Indies Preview of September Part 2 of 2

More wonderful books that deserve your money!

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School Spirits HC by (w/a/c) Anya Davidson
School Spirits is Anya Davidson's debut book and could be described as like Beavis and Butthead meets James Joyce's Ulysses. It is the story of Oola, a high school student with an unusual connection to the supernatural. Comprised of four chapters, each deploying a different narrative technique, School Spirits is at once funny, sexy, mystical and, above all, utterly clear. Davidson's crisp cartooning style makes even the strangest occurrences seem utterly plausible.152 pgs, B-W, 8.5x11, $19.95 See preview pages here.
Lee: What can I say I have a weakness for psychedelically colored comic books. This looks to be a nut case of a comic and the previews support my opinion. The art reminds me of Mary Fleener a lot. So bottom line… it’s awesome and worth checking out!
Thomm: Utterly clear and Joycian seem like they can’t exist in the same concept. I’ll let you check this one out.

Indies Preview of September Part 1 of 2

Lee: Another month, another huge stack of indies. Ok, not as huge as usual but still plenty of good stuff. And, with only one exception, all the books are affordable this month. That’s something new too!
Thomm: I’m just dying to see what the meaning of affordable is in the Lee cosmos.

Adhouse Books
Delusional HC by (w/a/c) Farel Dalrymple
Delusional is a book of comics and drawings by cartoonist Farel Dalrymple. You might have seen them in various anthologies, or posted on the internets, but now they are collected into one beautiful tome. Farel's previous work includes Pop Gun War, Omega the Unknown, and the occasional Prophet. 232 pgs, FC, 6x9, $24.95
Lee: Dalrymple is one of the great indie cartoonists and, unfortunately, doesn’t do enough comic book stuff. Pop Gun War was great. Omega was great. His current work on Phophet is great. It’s a little pricey for an entry point but if you haven’t seen Dalrymple’s art you are really missing out.
Thomm: Ok, so this is the not affordable title. I’ll have to take your word for it on whether it’s good. I have no experience of Dalrymple’s work.

Image Previews for September

Lee: IDW had a huge month which usually means that Image is due to crash and burn. But Image has been so good lately, and taken so much of my money, that I can’t see it happening. And it doesn’t. But there isn’t as much as I normally expect.

Thomm: You’re all over the board with that lead in. Image has been pushing new doors open in the last year or so, and, like Lee, I’m rewarding them with more purchases.

RAT QUEENS #1
story KURTIS J. WIEBE
art / cover ROC UPCHURCH
incentive cover FIONA STAPLES
32 pgs / FC / $3.50
Who are the Rat Queens? A pack of booze-guzzling, death-dealing battle maidens-for-hire, and they're in the business of killing all gods' creatures for profit.
It's also a darkly comedic fantasy series starring Hannah the Rockabilly Elven Mage, Violet the Hipster Dwarven Fighter, Dee the Atheist Human Cleric and Betty the Hippy Hobbit Thief. This modern spin on an old school genre is a violent monster-killing epic that is like Buffy meets Tank Girl in a Lord of the Rings world on crack! Visit the artist here with a link to the Rat Queens facebook page. 
Lee: As soon as I read “Atheist Human Cleric” I knew I had to pick this. That line is for you Thomm! Anyway, I wasn’t thrilled with Wiebe’s Peter Panzerfaust but I’m not willing to give up on him yet. I’ll give this a try. It doesn’t hurt that Upchurch’s art looks fantastic.
Thomm: Come on. Lord of the Rings parody? That’s a great premise. Can they match the body total of the original, though?

IDW Previews for September

Lee: It looks like IDW is back on track because there are lots of good books this month. And, as always, it seems to be a good mix of reprints and new material.
Thomm: I’m not as much an IDW fan as Lee, but have found some good work there.

Powerpuff Girls #1 (of 5)
Troy Little (w & a) • Little x 4 (c)
Citizens of Townsville, fear not! The Powerpuff Girls are back! In this IDW debut issue Blossom, Bubbles and Buttercup are back to take down the meanest of the mean and the ugliest of the ugly! Plus, what fiendish secret is Mojo Jojo hiding? The answer is sure to surprise! FC • 32 pages • $3.99  Visit Troy here. 
Lee: Wheee more retro action from IDW. First it was My Little Pony, now this… what’s next Care Bears? Aside from my apathy for the series, I bet girls (especially younger ones like mine) will love this. It makes sense in a broaden the market kind of way, but not for me.
Thomm: Not for me, but I enjoyed the animated series when my daughter was into that. Being 14 now, she’s not so much into it now. Burping, farting rednecks are more her amusement now. Makes this seem like Shakespeare.
Lee:  LATE BREAKING UPDATE!  I just remembered who Troy Little is!  He wrote the Angora Napkin GN a couple of years ago which was a ton of fun.  I actually did an interview with him which you can read here.  This went from *eh* to *interesting*.

Indies Preview for August Part 2 of 2

Continued from yesterday...

Genesis West

Conan Red Nails Original Art Archives HC by (A) Barry Windsor Smith
Forty years after its initial release, Genesis West brings you once again the classic 59-page Conan tale Red Nails, as adapted by Roy Thomas and Barry (Windsor) Smith. Scanned in color and presented at the size of the original art, this oversize hardbound edition faithfully captures the appearance of the actual pages as drawn in 1973. 136 pgs, FC, 14x19, $150.00
Lee: Yes, it’s another really, really expensive collection of art but this is one of the best! The is the peak of BWS Conan and this will be stunning. I just wish it were a little less expensive.
Thomm: A little less expensive? A lot less expensive. Then there’s the size issue. Pass.

Indies Preview for August Part 1 of 2

Lee: Ok, this is late by a couple of days and really corresponds to last months previews but it's been crazy around here lately.  Work has been nuts and this is the best I could do.  As always, lots of good stuff and a surprisingly amount of good stuff from Boom!
Thomm: Crazy here, too.  Vacation season's a real pain.  In fact, I lost track of the fact that we hadn't done this.

