At Neighborhood Comics, we still buy 2 copies of the tried and true Previews catalog. This oversized Sears wish book meets phone book brick was the be-all and end-all for comics ordering for retailers in days past. Now, it’s a shadow of its former self, missing DC Comics entirely and presenting only cursory Marvel information. One copy sits at the register for clerks to mark up and a second is available to “check out” for power buyers and staff to review at their leisure.

The clerks (mostly Kevin) attach post-it notes, bookmarks, scribbles and (most importantly) “stars” throughout. At the end of each month, I pick up the register copy and see what they have to say. Here are the staff notes for December 2022. These books will be arriving in stores starting in February 2023.

Image Comics

Monarch #1 - Starred

Post it note reads: “Looks a little bit interesting.” Not the highest praise, but a new number one from Image always does well. Ordered up. DEC220126

Do a Powerbomb! TP - Starred

Post it note reads: “Can’t Go Wrong.” Our store has a permanent Daniel Warren Johnson display, so we’ll go strong on this one. DEC220145

Boom! Studios

Harrower #1 (of 4) - Starred

Post it note reads: “Looks Good.” Luther Strode is a perennial best-seller for us, but that’s largely due to Tradd Moore’s art. Interested to see how Justin Jordan does for us as a writer. DEC220316

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Dark Horse

Hellboy in Love #3 - Triple Starred

Post it note reads: “This has been a good series so far.” It’s tough to order up on the third part of a miniseries, but it’s also part one of a two-part micro(?) series. But with the staff behind it, we’ll get a couple extra. DEC220440

Shaolin Cowboy: Cruel to be Kin HC - Triple Starred

Post it note reads: Just a picture of a star. Hmmm. Chances are you know if Shaolin Cowboy sells in your store. We’ll grab a couple for the wall. DEC220444

Gantz Omnibus Volume 12

Post it note reads: “This Series is really weird but really good.” We haven’t been stocking Gantz, but we’ll pick up the first few omnibuses and see how well they move. DEC220491

Oni Press

My Life Among Humans HC - Starred

Post it note reads: “This is so cute.” Agreed. The sample pages sold us on this one. DEC221540

Vault

Godfell #1 - Starred

Post it note reads: “Interesting Premise.” Dead gods and berserkers. We’ll give it a solid order. DEC221719

Whatnot Publishing

Liquid Kill #1

Post it note reads: “Looks cool. Toni Infante is Super Dope & The Metal Gear Cover is Cool.” Agreed. The Whatnot books have been a mixed bag for us, but going strong with an artist like Infante is a good move. DEC221749

Second post it note: “Kim Jung Gi cover is dope too.” Yeah, we’ll definitely move this cover. DEC221751

So that’s what our staff is thinking. What about you? Are there books that you and your team are excited about from the December catalog? Or, as a reader and collector, what has peaked your interest? Let us know in the comments or via social media.

Neighborhood Comics

Diamond Initial Order for December 2022