Categories
The Stack

Comics as Refuge

For those of us who love comics, the medium is often a much-needed escape from the real world. Sometimes, however, they serve the opposite purpose: to teach us about people with lives far different from our own. We’ll be looking at comics that fall into this second category later, but first…

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

Superhero-themed wedding invitations, featuring silhouettes of a male and female superhero standing side by side

Comic Book Wedding Livret Wedding Invitation Booklet by NestingProjectPaper

Are you and your equally nerdy partner about to tie the knot? Let your friends and family know with these personalized invites! $4+

New Releases

Bunt! cover

Bunt! by Ngozi Ukazu and Mad Rupert

Like all too many college students, Molly depends on financial aid to pay her tuition. But when that aid suddenly disappears, the only way she can stay in school is by convincing a bunch of other art majors to form a softball team and compete for an athletic scholarship!

Marvel February 1964 Omnibus cover

Marvel: February 1964 Omnibus by Various Creators

Did you know that this month marks the 60th anniversary of Daredevil’s debut? Marvel pays homage to this beloved character by reprinting all — yes, ALL — of the comics they published that month in this single volume. It’s a unique and fascinating snapshot of an especially productive time in Marvel’s history.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: refugees. I’ve covered immigrants before, but given the state of, well, everywhere these days, it’s important to remember the plight of refugees specifically as well.

Still Alive cover

Still Alive: Notes from Australia’s Immigration Detention System by Safdar Ahmed

Australia’s immigration system has come under fire more than once for its extreme cruelty. This account of the author’s 2011 visit to one refugee camp tells the stories of multiple detainees, including the hardships they face and the little things that help them retain hope.

When Stars Are Scattered cover

When Stars Are Scattered by Victoria Jamieson and Omar Mohamed, illustrated by Iman Geddy

This memoir tells the story of Omar and Hassan, young brothers from Somalia, growing up in a Kenyan refugee camp. As the older sibling, Omar knows it is his responsibility to take care of Hassan as best he can, even if that means leaving Hassan alone to go to school and get the education that will better their lives.

If you’ve got the funds to spare, consider heading to Charity Navigator and finding a trustworthy charity that operates in Palestine, Ukraine, or any other place where someone might need help.

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

A Very Vampiric Valentine

Look, the heart pumps blood, which means that vampires are a perfectly acceptable topic of discussion right before Valentine’s Day, right? Right.

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

A hand holds up an orange journal with the words "TVA Official Handbook" written in gold in the center. At the bottom, also in gold, are volume numbers and the words "by Ouroboros."

TVA official Handbook Hardcover Matte Journal l TVA notebook l TVA journal by ThePicnicSupplies

Whether you are a god of mischief or not, this is a handy place to keep all of your important notes! $15

New Releases

The Fox Maidens cover

The Fox Maidens by Robin Ha

In this historical fantasy, Kai wants more than anything to be a great warrior, but two things stand in her way: her gender, and the fact that she might really be the daughter of a demon. Can Kai accept the truth about herself and still achieve the future she wants?

Freshman Year cover

Freshman Year by Sarah Mai

Like many a high school graduate, Sarah was looking forward to the opportunities offered by going to college — and was completely unprepared for the reality of living alone for the first time and being so far away from friends and family. This fun but all-too-relatable comic follows Sarah as she figures out how to be a real, responsible adult.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: vampires II! Vampires was one of my very first Riot Rec themes after taking over The Stack. Let’s revisit it and see what other neat comics about vampires there are!

Buffy the Vampire Slayer Chosen Ones cover

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chosen Ones by Various Creators

In these prequel tales, you’ll get to learn about the vampire slayers who came before Buffy and how they affected and altered the world that Buffy inherited. If you’ve ever wanted to dive deeper into vampire slayer lore, this is the right comic for you!

These Savage Shores cover

These Savage Shores by Ram V and Sumit Kumar

This intriguing comic takes the idea of colonialism as a life-draining, vampiric system to new and literal heights. An English vampire arrives in India in 1766, only to end up facing far greater dangers than he bargained for. This newly released edition includes great “making-of” content, such as excerpts from the script and character sketches.

A white and brown Havanese stands on a bamboo floor, looking up slightly into the camera

My dog Poppy is not a vampire, but sometimes she does bite a little harder than she means to. It’s worth it to get to look at this face every day, though!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

The Case of the Amazing Comics

Happy Thursday to you, nerd friends! I’m proud of us for making it through another week, mostly unscathed. As a reward, let’s check out the latest in comic book goodies!

