Our concluding chapter of the indies preview review. Last chapters we left as our hero was dangling from a cliff, now let's join our cast again.
MIRAGE STUDIOS
Michelangelo: Third Kind #3 by Jim Lawson & Eric Talbot
Hunted by both the police and the anti-alien militias, Michelangelo now finds himself deeply involved with an Utrom named Klag. While evading capture, the unusual duo must try to neutralize the attacks of a group called HAARM - the Humans Against Aliens Resistance Movement - before the world erupts with interplanetary violence!
#3 of 4, B&W, $3.25
Lee: I just wanted to point out that Turtles books continue to be published to this day. It’s amazing that they are still going. And, believe it or not, I really wish they would put out some trades of this material. The early stuff is really strong as is the material by Lawson/Talbot. It’s better than you think and I bet people would like it.
Jim: You maybe right Lee, but the Turtles were always just a derivative college product that was a phenomenon for its time and its time has past.
NBM
Miss Don't Touch Me GN by Hubert & Kerascoet
It's the turn of the 20th century, and the Butcher of the Garden Cafés is on the prowl for young loose women. Florence has no family and works as a maid, her only friend her fellow maid Agatha - a friend lost to murder, in Florence's eyes, to suicide in everyone else's. She decides to take matters into her own hands, and in doing so ends up a servant in a luxury house of call-girls, even becoming good at certain lascivious practices. She never loses sight of her goal, however - to find the Butcher!
Pages: 96, 6x9, SC, FC, $14.95 Kerascoet blog in french here
Lee: What can I say, I love French comics. The art is so different from anything I am used to that I almost always get these books. And, for all the call-girl antics I have faith this will be tastefully handled. I can promise it will be more tasteful than Bomb Queen but that doesn’t say a lot.
Jim: Just reading the premise make you want to read the comic. A little sex in a comic is better then seeing a seven year old little girl enjoy killing people and being covered in gore. This sounds like it could be a winner.
PAPERCUTZ
Classics Illustrated Vol. 01: Great Expectations HC by Charles Dickens & Rick Geary
The bittersweet tale of one boy's adolescence, and of the choices he makes to shape his destiny. Into an engrossing mystery, Dickens weaves a heartfelt inquiry into morals and virtues - as the orphan Pip, the convict Magwitch, the beautiful Estella, the bitter Miss Havisham, the goodhearted Biddy, the kind Joe, and other memorable characters entwine in a battle of human nature. Rick Geary's delightful illustrations capture the newfound awe and frustrations of young Pip as he comes of age, and begins to understand the opportunities that life presents.
Pages: 56, 6x9, FC, $9.95
Lee: This is all about Rick Geary, artist extraordinaire. I know that Papercutz publishes the atrocious “Tales from the Crypt” but somehow they got these Classics Illustrated right. I got the “Invisible Man” one and I loved it. These have great art and great stories and are well worth your time to read.
Jim: Wow I do not trust this publisher as they do publish the atrocious “Tales from the Crypt” and I brought one copy. Let me know if this is any good Lee.
PENNY FARTHING PRESS
Anne Steelyard and the Garden of Emptiness Vol. 01 GN by Barbara Hambley, Alex Kosakowski
& Ron Randall
Anne Steelyard and the Garden of Emptiness: An Honorary Man is a historical and mystical adventure that follows the struggles of a female archaeologist in pre World-War I Mesopotamia. Told in a series of three graphic novels, it is the story of an accomplished and courageous woman attempting to find her place in a turn-of-the-century man's world. I’m pretty sure this is Kosakowski… here Visit the author Hambley here
Pages: 95, SC, #1 of 3, FC, $14.95
Lee: I love the cover! It’s not everyday you see a homage to romance novel covers. The story sound interesting. The art looks passable from what I can gather. And I’m impressed they’re going straight to three graphic novels instead of an extended series.
Jim: See I find this trend of going to the graphic novel very interesting. I think that the financial dynamics have to favor smaller press publishers doing this as opposed to pushing the boulder uphill with a monthly series. The $15 price tag for 95 pages is a little high.
REBELLION
The V.C.s GN by Gerry Finley-Day, Mike McMahon and Cam Kennedy
A chance to re-visit this classic 2000 AD in paperback for the first time in a decade. A story of intergalactic war written by Rogue Trooper's creator Gerry Finley-Day.
Pages: 144, SC, B&W, $22.50
Lee: I mention this because it has AWESOME art by Mike McMahon and Cam Kennedy. Personally, there isn’t enough Cam Kennedy art in the American market so I am getting it just for that. And it will be soooo worth it.
Jim: Cam Kennedy is not going to be an artist to the vast majority’s taste, but I understand Lee’s sentiment.
