Hercules The Thracian Wars #2 (of 5) - A Review

Hercules the Thracian Wars # 2 (of 5)

Publisher Radical Comics
Writer Steve Moore
Art Admira Wijaya
Colors Imaginary Friends Studios and Sixth Creation

In Comics Stores on May 29

Radical comics had forwarded preview copies of Hercules #2 and Caliber #2 coming out this week. If you missed issues #1, do not miss the second issues.

Comics are a visual medium first and foremost. Just like movies and TV you can’t help but notice the pictures first. If the art is bad it will take you out of the story and even the best writer with the world’s masterpiece of graphic fiction will not be noticed as well with poor visuals.

Hercules is blessed with some absolutely beautiful artwork. It is a realistic style that makes you feel like this people are very real. It is obvious that there is a lot of work being done via the computer, and sometimes it can make a picture seem almost too CGI for my taste, but this art has more or a painted feeling to it. Admira captures the grim and gritty feel to ancient Grecian times, as I imagine it would be.

Admira also has done some page designs that just really help to tell the story. There is one page where a battle is being fought and the leader is charging into battle yelling to send in the horsemen. The actual person charging is superimposed across three battle panels and the design is just breath taking.

Finally Admira captures both the blood and gore of the battles as well as capturing some of the quieter scenes with equal skill. I have to say I also feel sorry for Admira as they gave Hercules the lion skin to wear over his head and drawing that panel after panel has to be tiring, but it looks very cool. Admira is not a perfect artist by any means as there are some occasional poses or panels that don’t work for me, but the bottom line is that his work and the work of the coloring team makes this book stands out as an excellent looking visual. Seriously you could buy this book and just look at the pictures and get your monies worth.

The good news is you get a whole lot of story for your money also. I complain about many books that spread thing out and have issues where nothing happens. I could tell you the plot this issue is Hercules trains the Thracian troops and helps them in their campaigns to quell any rebellions in the countryside and then is lead into a trap. While that is the basic summary of the overall plot, it does not tell you how much information gets packed into this issue.

The scenes where Hercules and company are confronted by the real Thracian King and they learn that the hallway of men from last issue was a test, gives a lot of insight into how Hercules and the King think.

The actual training of the troops is also well done as Hercules and company give a graphic demonstrated to the Thracian army about what happens if you don’t do at they say. The battle as the the troops slaughter the villages does not leave a good feeling with Hercules, as it appears to be more then quelling a rebellion.

We also are getting the background story of Atalanta and Meleager, the “couple that works for Hercules. It is not only mixing in a lot of Greek mythology for us it also is giving us background on each one of Hercules' band.

Gwen (fellow blogger and my daughter) has long stated that super hero comics represent modern mythology for America. What this comic is doing is giving us the Greek myths in a graphic format and bringing it down to a more “true” level. Over time the myth of Hercules has grown and been made into more into what we have seen in comics today.

Grade A. Hercules delivers power, action, adventure, dynamite art and story.

Don't forget to pick up Caliber #2 - This is a strong book also and the re-telling of Camelot in the old west is as good as Hercules.

I hope to occasionally do a second post on Monday to give a preview review of a book that is coming out this week.

What I’m Getting Thursday

The holiday week-end pushes off the new books to a Thursday as we end the month of May on a high note. It is a decent size week with lots of “big” books on the list. DC has three major books with Final Crisis leading the way. The independents have a few new #1s which is almost the norm as they run many more limited series. Marvel has one of their best books Thor coming out as well as the often delayed Giant Sized Astonishing X-Men which except for Cassady’s art work has nothing left to it. The Market Share Report is DC 43% (17 items), Independents 31% (12 items) and Marvel 26% (10 items).

Action Comics #868 – Geoff Johns brings back the original Toyman. The Toyman has always been a rather lame villain in my mind and I think good writers like to take stabs at making an old concept new and updating it enough to make the concept work again. Toyman is a tough sell in my mind, so I’m curious to see what Johns’ has up his sleeve on this book.