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

A set of black-and-white fake nails, each with a different character or symbol taken from the manga/anime Alice in Borderland

Alice in Borderland manga Set by AGENTIK

These fashionable press-on nails are the perfect accessory for Alice in Borderland fans. Comes with the supplies you need to help put them on and keep them on for about a week. $50

New Releases

Zips and Eeloo Make Hummus cover

Zips and Eeloo Make Hummus by Leila Boukarim and Alex Lopez

Want a cute story that teaches you about both friendship and making delicious snacks? This is the comic for you! Alien amigos Zips and Eeloo are on a quest to make the perfect bowl of hummus, but they will need each other (and a whole lot of chickpeas) to succeed.

Vinland Saga Deluxe Vol 1 cover

Vinland Saga Deluxe Volume One by Makoto Yukimura

This beautiful hardcover collects the first three volumes of Vinland Saga, an exciting tale of a young boy, Thorfinn, who swears vengeance on the Viking warrior who murdered his family. At the same time, Thorfinn yearns for a peaceful life in the lush western land he grew up hearing about.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: mysteries! These comics are sure to make you think twice about every panel and line of dialogue as you hunt for clues.

Nancy Drew Palace of Wisdom cover

Nancy Drew: The Palace of Wisdom by Kelly Thompson and Jenn St. Onge

Nancy is famous for being able to solve any mystery, but there’s one puzzle she has yet to crack: friendship. When everyone’s favorite teen detective has to return to her hometown, she must quickly sort friend from foe before a deadly adversary gets the chance to strike!

Rez Detectives cover

The Rez Detectives: Justice Served Cold by Steven Paul Judd, Tvli Jacob, and M.K. Perker

When the Ice Cream Man fails to appear on schedule, Tasembo grabs his friend and his dog and founds the Rez Dog Detective Agency to figure out what happened! Between the three of them, surely they can find the missing man and help everyone on the Reservation get their ice cream.

And a very happy Super Bowl to all who celebrate!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

More Comics = More Fun

For such a short month, February sure has a lot going on. There’s Black History Month all month, Chinese New Year this weekend, and Waitangi Day to celebrate and/or protest in Aotearoa/New Zealand today. Many countries have Valentine’s Day coming up, too. And, of course, there are new comics to investigate, like these ones!

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

A keychain cover shaped like Pochita from Chainsaw Man. The key sticks out in a way that resembles the character's nose. It is pressed into a lock, demonstrating how the product works.

Demon Rubber Key Cover by HighDesertGoodsLLC

What a clever key cover! Chainsaw Man fans will smile every time they unlock a door with one of these. $10

New Releases

King Cheer cover

King Cheer by Molly Horton Booth, Stephanie Kate Strohm, and Jamie Green

The sequel to Twelfth Grade Night is here! The Shakespeare-inspired adventures continue as Leah steps down as captain of the cheerleading squad, leaving a power vacuum that threatens to tear both the cheerleaders and the basketball players apart. Is Leah up to the task of fixing it all?

Amulet Book Nine Waverider cover

Amulet Book Nine: Waverider by Kazu Kibuishi

The Amulet series ends with this one final, epic confrontation! Siblings Emily and Navin have been through so much to protect their family and the many strange worlds they have encountered along the way. Now, they must combine their powers with those of some unlikely allies to find the peace they have long fought for.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: sequels! Since both of today’s New Releases are part of preexisting series, I figured we’d continue that theme down here, too.

The Night Eaters Her Little Reapers cover

The Night Eaters: Her Little Reapers by Marjorie Liu and Sana Takeda

In the first book, She Eats the Night, twins Milly and Billy spent the night in a haunted house where a murder once occurred. Now, they continue to learn about their terrifying family history, which includes all manner of mythological creatures that might be even more frightening than they look…

sunshine book cover

Sunshine by Jarrett J. Krosoczka

In this sequel to the award-winning Hey, Kiddo, Krosoczka recalls the summer he spent working as a counselor at a camp for sick children. Despite his initial reservations, not only does he end up having a good time, he learns important lessons about how to cope with trauma and hard times.

If I have anything to say about it, the Stack will continue generating sequels for a long time to come! Stay tuned for the next edition on Thursday, nerd friends!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

February is Cancer Prevention Month

We’re getting a bit more serious than usual today, but that’s okay. Comics, despite their reputation as children’s entertainment, are uniquely qualified to deal with dark and light topics alike.

