All throughout April and May, we’re crowdsourcing a coronavirus quarantine comics reading list. Each weekday for a month, we’ll post a new recommendation from someone in the comics industry to help folks get through the isolation. This includes writers, artists, letterers, editors, comics journalists, publicists, and more…all paired with a local shop that’s currently selling the books via mail order.

Today’s pick comes from colorist Stelladia…enjoy!

-If I only had a Heart-

As a devoted lover of all Wizard of Oz-related stuff and, of course, comics, I take every chance to check out new content that checks both of those boxes. When I first heard about David Booher and Drew Zucker’s Canto, I was already excited, knowing David is also a huge fan of this timeless story. So, a new comic book about the Tin Man written by David? Sign me us! And, goddesses, I was right to be excited. David's passion for the story he's telling shows on every page, going deep into the heart (no pun intended!).

Disclaimer: I'm about to talk about issue #1, but all of volume one is available now! 

Canto is not exactly an Oz story, but it takes its inspiration from Baum's book. It's a love letter to the original universe. Reading it, for me, was like pushing play on an animated movie: watching the action, hearing the soundtrack, the background noises. One of those old, classic, fantasy features with a bit of darkness to them. I could hear the voices of the characters just by taking a look at Deron Bennett's lettering in a couple of scenes in particular. Without being an expert on lettering, I’d say it has an organic and nostalgic feel from the beginning to the end, preparing you for a big quest from a brave but small character. Drew Zucker's art is expressive, personal, and recognizable, with beautiful dramatic shadows that make the character's struggle present on every panel. Vittorio Astone is in charge of color, and it shows. I recently had the chance to read one of his works, These Savage Shores, and I was captivated by his use of textures and his ability to create an engaging mood. What a great team! Putting these talents together creates magic on every page. 

Right now we need these kinds of stories. We need fantasy, connection and characters who care. This is why I've chosen this book. I wish you all can feel the same heart-warming sensation that I did. -Stelladia

Canto
Writer: David M. Booher
Artist: Drew Zucker
Colorist: Vittorio Astone
Letterer: Deron Bennett
Publisher: IDW
Canto’s adventure begins! Enslaved for generations, Canto’s people once had hearts. Now they have clocks. When slavers damage a little tin girl’s clock beyond repair, Canto must brave his strange and fantastic world to bring back her heart. Can he overcome the dangers that await to save the one he loves? An all-ages fable inspired by Wizard of Oz and Dante's Inferno. Part fantasy. Part adventure. All heart.

Get it from a local comic shop with this directory from the Comics Industry Collective of stores open and doing mail order!

Click here for the full coronavirus reading list!