BOOM! Pubwatch: Welcome to Fall 2019

Boom Pubwatch - banner designed by Cori McCreery

It’s fall! And you know what that means: Halloween candy, cozy scarves, sweaters, and spooky stories. And BOOM! is off to a great start as two of the featured comics this month are ideal fall reading. The arrival of fall also means New York Comic Con is just around the corner and I’ve highlighted some of the key BOOM! signings and panels taking place over those four chaotic days. In addition to all the fall-related excitement, we’ll also be talking about a new series coming from Gabby Rivera, the end of Nuclear Winter, and, as always, my favourite covers from the last month. Let’s jump in!

BOOM! News

New Original Series from Author Gabby Rivera

You may know Gabby Rivera from her brilliant novel, Juliet Takes a Breath, or as the writer from Marvel’s America Chavez solo series. But this winter you’ll also know her from her new BOOM! series, b.b. free.

Described by Rivera as “a bouncy love letter to queer kids everywhere, especially the chubby Puerto Rican ones,” it tells the story of the ultra-rich b.b. free who lives with her father in the Florida Islands. Though she loves her close-knit community, as she gets older, she becomes more and more curious about the world beyond the islands. Then one day she finds out a big secret that threatens the whole community’s way of life and she may have to leave her home to find out the truth.

Rivera is joined by debut artist Royal A. Dunlap (RAD) and the preview pages so far are just gorgeous. I’m really looking forward to this team’s work and have high hopes for this eco-dystopian series.

Cover for b.b. free #1, Royal A Dunlap, BOOM! Box, 2019 - A young woman looks over her shoulder in a moonlit swamp illuminated by blues, pinks, and purples
The first issue will hit shelves/screens on November 6, 2019.

Once & Future Now an Ongoing Series

Last month I shared how much I enjoyed Once & Future, the new series from Kieron Gillen and Dan Mora. Now, due to the overwhelming and enthusiastic support it has received, what was originally a limited series has now been promoted to ongoing. I recently finished the second issue and loved it just as much as the first, so I am delighted that we get to spend even more time with these characters.

If you haven’t picked up this series yet, check out the trailer below, then head right over to your local comic shop:

BOOM! at New York Comic Con 2019

New York Comic Con is only a week away! I’m sad to be missing it this year, but for those lucky enough to attend you’ll be able to find BOOM! Studios at booth #1828 from October 3-6 at the Javits Center in New York, NY.

There is always so much going on during Comic Con but if there’s still some room in your schedule these are the BOOM! events I would recommend checking out:

Thursday, October 3, 2019

11:00 a.m.-11:50 a.m. Signing with Delilah S. Dawson (Sparrowhawk)

3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. ENTERTAINMENT IS LGBTQ PANEL (Room 1A21)

BOOM! Studios and GLAAD present an in-depth roundtable discussion about LGBTQ representation in pop culture and the path forward to a brighter, more inclusive future, with special guests from all corners of the entertainment world including Gaby Dunn (Bad With Money, Bury The Lede), Sina Grace (Saban’s Go Go Power Rangers, Ghosted in LA), Royal Dunlap (b.b. free), James Tynion IV (Detective Comics, The Woods), Vita Ayala (Livewire), and Megan Townsend (Director of Entertainment Research & Analysis, GLAAD). Moderated Mathew Rodriguez (Associate Editor, The Body).

4:15 p.m.-5:05 p.m. Signing with Gaby Dunn (Bury the Lede)

5:15 p.m.-6:05 p.m. Signing with James Tynion IV (Something’s Killing the Children, The Woods)

Friday, October 4, 2019

4:15 p.m.-5:15 p.m. BOOM! STUDIOS: DISCOVER YOURS PANEL (Room 1A24)

It’s time to discover your new comic book obsession at NYCC—and we guarantee you’re going to find it at this panel! Join some of the most acclaimed and exciting creators in comics for a jam-packed, interactive panel featuring Lev Grossman (The Magicians), Bryan Edward Hill (Joss Whedon’s Angel), Gaby Dunn (Bury The Lede), Simon Spurrier (Coda), James Tynion IV (Something is Killing The Children), Royal Dunlap (b.b. free), and Matt Gagnon (Editor in Chief, BOOM! Studios) with surprises for everyone in the audience. Moderated by Filip Sablik (President, Publishing & Marketing, BOOM! Studios).

Saturday, October 5, 2019

10:00 a.m.-10:45 a.m. Signing with Kieron Gillen (Once & Future)

2:00 p.m.-2:50 p.m. Signing with R.L. Stine (Just Beyond: The Scare School)

3:00 p.m.-3:50 p.m. Signing with Lev Grossman (The Magicians)

Sunday, October 6, 2019

11:00 a.m.-11:50 a.m. Signing with Patrick McHale (BAGS (or a Story Thereof), Over the Garden Wall)

1:00 p.m.-1:50 p.m. Signing with Simon Spurrier (Coda)

Let us know if you’re attending any of these events. We’d love to hear about them and see your pictures!

