Edited by Ariel Schrag. The "joys" of middle school are displayed here in all their angst-filled glory.  Ms. Schrag has managed to recruit an impressive array of comics talent to turn in 200 pages of teen turmoil, and, on top of that, to convince the venerable Viking publishing house to release it.  Included in this zit-poppin' anthology are works by Gabrielle Bell, Ariel Bordeaux, Robyn Chapman, Daniel Clowes, Vanessa Davis, Nick Eliopulos, Eric Enright, Jim Hoover, Cole Johnson, Joe Matt, Jace Smith, Aaron Renier, Ariel Schrag (2), Tania Schrag, Dash Shaw & Lauren Weinstein.  While the Dan Clowes and Joe Matt are reprints of previously published material, all the rest was, to the best of our knowledge, produced specifically for this anthology and is appearing here for the first time.  The stories cover typical teen concerns, but especially focus on the alienated outsider (which pretty much defines just about anyone at some point in their teenage years).  This is a book about teens that is both suitable for and will appeal to those currently in middle school, as well as those who have passed through and lived to tell the tale.  Here's a book you won't have to go out of your way to get a teen to read.  Special Bonus:  the Junior High photos of the contributors included in the biographical information at the back of the book may very well be worth the entire price of the book.  You may find yourself tempted to cut out your favorite and put it on your refreigerator (or in your wallet).

On the 12 pages and massive double-sided fold-out center-fold data-table contined within the CHarles Forsman rendered cover illustration of a confrontation of human and machine, Robyn Chapman has assembled a detailed report on the state of affairs in the "micro-press" community during the year 2013 that will make for engaging reading to anyone who considers themselves a part of this self-same community.  Text, photos, diagrams and more!

OK, get ready for a roller coaster ride of euphoria and terror, agony and ecstasy, megalomania and paranoia in this 200 page, black and white softcover comics anthology that examines the phenomenon of American cults in eighteen separate works all created especially for this volume and appearing here for the first time.  

For the purposes of this anthology, the editor, Robyn Chapman defines a cult as being a group of individuals sharing a belief system that challenges societal norms, who freely cohere around a charismatic – but ultimately totalitarian – leader, for the purposes of forming a community.  These communities share a wide variety of beliefs, ranging from the Oneida Community in mid-19th century New York to the Manson Family in 1960s California, from the The People's Temple of Jim Jones that found its terminus in Jonestown to the Westboro Baptist Church, and many more in between, including MOVE in 1980s Philadelphia.  Also included are a look at the cult-like aspects of branches of Orthodox Judiasm and a fundamentalist Mormon "splinter group."  

Chapman has recruited an all-star line-up of North American independent cartoonists to shine a light on these groups.  Here's the creator lineup:  Lara Antal, Brian “Box” Brown, Ryan Carey, Rosa Colón Guerra, Mike Dawson, Lisa Rosalie Eisenberg, Mike Freiheit, Emi Gennis, Andrew Greenstone, Janet Harvey, Josh Kramer, Jesse Lambert, Ellen Lindner, Lonnie Mann, Ben Passmore, Jim Rugg, Robert Sergel, Vreni Stollberger, Steve Teare, and J.T. Yost.  

BACK IN STOCK!