Archaia Entertainment
Classic Space: 1999-To Everything That Was SC by (w) Andrew E. C. Gaska (a/c) Gray Morrow
The sci-fi classic series continues! September 13, 1999: An atomic accident causes the moon to be blown out of orbit and hurled into the unknown, the survivors of the lunar base stationed there launched toward their destiny, and adventures, across the stars. Set in the continuity of the original series, Classic Space: 1999-To Everything That Was fills in the gap between the first and second seasons of the gothic science fiction television series Space: 1999, offering an exciting narrative of events that occurred behind the scenes. This collection is a celebration of the Space: 1999 comics of yesteryear, reprinting the best of the Charlton Comics series, the British Look-In issues and Annuals, with an artistic storytelling twist! It utilizes over a dozen rare Space: 1999 painted artworks as chapter breaks, and is adorned by a previously unpublished Gray Morrow Space: 1999 cover painting. Originally intended for the next issue of the 1977 cancelled Charlton comic series run, this beautifully restored image had until now only seen print in the late '70s as a puzzle! 304 pgs, FC, 7x10, $29.95
Lee:  This hits my weakness for cheesy 70's TV sci-fi.  I remember seeing the original series as a kid and loving it.  Then I picked up the DVDs and... well I should have stuck with my memories. But it's a great concept and Morrow was one of the greatest photo-realistic artists from the days when you needed skill and not a computer to do so. 
Thomm: I was never into this show as a kid and from what I've seen since I understand why.  This is purely a nostalgia trip.

IDW Previews for August

Lee: IDW used to always be my favorite previews but not so much lately. It seems like Image and DH have really stolen their mojo. If I were a bigger GI Joe, Star Trek, or Dr. Who fan I’d be thrilled but…

Thomm: Yeah, IDW has a lot of the licensed stuff. Even as a fan of Star Trek and Dr Who, that hasn’t translated into me wanting to buy comics about them.

T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents #1

Phil Hester (w) • Andrea Di Vito (a) • Di Vito x 4 (c)

The T.H.U.N.D.E.R. Agents are dead, or will soon be, unless new recruit Dynamo can master the incredible but lethal power of the Thunderbelt in time to rescue his teammates from the mysterious Iron Maiden. The timeless heroes return to comics with a vengeance in this blistering first issue from writer Phil Hester (Godzilla, Invincible Universe, Wonder Woman) and artist Andrea Di Vito (Dungeons & Dragons)!

Lee: The sad part of this… I have no interest in these characters. It’s nothing against Hester or Di Vito because they’re a good creative team. DC is to blame! They really used up any good will I had with the last botched launching of the series/characters. Which begs the question, how did IDW get them?

Thomm: I’d have to care to answer that question. I paid no attention when DC had them. I’ll pay no attention now. Thunderbelt? Sounds like a suspicious weight loss device.

Image Previews for August

Lee: It’s one of my favorite times of the month, Image Previews! Interestingly enough Image has a ton of ongoing series right now. They used to publish all these mini’s but everything seems to have grown into extended stories. And since so few of the series are about capes and tights, it’s refreshing to look at.

Thomm: Aside from Invincible and Savage Dragon there’s not much superhero stuff, which made it all the stranger when they attempted a big cross over event. I wonder how that worked out? I dropped it after one or two issues.

THE SIDEKICK #1
story J. Michael Straczynski
art / cover A Tom Mandrake and Brian Miller
cover B Charlie Adlard
32 pgs / FC / $2.99
Witness A Modern Hero’s Fall From Grace! The Cowl and Flyboy: renowned superhero and sidekick despite dopey names. They were famous, popular, and happy until the Cowl's assassination. Now, no one takes Flyboy seriously. Follow his trajectory from barely tolerated hero to figure of ridicule, and witness his slow descent into madness, darkness and crime.
Lee: Straczynski is on a roll these days. He is pumping out series like crazy! This sounds a lot like Veitch’s Bratpack so I expect this to be pretty bleak. Of course, Mandrake is a perfect artist for bleak which makes it even better.
Thomm: Bratpack took on a group of sidekicks while this focuses on one. Other than that, it does sound a lot alike. I’ve taken a tentative step back into reading JMS with Ten Grand. I hope he doesn’t fall back into not seeing things through to the end.

Watson and Holmes

In a recent look at previews, Lee and I mentioned Watson and Holmes from New Paradigm Studios.  I'm something of a Sherlock Holmes fan and thought the preview held out some potential for a good book.  The nice folks at New Paradigm decided to send me copies of the first three issues to review. 

I'm happy to say the book does very well with the concept.  It's not easy to come up with a lot of new in this milieu, what with the characters being in the public domain and lots of people taking a turn at them.  Even TV, with Sherlock and Elementary, have done so.  In fact, both shows do what this book does in moving Holmes and Watson into the current era.

And yet, each is distinct and entertaining in its own different way.  Sherlock is the closest to the original with its setting in London and Watson having been injured while serving in Afghanistan.  Elementary moves the story to NYC and makes Watson both female and American, with no back story in the military, let alone Afghanistan.  Watson and Holmes is set in Harlem with both being Americans, although Watson's service in Afghanistan is retained.

Written by Karl Bollers and drawn by Rick Leonardi, Watson and Holmes jumps right in.  There's an opening sequence in the first two pages that likely has no relevance to the rest of the story beyond setting up Watson to take action when he later comes across Holmes.  Regardless of its relevance, it's a poignant series of panels. 

Watson is an intern in a hospital, though Holmes insists on introducing him as a doctor wherever they go.  The main story is about a kidnapping that leads to a group of mercenaries with connections to Afghanistan and a very poorly thought out drug operation. 

The book moves fast and covers a good three boroughs of NYC in the first three issues.  By the end of the third our protagonists have located the man running the drug scheme and are stuck in a corner with him while the mercenaries are hunting them and him.  I'm certainly looking forward to the fourth and final issue in the miniseries that launches this series.

Bollers throws in some nice touches that reference to the source material.  In addition to Mycroft (who

prefers Mike), the inestimable Mrs Hudson appears, as well as a modern version of Inspector Lestrade, who seems considerably less inept than the original, and the Baker Street Irregulars.  The language Bollers uses is that of 2013 Harlem, yet he manages to have Holmes say "The game is afoot" without it sounding anachronistic.  That's a good, skilled touch.

A large part of the enjoyment is the Leonardi art.  He has a great style that fits the rough and tumble, almost noir, setting exceptionally well.  The PDFs that I read were of the on-line, noir version, in fact.  These are just the pencils without inking or coloring.  The print version is going to be in color.  I don't know that color improves the art any.  This is art that doesn't need ink or color.  In the course of working on this post I printed a few pages from the PDF.  Strangely, I liked the appearance of the art on a printed page even better than in the PDF.  All the more reason to buy the print version.