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

A handmade, off-white teddy bear wearing Black Widow's costume and a red braided cloth for hair. It has green felt eyes and is smiling.

Black Widow Bear by OnBearFeet

The way I smiled when I saw this…WHY would you get your beloved a regular teddy for Valentine’s Day when you could get them THIS bear? $50

New Releases

Bocchi the Rock Vol 2 cover

Bocchi the Rock! Volume Two by Aki Hamazi

Bocchi is a shy girl who was pushed into playing guitar for a real band instead of just entertaining herself in her room — and, against all odds and her own anxiety, she seems to be thriving. Can she keep up the momentum and help her band make good at the school festival?

Left Turns cover

Left Turns by Joshua Ross

David thought everything was going great until, as so often happens, life threw him a curveball: his girlfriend dumped him. Part of the problem is David’s dream of becoming a comic book artist, which eats up so much of his time and energy. Now, he has to decide if achieving his goals is worth the price.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: cancer. The most appropriate possible topic for Cancer Prevention Month.

In-Between Days cover

In-Between Days by Teva Harrison

Harrison was only 37 when she was diagnosed with breast cancer. She experienced the expected emotions — grief, devastation, hopelessness — but was still able to find moments of happiness, solidarity, and love as she walked a path that no one wants to have to take.

I'm a Terminal Cancer Patient but I'm Fine cover

I’m a Terminal Cancer Patient but I’m Fine by Hilnama

Hilnama was a busy Boys Love manga creator when she discovered that the strange noises her stomach kept making were really a symptom of colon cancer. Despite — or because of — the severity of the situation, she relates her experiences and provides advice to readers in a fun, lighthearted, optimistic way.

While it’s not always possible to prevent cancer, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has some good advice for reducing your risk. And if you or a loved one already have cancer, I hope at least one of the comics here can bring you a much-needed moment of solace.

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

No Planes or Supermen Here

Hey, all, happy Tuesday! It may still be winter here, but we are inching ever closer to spring and all of the bugs and allergies it brings. I prefer winter, is what I’m saying. But in any case, at least we can enjoy our comics all year round!

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

A gray hoodie with two superimposed silhouettes of the Falcon. The word "Falcon" is printed underneath

Falcon/Sam Wilson Hoodie by SimplisticGeek

Just the thing to keep you snuggly warm for the rest of the winter! Pick from nine different colors (red seems appropriate!) and multiple sizes. $33+

New Releases

Xino cover

XINO by Various Creators

This anthology collection allows a wide range of creators to explore dystopian worlds of all kinds from many different angles. Whether it’s giving prehistoric man access to advanced technology or journeying to the far reaches of our understanding in search of new universes and dimensions, this book explores the uncomfortable and the surreal in all its forms.

Brobots cover

Brobots: The Complete Collection by J. Torres and Sean Dove

When Brotown is in trouble, who do they call? Brothers Panchi, Kouro, and Joukei, who are committed to helping each other and their community — and who also happen to be robots! Now, you can own all of the brothers’ fun and exciting adventures in a single volume that comes with extra bonus material.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: birds! Maybe don’t watch any Hitchcock movies before picking up these comics…

The Gullfather Birdsy Seagull cover

The Gullfather: Birdsy Seagull by Jeff Sikaitis and Jake Wheeler

Birdsy Seagull and his gang are determined to rule Shoretown with an iron wing (or have a nice lunch and take a nap, whatever is easier). But when the local humans start stepping out of line, can this band of misfits and layabouts get it together in time to protect what is theirs?

The Flamingo cover

The Flamingo by Guojing

Through stunningly beautiful illustrations and almost no words, this comic depicts a young girl’s magical visit with her grandmother. Shortly after arriving, she finds a flamingo feather with an amazing story attached to it — a story that will bring grandmother and granddaughter closer together.

I have to fly off now, but I’ll be back on Thursday with more comics for you to feather your nest with!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

Time to Get Your Squee On

There are lots of ways to be a comics fan. Some people are devoted to learning all the ins and outs of superhero comics, while others pick up only the occasional TPB at the bookstore. Any way is just fine! I hope you find something to squeal over in the comics featured below.

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

A long white frame in which six sample comics are displayed, side by side

Comic Book Frame White Mat by CustomPictureFrames1

If you’ve got exactly six issues that you think would look great together, this is the frame for you. You can even customize it by color and by the size of the comics you want to hang! $102

New Releases

Racc Pack cover

The Racc Pack by Stephanie Cooke and Whitney Gardner

Dusty, Scraps, and ReRe Bins are a family of raccoons (one of whom is definitely NOT an opossum) who make their living scavenging through dumpsters. But when a new, anti-raccoon dumpster hits the market, can they band together to pull off a big score?