All Star Superman #11 – Those of you who read this blog know that I have a great love for this series. It will go down as one of the all time runs on Superman. At this point in the series it is the best Superman story ever told. It has the benefit of being able to utilize all sorts of bits and pieces from the history of the character, but that does not change the fact that Morrison/Quietly/Grant have crafted a great story. Granted issue #12 could change my opinion, but at this point I can’t think of a better Superman story of this magnitude ever being done before.

Batman #677 – The first part of the RIP story line was well done in my opinion. Others have stated they felt it did not do enough or was slow building, but I thought they set-up everything up very well. I have high hopes for the RIP story line. I amuse myself that after all these years of false promises I continue to hope for real change in the characters I follow. Sometimes I’m rewarded and more often I’m disappointed. Companies are sacred of change, but Barbara Gordon is more interesting as Oracle, then she was as Batgirl.

Batman Gotham After Midnight #1 (of 12) – Steve Niles is writing and Kelly Jones as the artist, so you know it has to have horror elements within this story. Steve Niles has to be one of the busiest writers in the business with projects for Raw Studios (he is one the co-owners of that company), BOOM Studios, IDW and DC. Almost even thing he writes is worth reading, very few missies and none that come to mind. I’m looking forward to this book.

Black Adam The Dark Age TP – I thought this was an excellent series and a terrific follow-up to 52. Peter Tomasi really captured the essence of this character that has been made over into one of the best villains in the DCU. Doug Mahnke’s art was outstanding on this series and some of his best ever. The only hesitation I had in deciding to buy it or not was the fear of a hard cover version coming out some other time.

Blue Beetle #27 – Will Pfeifer fills in as writer for two issues, until new series writer Matthew Sturges takes over. Last issue’s stunt made me a little irritated, but I like this series way too much to let one issue knock me off it. I like both Pfeifer and Sturges, so this series looks to be in good hands. Creative changes are always tricky, but when the writer who was on the book since issue #1 leaves, it is even tougher.

Fables #73 – Hard to not be excited about this issue as the long awaited war between the adversary and Fabletown gets into full swing. I have enjoyed this series so much and I can’t wait to see what Willingham is going to do during the war. I firmly believe that he will shake up the status quo as he could have easily let this comic be about Snow White and Bigby forever, but he moved his main characters off center stage a long time and went on.

Final Crisis #1 (of 7) – This is DC’s big event for 2008, and they have tied some major talent up working on this series and a few mini-series that are related. DC needs to deliver with some really well done books, because Marvel’s marketing machine seems to be outstripping DC on almost every turn. DC wins when they deliver well done books with top flight talent. On a personal level my hope is always to see some real change occur that impact the DCU.

Green Lantern #31 – The official hype “Part 3 of "Secret Origin" explores the beginnings of Earth's Green Lantern — Hal Jordan! Hal meets the Green Lantern who will teach him everything he knows: Sinestro! But Sinestro has another mission on this primitive mudball called planet Earth…a mission not even the Guardians of the Universe are aware of.” This is a seminal type run on Green Lantern by Johns.

Jack Kirby’s OMAC One Man Army Corps HC – The source of the inspiration for all those damn OMACs running around in the DCU. All eight issues of Kirby’s series from the eighties for $24.99 and in color, so I’m sure it is the cheap paper.

JSA Classified #38 – The penultimate issue of this series. The official hype “Part 1 of the 2-part "Body and Soul." Wildcat stumbles across a faculty that steals the skills and instincts of past prize fighters. Will his abilities be the next ones on the auction block?” My feeling is that if someone has a good enough story to tell about an individual character, green light it as a mini-series.

Legion of Super-Heroes #42 – I have heard that Jim Shooter is leaving this book and that is a crying shame as the title has thrived under his pen. Hopefully he will be able to complete the story line he has going on with the Destructors.

Northlanders #6 – Last issue was a great one as we learned the background on Sven and where he has been most of his life. This issue Sven starts to build up alliances so he has a chance in going up against his Uncle.

Secret History of Jack Hawksmoor #3 (of 6) – I made up my own titles as adding the Authority to it makes the title way too long. The official hype “Jack confronts the man responsible for last issue's horrific attack and finds a link to his own past. And there's something buried in the dead man's house that was specifically put there to throw Jack off the scent. But who put it there?”

