Friday, April 08, 2011

IDW Preview Review for June

Lee: I always look forward to IDW but this month is suspect. There are mini series that are flooding the market for no good reason, and oversized books that can’t support their own weight, but a slew of new horror stories keeps me optimistic.
Thomm: Truth be told, I don’t look forward to much outside of the Vertigo line. IDW is fun to look through, but it’s not been any great shakes for me.

Godzilla: Gangsters & Goliaths #1 (of 5)
John Layman (w) • Alberto Ponticelli (a) • Geof Darrow, Alberto Ponticelli (c)
Detective Makoto Sato is on an unrelenting quest to bring down the Takahashi crime syndicate. Sato's efforts earn him a one-way trip to a tropical getaway, courtesy of the Tokyo criminal underworld. The exotic locale? MONSTER ISLAND! Alone and facing death at the hands of both gangsters and goliaths, Sato must use his wits to survive—and enlist the aid of some most unusual friends. Join superstar creators John Layman (Chew) and Alberto Ponticelli (Unknown Soldier) for this unusual and exciting miniseries! FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Lee: I know this is the new model, but I am getting tired of the continually revolving mini-series. Actually, let me clarify that statement, I am tired of publishers flooding the market with unrelated miniseries. It works for BPRD because it is coherent, and for the most part a single writer or artist. But for GI Joe, there are more mini’s than I can count which have different writers and artists, it’s impossible to tell which ones are good. In this case, the first Godzilla mini isn’t even done and now we have the second. It’s bleeding the fans dry.
Thomm: I’m going to take a little something from the conservatives and say “Huh?” Since when do we have to buy all of them? Be judicious and exercise self restraint. Now I like the ongoing miniseries. Defined arcs, easily defined jumping on (or off) points, and, with a modicum of planning, a good way to keep a book on schedule when it is being published. This is a lot better than the siren call of the ongoing series and its crossovers to a multitude of other books. As far as the Godzilla book at hand, I like the premise. Not a big Godzilla guy, but it’s a good hook.

That Hellbound Train #1 (of 3)
Robert Bloch, Joe and John Lansdale (w) • Dave Wachter (a) • Menton Matthews III (c)
Take a trip back in time on Robert Bloch’s That Hellbound Train! Join Martin, an out-of-luck orphan, as he struggles to fulfill the American dream. As Martin comes of age, fate conspires against him at every turn. On the verge of giving up hope, our young protagonist is visited by a monstrous train, one whose conductor might just have a ticket to fame and riches... if Martin is willing to pay the price! Scribes Joe and John Lansdale (30 Days of Night: Night, Again) and artist Dave Wachter bring this unique tale of American folklore to life! FC • 32 pages • $3.99 You can visit Dave Wachter here.
Lee: I loves me a good horror story and this should fill the niche perfectly. Bloch was a grand master of horror stories so I can’t miss the chance to see one of his stories with pretty pictures.
Thomm: All well and good, but I missed what about this is American folklore. I’m no expert in the topic, but I don’t recall one about a hellbound train. Is it like the Flying Dutchman?

Caniff
Dean Mullaney (w) • Milton Caniff (a & c)
Produced with full access to Caniff's extensive personal archives at The Ohio State University, and with the cooperation of the Caniff estate, this oversized book reproduces from the original artwork hundreds of comics, illustrations, pencil sketches, and drawings—including many not previously reprinted. In addition to the three famous comic strips, represented are his childhood drawings, the beginnings of his career as a newspaper cartoonist, his significant contributions to the 1940s war effort, as well as his continuing relationship with the Air Force, Boy Scouts, and other organizations. HC • FC • $49.99 • 360 Pages • 11” x 11” • 1
Lee: If you love Milt Caniff then this is the book for you. It is very cool that IDW is publishing this and a must for any historian of the comic strip medium. My only comment, I have the Noel Sickels book is which the same size less 50 pgs. Because the book is sooo big, the binding in the Sickles book can’t support the pages and tends to rip. It’s almost impossible to find a copy that isn’t damaged.
Thomm: So you’re saying there’s a budding collectible market for those few that have never been opened? Just what the world needs. I like the sound of the book, if it can hold up under its own weight. Two things about the solicitation, though. Outside of football players on MNF, the school’s name is Ohio State University, not The Ohio State University. And what continuing relationship does Caniff have with any organization? He’s been dead since 1988.

Archie: Americana Vol. 1: The '40s
Various (w) • Various (a) • Bob Montana (c)
In 1941, Pep Comics introduced Archie Andrews, "American's newest boyfriend." Since then, Archie and his teenage friends have entertained young and old alike with the hilarious misadventures. Filled with outrageous tales of dating woes, high school hijinx and slapstick mayhem, it wasn't long before Archie became known as "the Mirth of the Nation." Now, IDW Publishing combines both "Best of the Forties" Americana series books into one must-have collection! HC • FC • $24.99 • 216 Pages
Lee: EXCELLENT. If you have any interest at all in Archie this is the book for you. I have the sc of these two books and they really are a ‘best of’ for an entire decade. It is the perfect way to experience Archie. It doesn’t hurt that the stories, and art, are excellent and will even entertain the most crumudgenly… wouldn’t you say so Thomm?
Thomm: No!

Something Monstrous!
Steve Niles and R.H. Stavis (w) • Stephanie Buscema (a & c)
An all-new, standalone graphic novel! There's something killing off the old folks of the usually quiet little town of Hope Falls.... something very angry with a score to settle... When Alexis Conner arrives to bail her sobering brother, Cody, out of jail, they soon discover their own father has fallen victim to its rage and Cody has become the prime suspect! Written by horror master Steve Niles (30 Days of Night) and R. H. Stavis, and illustrated by Stephanie Buscema. TPB • FC • $17.99 • 104 Pages
Lee: Steve Niles writes a book about killing old people! What’s not to like?????
Thomm: Sarah Palin’s death panels have come to life! Hot dog. I’ll bet the monster looks just like Obama.

Thomm: A good bit of variety. I think the Godzilla book’s actually the most interesting of the lot.
Lee: IDW always has great variety but Archie is waaayyyy better than Godzilla.

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