Hopefully this will be a successful launch.  New Paradigm plans a series of one shot issues after the initial miniseries is completed.  Among the writers planned for those are Chuck Dixon and Larry Hama, as well as one by Bollers.  I'm really looking forward to what Dixon will do with these two iterations of the characters.

Dark Horse Previews for July

Lee: Dark Horse really hit it out of the park this month. They have more, lots more, than just Star Wars and video game tie in’s! I’m excited.Thomm: Dark Horse has been using DHP as a platform for launching new titles, and it seems to be working well. I know I’m reading a couple, at least.

AMALA’S BLADE #4 (of 4)
Steve Horton (W) and Michael Dialynas (A/C/Cover)
FC, 32 pgs, $3.50
Master assassin Amala uncovers Prince Markos' plan to reignite civil war between Modifiers and Purifiers! Can she stem the tides of war? What is the deadly secret her mother carries? And will Amala face her long-lost destiny? "This is female-led swashbuckling fun for the whole family."–Comic Book Resources Visit the artist here.
Lee: It’s #4 of 4 so I’m really late on this pick but it bears mentioning. Even though the hype is very generic for a last issue the cover looks great. Since that’s all I really have to justify this on… I say it’s worth looking at on the stands. And, after some minor research (check out the link) Dialynas’s art looks good. It’s too late for me to get the series but I’m good for the trade.
Thomm: Not enough for me. Is Jim’s rating system infecting the rest of the blog now?

Indie Previews for July Part 3 of 3

Today... the conclusion.

Johns Hopkins University Press

Myth of the Superhero SC by (w) Marco Arnaudo
Superheroes embody the most positive and inclusive aspects of American culture. Through a series of close readings of DC and Marvel comics, Marco Arnaudo examines the religious and mythological elements of superhero comics and uncovers the influence of the classical epic and the Baroque style on the genre. Arnaudo asserts that, amidst the exciting action, tender love stories, and tales of self-sacrifice, superheroes are role models for tolerance and moral decision making. The Myth of the Superhero looks beyond the cape, the mask, and the super powers, presenting a serious study of the genre and its place in a broader cultural context. 224 pgs, 6x9, $24.95
Lee: I’m impressed that more and more people are doing their thesis on superheroes. That’ pretty cool. I wonder how this compares to Gwen’s paper on the same topic. Dude probably stole it from herthomm: I wonder how many recent comics were read. Not a lot of heroic in the current crop of books.

Indie Previews for July Part 2 of 3

Thomm and I are still going strong...

Avatar Press Inc
Absolution Rubicon #1 by (w) Christos N. Gage (a/c) Daniel Gete
Christos Gage takes his network television hardboiled crime sensibilities back to the violent world he created to reveal the fate of police superhero turned vigilante, John Dusk. With Dusk's fall from grace, every scumbag lawyer in the city is leading the charge to have the criminals he put away released from prison. But the thugs are finding that life behind bars is safer than facing Dusk's brand of permanent justice on the streets. As the body count increases, the former friends and loves in Dusk's life face the difficult challenge of trying to bring in one of their own. With a bounty on his head and pressure mounting for his arrest, the authorities take an insane chance by unleashing an unstoppable maniac to take him down. But sometimes the cure can be far worse than the disease. 32 pgs, FC, $3.99
Lee: In case you missed, or don’t remember, the first series back in 2009, this is very much a ‘what if Green Lantern started killing people’ story. The first series was better than average and suffered from poor art. This will be entertaining so I’m not worried about that but I hope the art is better.
Thomm: Has there been a change in artist? I don’t know. I wonder about the need to bring in the maniac. Green Lantern isn’t super powered or invulnerable. His power stems from his ring. Just shoot him in the head when he’s not paying attention. How hard can that be?Lee:   Original art was by Roberto Viacava so the artist has changed.  I still don't know who Gete is so that part is definitely a crap shoot.  Ok, with a little looking, Gete worked on Blue Water Comics Logan's Run, you can see previews of his art for that series here. 

Indie Previews for July Part 1 of 3

Lee: This is an odd month. Usually all the publishers have 1 really good book so there’s a lot of variety. This month, it seems like everyone is releasing 2 or 3 good books which means a couple of publishers are going to get rich off me this month.

Thomm: Rich off you? What’s that mean in terms of their revenues from Jim? You could keep one small company afloat all year with what he spends.

:01 First Second

Death of Haggard West One-Shot by (w/a/c) Paul Pope

This one-shot comic reprises scenes from the beginning of Battling Boy by Paul Pope. It presents the death of Haggard West, a vigilante-style superhero who protected the monster-ridden world of Arcolpolis before Battling Boy arrived to rid the planet of monster once and for all. The Death of Haggard West is a 32-page one-shot limited edition pamphlet comic with exclusive material (illustration and original cover) from Battling Boy author-illustrator Paul Pope. 32 pgs, FC, 7x10, $2.99

Lee: This is all about Paul Pope. There are few creators that I will buy no matter what it is they are putting out there, but Pope is one of them. I am sure this will be both surreal and fantastic. It’s always good.

Thomm: Good price, too. I don’t know anything about this creation of Pope’s but he’s reliably good.

 

IDW Previews for July

Lee: IDW is a strange mix of single issues and tpb’s this month. The last couple of months haven’t really thrilled me so I’m going in with limited expectations.
Thomm: I’m hit and miss with purchases from IDW. They have one series I follow but most of what I see is licensed stuff that’s not of interest.

The Rocketeer/The Spirit: Pulp Friction! #1 (of 4)Mark Waid (w) • Paul Smith (a / c)
The Spirit, created by Will Eisner, and The Rocketeer, created by Dave Stevens, are two of the most beloved characters in the history of comics. Now, these two great pulp-inspired heroes meet for the very first time! A Central City Councilman disappears and is found dead in Los Angeles. Commissioner Dolan, along with Denny Colt (AKA The Spirit) and his daughter Ellen in tow, treks out to the City of Angels to investigate. Meanwhile, Cliff Secord (The Rocketeer) consoles his sweetheart Betty… who is traumatized after accidentally discovering the politician’s body!  FC • 32 pages • $3.99
Lee: Doesn’t DC own the rights to the Spirit? I mean, DC was publishing the series just a couple of years ago so it’s strange to see it here. Anyway, the team up makes complete sense and with Waid writing I am sure this will be entertaining.Thomm: My first thought was that this would have been great, if Stevens and Eisner were alive to have done it, but having Waid do it is probably the next best thing. Looks like something I can add to my IDW reading.