Shadowpact #25 – This is the final issue of this series. When it started Willingham said he wanted to draw this book, I think he made have actually drawn one issue. The Shadowpacts from three time eras are trying to take out the Sun King, who will survive? This was a fun little series.

Starman Omnibus HC Volume #1 – Glad to see this material get the hard cover treatment, sorry that it will have the cheap paper. Part of the official hype “This inaugural volume features a new cover by Harris and collects STARMAN #0-16, originally published from 1994 to 1996.” 448 pages for $50, I guess I can’t complain too much.

Teen Titans #59 – This book is in the midst of an excellent arc. The official hype “It's Teen Titan versus Teen Titan when Clock King's plan reaches its final, twisted stage. With teammates missing or presumed dead, can Robin and Wonder Girl put the pieces together before Clock King's Terror Titans finish them off?”

Astounding Wolf-Man #6 – I hear this book is going on a monthly schedule. That should be a big help if they can actually get even 10 issues out in a year. As with many Kirkman owned projects the earlier issues are the weakest and as he builds things up most of his series get better and better, Walking Dead and Invincible are evidence of that.

Firebreather #1 – The official hype “Back by popular demand, the adventures of Firebreather continue in this all-new monthly title. High school is tough enough for normal kids, but when your Dad is a city-stomping giant monster who expects you to follow in his footsteps it gets even tougher. PHIL HESTER (THE DARKNESS, The Irredeemable Ant-Man) and ANDY KUHN (Blue Beetle, Marvel Team-Up) deliver the high octane action, drama, and humor. For fans of INVINCINBLE and Ultimate Spider-Man.” First off I never read this series before and second is it wise to compare yourself to three top series?

Perhapanauts #2 – I’m still a little iffy on this series. While I think Proof may have gained a lot of inspiration from this series, Proof is a far better book. The official hype “"TRIANGLE," Part Two Shocking revelations about Arisa’s secret past give us further insight into the Perhapanauts’ reluctant leader. What is she running from? And can she hide from it much longer...? Meanwhile, Choopie takes charge as King of the Gremlinls and tensions continue to mount between the Perhapanauts and the Clan of Mothmen as war brews in the Bermuda Triangle! Not kidding.”

Proof #8 – Here is the proof that Proof is better (even I groaned typing that). Still this is the more exciting series. The hype “Will Ginger reach Proof in time to prevent him from being dinner? Of course she will. But another Lodge agent bows out for good this issue.”
Sword #8 – Last issue was a weaker issue, but this has been a very strong series to date. The official hype “Dara has targeted her sister's killer--one of the three powerful strangers who have murdered her family. With her friends, Julie and Justin, she has arrived in the Caribbean to search for him. But with only a handful of vague, cryptic clues to the killer's whereabouts, will Dara be able to find him and exact her revenge?”

Caliber #2 (of 5) – This is the second issue of a series from new publisher Radical comics. In my many years of reading and collecting comics I have seen many publishers come and go, but these guys I hope will make it as they have been a class act from the jump. Giving fans a #1 issue on both of their new series for just a dollar and it was a full size comic in a prestige format. Of course it needed to be a good story with good art and they more then delivered.

Dan Dare #6 (of 7) - This is sort of a war comic, as Dan Dare is defending Earth from alien hordes and he is fighting back with a space fleet. My point being Garth Ennis does war stories better then anyone else and he and Gary Erskine are doing a terrific job on this series.

Helen Killer #2 (of 4) – The official hype “At the dawn of the 20th-Century, twenty-one year old college student Helen Keller has a dark secret — science has restored her lost senses and granted her unimaginable power. Will she use it protect herself and her country, or will it destroy them both? Secret Service agent Helen Keller, with the aid of a device which has restored her lost senses, and her partner Jonah Blaylock have traveled to the Pan-American Exposition in Buffalo to protect President McKinley from Anarchists. As Helen learns to master her new powers, the assassin is moving into position!” The first issue was a blast, can’t wait to read issue #2.

