BERN

She is the Katipunera Warrior. In a re-imagined colonial Philippines haunted by demonic monsters, Katipuneros harness the powers of gods from the dead civilization of the moons to save villages from their attacks. A child from one such village joins them. She is first enlisted as a weapons messenger, but her true destiny is to succeed their legacy by becoming the Katipunera Warrior.

Canadian comics publisher Drawn & Quarterly has distinguished itself during its four years of publishing by releasing a wonderfully idiosyncratic series of comic book serials notable for an emphasis on autobiographical stories, loose expressive drawing styles and characters either stuck on or passing through the social margins. This beautifully produced trade paperback collects work from D&Q's equally quirky, eponymous quarterly anthology and presents shorter pieces by some of the best young comic artists of the moment. Michael Dougan ( I Can't Tell You Anything ) contributes ``Black Cherry,'' another of his ``dumb job'' stories that recreates the parade of oddballs and crazies that frequent an ice cream parlour where he used to work. Maurice Vellekoops (who contributed the richly colored, ``scandalously'' funny cover art) presents ``The 8 pillars of Gay Culture'' and ``Homoman,'' both of which happily exploit gay sterotypes (`` `did you hire a decorator?' `Of course not; I'm a homosexual.' '') with mischievous, politically incorrect wit. Also note Debbie Drechsler's disturbing (and nicely drawn) ``Visitors in the Night'' on child sexual exploitation; and Joe Matt, Mr. Peep Show himself, who would like to share his darkest secret with us--it's crude and very funny--whether we want to know it or not. Also includes Carol Tyler, Roberta Gregory, David Mazzucchelli, Mary Fleener and others.

Jonathan Wells comes to live with his family after inheriting a house through his uncle’s will. Jonathan, who had wanted to know more about his uncle, receives a note from his grandmother warning him not to go down into the basement of his uncle, Edmond Wells. However, due to a chance incident, Jonathan ends up entering the basement once and afterward, as if possessed, he keeps returning to it. At the same time, in ant society, Scout Ant No. 327 is the first to awaken from hibernation in winter and is tasked with heading out with his comrades on a scouting mission. During that mission, all the scout ants except No. 327 are slaughtered without even knowing why. Judging that danger is approaching the colony, No. 327 gathers like-minded companions to warn the colony of the threat. While being pursued by ants that emit a “rock-like scent” that puts his life in danger, he draws closer to the truth that the colony has been hiding.