Today looks like it could be a really good day for new comics. Hope Larson's Salamander Dream is finally out, as is the new anthology title You ain't No Dancer, which has more of her work in it. There's a new 100 Bullets out as well, which is usually a good read, even if the last few issues weren't quite up to it's usual standards of excellence. There's a new Desolation Jones out, and while I haven't read the first two issues, I've heard enough good things about this series that I'm gonna try to pick up all three tonight.

Now, the question is: how much of this will my local comics shop actually get in?

Yes, I know. I should've pre-ordered some of this. I have 100 Bullets on subscription, so that'll definitely be there. And I'm pretty sure they've been getting Desolation Jones regularly. But I have my doubts about Salamander Dream or You Ain't No Dancer showing up, given their record with small press and independent titles. They make the effort, at least, but sometimes books that one would expect to see just don't show up. They've never stocked Scott Pilgrim for example, and they only had one copy of Mome (and it wasn't even on display...I had to ask about it). It makes it tough for someone who's not up on the latest in independent books to even know what's out there. If I hadn't been waiting anxiously for Salamander Dream, there's a good chance I would never know it had been released.

Fortunately, there's another comic shop in the next town south of me, that has a better stock of these type of books. Sadly, my work schedule only allows me to get there on weekends. So if Salamander Dream and YAND don't show up here, I'll be making another trip down there. Especially since there's no sign of Or Else #3 at my local shop, either.

Ultimately, yeah, I should be pre-ordering this stuff to avoid this happening. But I really don't keep up with Diamond's solicitations, and I have no desire to wade through Previews every month. I just wish I had a local shop that was a little more willing to take a chance on smaller titles, so I'd have a better idea of what to expect on ewdnesdays. Basically, I've just been spoiled by great stores like Comic Relief and the Comic Book Box, and I'm still adjusting to having to deal with a merely OK shop.

Sidenote, as I browse the Diamond expected shipping lists: does Marvel publish anything worth reading these days? I always find myself skipping their part of the list, just because I'm so used to finding nothing vaguely interesting.

Second sidenote: almost done with the Jaka's Story post (later tonight?), and just finished reading Reads (ick). I'm through one of the roughest patches! Smooth-ish sailing on the seas of Cerebus, at least for a little while...