Hercules #2 (of 5) – This is the other new series from Radical comics. The first issue was terrific and I see no reason why issue #2 will not be as good. Seriously you need to go to your store and demand a copy of this book.

Resurrection #5 – This is a very good series, but the hype cracks me up “RESURRECTION's premiere story arc concludes as its two casts collide in the bowels of one of the alien ships. Nothing will ever be the same!” The book is a post apocalyptic setting; nothing has been the same since issue #1. This series has been a great read.

Salem Queen of Thorns #1 (of 4) – The official hype “The already controversial series continues from the red-hot zero issue! Elias Hooke, dark crusader against the forces of magic, learns the secrets of his own origin, and the revelations nearly consume him! A new hero in the tradition of Robert E. Howard's SOLOMON KANE and Clint Eastwood's The Man with No Name, from the screenwriter of WANTED and THE FAST AND THE FURIOUS: TOKYO DRIFT!” For myself the fact that someone is a screenwriter does not mean he can write a comic book, still BOOM seems to know what they are doing when they green light a book.

Zombie Tales #1 – I give BOOM tons of credit for doing anthology books in this market place. Most people are doing six issues stories and they are doing eight page stories in these comics. The official hype “The award-winning undead anthology rises from the grave -- and this time it's monthly! Join top writers Joe R. Lansdale, Steve Niles and Academy Award nominee Kim Krizan for a trio of undead tales that will rot your head away! More great Zombie stories from more great writers and artists that you know and love.”

Daredevil #107 – Greg Rucka is co-writing with Ed Brubaker again. This has to be good news. The hype line “Still reeling from the conclusion of his battle with Mr. Fear, an old friend drags Matt Murdock back into the light of day by bringing him the last-minute appeal of a Marvel villain now sitting on DEATH ROW. What will Matt do, is the question, when confronted with a bad guy who is completely innocent of the crime he was convicted of? “

Essential Rampaging Hulk Volume #1 – Marvel did a lot of black and white magazines back in the day and this is a collection of a lot of the Hulk material. It was more off beat then the regular comic. I wish is was a reprint of all the stories and not just the Hulk material.

Giant-Size Astonishing X-Men #1 – This has to be the biggest who cares since the “Last Son” issue of Superman came out. I’m so far beyond this story and down the road with the x-books I’m reading that I will be shocked if this book has any impact on anything. This is a sorry end to a big launch from Marvel and a waste of John Cassady.

Immortal Iron Fist #15 – I’m halfway to dropping this book now the Brubaker and Fraction are leaving the book. This issue is all Fraction and an adventure of a past times Iron Fist.

New Avengers #41 – The hype “SECRET INVASION TIE-IN! The Avengers are trapped in the Savage Land, battling friend and foe. And Spider-Man heads to the one person in the entire place he knows he can trust: Ka-Zar!! But is it really him? This important chapter rewinds the events of the very first New Avengers story and shows how it connects to the Invasion.” At first I was into this story, now I’m wavering, it is starting to feel like a train wreck.

Thor #9 – Here is a book that has turned me from a complaining fan into a gushing fan of this book. I guess JMS needed to get a few issues under his belt to get this series going. Now I look forward to Thor more then I have in many, many years.

Ultimate Spider-Man #122 – Or as I call it Spider-Man, as there is no other Spider-Man for me at this point. – The hype line “The worst day in Peter Parker’s life! Spider-Man has been defeated and kidnapped! Wait till you see who did what the Green Goblin, the Kingpin and Doctor Octopus couldn't do! And can Kitty Pryde and Mary Jane team up to save him in time?”

Uncanny X-Men #498 – I keep hearing the song “Feeling Groovy” in the back of my mind when I’m reading this arc. The official hype “Cyclops and Emma Frost are trapped in far-out San Francisco " a city that looks and feels likes it’s the summer of ‘69. But there’s nothing groovy about this trip. Unless they can find the source of the strange transformation, Angel may lose his sanity - along with eight million other people. Meanwhile, Wolverine, Colossus and Nightcrawler face a red menace deep in the heart of Mother Russia.”