SLIVER LTD
Tiny Life GN by Nick Jones & Nicolas Colacitti
Banished from his foster family for his bizarre actions, Jed searches out an old friend and a new place to live. Unfortunately, in order to find this friend, he must journey to the most miserable place he's ever known: his childhood home. Eccentric characters - including an all-but-invisible old man, a former nun who had an extraordinary relationship with his late father, and an oddly morose narrator - line the way. Ultimately, Jed's search leads him to learn divine truths about both his father and his own unusual existence. Visit Colacitti here and the website here with all sorts of previews.
Pages: 120, 7x10, SC, B&W, $9.95
Lee: Well, I’m pretty convinced this will be an odd little book. It’s certainly striking in terms of art. If you’re a fan of small press and outsider comix then this is most likely for you.
Jim: I give Lee credit he can always find the offbeat and more unusual books out there.
TITAN PUBLISHING
Jane: (Mis)adventures of a Bright Young Thing HC by Don Freeman and Norman Pett.
These are the cartoon strip (mis)adventures of Britain's first and best-loved World War II pin-up - the, blue eyed, blond-haired, cartoon legend that is Lady Jane Gay! Originally run in the Daily Mirror from 1932 to 1959, Jane reached her peak of popularity during WWII when she became known as the Forces Girlfriend, her quintessentially British Carry On-style sauciness inspiring British Tommies everywhere. Even Sir Winston Churchill himself was said to be a fan! The ever-patriotic Jane wasted no time in joining up to keep the Nazis on the run, as a chauffeur, secretary and even in Army Intelligence! Jane's initial appearance scandalized America with its risqué content and nudity - which although extremely mild by today's standards was considered too daring and raunchy for American tastes of 1940s and early 50s and as a result Jane was heavily censored in the United States. The Jane newspaper strips will appeal to fans of the character and comics historians alike! About Jane and the artist here and a great history of Jane here
Pages: 256 7.5 x 21, PC, $19.95
Lee: Let’s be honest, this is a lark for most American readers because it is a 1950’s British comic strip. And, I can’t wait to get it. I’m always curious to see strips from other countries. This appeals to my inner comic historian.
Jim: This book reeks of Lee, right up his alley and a pass for myself. The cover is great.
Michelangelo: Third Kind #3 by Jim Lawson & Eric TalbotHunted by both the police and the anti-alien militias, Michelangelo now finds himself deeply involved with an Utrom named Klag. While evading capture, the unusual duo must try to neutralize the attacks of a group called HAARM - the Humans Against Aliens Resistance Movement - before the world erupts with interplanetary violence!
#3 of 4, B&W, $3.25
Lee: I just wanted to point out that Turtles books continue to be published to this day. It’s amazing that they are still going. And, believe it or not, I really wish they would put out some trades of this material. The early stuff is really strong as is the material by Lawson/Talbot. It’s better than you think and I bet people would like it.
Jim: You maybe right Lee, but the Turtles were always just a derivative college product that was a phenomenon for its time and its time has past.
NBM
Miss Don't Touch Me GN by Hubert & Kerascoet
It's the turn of the 20th century, and the Butcher of the Garden Cafés is on the prowl for young loose women. Florence has no family and works as a maid, her only friend her fellow maid Agatha - a friend lost to murder, in Florence's eyes, to suicide in everyone else's. She decides to take matters into her own hands, and in doing so ends up a servant in a luxury house of call-girls, even becoming good at certain lascivious practices. She never loses sight of her goal, however - to find the Butcher!
Pages: 96, 6x9, SC, FC, $14.95 Kerascoet blog in french here
Lee: What can I say, I love French comics. The art is so different from anything I am used to that I almost always get these books. And, for all the call-girl antics I have faith this will be tastefully handled. I can promise it will be more tasteful than Bomb Queen but that doesn’t say a lot.
Jim: Just reading the premise make you want to read the comic. A little sex in a comic is better then seeing a seven year old little girl enjoy killing people and being covered in gore. This sounds like it could be a winner.
PAPERCUTZ
Classics Illustrated Vol. 01: Great Expectations HC by Charles Dickens & Rick GearyThe bittersweet tale of one boy's adolescence, and of the choices he makes to shape his destiny. Into an engrossing mystery, Dickens weaves a heartfelt inquiry into morals and virtues - as the orphan Pip, the convict Magwitch, the beautiful Estella, the bitter Miss Havisham, the goodhearted Biddy, the kind Joe, and other memorable characters entwine in a battle of human nature. Rick Geary's delightful illustrations capture the newfound awe and frustrations of young Pip as he comes of age, and begins to understand the opportunities that life presents.
Pages: 56, 6x9, FC, $9.95
Lee: This is all about Rick Geary, artist extraordinaire. I know that Papercutz publishes the atrocious “Tales from the Crypt” but somehow they got these Classics Illustrated right. I got the “Invisible Man” one and I loved it. These have great art and great stories and are well worth your time to read.
Jim: Wow I do not trust this publisher as they do publish the atrocious “Tales from the Crypt” and I brought one copy. Let me know if this is any good Lee.