Zodiac cover

Zodiac by Ai Weiwei, Elettra Stamboulis, and Gianluca Costantini

In this unique memoir, renowned artist and activist Ai Weiwei uses the graphic form to explore what comics meant to him growing up in the restrictive atmosphere imposed by China’s Cultural Revolution. It is a beautifully rendered and sadly timely reminder of the importance of artistic freedom.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: fangirls! Fangirls tend to get a bad rap from Certain People, but I think we’re pretty great, and so do these comics!

If My Favorite Pop Idol Made it to the Budokan I Would Die Vol 1 cover

If My Favorite Pop Idol Made it to the Budokan, I Would Die Volume One by Auri Hirao

Cham Jam is a pop group with plenty of fans — except for poor Maina, the group’s least popular member. His only fan is Eripiyo, whose extreme devotion to Maina puts her in debt and sets her apart from the other Cham Jam fangirls. But does Eripiyo care? Nope!

Fangirl Vol 1 cover

Fangirl Volume One: The Manga by Rainbow Rowell and Gabi Nam, Adapted by Sam Maggs

Based on Rowell’s novel, this series follows Cath and Wren, twin sisters who were both big fans of the TV series Simon Snow. But while Wren grew out of it, Cath still obsessively writes fanfiction and eschews social interaction, even after starting college. Increasingly isolated, Cath will have to figure out how — and if — fandom fits into her new life.

Ah, another week of Stacks stacked. See you again next Tuesday, nerd friends!

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

Say “Comics!”

Hey, nerd friends, did you know this is National News Literacy Week? It’s a great time for everyone to think about how they consume and share media and how important it is to verify what you read online — especially if it’s something you agree with!

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

A spiral of enamel pins, each featuring a different Ghibli character

Miyazaki Enamel Pin Set by BellonaJewelryStore

Look at how cute these pins are! You can also get the same designs as laptop stickers. $4

New Releases

In Utero cover

In Utero by Chris Gooch

Feeling out of place at camp is bad enough, but when that camp is located in an abandoned mall haunted by unspeakable horrors? Things really couldn’t get much worse. Join Hailey and her only friend, Jen, as they try to figure out — and stop — what is going on.

Witch Life in a Micro Room Vol 1 cover

Witch Life in a Micro Room, Volume One by Akitaka

Lilika and Madge get along pretty well — which is good because the only place these aspiring witches can afford to live is a single, itty-bitty “micro room!” But even that isn’t enough to get them down: they are determined to work their way up in the world by working together.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: photography! It’s only tangentially related to News Literacy Week, but in the age of AI, deep fakes, and photo manipulation, it doesn’t hurt to remember to double-check whatever it is you’re looking at.

Unretouchable cover

Unretouchable by Sofia Szamosi

Olive, a high school student, is thrilled to get an internship in the fashion industry, where her job is to digitally alter and retouch photos. But after a while, her constant quest for “perfection” in her work drives her to feel dissatisfied with her own body — and, ultimately, to reevaluate her relationship with herself, her career, and the technology that is used to make people feel bad about themselves.

Speed Grapher Vol 1 cover

Speed Grapher ,Volume One by Tomozo

Set for release in April of this year, this manga follows Saiga, a war photographer who is now working undercover in a shady club. There, he meets and tries to rescue a teen girl named Kagura, but at a price: at a touch from her, Saiga can no longer photograph anyone unless he is willing to accept that they are condemned to die as soon as he takes the shot!

A white Havanese looks into the camera, her front paws balanced on the frame of an unmade bed

Safe internet travels, everybody! I leave you with this photo of Poppy, who I happen to think is very photogenic.

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

Do Not Eat the Science or the Comics

Welcome back to my humble newsletter, nerd friends! The world of comics has continued to move forward since our last meeting, so let’s get caught up right now.

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

A person holds up a throw blanket featuring images of vintage horror and mystery comic book covers

Retro Comic Book Blanket by TheMadMetalhead

If you’re looking for a horror-ble way to stay warm this winter, try this blanket! $75

New Releases

Rogue and Gambit Power Play cover

Rogue & Gambit: Power Play by Stephanie Phillips and Carlos Gómez

Rogue and Gambit’s marriage is on the rocks (and so are the many drinks that Gambit keeps imbibing). The last thing they need right now is to deal with a new super-threat, yet here they are, trying to figure out if they should go it alone or relearn what made their partnership so great in the first place!

