We've just returned from stalking the hallowed halls of the London Book Fair. We're swimming in glossy pamphlets right now, but here are some of the more interesting titles that we've found. If you're looking for the next Robrandon RR Martinfus, this isn't the list - what follows are some of the quirkier, more fun titles we spotted today.
(All links go to the publisher. If you're keen to pre-order, why not take the details to your local bookshop?)
Invaderoma (Drago). Combines the catalogue for Invader's first Italian exhibition with the photos of his Roman invasion. Long our favourite street artist, we're quite excited to see his 8-bit aliens tackle yet another great city in their 19th invasion. Drago have also published a gorgeous reference book - From Style Writing to Art: A Street Art Anthology. (Out now)
Anno Dracula by Kim Newman (Titan). Re-release of the award-winning steampunk vampire alternate history (fangpunk? bloodpunk?). 1888 - Dracula is married to Queen Victoria. Hijinks. Etc. Newman is signing at Forbidden Planet for the launch. (May)
The Book of English Magic by Philip Carr-Gomm and Richard Heygate (Overlook Press). Massive volume exploring the English literary tradition of magical lore and practice. Ticks all the big fantasy boxes too, with references to Rowling, Tolkien, Lewis and Pratchett. (September)
Don Quixote: Volume 1 by Miguel de Cervantes and Rob Davis (Self Made Hero). We saw some preliminary sketches of this at BICS last year. They looked great then, but judging by the art on display at the London Book Fair, this is going to be absolutely stunning. Mr. Davis has ambitiously tackled one of the classics of Western literature and we can't wait to see the result. (September)
Cinema Sex Sirens by Dave Worrall and Lee Pfeiffer (Omnibus Press). Big glossy hardcover that pretty much does what it says on the tin, plus a foreword by Sir Roger Moore. Brigitte Bardot was very attractive indeed. (October)
Dracula by Bram Stoker (Constable & Robinson). Absolutely gorgeous looking limited edition facsimile of the 1897 first edition, with a new introduction by Colm Toibin. Nostalgia + vintage horror + slipcase. It had me at hello. (October)
A Halloween Treat by Edward Gorey (Bloomsbury). An undiscovered short from the master of the macabre, released in time for Halloween. Gorey is always wonderful, and if this really is unseen work, that's fantastic news. (October)
King's War by Maurice Broaddus (Angry Robot). The conclusion to the Knights of Breton Court trilogy - the Arthurian legends retold as Indianapolis street gangs. We love the series and will be sad to see it concluded - Mr. Broaddus' work is gutsy, innovative and a challenging take on modern fantasy. (November) (Peter Crowther's Darkness Falling, released a month earlier, also has us intrigued. Body snatching aliens in small town USA... always a good premise).
The Case of Charles Dexter Ward by HP Lovecraft and INJ Culbard (Self Made Hero). The buzz around At the Mountains of Madness was well-deserved, as Mr. Culbard's graphic novel reinterpretation of Lovecraft's novel turned out to be one of the highlights of 2010. The Case of Charles Dexter Ward promises to repeat that magic, as the two reunite (well, semi-posthumously). (March 2012) (Mr. Culbard also has another treat coming out from the same publisher - Edgar Rice Burroghs' A Princess of Mars, coming February 2012).
The Art of Whisky by Jim Murray (Dram Good Books). Originally a softcover from the Public Records Office, now updated and republished as a big sexy hardback. The history of whisky (blended & single malt) as shown through their posters. (Unknown)
Also coming out? About four hundred dystopian YA series. If that's your thing, you might want to clear your schedule until 2013.
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