PENNY FARTHING PRESS
Anne Steelyard and the Garden of Emptiness Vol. 01 GN by Barbara Hambley, Alex Kosakowski
& Ron RandallAnne Steelyard and the Garden of Emptiness: An Honorary Man is a historical and mystical adventure that follows the struggles of a female archaeologist in pre World-War I Mesopotamia. Told in a series of three graphic novels, it is the story of an accomplished and courageous woman attempting to find her place in a turn-of-the-century man's world. I’m pretty sure this is Kosakowski… here Visit the author Hambley here
Pages: 95, SC, #1 of 3, FC, $14.95
Lee: I love the cover! It’s not everyday you see a homage to romance novel covers. The story sound interesting. The art looks passable from what I can gather. And I’m impressed they’re going straight to three graphic novels instead of an extended series.
Jim: See I find this trend of going to the graphic novel very interesting. I think that the financial dynamics have to favor smaller press publishers doing this as opposed to pushing the boulder uphill with a monthly series. The $15 price tag for 95 pages is a little high.
REBELLION
The V.C.s GN by Gerry Finley-Day, Mike McMahon and Cam KennedyA chance to re-visit this classic 2000 AD in paperback for the first time in a decade. A story of intergalactic war written by Rogue Trooper's creator Gerry Finley-Day.
Pages: 144, SC, B&W, $22.50
Lee: I mention this because it has AWESOME art by Mike McMahon and Cam Kennedy. Personally, there isn’t enough Cam Kennedy art in the American market so I am getting it just for that. And it will be soooo worth it.
Jim: Cam Kennedy is not going to be an artist to the vast majority’s taste, but I understand Lee’s sentiment.
SLIVER LTD
Tiny Life GN by Nick Jones & Nicolas Colacitti
Banished from his foster family for his bizarre actions, Jed searches out an old friend and a new place to live. Unfortunately, in order to find this friend, he must journey to the most miserable place he's ever known: his childhood home. Eccentric characters - including an all-but-invisible old man, a former nun who had an extraordinary relationship with his late father, and an oddly morose narrator - line the way. Ultimately, Jed's search leads him to learn divine truths about both his father and his own unusual existence. Visit Colacitti here and the website here with all sorts of previews.
Pages: 120, 7x10, SC, B&W, $9.95
Lee: Well, I’m pretty convinced this will be an odd little book. It’s certainly striking in terms of art. If you’re a fan of small press and outsider comix then this is most likely for you.
Jim: I give Lee credit he can always find the offbeat and more unusual books out there.
TITAN PUBLISHING
Jane: (Mis)adventures of a Bright Young Thing HC by Don Freeman and Norman Pett.These are the cartoon strip (mis)adventures of Britain's first and best-loved World War II pin-up - the, blue eyed, blond-haired, cartoon legend that is Lady Jane Gay! Originally run in the Daily Mirror from 1932 to 1959, Jane reached her peak of popularity during WWII when she became known as the Forces Girlfriend, her quintessentially British Carry On-style sauciness inspiring British Tommies everywhere. Even Sir Winston Churchill himself was said to be a fan! The ever-patriotic Jane wasted no time in joining up to keep the Nazis on the run, as a chauffeur, secretary and even in Army Intelligence! Jane's initial appearance scandalized America with its risqué content and nudity - which although extremely mild by today's standards was considered too daring and raunchy for American tastes of 1940s and early 50s and as a result Jane was heavily censored in the United States. The Jane newspaper strips will appeal to fans of the character and comics historians alike! About Jane and the artist here and a great history of Jane here
Pages: 256 7.5 x 21, PC, $19.95
Lee: Let’s be honest, this is a lark for most American readers because it is a 1950’s British comic strip. And, I can’t wait to get it. I’m always curious to see strips from other countries. This appeals to my inner comic historian.
Jim: This book reeks of Lee, right up his alley and a pass for myself. The cover is great.
UNDERCOVER FISH BOOKS
Fly: A True Story Completely Made Up GN by Andy Fish
Francis Woombler dreams of flying high above the earth, but he's more than just a dreamer, he's determined to accomplish his goal and take flight. Along the way he falls in love, but things take a dark turn and soon his glorious imaginings of flight turn to dark thoughts of revenge. From the creator of the twisted Tragic Tale of Turkey Boy comes his latest graphic novel combining elements of drama, horror, tragedy and some very dark humor. Sure to be a hit with a surprise ending.
Pages: 96, 6 x 9, SC, B&W, $14.95 Andy Fish talks about a newer Batman project here and his portfolio here
Lee: Drama, humor, and even some dark humor. Throw a very odd cover into the mix and I am sold. This looks like wonderful fun.
Jim: This does look like it could be fun.
Lee: Another great month in comics done. Even though Marvel and DC tanked, this month won’t be so bad after all.
Jim: It is not a bad month, great is a stretch in my opinion, but I think everyone was a little off in December.
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