Friday, November 19, 2010

Indies Preview Review for January 2011 Part 3 of 3

The final day...

Image Comics
Shuddertown HC by (W) Nick Spencer (A) Adam Geen
The dead are killing. While struggling to hide the secrets of his own tortured past, troubled homicide detective Isaac Hernandez investigates a string of murders in which all of the forensic evidence points toward perpetrators who are already dead themselves. One of the year's most critically acclaimed and talked-about crime stories, finally collected in a beautiful oversized-hardcover format! Available Again, Not a New Release. $19.99
Lee: This isn’t a new release but the last issue just came out last month after a six or seven month hiatus so I’m betting everyone forgot about it. But, those that read the final issue said it was great and worth the wait so I shall get this.
Gwen: This looks really cool. First of all I'm a sucker for detective stories and this seems to be one with an interesting twist. I'm also a sucker for supernatural twists so it's pretty easy to sell me on this one.

NBM
Ordinary Victories GN by (W/A) Manu Larcenet
This is the story of Marc, a photographer who's tired. Meet the very patient chick he meets and of banal horrors and his pain-in-the-neck cat. It's the story of his art thrown against heavy anxiety attacks; of a really cute woman in his small town who seems to take to him against all odds; of the old neighbor, a peaceful likable fellah until you get to know his disturbing role in the war. Available Again, Not a New Release. $15.95
Lee: This isn’t a new release but this is a great book about growing up. And not the growing up that kids do, this is all about the growing up that adults have to do as they move through life. The hype doesn’t do this justice because this is one of those rare books that really captures all the anxieties of life without being depressing. Highly recommended.
Gwen: While this type of genre can be well done it can easily fall flat as well because with this type of story you need to have something in common with your fans. So I'll have to take Lee's word that this is one of the better done versions as it's just as easy to run into the creator work that's hard to empathize with. I'm not really referring to similar life experiences either (as I love Persepolis and have next to nothing in common with that creator's life experiences) just something in the story of another person that's easily relatable.

Olympian Publishing
Fracture of the Universal Boy GN by (W/A) Michael Zulli
The acclaimed Sandman illustrator retreated for years to produce this semi-autobiographical tale that takes readers into the most treacherous recesses of the human experience. Nearly two decades in the making, Fracture is less a graphic novel and more a self-exorcism onto the printed page, evidence of how emotionally explosive graphic novels can be. $20.00
Lee: There’s nothing better than seeing, and reading, about tortured artists. They tend to put all their efforts into producing visual tour-de-forces when “excorising personal demons.” Zulli is a master artist and I can’t wait to see the pictures he’s drawn.
Gwen: ... I don't know, I'm fairly certain I can easily think of things better than seeing and reading about tortured artists... like waffles. Mmm, waffles.

Cursed Pirate Girl SC by (W/A) Jeremy Bastian
Adventures on and under the high seas lead a cursed pirate girl to encounter mythic creatures, gnarled and crusty pirates, and ghostly apparitions in this whimsical swashbuckling tale of wonderland journeys and unimaginable dangers. The first three issues are collected with an all-new epilogue. $20.00 Visit Jeremy here and read a review, see previews here.
Lee: Everything I read about this compared it to Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland which is pretty high praise. But, based on the images I've seen I'd have to agree. The art has the feel of old, turn of the century material and I love it. I'm sold.
Gwen: This looks amazing. As someone who loves pirate stories and Alice in Wonderland this looks like one of those books made specifically to appeal to me. The art looks great too!

Pure Imagination Publishing
Joe Kubert Reader SC by (A) Joe Kubert
Lost Joe Kubert artwork from the 1940s and early 1950s rediscovered and never-before reprinted! Horror, adventure, romance, and superhero artwork unseen for half-a-century. $25.00
Lee: Every single time I swear it’s the last PI book for me, Theakston (the publisher) finds a way to draw me back in. I can’t pass up a chance to see early Kubert art in an oversized, crystal clear format that allows you see to see every inked line and nuance. These are fantastic books if you love the old stuff.
Gwen: That's all you Lee. I am very rarely interested in buying a pure art book... of course if they come out with one for Amy Reeder I'd make an exception.

Rebellion / 2000AD
Greysuit: Project Monarch SC by (W) Pat Mills (A) John Higgins
The covert operatives known as Greysuits enforce the British Government's interests in the world's most dangerous places. Specially conditioned to have heightened strength and reflexes, Greysuits are the most deadly secret agents alive. $22.50
Lee: There certainly isn’t a lot in this write up to draw the casual reader in but I’m betting it is pretty good. Pat Mills is an accomplished writer and John Higgins is an excellent artist. I’m betting the art is going to carry this.
Gwen: As I am not often sold on art alone this would probably be a pass. However as a gift I might pick something like this up - Andre loves spy stories.

Lee: It may have been light in terms of the sheer number of books but there was some cool stuff to be had.
Gwen: I can still think of lots more things better than seeing and reading about tortured artists. Halloween, puppies, driving in nice weather with the windows rolled down and the radio turned up....





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