Image Previews for July

Lee: We’re starting the month strong with Image. Lots of trades this month which is different.

Thomm: Image has taken over the space left by less Vertigo offerings in my purchases, with a little space left over for Dark Horse.

SHELTERED #1
story Ed Brisson
art / cover Johnnie Christmas
32 Pages / FC / $2.99
A Pre-Apocalyptic Tale Of Survival At Any Cost. The men and women of Safe Haven have been preparing for any-and-all end of world scenarios for years. However, their bunkers, weapons and training can't save them from the one threat they never could have expected: Their own children.
Lee: I can’t tell if this is tongue in cheek “they were corrupted by the internet” type kid threat or “they’re all tiny zombies” kid threat. Based on the bloody cover I’m going with zombies. I love a good horror story but I’m not sure I want to read one about parents shooting their own kids. I understand the sentiment but not sure I want to read about it.
Thomm: That’s because you don’t have any teenagers yet. Having spent an entire day with my son, following him from class to class in middle school, I certainly am more than willing to shoot other people’s kids.

Image Previews for June

Lee: I was gonna pick everything and let Thomm comment first, wondering why I picked the things I did. But then I couldn’t stop myself from talking (no surprise) and filled in the comments anyway. Except for Lazarus… because we’re all gonna love it anyway.
Thomm: Of course I’m safe from the silent treatment. I never had a doubt.

LAZARUS #1
story Greg Rucka
art/cover Michael Lark
32 Pages / FC / $2.99
In a dystopian near-future, government is a quaint concept, resources are coveted, and possession is 100% of the law. A handful of Families rule, jealously guarding what they have and exploiting the Waste who struggle to survive in their domains. Forever Carlyle defends her family's holdings through deception and force as their protector, their Lazarus. Shot dead defending the family home, Forever's day goes downhill from there...
Thomm: I don’t know anything about Lark but that’s some cover. Of course, just about anything Rucka writes is worth reading, so this is an easy pick.
Lee: Michael Lark is an AWESOME artist.  He did the early issues of Gotham Centrol, Terminal City, and Scene of the Crime.  He's been around a long time and knows his stuff.  This really is an easy pick.

APHRODITE IX: RELOADED, VOL 1 HC
story Matt Hawkins, David Wohl, and David Finch
art / cover David Finch
160 Pages / FC / $99.99
The Original Series As You Never Read It Before! Re-imagining and re-collecting the complete, original Aphrodite IX series drawn by superstar artist David Finch, this trade has been completely rescripted, rebooted, and updated in celebration to for her new Aphrodite IX ongoing series. Only 500 copies of this glorious, oversized hardcover will be produced!
A beautiful female assassin's memory is purged after every hit to protect her and her masters. As she becomes self-aware, Aphrodite begins to surpass her programming to rebel against those who use her.
Lee: I think this should read “The original series as no one has ever read before.” I don’t think I know anyone who’s actually read this. Or anyone that would admit to it!
Thomm: Even without the $100 price tag this doesn’t appeal to me. Beautiful tool overcomes programming of evil masters. Besides, if I read this in its original format, why would I want this HC that is being described as something totally new and different?

A DISTANT SOIL, VOL. 1: THE GATHERING TP
story / art / cover Colleen Doran
240 Pages / BW / $16.99
The first new edition of the out of print A Distant Soil, Vol. 1 collection returns in a spectacular, digitally re-mastered volume! This beautiful and critically acclaimed series has not had a new edition in seventeen years. Now, digital technology allows us to bring you a more beautiful presentation than ever before.
Every single page has been completely restored, and re-lettered, with a new and stunning die cut cover! This is The Definitive Version fans have been waiting for!
Lee: This is another one of those indie cult hits that people seem to love. There’s always been a buzz around this series but I’ve never actually picked it up. Maybe now is the time.
Thomm: It does look nice, too. And unlike the previous collection, it’s being touted as a faithful reproduction of the original. I’m seriously considering this one.

INFINITE VACATION HC
story Nick Spencer
art / cover Christian Ward
192 PAGES / FC / $24.99
Deluxe Oversized Hardcover. Welcome to the Infinite Vacation, where alternate realities are up for sale, and buying and trading your way through unlimited variations of yourself is as commonplace as checking your e-mail. At long last the brilliant and beautiful series that turned alternate realities on its ear, collected together for the first time in a beautiful, lavish, oversized hardcover. All five issues, plus extras – and a five-page fold-out suitable for framing.
Lee: I ordered it. I don’t know why but I did. I know the last issue was months and months late but before that killed all the momentum I seem to remember people liking this.
Thomm: You remember people liking this but not whether you liked it, or did you not get the singles but are just recounting what happened with the delay? Anyway, let me know how it reads. I’m not sure why this turns alternate reality stories on their ear.

PROPHET, VOL. 2: BROTHERS TP
story Brandon Graham and Simon Roy
art Simon Roy, Farel Dalrymple, Giannis Milonogiannis and Brandon Graham
cover Giannis Milonogiannis
172 Pages / FC / $14.99
The distant future war continues, Old man Prophet is awake now and searching across the universe for old allies that have survived the centuries since the last war. Collects Prophet #27-32
Lee: The best description for this I’ve seen is: Conan in Space. It’s way more complex than that and well worth your time. I can’t wait to get this.
Thomm: Sure does have a lot of artists listed for only 6 issues. I don’t know anything about this book. To me the promo should have provided more information on what this is all about.

SPAWN: THE DARK AGES COMPLETE COLLECTION HC
story Brian Holguin and Steve Niles
art Liam Mccormack-Sharp, Nat Jones, Kevin Conrad, Chance Wolf and Jonathan Glapion
700 Pages / FC / $59.99
Spawn: The Dark Ages Complete Collection reprints the journey of Lord Covenant, a 12th Century knight killed in a holy crusade far from his homeland, who returns to Earth as a HellSpawn. As a plague of violence and turmoil cover the English countryside, the Dark Knight must choose whether to align himself with the innocent inhabitants of the once-thriving kingdom or with the malevolent forces of evil and corruption. Featuring behind-the-scenes bonus art and cover gallery, Spawn: The Dark Ages Complete Collection is the first time the series will be collected in hardcover, oversized format.  Collects Spawn: The Dark Ages #1-28
Lee: A lot of “who asked for this?” this month. I know the first 10-15 issues look gorgeous with Sharp and Jones on art. I have no idea what the later issues look like. Nor do I have any idea about the story. But, all things considered it’s not a bad price for the number of pages here. Still don’t think I’ll get it though.
Thomm: I’ve read a bit of Spawn over the years and never felt any real affinity for it. A medieval setting is a plus for me, but not plus enough.

