Coming In June From Top Shelf Productions – Space Gays, Petting Zoo Escapees And ‘Sexy-Victorian Steam-Punk Robo-Love Story’
by Richard Bruton
Three great-looking books from Top Shelf in June 2023 – Dennis Messner’s The Unpetables, the second book of Hannah Templer’s Cosmoknights, and a reissue of Jess Fink’s erotic steampunk Chester 5000.
Yep, definitely something for everyone here from Top Shelf coming out in June. Three books, all looking great.
If you’re looking for a fabulously fun middle-grade adventure, then The Unpetables looks pretty perfect. There’s the continued gays in space thrills of Hannah Templer’s Cosmoknights, a book that’s been delighting audiences online as a webcomic since 2019. And finally, something very definitely adults only, as Jess Fink’s Chester 5000 Book 1 gets reissued with a new cover and enhanced artwork.
More on each of these in time, but here’s just a little of each, plus the Top Shelf PR…
Cosmoknights (Book Two) by Hannah Templer
On sale June 13th 2023
“Escape was just the beginning. The sensational “gays in space” webcomic/graphic novel returns, with new faces, long-awaited reunions, higher stakes, and more thrilling action!
Pan has finally escaped her dead-end planet, piecing together a new sort of family with the rebel gladiators Bee & Cass and the mysterious hacktivist Kate. They’ve even rescued a princess… but what if this princess has her own ideas? Whatever happened to Pan’s childhood friend Tara? And if they become galactic fugitives, will the immense pressure of life on the run threaten to tear them apart just in time for the biggest heist of their lives?”
The Unpetables by Dennis Messner
On sale June 20th 2023
“These two best friends have had ENOUGH of being petted! It’s a non-stop zany middle-grade adventure as they bust out of the petting zoo and hit the road to find their destiny.
Pigmund and Lizárdo are free! They recently “declared independence” from their petting zoo…. and now this pot-bellied pig and iguana are out to SEE THE WORLD.
They are: THE UNPETABLES — and they’re available for temporary work as “freelance pets.” But no matter what gigs the Unpetables may get, they have one very big rule: NO MORE PETTING!
Will Pigmund and Lizárdo find the independence they’re looking for? Or will Maintenance Man Kenny finally catch up with them and take them back to Uncle Milo’s All-Natural Petting Zoo?
Hitch a ride on the nearest chicken and pick up this laugh-a-minute graphic novel, full of rambunctious action and irresistible creativity.”
Chester 5000 (Book 1) by Jesse Fink — new edition with updated artwork
On sale June 27th
A deluxe new edition with a new cover and enhanced artwork throughout.
“A vintage delight for adult readers of all stripes, Jess Fink’s award-winning graphic novel debut reads like a whimsical love child of steampunk, silent film, and erotic comics.
Winner of the Ignatz Award for Outstanding Series!
“Is there any finer thing than a gorgeously drawn and visually engaging sexy-Victorian steam-punk robo-love story? Chester 5000 is absolutely wonderful, like it was custom-built for your (reading) pleasure.” — Lucy Knisley, author of Relish
1885: an age of industrial revolution and sexual frustration. Pricilla is a woman with needs, and her inventor husband, Robert, is a little too busy with his experiments to keep her fully satisfied. Science to the rescue! With a few gears and springs, the proper appendages, a little lubrication, and a lot of love, Chester 5000 is born! He’s the perfect tool for the job… but what if Chester is more than just a machine? What are the consequences of trying to engineer love?
A delight for adult readers of all stripes, Jess Fink’s beloved classic reads like a whimsical love child of steampunk, silent film, and erotic comics.
