Re-launched in late 2012 with Injury #4 and Magic Whistle #12 (see "Alternative Comics Returns"), Alternative Comics has released its 2013 catalog of comics and graphic novel titles, including works by indie cartoonists Craig Thompson (Habibi, Blankets), James Kochalka (SuperF*ckers), Noah Van Sciver (The Hypo), Andy Ristaino (Adventure Time), and numerous others.
First up in May is Karl Stevens' Failure. A follow-up to Stevens' The Lodger in 2011, a finalist for the Los Angeles Times Book Prize, Failure is a collection of Stevens' weekly Webcomic strip published in the now defunct Boston Phoenix, Boston's late alternative weekly newspaper. Originally slated for publication in February, Failure has been pushed back to May because of the paper's cancellation. Alternative Comics is promoting the book with author appearances and signings by Stevens at Stumptown Comics Fest in April and Toronto Comic Arts Festival (TCAF) in May.
Also debuting at TCAF is Elaine M. Will's first graphic novel
Look Straight Ahead, the final recipient of the 2012 Xeric Foundation Grants distributed jointly by Alternative Comics, TopShelf Productions, and Highwater Books. Although Will will showcase the book at TCAF, it will not be available until October.
June will see a return of Alternative Comics' self-titled anthology,
Alternative Comics #4. Although issues #1, #2, and #3 were originally published as Free Comic Book Day editions in 2003, 2004, and 2005, the upcoming issue will mark the beginning of an ongoing, bi-annual series. The creator lineup for
Alternative Comics #4 includes Thompson, Kochalka, Van Sciver, and Ristaino, as well as Theo Ellsworth
(The Understanding Monster) Sam Alden
(Eighth Grade), Sam Henderson
(Magic Whistle), Grant Snider
(Incidental Comics), Alex Schubert
(Blobby Boys), and Allison Cole
(Never Ending Summer). The book will also showcase Robin McConnell's immensely entertaining and popular
Inkstuds podcast as a regular feature in the magazine with an interview with and comics by David Lasky. The issue will debut at TCAF.
Moving into August, Alternative Comics teams with cartoonist Sam Henderson (
Magic Whistle,
Smoke Signal) for two titles. Following up on issue #12 in November 2012,
Magic Whistle #13 premieres first and celebrates its 20th anniversary as a new bi-annual title that will also include contributions by various guest collaborators. The new issue will retail for $3.99 and has features by Lizz Hickey and David Goldin.
September finds Henderson and Alternative Comics uniting with TopShelf Productions to publish a collection of Henderson's strips entitled
Scene But Not Heard. Debuting in 1993 and running until 2009, "Scene But Not Heard" was originally included in
Nickelodeon Magazine. Henderson will be promoting the book at the Small Press Expo (SPX) in Bethesda, MD and other venues.
In Q4, the publisher turns to Eisner Award winner James Kochalka for a complete collection of
Fancy Froglin Uncensored. Originally available only by online subscription and briefly collected by Alternative in a 64-page, square-bound edition in 2003,
Fancy Froglin is a mature readers title that will be available in November.
Finally, Alternative Comics has announced
Alternative Comics #5, Kevin Scalzo's
Complete Sugar Booger... ...and Steven Cerio's
Sunbeam on the Astronaut as late 2013, potentially early 2014 releases.
--Nathan Wilson