JUPITER'S LEGACY #2
story Mark Millar
art / cover A Frank Quitely
cover B Bryan Hitch  cover C Jock
32 Pages / FC / $2.99
The comic book event of 2013 continues as the schism between the superheroes widens and a plot to unseat the greatest hero of them all emerges. Celebrate the 75th anniversary of Superman this month by buying this frankly much-more interesting book by superstar creators Mark Millar and Frank Quitely.
Lee: How did I miss this last month? I have no idea what it’s about but if anyone can make it interesting it’s Millar and Quitely. I’m trade waiting because I want Quitely’s art in a fancy hc.
Thomm: I’m getting this. Hell, I’d get it just for the smack talk in the promo. Between knocking the poor quality of Superman as it’s currently published and touting itself as the event of the year only 2 issues in, this is a ballsy piece of work. And, of course, there’ the Quitely art.

Thomm: Get out and get the first issue of Jupiter’s Legacy now while it’s on the stands. Don’t wait around for fancy productions like Lee does. As it is you’ll have to wait for the first issue of Lazarus.
Lee:  Yeah, do what Thomm says and support the book a whole lot so I get an even fancier hc edition!!

Indies Previews for June Part 2 of 2

Continued from yesterday.

Dynamite
Uncanny #1 by (w) Andy Diggle (a) Aaron Campbell (c) Dan Panosian
For comic fans that pre-order a copy, you can receive an exclusive Dan Panosian cover! This super-special variant is limited to initial orders! SIX BILLION SKILL SETS. ONE LAST CHANCE. Weaver is unique, or so he thinks. Born with an uncanny ability, he can steal other people's skills - their memories, abilities, and expertise - for a limited time. A man with a power like that could change the world; but as a professional gambler, con-man, and thief-for-hire, Weaver prefers to look out for number one. That is, until he finds himself drawn into a dangerous game of international intrigue where the rules keep changing, the players are hidden and the first thing he stands to lose is his life. And maybe, just maybe, he isn't so unique after all... 32 pgs, FC, $3.99
Lee: It’s the new Andy Diggle book. In actuality it’s probably a reprint of some of his 2000AD material but that’s ok. Based upon how good Snapshot is, I’m not missing this!
Thomm: Eh, a male version of Rogue. At least it won’t have the X-Men angst.

Fantagraphics Books
Everybody is Stupid Except for Me Expanded Edition HC by (w/a/c) Peter Bagge
Peter Bagge takes on the erosion of our civil liberties, the Iraq war, art and entertainment, the homeless, the drug war, and whether citizens should be allowed to own bazookas in this hilarious and provocative collection of independent-minded satirical strips from the pages of Reason magazine. No sacred cow on either side of the political spectrum is left standing in this new definitive hardcover edition, which adds over 30 new pages to the long sold-out first paperback edition. 156 pgs, FC, 7.75 x 10, $24.99
Lee: This is for you Thomm. Allllll for you.
Thomm: Oh, hell yeah. The title alone is for me. This is bound to be smarter than 5 of the idiots on the Supreme Court and all of the idiots running the House these days.

Treasury of Mini-Comics HC by (w) Michael Dowers
Inspired by the unexpected hit, NEWAVE! The Underground Mini-Comix of the 1980s, The Treasury of Mini Comics charts the evolution of mini comics over four decades. This first volume will collect some of the best work by some of the most creative DIY creators in the world. From bodily-function humor to EMO style poetry, mini comics creators have been uninhibited in their efforts to strive for something fresh, raw, and vital. 720 pgs, PC, 5 x 7, $26.99
Lee: Mini comics are a completely different world. They are good. They are bad. Some are even downright atrocious but I don’t think you’ll find those in this collection. If you like comics experimentation then you will love this. If not, I would stay away.
Thomm: Different I like. Whacko experimentation for the sake of experimentation, not so much. It’s a fine line.

Humanoids Inc
Beirut 1990: Snapshots of a Civil War HC by (w) Bruno Ricard (a/c) Christophe Gaultier
In 1990, off to join an aunt working for a relief organization, young Frenchmen Sylvain and Bruno Ricard come to discover the ins and outs of everyday life in Lebanon's war-torn capital. More than a decade later the brothers recount their experiences with the help of artist Christophe Gaultier, as inspired by the real life pictures taken by the pair on their journey of discovery. 160 pgs, B/W, 7.7x10.5, $29.95
Lee: I almost didn’t pick a Humanoids book this month but then I saw this. I’ve read a bunch of Joe Sacco’s journalistic tales from various war fronts and I’ve always enjoyed them so I am willing to give this a try. The real story of what happens to everyday people who still need to live in war zones is just incredible. It doesn’t get any more real than this so I’m sold.
Thomm: Not a lot of people remember Lebanon’s civil war, even though it was a huge event running through the ‘80s into the ‘90s, and still having vestiges today. At most there’s the occasional mention of the Marines being killed in Beirut. I’d very much like to see this personal narrative of that war.

Rebellion / 2000AD
War Machine GN by (w) Dave Gibbons (a/c) Will Simpson
Dave Gibbons (Watchmen, Martha Washington) writes the story of genetically engineered super-soldier Friday. Artist Will Simpson provides the fully painted art. They are the best of the best. Alpha Company, first genetic infantry, have been created for war. Able to survive in the harshest environments, Friday and his brothers know how to obey orders. Fight hard. Die well. But as the sole survivor of a brutal massacre, Friday starts to question those who have made him this way, making his an uncontrollable war machine and the most dangerous create in the galaxy! 96 pgs, B/W, $17.99
Lee: This seems to be Gibbons re-telling the 2000AD Rogue Warrior story. Maybe it’s different, maybe it isn’t but I can’t tell. Gibbons is a decent enough writer and Simpson is a very good artist so I’m willing to take a chance.
Thomm: Not quite enough here for me to take a leap. I’ve seen this concept in various iterations other times. It’s a bit light on pages, too.

