1. Unsinkable Walker Bean by Aaron Renier (First Second) $13.99 – Does it sound cheesy if I say this book is perfect for kids age 5 to 105? Cause it really is! The Unsinkable Walker Bean is an unstoppable, rollicking high seas adventure full of codes, inventions, antediluvian intrigues and funny names. There’s this “pure joy of drawing” in Aaron’s work which loads the panels with sly little details and charming gestures -but nothing feels superfulous- even the silliest elements weave themselves into the plot. The story itself, about returning a cursed skull to two giant sea-hag sisters, champions scrapper ingenuity, resourcefulness and teamwork in a way that’s never heavy-handed, it’s just plain cool. Refreshing in a similar way is how Walker Bean’s world escapes simple hero vs. villain dichotomies, giving every character a heart to the point that you’ll even find the fierce, giant mer-witches endearing. The exceptional storytelling is emphasized by Alec Longstreth’s (Phase 7) beautiful color work full of crisp ocean blues, kelp-y ochres and my favorite sorts of pale, sea-sick greens. The book is also completely and solidly kid-friendly and that’s a big part of it’s magic: reading it as an adult stirs up all the youthful thrills and adventures of creative problem-solving. SO GOOD! -EF
2. Brilliant Mistake #1 by Carrie $1.00 – What a gem of a debut zine! Beautifully quilted together from bits of a questioning heart, Brilliant Mistake #1 pares down the aches of the social games we play. -EF
3. Is It THE FUTURE Yet by Corrine Mucha $3.00 – What does the future hold for you? Well, I predict you will fall madly in love with Corinne’s amazing new mini-comic, Is It the Future Yet?, which she made ‘specially for Quimby’s! I see you laughing out loud at the fresh psychic hijinx and time-travel schemes that grace every delightful page. I can see your love for this comic growing rich, deep, and strong and you will find it brings you much good luck and happiness as years go by…Yes, my friend, the future looks very bright indeed!
4. Butt #28 Fantastic Magazine for Homosexuals $9.90
5. Hero Land #1 by Esther Pearl Watson $4.00 – Super friends fighting crime! Drinking coffee! Accidently killing their plants! Growing older! Letting thier infected hands heal without medical attention! Yow! -EF
6. Stories vol 3 Catch Me If You Can by Martin Cendreda $3.00 – Eloquently drawn Giving-Tree-esque twists and turns of children growing and parents giving. -EF
7. Maximumrocknroll #328 Oct 10 $4.00
8. Make Your Place: Affordable Sustainable Nesting Skills by Raleigh Briggs (Microcosm) $7.00
9. Rosario Dawson Loves Me #2 Or I Want to Die Right Now Please by Justin Valmassoi $2.50 – Ever wonder what it’d be like to be married to Rosario Dawson in Heaven? Well, for starters, Johnny Depp mostly hangs out mostly in greasy-bird form and Tom Waits comes over to tell you about how glass is made. Perfectly charming.
10. Dazed & Confused #88 Aug 10 $9.95
