Get Estelle in your stocking this Christmas

Amazon, I don't know. They're ever so convenient and all, but they do do some loopy things - and I can't imagine it'll get any better when they're the only bookstore in the world. The latest oddity is that they have removed the price and pre-ordering details from Mirabilis Volume 2. However, the Book Depository (which Amazon of course bought this summer) are listing the book, which they correctly state will be released in just 12 days. So ample time to order it for Christmas - but only if you live in the UK and go to the Book Depository website.

In an extra-strange wrinkle, Amazon US are listing the correct publication date (December 1st) but still haven't enabled pre-ordering - though perhaps that's just as well, as technically the hardbacks are only supposed to be available in the UK and Eire.

We're not the only title this has happened to. Amazon UK just de-listed Ed Brubaker's Criminal Vol 6: The Last of the Innocent and cancelled my long-standing order, saying, "Our supplier has informed us that this item is no longer available. This item has now been cancelled from your order." Yet there it is on Amazon US with a release date of December 21. Most peculiar, momma.

The UK comics resurgence

Strip Magazine is here! The distribution snafus that bedevilled the scheduled launch last month are now all fixed, and you should be seeing it in your local comics store - and indeed on iTunes. All the details are over on the Print Media blog, but just before you scoot over there, let me mention the luscious mega-sized free Mirabilis poster and, if that's not enough to tempt you, how about awesome strips by P J Holden, John Ridgway, Michael Penick, John McCrea and other stellar names from the comics firmament. This is the kind of comic I loved as a kid - and nowadays too, come to that. Don't miss it.

Is that a dragon in your stocking..?

If you've enjoyed the Royal Mythological Society epistolary short stories (eg here and here) wherein Dr Clattercut and Prof Bromfield reply to various fantastical events, you might be interested in the paperback edition. Intended as a little Christmas gift, this collects all fifty-odd stories in one neat little pocket-sized package, complete with that beautiful piece of iconic Mirabilis artwork by Martin.

You can get A Minotaur at the Savoy from the Book Depository, from Barnes & Noble, and of course from Amazon. Don't take any notice of Amazon's estimate of 5 to 8 weeks for delivery - they often do that with books printed through Lightning Source; order now and you'll get it in good time for Christmas - and look at those prices. Spiffing, eh what?