Hitting stands on Wednesday, Sweatshop (DC Comics) is a humorous comic book set behind the scenes at a successful daily newspaper comic strip, where the assistants do all the work and the creator takes long lunches. In the first issue, a rival strip introduces a gay character (who happens to be a hamster), which creates chaos in the competition for a coveted award. Sweatshop is created by acclaimed writer-artist Peter Bagge (Hate, Neat Stuff, Yeah!).

SWEATSHOP #1 ($2.95, 32 pg.) FEB030184
In-store date April 23.
From the creator of the highly acclaimed, outrageously funny Hate! SWEATSHOP tells the uproarious story of Mel Bowling — a nationally syndicated cartoonist who hasn’t touched his strip in years. Instead, he uses a stable of aspiring young artists, each with a different career goal. In this premier issue, Mel’s nominated for an industry award…one that he’ll stop at nothing to win! Written by Peter Bagge with art by Bagge, Stephen DeStefano and Bill Wray and a cover by Bagge.