Renegade Arts Entertainment
Tales of the Buddha Before He Was Enlightened SC by (w) Alan Grant (a/c) Jon Haward
Just what did this holiest of men do before gaining enlightenment? The stories take an extremely lighthearted approach to the Buddha's journey of discovery as he samples other religions, hangs out with other religions icons, as well as experiencing life's more physical pleasures along the way. 80 pgs, FC, 7x10, $14.99
Lee: If you don’t see the humor in the description… just avoid the book now. As for me, I’m always up for some wicked satire so I’m ordering a copy.
Thomm: Humor and a certain amount of historical accuracy. The man who would be Buddha did make a varied search for his enlightenment. Looks good to me.

Titan Comics
Sharky HC by (w) David Elliott (a/C) Alex Horley
Sharky is the Earth-bound son of Odin and the grandson of Zeus - and he just hit puberty! All his life, he's been raised by his mom, with no idea of who is father was. Now he's hit puberty, only to discover that the no-good-S.O.B is none other than Odin! Whenever something sets off his hormones, he transforms into the demi-god Sharky, complete with a body The Rock would kill to have and the strength of a superman! 144 pgs, FC, 7x10, $14.99
Lee: I remember seeing this a very, very long time ago on the stands, back in ’98 or so. It’s got great art by Alex Horley but that’s about all I know. I think it’s kinda Lobo-ish more than anything else. But, it’s gonna look pretty and I am always tempted by pretty art.
Thomm: Hmm. I’m not so interested in it if it’s just pretty, but the concept is amusing. The Lobo-ish description is a negative, though. Lobo’s just irritating.

Top Shelf Productions
Burning Building Comix HC by (w/a/c) Jeff Zwirek
Presented for the first time under one cover and in full color, Burning Building Comix is a comics art object and reading experience like no other. The innovative format of this book allows readers to follow the plight of the trapped tenants in a ten story burning apartment building, with each tier of panels representing 1 story in the building. Distributed by Top Shelf Productions. 40 pgs, FC, 6.25x12, $19.95  You can read previews here.
Lee: This sounds really cool.  It's an oversized book so there should be plenty to read.  The previews are very interesting but I can't help but feel they aren't doing the story justice.  It's worth checking out.Thomm: Well, the concept is certainly interesting. I don’t know if it works in execution as well as it seems to in concept. At 50 cents a page it’s a bit of an investment.




Thomm: Good variety this month. Once you get past the love offerings to Jim there’s a lot to consider here. Actually, even the love offerings are good. Beirut 1990 looks like the best bet to me.
Lee:  As always there is a lot of good stuff.  There were more single issue that really interested me.  That hasn't happened in awhile.

Indies Previews for June Part 1 of 2

Lee:  We're just jumping right into it today because for once I ran out of words.

Alternative Comics
Alternative Comics #4 by (w/a) Craig Thompson
Alternative Comics' flagship anthology returns as a twice-yearly comic with more pages, showcasing the best indie, web and zine artists of today's underground. Contributors include: Alex Schubert, Grant Snider, Sam Alden, Mike Bertino, Theo Ellsworth and Craig Thompson. 48 pgs, B/W, $5.99
Lee: If you want to see the writers/artists that are really stretching the comic book medium then look no further because this is the book for you. I am sure this is all over the map in terms of stories, content, art styles, and just about everything else. But why else would you buy a book like this if not to experiment with new stuff.
Thomm: I like anthologies, obviously with my ongoing DHP following, but I’m not sure if stretching or unpolished is the right term for this. All the same, I’d at least give it a look.

Amigo Comics
Westwood Witches #2 by (w) El Torres (a/c) Abel Garcia
Amigo brings the witchcraft horror into the modern world with the words of El Torres and art by Abel García! Jack is still consumed with his brother's death and his writer block, not knowing that his attractive neighbors are planning to abduct him to the Witches' Sabbath as human sacrifice! 32 pgs, FC, $3.99
Lee: I can’t believe I missed this before! Torres is a great horror writer and I am surprised he isn’t getting more recognition. His work on The Veil and Suicide Forest were both spectacular. Heck I even liked Nancy in Hell even though it was kinda dumb. If you like horror stories you really can’t go wrong with this book.
Thomm: I’ll have to take your word for it. The promo makes it sound a bit unoriginal.

Ape Entertainment
Poison Elves Digest Vol. 01: The Mulehide Years SC by (w/a/C) Drew Hayes
From 1991 to 1995, Drew Hayes self-published an independent comic first called I, Lusiphur, then Poison Elves. The Mulehide Years contains all 20 issues of this seminal work, the origin story of an anti-hero named Lusiphur. In a surprisingly progressive medieval era where magic and violence rule the land, Lusiphur leaves the employ of an increasingly paranoid feudal lord to trek across Amrahly'nn in search of adventure - which he finds in abundance. This collection includes tons of extras including rare, out-of-print and never before published material! 480 pgs, B/W, $24.99
Lee: Poison Elves reminds me of a lesser Cerebus. Not in terms of quality because I’ve never read this series, but in terms of cult following. Hayes wrote this story for years, and the few people I know who’ve read it have loved it. At almost 500 pgs, this is very tempting.
Thomm: It’s an interesting concept, even if I don’t understand a progressive era ruled by violence. I’ll have to take a look at this in hand before deciding.

Art of Fiction

Five Color Comics #1 by (w) Erik Warfield (a) Troy Nixey (C) Bruce Timm

All new, original characters from The Art of Fiction featuring art by some of the greatest names in the comics and animation industries. 48 pages of action and adventure with pirates, zombies, jungle girls, and a giant ape! 48 pgs, FC, 8.5x11, $8.95

Lee: Although it would seem that I only picked this for the cover, not true! This is an oversized anthology title written/illustrated by animators. I have found that animators have some of the best, and most twisted, short stories in them. You can’t go wrong! And, because they are already animators the art is sure to be super.

Thomm: And here I thought you picked it for the giant ape. You know, for Jim’s benefit. The cover is very amusing, and I’m sure there will be lots of great art inside. Not so sure about the story quality.
Lee:  Actually, for the record, Thomm and I looked at different covers.  I picked the Timm Nazi version...

