The fine folks at Nobrow have released their fall/winter catalog, which includes several new graphic novels from Luke Pearson, Wren McDonald, Lorena Alvarez, Luke Healy and Dilraj Mann. It’s an impressive line-up that features several strong debuts.
Here’s a rundown of what to expect:
Hilda and the Stone Forest, by Luke Pearson. Due in stores in September.
I’ve got a young kid at home, so I’m constantly looking for fun, age-appropriate comics and graphic novels I can introduce him to. Recently we read through Nobrow’s Free Comic Book Day offering, and the preview of Hilda and the Stone Forest was a big hit. The Stone Forest is the fifth Hilda book, so we have plenty of catching up to do before it arrives this fall. Here’s the publisher’s description:
The city of Trolberg has some dark secrets to reveal and Hilda is about to discover them! Hilda may be grounded, but that won’t stop her from heading off on another daring adventure! But everything is thrown off course when her mother catches her and is dragged along for the ride. Furious with each other, the bickering pair find themselves lost in the land of the trolls, forced to embark on a dangerous journey to make their way home. And to make matters even more difficult, Hilda has to do so . . . as a troll? Buckle your seatbelts for a crazy body-swapping adventure!
In addition, Nobrow will release a paperback version of Hilda and the Bird Parade in November.
How to Survive in the North, by Luke Healy. Due in November.
The debut graphic novel from Healy, who has published several minicomics and worked as the coloring assistant on Lucy Knisley’s Something New. Here’s the publisher’s description:
A unique graphic novel telling the stories of real and fictional Arctic castaways struggling to survive the long Northern winter.
With stunning narrative skill, this compelling graphic novel intricately weaves together true-life narratives from 1912, 1926 and a fictional story set in the present day. How To Survive in the North is an unforgettable journey of love and loss, showing the strength it takes to survive in the harshest conditions.
Locomotion, by Golden Cosmos. Due in December.
The latest in Nobrow’s “leporello” line of concertina books sees the return of Daniel Dolz and Doris Freigofas, a.k.a. Golden Cosmos, the German duo whose High Times remains one of Nobrow’s most popular titles (I wonder how many people thought they were getting something besides a book about planes, based on the title?). Locomotion, meanwhile, isn’t about the popular dance craze that once ruled the Earth, but is focused on trains.
Here’s the publisher’s description:
A stunning double-sided panorama measuring 54 inches on the history of trains printed in glorious spot color!
The beautiful concertina book folds out to a stunning 54 inch panorama detailing the history of trains and locomotives from the very first railroads and machines to sustainability in the twenty-first century and beyond! A brilliant wraparound cover details the notable benchmarks in the history and mythology of trains.
Golden Cosmos was set up in 2010 as a collborative moniker for German artistic couple Daniel Doltz and Doris Freigofas. Their deep knowledge of traditional printmaking techniques and experiences in self-publishing that have won them widespread critical acclaim in illustration circles made them the perfect choice for our trademark concertina series. Their bold use of color and adeptness for shape and form recall the bold patterns and geometry of early Russian constructivism, with a nod to mid-century French commercial art. There is no doubt that this will be a beauty!
SP4RX, by Wren McDonald. Due out in December
This is the follow-up to Cyber Realm, McDonald’s previous book from Nobrow, which was a part of their 17×23 series of comics. Here’s a description:
SP4RX is the story of mankind clawing for survival. Set in a future where a class system has emerged, the world is divided into five levels, with the elite ruling from the extravagant top level. An abandoned ground level is used as a garbage dump. No living organisms are permitted there. But that doesn’t stop SP4RX, an extremely young hacker who lives off grid, eluding the military force that governs the other levels. He hacks into corporations and sells stolen data to wealthy buyers on the black market—just your average thief.
Structus Industries introduces a welfare program called the “Elpis Program”, which allows the working class to apply for Cybernetic implants to make workers more efficient. On the surface, it seems like a program to empower the poor and allow them to rise to the ranks of the elite. But SP4RX soon discovers all is not as it seems. The welfare program is a highly politicized and intelligent ploy to destroy the working class and replace them with highly effective technology. SP4RX and Structus are set on a collision course with the fate of humanity at stake in Wren McDonald’s latest sci-fi tale of survival and corruption!
Dalston Monstazz, by Dilraj Mann. Due in February.
Hipsters battle monsters in this new one by the Puck Collective member. Here’s the publisher’s description:
A gripping graphic novel set in the heart of East London’s trendy center as it falls prey to monstrous calamity.
Dalston, East London . . . sometime in the future. Below the city’s creaking pavements, where the slabs sag from the weight of soulless new glass fronted apartment blocks, chain coffee shops and hoards of real estate agencies, the earth is beginning to crack. And from these fissures, like woodlice crawling from under ancient stone, the Monstazz emerge . . .
Roshan and K had heard about the shadowy Monstazz that were emerging from the foundations beneath Dalston’s recent hyper-development. But they didn’t expect to be tangled up in its murky underbelly; fighting gangsters, megalomaniacal property developers and amongst themselves. Not in the least because of a girl. Even if she is the most badass girl in town.
Nightlights, by Lorena Alvarez Gomez. Due next March.
Gomez is a Bogotá-based cartoonist and puppeteer; she’s done work on BOOM!’s Adventure Time books as well as for Disney and Nickelodeon. Here’s the publisher’s description:
A beautiful, mysterious graphic novel about fear, insecurity and creativity, from the enchanting imagination of Lorena Alvarez Gomez.
Every night, tiny stars appear out of the darkness in little Sandy’s bedroom. She catches them and creates wonderful creatures to play with until she falls asleep, and in the morning brings them back to life in the whimsical drawings that cover her room.
One day, Morpie, a mysterious pale girl, appears at school. And she knows all about Sandy’s drawings…
Nightlights is a beautiful story about fear, insecurity, and creativity, from the enchanting imagination of Lorena Gomez.