Featured Comics

Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chosen Ones #1

Jim Campbell (letterer), Celia Lowenthal (writer & artist), Wesllei Manoel (colorist), Ornella Sacarese (artist), Mairghread Scott (writer), Alexa Sharpe (writer & artist)
BOOM! Studios
August 28, 2019

Cover for Buffy the Vampire Slayer: Chosen Ones #1 - Jim Campbell (letterer), Celia Lowenthal (writer & artist), Wesllei Manoel (colorist), Ornella Sacarese (artist), Mairghread Scott (writer), Alexa Sharpe (writer & artist) - BOOM! Studios August 28, 2019 - A figure in a toga with long dark hair strides into a burning temple inhabited by vampires
This collection of short comics takes us back in time to the first appearance of some of the greatest Slayers in history. There are three stories altogether in this issue—“The Mission,” “The Eating of Men,” and “Behind the Mask”—and each is tackled by a different creative team. I’ve actually never watched more than a few episodes of Buffy The Vampire Slayer but I’ve really been enjoying the main comics series so far, and this special issue was no different.

Each story was exciting and action-packed in its own way but if I had to pick a favourite I would go with “Behind the Mask.” This story takes us back to Paris in the early nineteenth century and introduces us to Adelaide, a young woman who loves dancing, champagne, masquerades, and killing vampires. She’s full of life and genuinely seems to be having a good time, no matter what activity she’s partaking in. Alexa Sharpe’s art reflects this spirit as the characters danced across the panels. The colour palette is clear and bright and I loved the use of lighting throughout. Overall, it was a nice contrast to the more dark and sullen main series and I would happily devour an entire comic on Adelaide alone.

Something is Killing the Children #1

AndWorld Design (letterer), Werther Dell’Edera (artist), Miquel Muerto (colorist), James Tynion IV (writer)
BOOM! Studios
September 4, 2019

Cover for Something is Killing the Children #1 - AndWorld Design (letterer), Werther Dell’Edera (artist), Miquel Muerto (colorist), James Tynion IV (writer) - BOOM! Studios September 4, 2019 - A figure stands alone in a dark woods next to an abandoned bicycle
In the town of Archer’s Peak, children have been going missing. Their bodies are found dismembered and bloodied and almost no one survives. And the ones that do, like James, have horrifying stories. The authorities have no leads and the only hope seems to be the mysterious girl, Erica Slaughter, who has just arrived in town.

After much hype, the first issue of Something is Killing the Children is here and just in time for the fall weather! This season is when I always turn to spookier stories and this debut issue certainly fits the bill. The story starts out innocently enough with a group of young boys playing truth or dare at a sleepover. But it quickly takes a turn, and horror slowly amplifies throughout the rest of the issue. It won’t take long until you find yourself hanging on every page wondering what was going to happen next.

I don’t want to say too much else about this comic because I think it’s best to go in knowing as little as possible, but if you enjoy scary stories or comics like Revival or Nailbiter, this should be at the top of your list.

Nuclear Winter Vol. 3

Deron Bennett (letterer), Cab (writer & artist), Edward Gauvin (translator)
BOOM! Box
September 4, 2019

Cover for Nuclear Winter Vol. 3 - Deron Bennett (letterer), Cab (writer & artist), Edward Gauvin (translator) - BOOM! Box September 4, 2019 - A red-haired girl standing in a snowy landscape with power plants in the background
As a result of an accident at a nuclear power plant, Montreal spends 365 days a year covered in radioactive snow. It’s been nine years and people have found a way to adjust and keep living their lives. People like Flavie Beaumont, a snowmobile mail courier, trying to juggle her job, love life, and some family drama.

This is the third volume of this slice-of-life comic, and though I am sad to see this delightful series come to an end, I think this is my favourite installment yet. After some initial bumps in the road, everything finally seems to be coming together for Flavie. Her relationship with her sister is stronger than ever, it’s finally getting warmer, and she’s started volunteering on a university research project. At the beginning of this series, Flavie was withdrawn and isolated herself from everyone else, so it was so nice to see her really come into her own in the end, to find a community and do something that excites her instead of just working all the time.

I feel like this series flew under most people’s radar but it’s one that I’ve really enjoyed over the past year. All three volumes are out now and it’s the perfect story to dig into with winter just around the corner (up here in Canada anyway).

Best BOOM! Covers

 

New World, Cover by David Jesus Vignolli, BOOM! Studios, 2019 - A silhouette draws a bow against a red background
New World, cover by David Jesus Vignolli
Over the Garden Wall: Soulful Symphonies #2, cover by Keezy Young, BOOM! Studios, 2019 - Hands drawing posters of Wirt and Greg
Over the Garden Wall: Soulful Symphonies #2, cover by Keezy Young
Once & Future #2, cover by Dan Mora, BOOM! Studios, 2019 - An elderly lady holds a sword with monsters reflected in the blade
Once & Future #2, cover by Dan Mora
Advertisements
Christa Seeley

Christa Seeley

Publishing Consultant. Book Lover. Amateur Cook.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Close
Menu
WP Twitter Auto Publish Powered By : XYZScripts.com