X-Men First Class #12 – Even the official hype is fun and light hearted "Hey! What's up with Cyke getting a whole issue to himself? Where's the Angel love?" "Oh uh, yeah, Warren. We were just getting to you. A whole book, all you." "Really?" "Yeah, number 12. Oh, can we borrow a thousand bucks?" "It's on my dresser! Woo-hoo, the ALL ANGEL issue!" This is a very enjoyable series and a nice change of pace from many of the more angst ridden super hero books.

X-Men Legacy #212 – This book is somewhat of a mystery as to why I’m still getting it as it is a convoluted revisiting of Professor X’s history, but writer Mike Carey has me still picking it up. The hype “Sins of the Father, part 2 of 3. Professor X is trying to rebuild memories of his past using other people's minds. But the past is coming back to haunt him in another way, as a swathe of tragic deaths turns out to be linked by only one factor: Brian Xavier, the Professor's long-dead father. And solving the mystery means paying a visit to the Hellfire Club...”

I added a lot more of the official hype as I realized that unless I have a real need to add something; this column is more about what is coming out in the individual books. This should be a great week for comics.

Indies Preview Review for July Part 2 of 3

Link to part 1 - http://comicsand.blogspot.com/2008/05/indies-preview-review-for-july-part-1.html

Onward to part 2.

Diablo Productions
Unwanted GN by Diablo, Mark Michaels & Juan Romera
Enter a world of pure terror in one of the most anticipated graphic novels of the year! When a foolish antique collector reads the inscription on the back of an ancient Chinese amulet, she unleashes the ultimate evil. The Unwanted follows the saga of a group of street-wise teens trapped inside an inescapable juvenile detention facility, facing a relentless predator that will stop at nothing to consume them. Beautifully illustrated by renowned international horror artist Juan Romera, reviewers are already hailing this as the next horror classic. Pages: 215, 7x10, FC
Art here
Lee: Unfortunately, I’m really not sure why I picked this. When I reread it, I notice a couple of things: (1) It sounds completely generic and (2) this is some badly written hype which makes me not care. Let’s start with the first part, generic group of people get generic evil artifact, and get stuck in a place they can’t escape. Did I miss anything? I bet there’s hot chick who’s smart but plays dumb and an obnoxious jock too. ANYWAY, moving on to the hype! Let’s just say phrases like “most anticipated graphic novels of the year” is overused. No offense but I have never heard of Diablo publishing so it makes it hard for me to anticipate something I’ve never heard of. AND, hyping your artist as a “renowned international horror artist” is stretching the truth. Stretching it to the point where I don’t really care. I understand the need to hype your books but there needs to be some truth (more than a grain of sand) in what you say.
Jim: How about if I said it has “jaw dropping art” and will take your breath away with the hidden secrets of civilization never revealed before to anyone else.

DMF Comics Inc
Soul Stealer Vol. 01 GN by Michael Easton & Christopher Shy
In a universe divided by good and evil, one man has been able to sustain life for over 3,000 years, driven solely by the power of undying love. Armed with the ability to bring back souls from the underworld, he must now fight the most dangerous and potent forces the world has ever known, as he wanders the Earth, through the past and into the present, on his near-impossible search for his wife! Pages: 148, 7x10, FC
Art here
Lee: Let’s compare what Diablo wrote (above) and what DMF wrote. Diablo more or less lied to me but DMF just lets the story speak for itself. Don’t get me wrong Soul Stealer sounds almost as generic as Unwanted but stripping all the glitz makes it more palatable. But, the real strength of this offering is the art because Shy can paint/draw a splash page. WOW oh WOW can he paint. You should see the link. My only concern is how well can Easton tell a story.
Jim: When you think about it these books have only two things to sell them, a cover and a three or four line sales pitch. I think it is important to let the story sell itself.

