SHQ Holiday Recs 2023: Dave's Picks

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM SECRET HEADQUARTERS
It's that time of year again! Already! Somehow! Never fear, we are here to help you pick out the best gifts for everyone on your list.
Part three: Dave's Gnarly XXX-Mas (and bonus SHQ stuff!)

PeePee-PooPoo series by Caroline Cash
Silver Sprocket
$10
Like forever ago there was an explosion of b&w comics that were somewhat kinda autobiographical and nutso. Some were fantastic, most were garbo. Comics continued to happen for another 60 years but they were whatever. Then Caroline Cash started drawing PPPP. It's basically a new golden age. 

Filthy Dirty Books Zine
Desert Island
$15
It's fun being a pervy weirdo! This collection definitely separates the smutty wheat from the chaff. Real mix of cringy and sexy. What were people thinking?! Sixty pages of vintage paperback covers your mom would be so disappointed to find in your room. 

Kirsten Liu-Wong Sketchbook
Self-Published
$40
Kristen is completely crushing it these days. For years, really. This 180 page exact reproduction of one of her sketchbooks is the definition of "I do what I want". Flip this book for a few minutes and you're going to want to either pick up a pen or throw yours in the trash. 

Death Book by Toshio Saeki
Baron Books
$55
I don't know about you, but when I open a book don't scream "my eyes!" then I just don't want it. I dare anyone to look at Toshio's work and think, "Yeah, ok sure, kid stuff, NBD." This thing is "WTF" in book form.

And from your fave comic shop...

SHQ Shop Shirt
$25
Let 'em know where you go with our new-ish shop tee. You'll instantly be singing, "Come and knock on our door!" I have one in every color. I might never wear another shirt. Ol' One Shirt Dave they call me. 

SHQ Super Fan Pack
$75
This pack contains pretty much all of what SHQ published over the last year or so. We love what we get to do! Look at these books! SO fantastic. This bag of goodies will only be on "insanity discount" through the holidays, so quit f'ing around and pick up this Crazy Eddie level deal. 

SHQ Holiday Recs 2023: Chris Picks

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM SECRET HEADQUARTERS
It's that time of year again! Already! Somehow! Never fear, we are here to help you pick out the best gifts for everyone on your list.
Part two: Selections from Chris! 

The Devil's Grin by Alex Graham
Self-Published 
$12 - $17
Four issues of seedy, darkly humorous comics from one of our favorites. The Devil's Grin plays for creeps but also resembles an Aki Kaurismaki film: sparse, vaguely sad, obtusely funny, and a little bit rock and roll. Wash your hands before getting into this one, it gets a little greasy.  

Stories From Zoo by Anand
Bubbles Fanzine
$24
Brother Brian and Bubbles Fanzine continue to spread the good word of comics. Stories From Zoo is the trade paperback of my wishes and dreams, and Anand continues to weave his odd, offbeat, at times naturalistic and at others surreal, tales with unparalleled uniqueness and surprising relatability. Anand is a comics prophet who lives in these dualities and Zoo is the scripture. Will you join us? (Comes with bonus zine This Loud World!)

Curses by George Wylesol
Avery Hill Publishing
$25
Wylesol's illustration may seem simple and clean but within those empty spaces exists not only extreme saturated color, but an overwhelming dread and bleak isolation. This collection of short comics from the last few years contain some genuinely funny things if you're slightly psychotic, but also I'm one to laugh nervously when I'm spooked. I laughed a lot in this one. 

Blood Of The Virgin by Sammy Harkham
Pantheon
$30
If there was a world comics summit where every major city had to send a representative, Los Angeles would send Sammy Harkham (assuming Xaime and Beto weren't available). In all seriousness, Blood Of The Virgin captures the perfect vibe for a perfect time in an imperfect place. Like Pet Sounds, french dips, Repo Man, and dusk baseball in Chavez Ravine, this book is one of LA's masterpieces. (Also see: Blood of the Virgin Process Zine, published by SHQ Publishing, printed by West Coast Riso champions Tiny Splendor).

Signal by Tetsunori Tawaraya
Colour Code
$40
If you are into a wild and crazy phenomenon that scientists call COLOR, then look no further than sci-fi squiggly guy supreme Tetsunori Tawaraya's Signal. But if you like your khakis pressed neat and never pick anything other than vanilla at the ice cream shop, then I can't help you, man.

SHQ Holiday Recs 2023: Jules Picks

HAPPY HOLIDAYS FROM SECRET HEADQUARTERS
It's that time of year again! Already! Somehow!
Never fear, we are here to help you pick out the best gifts for everyone on your list.
Part one: picks from Jules!

For the kiddos...
Mayor Good Boy Turns Bad
Random House Graphic
$13
Your favorite canine mayor (sorry, Mayor Max) is back in a new adventure! This book is adorable and hilarious.

For your friend who refuses to read comics for some reason...
Cherry On Top
SHQ Publishing
$16 (unsigned), $21 (signed)
Sincerely the funniest book I've ever read and easily one of my favorite things we have published here at SHQ. Hold on to you butts when I tell you: this one is PROSE, not a graphic novel. This laugh out loud novella by Carson Mell follows musician Bobby Bird as he tries to record his contractually obligated new album while on the lam in the desert. Drugs, sex, rock and roll, and a very likable protagonist. 

For awkward nerds everywhere...
Blackward
Drawn & Quarterly
$23
A charming and fun YA+ graphic novel about finding community! Four friends form a club for the "Black, weird, awkward, and proud of it!" If they build it, will anyone come? Trying to find your people as a young adult is tough, but with good buds anything is possible.

For your Ren Faire friend who is hella gay (is that redundant?)...
Chromatic Fantasy
Silver Sprocket
$30
Okay so this one was seemingly made just for me so it's almost unfair to include. A trans guy (!!) named Jules (!!!!) takes a deal with the devil, leaves his life as a nun, and goes on fantastic adventures with a sexy thief named Casper. Queer romance with gorgeous art. The book has gilded edges for cryin' out loud!

For your uncle who hasn't read comics in a dog's age...
Monica
Fantagraphics
$30
Dan Clowes is back, baby! To sweeten the pot, we have SIGNED BOOKPLATES to go with this wild new book. Monica is a true trip, too much said will ruin it. In my opinion, this is the best and most impressive thing Clowes has done.

For graphic novel fans looking for something totally unique...
Eden II
Fantagraphics
$40
This book is unlike anything I've ever read. It's funny, cerebral, experimental, and philosophical. I wish I could tell you more but you'll just need to experience it (you need to!) I cannot wait to read it a second time.