Boom! Studios

Six-Gun Gorilla #1 (of 6) by (w) Simon Spurrier (a) Jeff Stokely (C) Ramon K. Perez

Welcome to the Blister a bizarre otherworld colonized by humans sometime in the 22nd century, which quickly became a hotly contested source of fertile land and natural resources long ago exhausted on Earth. In this new frontier, a rogue gunslinger and his companion wander across a wilderness in the grips of a civil war, encountering lawlessness, natives, and perversions of civilization in a world at the crossroads between the past and the future. The fact that said gunslinger is a bio-surgically modified silverback gorilla toting a pair of enormous revolvers is neither here nor there. Written by Simon Spurrier, drawn by hot new talent Jeff Stokely (Fraggle Rock, The Reason For Dragons), Six-Gun Gorilla is a pulpy mash-up of Western weirdness and lofi science fiction unlike anything else on the stands! 32 pgs, FC, $3.99

Lee: Let’s be honest, this looks completely ridiculous. Which is why I am interested! Spurrier is an excellent writer and if he has a warped idea… it’s sure to be warped in the best of ways.

Thomm: Ok, now I know you’re making picks for Jim’s benefit. Maybe I should step aside for this month so you can enjoy the love from Jim. As for the book, it’s definitely got ridiculous written all over it, but in a good way. As a limited series it’s more worth a try, too, because I know it has an end point that won’t be stretched out for years.

Herobear and the Kid Special #1 by (w/a/c) Mike Kunkel
The Independent, All-Ages Smash-Hit Herobear And The Kid Returns! It's Picture Day at Tyler's school, and naturally he's forgotten! But before Tyler can pick his good side, he has to sneak out of class with his best friend Herobear to stop an attack on the Simpleton Bridge from the mysterious Von Klon and his SubofDoom! ...and he better not lose his hallpass in the process. Don't miss as creator Mike Kunkel relaunches his Eisner award winning creation at KaBOOM! with a brand new original adventure! 32 pgs, FC, $3.99
Lee: Kunkel’s original Herobear story has been a huge hit in our house for years. I didn’t expect to get any more HB stories so I can’t even begin to express how exciting this. If you have kids, or grandkids, and you are looking for a book to start them with… here ya go!
Thomm: Cute. My kids are a bit beyond this now, though.

Chronicle Books
In the Kitchen with Alain Passard: Inside the World of a Master Chef by (w/a/c) Christophe Blain
Available in English for the very first time, In the Kitchen with Alain Passard is the first graphic novel to enter the kitchen of a master chef. Over the course of three years, illustrator Christophe Blain trailed acclaimed chef Alain Passard through his kitchens and gardens. With simple yet sublime drawings and thousands of colorful panels, this book gives the reader an inside, uncensored look at the world of Passard, who shocked the food universe in 2001 by removing meat from the menu at his celebrated Paris restaurant, L'Arpege, and dedicating himself to serving vegetables from his own organic farms. 96 pgs, FC, 7x9, $16.95
Lee: There seems to be a rash of food books out right now. Didn’t I pick 2 or 3 food books last month? Oh well, this is completely different because it’s about a professional chef. And, even if you’re not into organic or the vegan scene, you have to admit this still sounds interesting.
Thomm: Yeah, the other food books were different. I don’t know how interesting it is to follow a French chef as he putters in a garden and makes food out of it. Might be, but it also sounds like watching an AARP convention.

Conundrum Press
Obituary Man GN by (w/a/c) Philippe Girard
Behold: Obituary Man! A nondescript man who gains indescribable energy from reciting the eulogy at the funerals of strangers. He has never felt so alive! Maurice Petit is an unremarkable type who chokes on the weight of his routine. In the obituary section of the newspaper he discovers the name of an old classmate. At the funeral something compels Maurice Petit to stand tall and speak. For a moment he is Obituary Man and has a voice for the dead. But will his newfound power rejuvenate him or get him mixed up with the wrong crowd? 84 pgs, B/W, 6.5x8.5, $15.00
Thomm: Now that’s different. It’s a little vague on what his power is, but I guess it doesn’t matter all that much. Reminds me a bit of Pushing Daisies, a great show that only lasted a couple of seasons.
Lee: I'm really not sure what to make of this either.  But it's got a unique enough concept that I have to see what's it's all about.  And, Connundrum is one of the great indie publishers of Canada so I have faith it will be good.

Drawn & Quarterly
User's Guide to Neglectful Parenting GN by (w/a/c) Guy Delisle
With A User's Guide to Neglectful Parenting, the dry humor that pervades Guy Delisle's landmark and praised graphic travelogues takes center stage. Quick, light vignettes play on the worries and cares any young parent might have, and offer wry solutions to the petty frustrations of being a dad who works from home. Readers familiar with Delisle's stranger-in-a-strange-land technique for storytelling will recognize the titular parent in this book; Delisle's travelogues were simultaneously portraits of complex places and times, and portraits of a stay-at-home dad's ever-changing relationship with his children while his wife is out working for Doctors Without Borders. The relationship between young child and all-too-irony-aware parent is beautifully done here, and Delisle's loose flowing style has been set free, creating a wonderful sense of motion throughout. A User's Guide is an intimate, offbeat look at the joys of parenting. 192 pgs, B/W, 5x7, $16.95
Lee: I can’t help but feel that I’ve picked this book before. Maybe not but even if I did, I still recommend it. There is too much good material about parenting for this not to be good. I am confident this is very, very humorous.Thomm: I think you have mentioned it previously. Doesn’t mean it’s not worth mentioning again. Wry humor is great humor.


The conclusion tomorrow

Indies Previews for May Pt 2 of 2

More and more great books.  Or at least very interesting books.

Picturebox

Mere GN by (w/a/c) C.F.
In 2012, Providence-based artist and musician C.F. began to produce a series of more than a dozen mini-comics, which he distributed via Twitter. Each mini-comic offered a take on, and expansion upon, a classic comic strip genre-from crime and sci-fi to punk and sex-all of them infused throughout by C.F.'s absurdist humor and loose improvisatory drawing. Less than 50 copies of each mini-comic were printed; needless to say, they sold out instantly. Collected here for the first time, they constitute a kind of bravura display of C.F.'s dexterity with pen and ink.180 pgs, PC, 5x8.5, $19.95. Visit C-F here.
Lee: “Mini-comics distributed via Twitter”… wow! Talk about a whole new self publishing venue. It’s a collection of mini-comics so the material will be out there but I have no doubt that it will be interesting.
Thomm: Having seen one page only of the internal art for this, rough would be a good description. Maybe it’s interesting. I’m not taking a flyer on it, though.