Drawn & Quarterly
Gentleman Jim HC by Raymond Briggs
Raymond Briggs is the beloved British cartoonist whose many books, including The Snowman, When The Wind Blows, and Ethel & Ernest, have sold over 3 million copies worldwide. Briggs was also an early pioneer of graphic novels, as some of his key works coincide with or even pre-date Will Eisner's A Contract With God. Gentleman Jim is the story of Jim Bloggs, an imaginative toilet cleaner who, dissatisfied with his station in life, devotes his time to envisioning a world beyond it. Encouraged by his wife, also eager to incorporate more adventure into her life, Jim sets out to bring these dreams to fruition by accumulating various accoutrements, only to discover that the life of an executive, an artist, or a cowboy is more complicated and costly than it appears. Gentleman Jim was originally released in England in 1980 and is now regarded as one of the first English-language graphic novels ever published. Pages: 40, 6x9, FC
Art sample (not from this story) here but worth looking at
Lee: More historical comics! Early graphic novels are always fun. Briggs was a great cartoonist and his art is wonderful to look at. I only hope that the reproduction in the small size doesn’t smear the art.
Jim: For this type of material reproduction is the key. Since Drawn & Quarterly has been around for a long time I would think they would do it right.

Evil Twin Comics
Comic Book Comics #2 by Fred Van Lente & Ryan Dunlavey
Description: The incredible saga of the comic book industry in the irreverent, award-winning Action Philosophers style continues! As comics enters its Golden Age and the United States slides closer and closer to war (no coincidence there), Joe Simon & Jack Kirby have to fend off the draft - and their own publisher! Our Artists at War tells how Will Eisner revolutionized the Pentagon's training program - using comics! All You Need Is Love details the true confessions of romance comics! The House of Fear details the birth of - Gasp! Choke! - William M. Gaines' E.C. Comics! Pages: 40
Lee: I just mention this because it’s an easy way to learn more about comic book history. The first issue was good and I’m sure this will be too. If you aren’t reading this it’s worth a try.
Jim: Worth a try! Worth a try! Is that the best you have Lee? If you aren’t reading this you need to be reading this. It is the best comic book about comic books that is being published by a comic book company ever created by Evil Twin Productions. Absolutely a must read for any fan who has any interest in how their hobby came into being. Educational and entertaining. Like Nuns teaching you on a stripper pole.


Fantagraphics Books
Humbug HC by Harvey Kurtzman, with Jack Davis, Will Elder, Al Jaffee & Arnold Roth
Harvey Kurtzman changed the face of American humor when he created the legendary MAD comic. As editor and chief writer from its inception in 1952 until he left MAD in 1956, he influenced an entire generation of cartoonists, comedians, and filmmakers. In 1962, he co-created the long-running Little Annie Fanny with his long-time artistic partner Will Elder for Playboy, which he continued to produce until his virtual retirement in 1988. Between MAD and Annie Fanny, Kurtzman's biographies note that he created and edited three other magazines, Trump, Humbug, and Help!, but, whereas his MAD and Annie Fanny are readily available in reprint form, his major satirical work in the interim period is virtually unknown. To those who treasure the rare original copies, Humbug equals or even exceeds MAD in displaying Kurtzman's creative genius. Humbug was unique in that it was actually published by the artists who created it - Kurtzman and his cohorts from MAD Will Elder, Jack Davis, and Al Jaffee, were joined by universally acclaimed cartoonist Arnold Roth. With no publisher above them to rein them in, this band of creators produced some of the most trenchant and engaging satire of American culture ever to appear on American newsstands. At last, the entire 11-issue run is reprinted in a deluxe format, much of it reproduced from the original art, allowing even owners of the original cheaply-printed issues to experience the full impact for the first time. Pages: 400, 8x10, HC, PC
Lee: Aaahhh, classic humor! I cannot wait to get this. The art alone between Jack Davis, Will Elder, and Al Jaffee are worth the price of admission. Classic American satire in the vein of Mad Magazine.
Jim: Yet I have two Mad Archives (of the really, really early stuff) and I have not even gotten around to re-reading those yet, so while it is classic, I will pass.

