Beat the Heat

August Content

By Sheena McNeil
August 6, 2018

Too hot outside? Looking for something to occupy yourself or the kids during the last few weeks before school starts back? Psyched about movie previews for movies that won't be released till next year? Need to get out of the house? Then stay inside! Beat the heat by staying indoors with a stack of comics or books. There's plenty of time to check out the series certain upcoming movies are based on (I'm looking at you Aquaman and Shazam!). Check out your local comic book stores. If there's more than one, you can turn it into one or more "fieldtrips" to see someplace new, and if you go on different weeks, there will be different new releases. Visit your local libraries. Along with being full of awesome books and usually a selection of comics / manga / graphic novels, some may have activities for kids ... and it's nice and quiet as well as cool. Don't forget about brick-and-mortar bookstores. Treat yourself to buying something right off the shelf! Feel free to get lost in there for hours browsing, looking, and sampling. And don't forget to divide and conquer -- everyone can go check out the section that appeals to them. Also, check out our articles, interviews, and reviews for suggestions of new titles to explore.

Features opens with a comparison of Ant-Man and the Wasp with early Ant-Man and Wasp comics by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby. The Back of the Box column looks at three free comics from Comixology including Chakra the Invincible by Stan Lee. Tart Wolfen concludes her coverage of Dragon Con from 2017 as she looks forward to attending this year's. Looking at Loki examines the trickster's role in The Mighty Thor #704, as well as in the first three issues of the new Thor series. Tart Kim shares her experience at this year's Maine Comic Arts Festival (MeCAF). Interviews this month (and next) include several comic creators that have their work featured in Tankdere: Drawn Conclusions Volume 4. This month is Alicia Muhm and Matt Nelson. And we have our annual Tartie Awards, where Tarts make up awards for the most memorable comics and manga from the past year.

Culture Vultures opens with Tart Katherine taking a close look at the use of images in Luke Cage Season 2. Tart Suzette looks back at the first season of Agents of SHIELD. There are three interviews in this section: Clarissa Thorne (A Geek's Guide to Cross-Stitch: Journeys in Space), Joanna Pang Atkins (World Dance), and Aaron Waltke (Trollhunters). This month's theme for Don't Miss Netlifx is Blockbusters, so get your popcorn ready!

The Report Card updates every week with reviews of new and upcoming comics, manga, and more.