As usual before San Diego Comic Con, I’m making special books to debut at the show. This year we’ll have the new Rachel Rising TPB, Cemetery Songs. This is the 3rd RR TPB, collecting issues 13-18. This book releases in mid-July. You can buy it at the con and I will sign it for you, or at your local comic shop, or order online directly from us, or Amazon, or buy it digitally at ComiXology. So many options. Just don’t miss it! Look for this cover:

The surprise of the summer is this little gem: a limited edition, full color version of Strangers In Paradise #1. Yes, #1 as in the very first issue from the mini-series that started it all 20 years ago. To celebrate our 20th anniversary (can you believe it?) we had master colorist Steve Hamaker bring the pages to life with his digital paints and the result is absolutely charming. It’s 32 pages, full color, with a new cover. Every comic will be signed, numbered, bagged and boarded. The price, only $6.99. Limited to only 1,000 copies, this is one of those books you need to buy new when it comes out, because it will never be retail price again. You have been warned! The Limited Edition Strangers In Paradise #1 20th Anniversary Edition will make its debut at our booth in San Diego. After that, you can order it only through our website. If we have any left, we will take some to the Boston and Baltimore cons this fall, but I’m not making any promises on that and we’re not holding any back. Because of it’s limited print run, it will not be available in stores. Once it’s sold out, you’ll have to try your luck on eBay. So, it’s first come first serve. While I have them, it’s easy. Once I sell out, good luck.

Oh, and the new issue of Rachel Rising is on its way stores. Look for this cover soon in a store near you, or Comixology.

Now, The Strangers In Paradise Omnibus Softcover Edition. Great news: YES! You can still preorder this box set and get the special print that comes only with preorders.

Not as great news: this beauty will not make it to the U.S. in time for San Diego, I’m sorry to report. It was sooo close, but the physical act of making the monster box set and shipping a ton of them from China… well, it’s hard to put a rush on that. —You try and tell China to hurry up. Uh huh. —Ironically, they should hit the U.S. shores the week after the con. So we’ll spend the month following SDCC shipping out orders.

My hand cut copy of the box set arrived last week and it is gorgeous. I’m very happy with it. I know you will be too. So, the bottom line is: YES, you can still preorder the Omnibus! And YES! We will be filling orders after San Diego Comic Con throughout the last of July and August.

Here is a pic of the handcut box set on my desk.

Here are the books. I can’t believe I drew all that. The box set is 9 pounds!

There’s more to report, but nobody likes reading a 40,000 word blog entry. I’ll be back!