TRAIN VOL 3 GN 10.99
MAR073501 TRANSFORMERS MEGATRON ORIGIN #1 3.99
APR073770 TRANSFORMERS MOVIE ADAPTATION #3 (OF 4) 3.99
JAN071947 TRUE STORY SWEAR TO GOD IMAGE ED #6 3.50
APR072361 ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR VOL 3 HC 29.99
APR072367 ULTIMATE FANTASTIC FOUR VOL 8 DEVILS TP 12.99
APR074065 ULTIMATE MUSCLE VOL 17 GN (C: 1-0-0) 7.95
APR072278 ULTIMATE SPIDER-MAN #110 2.99
APR073716 UNCLE SCROOGE ADV LAND PYGMY INDIANS WAR OF WENDIG 8.50
FEB073272 WARHAMMER 40K DAMNATION CRUSADE CVR A #5 2.99
FEB073273 WARHAMMER 40K DAMNATION CRUSADE CVR B #5 2.99
FEB073269 WARHAMMER FORGE OF WAR CVR A #1 2.99
FEB073270 WARHAMMER FORGE OF WAR CVR B #1 2.99
MAY073234 WARREN ELLIS BLACK GAS 2 #1 (O/A) 3.99
APR073882 WASTELAND #10 (MR) (NOTE PRICE) 3.50
APR071916 WEAPON #1 (OF 4) 2.99
NOV061854 WEIRD WORLD OF JACK STAFF KING SIZE SPECIAL #1 5.99
NOV061854 WEIRD WORLD OF JACK STAFF KING SIZE SPECIAL #1 5.99
JAN073531 WITCHBLADE SHADES OF GRAY #2 (OF 4) 3.50
JAN073532 WITCHBLADE SHADES OF GRAY B&W E-BAS CVR INCV #2 3.50
APR071904 WITCHBLADE TAKERU MANGA MACK CVR B #5 (NOTE PRICE) 3.99
APR071903 WITCHBLADE TAKERU MANGA SUMITA CVR A #5 (NOTE PRIC 3.99
APR073257 WIZARD ANIME INSIDER BECKS KOYUKI CVR #46 (NOTE PR 4.99
APR075085 WOLVERINE BUST BANK (OCT064613) (C: 1-1-2) 9.99
FEB073104 WONDERLAND #4 3.50
APR072271 X-MEN ENDANGERED SPECIES ONE-SHOT 3.99
APR072364 X-MEN FIRST CLASS HC 24.99
APR074084 YAKITATE JAPAN VOL 6 TP (C: 1-0-0) 9.99
MAY073126 YOTSUBA MANGA VOL 4 TP 9.99
MAY073826 YU GI OH DUELIST VOL 22 TP (C: 1-0-0) 7.95