SHQ Holiday Recs 2023: Patrick'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 four: selections from our Patrick.

 Grog The Frog
by Davilorium + Alba BG
Silver Sprocket
$12
If you loved The Council of Frogs and Frog In The Fall, then Grog The Frog is here to save the day, but he might be salty about it. I want to get lost in the details of this world, there are so many fun characters (Nerea the She-Horse is my fave), sick-ass rituals, and funny situations on a classic quest. No Fools Allowed. 

Danger and Other Unknown Risks
by Ryan North with art by Erica Henderson
Penguin Workshop
$17
My favorite creative team returns and they haven't missed a beat. Y2K was real, but that's history; now magic (which kinda works) is the norm. Marguerite grew up hearing stories and being told that she was going to save the world. Well, now the world needs saving and she and her chatty dog Daisy are hunting down some magical totems. But you should know, dear reader, that magic has a cost and someone will have to pay it.  

Great British Bump Off
by John Allison, art by Max Sarin, colors by Sammy Borras
Dark Horse
$20
The relaxation of the Bake Off tent with the stress of a killer on the loose.
Agatha Christie would be proud.

 And if that whetted your appetite for mystery... 

 Know Your Station
by Sarah Gailey, art by Liana Kangas, colors by Rebecca Nalty
Boom Studios
$20
Self-medication, a sassy AI, and a distaste for the ultra-wealthy. Sarah Gailey does it again, this time with a murder mystery in space.

Three Rocks: The Story of Ernie Bushmiller
by Bill Griffith
Abrams ComicArts
$25
Nancy fans already know picking this up is a no-brainer, but just in case you don't know who Nancy is get ready to fall in love while reading this meta-biography. Seeing Bushmiller's creative process in the context of his life brings a whole new appreciation to reading Nancy. Many of the concepts he used to write are demonstrated by Nancy herself, not just in the form of classic strips but as our guide within the book and most certainly to Ernie himself throughout his life. Come away with a fresh perspective on both Nancy and creativity.  

Demon Wars
by Peach Momoko
Marvel
$35
I was so excited to return to the Marvel Momoko-verse. Peach Momoko mixes the X-Men (and some of your favorite Avengers) up with spirits and demons in feudal Japan. The characters may be quite different, but the soft colors make you feel at home instantly. Just in case you need the extra push to check this out, here's a tease: Phoenix vs Magik, except they're Yokai.

Shubeik Lubeik
by Deena Mohamed
Pantheon Books
$35
Far and away my favorite book of the year, this world presupposes that wishes are real. Unlike the fast-paced nature of Eight Billion Genies wishing in this world is a burden, both on your heart and because it's become a bureaucratic nightmare. Three first-class wishes are sold, framing each story are details about the world which seems so much like our own, including Hickman-esque data pages with the history and rules of wishes. This book has all the elements I love mashed together in a way that truly moved me. Wishing may have created a fantastical world, but real human stories play out in this book. 

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.