:01 First Second
Notes for a War Story GN by Gipi
When war comes, it doesn't just change your food, your clothes, and your home. It changes your beliefs, your dreams, and your understanding of the world. Swept up in a war he never thought would happen, Giuliano begins to question what he's fighting for - if he's even fighting for anything. Notes for a War Story is an honest and important graphic novel about the consequences of war. Pages: 128, 6x9, FC
Jim: I can’t help but to love the premise. When I read the premise I immediately wanted to read the story. I have never been to war (except that one tour in Nam, which I never talk about) so this sounded insightful and real.
Lee: First Second is quickly becoming one of my favorite publishers because they have such excellent offerings. Every month we seem to be talking about one of their books. I say this because I agree with Jim and didn’t know what else to add.

Robot Dreams GN by Sara Varon
When the dog gets lonely, he builds himself a friend from a mail-order robot kit. Soon the two are happily sharing movies, popcorn, and peaceful evenings - until a summer's day swim leaves the robot rusted and immobile. Robot Dreams chronicles the next year: the dog's desperate search for new friends and the robot's dreams of his lost friend, the dog. Robot Dreams tells a moving story of friendship, loneliness, and forgiveness. Pages: 208, 6x8, FC
Sample here
Lee: What can I say… it just sounds fun and looks good.
Jim: It sounds absolutely and utterly fun. This type of ridiculous premise sounds loaded with potential for good humor.

Girl Twirl Comics
Martian Confederacy Vol. 1: Rednecks Red Planet GN by Jason McNamara, Paige Braddock & Brian Miller
In the year 3535 the people of Mars struggle under corporate and political hooliganism. In the black market underground Boone, Spinner, and Lou were three outlaws looking out for themselves. But when a cure for Mars' toxic air supply falls into the wrong hands, these three rednecks decide to do whatever it takes to save their planet. Or die trying. Thieves. Outlaws. Rednecks. Humanity's last hope on Mars! Pages: 152, 6x8, TPB
http://themartianconfederacy.wordpress.com/
http://www.themartianconfederacy.com/
Lee: McNamara has some good credentials in terms of indy awards and Braddock writes/draws ‘Jane’s World’ so both creators are well established. The only thing left is the concept which sounds entertaining enough. Martians and red necks! What’s not to love?
Jim: This is probably either hilarious or just plain dumb. It sounds like something you have to sample to see whether it will work for you or not.

Harper Collins Publishers
Discworld Vol. 01: Colour of Magic & Light Fantastic GN by Terry Pratchett & Various
Imagine a flat world, sitting on the backs of four elephants, who hurtle through space balanced on a giant turtle. The Discworld is a place (and a time) parallel to our own - but also very different. That is the setting for Terry Pratchett's phenomenally successful Discworld series, which now celebrates its 25th anniversary. The Discworld Graphic Novels presents the very first two volumes of this much-loved series in graphic novel form. First published fifteen years ago, these fully illustrated versions are now issued for the first time in hardback. Introduced here are the bizarre misadventures of Twoflower, the Discworld's first ever tourist, and possibly - portentously - its last, and his guide Rinceflower, the spectacularly inept wizard. Not to mention the Luggage, which has a mind of its own! Pages: 272, 7x10, Hardcover, FC
Lee: This is an odd little book because I’m not sure what to make of it. Discworld is a widely loved series full of humor and adventure BUT it’s a novel. I’ve heard of the graphic novels but I’ve never actually seen one. I would really like to know the artist list because that is what will make or break this deal for me. If you aren’t as dependant on art as I am then it should be very good on story alone.
Jim: It sounds too much like more of a children’s book or a fantasy book and that kills the draw for me.

Magic Trixie Vol. 01 GN by Jill Thompson
Magic Trixie, a young witch, is feeling jinxed! She's not allowed to ride her cousin's broom, play with her father's magic wand, or use her mother's cauldron. But baby sister Abby Cadabra gets rides, gnaws the wand, and bathes in the cauldron. No fair! On top of that, Show & Tell is coming up at school and Magic Trixie wants to be the best. But it's tough competition among her friends. Lupe can turn into a wolf; Nefertiti can show her own organs in their adorable sarcophagi, and Stitch can unsew himself! What if Magic Trixie could solve both of her problems at once? What if she could do some really impressive magic for Show & Tell - by making her baby sister disappear? This delightful, laugh-out-loud graphic novel features full-color art on every page by award-winning artist and writer Jill Thompson. Pages: 96, 6x9, TPB, FC
Lee: I am always sold on Jill Thompson. She is one of my few “buy anything they publish” writers. From Scary Godmother to the Death one shot I love all things Jill Thompson. And this is no exception.
Jim: She has a nice touch to her work, it is always accessible, friendly, a good solid read and eye pleasing art.

