The indie fan favorite, ShortBox returns with #11, bringing together five all-new comics for its subscribers. Heat Vision had the exclusive announcement for this quarter’s lineup, including Sara Alfageeh, Lissa Treiman, Jen Lee, Ariel Ries, Hana Chatani and Michelle Theodore, as well as previews of their upcoming comics.
It's landed! ShortBox #11- a box of 5 fantastic new comics from a veritably sparkling line-up: @lbtreiman, @cousineggplant, @repoghost, @hanpanmangaki, and @meeshell_t -plus a stunning, exclusive print from @SaraAlfageeh! Orders open from July 15-28th. https://t.co/MxlqQCF55k pic.twitter.com/EIFV8f16jX
— ShortBox (@Short_Box) July 15, 2019
ShortBox is a comic subscription service curated by critic Zainab Akhtar and created by her in 2016. Unlike other similar services, ShortBox also publishes everything that’s in the box, meaning every shipment is all-new and specially stewarded by Akhtar herself. In its short tenure, ShortBox has united top-tier talent – and garnered top tier recognition, too. The publication’s alum include names like James Stokoe, Emily Carroll, Rosemary Valero-O’Connell, Sloane Leong and Eleanor Davis as well as several Eisner nods.
Akhtar describes her creation best on her site: “the ShortBox sensibility is simply to publish fresh, interesting work, and to spotlight excellent artists around the world.”
In an interview with Heat Vision, she adds “Publishing a mini-slate of comics via an independent mail-order box model means we’re able to give more established creators greater freedom andprovide a platform for debut cartoonists. For readers, there’s both the reassurance of quality from known quantities and the thrill of discovery. ShortBox No. 11 is perhaps the strongest example of that to date. It’s a corker.”
She continues that tradition with ShortBox #11, the publisher’s final box of 2019, collecting stories of friendship, fear, myth, self-neglect and, for good measure, teeth monsters. Below, we’ve got a look at what all that means with previews and solicit text. But first, check out the exclusive Sara Alfageeh print subscribers will also get in their boxes.
In the Mountains box-exclusive, limited edition A4 print by Sara Alfageeh
Minotaar by Lissa Treiman
“Dena and Mel embark on a mission of epic proportions: visiting the byzantine halls of IKOS in order to retrieve the flat-pack bookshelf of Dena’s dreams -after some meatballs, of course. But something strange is afoot in IKOS’ minimally-designed, one-way aisles… Can Dena and Mel, and their friendship, navigate the realm of retail and emerge unscathed?”
Cry Wolf Girl by Ariel Ries
“The story goes like this: There was once a girl named Dawa. Having lost her family to sickness, she found herself with an emptiness inside that she did not know how to fill. Alas, in all her endeavours, nothing she tried ever left her feeling so full as the art -of trickery.”
Pass the Baton by Hana Chatani
“Returning to her apartment from a visit to the corner store, Noriko spies on a young teen experiencing his first romantic rejection. Years later, their paths cross once again, and the two bond over shared passions, insecurities, and love in its many forms.”
At the Edge of the Stream at Dusk by Jen Lee
“Part road-trip, part memoir, At the Edge of the Stream at Dusk charts Jen’s journey post the end of a long-term relationship as she moves across the country from her farmhouse to a new home and job in the city, while reflecting on the changes and challenges she’s faced.”
Cavity by Michelle Theodore
“Elliot’s got a cavity. She knows it needs to be seen to, but right now she doesn’t have the motivation to book an appointment with the dentist. She doesn’t have the motivation to see her friends and family, do the laundry, cook and clean, or do anything much. Meanwhile, the cavity grows… and so does something inside it…”
Are you sold yet? To order ShortBox #11, head here.
