National Stress Awareness Day was founded by Carole Spiers, Chair of International Stress Management Association, and it is observed annually on the first Wednesday in November. This is a day to check in with yourself to identify and reduce the stress factors in your life. Stress is never good for you and prolonged stress can lead to both physical and mental health breakdown. So I will take this opportunity to suggest picking up a few physical books to remove ourselves from all the noise that can cause us stress, and just focus on one thing… a great story. So here are a few NEW comics that I have my eye on that might be able to take you out of your world and into a new one.
OUTER DARKNESS
Today is the release of issue #1 of a brand new Image Comics series written by Eisner Award winner and NY Times best seller John Layman, co-creator of CHEW!. In this series mankind has colonized the galaxy, but during our interstellar travels, we discovered a terrifying secret out in the Outer Darkness of space. Join Captain Joshua Rigg and the crew of the starship Charon as they encounter demonic possessions, hauntings, cosmic horror, and more! We also did an interview with John Layman talking about this series plus more and you can read that HERE.
MURDER FALCON
Just take a look at that art, everything about it screams HELL YEA! Issue #1 came out October 10th through Image Comics and its written by Daniel Warren Johnson, the creator of the Eisner-nominated series Extremity. The world is under attack by monsters, and Jake’s life is falling apart: no band, no girl, no future… until he meets Murder Falcon. He was sent from The Heavy to destroy all evil, but he can’t do it without Jake shredding up a storm. Now, with every chord Jake plays on his guitar, the power of metal fuels Murder Falcon into all out kung fu fury on those that seek to conquer Earth. It’s time to shred!
KIM REAPER VAMPIRE ISLAND
This Oni Press Inc. comic came out September 5th and it’s not too late to start! It’s written and illustrated by Sarah Graley who has a whimsical and fun style of illustration that immediately caught my attention. Kim and Becka are back and dealing with the troubles of supernatural dating in Kim Reaper: Vampire Island! College relationships are tough for everyone, but they’re EXTRA hard for Kim. Her grumpy grim reaper bosses are always mad at her, her girlfriend Becka’s roommate keeps hanging around, and now everybody is super into vampires for some reason! And she accidentally let slip that she knew about an island full of them?! Oops, better pack up your scythe—we’re all going on a really weird date!
OLD LADY HARLEY
First issue of five from DC Comics came out October 24th. Here is a bit about it but, come on, like me… you were sold at the title. After liberating New York City from her now-feral Gang of Harleys, poor Harley wants nothing more than to slip back into retirement in her coastal (and heavily guarded) paradise. But the Laughing Boys Gang has another idea-they’ll follow her to the ends of the Earth, to drag her back to their leader! It can’t actually be…him! Right?! He couldn’t possibly still be alive, could he? After all…Harley killed him herself with her bare hands! Should she turn to President Power Girl for help? Or flee to the 51st state, Atlantis? Step into an insane vision of a future DC Universe we all better hope we don’t live to see!
I hope you are able to take some time for yourself today to disconnect and unwind. If you are thinking of purchasing any of these books please keep in mind some of the local smaller shops that would appreciate your purchase. Going into a shop has multiple benefits such as meeting like minded people and I know with a lot of comic shops they save your purchase history so they can recommend even more books that you would be interested in. Also if you truly are in need of some additional help in relation to stress please check out ISMA (International Stress Management Association). They have some wonderful links on identifying stress, book recommendations, and free downloads to enhance your wellbeing.
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