Neil Gaiman's Coraline GN by Neil Gaiman & P. Craig Russell
New York Times-bestselling novel and new children's classic Coraline springs to life as a gorgeously adapted graphic novel! When Coraline steps through a door in her family's new house, she finds another house, strangely similar to her own (only better). At first, things seem marvelous. The food is better than at home, and the toy box is filled with fluttering wind-up angels and dinosaur skulls that crawl and rattle their teeth. But there's another mother there and another father, and they want her to stay and be their little girl. They want to change her and never let her go. Coraline will have to fight with all her wits and all the tools she can find if she is to save herself and return to her ordinary life. This beloved tale has now become a visual feast. Acclaimed artist P. Craig Russell brings Neil Gaiman's enchanting nationally best-selling children's book Coraline to new life in this gorgeously illustrated graphic novel adaptation. Pages: 192, 6x9, HC
Lee: I have a few of Gaiman’s children’s book and I’ve always enjoyed them. Turn it into a comic book with art by Russell and I am all over this.
Jim: Gwen is a huge Gaiman fan also. Kind of hard to find anything wrong with a book with this type of talent level on it.

Zot! Vol. 01: Complete Black & White Stories (1987-1991) SC by Scott McCloud
Comic book afficionados rejoice! The best of the cult classic series, Zot!, first created by Scott McCloud in 1984, is soon to be reprised in this arresting trade paperback compilation, with bonus material! Zachary T. Paleozogt, popularly known as Zot, is a blond-haired, blue-eyed teenage hero from an alternate Earth - this alternate reality is a retro-futuristic technological utopia where flying cars, robots and interplanetary travel are common and nearly all of its inhabitants benefit from peace, prosperity, and a marked lack of conventional social ills. Jaunting back and forth between the two worlds seems exciting for Zot at first, but there are subtle differences in the essential nature of the two planets that take some getting used to. On Zot's world, events naturally favor the "good guys" in any conflict, while on Earth, Zot is a less successful hero, reflecting the fact that our world clearly does not conform to the same rules as his. Nevertheless, Zot eagerly takes on Earth's challenges with the most amusing outcomes. New material includes sketches, designs, some of McCloud's behind-the-scenes working methods, Zot ephemera (there was a Zot watch!) and lots and lots of commentary - "the story behind the stories" as it were. This newly revised cult classic is not to be missed! Pages: 576, 6x9
Lee: If you’ve never read Zot you really, really, really need to. It’s one of the all time great action adventure stories that is entertaining for all ages. I consider it the Indiana Jones of comic books. It’s good for kids but still got enough going on to entertain the most jaded adult. I’ll get this but I’m still going to hunt for the hc’s on ebay (published in the mid-late 90’s).
Jim: It is funny how I have passed on so many of what most consider to be the absolute classics, but I did read some of Zot and never found it to be what I was interested in. Not sure why, just missed the mark for me.

Hot Mexican Love Comics
Hot Mexican Love Comics 2008 by Albert Calleros, Larry Reynosa, Ira Sherak & the Merchants of Love
Because no one demanded it, the most sexually active animators in the TV industry are once again crossing the borders of good taste with Hot Mexican Love Comics 2008 (a.k.a. The Ocho!)! Won't you join us for another Sensual Siesta guaranteed to raise the passion in your life a minimum of 16.2 (study conducted in Mexico)! This anthology containing brand new stories for '08 features artists working on shows such as: The Simpsons, Family Guy, Invader Zim, and many more! Cover by Paul Wee.(sexual activity sometimes include a partner). Pages: 48, 8x11, B&W
Lee: I picked it last year, I’ll pick it again this year. I bought it last year, I’ll buy it again this year. A great humor anthology.
Jim: Well every boy needs a little Hot Mexican Love.

Part 3 will be coming your way on May 28!