PS Artbooks

Roy Thomas Presents: Frankenstein by Dick Briefer Vol. 01 HC
Dick Briefer's Frankenstein for Prize Comics is widely regarded as being America's first ongoing horror series. Indeed, it was Briefer's work that probably caused the creature to be actually named as Frankenstein instead of the nameless monstrosity from Shelley's novel. Splitting the stories between two stools-humor and horror-Briefer's tales are absorbing and unsettling in equal parts. Some of the humorous material has already been reprinted, though not necessarily in order nor in total. Until now, of course! Reprints Prize Comics stories from December 1940-November 1943 288 pgs, FC, 7x10, $47.99

Lee: I’ve just about had my fill of GA material and was all set to stop adding to the collection until this showed up. Dick Briefer was one of the greats and was a master storyteller and artist. This material is gorgeous to look at and is still readable today. Highly recommended if you have a little extra cash.

Thomm: Not a big GA fan, but this does look good. I can’t help but wonder why the good doctor didn’t give his creature a nose, though.

Taschen America
Little Book of Butts SC
The original Big Butt Book featured a great cross-section of delectable rears from the 1950s to the present day. Here, The Little Book of Butts pares the original content down to just the biggest and the best and added in about 30 new photos. Now in these 150 photos you'll see the big and the bountiful, then the bigger and more bountiful, in black and white and in color. 192 pgs, PC, 5x7, $9.99
Lee: Yeah, well, there’s no redeeming reason to pick a book like this. Let’s just say it caught my fancy.
Thomm: Um, we’re men who like women. That’s reason enough. Hooray objectification?

Titan Comics

Numbercruncher #1 (of 3) by (w) Simon Spurrier (a/c) P. j. Holden

Dying young, a brilliant mathematician discovers a way to cheat the terrifying Divine Calculator. He schemes to be endlessly reincarnated in the life of the woman he loves, no matter how often the violent bailiffs of the Karmic Accountancy cut short each life. It falls to one such Karmic agent - the surly Bastard Zane - to put a stop to the time-twisting romance once and for all, before the mathematician can pull off his greatest trick and escape Existential Justice forever! 32 pgs, FC, $3.99 See preview pages here. 
Lee: Spurrier is one of my favorite Brit authors so I am always on the lookout for new material from him. I’m not worried about this being entertaining at all. As for Holden’s art, based on the previews, I’m not worried he can draw pretty pictures either. This is an easy winner.
Thomm: I like the premise more than the art. What the hell’s with that pistol on the cover? It’s bigger than the guy’s femur.

Top Shelf Productions
From Hell Companion SC by (w) Alan Moore (a/c) Eddie Campbell
From Hell occupies a monumental place in the history of the graphic novel: a Victorian masterpiece of murder and madness which has won numerous awards, spawned a major film, and remained a favorite of readers around the world for over two decades. Now, Top Shelf Productions and Knockabout Comics present The From Hell Companion, an astonishing selection of Alan Moore's original scripts and sketches for the landmark graphic novel, with copious annotations, commentary, and illustrations by Eddie Campbell. Here for the first time are a set of pages which have never been seen by anyone except Moore's collaborator. Joining them are Campbell's first-hand accounts of the project's decade-long development, complete with photos, anecdotes, disagreements, and wry confessions. 288 pgs, PC, 7.5x10.5, $29.95
Lee: I can’t even begin to think how much detail this book is going to have. When I read From Hell, I read a page, then read the notes, read another page, read more notes, and so on. It was incredible the amount of research that went into that project. If you are curious in the least about Jack the Ripper then this is going to be a must read. If you have wondered how much work a writer does when it comes to historical fiction, then this is a must read.
Thomm: Disagreements? Who could possibly have a disagreement with Alan Moore?

Valiant Entertainment
Harbinger #1 (VU) (One Dollar Debut edition) by (w) Joshua Dysart (a) Khari Evans (c) Arturo Lozzi
This issue reprints Harbinger (2012) #1. Jump into all of Valiant's ongoing series for only a dollar apiece! Just in time for Valiant's one-year anniversary and Free Comic Book Day 2013, Valiant is proud to announce a new line of reprints, re-presenting the sold-out first issue debuts of the series that launched the all-new Valiant Universe.32 pgs, FC, $1.00
Lee: It’s only ONE DOLLAR! This is an excellent price for an excellent comic. Please note the first issue sets up the premise and you don’t get a ton of action but it’s just so perfect that you’ll want more when you are done. This is far and away the best of the new Valiant line. Actually, it’s better than half of DC and Marvel’s output.
Thomm: Yeah, it’s only $1, but I’m not getting much story and issues 2-12 aren’t being reprinted, so I’m better off getting the trade or HC, it seems to me.

Viz Media
Sunny Vol. 01 HC by (w/a/c) Taiyo Matsumoto
What is Sunny? Sunny is a car. Sunny is a car you take on a drive with your mind. It takes you to the place of your dreams. Sunny is the story of beating the odds, in the ways that count. It is the story of beating the odds, in ways that count, for a group of orphans who discover the car and let it take them to better places in their imagination. Sunny is the brand-new masterwork from Eisner Award-winner Taiyo Matsumoto, one of Japan's most innovative and acclaimed manga artists. Translated by Tekkonkinkreet film director Michael Arias! 224 pgs, PC, 6x8, $22.99 Read the first chapter here.
Lee: Aaahhhh, darnit. I saw this and said I wasn’t going to order it. Don’t get me wrong, I loved Tekken Kinkreet (both movie and book) but I was gonna hold out on this because I have 4 other books by Matsumoto. That’s enough for anyone’s collection. Then I read the first chapter. Then I remembered it was a fancy hc and now I am ordering me a copy. I tried to hold out. I failed. I won’t regret it because I know it will be good.
Thomm: Eh. Not a manga fan. Mixing that with stories that take place in the mind isn’t upping the appeal. Too much chance of “anything goes” for stories set in someone’s mind.

Thomm: I think this whole post was a cover for Lee to be able to put up a picture of a nicely curved butt. Don’t let him hoodwink you, though. Pick something to read out of this list, like Journalism.
Lee:  Well that worked.  I picked 14 books and the most remembered is the one about butts.  If that doesn't say something about the male mind...