Send Them a Farewell Gift for the Lost Time cover

Send Them a Farewell Gift for the Lost Time by Cocomi

The paperwork edition of this adults-only tale is out now! Naurse knows his relationship with Toui, a handsome but unreliable novelist, isn’t working for either of them anymore. But walking away isn’t working either. Whether they find a way to move on for good or to make their romance work, they will have to work together to find a solution.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: science! Okay, so there’s the stereotypical “mad scientist” supervillain, but there are plenty of other ways for comics to explore the amazing world of science!

cover image of The Curie Society by Heather Einhorn, Adam Staffaroni and Janet Harvey

The Curie Society by Heather Einhorn, Adam Staffaroni, Janet Harvey, and Sonia Liao

The eponymous group consists of young women dedicated to making the world safe for female scientists — and from dastardly villains who would use their scientific knowledge for evil! The sequel, Eris Eternal, is due out this March, so keep an eye out!

Clockwork Curandera Vol 1 cover

Clockwork Curandera Volume One: The Witch Owl Parliament by David Bowles and Raúl the Third

Combining magic with science, Enrique brings his murdered sister Cristina back to life despite the “magic” part being very much banned in their country. Can they find Cristina’s killers and save their country from a vicious, totalitarian plot?

See you again next Tuesday! In the meantime, have a good weekend, okay?

~Eileen

Categories
The Stack

These Comics Are Experts in Beach

Yes, this is me making a Barbie reference a good six months after the movie came out. I only got to see it a couple of weeks ago, so you are going to cut me some slack and just enjoy the Stack!

2024 is the tenth year of the Read Harder Challenge! Join us as we make our way through 24 tasks meant to expand our reading horizons and diversify our TBRs. To get book recommendations for each task, sign up for the Read Harder newsletter. We’ll also keep you informed about other cool reading challenges, readathons, and more across the bookish internet. If you become a paid subscriber, you get even more recommendations plus community features, where you can connect with a community of passionate, like-minded readers in a cozy and supportive corner of the internet. Sign up today!

Bookish Goods

A blue sign shaped like the flash that accompanies a comic book-style onomatopoeia hangs from a wall. The name "Logan" is printed across it in bold yellow letters.

Personalized Comic Book Door Sign by Dream3DPrint

Make your room more exciting with one of these personalized signs! You can pick from a wide range of colors, too. $30

New Releases

Komi Can't Communicate Vol 28 cover

Komi Can’t Communicate Volume Twenty-Eight by Tomohito Oda

In the latest installment of this long-running series, shy Komi has finally started dating Tadano, the boy who is helping her come out of her shell enough to make 100 friends. But can their relationship survive a super-awkward day out with Komi’s dad?

Steel of the Celestial Shadows Vol 1 cover

Steel of the Celestial Shadows Volume One by Daruma Matsuura

Ryudo’s mother’s last wish was for him to be an honorable warrior, but a curse stands in the way, preventing Ryudo from getting near any form of metal, including swords. He decides suicide is the only option — until a mysterious woman saves his life and offers him a new path to greatness and satisfaction.

For a more comprehensive list of new releases, check out our New Books newsletter!

Riot Recommendations

Today’s Riot Rec theme is: the beach! I could have sworn I did this one when I first took over the Stack, but I found no record of it while going through those early newsletters. So here, enjoy some beach time in this sort of cold January weather!

cover image for Goldie Vance vol 1

Goldie Vance by Hope Larson, Brittney Williams, and Sarah Stern

Teenage Goldie wants nothing more than to be the hotel detective at the beach resort her father owns in St. Pascal, Florida. But when a case more complicated than a missing toddler comes her way, are Goldie and her friends up to the challenge?

You Brought Me the Ocean cover

You Brought Me the Ocean by Alex Sanchez and Julie Maroh

Jake Hyde loves the beach, which is a problem when your father drowned and you live in the middle of the desert. As if that wasn’t enough, Jake is pining after the school’s swim captain, but he hasn’t come out to anyone yet, not even his best friend, Maria. Follow the future Aqualad as he learns the truth about his family and himself — and helps others to see the truth, too.

Personally, I prefer reading about the beach to actually going there. But if you do actually enjoy beach time, just hang in there! Winter will be over before you know it.

~Eileen